Arrian of Nicomedia (; Ancient Greek: Ἀρριανός Arrianos; ;[Stadter's suggestion that his official name was Lucius Flavius Arrianus Xenophon () is disproven by epigraphic evidence: Bowie, E. L. “Greeks and Their Past in the Second Sophistic.” Past & Present, 46 (1970): 25 n. 72.
] )[
]
was a Greek people historian, public servant, military commander, and philosopher of the Roman Greece.
The Anabasis of Alexander by Arrian is considered the best source on the campaigns of Alexander the Great. Scholars have generally preferred Arrian to other extant primary sources, though this attitude has changed somewhat in light of modern studies into Arrian's method.
Arrian's life
Arrian was born in
Nicomedia (present-day İzmit), the provincial capital of
Bithynia.
Cassius Dio called him Flavius Arrianus Nicomediensis. Sources provide similar dates for his birth, within a few years prior to 90, 89, and 85–90 AD. The line of reasoning for dates belonging to 85–90 AD is because of Arrian being made a
consul around 130 AD, and the usual age for this, during this period, being 42 years of age. (ref. pp. 312, & SYME 1958,
ibid.). His family was from the Greek provincial aristocracy, and his full name,
L. Flavius Arrianus, indicates that he was a Roman citizen, suggesting that the citizenship went back several generations, probably to the time of the Roman conquest some 170 years before.
[FP Polo (2011). The Consul at Rome: The Civil Functions of the Consuls in the Roman Republic. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved (ed. used p. 1–3 to identify nature of < consulship >)]
Sometime during the second century AD (117 to 120 AD) while in Epirus, probably Nicopolis, Arrian attended lectures of Epictetus of Nicopolis, and proceeded within a time to fall into his pupillage, a fact attested to by Lucian. All that is known about the life of Epictetus is due to Arrian, in that Arrian left an Encheiridion ( Handbook) of Epictetus' philosophy. After Epirus, he went to Athens, and while there, he became known as the "young Xenophon" as a consequence of the similarity of his relationship to Epictetus as Xenophon had to Socrates.[Oxford Dictionaries: attest, pupilage Oxford University Press Retrieved]
For a period, some time about 126 AD, he was a friend of the emperor Hadrian's, who appointed him to the Roman Senate. He was appointed to the position consul suffectus around 130 AD, and then, in 132 AD (although Howatson shows 131), he was made prefect or legate (governor) of Cappadocia by Hadrian, a service he continued for six years. Historian Cassius Dio states that not long after the Bar Kokhba revolt in Judea had been quelled, in 135 AD, King Pharasmanes II of Iberia caused the Alans to invade neighbouring territories, including Cappadocia, where their advance was robustly halted by Arrian's legions.
A second war was begun by the Alani (they are Massagetae) at the instigation of Pharasmanes. It caused dire injury to the Albanian territory and Media, and then involved Armenia and Cappadocia; after which, as the Alani were not only persuaded by gifts from Vologaesus, but also stood in dread of Flavius Arrianus, the governor of Cappadocia, it came to a stop.
Arrian referred to himself as "the second Xenophon", on account of his reputation and the esteem in which he was held. Lucian stated him to be:[Peter Beckford (... perhaps, the writing is slightly illegible) or a Country Squire – Essays on Hunting. Containing a philosophical enquiry into the nature and properties of the scent; observations on ... hounds ... also directions for the choice of a hunter, etc., extracted from “An Essay on Hunting, by a Country Squire,” published in 1733., With Six letters upon Hunting” by J. S. Gardiner., With an introduction by the editor, W. Blane, p. xvii Southampton T. Baker and others 1781 Retrieved (ed. this source not the first source for ed. of this factor)]
This quality is identified as paideia (παιδεία), which is the quality considered to be of one who is known as an educated and learned personage, i.e., one who is highly esteemed and important.[definitions of paideia – Merriam-Webster, University Press Retrieved][Werner Jaeger (translated by Gilbert Highet), Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture: II. In Search of the Divine Centre Volume 2 of Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture Oxford University Press, 23 October 1986 (reprint – 1st published 1943) Retrieved][Perseus Project: Latin Word Study Tool: paideia Retrieved][Oxford Dictionaries: personage Oxford University Press Retrieved]
Works
He produced eight extant works (cf. Syvänne, footnote of p. 260). The
Indica and the
Anabasis are the only works completely intact. His entire remaining
oeuvre is known as
FGrH 156 to designate those collected fragments that exist.
[SB Ferrario was the first source for FGrH 156]
Periplus of the Euxine Sea
This work is the earliest extant work that is dated with any confidence. It is a writing addressed to Emperor Hadrian.
[ Arrian's voyage round the Euxine Sea translated: and accompanied with a geographical dissertation, and maps J. Cook, 1805 Retrieved (ed. 1st source)][William Thomas Lowndes, The bibliographer's manual of English literature, containing an account of rare, curious, and useful books, publ. in or relating to Great Britain and Ireland 1857 Retrieved]
Discourses of Epictetus and Enchiridion of Epictetus
Arrian was a pupil of
Epictetus around 108 AD, and, according to his own account, he was moved to publish his notes of Epictetus' lectures, which are known as
Discourses of Epictetus, by their unauthorized dissemination.
[EL Bowie, Sage and Emperor: Plutarch, Greek Intellectuals, and Roman Power in the Time of Trajan (98–117 A.D.) (p. 48) Leuven University Press, 1 January 2002 (edited by PA Stadter, L. Van der Stockt), Retrieved] According to George Long, Arrian noted from Epictetus' lectures for his private use and some time later made of these, the
Discourses. Photius states that Arrian produced two books the
Dissertations and the
Discourses. The Discourses are also known as
Diatribai and are apparently a verbatim recording of Epictetus' lectures.
[ (... Enchiridion a summary of the Discourses)][George Long, Arrian : The Discourses of Epictetus – Special Edition (p. vii) Special Edition Books, 2010 Retrieved][Nathaniel Lardner, The works of Nathaniel Lardner, D.D. with a life by Dr. Kippis ... W. Bal, 1838 Retrieved]
The Enchiridion is a short compendium of all Epictetus' philosophical principles. It is also known as a handbook, and A Mehl considers the Enchiridion to have been a for Arrian. The Enchiridion is apparently a summary of the Discourses.[ (ed. this the first source for < History of the Diadochi >)][Definitions of < vade mecum > Oxford University, Merriam-Webster Retrieved]
JB Stockdale considered that Arrian wrote eight books of which and the remaining ones became the Discourses. In a comparison of the contents of the Enchiridion with the Discourses, it is apparent that the former contains material not present within the latter, suggesting an original lost source for the Enchiridion.[Vice Admiral JB Stockdale, Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior Hoover Press, 1993 Retrieved][KH Seddon – Epictetus Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy Retrieved]
Homiliai Epiktetou
Friendly conversations with Epictetus (
Homiliai Epiktetou) is a 12 book work mentioned by Photius in his
Bibliotheca, of which only fragments remain.
Anabasis of Alexander
The
Anabasis of Alexander comprises seven books.
Arrian used Xenophon's account of the March of Cyrus as the basis for this work.
[Encyclopædia Iranica Anabasis Retrieved]
Ta met' Alexandron
History of the Diadochi or
Events after Alexander is a work originally of ten books; a commentary on this work was written by
Photius (FW Walbank, p. 8).
[ (p. 156 footnote 4 is the location of < Ta met' Alexandron >.][SB Ferrario, Historical Agency and the 'Great Man' in Classical Greece (p. 6 footnote 17) Cambridge University Press, 2014 Retrieved (ed. this source used only for the addition of < Ta meta tou Alexandrou >)]
Three extant fragments are the Vatican Palimpsest (of the 10th century AD), PSI 12.1284 (Oxyrhynchus), and the Gothenburg palimpsest (of the 10th century also), these possibly stemming originally from Photius.
The writing is about the successors of Alexander the Great, circa 323 – 321 or 319.
Parthica
A lost work of seventeen books, fragments of
Parthica were maintained by the
Suda and Stephanus of Byzantium. The work survives only in adaptations made later by
Photius and
George Syncellus. Translated, the title is
History of the Parthians. Arrian's aim in the work was to set forth events of the Parthian war of
Trajan. The writing mentioned that the
Parthian Empire trace their origins to
Artaxerxes II.
[CG Starr, A History of the Ancient World Oxford University Press, 1991 Retrieved (ed. supporting / secondary source for < lost >)][J Wiesehofer, Ancient Persia (p. 131 – the link opens p. 133) I.B. Tauris, 2001 Retrieved][E. Yarshater, The Cambridge History of Iran: Seleucid Parthian (p. 697) Cambridge University Press, 1983 Retrieved]
Bithyniaca
A work of eight books,
Bibliotheca (via Photius) states it is the fourth to have been written by Arrian.
[LJ Sanders referencing AB Bosworth referencing Photius, The Legend of Dion (p. 173 footnote 379) Dundurn, 2008 Retrieved]
Indica
Indica is a work on a variety of things pertaining to
India, and the voyage of Nearchus in the Persian Gulf. The first part of
Indica was based largely on the work of the same name of
Megasthenes, the second part based on a journal written by
Nearchus.
[ Alexander the Great: The Anabasis and the Indica (pp. 227 onward) Translated by M Hammond, Oxford University Press, 2013 Retrieved][ (ed. this source used for < Ινσικη >)][ The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica (scroll down for a list of editors) Encyclopædia Britannica Retrieved (ed. this the 1st source of < Indica > for this ed.)]
Techne Taktike
Written 136/137 AD (in the 20th year of Hadrian
),
Techne Taktike ('the
Techne of tactics') is a treatise on Roman cavalry and military tactics, and includes information on the nature, arms and discipline of the
phalanx. The
hippika gymnasia is a particular concern of Arrian in the treatise.
[AB Bosworth, Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, Volume 81, p. 234 Harvard University Press, 1977 (edited by G. P. Goold) Retrieved][P Sidnell, Warhorse: Cavalry in Ancient Warfare (p. 268) Bloomsbury Publishing, 2007 Retrieved][T E Rihll, Greek Science (p. 84 footnote 11) Cambridge University Press, 1999 Retrieved (ed. 1st source for < Tekhne Taktike >)][I Syvänne, The Age of Hippotoxotai: Art of War in Roman Military Revival and Disaster (491–636) Volume 994 of Acta Universitatis Tamperensis Tampere University Press, 2004 Retrieved][S Jamess (R Collins, F McIntosh, eds.), Life in the Limes: Studies of the people and objects of the Roman frontiers, p. 102 Oxbow Books, 2014 Retrieved][Edward Gibbon, The life of Edward Gibbon, by himself, with selections from his correspondence, and illustrustrated by the rev. H.H. Milman. To which is added, Essay on the study of literature p. 100 footnote 22d Paris Baudry's European Library 1840 Retrieved][KR. Dixon, P Southern, The Roman Cavalry, pp. 126ff Routledge, 2013 Retrieved]
Another translation of the title is Ars tactica, which, in Greek, is Τέχνη τακτική.[Perseus Tufts Latin Word Study Tool: – texnh Retrieved (ed. < texnh > located at < JG DeVoto > in http://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/ - used in verification of Ars tactica as same work))]
This work has generally been considered in large part a panegyric to Hadrian, written for the occasion of his vīcennālia, although some scholars have argued that its second half may have had practical use.[M Peachin, Frontinus and the Curae of the Curator Aquarum (p. 92 – footnote 21) Volume 39 of Heidelberger althistorische Beiträge und epigraphische Studien Franz Steiner Verlag, 2004 Retrieved][J Mancini, Vicennalia Treccani – La Cultura Italiana Retrieved (ed. this source used only to identify the nature of the word < vicennalia >)]
Kynēgetikos
Cynegeticus (Κυνηγετικός),
[Roos, A.G. Flavii Arriani. Quae Exstant Omnia, vol. II, Scripta Minora et Fragmenta. Leipzig: Teubner 1928] translated as
A treatise on hunting with hounds,
On Hunting, or
On Coursing,
[Phillips, A. A., and M. M. Willcock, (eds.). Xenophon & Arrian on Hunting with Hounds. Oxford: Aris & Phillips, 1999. . p. 1] is a work about the Celtic sport of coursing hare with sighthounds, specifically the Celtic greyhounds: in Greek (plural)
ouertragoi, in Latin (plural)
vertragi.
[ p. 51 – Arrian on Coursing. The Cynegeticus of the Younger Xenophon ... with Classical and Practical Annotations, and a Brief Sketch of the Life and Writings of the Author; To which is Added an Appendix Containing Some Account of the Canes Venatici of Classical Antiquity, Bohn, 1831 Retrieved (ed. this was the first source for < Cynegeticus >)][Delabere Pritchett Blaine, p. 391 – An Encyclopaedia of Rural Sports: Or a Complete Account, Historical, Practical, and Descriptive, of Hunting, Shooting, Fishing, Racing, and Other Field Sports and Athletic Amusements of the Present Day, Volume 1 Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1840 Retrieved][ The Quarterly Review, Volume 118 John Murray, 1865 Retrieved][Thomas Keith, A new treatise on the use of the globes ... The sixth edition, corrected and improved 1824 Retrieved][AA Phillips, MM Willcock, Xenophon and Arrian, On Hunting (Kynēgetikos) Aris & Phillips, 1999 Retrieved (ed. source of word < Kynēgetikos >][Moses Finley, Studies in Ancient Society (Routledge Revivals) (p. 193) Routledge, 2013 Retrieved (ed. source for < κυνηγεττικός >)]
The work was inspired by and designed as an addition to Cynegeticus made by Xenophon, whom Arrian recognised to be the Ancient Greek authority on the subject of hunting with scent hounds.[J. Mossman, F. Titchener, Virtues for the People: Aspects of Plutarchan Ethics (p. 277) (edited by G Roskam, L. Van der Stockt) Universitaire Pers Leuven, 2011 Retrieved (ed. this source being not the first source for this fact for ed.)][Oxford Dictionary: exposition, Oxford University Press Retrieved]
Ektaxis kata Alanon
Ektaxis kata Alanon (Ἔκταξις κατὰ Ἀλανῶν) is a work of a now fragmentary nature; the title is translated as
Deployment against the Alani or
The order of battle against the Alans or referred to simply as
Alanica. It is thought not have been written as a presentation of facts but for literary reasons. Pertaining to the relevant historical facts, though, while governor of Cappadocia, Arrian repelled an invasion of the
Alans sometime during 135 AD, a struggle in which Arrian's two legions were victorious.
[N. J. E. Austin, N. B. Rankov, Exploratio: Military & Political Intelligence in the Roman World from the Second Punic War to the Battle of Adrianople, p. 4 Routledge, 2002 Retrieved][ (the word < Deployment > in search criteria was taken from J. E. Lendon , p. 267)][ Encyclopædia Britannica Retrieved][ Details of a publication (JG DeVoto) Retrieved][Pat Southern, The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional History, p. 24 Oxford University Press, 2007 Retrieved][D Hoyos, A Roman Army Reader: Twenty-One Selections from Literary, Epigraphic, and Other Documents (p. xliii) Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 2013 Retrieved]
Within the work, Arrian explicitly identified the particular means of pursuing warfare as being based on Greek methods.[J. E. Lendon, Soldiers & Ghosts: A History of Battle in Classical Antiquity Yale University Press, 2006 Retrieved)][Oxford Dictionaries: explicit, explicate Oxford University Press Retrieved][ICRC: Methods and means of warfare – 29-10-2010 Overview Retrieved (ed. used for clarity on concept < method of war > in J. E. Lendon)]
Ektaxis kata Alanon is also translated as Acies contra Alanos. The work was known for a time as A History of the Alani ( Alanike via Photius[ Perseus Digital Library: R Hercher, A. Eberhard, Ed. Retrieved]
Biographical series
There were also a number of monographs or biographies, including of Dion of Syracuse,
Timoleon of Corinth, and Tilliborus, a brigand or robber of
Anatolia, which are now lost.
[Moses Finley, Studies in Ancient Society (Routledge Revivals) (p. 193), 2013 Retrieved (ed. this source the primary source)][C Schrader, Concordantia in Flavii Arriani Indicam historiam Georg Olms Verlag, 1995 Retrieved (used as verification of primary, and used word < biography >)][Oxford Dictionary – monograph Oxford University Press Retrieved][EJ Chinnock, The Anabasis of Alexander Retrieved][L Boia – Great Historians from Antiquity to 1800: An International Dictionary, Volume 1 Greenwood Press, 1989 (ed. first source for Tilliborus)]
Sources, transmission, translations and publications
Everything known of his life derives from the 9th century writing of
Photius in his
Bibliotheca, and from those few references which exist within Arrian's own writings. The knowledge of his consulship, is derived at the least from literature produced by
Suda.
Arnobius (c. 3rd century AD
[MP Carroll, The Cult of the Virgin Mary: Psychological Origins (p. 101) Princeton University Press, 1992 Retrieved]) mentions Arrian. Arrian was also known of by
Aulus Gellius. Pliny the Younger addressed seven of his epistles to him. Simplicius made a copy of the Enchiridion, which was transmitted under the name of the monastic father Nilus during the 5th century, and as a result found in every monastery library.
[P Kelemen, \El Greco Revisited: Candia, Venice, Toledo, p. 110 Macmillan, 1961 (176 pages)]
Nicholas Blancard made translations of Arrian in 1663 and 1668.[Alexander Chalmers, The General Biographical Dictionary: Containing an Historical and Critical Account of the Lives and Writings of the Most Eminent Persons in Every Nation: Particularly the British and Irish; from the Earliest Accounts to the Present Time, Volumes 5–6, pp. 396–397 J. Nichols, 1812 Retrieved]
The voyage of Nearchus and Periplus of the Erythrean Sea were translated from the Greek by the then Dean of Westminster, William Vincent, and published in 1809. Vincent published a commentary in 1797 on The voyage of Nearchus. The work was also translated into French by M. Billecocq, under the auspices of the government (cf. p. 321).[ The British Critic: A New Review, Volume 34 F. and C. Rivington, 1810 Retrieved]
Further reading
-
Arrian, The Campaigns of Alexander, translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt, Penguin Classics, 1958 and numerous subsequent editions.
-
-
Brodersen, K. (2017) Arrianos / Asklepiodotos: Die Kunst der Taktik. Greek and German, De Gruyter, Berlin. .
-
Campbell, Duncan B. (2022) Deploying a Roman Army: The Ektaxis kat' Alanôn of Arrian. Greek and English, Quirinus Editions, Glasgow. .
-
-
Phillips, A.A., and M.M. Willcock (eds.). Xenophon and Arrian On Hunting with Hounds. Cynegeticus. Oxford: Aris & Phillips, 1999. .
-
P. A. Stadter, Arrian of Nicomedia, Chapel Hill, 1980.
-
Ronald Syme, 'The Career of Arrian', Harvard Studies in Classical Philology vol. 86 (1982), pp. 171–211.
-
E. L. Wheeler, Flavius Arrianus: a political and military biography, Duke University, 1977.nn
-
Yardley, J. & Heckel, W. (2004) The History of Alexander, Penguin, London, pp. 5 & 269.
External links
- Texts online
-
Collected works: Flavii Arriani quae exstant omnia, A. G. Roos (ed.), 2 vols., Lipsiae, in aedibus B. G. Teubneri, 1967–68.
-
Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, Teubner monolingual Greek edition, edited by A.G. Roos (1907)
-
Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, translated by E.J. Chinnock (1893)
-
Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, (section 1.13–16) (pdf, pp. 18–19), Battle of Granicus, from the Loeb Classical Library edition.
-
Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, (section 4.18.4–19.6) , Sogdian Rock, translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt
-
Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, (Section 7.5.1–16) , translated by John Yardley
-
Arrian, Cynegeticus, translated and edited by William Dansey (1831)
-
Arrian, Events after Alexander (from Photius' Bibliotheca) translated by John Rooke, edited by Tim Spalding
-
Arrian, The Indica translated by E. Iliff Robson.
-
Arrian, Array against the Alans (Ἔκταξις κατὰ Ἀλανῶν) translated by Sander van Dorst, with the Greek (transliterated) and copious notes.
-
Photius' excerpt of Arrian's Anabasis, translated by J. S. Freese
-
Photius' excerpt of Arrian's Bithynica, translated by J. S. Freese
-
Photius' excerpt of Arrian's Parthica, translated by J. S. Freese
-
Photius' excerpt of Arrian's Events after Alexander, translated by J. S. Freese
