Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), 28.4.32

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[32] If from there they come to worthless theatrical pieces, any actor is hissed off the boards who has not won the favour of the low rabble with money. And if this noisy form of demonstration is lacking, they cry in imitation of the Tauric race¹ that all strangers—on whose aid they have always depended and stood upright² —ought to be driven from the city. All this in foul and absurd terms, very different from the expressions of their interests and desires made by your commons of old, of whose many witty and happy sayings tradition tells us.³

Res Gestae. Ammianus Marcellinus. John C. Rolfe (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1935-1940.

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Current edition Perseus

History (English) (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).)

Editions (1)

Res Gestae Perseus (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., editor. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).) — 28.4.32 focus

[32] Unde si ad theatralem ventum fuerit vilitatem, artifices scaenarii per sibilos exploduntur, siqui sibi aere humiliorem non conciliaverit plebem. Qui si defuerit strepitus, ad imitationem Tauricae gentis, peregrinos vociferantur pelli debere, quorum subsidiis semper nisi sunt ac steterunt, et taetris vocibus et absurdis; quae longe abhorrent a studiis et voluntate veteris illius plebis, cuius multa facete dicta memoria loquitur et venuste.¹

Notes on the current edition

History

1. Referring to the myth that the Tauri (xxii. 8, 33) sacrificed strangers at the altar of Diana.

2. Cf. Aurel. Vict., Caesares, 11, 13,

mihi quidem . . . plane compertum urbem Romam externorum virtute . . . praecipue crevisse.

3. Cf. xvi. 10, 13.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 28.4.32

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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