Customer Reviews

Ancient Rome: A Military and Political History

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an unashamedly old-fashioned political and military narrative history of the Roman Republic and Empire. There are no sections on daily life or the lives of women, for instance. There is some discussion of government, but that fits under politics. The military history is at the operational or strategic level, not at the tactical level. Battles are very briefly described, mainly just stating who the victor was. However, the book is not just a bare recital of "one thing after another"; the author also tries to get inside the head of the leading personalities to divine their intentions. Whatever the author discusses, it is so engagingly written that the story just carries the reader along. Several times I tried dipping into the book to just read a page or two but invariably found myself swept along until at least the end of the chapter. Highly recommended for those who like this approach to history.

Knowledgeably written by Christopher S. Mackay, an accomplished associate professor of history who has published numerous articles on all periods of Roman history, Ancient Rome: A Military And Political History is a comprehensive political history ancient Rome from the city's origins during the Italian Iron Age to the deposition of its last emperor in A.D. 476. From Rome's growth and conquest to pressures and invasion that eventually destroyed its empire, to how it came to adopt Christianity as its state religion and the lasting influence of that legacy, Ancient Rome is extraordinarily fascinating and compelling reading. Written in terms as engaging to the lay reader as the professional historian, Ancient Rome is a dynasty-by-dynasty account that spreads out what history tells of feuds, assassinations, war, enforced peace, and military transformations in the legendary Roman Empire.

I greatly appreciated Professor Mackay critical reveiew of the historical records, and his unbaised reconcilations of previous interpretations. However, a thousand years of history is a lot to cover in one book. My difculity is his coverage of the late empire. It is too short for me. I think that this could be a very interesting period to study in detail, when it seems, as professor Mackay suggests, the empire was essentally disintegrating. Perhaps Professor Mackay will apply his critical skills to a detalied analysis of the social and economic conditions of this period. On to the next book.

I desired to read a book that could offer a historical overview of Roman history. This book fulfilled.

It can exhaust you a bit in the details at times (e.g., the number of men killed in battles; the names of minor office holders). However, for anyone wanting to "get it all" in one book, it is a very good source.

It is well written and penned with an obvious depth of knowledge and keen insight.

The format basically runs from battle to battle. The ancient Romans were no doubt warriors and ruthless political opportunists. Still, I would have enjoyed more detail in the more noble of human pursuits such as art, architecture, culture and religion.

I recommend the book.

This book captures all the important battles and political developments in ancinet Rome.