The Variae - by Cassiodorus

Book Synopsis

Cassiodorus--famed throughout history as one of the great Christian exegetes of antiquity--spent most of his life as a high-ranking public official under the Ostrogothic King Theoderic and his heirs. He produced the Variae, a unique letter collection that gave witness to the sixth-century Mediterranean, as late antiquity gave way to the early middle ages. The Variae represents thirty years of Cassiodorus's work in civil, legal, and financial administration, revealing his interactions with emperors and kings, bishops and military commanders, private citizens, and even criminals. Thus, the Variae remains among the most important sources for the history of this pivotal period and is an indispensable resource for understanding political and diplomatic culture, economic and legal structure, intellectual heritage, urban landscapes, religious worldview, and the evolution of social relations at all levels of society during the twilight of the late-Roman state. This is the first full translation of this masterwork into English.

From the Back Cover

"By providing unfettered access to the Variae--the single most important Latin source for the history of sixth-century Italy--Bjornlie's translation will serve as an invaluable resource for generations of historians to come." --Scott G. Bruce, Professor of Medieval History, Fordham University

"This is an exceptional and astounding piece of work. Bjornlie's exhaustive and highly readable translation provides scholars and students with a fresh set of sources on virtually every conceivable aspect of late ancient life: from tax exemptions and military campaigns to marriage arrangements and pantomime shows."--Kristina Sessa, Associate Professor of History, Ohio State University

Review Quotes

"Bjornlie's translation is fluid and excellent. . . .this is a much-needed and masterfully crafted addition to the historical corpus, of interest to historians, Byzantinists, and scholars of the ancient world interested in the Ostrogothic Court, Justinian's conquest of Ravenna, and the early Byzantine world."

-- "Reading Religion"

About the Author

M. Shane Bjornlie is Professor of Roman and Late Antique History in the Department of History at Claremont McKenna College.