Description
By (author) Rodgers Nigel; Consultant editor Dodge Hazel
Short /annotation:
An authoritative account of Ancient Rome, its political and military history, art, architecture and culture, sumptously illustrated throughout with 1000 photographs and reproductions, chronicling the story of the most important and influential civilisation the world has ever known.
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The legacy of Ancient Rome shapes the world we inhabit today. The history of Rome – as a tiny primitive kingdom, as an ever-growing republic, as a world-ruling empire dominating the known world – is still influential. The first half of this book focuses on the political and military history of Rome. The assassination of Julius Caesar, Nero fiddling while Rome burns, the building of Hadrian”s Wall – the truth behind these and many other events are revealed in this account of the rise and fall of a mighty empire. The second part of the book focuses on Rome”s influence on the development of world art, architecture and society. Detailed drawings of the Colosseum and other World Heritage buildings reveal Roman techniques and architectural styles. Ancient letters, records and artworks are used to show how real people lived and worked during one of the cultural peaks of world history. With its magnificent combination of photographs, plans and illustrations, and an authoritative and absorbing text, this is the perfect reference guide for any student of history, archaeology and the classical world. It will provide inspiration for anyone planning to visit Italy or other sites in the once-great Roman Empire.
Table of contents:
Introduction 6Part OneThe Rise and Fallof Rome 8The Archetypal Empire 10Timeline 14Rome: The World’sFirst Superpower 18Chapter I: An Empire ofForce and Law 20Legendary Beginnings 22The Conquest of Italy 24The Growth of Empire 26Victory Abroad, Discord at Home 28The End of the Republic 30Peace Restored: The First Emperors 32The Flavians and “The FiveGood Emperors” 34Crisis and Catastrophe 36Reconstruction and Revival 38The Fall of the West 40Chapter II: Great Romans 42Great Roman Generals 44Julius Caesar 48Pompey 50Mark Antony 51The Historians’ View 52Roman Philosophers 54Rome’s Enemies 56Cicero: The Peaceful Roman 60Chapter III: The Emperors 62Emperors of Rome 64Augustus: The First RomanEmperor 66Organizers of Empire 68Best of Emperors 70Evil Emperors 72Saviours of the Empire 76Constantine the Great 80Women Behind the Throne 82Chapter IV: Governingthe Empire 84A Self-governing Confederacy 86The Oligarchical Republic 88Rome’s Ruling Classes 90The Secret Workings of RomanPolitics 94The Principate: A Monarchy inDisguise 96Republican Extortion, ImperialProbity 98Taxation 100Chapter V: Rome andthe Law 102Law in the Early Republic 104How the Laws Worked in Times of Crisis 106The Great Imperial Codifications 108Police and Secret Police 110Punishment 112Chapter VI: Foreign Policy 114Early Beginnings: The Conquestof Italy 116Ruler by Default 118Defensible Frontiers: The Rhineand the Danube 120Defensible Frontiers: Asia 122Client and Buffer States 124Reliance on the Germans 126At the Empire’s Extremities:Egypt 128At the Empire’s Extremities:Britain 130the power of rome 132Chapter VII: The Roman Army 134The People’s Army 136Battle Hardening 138The Fall of the Republic 140Legions and Principate 142Army of the Later Empire 144Chapter VIII: Inside the Army 146Organizing the Legion 148Centurions and Officers 150Training and Discipline 152Pay and Conditions 154Auxiliary Troops 156Pitching Camp 158Roads, Canals and Bridges 160Fleets and Ships 162Chapter IX: Arms and the Men 164Armour 166Arms 168Artillery 170Siege Warfare 172Triumphs and Ovations 174Permanent Fortifications 176Great Forts of the Later Empire 178City Walls 180Chapter X: The Great Wars 182Marching and Fighting 184Th
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