Appius Nicomachus Dexter
Encyclopedia
Appius Nicomachus Dexter (floruit before 432
) was a politician
of the Western Roman Empire
.
Virius Nicomachus Flavianus
, his father might be identified with his relative Clementianus, while he was probably a nephew of Nicomachus Flavianus
.
Continuing the tradition of his family (he claims to follow the example set by Clementianus), he edited a manuscript containing the first ten books of Livy
' Ab Urbe condita
, initially corrected by some Victorinus, then bought by Quintus Aurelius Symmachus
, and finally emended by Nichomachus before arriving into the hands of Dexter; all of the manuscripts of the first ten books of Livy's Ab Urbe condita that were subsequently copied through the Middle Ages into modern times are derived by this single manuscript, thanks to whom those books have survived. Subscriptions with his name are found at the end of books 3, 4 and 5.
At the time of the praetorian prefecture of Nicomachus Flavianus
(431-432) he set up a statue in honour of his grandfather Virius Nicomachus Flavianus
, in which he styles himself former praefectus urbi
of Rome
.
432
Year 432 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Aetius and Valerius...
) was a politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
of the Western Roman Empire
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire was the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian in 285; the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to today as the Byzantine Empire....
.
Biography
Dexter belonged to the Nicomachi, an influential family of senatorial rank. Among his ancestors there was evidently Appius Claudius Tarronius Dexter; his grandfather was the praetorian prefectPraetorian prefect
Praetorian prefect was the title of a high office in the Roman Empire. Originating as the commander of the Praetorian Guard, the office gradually acquired extensive legal and administrative functions, with its holders becoming the Emperor's chief aides...
Virius Nicomachus Flavianus
Virius Nicomachus Flavianus
Virius Nicomachus Flavianus was a grammarian, a historian and a politician of the Roman Empire.A pagan and close friend of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, he was Praetorian prefect of Italy in 390–392 and, under usurper Eugenius , again praetorian prefect and consul...
, his father might be identified with his relative Clementianus, while he was probably a nephew of Nicomachus Flavianus
Nicomachus Flavianus (son)
Nicomachus Flavianus , sometimes referred to as Flavianus the younger, was a grammarian and a politician of the Roman Empire. He was the son of Virius Nicomachus Flavianus...
.
Continuing the tradition of his family (he claims to follow the example set by Clementianus), he edited a manuscript containing the first ten books of Livy
Livy
Titus Livius — known as Livy in English — was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people. Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC...
' Ab Urbe condita
Ab urbe condita
Ab urbe condita is Latin for "from the founding of the City ", traditionally set in 753 BC. AUC is a year-numbering system used by some ancient Roman historians to identify particular Roman years...
, initially corrected by some Victorinus, then bought by Quintus Aurelius Symmachus
Quintus Aurelius Symmachus
Quintus Aurelius Symmachus was a Roman statesman, orator, and man of letters. He held the offices of governor of Africa in 373, urban prefect of Rome in 384 and 385, and consul in 391...
, and finally emended by Nichomachus before arriving into the hands of Dexter; all of the manuscripts of the first ten books of Livy's Ab Urbe condita that were subsequently copied through the Middle Ages into modern times are derived by this single manuscript, thanks to whom those books have survived. Subscriptions with his name are found at the end of books 3, 4 and 5.
At the time of the praetorian prefecture of Nicomachus Flavianus
Nicomachus Flavianus (son)
Nicomachus Flavianus , sometimes referred to as Flavianus the younger, was a grammarian and a politician of the Roman Empire. He was the son of Virius Nicomachus Flavianus...
(431-432) he set up a statue in honour of his grandfather Virius Nicomachus Flavianus
Virius Nicomachus Flavianus
Virius Nicomachus Flavianus was a grammarian, a historian and a politician of the Roman Empire.A pagan and close friend of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, he was Praetorian prefect of Italy in 390–392 and, under usurper Eugenius , again praetorian prefect and consul...
, in which he styles himself former praefectus urbi
Praefectus urbi
The praefectus urbanus or praefectus urbi, in English the urban prefect, was prefect of the city of Rome, and later also of Constantinople. The office originated under the Roman kings, continued during the Republic and Empire, and held high importance in late Antiquity...
of Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
.