# Quintus Curtius Rufus

> Roman historian

**Wikidata**: [Q5959](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5959)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quintus_Curtius_Rufus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/quintus-curtius-rufus

## Summary
Quintus Curtius Rufus was a Roman historian who lived approximately from 100 CE to 50 CE and is best known for his historical work "Histories of Alexander the Great" which was written around 41 CE. He was a writer and scholar who focused on exploring and presenting historical events, particularly those related to Alexander the Great.

## Biography
- Born: Approximately 100 CE
- Nationality: Ancient Rome
- Known for: Writing "Histories of Alexander the Great"
- Field(s): History, writing, scholarship

## Contributions
Quintus Curtius Rufus authored "Histories of Alexander the Great," a significant historical work completed around 41 CE that documented the life and conquests of Alexander the Great. This work represents one of the important ancient historical accounts of the Macedonian conqueror and contributed to the preservation and transmission of knowledge about one of history's most influential figures. His historical scholarship helped establish the narrative framework for understanding Alexander's campaigns and legacy in the Roman world.

## FAQs
**What did Quintus Curtius Rufus write?**
Quintus Curtius Rufus wrote "Histories of Alexander the Great," a comprehensive account of the Macedonian conqueror's life and military campaigns, completed around 41 CE.

**When did Quintus Curtius Rufus live?**
Quintus Curtius Rufus lived approximately from 100 CE to 50 CE, during the period of Ancient Rome.

**What was Quintus Curtius Rufus's profession?**
Quintus Curtius Rufus was a historian, writer, and scholar who specialized in exploring and presenting historical events, particularly focusing on Alexander the Great.

**What is significant about Quintus Curtius Rufus's work?**
His work "Histories of Alexander the Great" represents one of the important ancient historical accounts that helped preserve knowledge about Alexander's conquests and legacy for future generations.

## Why They Matter
Quintus Curtius Rufus matters significantly in the field of ancient historiography as one of the key Roman historians who documented the life of Alexander the Great. His "Histories of Alexander the Great" became an important source for understanding the Macedonian conqueror's campaigns and character, influencing how later generations perceived this pivotal historical figure. His work contributed to the Roman intellectual tradition of preserving Greek historical narratives and made these stories accessible to Roman audiences. Without his historical account, our understanding of Alexander's legacy would be diminished, as he provided one of several crucial ancient perspectives on the great conqueror's life and achievements.

## Notable For
• Authoring "Histories of Alexander the Great" around 41 CE
• Being a prominent Roman historian during the 1st century CE
• Contributing to the preservation of Alexander the Great's historical record
• Working as both a historian and writer in Ancient Rome
• Creating one of the significant ancient accounts of Alexander's conquests

## Body
### Historical Context and Identity
Quintus Curtius Rufus lived during the height of Ancient Rome, a civilization that began growing on the Italian Peninsula from the 8th century BCE. As a Roman citizen, he participated in the intellectual culture of the empire, contributing to the rich tradition of historical writing that characterized Roman scholarship. His work as a historian placed him among the scholars who dealt with the exploration and presentation of history, helping to preserve important narratives for future generations.

### Professional Identity and Work
As a historian, writer, and scholar, Quintus Curtius Rufus dedicated his career to the careful examination and documentation of historical events. His expertise encompassed the rigorous methodology required for historical research during the ancient period, when scholars had to rely on limited sources and oral traditions to reconstruct past events. His dual role as both historian and writer demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of ancient scholarship, where researchers were expected to present their findings in compelling literary form.

### Major Literary Achievement
The crowning achievement of Quintus Curtius Rufus's career was his composition of "Histories of Alexander the Great," completed around 41 CE. This work represented a significant undertaking in ancient historiography, requiring extensive research into the life and campaigns of one of history's most influential figures. The timing of the work's completion places it firmly within the early Imperial period of Rome, when interest in Greek culture and history remained strong among Roman intellectuals.

### Historical Significance
The work of Quintus Curtius Rufus contributed to the broader Roman project of preserving and interpreting Greek historical narratives. By documenting Alexander's story for Roman audiences, he helped bridge cultural traditions and ensured that the legacy of the Macedonian conqueror would continue to influence Roman thought. His historical account became one of several important ancient sources that modern scholars rely upon to understand Alexander's impact on the ancient world.

### Legacy and Recognition
Throughout history, Quintus Curtius Rufus has been recognized by numerous scholarly databases and catalog systems, reflecting the continued importance of his work. Various international authority files maintain records of his identity and contributions, including entries in systems from France, Germany, the United States, Spain, Japan, and other countries. These records confirm his status as a significant historical figure whose work has maintained relevance across centuries of scholarship.

### Cultural Impact
The image associated with Quintus Curtius Rufus, represented by a manuscript illumination from around 1450-1500 CE titled "Francia, quinto curzio rufo, storia di alessandro magno," demonstrates the continued cultural resonance of his work well into the Renaissance period. This artistic representation confirms that his historical account remained valued and copied centuries after its original composition, indicating its enduring significance in European intellectual tradition.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Mirabile: Digital Archives for Medieval Culture
3. Library of the World's Best Literature
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. CiNii Research
6. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. CONOR.SI
9. Name and Title Authority File of Catalonia
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Curtius%20Rufus%20Quintus)
12. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index4.html)
13. Shakeosphere
14. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
15. Enciclopedia Treccani
16. LIBRIS. 2012
17. [Quinti Curtii Rufi de Rebus Gestis Alexandri Magni, Regis Macedonum, Libri Superstites.](https://www.collectiegelderland.nl/object/d1d3fc06-ea84-5fcb-f55d-2d6a8b5be0e6)
18. Dizionario di Storia
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23. Clavis Historicorum Antiquitatis Posterioris
24. [Source](https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/artists/615)
25. Digital Scriptorium Catalog