Zosimos:Neue Geschichte

The 'New History' ('Historia romana' or 'Historia novae') begins with Augustus and briefly outlines the period up to the year 270; from this point, the work becomes more extensive and detailed. It concludes with the negotiations that preceded the conquest of Rome in the year 410. It is evident that the author intended to continue the history but was prevented from realizing his plan by a circumstance, perhaps his death. The work is one of the most important sources for Roman history of the fourth century, and individual statements about the preceding period are also significant. The work is not without reasonable criticism and demonstrates the philosophical acumen of the author. He was a pagan and devoted to the worship of the old Roman gods. He particularly describes the gradual decline of the Roman Empire and attributes this to the fact that the Romans had ceased to honor the old gods. He also adhered to pagan superstitions, such as the influence of the stars on people's lives and the beliefs of pagan diviners.