Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Roman chronology

Abstract

For Dionysius of Halicarnassus, an important part of the historian's task is the gathering and analysis of material. The present article is concerned with one particular aspect of this, namely, the investigation of chronology. It has two aims: first, to defend the accuracy of Dionysius' chronological system against the sometimes unfair criticisms of modern scholars; second, to assess how, in his perception, the role of chronographical research related to a historical work on a noncontemporary subject. The research qualities Dionysius singled out for praise in the writings of Theopompus – a historian he much admired – were care, effort, preparation, and autoptic investigation. Not all of these were applicable to a historian who chose a non-contemporary theme. However, within the limits determined by his subject – Rome's origins and history to 264 B.C. – Dionysius similarly attempted preparatory work and investigation of data for his history.