The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Ancient Rome: The History of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire in the Words of Those Who Were There

by Lewis, Jon E.

• ISBN13: 9780786711680
• ISBN10: 078671168X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-20
• Publisher: Perseus Books Group

Summary

The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Ancient Rome is the history of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire in the words of those who saw it firsthand. Never before in such detail has there been a history of this great and influential civilization that continues to mark the landscape (the Colosseum, the Roman roads, the aqueduct at Nimes), our language, our calendar ("July" for Julius Caesar), our laws, our traditions (carrying a bride across the threshold), and our very thoughts. With all the gossip of I, Claudius and the excitement of Gladiator (but none of the historical inaccuracy), The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Ancient Rome is a unique tour into the most important civilization in the West.

Table of Contents

Chronology	xi
Introduction	1	(4)
Part One Rise: Rome 753 BC--31BC	5	(132)
Introduction	7	(4)
Numa Ordains the Vestal Virgins, C.680 BC	11	(3)
Plutarch
The Twelve Tables, c. 450 BC	14	(6)
Anon
Instructions on Farming, c. 400 BC	20	(1)
Anon
Punic Wars: Hannibal Addresses His Soldiers, 218 BC	20	(4)
Anon
Punic Wars: The Character of Hannibal	24	(4)
Polybius
Punic Wars: The View of a Solider Poet, c. 210 BC	28	(3)
Quintus Ennius
Portrait of a Slave Owner, c. 201 BC	31	(2)
Titus Maccius Plautus
How to Keep a Slave, c. 170 BC Cato the Elder	33	(1)
Purchasing a Farm, c. 170 BC Cato the Elder	34	(2)
Bringing Up Children, c. 166 BC	36	(1)
Terence
The Harvest Ritual, c. 160 BC Cato the Elder	36	(1)
Reward for Capture: Runaway Slaves, 156 BC	37	(1)
Anon
The Punic Wars: Scipio Delivers the Final Attack on Carthage, 146 BC	38	(3)
Polybius
``Men Ready to Endure Anything'': The Superiority of the Romans, c. 140 BC	41	(4)
Polybius
``I Appeal to You to Elect . . .'' c.80 BC	45	(1)
Anon
Spartacus Revolts, 73 BC	46	(3)
Plutarch
``Surely Nothing Can Be Sweeter Than Liberty'': Cicero on the Republic, c. 70 BC	49	(10)
Cicero
Piracy in Sicily, 71 BC	59	(3)
Marcus Cicero
Letter of Mithridates, c. 69 BC	62	(4)
Sallust
How to Become Consul, 64 BC	66	(3)
Quintus Cicero
The Catiline Conspiracy: The Character and Career of Catiline, 63 BC	69	(2)
Sallust
The Catiline Conspiracy: Catiline Rouses His Accomplices, 63 BC	71	(2)
Lucius Catilina
The Catiline Conspiracy: Cicero Speaks to the Senate, 63 BC	73	(2)
Sallust
The Bill of Fare at a Roman Banquet, 63 BC	75	(1)
Macrobius
The Catiline Conspiracy: The Last Stand of Catiline, January 62 BC	76	(1)
Sallust
Jury Corruption, Rome, 61 BC	77	(2)
Cicero
Pompey Enters Rome in Triumph, 30 September 61 BC	79	(3)
Appian
Julius Caesar Defeats the Nervii, 57 BC	82	(7)
Julius Caesar
Druids in Gaul, 54 BC	89	(2)
Julius Caesar
Gang-Warfare in Rome, November 57 BC	91	(2)
Marcus Cicero
Julius Caesar Invades Britain, 55 BC	93	(2)
Julius Caesar
A Chariot Fight, 55 BC	95	(2)
Julius Caesar
The Britons, 54 BC	97	(1)
Julius Caesar
Electoral Bribery, Rome, 54 BC	97	(1)
Marcus Cicero
An Aedile Requests Panthers, Rome, 51 BC	98	(1)
Caelius
Cicero Takes Pindenissum, Cilicia, December 51 BC	99	(2)
Cicero
Restraints in the Life of the Priest of Jupiter, Rome, c. 50 BC	101	(3)
Marcus Cicero
Civil War: The Battle of Pharsalus, 48 BC	104	(6)
Julius Caesar
