The Oxford History Of The Roman World Paperback – Illustrated, 25 Oct. 2001

Interesting and informative

Very good series- I like the way different chapters are focussed on different aspects of the history but as always some writers are better than others (others being too academic with the better ones writing simply but in good depth)

Currently reading this book and have thus far discovered a number of new historical features that I and many others wouldn't have been aware of

Excellent reference book that allows you to check out many different aspects of life and times in the Roman world.

This is supposed to be the companion volume to Greece and the Hellenistic world, with cross-references. _____ By what quirk of editorial logic is it not also available for Kindle??? ______

new book, protected well and value compared to competitors.

This book does not, as the description states "trace(s) the rise of Rome from its origins as a cluster of villages to the foundation of the Empire and its consolidation in the first two centuries CE ". It is instead a collection of essays, not exactly forming a chronological or thematic whole which discusses from various perspectives, the Roman world in that era. The essays presuppose at least some knowledge of the Roman world since references to people, places and events abound, and are far too numerous to be entered into with any specificity. It is up to the reader to have some advance understanding of the broader context into which people and events are discussed. Chapter 4, for example, looking at the decline of the Republic points to the fall of Carthage, Rome's most formidable foe as a possible cause of moral and ethical laxity. This is told in passing and only a cursory prior reference to Carthage is made, and little comment thereafter! We should know in advance that Sulley was a dictator at that time, though we are given no other clue regarding his rise nor rule. I could imagine the individual essays being used in adjunct to history classes, where appropriate, but I have a hard time placing where this text, exactly, belongs, for the average reader. I suppose for someone who knows the narrative, who's done their reading in the history, these essays could provide a bit more granularity, and do not need to be read as a whole, but rather approached chapter by chapter, as interest dictates. A look at the table of contents will help clarify what I mean. For the reader interested in a general history of Rome and the Roman world who may not have a very strong background in the subject matter, I doubt very much that this is a good place to start.

Good read if your into Roman history