Diodorus Siculus

Abstract

This chapter begins with a brief discussion of the Diodorus source problem and its bearing on the argument. It then offers a thorough analysis of the moral-didactic lessons and moralising techniques of Diodorus Siculus. It finds that Diodorus’ story universe is governed by divine forces, which are largely just, and that this makes piety the cardinal virtue of his historical actors. Diodorus also condemns brutality and cruel behaviour in any context, and especially when perpetrated against civilians or prisoners of war. Throughout, he recommends epieikeia, decent treatment of those in one’s power, as the most moral and most practically beneficial course. The chapter ends with an overview of differences in moralising between parts of Diodorus’ work based on different sources and briefly hypothesises about the moralising of these sources, some of which are going to be analysed in more detail in chapter 3.

Military History and Military Theory

“…The Greek texts lived on in the Roman Empire, and historiography continued to portray history as moral examples. In Histories, described the Punic Wars (264-146 BC), analyzing Roman victory as one of superior moralitythe creation of military force was a moral achievement, but his texts also described Roman tactics (Hau 2016). Through Histories, Polybius's ideas on personal discipline, frugality, and Roman traditions were spread as military knowledge.…”

moralização em Diodoro Sículo: uma análise da narrativa sobre os eventos de Ducécio

“…O presente artigo tem como objetivo compreender e analisar os eventos ligados ao líder sículo Ducécio (461-440 a.C) sob a ótica moralizante de Diodoro Sículo (90 ou 80-30 a.C). Conforme Hau (2016), o autor de Agírio faz uso de artifícios retóricos e insere, dentro de sua narrativa, alguns elementos divinos, como a Týchē (Fortuna), buscando, dessa maneira, mostrar a sua visão de mundo e tentando educar o seu leitor pela exaltação dos bons exemplos e pela reprovação dos maus (MUNTZ, 2017, p. 7-8).…”