Page:Arrian's Voyage Round the Euxine Sea Translated.djvu/27

 DISSERTATION.

FLAVIUS ARRIANUS, the Author of the work now under conideration, was a native of Nicomedia, the metropolis of Bithynia, a city ituated at the extremity of a bay of the Propontis, on the Aiatic ide. He was early in life remarkable for learning, which recommended him to the notice of the Emperor Hadrian, and procured for him, although a tranger, the freedom of the Roman and Athenian tates. He afterwards became Priet of Ceres and of Proerpine in his native city, and was raied by his Patron, the Emperor, to the dignity of a Roman Senator, and to the Conulate. In this character he was made Præfect of Cappadocia, and waged a uccesful war with the Alani, and with the Maagetæ. He died probably during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, but at what exact time is not certain. He left everal works behind him of coniderable merit; and among them the one now before us. His qualifications in Literature and Science, particularly Geography, mut have been very agreeable to the dipoition of the Emperor Hadrian, who was himelf fond of travelling, and had viited in peron a large proportion of his own extenve domimons. The