Appian of Alexandria (Ἀππιανὸς Ἀλεξανδρεύς) was a Greek historian of the 2nd century CE. Born into a wealthy Alexandrian family, he pursued a public career in Rome, working as an advocate before attaining the office of procurator under Emperor Antoninus Pius [1][2][3]. His career reflects the integration of provincial elites into the Roman administration during the Second Sophistic. He composed his historical works in Greek during his later years [1][2].

His major work is the Roman History (Ῥωμαϊκά), a 24-book account organized ethnographically around Rome's wars with various peoples [1][2][3]. Only portions survive, with the most complete and valuable sections covering the Civil Wars (books 13–17), which detail the period from the Gracchi to the Second Triumvirate [1][2][3].

Appian’s significance lies in his unique organizational scheme and his value as a source for the late Roman Republic. His narrative of the Civil Wars preserves details and traditions not found in other major historians [1][2]. While his chronology can be imprecise, his pro-Roman perspective and preservation of lost material make his history an indispensable resource [1][2][3].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: Appian: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Appian 2. World History Encyclopedia: Appian: https://www.worldhistory.org/Appian/ 3. Perseus Digital Library: Appian, Roman History, Preface: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0230