Marsiglia e l'Occidente nelle Storie Filippiche

After a brief introduction, which provides an overall view on the ‘western’ section of the Philippic Histories, the paper focuses on the chapters on Marseille (43.3-5). A first part is dedicated to Justin’s technique of epitomizing: Justin selects three ‘exemplary’ events (the foundation of the city, the first clash with native peoples, the final pacification), transcribing Trogus’ text quite faithfully, and links them by means of a few sentences which reuse material from Trogus out of its original context. The second part tries to detect, through the filter of Justin’s Epitome, some significant aspects of Trogus’ work. Trogus attributes to Marseille the same key role in the civilising process of Southern Gaul which Strabo ascribes to Rome, but he shows no anti-Roman feeling. His insistence on Marseille’s fides towards Rome implies an implicit defence of the city’s attitude in the civil war of 49. The short notice on the Pompeii Trogi, with its reference to both Pompey and Caesar as benefactors of the family, is consistent with this approach.