Dio Cassius

Dio Cassius (Greek: Dion Kassios Cocceianos; Latin: Dio Cassius Cocceianus) (ca. 153–235 AD) was a Roman historian of Greek origin, born in the city of Nicaea in Bithynia. He held high-ranking administrative positions and belonged to the upper senatorial class. He wrote several historical works. “History of Rome”, written in 80 books, covering the period from the founding of Rome to 229 AD, has reached us partially damaged. This work is especially valuable in the sections where Dio describes contemporary events based on official documents.

Dio Cassius’ history is also an important source for other periods of Roman history, as it includes writings of the earlier historians and also reports of military generals, administrative accounts, travelers’ descriptions, and other documentary materials. The work primarily focuses on political and historical events.

The History of Rome contains highly valuable information on Georgian-Roman relations, including accounts of Pompey’s campaign in Iberia and Colchis, subsequent events, and Iberia’s relationship with Rome in the 2nd century AD, especially during the reign of Pharsman II. Some of these accounts are either complete or unique in surviving historical records.

Literature: Dio's Roman History with an English translastion by E. Cary, L.– Camb. (Mass.), 1954–55; დიონ კასიოსის (კოკეიანოსის) ცნობები საქართველოს შესახებ. ბერძნ. ტექსტი ქართ. თარგმანით გამოსცა და შესავალი და კომენტ. დაურთო ნ. ლომოურმა, თბ., 1966.

N. Lomouri