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Roman History, Volume IX: Books 71–80
Dio Cassius (Cassius Dio), ca. 150- 235 CE, was born at Nicaea in Bithynia in Asia Minor. On the death of his father (Roman governor of Cilicia) he went in 180 to Rome, entered the Senate, and under the emperor Commodus was an advocate. He held high offices, becoming a close friend of several emperors. He was made governor of Pergamum and Smyrna; consul in 220; proconsul of Africa; governor of Dalmatia and then of Pannonia; and consul again in 229.
Of the eighty books of Dio's great work "Roman History," covering the era from the legendary landing of Aeneas in Italy to the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235 CE), we possess Books 36-60 (36 and 55-60 have gaps), which cover the years 68 BCE-47 CE. The missing portions are partly supplied, for the earlier gaps by Zonaras, who relies closely on Dio, and for some later gaps (Book 35 onwards) by John Xiphilinus (of the eleventh century). There are also many excerpts. The facilities for research afforded by Dio's official duties and his own industry make him a very vital source for Roman history of the last years of the republic and the first four emperors.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of Dio Cassius is in nine volumes.
Of the eighty books of Dio's great work "Roman History," covering the era from the legendary landing of Aeneas in Italy to the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235 CE), we possess Books 36-60 (36 and 55-60 have gaps), which cover the years 68 BCE-47 CE. The missing portions are partly supplied, for the earlier gaps by Zonaras, who relies closely on Dio, and for some later gaps (Book 35 onwards) by John Xiphilinus (of the eleventh century). There are also many excerpts. The facilities for research afforded by Dio's official duties and his own industry make him a very vital source for Roman history of the last years of the republic and the first four emperors.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of Dio Cassius is in nine volumes.
592 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 230
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About the author
Cassius Dio
396 books43 followersCassius Dio or Dio Cassius (c. 155 – c. 235) was a Roman statesman and historian of Greek origin. He published 80 volumes of history on ancient Rome, beginning with the arrival of Aeneas in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 5, 2020
Cassius Dio coverage of the early third century has the advantage that he was an eye witness and the disadvantage that he was very much in the centre of the things, being probably one of the senators in the 'regency council' of Severus Alexander.
But at the end the reason for his persistent ill-will to the army becomes clear.
As well as a really important source for the period, this is also a really enjoyable read full of outrageous characters and weird happenings as told by an opinionated retired politician.
But at the end the reason for his persistent ill-will to the army becomes clear.
As well as a really important source for the period, this is also a really enjoyable read full of outrageous characters and weird happenings as told by an opinionated retired politician.
September 9, 2024
The last of Dio Cassius' histories, covering events that happened in his actual lifetime. Dio uses the contemporary names of Emperors so sometimes it takes a bit to figure out who he is talking about. It starts with Marcus Aurelius, who Dio consistently refers to as Marcus Antoninus(singer of songs). Aurelius was a scholarly man who was a noted Stoic and wanted to practice learning, instead he spends almost his entire reign on campaign, mostly in Germania. The last of the Five Good Emperors, he ruled well, and his "Meditations" should be read. He died on campaign leaving his son Commodus.
Commodus' reign follows the plot of the movie "Gladiator", with a different ending. Dio actually served under Commodus and considered him a brutish dullard. Commodus had spent his childhood in army camps so when he became Emperor he ended warfare with the Germans. All he wanted was to race horses and hunt animals. He did take part as a gladiator but with a blunted or wooden weapon. He killed people but not by his own hand in public. But he did have bunches killed for no reason. He was universally despised and eventually murdered by his own Praetorians. Dio describes how he as a Senator joined the other Senators in cheering on Commodus and granting him endless honors all while secretly hating him. Dio shows no shame for his actions, considering them the reasonable choices made to avoid death.
A couple of short lived Emperors filled the next few months before Septimus Severus took charge. Dio had previously supported Severus for Emperor so his description is disjointed. He describes how Severus went on a killing spree and terrorized Rome while later pointing out all his good points and how things weren't so bad after all. Severus spent much time in warfare and expanding the Empire, and he died on campaign in the Middle East. He was succeeded by his son Antoninus(singer of songs), better known to us as Caracalla.
Caracalla cared little for administration and preferred battle. He spent lavishly on the troops and accelerated their decay. He killed his brother Geta, let his mom rule in his stead. He killed lots of Romans and considered himself the next Alexander the Great, going so far as to follow some of Alexander's footsteps by invading Parthia, and even had a Macedonian Phalanx in original Greek armor and weapons. The troops liked the extra pay but not the extra fighting and eventually the Praetorian Macrinus had him assassinated.
Macrinus was a Moor, low born and illiterate, so the Romans hated him. He never did come to Rome. He tried to reform some of the excesses of previous Emperors concerning the army and their pay which they did not like. A 14 year old boy claiming to by the son of Caracalla, known by Dio as the "False Antoninus"(singer of songs), started running around proclaiming himself the legitimate Emperor. With the help of Caracalla's aunt he collected an army which defeated Macrinus, who was killed trying to sneak to Rome.
