Publius Herennius Dexippus ( Greek: Δέξιππος; c. 210–273 AD), Greek historian, statesman and general, was an hereditary priest of the Eleusinian family of the Kerykes, and held the offices of archon basileus and eponymous in Athens. [1]
When the Heruli overran Greece and captured Athens (267), Dexippus showed great personal courage and revived the spirit of patriotism among his fellow countrymen. A statue was set up in his honour, the base of which, with an inscription recording his services, has been preserved. [2] It is remarkable that the inscription is silent as to his military achievements. [1]
Photius speaks very highly of the style of Dexippus, whom he calls a second Thucydides. [1] [3]
Photius (cod. 82) mentions three historical works by Dexippus, of which considerable fragments remain:
The Chronicle was continued by Eunapius of Sardis, who opens his own history with a critique of his predecessor. The Chronicle also appears to be the primary source of the Historia Augusta [4] between 238 and 270, but Paschoud has demonstrated that the author of the Historia Augusta sometimes attributes material to Dexippus falsely and so that evidence must be used with caution. [5]
Publius Herennius Dexippus ( Greek: Δέξιππος; c. 210–273 AD), Greek historian, statesman and general, was an hereditary priest of the Eleusinian family of the Kerykes, and held the offices of archon basileus and eponymous in Athens. [1]
When the Heruli overran Greece and captured Athens (267), Dexippus showed great personal courage and revived the spirit of patriotism among his fellow countrymen. A statue was set up in his honour, the base of which, with an inscription recording his services, has been preserved. [2] It is remarkable that the inscription is silent as to his military achievements. [1]
Photius speaks very highly of the style of Dexippus, whom he calls a second Thucydides. [1] [3]
Photius (cod. 82) mentions three historical works by Dexippus, of which considerable fragments remain:
The Chronicle was continued by Eunapius of Sardis, who opens his own history with a critique of his predecessor. The Chronicle also appears to be the primary source of the Historia Augusta [4] between 238 and 270, but Paschoud has demonstrated that the author of the Historia Augusta sometimes attributes material to Dexippus falsely and so that evidence must be used with caution. [5]