Arrian

Arrian of Nicomedia was a Greek historian, public servant, and philosopher who lived during the Roman period. He was born around 86 or 89 AD and lived until at least after 146 or 160 AD.

One of Arrian’s most important works is called The Anabasis of Alexander. This book is a key source for learning about the campaigns of Alexander the Great. Many scholars value Arrian’s writing when studying Alexander the Great.

Arrian's life

Arrian was born in Nicomedia, which is today called İzmit, in the region of Bithynia. His family was well-known and Greek, and his name, L. Flavius Arrianus, shows he was a Roman citizen.

Later, Arrian studied under a teacher named Epictetus in Nicopolis. He wrote down Epictetus' teachings in a book called the Encheiridion. Arrian also became friends with the Roman emperor Hadrian, who chose him for important jobs. Around the year 130 AD, he became a consul, and from 132 AD, he governed Cappadocia. During this time, he led soldiers to stop an invasion by the Alani.

Works

Arrian wrote eight works that we still have today. Two of these, the Indica and the Anabasis, are complete. All of his surviving works are grouped under the name FGrH 156.

Periplus of the Euxine Sea

Main article: Periplus of the Euxine Sea

This is the earliest work we can confidently date. It is a letter to Emperor Hadrian.

Discourses of Epictetus and Enchiridion of Epictetus

Main articles: Discourses of Epictetus and Enchiridion of Epictetus

Arrian studied under Epictetus around 108 AD. He wrote down Epictetus' lectures, called the Discourses of Epictetus. The Enchiridion is a short guide to Epictetus' ideas.

Anabasis of Alexander

Main article: Anabasis of Alexander

The Anabasis of Alexander has seven books. Arrian based this work on Xenophon's account of Cyrus' march.

Ta met' Alexandron

This work, also called History of the Diadochi or Events after Alexander, originally had ten books. It talks about what happened after Alexander the Great died.

Indica

Main article: Indica (Arrian)

The Indica is about India and the journey of Nearchus. The first part is based on Megasthenes' work, and the second part uses Nearchus' journal.

Techne Taktike

Written in 136/137 AD, this book is about Roman cavalry and military tactics. It also talks about the phalanx and special military exercises.

Kynēgetikos

This book, also called On Hunting, is about hunting with hounds, especially the Celtic way of hunting hare with greyhounds.

Ektaxis kata Alanon

This work, meaning Deployment against the Alani, talks about how to fight against the Alani people. Arrian wrote it after defending against their attack while he was governor of Cappadocia.

Sources, transmission, translations and publications

We know about Arrian from a book called Bibliotheca by Photius. Arrian also wrote about himself sometimes. Other writers like Suidas, Arnobius, Aulus Gellius, and Pliny the Younger mentioned him too.

Later, people translated Arrian's work into other languages. In 1663 and 1668, Nicholas Blancard did some translations. In 1809, William Vincent, Dean of Westminster, translated stories by Nearchus and the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea from Greek. Vincent also wrote about these stories in 1797.