SOURCE: “The Genesis and Completion of Cassiodorus's Gothic History,” in Latomus: Revue D'Etudes Latines, Vol. XLIII, No. 2, April-June, 1984, pp. 336-61.

In the following essay, Barnish studies Cassiodorus's aims in writing his Gothic History, analyzes the circumstances surrounding the work's composition, and discusses how Jordanes came to write his summary of the work.

The history which Cassiodorus, one of the leading statesmen and literary figures of sixth century Rome, composed to celebrate the race, lineage, and achievements of his Gothic masters, is now known only through the illiterate epitome made and supplemented by Jordanes. Yet, even the so-called Getica are evidence of great value, both for Gothic history, culture, and legend, and for the impression which the barbarians made, or wished to make, on their Italian subjects. Neither that work, nor its original, were written in a political vacuum. In this article, I will investigate the purpose and circumstances...