Customer Reviews

Atlas of the Roman World (Cultural Atlas of)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
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.....for any classical history library. This stupendous work goes beyond the framework of an atlas, giving readers a comprehensive one volume presentation of Roman history from the foundation thru the Justinian renconquest of Italy. The writing is concise but far from shallow and on its own makes for excellent casual reading and a worthwhile research source. Featured throughout the narrative are brisk but informative sections detailing key aspects of Roman social life, philosophy, technology, and economic activity.

The heart of the volume is of course a series of beautifully drawn relief maps of the provinces of the Empire, featuring their major cities and roads as well as sundry other geopolitical details including the sites of legionary camps and alternate names of cities. Numerous other maps disseminated thru the volume give key coverage of the development, expansion and contraction of Kingdom, Republic and Empire, as well as giving us a geographic overview on such topics as religious diversity and commercial activity. Rounding out this work is a plethora of visually striking, well annotated illustrations and photographs. The more committed Roman scholar will find the selective bibliography a bit limiting, but an enthusiastic newcomer to Roman history will appreciate the authors attempt to give them a solid introduction to further pursuit of Roman historical study.

This cultural atlas has become one of my most treasured resources. I have owned and consulted it for years, and now use my copy for research, preparing for teaching Sunday School, travel planning, and helping the boys with their homework. The atlas is particularly useful when exploring Rome beyond Italy, especially in the Western and Northern provinces. Oddly, the principal shortcoming is a good map of Italy and Sicily during the Empire. Anyone who touches the Roman World can benefit from this work, and know that his or her resulting communication of that World to others will be more compelling.

I have had this book for many years and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Roman History or would like to learn about it. The story is told is told in an interesting and understandable way. The maps and illustrations are superb. I would highly recommend it. It could be used as a textbook for a survey course in Roman History. I have read many histories of Rome and this is one of the most accessible and well written I have ever had.

This Atlas is not just a picture book in the general sense, but rather a broad overview of the Roman World from the birth of the city of Rome to the rise of Justinian in the 6th century AD. Every part of the Roman World receives some attention and the result is an easy to read survey of the Roman World. In my opinion the best part of this book are the reconstructions of certain cities such as Alexandria and Palmyra as well as the beautifully illustrated maps(exactly what a historical atlas should have).

Although you won't find here the 'history' of Rome, you'll be travelling around the then civilized world. No customs, just a huge Empire encompassing almost all of Europe and parts of Asia and North Africa. The Emperor Hadrian traveled extensively across his Empire, he could have written it. We are able to see what he saw.

And everywhere there's so much to be seen ! Great theatres in Africa, amazing monuments in Asia, swimming pools, taverns, etc. Rome was the heart, but it's body was large and thrilling.

The geographical approach is a hit. You literally travel and arrive at the provinces. In each there's a guide waiting for you. If something is missing, it's because it is not there.

Compared with two other books of similar aim and scope, Baines' Ancient Egypt, and Levi's The Greek World, this is definitely the best. A pleasure to read and keep reading. You will end longing to physically retrace the travel, at least a part of it being the whole so vast.

If you are looking for detailed maps of the Roman Empire you will be disappointed. Only the major towns are listed, a far cry from the thousands that existed. The book is really not a map book but more of a reference book. There are a few maps but the majority of the book is written material with the addition of some nice pictures. For die hard history buffs like myself I would instead recommend the Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World (ISBN 069103169X).

This atlas is of the best looking, and well organized atlas' I have come across. Beautiful pictures and maps adorn each page. If you are a visual learner like myself this is absolutley nessasary for grasping the world of the Romans. This Atlas is recomended by several history books as the best atlas of the Roman world (Murray and Freeman to name a few), and indeed it is.

If you were only going to own one book on the subject, the ATLAS OF THE ROMAN WORLD is the one to buy. This reference is chock full of contemporary photos, maps, and information concerning the rise and fall of Rome. Even if you are already a resident expert on the Romans this book is a decent reference. I agree that it does not have room to probe too deeply into specific subjects, but there is enough to whet your appettite to search for more detailed sources. The bottom line is that this is a great book to open at any page and begin reading and exploring the maps, illustrations, and photos.

I admired this book for almost 20 years ever since I stumbled across a copy in the libary on the US Army Kaserne in Bamberg, Germany. For one reason or another I ignored infrequent opportunities order copies from various catalogs or buy the volume in new and used book stores. As such I was thrilled to come across a dusty, but new copy in a bookstore on the outskirts of Cleveland.

If you have been debating whether or not to pick up a copy of this book, now is the time to just go ahead and add it to your library while there are still copies available.

The Atlas of the Roman World traces the rise and fall of the Western Roman Empire during a period of over 1000 years. Historical periods over this time are divided into four categories. Early Italy and the Roman Republic, From Republic to Empire, Provinces of the Empire and The Empire in Decline. There are also special features on non-military matters such as art, religion and everyday life. There is a multitude of maps including military, topographical and geographical layouts and maps of the provinces of the Empire. For the military enthusiast, there is a list of the distribution of the Roman legions in the provinces during the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. There are many photographs of archaeological sites and remains. The book concludes with a description of the limited Byzantine conquest of the West and a brief word on the legacy of the Roman Empire. It is an excellent source of information and a worthwhile addition to the library of anyone interested in ancient history.