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Historia romana (Biblioteca Clásica Gredos nº 284)
Esta historia de Roma, hasta el año 29 d.C., interesa por la acertada caracterización psicológica de los emperadores y por el buen juicio crítico en literatura.
El historiador romano Gayo Veleyo Patérculo (h. 19 a.C.- h. 30 d.C.), descendiente de familia noble, sirvió varios años en el ejército de Germania, unas campañas que, junto con otras, le valieron puestos destacados en la administración. Su Compendio de la Historia romana cubre desde los primeros tiempos hasta el año 29 d.C., en dos libros. Se han perdido partes del primero, que concluye con la destrucción de Cartago; el segundo es más detallista y pormenorizado, en especial acerca de la vida de los Césares, hacia los que se muestra muy favorable (en especial con Tiberio). No es esta Historia una obra de gran profundidad ni perspicacia, ni ofrece revelaciones novedosas: el propio autor admite que la escribió de forma un tanto apresurada; sin embargo, resultan muy atractivas las caracterizaciones de los protagonistas, cuyos rasgos esenciales se muestran con acierto y certeza. Otro de sus elementos de interés es su exposición de la historia de la literatura latina, en unos capítulos que analizan con buen juicio crítico a los autores del periodo augústeo y a los posteriores.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 9, 2020
Histoire Romaine
By C. Velléius Paterculus (19BC – 31AD)
“Roman History” by C.V. Paterculus is a work in 2 volumes designated to A.M. Vinicius Consul (30 AD).
This edition printed in 1840 is a French translation by M. Herbet.
Paterculus is one of the lesser-known Latin authors. Except for Priscian, no other ancient author has mentioned him. All we know of his life originates from the present work.
Book 1 starts with the history of ancient Greece. For readers of history, this is well-charted territory.
It begins with the fall of Troy and the destiny of the victors.
The victorious Greek leaders and their armies spread out in the Mediterranean and founded new cities along the coasts where they had made landfall.
Agamemnon, returning home met his destiny with the dagger of his wife Clytemnestra. The story continues with the tragic lives of Electra and her brother Orestes, the life of Pyrrhus son of Achilles and endless other historical events.
The fate of the fugitive survivors is part of the lost section of book1.
Paterculus takes time to elaborate on Greek poets like Homer, Hesiod, Aeschylus, Euripides, Sophocles and Aristophanes. He praises authors of plays, Menander, Philemon and Diphiles, and carries over to the Roman authors who continued, Terence, Afranius, he misses Plautus.
Velleius is enthusiast about famous eloquent public speakers, starting with Cicero, Caton, Scipion, Galba and many others.
Romulus is only shortly mentioned as the founder of Rome.
In the first book, the author writes at a fast pace in short sentences and always refers to time, years and geography to situate events.
Book 2 is written in a more eloquent style. It begins in the year 143 BC with the fall of Cartago, conquered by Rome. The author describes how Romans now changed from disciplined conquerors to become a nation of spoiled and greedy profiteers of accumulated fortunes from vanquished countries and cities.
The begin of Rome’s decline had arrived. Ambitious Roman politicians and aimless military generals started turning their legions against one another. Civil wars started under many banners.
Marius, Cinna, Scylla, Pompey and Julius Cesar wrote their history with Roman blood.
Velleius Paterculus first served as military tribune under Caius Cesar in expeditions in the countries of Thrace and Macedonia. Later he joined as prefect of a cavalry unit Tiberius and served for nine years in wars in Pannonia, Dalmatia and Germania.
When returning to Rome Paterculus was one of Tiberius officers to join in the victory triumph reception. He had now an enviable position as one of the leader’s confidence.
The present work puts excessive flattering emphasis describing the life and political successes to praise Tiberius.
The style of writing is pleasant and entertaining, well-annotated with dates and locations of all events. We find an interesting and maybe unique complete list of founding dates of Roman colonies and provinces.
The book is called “Roman History”, but the reader perceives a condensed Universal History rather than a History of Rome.
By C. Velléius Paterculus (19BC – 31AD)
“Roman History” by C.V. Paterculus is a work in 2 volumes designated to A.M. Vinicius Consul (30 AD).
This edition printed in 1840 is a French translation by M. Herbet.
Paterculus is one of the lesser-known Latin authors. Except for Priscian, no other ancient author has mentioned him. All we know of his life originates from the present work.
Book 1 starts with the history of ancient Greece. For readers of history, this is well-charted territory.
It begins with the fall of Troy and the destiny of the victors.
The victorious Greek leaders and their armies spread out in the Mediterranean and founded new cities along the coasts where they had made landfall.
Agamemnon, returning home met his destiny with the dagger of his wife Clytemnestra. The story continues with the tragic lives of Electra and her brother Orestes, the life of Pyrrhus son of Achilles and endless other historical events.
