Background Information
Ancient Rome is one of the world’s most fascinating civilizations. From the founding of its first city in 753 BC to its fall in the fifth century AD, Ancient Rome was a power to be reckoned with. Its legacy and influence remain today with the language, arts, and culture that stemmed from it. To uncover the secrets of its rise and fall, scholars and academics of all stripes have engaged in research and writing devoted to this incredible empire. Herein lies a profile of a few of the world’s most famous and best scholars on Ancient Rome.
Theodosius the Great
Theodosius the Great, born in 346 AD, was a Roman emperor and the last to rule over both the western and eastern regions. He was an avid scholar and educator, having studied law and science, and he was a great patron of the arts. His works on Roman law and philosophy provide an incredible insight into the thought of the time. One of his most famous works is “Theodosian Code”, a compilation of laws which is still studied today. He is often hailed as one of the most influential scholars on Ancient Rome.
Livy
Livy (Titus Livius), born in 59 BC, was a Roman historian and considered one of the best sources for understanding the times of Ancient Rome. He travelled extensively throughout Rome’s territories, gathering information and eventually writing his great work, “Ab Urbe Condita Libri”, a history of Rome from its foundation to his own times. Livy’s writing style was direct and free-flowing, providing an incredible amount of detail about Roman culture, politics, society, and wars. This makes his works invaluable to historians studying Ancient Rome.
Suetonius
Suetonius (Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus), born in 70 AD, was a Roman historian and biographer. He wrote several famous works on ancient Rome, most notably his twelve-volume work “Lives of the Caesars”, which gave a unique insight into the lives of the rulers of Rome from Julius Caesar to Domitian. His other works, such as “The Deeds of the Divine Augustus” and “The Lives of the Famous Grammarians”, are also treasured amongst scholars of Ancient Rome.
Vitruvius
Vitruvius (Marcus Vitruvius Pollio), born in 80 BC, was a Roman architect and engineer. His work, entitled “On Architecture”, is still studied today and details much of the architecture and engineering of Ancient Rome. It is believed that his works have influenced many of the greatest architects from the Renaissance to the present day. He also wrote two other works, “The Ten Books of Engineering” and “The Three Books on Civil War”, although less well known than “On Architecture”.
Catullus
Catullus (Gaius Valerius Catullus), born in 84 BC, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Roman poets. His works, including “Carmina Catulliana”, “The Complete Poems of Catullus”, “A Short Guide to Roman Art” and “Treatise On Carthago”, provide an invaluable insight into the culture and arts of Ancient Rome. He is often hailed as a major contributor to the development of Latin literature.
Tactius
Tactius (Publius Cornelius Tacitus), born in 55 AD, was a Roman historian, senator and consul. His works, “The Histories” and “The Annals of Imperial Rome”, document the rise and fall of the Roman empire and provide a vivid account of its politics, culture and people. His writings are highly respected in the field of Ancient Rome scholarship and are still studied today.
Plutarch
Plutarch (Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus), born in 46 AD, was a Greek biographer and historian. His works, including “Lives of Noble Greeks and Romans”, “Comparisons”, “Parallel Lives” and “De Imperatoribus Romanis”, are still studied today and are considered to be among the finest examples of ancient literature. He is hailed as one of the greatest scholars on Ancient Rome and his works are still widely read.
Conclusion
Theodosius the Great, Livy, Suetonius, Vitruvius, Catullus, Tactius and Plutarch are some of the best scholars on Ancient Rome. Their works remain an invaluable source of information and knowledge about the history, culture, politics and art of this remarkable civilization. These scholars have provided fascinating insights and perspectives on Ancient Rome, which continue to engage and captivate readers to this day.
