Ammianus Marcellinus, a Roman soldier and historian, born in Antioch, of a Greek family, died about A. D. 395. In his youth he embraced the military profession, and served under Ursicinus, one of the most celebrated of the generals of Constantius. In 363 he accompanied the emperor Julian in his expedition against the Persians. He ultimately settled at Rome, and devoted his latter days to the composition of his history of the emperors from the accession of Nerva, A. D. 96, to the death of Valens in 378. It comprised 31 books, the first 13 of which are lost. The style is vicious and inflated, but the work is highly valuable as an authority.