This book examines the work of Ammianus Marcellinus, demonstrating the subtlety and manipulative nature of his writings.

Introduction; Part I. The Elusive Historian: 1. The bones on the battlefield; 2. The adventures of Ammianus; 3. The limits of biography; Part II. The Allusive Historian: 4. Ammianus' intertextuality; 5. Sources; 6. The exemplary historian; 7. Julian's monument; Epilogue.