The Oxford Illustrated History of the Roman World

This authoritative and compelling work tells the story of the rise of Rome, from its origins as a cluster of villages to the foundation of the Roman Empire by Augustus to its consolidation in the first two centuries A.D. Numerous b&w illustrations. of color plates.

The Romans succeeded in less than fifty-three years in subjecting almost the whole inhabited world of their rule. This book tells the story of the rise of Rome from its origins as a cluster of villages to the foundation of the Roman Empire by Augustus and its consolidation in the first two centuries AD. It also discusses some aspects of the later Empire and its influence on western civilizations, not least through the adoption of Christianity. Chapters dealing with social and political history are interspersed with chapters on literature, philosophy, and the arts: the conquests of Rome; Roman Emperors; Plautus, Terence, Virgil and Roman literature; Roman historians such as Tacitus and Livy; Stoicism and Scepticism; and Roman art and architecture are among the topics dealt with. The historical framework of the book is reinforced by maps and chronological charts; there are bibliographies and a full index; and the book is profusely and aptly illustrated with colour and black-and-white illustrations.

1 - Early Rome and Italy
2 - The Expansion of Rome
3 - The First Roman Literature
4 - Cicero and Rome
5 - The Poets of the Late Republic
6 - The Founding of the Empire
7 - The Arts of Governmnent
8 - Augustan Poetry and Society
9 - Virgil
10 - Roman Historians
11 - The Arts of Prose: The Early Empire
12 - Silver Latin Poetry and the Latin Novel
13 - Later Philosophy
14 - The Arts of Living
15 - Roman Life and Society
16 - Roman Art and Architecture

Oswyn Murray is MacGregor Fellow, Jowett Fellow, Jowett Lecturer, and Tutor in Ancient History, Balliol College, Oxford