A. H. M. Jones

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

A. H. M. Jones

Role / Field:

Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.

Born:

1904-03-09

Died:

1970-04-09

Century / Era:

1904s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Arnold Hugh Martin Jones FBA (9 March 1904 – 9 April 1970), known also as A. Jones or Hugo Jones, was a 20th-century British historian of classical antiquity, particularly of the later Roman Empire. Jones's book, The Later Roman Empire, 284–602 (1964), is a narrative history of late Rome and early Byzantium, beginning with the reign of the Roman tetrarch Diocletian and ending with that of the Byzantine emperor Maurice. A modern criticism of this work is its almost total reliance on literary and epigraphic primary sources, a methodology which mirrored Jones's own historiographical training.

Key Developments & Impact

Archaeological study of the period was in its infancy when Jones wrote, which limited the amount of material culture he could include in his research. He published his first book, The Cities of the Eastern Roman Provinces, in 1937. In 1946, he was appointed to the chair of the Ancient History department at University College, London. In 1951, he moved to Cambridge University and assumed the same post there. He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1947.

Enduring Legacy

Jones was reportedly an extremely fast reader with an encyclopedic memory. His disdain for "small talk" sometimes made him...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1904 (1904-03-09): Birth of A. H. M. Jones — Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.
2. 1937: 1937 Milestone — He published his first book, The Cities of the Eastern Roman Provinces, in 1937.
3. 1946: 1946 Milestone — In 1946, he was appointed to the chair of the Ancient History department at University College, London.
4. 1947: 1947 Milestone — He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1947.
5. 1951: 1951 Milestone — In 1951, he moved to Cambridge University and assumed the same post there.
6. 1964: 1964 Milestone — Jones's book, The Later Roman Empire, 284–602 (1964), is a narrative history of late Rome and early Byzantium, beginning with the reign of the Roman tetrarch Diocletian and ending with that of the Byzantine emperor Maurice.
7. 1970 (1970-04-09): Passing & Historical Legacy — A. H. M. Jones passed away on 1970-04-09, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: A. H. M. Jones

True or False: “Did A. H. M. Jones's primary methodology for writing about the later Roman Empire rely heavily on archaeological material culture?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His work was noted for its almost total reliance on literary and epigraphic primary sources, as archaeological study was in its infancy when he wrote.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abai Qunanbaiuly — Contemporary (Died in 1904) (1904): Foundational Kazakh poet, composer, and Islamic reformer of the 19th century.
• Alejo Carpentier — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): Influential Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist of the Latin American Boom.
• Alice Rahon — Contemporary (Born in 1904) (1904): French-born Mexican poet and painter whose work bridged surrealism and abstraction.
• Abraham Maslow — Contemporary (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Alan Shearer — Contemporary (Born in 1970) (1970): English football legend, record goalscorer, and respected pundit.
• Albert Ayler — Contemporary (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering avant-garde jazz saxophonist known for ecstatic, spiritual improvisation.
• Alexandra Kollontai — Shared historical date (03-09 · Died) (1952): Pioneering Marxist feminist, diplomat, and Bolshevik leader in early Soviet history.
• Aloysius Gonzaga — Shared historical date (03-09 · Born) (1568): Italian Jesuit seminarian and saint, known for his aristocratic background and early death.
• Andrea Dworkin — Shared historical date (04-09 · Died) (2005): Radical feminist writer and activist known for analyzing pornography and patriarchal violence.
• Benedetto Castelli — Shared historical date (04-09 · Died) (1643): Italian mathematician known for his association with Galileo and his work in hydraulics.
• 1904 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1904
• March 9 (03-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 9
• 1970 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1970
• April 9 (04-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 9

Frequently Asked Questions about A. H. M. Jones