The fate of the fugitive survivors is part of the lost section of book1.
Paterculus takes time to elaborate on Greek poets like Homer, Hesiod, Aeschylus, Euripides, Sophocles and Aristophanes. He praises authors of plays, Menander, Philemon and Diphiles, and carries over to the Roman authors who continued, Terence, Afranius, he misses Plautus.
Velleius is enthusiast about famous eloquent public speakers, starting with Cicero, Caton, Scipion, Galba and many others.
Romulus is only shortly mentioned as the founder of Rome.
In the first book, the author writes at a fast pace in short sentences and always refers to time, years and geography to situate events.
Book 2 is written in a more eloquent style. It begins in the year 143 BC with the fall of Cartago, conquered by Rome. The author describes how Romans now changed from disciplined conquerors to become a nation of spoiled and greedy profiteers of accumulated fortunes from vanquished countries and cities.
The begin of Rome’s decline had arrived. Ambitious Roman politicians and aimless military generals started turning their legions against one another. Civil wars started under many banners.
Marius, Cinna, Scylla, Pompey and Julius Cesar wrote their history with Roman blood.
Velleius Paterculus first served as military tribune under Caius Cesar in expeditions in the countries of Thrace and Macedonia. Later he joined as prefect of a cavalry unit Tiberius and served for nine years in wars in Pannonia, Dalmatia and Germania.
When returning to Rome Paterculus was one of Tiberius officers to join in the victory triumph reception. He had now an enviable position as one of the leader’s confidence.
The present work puts excessive flattering emphasis describing the life and political successes to praise Tiberius.
The style of writing is pleasant and entertaining, well-annotated with dates and locations of all events. We find an interesting and maybe unique complete list of founding dates of Roman colonies and provinces.
The book is called “Roman History”, but the reader perceives a condensed Universal History rather than a History of Rome.
January 21, 2019
This history is an epitome; it doesn’t have the depth of detail nor the considered approach of the better known ancient historians who have covered this ground; it is also notably pro-Tiberius, at times, absolutely dripping with praise, glossing faults and skipping anything remotely negative.
I read it almost as a challenge to myself - to encounter a blatantly positive view of Tiberius in direct counterbalance to Suetonius and some of the other ancient historians. I definitely got what I was asking for.
I’m researching the reign of Tiberius, and frankly, I think this is essential reading for that time period. Vellieus was an eye witness on campaign with Tiberius as General, and offers insight and facts not found elsewhere.
I’ve scored it so highly because this edition is wonderful (I don’t judge ancient texts on content as such, but rather on presentation and translation).
The translation was clear, easy to read; it has very useful instructive introductory sections; and throughout, it is thoroughly annotated, with a comprehensive index. If only my Plutarch & Dio books were presented so well!
I read it almost as a challenge to myself - to encounter a blatantly positive view of Tiberius in direct counterbalance to Suetonius and some of the other ancient historians. I definitely got what I was asking for.
I’m researching the reign of Tiberius, and frankly, I think this is essential reading for that time period. Vellieus was an eye witness on campaign with Tiberius as General, and offers insight and facts not found elsewhere.
I’ve scored it so highly because this edition is wonderful (I don’t judge ancient texts on content as such, but rather on presentation and translation).
The translation was clear, easy to read; it has very useful instructive introductory sections; and throughout, it is thoroughly annotated, with a comprehensive index. If only my Plutarch & Dio books were presented so well!
July 23, 2025
okay five stars because i really loved that this is first-hand account of a soldier who served under emperor tiberius. i personally loved the story he witnessed where a germanic elder canoed over to the roman camp just to tell tiberius in-person how impressed he was with him. like!!! i haven't read that story anywhere else because why would i???? you can't find that story anywhere else because this is a personal story from an actual soldier who witnessed it, not from some historian like tacitus (still love you) who was writing 200 years later. anyway, paterculus is a certified cicero stan, tiberius stan, and he praised germanicus on numerous occasions, so i basically think we were meant to be besties. i love romans!!!!!!!
December 3, 2024
Es un resumen para un gobernante de la historia, aunque hay algunas partes que no nos han llegado, tiene un estilo algo retórico que no está mal. Tiende a halagar a los emperadores, especialmente a Tiberio, su obtención de popularidad y ascenso al poder está bien narrado. Cumple bien y tiene un estilo interesante pero nada especial, al no ser muy completo
July 10, 2024
Historisch een zeer belangrijk werk dat per toeval de tand des tijds heeft doorstaan en ontsnapt is aan de eeuwen van filtering o.v.v. historische relevantie. Echter is Velleius Paterculus in moderne termen een rechtse stem die zeer anti de sociale hervormingen van de Gracchen en hun navolgers was.
December 21, 2016
Un buen libro de historia de Roma escrito por un romano, aunque no llega a la profundidad ni a la exactitud de Dión Casio.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews