Ancient Rome

Customer Reviews

• Snapshots of Roman History

  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).
  
  
  
  

• wonderful and gripping

  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.

• Rome (Not) so Ancient

  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

• Ancient Rome

  My wife is reading this book first and seems to enjoy it. It's certainly an easier and livelier read than the condensed version of Gibbons which, while abridged, is a weighty tome that she was previously reading (at least in part).

• A very good overview of Ancient Rome

  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.