Customer Reviews

Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of An Empire

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Given the length of the Roman Empire (and as advertised this book covers the origins of the empire from a small city-state), its breadth, its complexity, and its historical importance it is impossible to go in depth in a book of this length. Roman specialists should find a lengthier, more detailed book but for those who are new to Rome (like me), or seeking to acquire just a general understanding of one of the most important--and arguably the most important--civilization in world history this book passes with flying colors.

For anyone interested in the history and events that took place in the Roman Empire this book is like manna from heaven. The author relates Roman history in such a way that the book almost reads like a novel, being both exciting and educational. But if truth be told this is far more interesting than any novel.

Rome was after all one of the greatest, if not the greatest empire ever known. There are figures from its past that stick out like beacons. Probably the greatest of them all Julius Caesar and of course his main adversary Pompey. Others out of the many notables include Mark Antony, Nero, Claudius and many more.

There were also Rome's great buildings. The Forum, the circus maximus and the Flavian amphitheatre, now more commonly known as the Colosseum, all built to show potential enemies the might that was Rome. Then on to the true might of Rome, its Legions. An army that comprised the greatest fighting force the world had ever seen. Because of their discipline and rigid training they were at that period in history, virtually unbeatable.

The author pulls all these facts together beautifully to make a book that is not only informative and educational but also high readable as well.

This book is the companion to the extremely interesting BBC docudrama series "Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire". The chapters are the same as the series episodes (although in a more logical chronological order), providing background and detail to the events. Reading the book and watching the show, gives the layman a decent knowledge on the event or character and the following repercussions.

Obviously this work has limitations, but contrary to the usual works designed for the general public, Professor Simon Baker from Oxford gives us an unbiased and very accurate depiction of the events.

This work includes 16 pages of color photographs and a good bibliography providing ancient and modern sources for each separate chapters.

After a great introduction by Mary Beard (consultant to the BBC series, a renowned academic and the author of one of the greatest books on Roman History "Pompeii"), Professor Baker gives us a short introduction on the beginnings of Rome. Then the intrigue, adventure, treasons, great rulers and despicable autocrats of the roman world come to life in the following Chapters:

I - Revolution (the affluence of wealth to Rome from the domination of the mediterranean area generated bigger social differences and conflicts; the rise of Tiberius Grachus and his death)
II - Caesar (the death of the Republic) and August
III - Nero (from promising ruler under Seneca and Burro, to an irresponsible and irreverent autocrat)
IV - Rebellion (the Judean war and the rise of Vespasian) and Hadrian
V - Constantine (a new paradigm)
VI - The fall of Rome (and its dependence on external forces for protection)

The chapters focus not only on the events in themselves, but also on the background that led to them, the main characters and also what happened after the dust settled.

Obviously there are many important periods and personalities in roman history that aren't detailed in this work, but to introduce someone to this civilization that decisively influenced western culture, this book is perfect.

Highly recommended (both the book and the series).

I am a post-graduate student who is writing his thesis on Marcus Aurelius (He was one of the so called 5 Good Emperors). Anyway needless to say I have studied the Roman Empire extensivly. I read this book, because it was recomended to me by a fellow student. I was not going to read it, as it is a broad overview of a civilization that can hardly be expected to adequately fit into roughly 400 pages. To me it seemed a survey book for those wishing to get a general grasp of the time period, however curiosity got the better of me and I decided to read the book to see this authors take on the subject. Being a survey book I could see no other reason to read it. I was pleasantly suprised. I found the book to read like a novel. Overall the author nails the mood of the time period and inserts the facts needed for an introduction to what Ancient Rome was, where it came from, how it evolved, and the seeds of its undoing. I also enjoyed the period pieces that the author chose to write about, because to fit every major event in Rome's history into 400 pages would be impossible!
Overall I found this book to be an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to learn about Ancient Rome, its culture, politics, military, and what Rome's accomplishments have meant to western civilization.

Reading Ancient Rome is like reading a modern novel. The characters happen to exist two thousand years ago and yet (other than a name change ) it is like reading about powerful folks of to days generation. Would highly recommend to anyone that has seen movies about Rome or watched the TV series " Rome " and need a little more detail on life as it was.
I am sure there are books on Rome that cover the main characters of Rome ...whats nice about this particular version is the modern treatment of those characters.