Avitus, the "False Antoninus"(singer of songs), is better known to us as Elagabalus, named after the Eastern sun god who he worshipped religiously. Elagabalus was also known as Sardanapalus because he was from Syria and dressed and acted like a Syrian. Usually a Syrian woman, as he liked to dress as a sporting woman and hang out outside brothels taking customers. He serially married several women and was also wife to several husbands. He killed lots of people and acted like a weird foreigner so he was not popular and ended up being made dead before he turned 20.
Elagabalus' cousin Severus Alexander becomes Emperor and here our story ends. Cassius Dio is made consul for the second time but spends much of his time away from Rome in virtual retirement. Alxander is 14 years old when make Emperor so his grandmother does most of the ruling. He tries to reform the army which ends up with a three day battle in the streets of Rome. It is fortuitous that Dio gets out of town because Severus Alexander is the last true Emperor for 100 years. Following him is endless civil war and foreign invasion, with Emperor's ruling for as little as 22 days.
This whole series of books as an absolute must read for any serious or just interested person concerning the history of Rome. The fact that Dio is sometimes less than impartial just adds flavor as we get to hear the words of a Roman telling us what he thinks of Rome.
Commodus' reign follows the plot of the movie "Gladiator", with a different ending. Dio actually served under Commodus and considered him a brutish dullard. Commodus had spent his childhood in army camps so when he became Emperor he ended warfare with the Germans. All he wanted was to race horses and hunt animals. He did take part as a gladiator but with a blunted or wooden weapon. He killed people but not by his own hand in public. But he did have bunches killed for no reason. He was universally despised and eventually murdered by his own Praetorians. Dio describes how he as a Senator joined the other Senators in cheering on Commodus and granting him endless honors all while secretly hating him. Dio shows no shame for his actions, considering them the reasonable choices made to avoid death.
A couple of short lived Emperors filled the next few months before Septimus Severus took charge. Dio had previously supported Severus for Emperor so his description is disjointed. He describes how Severus went on a killing spree and terrorized Rome while later pointing out all his good points and how things weren't so bad after all. Severus spent much time in warfare and expanding the Empire, and he died on campaign in the Middle East. He was succeeded by his son Antoninus(singer of songs), better known to us as Caracalla.
Caracalla cared little for administration and preferred battle. He spent lavishly on the troops and accelerated their decay. He killed his brother Geta, let his mom rule in his stead. He killed lots of Romans and considered himself the next Alexander the Great, going so far as to follow some of Alexander's footsteps by invading Parthia, and even had a Macedonian Phalanx in original Greek armor and weapons. The troops liked the extra pay but not the extra fighting and eventually the Praetorian Macrinus had him assassinated.
Macrinus was a Moor, low born and illiterate, so the Romans hated him. He never did come to Rome. He tried to reform some of the excesses of previous Emperors concerning the army and their pay which they did not like. A 14 year old boy claiming to by the son of Caracalla, known by Dio as the "False Antoninus"(singer of songs), started running around proclaiming himself the legitimate Emperor. With the help of Caracalla's aunt he collected an army which defeated Macrinus, who was killed trying to sneak to Rome.
Avitus, the "False Antoninus"(singer of songs), is better known to us as Elagabalus, named after the Eastern sun god who he worshipped religiously. Elagabalus was also known as Sardanapalus because he was from Syria and dressed and acted like a Syrian. Usually a Syrian woman, as he liked to dress as a sporting woman and hang out outside brothels taking customers. He serially married several women and was also wife to several husbands. He killed lots of people and acted like a weird foreigner so he was not popular and ended up being made dead before he turned 20.
Elagabalus' cousin Severus Alexander becomes Emperor and here our story ends. Cassius Dio is made consul for the second time but spends much of his time away from Rome in virtual retirement. Alxander is 14 years old when make Emperor so his grandmother does most of the ruling. He tries to reform the army which ends up with a three day battle in the streets of Rome. It is fortuitous that Dio gets out of town because Severus Alexander is the last true Emperor for 100 years. Following him is endless civil war and foreign invasion, with Emperor's ruling for as little as 22 days.
This whole series of books as an absolute must read for any serious or just interested person concerning the history of Rome. The fact that Dio is sometimes less than impartial just adds flavor as we get to hear the words of a Roman telling us what he thinks of Rome.
July 22, 2025
Bastante interesante, con acostumbrarte a los nombres de los emperadores originales y no a sus apodos está genial. Me ha gustado aunque me ha dado pena en algunas partes que no se haya conservado. Dion Casio está bastante bien, autor recomendado.
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March 10, 2025bruhhh we get it you were on the senate
June 27, 2014
Great work on Roman History
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews