It consisted of forty books, which were divided into three sections. Fully preserved are books iv and xixx, which cover egyptian, mesopotamian, indian, scythian, arabian, and north african history and parts of greek and roman hist. Diodorus fragments is from book 1 f2, the other from book 40 f6. Diodorus siculus, greek historian from agyrium in sicily, hence called siculus the sicilian.
Ancient history, history, early works to 1800, world history, kings and. Diodorus siculus, greek historian of agyrium in sicily, ca. Diodorus siculus or diodorus of sicily was a greek historian. To which are added the fragments of diodorus, and those published by h. Introduction, text, and translation by ctesias by jan p.
They were not aware, he said, that the macedonian sun had not yet altogether set. The ancient greek historian diodorus wrote much of the history of macedonia from the times of philip ii and alexander the great up to the last macedonian king perseus. It is arranged geographically, describing regions around the world. Contents of the twelfth book of diodorus chapter 1. At the time that dionysius was besieging rhegium, the celts who had their homes in the regions beyond the alps streamed through the passes in great strength and seized the territory that lay between the apennine mountains and the. The first covers mythic history up to the destruction of. For that reason his book is divided into three sections. Ursinus, volume 1 volume 1 of the historical library of diodorus the sicilian, in fifteen books, diodorus siculus. Jan 16, 2018 bibliotheca historica by diodorus siculus. Reading diodorus through photius queens university belfast.
In his writings, diodorus is clear that the ancient macedonians were a distinct nation, not related to any of the balkan peoples greeks, thracians, and illyrians. Polybius most extensively discusses the laws of war. Bibliotheca books 2140 is a composite of authorial and editorial interventions, beginning with its original. A commentary volume 1 of diodorus siculus volume 1 of diodorus siculus.
According to diodorus own work, he was born at agyrium in sicily now called agira. Arguing for a thorough critical reappraisal of diodorus as a minor but far from idiotic historian himself, peter green published diodorus siculus, books 1112. Classical texts library diodorus siculus, library of history book 5. Furthermore, he came to possess a great naval power, and he subdued the majority of the islands and was the first man among the greeks to be master of the sea. Contents of the thirteenth book of diodorus chapter 1 chapter 2. Diodorus book, which he called bibliotheca historica meaning historical library, consisted of 40 books. Each book is further subdivided into chapters and sections.
And some men say that it was she also who introduced laws. Diodorus siculus has 81 books on goodreads with 57 ratings. The start of the caesars gallic wars has been chosen by diodorus to be the end of his history 2 g see diodorus, 3. Diodorus siculus, greek historian, the author of a universal history, bibliotheke library. On the ethiopians who dwell beyond libya and their antiquities book iii, chaps. It is commonly assumed that the earliest nonbiblical reference to a written jewish law is found in book 40 of diodorus siculus s library, an ancient encyclopedia compiled from a variety of quotations from older documents, in a passage which is usually attributed to the fourthcentury greek historian hecataeus of abdera, writing around 315 bce. Diodorus of sicily in twelve volumes by charles henry oldfather 1977, introduction. In book iv, diodorus discusses the history of the argonauts in rationalizing style. Diodorus of sicily, with an english translation by c. It is arranged geographically, describing regions around the world including egypt, india, arabia, greece and europe.
Lacuscurtius diodorus siculus book xiv chapters 40. Diodorus chronicles the classical age of the greeks c. Diodorus covers a lot of ground from the period before the trojan war to julius caesars gallic campaigns. We will focus on diodorus account of the origin of the jews and their customs in his historical library 40. Diodorus siculus project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. In the prooemium to book i, diodorus announces that he will begin thebibliothekewith a systematic treatment of the mythologies of the world i 3. Diodorus siculus, library, book xiii, contents of the. He is kent for writin the monumental universal history bibliotheca historica, much o which survives, atween 60 an 30 bc. Out of an original 40 books only books 15 and 1120 survive intact.
