Semiramis' Legacy: The History of Persia According to Diodorus of Sicily - Paperback

by Jan P. Stronk (Author)

There are only a few detailed histories of Persia from Ancient Greek historiography that have survived time. Diodorus of Sicily, a first century BC author, is the only one to have written a comprehensive history (the Βιβλιοθήκη ἱστορική (Bibliotheca Historica or Historical Library)) in which more than cursory attention is paid to Persia. The Bibliotheca Historica covers the entire period from Persia's prehistory until the arrival of the Parthians from the East and that of Roman power throughout Asia Minor and beyond from the West, some 750 odd years or more after Assyrian rule ended.
Diodorus' contribution to our knowledge of Persian history is therefore of great value for the modern historian of the Ancient Near East and in this book Jan Stronk provides the first complete translation of Diodorus' account of the history of Persia. He also examines and evaluates both Diodorus' account and the sources he used to compose his work, taking into consideration the historical, political and archaeological factors that may have played a role in the transmission of the evidence he used to acquire the raw material underlying his Bibliotheca.

Back Jacket

'This much-needed and timely work is a model of its kind and a testament to the author's massive erudition and good judgement.' John Dillery, Professor of Classics, University of Virginia Offers insights into the work of Diodorus and assesses the importance of his work There are only a few detailed histories of Persia from Ancient Greek historiography that have survived time. Diodorus of Sicily, a first century BC author, is the only one to have written a comprehensive history (the Βιβλιοθήκη ἱστορική (Bibliotheca Historica or Historical Library)) in which more than cursory attention is paid to Persia. The Bibliotheca Historica covers the entire period from Persia's prehistory until the arrival of the Parthians from the East and that of Roman power throughout Asia Minor and beyond from the West, some 750 odd years or more after Assyrian rule ended. Diodorus' contribution to our knowledge of Persian history is therefore of great value for the modern historian of the Ancient Near East and in this book Jan Stronk provides the first complete translation of Diodorus' account of the history of Persia. He also examines and evaluates both Diodorus' account and the sources he used to compose his work, taking into consideration the historical, political and archaeological factors that may have played a role in the transmission of the evidence he used to acquire the raw material underlying his Bibliotheca. Jan P. Stronk is Research Associate in the Department of Ancient History at the University of Amsterdam. Cover image: The Banquet Scene, Gypsum wall panel relief fragment (c) The Trustees of the British Museum Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-1425-8 Barcode

Author Biography

Jan Stronk is Research Associate in the Department of Ancient History at the University of Amsterdam. He is the author of The Ten Thousand in Thrace: An Archaeological and Historical Commentary on Xenophon's Anabasis, Books VI.iii-vi - VII (1995), Ctesias' Persian History, Part I: Introduction, Text and Translation (2010) and Ctesias' Persian History, Part 2: Historical Commentary and Conclusions (forthcoming).