• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

CLAUDIAN AS AN HISTORICAL AUTHORITY H. E. CREES \ GIFT OF JANE KoSATHER Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/claudianashistorOOcreerich Cambridge Historical Essays. No. xvii. CLAUDIAN AS AN HISTORICAL AUTHORITY CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, C. F. CLAY, Manager. EontJOn: FETTER LANE, E.G. OPliinburgf) : 100, PRINCES STREET. ILfipjifl: F. A. BROCKHAUS. JSerlin: A. ASHER AND CO. i^eiu Horfe: G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS. Bombaa anU Calcutta : MACMILLAN AND CO., Lxn. [All Rights reserved] CLAUDIAN AS AN HISTORICAL AUTHORITY by J. H. E. CREES, M.A. Cantab., M.A., D.Lit. London THE THIRLTVALL PRIZE, 1906 Cambridge : at the University Press 1908 C2 si qua fides augentibus omnia Musis. PEEFACE IN this dissertation I have attempted an estimate of the value of Claudian's poems as historical authori- ties, chiefly for the years 395—404 A.D., the period in which the bulk of his work, probably all his Latin poems, was written. I have worked independently through the ancient authorities, but have not neglected to make myself familiar with the results of modern investigations wherever that was possible. When a modern writer has been followed closely, the debt is acknowledged in a footnote, and a list of the works chiefly used, and of the literature on the subject, is appended. I have marked with an asterisk those works of which I have been unable to consult a copy, and in drawing up this list have found the British Museum Catalogue and Professor Bury's edition of Gibbon of great use. From the nature of the case, it can rarely happen that a poet is the chief authority for a period. But the paucity of other trustworthy material and the copiousness of the information which Claudian gives us, have led many critics to avail themselves freely of Claudian's poems, and perhaps may justify another "XA'-l^^-M-l VI PREFACE examination of the history of this limited period. While familiarity with Claudian's works has only intensified my admiration for his wonderful artistic gifts—and few poets even in Latin literature, the least spontaneous and most elaborated of all literatures, repay more richly a minute study—I have not been able to follow him with undiscriminating loyalty, still less have I been able to rank myself with those who regard his works as almost valueless historically speak- ing, a conclusion which does not do justice to his great powers of narrative, his faculty of delineating character, and the brilliance of his special pleading. It is true that Claudian writes with a bias, but even critics of the present day (Professor Mahaffy, for instance) have held that bias is a necessary element in the composition of a truly great history. That his accounts need the closest scrutiny I would not deny, and I have endeav- oured throughout to test his statements most rigorously. Whatever result we attain to, of this at least we may be certain, Claudian would have cared little whether our opinion was favourable or not. He used ancient history most aptly and extensively both for texts and for illustration ; it was natural that he should make of contemporary events an eVtSetft? or an advocate's ex- position. An examination of Claudian must therefore be at once literary and historical, and I have pointed out at various places the artistic motives which have led to curtailment or to entire reticence. His skill in the use of the various literary forms is also noticeable. PREFACE Vll He has achieved successes in the Panegyric, the Epic style, the Satire, not to speak of the Elegiac form and the Epithalamion. His position as a poet and a client inevitably prevented his attitude from approximating to that strict impartiality, or at least fairness and moderation, which we rightly demand in the professed historian. And after whatever deduction we please has been made for bias, and for considerations of artistic expediency, his works remain inestimably valuable as the last great expression of the Roman spirit in literature, and also as an exposition of the point of view taken by Stilicho with regard to contemporary events. Seeing that Stilicho is, on the Roman side, the one great figure of the epoch, we may congratulate ourselves that through the fortunate accident of his friendship with Claudian, we may form so vivid a picture of Rome's last great man. Indeed what perhaps has detracted most from the historical value of Claudian is not a partiality, for which we can make due allow- ance, but the troubled circumstances of the age, and the dissensions between East and West, which, as Eunapius almost at the time pointed out, made a historian's task so difficult. I had formed all my conclusions previous to reading Gueldenpenning, the