Festus (historian)
Encyclopedia
Festus was a Late Roman historian (and proconsul
of Africa
) whose breviary
(summary of the history of Rome, one source was the Enmannsche Kaisergeschichte
) was commissioned by the emperor Valens
in preparation for war against Persia.
Festus is author of the historical work known as Breviarium rerum gestarum populi Romani. It was completed about 379 AD.
Breviarium covers all history of the Roman state from foundation of the City till 369 AD. The book consists of 30 small parts, that's why events of Roman history are described very briefly. Festus is mainly focused on political and (especially) military history of Rome.
The Festus' Breviarium is estimated as work of very low quality.
Proconsul
A proconsul was a governor of a province in the Roman Republic appointed for one year by the senate. In modern usage, the title has been used for a person from one country ruling another country or bluntly interfering in another country's internal affairs.-Ancient Rome:In the Roman Republic, a...
of Africa
Africa Province
The Roman province of Africa was established after the Romans defeated Carthage in the Third Punic War. It roughly comprised the territory of present-day northern Tunisia, and the small Mediterranean coast of modern-day western Libya along the Syrtis Minor...
) whose breviary
Epitome
An epitome is a summary or miniature form; an instance that represents a larger reality, also used as a synonym for embodiment....
(summary of the history of Rome, one source was the Enmannsche Kaisergeschichte
Enmannsche Kaisergeschichte
The Enmannsche Kaisergeschichte is a modern term for a hypothesized Latin historical work, written in the 4th century but now lost....
) was commissioned by the emperor Valens
Valens
Valens was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378. He was given the eastern half of the empire by his brother Valentinian I after the latter's accession to the throne...
in preparation for war against Persia.
Festus is author of the historical work known as Breviarium rerum gestarum populi Romani. It was completed about 379 AD.
Breviarium covers all history of the Roman state from foundation of the City till 369 AD. The book consists of 30 small parts, that's why events of Roman history are described very briefly. Festus is mainly focused on political and (especially) military history of Rome.
The Festus' Breviarium is estimated as work of very low quality.
External links
- Breviarum of the accomplishments of the Roman people, translated by Thomas M. Banchich and Jennifer A. Meka (2001)