https://wikimd.com/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Valerius_MaximusValerius Maximus - Revision history2026-04-22T01:50:51ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.44.2https://wikimd.com/index.php?title=Valerius_Maximus&diff=5615572&oldid=prevPrab: CSV import2024-04-16T20:41:16Z<p>CSV import</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>[[File:Inkunabel.ValMax.001.jpg|Inkunabel.ValMax.001|thumb]] [[File:Simon_de_Hesdin_presents_his_translation_of_Valerius_Maximus'_'Facta_et_dicta_memorabilia'_to_Charles_V,_king_of_France.jpg|Simon de Hesdin presents his translation of Valerius Maximus' 'Facta et dicta memorabilia' to Charles V, king of France|thumb|left]] '''Valerius Maximus''' was a [[Latin]] writer and author of a collection of historical anecdotes: ''Factorum et dictorum memorabilium libri IX'' (Nine Books of Memorable Acts and Sayings), often referred to simply as ''Memorabilia''. He wrote this work during the reign of [[Tiberius]] (AD 14–37), dedicating it to the Roman senator [[Gaius Iulius Caesar (consul 90 BC)|Gaius Iulius Caesar]]. Valerius Maximus' compilation is a valuable source of [[Roman history]], [[Roman culture]], and [[Roman religion]], providing insights into the moral and social values of ancient Rome.<br />
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==Life==<br />
Little is known about the life of Valerius Maximus. His dates of birth and death are not recorded, but his work suggests he lived through the reign of [[Tiberius]]. It is believed he had a background in [[rhetoric]] and was possibly involved in the Roman administrative and political system, which would explain his interest in the moralistic and exemplary stories of Rome's past.<br />
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==Work==<br />
''Factorum et dictorum memorabilium libri IX'' is organized into nine books, each divided into chapters that are grouped by thematic categories such as [[courage]], [[justice]], [[piety]], and [[fortitude]]. This structure made it a useful tool for [[rhetoricians]], [[moralists]], and [[historians]] interested in the moral exempla of the past. Valerius Maximus' work draws from a wide range of sources, including [[historiography]], [[oratory]], and [[poetry]], showcasing the breadth of Roman literary culture.<br />
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The anecdotes Valerius Maximus compiled range from the early days of the [[Roman Republic]] to his contemporary Roman Empire, featuring stories of famous Romans and notable foreigners. His collection has been criticized for historical inaccuracies and his uncritical use of sources. However, it remains an important testament to the Roman values of his time, reflecting the moral and ethical concerns that were prevalent in the early Imperial period.<br />
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==Legacy==<br />
Valerius Maximus' ''Memorabilia'' was widely read throughout the [[Middle Ages]] and the [[Renaissance]], serving as a source of moral exempla for preachers, writers, and educators. His influence can be seen in the works of medieval and Renaissance authors who sought to impart moral lessons through historical examples.<br />
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In modern scholarship, Valerius Maximus' work is studied for its insights into Roman thought and values, as well as its influence on later literature and historiography. Despite the criticisms of his methodology, his compilation provides a rich tapestry of Roman life and ideology, offering glimpses into the complexities of Roman society and the moral imperatives that guided it.<br />
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==See Also==<br />
* [[Roman literature]]<br />
* [[Historiography of Rome]]<br />
* [[Moral philosophy]]<br />
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[[Category:Roman writers]]<br />
[[Category:Latin literature]]<br />
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