Zosimus, New History 5

Zosimus (Greek Ζώσιμος): Early Byzantine, pagan author of a history of the Roman Empire, published in the first quarter of the sixth century CE.

Book 5

After the death of Theodosius, his sons Arcadius and Honorius become emperors in the east and west, but the real rulers are their regents, Rufinus, Eutropius, and Stilicho, who are also rivals in avarice.

For if any of the subjects had a villa remarkable for elegance, one of them would become its master. If any silver or gold were heard of, it flowed from its former proprietors into their coffers. Great numbers of sycophants being dispersed in all places, who were ordered to give notice of such things.^note[Zosimus, New History 5.12.2.]

There are accounts of several wars and Zosimus describes the career and exile of the Christian leader John Chrysostom. The empress Eudoxia dies.

At this point, beginning with section 26 and the year 404, there is a break in Zosimus’ story, both chronologically (several years are missing) and topographically (he starts to focus on the west). This can be deduced from all kinds of details as well: the river Danube, which Zosimus has until now called Ister, suddenly becomes Danubius, while Illyria becomes Dalmatia.

To be honest, the quality of the narrative also improves: the story of the revolt of Constantine, the fall of Stilicho, Alaric's invasion of Italy, the first siege of Rome, and the helplessness of the emperor Honorius is a great read. The new source has been identified with Olympiodorus’ History. Zosimus also refers to sources named Pisander and Quadratus.

The book ends with Alaric offering favorable terms to the besieged Romans, but they ignore them because they have sworn to the emperor not to negotiate. Zosimus remarks that they were apparently more concerned with the ruler than with the gods, who had given them an opportunity to live in peace.

Book 5

Contents