The World of Rome An Introduction to Roman Culture

Here is an introduction to the history and culture of Rome for anyone seriously interested in the ancient world. It covers all aspects of the city its rise to power, what made it great, and why it still engages and challenges us today. The book is particularly designed to serve as a background to READING LATIN (Cambridge University press, 1986). 108 photos. 4 maps.

The World of Rome is an introduction to the history and culture of Rome for students at university and at school as well as for anyone seriously interested in the ancient world. Drawing on the latest scholarship, it covers all aspects of the city - its rise to power, what made it great, and why it still engages and challenges us today. The first two chapters outline the history and changing identity of Rome from 1000 BC to AD 476. Subsequent chapters examine the mechanisms of government, the economic and social life of Rome, and Roman ways of looking at and reflecting the world. Frequent quotations from ancient writers and numerous illustrations make this a stimulating and accessible introduction to ancient Rome. The World of Rome is particularly designed to serve as a background book to Reading Latin (Cambridge University Press, 1986).

Preface; List of maps and illustrations; Notes; Part I. Ideology, History and Administration: 1. The idea of Rome (753–31 BC); 2. Rome's new kings (31 BC–AD 476); 3. Princeps and imperator; 4. Governing Rome; Part II. Society and Economy: 5. The life of the city; 6. Production and consumption; 7. The Roman family; PART III. The Roman Mind: 8. The Roman mind; 9. Roman literature; 10. Roman art and architecture; Epilogue: the ghosts of Rome; Appendices: I. Roman emperors; II. Roman and Greek writers; III. Cross-references with the text of Reading Latin; Index and glossary of Latin terms; General indexes: topographical index; Index of personal names; Index of passages.

Following the same model as The World of Athens, this book opens with two chapters outlining the history and identity of Rome 1000 BC-AD 476. Subsequent chapters examine how Rome was governed (from Republic to Empire), economic and social life, and Roman attitudes towards the rest of the world as reflected in the arts. Written by experts in the field, beautifully illustrated and with copious sources, this is the essential introduction to the Roman world. It serves as a background to Reading Latin (CUP 1986).