135. Bust Portrait of Eutropius, Roman,

mid-5th century C.E. Marble, height: 30.5 cm.

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

 

 

A Roman historian, Eutropius flourished in the latter half of the fourth century C.E. He held the office of secretary (magister memoriae) at Constantinople, accompanied Julian on his expedition against the Persians (363), and was alive during the reign of Valens (364-378), to whom he dedicates his history. This work (Breviarium historae Romanae) is a complete compendium, in ten books, of Roman history from the foundation of the city to the accession of Valens. It was compiled with considerable care from the best accessible authorities, and is written generally with impartiality, and in a clear and simple style. Although the Latin in some instances differs from that of the purest models, the work was for a long time a favourite elementary schoolbook. Its independent value is small, but it sometimes fills a gap left by the more authoritative records.