This collection of essays investigates the complex historiographical methods and cultural perspectives of Ammianus Marcellinus, the preeminent historian of the late Roman Empire. The editors, David Hunt and Jan Willem Drijvers, assemble a group of scholars to evaluate how Ammianus navigated the political, military, and social transformations of the fourth century. By analyzing his narrative structure and ideological biases, the contributors provide a framework for understanding how he shaped the historical record of a crumbling imperial order.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this volume as a foundational text for those specializing in late antique studies and the works of Ammianus Marcellinus. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which assumes a high level of familiarity with the original Latin texts and the broader historical context of the fourth century.