Codex 68

[Cephalion, Historical Epitome]

Read the Historical Epitomeof Cephalion.[1] It begins with the reign of Ninus and Semiramis [2]and goes down to the times of Alexander the Great. The entire history comprises nine books, called after the nine Muses ---- Clio, Thalia, Polyhymnia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Euterpe, Calliope, Erato, and Urania, in which the acts of Alexander, king of Macedon, are also related.

He writes in the Ionic dialect. The excessive brevity with which he describes the bare facts of history leaves no room for admiration or imitation. He says nothing about his race or family, but passes them over in silence, like Homer, as he himself says. However, it appears that he wrote the work during his exile in Sicily. While saying nothing about his race or family, as he ought to have done, he mentions his exile, an indication of meanness of spirit. His boast of the number of authors consulted by him in compiling his history shows a mind incapable of shaking off a petty and childish love of display. He says that the first book of his history was compiled from 570 books, of 31 of which he gives the authors’ names; the second book from 208, with 25 authors’ names; the third from 600, with 26 authors’ names; the fourth from 850, with 36 authors’ names; the fifth from 200, with 26 authors’ names, and so on. Such is the Historyof Cephalion.