Arrian's Life and Writings

All we know of Arrian is derived from the notice of him in the Bibliotheca of Photius, who was Patriarch of Constantinople in the ninth century, and from a few incidental references in his own writings. We learn from Suidas that Dion Cassius wrote a biography of Arrian; but this work is not extant. Flavius Arrianus was born near the end of the first century of the Christian era, at Nicomedia, the capital of Bithynia. He became a pupil of the famous Stoic philosopher Epictetus, and afterwards went to Athens, where he received the surname of the “younger Xenophon,” from the fact that he occupied the same relation to Epictetus as Xenophon did to Socrates.¹ Not only was he called Xenophon by others, but he calls himself so in Cynegeticus (v. 6); and in Periplus (xii. 5; xxv. 1), he distinguishes Xenophon by the addition the elder. Lucian (Alexander, 56) calls Arrian simply Xenophon. During the stay of the emperor Hadrian at Athens, A.D. 126, Arrian gained his friendship. He accompanied his patron to Rome, where he received the Roman citizenship. In consequence of this, he assumed the name of Flavius.² In the same way the Jewish historian, Josephus, had been allowed by Vespasian and Titus to bear the imperial name Flavius.³

All we know about Arrian comes from Photius’s account of him in the Bibliotheca and a few passing references in Arrian’s own writings. Photius was Patriarch of Constantinople in the ninth century. Suidas tells us that Dion Cassius wrote a biography of Arrian, but the work has not survived. Flavius Arrianus was born near the end of the first century of the Christian era, in Nicomedia, the capital of Bithynia. He became a pupil of the famous Stoic philosopher Epictetus and later went to Athens. There he received the nickname “younger Xenophon” because his relationship to Epictetus was like Xenophon’s relationship to Socrates.¹ Others called him Xenophon, and he also calls himself Xenophon in Cynegeticus (v. 6). In Periplus (xii. 5; xxv. 1), he distinguishes Xenophon by adding the elder. Lucian (Alexander, 56) calls Arrian simply Xenophon. Arrian became a friend of the emperor Hadrian during Hadrian’s stay in Athens in A.D. 126. He accompanied his patron to Rome, where he received Roman citizenship. As a result, he took the name Flavius.² In the same way, the Jewish historian Josephus had been allowed by Vespasian and Titus to bear the imperial name Flavius.³

Photius says, that Arrian had a distinguished career in Rome, being entrusted with various political offices, and at last reaching the supreme dignity of consul under Antoninus Pius.⁴ Previous to this he was appointed (A.D. 132) by Hadrian, Governor of Cappadocia, which province was soon after invaded by the Alani, or Massagetae, whom he defeated and expelled.⁵ When Marcus Aurelius came to the throne, Arrian withdrew into private life and returned to his native city, Nicomedia. Here, according to Photius, he was appointed priest to Demeter and Persephone. He died in the reign of Marcus Aurelius.

Photius says that Arrian had a distinguished career in Rome. He held various political offices and eventually became consul under Antoninus Pius.⁴ Before this, Hadrian appointed him Governor of Cappadocia in A.D. 132. Soon afterward, the Alani, or Massagetae, invaded the province. Arrian defeated them and drove them out.⁵ When Marcus Aurelius came to the throne, Arrian retired from public life and returned to his native city, Nicomedia. There, according to Photius, he was appointed priest to Demeter and Persephone. He died during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.

The earlier literary efforts of Arrian were philosophical. After the expulsion of the philosophers from Rome, by Domitian, Epictetus delivered his lectures at Nicopolis, in Epirus, where it is probable that Arrian was his pupil.

Arrian’s early writings were philosophical. After Domitian expelled the philosophers from Rome, Epictetus gave lectures in Nicopolis, in Epirus. Arrian was probably his pupil there.

I. These lectures were published by Arrian, under the title of Discourses of Epictetus, in eight books, the first four only of which have come down to us. He tells us himself in the introduction to this work, that he strove as far as possible to preserve the very words of his teacher as mementoes of his method of reasoning and diction. Gellius (xix. 1) speaks of a fifth book of these Discourses.

I. Arrian published these lectures in eight books under the title Discourses of Epictetus. Only the first four books have survived. In his introduction, Arrian says he tried to preserve his teacher's exact words as closely as possible. He wanted them to serve as reminders of Epictetus's reasoning and style of expression. Gellius (xix. 1) mentions a fifth book of the Discourses.

II. He also compiled The Enchiridion of Epictetus, an abstract of the philosophy of Epictetus, which is still extant. This manual of the Stoic moral philosophy was very popular, both among Pagans and Christians, for many centuries.

II. He also compiled The Enchiridion of Epictetus, a summary of Epictetus's philosophy that still exists today. This guide to Stoic moral philosophy was very popular among both pagans and Christians for many centuries.

