Justin's Epitome: the Unlikely Adaptation of Trogus' World History

Abstract

There has been a longstanding question concerning the authorship of Justin’s Epitome of Pompeius Trogus’ world history, Historiae Philippicae. What was the purpose of Justin’s work? Was he merely an abbreviator, or did he view his work as a literary accomplishment? Herein the historical and historiographical contexts of the Historiae Philippicae are discussed in order to understand the ‘abbreviator’s’ influence on the original document. Through an examination of subsequent Roman historians who read Trogus and with the help of modern scholarship on Justin, in particular the work of John Yardley, distinctions can often be made between the work of Trogus and the additions of his so-called epitomator, Justin. Throughout the Epitome, Justin maintained a Trogan skeleton, as an abbreviator would, but in several places he did more than abbreviate. Justin reworked Trogus’ world history to achieve his own ends, without any concern for the philosophical basis of Trogus’ work.