5 STARS

Stephen End

This book is an easy read and a good start for anyone interested in Roman history. It is however not an academic text. I would recommend it as a supplement to a survey class at best. The author looks at the developmental course (key moments and ideological shifts) of the Roman republic, then empire through the end. I enjoyed the inclusion of both literary, technological and artistic achievements. Although some important things were omitted or only briefly mentioned. I'm an art history grad, so I must admit my biases. It is only 418 pages, and covers what the author could fit. At first I was bothered by the fact that only one page was devoted to Tarjan and some other key emperors, yet an entire chapter to one particular rebellion in one area of the empire. Then again, it did mark a shift in the requirements for a Roman emperor. Had some rambling and redundancy been edited, a couple of extra chapters or more detail on others could have been added. Not every book will please every person in every way. Ultimately, I decided I think the author was aiming for an overview and perspective. The Romans achieved a great deal over a long period, but their empire wasn't a pleasant place if you weren't rich and Roman. They were who they were, did what they saw fit, and cannot be judged by modern values. Most importantly, this book has endnotes and a bibliography, both excellent sources for further reading. I would never trust a non-fiction book, particularly about such an important culture without a bibliography. The author also includes vocabulary, and clear definitions of the terms. Sorry, now I'm rambling. This is a book worth reading if you are just starting on your adventures into Roman history.

This book provides a fantastic history of the Roman Empire in just 400 pages, focusing on a few key turning points but filling each event with plenty of rich detail pertaining to the everyday lives of Romans in each century. Baker's writing style is more Hollywood than history, painting colorful characters and creating dramatic plots that made me turn each page with breathless anticipation. I have to admit, this is the only history book I've ever read that didn't feel like an endurance test in patience.

I quite enjoyed this. I found it readable and instructive. One thing I've always done in the past when I wanted to read an account of Roman history is I've always chosen books that were too scholarly and got bogged down in niggling details such as the precise difference between various public offices or laws. This book doesn't make that mistake: it's readable and never boring.

My only complaint would be that since this book was sort of rushed to press (I'm guessing) to coincide with the 6-part (?) BBC series of the same name, the author gives short shrift to stuff that's not actually part of the BBC series, even though it's important for Roman history. Dozens of pages about Nero but only a single paragraph about Caligula, for example -- even though Caligula is arguably more important in the history of the empire since it was during his reign that an omnipotent head of state really went off the rails for the first time.

Also very little on Sulla, for the same reason: the video version gives that period short shrift so this book does too.

I could think of many examples of this.

This book was a pleasure to read, and I am reading it for the second time. Simon Baker, the author, writes in a straightforward and cultivated manner. There is NONE of the convoluted type writing style which often seems prevalent in historical books that are heavily interlaced with complex, abstract ideas. This author writes heads and shoulders above other writers who are well-intentioned enough but perhaps are not that great at getting ideas across. I especially like the colorful descriptions of Roman life, which the author relates so well given his knack for conveying detailed imagery. It is an incredibly well researched and thus highly informative book. Also, the pictures are quite beautiful. As an aside, one hardly can escape noticing the parallels between the USA's troubles of today and those which plagued the Rome of antiquity. Lots of scoundrels, criminal behavior, mystery and intrigue and a government out of control and drunk on its own empire building - Rome finally chokes on its own decadence and power-mad leadership, and takes everyone down in the process. The Roman orator and statesman, Cicero, I believe, cried out one day, "Oh the times! Oh the morals!" which just goes to show you that not everyone was corrupt - far from it, but enough were to take the whole ball of wax down and move it to the Vatican. This book has never been more "timely" in my estimation. I recommend this book HIGHLY.

This book, based on the splendid BBC TV-series (DVD not to be missed) is the story of a city `founded on murder'. Its history is an orgy of bloodshed, an endless slaughtering in order to grab naked power (not prestige!) and to have legally the right to decide over `life or death' of ALL citizens and to steal ALL the riches of the empire (slaves, silver, gold, land, corn, real estate, cattle, the spoils of wars). A ruler could easily `condemn and put to death' any citizen to lay his hands on his wealth.

The murderous, barbaric struggle was principally fought personally within the super rich ruling class (the aristocracy). It was not less than a cynical butchery of fathers, sons, cousins, clans and `friends'. Other factors were the voting block of plebs, the voting block of the rural provinces and the most important factor of all, the army.
Ultimately, military power hanged on the strategic and tactical strength of a general, as well as his capability to exploit the fighting spirit of his soldiers, who were only interested in the booty of war or a State pension.
Roman military might was also the decisive factor in the creation and ultimately the fall of the empire.

This book focuses on a few pivotal events in the history of the empire:
The battle for control of the main commercial routes (Mare nostrum) with Carthago (the Punic wars).
The fight of Tiberius Gracchus against the aristocracy for land reform in order to fill the enormous gap between the haves and have-nots.
Julius Caesar, a most capable general, exploiting the voting block of the plebs to grab dictatorial power.
Augustus, the clement autocrat.
Nero, the emperor as a madman.
Constantine, the opportunistic general fighting under a Christian banner and murdering a hundred thousand human being at Chrysopolis.
The Goth Alaric sacking the Holy City.

Rome is in many ways a perfect mirror of our modern world: the deep chasm between the rich and the poor, the all importance of military strength, cynical wars for power, commercial pipelines and wealth all over the place, a tiny oligarchic ruling class with long arms in the `provinces' and finally, the innate fear of the powerful for real democracy (the veto possibility of the tribunes).

This book is a must read for all those interested in the history of Rome and of mankind.