A. V. Bannikov, O. V. Przhigodzkaya Some features of Latin military terminology in late IV century (pp. 35–46)

Author

A. V. Bannikov, O. V. Przhigodzkaya (Saint Petersburg State University)

Pages\n 35–46

Summary\n

The historical work of Ammianus Marcellinus is considered to be the most important source for the history of late IV century. The scrupulous analysis of its information on warfare makes the researchers doubt about Ammanus’ accuracy: Ammianus was inaccurate in usage of military terminology, incoherent in description of machines. One can suppose thereupon that Res Gestae isn’t such a reliable source as it considered to be. Nevertheless the careful examination of each questionable episode reveals that Ammianus has tried to use military terminology of Caesar, Tacitus and Livius. The use of word was much more important for Ammianus than its meaning. The historian tended to write about the reality contemporary with him using the termini which had been employed by his great predecessors.

Keywords\n

Ammianus Marcellinus, cuneus, scutatus, armatus, Notitia dignitatum.

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