Anonymus Valesianus facts for kids
Anonymus Valesianus is the name given to a collection of two old historical texts. These texts were published by a French scholar named Henri Valois in 1636. They were printed alongside another famous historical work, the Res Gestae by Ammianus Marcellinus.
The name "Anonymus Valesianus" can be a bit confusing because it sounds like it's just one text. But it's actually two separate writings, often called Anonymus Valesianus I and Anonymus Valesianus II. They are both about history but don't have much else in common.
Contents
Anonymus Valesianus I: The Story of Constantine
Anonymus Valesianus I is also known as Origo Constantini. This means "The Origin of Constantine." It tells the story of the life of Constantine the Great, a very important Roman Emperor. The text covers the period from about 301 AD to 337 AD.
Who Wrote It?
The person who wrote this text is unknown. Historians believe the author was probably a pagan, meaning they followed the ancient Roman and Greek religions, not Christianity. It was most likely written shortly after Emperor Constantine died in 337 AD.
Why Is It Important?
This text gives a good overview of Constantine's life. It also shares many interesting details that cannot be found in any other historical writings from that time. Because of its accuracy and unique information, historians consider it a very reliable source. It was written around the year 390 AD.
Anonymus Valesianus II: From Emperors to Goths
The second text, Anonymus Valesianus II, provides a historical overview that begins with the rule of Julius Nepos. He was one of the last Western Roman Emperors. The text then continues up to the death of Theodoric the Great, a powerful king. This period covers roughly 474 AD to 526 AD.
Who Wrote This One?
The author of Anonymus Valesianus II is also unknown. However, historians think this writer was probably a Roman Catholic. The text was written in the city of Ravenna, which was a very important center in Italy during that time. It was written after 526 AD, likely between 550 AD and 560 AD.
What Does It Cover?
This text has a specific heading: item ex libris Chronicorum inter cetera. It mainly focuses on the rule of the Gothic king Theodoric the Great in Italy. Even though some parts of the text might seem poorly written, it is based on an older, very important historical record. This older record was a chronicle written by Maximianus of Ravenna, who was the bishop of Ravenna. Maximianus was known as a very learned and knowledgeable scholar.
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