III. Another work by Arrian, in twelve books, distinct from the above, is mentioned by Photius under the title of “Ὁμιλίαι Ἐπικτήτου”, or Friendly Conversations with Epictetus. Of this only a few fragments survive.

III. Photius mentions another work by Arrian in twelve books, distinct from the one above. He calls it “Ὁμιλίαι Ἐπικτήτου”, or Friendly Conversations with Epictetus. Only a few fragments of this work survive.

IV. Another lost work of Arrian on the life and death of Epictetus is mentioned by Simplicius in the beginning of his Commentary on the Enchiridion.

IV. At the beginning of his Commentary on the Enchiridion, Simplicius mentions another lost work by Arrian about Epictetus’s life and death.

V. Besides editing these philosophical works, Arrian wrote many original books. By far the most important of these is the Anabasis of Alexander, or the History of Alexander the Great’s Campaigns. This is one of the most authentic and accurate of historical works. Though inspired with admiration for his hero, the author evinces impartiality and freedom from hero-worship. He exhibits great literary acuteness in the choice of his authorities and in sifting evidence. The two chief sources from which he drew his narrative were the histories written by Ptolemy, son of Lagus, and Aristobulus, son of Aristobulus, both of whom were officers in Alexander’s army. Other authorities quoted by Arrian himself were:—Eratosthenes, Megasthenes, Nearchus, Aristus, and Asclepiades. He also made use of Alexander’s letters, which he mentions five times;⁶ only once, however, quoting the exact words of the writer. The last authority which he mentions, is the Royal Diary kept by Eumenes, of Cardia, the private secretary of Philip as well as of Alexander, and by the historian Diodotus, of Erythrae. It is used by Arrian only once,⁷ as it is by Plutarch.⁸

V. Besides editing these philosophical works, Arrian wrote many books of his own. By far the most important is the Anabasis of Alexander, or the History of Alexander the Great’s Campaigns. It is one of the most authentic and accurate works of history. Though Arrian admired his hero, he was impartial and did not worship him. He showed great literary judgment in choosing his sources and evaluating evidence. His two main sources were the histories written by Ptolemy, son of Lagus, and Aristobulus, son of Aristobulus. Both men were officers in Alexander’s army. Arrian also cited Eratosthenes, Megasthenes, Nearchus, Aristus, and Asclepiades as sources. He also used Alexander’s letters, which he mentions five times.⁶ However, he quotes Alexander’s exact words only once. The last source he mentions is the Royal Diary. It was kept by Eumenes, of Cardia, who was private secretary to both Philip and Alexander, and by the historian Diodotus, of Erythrae. Arrian uses it only once,⁷ as does Plutarch.⁸

VI. The work named Indica, is a description of India, and was usually united in manuscripts with the Anabasis, as an eighth book. Though it may be looked upon as a supplement to the Anabasis, Arrian often refers in the one work to the other.⁹ From this we may infer that the author wished the Indica to be considered a distinct book from the Anabasis; and from the remark in Anab. v. 1, it is clear that it was composed after the Anabasis. This book is written in the Ionic dialect, like the History of Herodotus and the Indica of Ctesias. The latter untrustworthy book Arrian wished to supplant by his own narrative, principally based on the works of Megasthenes and Nearchus.

VI. The work called Indica describes India. In manuscripts, it was usually joined to the Anabasis as an eighth book. Though the Indica may be viewed as a supplement to the Anabasis, Arrian often refers in each work to the other.⁹ This suggests that he wanted the Indica to be considered a separate book. A remark in Anab. v. 1 makes clear that he wrote it after the Anabasis. The book is written in the Ionic dialect, like the History of Herodotus and the Indica of Ctesias. Arrian wanted his own narrative to replace the untrustworthy book by Ctesias. He based it mainly on the works of Megasthenes and Nearchus.

VII. Photius mentions among Arrian’s historical works:—The Events after Alexander, in ten books, which gives the history of Alexander’s successors. Photius (cod. 92) has preserved many extracts from this work.

VII. Photius lists The Events after Alexander among Arrian’s historical works. Its ten books tell the history of Alexander’s successors. Photius (cod. 92) preserved many extracts from the work.

VIII. Bithynica in eight books, a work often quoted by Eustathius in his commentaries to the Iliad and to Dionysius Periegetes. In regard to the contents of this book, Photius (cod. 93) says:—“The Bithynica commences from the mythical events of history and comes down as far as the death of the last Nicomedes, who at his death bequeathed his kingdom to the Romans, who had never been ruled by a king after the expulsion of Tarquin.”

VIII. Bithynica is a work in eight books. Eustathius often quotes it in his commentaries on the Iliad and Dionysius Periegetes. Photius (cod. 93) describes its contents: “The Bithynica begins with the mythical events of history and continues to the death of the last Nicomedes. At his death, he left his kingdom to the Romans, who had never been ruled by a king after Tarquin’s expulsion.”