only modern writer who has treated this period in detail throughout—he confines himself practically to Eastern affairs —and have there- fore found that in my treatment of some matters I have been anticipated. I venture to hope that in such Vlll PREFACE cases the fact that I have indepeDdently arrived at the same conclusion may be another argument in favour of such conclusions. In regard to some points of detail I have been led by a perusal of Claud ian to accept other unfavourable judgments upon Theodosius. Among the later Emperors he certainly takes a high place, but I am unable to accept an estimate which assigns to him as remarkable a prophetic insight into the future of the Empire, and as great practical skill in confronting and coping with impending difficulties as Julius Caesar possessed. His measures seem rather clever expedients to meet the exigencies of the time than the far-sighted calculations of a consummate statesman. In any case, the instruments were lacking, and he too was deficient in sustained grasp of affairs, a prey to the impotence of passion and the fawning deference of his courtiers. He was not destined then to create a new revivified Romano-Gothic state as Caesar had built up a Romano-Hellenic cosmopolitan empire. I have not followed Birt and Koch in putting Stilicho's second expedition to Greece in 397 A.D. I look upon Mascezel as a crafty intriguer beaten at his own game, and believe that Stilicho ordered his murder. As regards the puzzle of Synesius, I am not at all inclined to accept the enthusiastic valuations of Seeck and Gueldenpenning. Wherever we can test the allegory by other evidence, it fails to satisfy. In a desire to give artistic expression to the antagonism PREFACE IX between his friend and Typho, Synesius seemed to have utterly distorted the truth. I have not been able to accept the usual chronology of the Gothic invasion of Italy. I have not gone back to the older date of Pollentia without some misgivings, but much of the evidence for the earlier date is to me unconvincing. I find a difficulty in believing that Alaric stayed a whole year in Italy between Pollentia and Verona, and therefore assign Pollentia and Verona both to 403 A.D. The bibliography subjoined is, I hope, tolerably complete, though it does not claim to be exhaustive. I regret that it has been impossible for me to obtain some of the smaller German tracts. Chapter ix. (the West from 404 A.D. to the death of Stilicho) did not form part of the original essay, but the Examiners for the Thirlwall Prize have sanctioned the insertion of this additional chapter, which carries the story of Stilicho's career to its termination. In accordance with the regulations of the University of London, it should be added that this essay has been approved by the Senate for the degree of D.Lit. J. H. E. C. Wyggeston School, Leicester, October. 1908. CONTENTS PAGE Introductory 1 Claudian's private life 8 Was he a Christian ? 10 His treatment of his themes 11 The other authorities 13 Theodosius in Claudian, and his policy .... 34 His ministers, Rufinus and Stilicho .... 38 Their enmity 42 The 'tyrants' Maximus and Eugenius. Battle on the Frigidus, 394 a.d,, and death of Theodosius, 395 a.d. 47 Stilicho's claims to guardianship 54 Barbarian incursions (early in 395 a.d.) .... 57 Alaric and Rufinus 60 Stilicho goes to Greece and is ordered to withdraw . 62 Rufinus' assassination, end of 395 a.d. His government. 66 Alaric overruns Greece 73 Stilicho's second expedition to Greece, 396 a.d. Alaric escapes mysteriously 76 Gildo revolts, 397 a.d. autumn. Crisis at Rome . 81 Invasion of Africa, 398 a.d. Size of army ... 82 Maecezel. Claudian, De Bello Oildonico ... 90 IV. cons. Hon. Its date, 398 a.d 94 Honorius' marriage, 398 a.d. spring. Epithalamion . 98 Gildo defeated on the Ardalio, 398 a.d. Orosius' account 100 Africa again under Roman sway. Mascezel's fate. 102 CONTENTS XI PAGE In Eutropium 105 Eutropius' laws Ill Codex IX. 14, 3 113 IX. 40, 16, on sanctuary; other laws . .114 Eutropius' fall, 399 a.d. Chrysostom on it . 116 Tarbigilus and his rebellion, in Claudian . 119 Gainas 124 De Providentia 126 Zosimus' account 130 Other accounts 132 Chrysostom's appeal 'ad misericordiam ' half successful only 137 Codex IX. 40, 17 139 Stilicho's consulship, 400 a.d 141 His administration 145 Claudian at Rome 153 Invasion of Alaric, 402 a.d 155 Honorius besieged at Milan 160 And delivered by Stilicho 161 PoUentia, March 29, 403 a.d 165 Orosius' and Jordanes' accounts 167 Prudentius 168 PoUentia a drawn battle 170 Later fighting 172 Chronology of invasion 175 Claudian's silence ,181 His contribution to history 183 Difficulties of his position 185 Roman bias 186 Inevitable inaccuracy 187 Exaggerations .

Load more

  284

Copy Link