The Lost Books of Cassius Dio

Abstract

The paper examines the lacuna in Cassius Dio’s books covering the reigns of Antoninus Pius and the first half of Marcus Aurelius. On the basis of evidence showing that the narrative of the years 138–169 was lost to the later epitomizers of Dio, it is argued that the two excerpts of Dio (69.15.3; 71.3.1a), which are presently edited within the lacuna should instead be allocated into the sections prior and after the lacuna. The first case – the visit of Pharasmanes to Rome – is explainable on the basis of Cassius Dio’s writing method, while the latter case – the invasion of Pannonia by the Langobardi and Obii – is easier understood when allocated to the year 169. In addition, serious doubt is cast on the origin of the two fragments from the Suda (s. v. Martius; Zeugma) that are presently edited into Dio’s book 71.