IX. Parthica, in seventeen books. See Photius (cod. 58).

IX. Parthica, in seventeen books. See Photius (cod. 58).

X. History of the Alani. See Photius (cod. 93). Only fragments of this and the Parthica remain.

X. History of the Alani. See Photius (cod. 93). Only fragments of this work and the Parthica survive.

XI. Besides the large works, we learn from Photius (cod. 93) that Arrian wrote the biographies of the Corinthian Timoleon and of the Syracusan Dion. Lucian (Alex. 2), also states that he wrote the life of Tilliborus, the notorious robber of Asia Minor.

XI. Besides the major works, Photius (cod. 93) tells us that Arrian wrote biographies of Timoleon of Corinth and Dion of Syracuse. Lucian (Alex. 2) also says that Arrian wrote a biography of Tilliborus, the notorious robber of Asia Minor.

XII. A valuable geographical work by Arrian has come down to us, called “Περίπλους πόντου Εὐξείνου,” a description of a voyage round the coasts of the Euxine. This naval expedition was executed by him as Governor of Cappadocia. The Alani, or, Albani of the East, a tribe related to the Massagetae, were threatening to invade his province, and he made this voyage with a view of fortifying the most important strategic points on the coast. From section 26 of the Periplus we find that this voyage must have taken place about the year 131 or 132 A.D.; for the death of King Cotys II., noticed in that passage as just dead, is proved by Böckh’s investigations to have occurred in 131 A.D. Two other geographical works, The Periplus of the Red Sea and The Periplus of the Euxine, formerly ascribed to Arrian, are proved to belong to a later date.

XII. A valuable geographical work by Arrian has survived, called “Περίπλους πόντου Εὐξείνου.” It describes a voyage around the coasts of the Euxine. Arrian made this naval expedition while he was Governor of Cappadocia. The Alani, or Albani of the East, were threatening to invade his province. They were a tribe related to the Massagetae. He made the voyage to fortify the most important strategic points on the coast. Section 26 of the Periplus shows that the voyage must have taken place around 131 or 132 A.D. It mentions that King Cotys II. had just died. Böckh’s research proves that his death occurred in 131 A.D. Two other geographical works, The Periplus of the Red Sea and The Periplus of the Euxine, were formerly attributed to Arrian. They have been proved to date from a later period.

XIII. A work on Tactics, composed 137 A.D. In many parts this book agrees nearly verbally with the larger work of Aelian on the same subject; but Leo Tacticus (vii. 85) expressly mentions the two works as distinct.

XIII. A work on Tactics, written in 137 A.D. In many places, this book agrees almost word for word with Aelian’s longer work on the same subject. But Leo Tacticus (vii. 85) explicitly mentions them as two distinct works.

XIV. An Array of Battle against the Alani, is a fragment discovered in the seventeenth century in the Description of his Battles with the Alani, who invaded his province, probably 137 A.D., as Arrian had previously feared.¹⁰

XIV. An Array of Battle against the Alani is a fragment discovered in the seventeenth century. It was found in the Description of his Battles with the Alani, who invaded his province, probably in 137 A.D. Arrian had feared this invasion before it happened.¹⁰

XV. A small work by Arrian on the Chase, forms a supplement to Xenophon’s book on the same subject. It is entitled Cynegeticus of Arrian or the second Xenophon the Athenian.

XV. A short work by Arrian on hunting supplements Xenophon’s book on the same subject. It is titled Cynegeticus of Arrian or the second Xenophon the Athenian.

The best editions of the Anabasis are the following:—The editio princeps by Trincavelli, Venice, 1535; Gerbel, Strassburg, 1539; Henri Estienne, 1575; N. Blancardus, Amsterdam, 1668; J. Gronovius, Leyden, 1704; G. Raphelius, Amsterdam, 1757; A. C. Borkeck, Lemgovia, 1792; F. Schmieder, Leipzig, 1798; Tauchnitz edition, Leipzig, 1818; J. O. Ellendt, Königsberg, 1832; C. W. Krüger, Berlin, 1835; F. Dübner, Paris, 1846; K. Abicht, Leipzig, 1871.

The best editions of the Anabasis are: the editio princeps by Trincavelli, Venice, 1535. Gerbel, Strassburg, 1539. Henri Estienne, 1575. N. Blancardus, Amsterdam, 1668. J. Gronovius, Leyden, 1704. G. Raphelius, Amsterdam, 1757. A. C. Borkeck, Lemgovia, 1792. F. Schmieder, Leipzig, 1798. Tauchnitz edition, Leipzig, 1818. J. O. Ellendt, Königsberg, 1832. C. W. Krüger, Berlin, 1835. F. Dübner, Paris, 1846. K. Abicht, Leipzig, 1871.