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Quote 2 - Section B
Eutropius portrays the Republic as great in his Breviarium, as evidenced by the quote: “Hinc iam bellum civile successit exsecrandum et lacrimabile, quo praeter calamitates, quae in proeliis acciderunt, etiam populi Romani fortuna mutata est.” He describes the civil war, a pivotal moment turning away from the Republic as accursed and lamentable, and says that the calamities in battle were only surpassed by the change in fortune for the Roman people. Eutropius’ negative description of the civil war and his stated belief that the change for the Roman people was a “calamity” sends a clear message to the reader for the greatness of the Roman Republic. Eutropius, by glorifying the Roman Republic, reinforces pride in Rome’s history and past greatness to Valens and the other readers.
