Chaffin, Christopher

Dr Chaffin is essentially an historian specializing in the ecclesiastical and social history of the late Roman Empire.

Olympiodorus of Thebes and the Sack of Rome a Study of the Historikoi Logoi, with Translated Fragments, Commentary and Additional Material

1993 0-7734-9321-2
This is the first complete edition to bring together all that can be recovered of the Histories of Olympiodorus of Thebes (c. 370-430). Olympiodorus's account was by far the best: it included an extended analysis of the political and military blunders which led up to it and the slow recovery which followed. His independent political judgment, realistic attitude to the barbarians, concern for precision in dating and technical terminology, and flair for anecdotal writing make him one of the most original historical writers of his age. This edition presents a new reconstruction and translation, along with historical and critical introduction and commentary. To this are added extracts from other contemporary sources on the sack (Augustine, Jerome, Orosius), select inscriptions, and a glossary of technical terms.