De structuur van de Historia Augusta

This article analyses the structure of the Historia Augusta by examining differences in style and factual content between various parts of the work. The unknown author uses diverse historical sources and literary models in order to construct his narrative. As a result, the distinct parts of the work differ in historical reliability and literary invention. The literary framework, which aims to conceal the problematic natur of the historical content, involves dedications, names of authors, documents and recurring themes. This article provides an overview of recent research devoted to the Historia Augusta, especially focused on the structure of the enigmatic work