Carausius: Other Evidence (Part III)

[guy]

Documenting ancient history is dependent on many sources, including literary, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence.

 

This is the final post of this series and will examine the sources available.

 

The literary references to the poorly documented usurper Carausius (ruled AD 286-293) are sparse.

 

The main sources [for Carausius and his rebellion] are two panegyrics: one in honour of Maximian, delivered by Claudius Mamertinus in AD 289; [the] other is by Eumenius in AD 297 for Constantius I. There are also sketchy accounts by Aurelius Victor and Eutropius over half a century later, the ramblings of Geoffrey of Monmouth written circa AD 1136 (reputedly based on Welsh folklore), and the medieval Scottish Chronicles of John of Fordun and Hector Boethius. Although writing a thousand years after the event, the Chroniclers add many details not found elsewhere, such as a supposed alliance with the Picts and Scots which enabled Carausius to defeat the Roman garrison and take control of the island.

 

http://www.kenelks.co.uk/coins/carausius/carausius.htm

 

Here is a nice summary of the literary sources:

 

http://www.carausius.net/background.php

 

The two classical historians who mention Carausius, Eutropius and Aureilus Victor, were writing about 50 years after he died, but it is they who give us the most information about him.

 

Eutropius:

Edited September 17, 2011 by guy