Question

source: excerpts about asian tribe, the huns from roman history by roman historian ammianus marcellinus, c. 380 ce.
the huns exceeded any definition of savage. they have compact, sturdy limbs and thick necks... although they have the
shape... of human beings, they are so wild in their ways of life that they have no need of fire or pleasant tasting foods, but eat
roots of uncultivated plants and the half - raw flesh of all sorts of animals. this they place between their thighs and the
backs of their horses and so warm it a little... huns are never sheltered by buildings, but... roam freely in the mountains and
woods, learning from their earliest childhood to endure freezing cold, hunger and thirst... huns are not well adapted to battle
on foot but are almost glued to their horses, which are certainly hardy, but also ugly... like refugees, all without permanent
settlements, homes, law, or a fixed way of life - they are always on the move with their wagons, in which they leave... like
unthinking animals, they are completely ignorant of the differences between right and wrong. fired with an overwhelming
desire for seizing the property of others, the swift moving and ungovernable people make their destructive way amid the
pillage and slaughter of those who live around them.
document analysis 1. who was ammianus marcellinus?

1. what words and phrases does ammianus use to describe the huns?
2. why might a roman historian like ammianus want to compare the huns to “unthinking animals”?
3. how does this excerpt/document help explain the decline of the roman empire?

source: an excerpt of a historical text written by prius, roman ambassador to the huns, 449 ce. note: prius is reporting
a conversation he had w/a former roman citizen whose land had been conquered by the huns.
he considered his new life... better than his old life among the romans, and the reasons he gave were as follows; the
condition of roman subjects in time of peace is worse than war... taxes are very severe, and unprincipled men inflict injuries
on others... a wealthy lawbreaker... is not punished for his injustice, while a poor man... undergoes the legal penalty... the
climax of misery is to have to pay in order to obtain justice... he said that the laws and constitution of the romans were fair,
but deplored that the governors, not possessing the spirit of former generations, were ruining the state.
document analysis 1. who was prius? do you think his description is reliable? why?

1. why were some romans happy about being conquered by the huns?
2. what does it mean when they say the climax of misery is to have to pay for justice?
3. how can you use this document to help you explain what caused the decline of the roman empire?

source: edward gibbon, the history of the decline and fall of the roman empire, strahan & kato, 1776
note: it took the author 12 years to write this six - volume set of books
in the second year of the reign of valens 366 ce... the roman world was shaken by a violent and destructive
tide which was set
shores of the mediterranean were left dry by the sudden retreat to the sea... but the tide which was set
in sicily, greece, and of egypt... 50,000 persons had lost their lives in the flood in the city of alexandria... and their fearful vanity was disposed to see

Explanation:

1. Ammianus Marcellinus was a Roman historian who wrote about the Huns around 380 CE. His description of the Huns was likely influenced by Roman - centric views.
2. Words and phrases used to describe the Huns include "savage", "wild in their ways of life", "ignorant of the differences between right and wrong", "ungovernable", "like unthinking animals". These show a negative, stereotypical view.
3. A Roman historian might compare the Huns to "unthinking animals" to justify Roman actions against them, to portray them as inferior and thus legitimate targets of war and conquest, and to reinforce Roman cultural superiority.
4. This excerpt shows the threat the Huns posed to the Roman Empire. Their nomadic and aggressive nature, as described, could have contributed to the destabilization of Roman frontiers, leading to military conflicts and weakening of Roman power.

For Prius:

1. Prius was a Roman ambassador to the Huns in 449 CE. His description may be reliable as he was an eyewitness and reported a conversation with a former Roman citizen. However, it could also be biased as the former citizen may have had reasons to exaggerate or downplay aspects.
2. Some Romans were happy about being conquered by the Huns because the condition of Roman subjects in peace was worse than war, with severe taxes, injustice where wealthy lawbreakers were not punished, and the need to pay for justice.
3. Saying the "climax of misery is to have to pay for justice" means that in the Roman Empire, the justice system was corrupt and inaccessible to the poor, which was a major source of dissatisfaction among the people.
4. This document can be used to show internal problems within the Roman Empire, such as a corrupt justice system, high taxes, and ineffective governance. These internal issues could have contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire as they led to discontent among the population and weakened the state's stability.

Answer:

1. Ammianus Marcellinus was a Roman historian.
2. Savage, wild in their ways of life, ignorant of right - wrong, ungovernable, like unthinking animals.
3. To justify Roman actions, portray Huns as inferior, and reinforce Roman cultural superiority.
4. Shows Huns as a threat destabilizing Roman frontiers.

For Prius:

1. Roman ambassador to the Huns. Reliability is debatable as it's eyewitness but potentially biased.
2. Due to severe taxes, injustice, and need to pay for justice in Roman Empire.
3. Roman justice system was corrupt and inaccessible to the poor.
4. Shows internal problems like corruption and discontent contributing to decline.