Diodorus siculus, the persian wars to the fall of athens. The first six books are geographical in theme, and describe the history and culture of egypt book i, of mesopotamia, india, scythia, and arabia ii, of north africa iii. He is known for the monumental universal history bibliotheca historica. Book 40 of diodorus siculus historical library, translated into english. Diodorus siculus article about diodorus siculus by the free. Writing during the last years of the republic, diodorus siculus produced a universal history entitled thebibliotheke. Diodoros sikeliotes or diodorus of sicily was a greek historian. He is known for writing the monumental universal history bibliotheca historica, much of which survives, between 60 and 30 bc.
Lacuscurtius diodorus siculus book xii chapters 22. Diodorus lived in the time of julius caesar and augustus, and his own statements make it clear that he traveled in. The latest event mentioned by him belongs to the year 21 bc. Fully preserved are books iv and xixx, which cover egyptian, mesopotamian, indian, scythian, arabian, and north african history and parts of greek and roman history. The historys claim to universality is established by its range, both geographic and chronological. In this extensive work, diodorus writes about the mythological history of people groups, including the cultures of ancient egypt, mesopotamia, india, scythia, arabia, north africa, greece, and europe. Written between 60 and 30 bc, diodorus siculus library of history relates significant topics in world history. Sol, saturn, rhea, jupiter, juno, vulcan, reignd in egypt. His work has been characterised as uncritical but we are reasonably certain of some details.
Even so, diodorus siculus or diodoros siculos to his greek contemporaries, left a wealth of writings which have added to our knowledge of sicily and the eastern mediterranean during the roman age. Author of bibliotheca historica, diodorus of sicily, diodorus siculus, bibliothecae historicae libri qui supersunt, e recensione petri wesselingii, cum interpretatione latina laur. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Diodorus siculuss most popular book is library of history, volume i. Though also including in the early books studies of topography, zoology, ethnography, and paradoxography, he considers the first six books devoted primarily to the recitation of myth and legend prior to the trojan war their organization is simple. At the time that dionysius was besieging rhegium, the celts who had their homes in the regions beyond the alps streamed through the passes in great strength and seized the territory that lay between the apennine mountains and the alps, expelling the tyrrhenians who dwelt there. Of this we have complete books iv egyptians, assyrians, ethiopians, greeks and books xixx greek history 480. Diodorus sicily english translation c h oldfather, used. Diodorus took generously from a praise of heracles by matris. Diodorus siculus article about diodorus siculus by the. Books by diodorus siculus author of library of history.
Diodor article about diodor by the free dictionary. The first covers mythic history up to the destruction of troy, arranged geographically, describing regions. Diodorus siculus simple english wikipedia, the free. Diodorus will give an account of the most northerly regions of europe, when he describes the exploits of caesar 3 g see diodorus, 5. He came to rome in the middle of the first century b. Diodorus lived in the time of julius caesar and augustus, and his own statements make it clear that he traveled in egypt during 6057 bc and spent several years in rome. Diodoros sikeliotes was a greek historian, who wrote works of history between 60 and 30 bc. Diodorus siculus was a greek historian from sicily whose sole suriving work, the historial library, aimed to relate the mytholoy and history of the whole world.
The first part covers mythic history up to the destruction of troy. He is known for writing the universal history bibliotheca historica, much of which survives, between 60 and 30 bc. He wrote, in greek, a world history in 40 books, ending with caesars gallic wars. The first covers mythic history up tae the destruction o troy, arranged geografically. Encyclopaedia britannicadiodorus siculus entry in the. Mens first manner of life, and who were the first men.
Mar 31, 2017 author of bibliotheca historica, diodorus of sicily, diodorus siculus, bibliothecae historicae libri qui supersunt, e recensione petri wesselingii, cum interpretatione latina laur. Of this we have complete books i v egyptians, assyrians, ethiopians, greeks and books xi xx greek history 480 302. Diodorus of sicily loeb classical library volume 12 of diodorus of sicily in twelve volumes, charles henry oldfather diodorus of sicily, charles henry oldfather volume 12 of diodorus of sicily. See table of contents for some information about how this translation has been produced, and key to translations for an explanation of the format.
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