Orosius: Seven Books of History against the Pagans (Translated Texts for Historians LUP)

"This book is a new annotated translation of Orosius{8217}s Seven Books of History against the Pagans. Orosius{8217}s History, which begins with the creation and continues to his own day, was an immensely popular and standard work of reference on antiquity throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. Its importance lay in the fact that Orosius was the first Christian author to write not a church history, but rather a history of the secular world interpreted from a Christian perspective. This approach gave new relevance to Roman history in the medieval period and allowed Rome{8217}s past to become a valued part of the medieval intellectual world. The structure of history and methodology deployed by Orosius formed the dominant template for the writing of history in the medieval period, being followed, for example, by such writers as Otto of Freising and Ranulph Higden. Orosius{8217}s work is therefore crucial for an understanding of early Christian approaches to history, the development of universal history, and the intellectual life of the Middle Ages, for which it was both an important reference work and also a defining model for the writing of history."--Publisher description Orosius' Seven Books Of History Against The Pagans Provide A Christian Interpretation Of History From God's Creation Of The World To The Period Of The Gothic Attacks On The Roman Empire In The Early Fifth Century. By The End Of That Century, Orosius' Work Was Already A Classic And Its Christian Perspective Ensured That It Remained An Immensely Popular And Standard Work Of Reference On Antiquity In The Medieval World. Available Now In English Translation For The First Time Since 1936, This Key Work Of Historical And Geographical Reference In The Medieval World Will Delight Scholars Of Early Christianity And Pagan History. Introduction -- Note On Translation -- Synopsis -- Seven Books Of History Against The Pagans. Orosius ; Translated With An Introduction And Notes By A. T. Fear. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Acknowledgements vii Abbreviations viii Introduction 1. Life 1 2. The Histories 6 3. Intentions 7 4. Secular Religious History 13 5. Sources 15 6. Structure 16 7. Chronological Systems and the Ordering of Time 18 8. Notes of Caution 22 9. Orosius's Clash with Augustine 23 10. Legacy 24 Note on Translation 26 Synopsis 27 Seven Books of Histo ry against the Pagans Book One 31 Book Two 73 Book Three 109 Book Four 154 Book Five 206 Book Six 261 Book Seven 318 Bibliography 415 Index 432 LUP_Orosius_00_Prel 3 LUP_Orosius_01_Intro 11 LUP_Orosius_02_Book1 41 LUP_Orosius_03_Book2 83 LUP_Orosius_04_Book3 119 LUP_Orosius_05_Book4 164 LUP_Orosius_06_Book5 216 LUP_Orosius_07_Book6 271 LUP_Orosius_08_Book7 328 LUP_Orosius_09_Biblio 425 LUP_Orosius_10_Index 442