Anabasis Alexandri by Arrian
in English as LIFE AND WRITINGS OF ARRIAN. from E.J Chinnock, 1893
Introduction
ALL we know of Arrian is derived from the notice of him in the “Bibliotheca” of Photius, who was Patriarch of Constantinople in the ninth century, and from a few incidental references in his own writings. We learn from Suidas that Dio Cassius wrote a biography of Arrian; but this work is not extant.
Flavius Arrianus was born near the end of the first century of the Christian era, at Nicomedia, the capital of Bithynia. He became a pupil of the famous Stoic philosopher Epictetus, and afterwards went to Athens, where he received the surname of the “younger Xenophon,” from the fact that he occupied the same relation to Epictetus as Xenophon did to Socrates.’ Not only was he called Xenophon by others, but he calls himself so in “Cynegeticus” (v. 6); and in “Periplus”(xii. 5; xxv. 1), he distinguishes Xenophon by the addition the elder.’ Lucian (“ Alexander,” 56) calls Arrian simply Xenophon. During the stay of the emperor Hadrian at Athens, A.D. 126, Arrian gained his friendship. He accompanied his patron to Rome, where he received the Roman citizenship. In consequence of this, he assumed the name of Flavius.1
Photius says, that Arrian had a distinguished career in Rome, being intrusted with various political offices, and at last reaching the supreme dignity of consul under Antoninus Pius. Previous to this he was appointed (A.D. 132) by Hadrian, Governor of Cappadocia, which province was soon after invaded by the Alani, or Massagetae, whom he defeated and expelled.2 When Marcus Aurelius came to the throne, Arrian withdrew into private life and returned to his native city, Nicomedia. Here, according to Photius, he was appointed priest to Demeter and Persephone. He died in the reign of Marcus Aurelius.3
The earlier literary efforts of Arrian were philosophical. After the expulsion of the philosophers from Rome, by Domitian, Epictetus delivered his lectures at Nicopolis, in Epirus, where it is probable that Arrian was his pupil.3
I. These lectures were published by Arrian, under the title of “Discourses of Epictetus,” in eight books, the first four only of which have come down to us. He tells us himself in the introduction to this work, that he strove as far as possible to preserve the very words of his teacher as mernentoes of his method of reasoning and diction. Gellius (xix. i) speaks of a fifth book of these Discourses.
II. He also compiled “The Encheiridion of Epictetus,” an abstract of the philosophy of Epictetus, which is still extant. This manual of the Stoic moral philosophy wasvery popular, both among Pagans and Christians, for many centuries.
III. Another work by Arrian, in twelve books, distinct from the above, is mentioned by Photius under the title of “Friendly Conversations with Epictetus.” Of this only a few fragments survive.
IV. Another lost work of Arrian on the life and death of Epictetus is mentioned by Simplicius in the beginning of his Commentary on the Encheiridion.
Besides editing these philosophical works, Arrian wrote many original books. By far the most important of these is the “Anabasis of Alexander,” or the History of Alexander the Great’s Campaigns. This is one of the most authentic and accurate of historical works. Though inspired with admiration for his hero, the author evinces impartiality and freedom from hero-worship. He exhibits great literary acuteness in the choice of his authorities and in sifting evidence. The two chief sources from which he drew his narrative were the histories written by Ptolemy, son of Lagus, and Aristobulus, son of Aristobulus, both of whom were officers in Alexander’s army. Other authorities quoted by Arrian himself were :— Eratosthenes, Magasthenes, Nearchus, Aristus, and Asclepiades. He also made use of Alexander’s letters, which he mentions five times; only once, however, quoting the exact words of the writer. The last authority which he mentions, is the “Royal Diary” kept by Eumenes, of Cardia, the private secretary of Philip as well as of Alexander, and by Diodotus, of Erythrae. It is used by Arrian only once,1 as it is by Plutarch.2
VI. The work named “Indica,” is a description of India, and an account of the voyage of Nearchus, and was usually united in manuscripts with the “Anabasis,”as an eighth book. Though it may be looked upon as a supplement to the “Anabasis,” Arrian often refers in the one work to the other. From this we may infer that the author wished the “Indica” to be considered a distinct book from the “Anabasis;” and from the remark in “Anab.” v. 5, r, it is clear that it was composed after the “Anabasis.” This book is written in the Ionic dialect, like the “Histories” of Herodotus and the “Indica” of Ctesias. The latter untrustworthy book Arrian wished to supplant by his own narrative, principally based on the works of Megasthenes and Nearchus.
VII. Photius mentions among Arrian’s historical works “The Events after Alexander,” in ten books, which gives the history of Alexander’s successors. Photius (cod. 92) has preserved many extracts from this work.
VIII. “Bithynica “in eight books, a work often quoted by Eustathius in his commentaries to the “Iliad” and to Dionysius Periegetes. In regard to the contents of this book, Photius (cod. 93) says :—“ The Bithynica commences from the mythical events of history and comes down as far as the death of the last Nicomedes, who at his death bequeathed his kingdom to the Romans, who had never been ruled by a king after the expulsion of Tarquin.”
IX. “Parthica,” in seventeen books. See Photius (cod.X.58).
X. “History of the Alani.” See Photius (cod. 93). Only fragments of this and the “Parthica” remain.
XI.-XIII. Besides the large works, we learn from Photius (cod. ) that Arrian wrote the biographies of the Corinthian Timoleon and of the Syracusan Dion. Lucian (Alex. 2), also states that he wrote the life of Tilliborus, the notorious robber of Asia Minor.
XIV. A valuable geographical work by Arrian has come down to us, called “ …..,” a description of a voyage round the coasts of the Euxine. This naval expedition was executed by him as Governor of Cappadocia. The Alani, or Albani of the East, a tribe related to the Massagetae, were threatening to invade his province, and he made this voyage with a view of fortifying the most important strategic points on the coast. From section 17 of the Periplus 1 we find that this voyage must have taken place about the year 131 or 132 A.D.; for the death of King Cotys II., noticed in that passage as just dead, is proved by Böckh’s investigations to have occurred in 131 A.D. Two other geographical works, “The Periplus of the Red Sea” and “The Periplus of the Euxine,” formerly ascribed to Arrian, are proved to belong to a later date.
XV. A work on “Tactics,” composed 137 AD. In many parts this book agrees nearly verbally with the larger work of Aelian on the same subject; but Leo Tacticus (vii. 85) expressly mentions the two works as distinct.
XVI. “The Array of Battle against the Alani” is a fragment, discovered in the seventeenth century, of his “Description of his Battles with the Alani,” who invaded his province, probably 137 A.D., as Arrian had previously feared.2
XVII. A small work by Arrian on the Chase, forms a supplement to Xenophon’s book on the same subject. It is entitled “Cynegeticus of Arrian or the second Xenophon the Athenian.” It contains a graphic description of his hound Horrnë (chap. 5).