A Dictator Comes to Dinner, December 45 BC	110	(2)
Marcus Cicero
The Personal Traits of Julius Caesar	112	(6)
Suetonius
Cleopatra in Rome, c. 45 BC	118	(1)
Cicero
The Assassination of Julius Caesar, Rome, 15 March, 44 BC Nicolaus of Damascus	118	(3)
After The Deed: The Conspirators Meet, Antium, 8 June, 44 BC	121	(2)
Cicero
Everyday Life: A Roman Student Writes Home, Athens, 44 BC	123	(3)
Marcus Tulius Cicero
Civil War: A Poet Celebrates an Outbreak of Peace, 40 BC	126	(3)
Virgil
A Journey to Brundusium, 38 BC	129	(4)
Horace
On Going to Bed with Cleopatra, 33 BC	133	(1)
Mark Antony
Octavian's Victory at Actium, 31 BC	133	(4)
Horace
Part Two Empire: Rome 30 BC--AD 180	137	(224)
Introduction	139	(3)
The Deeds of Augustus, 44 BC-14 BC	142	(5)
Augustus
An Estate Owner's Will, 8 BC	147	(1)
Gaius Isidorus
Housekeeping Record, c. AD 1	148	(2)
Anon
Egypt Under the Rule of Rome, c. AD 1	150	(1)
Strabo
Augustus at the Gaming Board, c. AD 5	151	(1)
Augustus
Arminius Forces the Roman Eagles Back, Germany, AD 9	152	(2)
Vellius Paterculus
The Education of Claudius, c. AD 10	154	(1)
Augustus
How to Cook Rissoles . . . Sea Food Fricasse . . . Suckling Pig, c. AD 15	155	(1)
Apicius
A Picture of Rome, c. AD 15	156	(2)
Strabo
Jesus Christ is Crucified, Jerusalem, c. AD 30 St John, New Testament	158	(3)
The Whimsical Cruelties of Emperor Caligula, AD 37--41	161	(2)
Suetonius
A Personal Audience with Caligula, Rome, AD 40	163	(3)
Philo
Claudius Harangues the Conscript Fathers, AD 48	166	(3)
Claudius
Messalina Prostitutes Herself, c. AD 48	169	(1)
Juvenal
Gladatorial Shows, Rome, AD 50	170	(2)
Seneca
A Portrait of Italy, c. AD 50 Pliny the Elder	172	(3)
The Pumpkinification of Claudius, c. AD 54	175	(12)
Anon
Nero Murders Britannicus, Rome, AD 55	187	(2)
Tacitus
The Suicide of Seneca, AD 55	189	(3)
Tacitus
Agrippina Pleads for Her Life, AD 59 Agrippina the Younger	192	(2)
The Vanity of Nero, AD 59	194	(2)
Tacitus
Boudicca Revolts, Britain, AD 60	196	(5)
Tacitus
The Banquet of Trimalchio, c. AD 60	201	(5)
Petronius
Living Above Roman Baths, c. AD 63	206	(1)
Seneca
The Great Fire of Rome, AD 64	206	(3)
Tacitus
After The Fire: Nero Rebuilds Rome, AD 64	209	(2)
Tacitus
After The Fire: Nero Persecutes the Christians, Rome, AD 64	211	(1)
Tacitus
The Gluttony of Vitellius, AD 69	212	(1)
Suetonius
Vitellius: The End, AD 69	213	(2)
Suetonius
The Rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter, AD 70	215	(2)
Tacitus
Vespasian Marches Against the Jews, AD 70	217	(1)
Josephus
The Siege of Jerusalem: Civilian Suffering, AD 70	218	(3)
Josephus
The Destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem, AD 70	221	(9)
Josephus
The Roman Army at Rest: A Military Camp, AD 70	230	(2)
Josephus
The Great Buildings of Rome, c. AD 75 Pliny the Elder	232	(3)
Conception, Contraception and Abortion, Rome, AD 1st Century	235	(6)
Soranus
Charity, North Africa AD, 2nd Century	241	(1)
P. Licinius Papirianus
Recipe for Honey Wine, c. AD 77 Pliny the Elder	241	(1)
Messages of Love, Pompeii, AD 1st Century	242	(1)
Anon
Advertisements for Gladiatorial Shows, Pompeii, AD 1st Century	243	(1)
Anon
Small Ads: Rooms and Premises to Let, Pompeii, AD 1st Century	243	(1)
Anon
The Eruption of Vesuvius, Bay of Naples 4 August AD 79 Pliny the Younger	244	(6)
Tyranny, Bed-Wrestling and Entertainments for the People: The Reign of Domitian, AD 81-96	250	(21)
Suetonius
Agricola in Action at Mons Graupius, Britain, AD 84	271	(3)
Tacitus
Domitian and the Yes-Men, c. AD 90	274	(10)
Juvenal
Collapsing Houses, Rome, c. AD 90	284	(1)
Strabo
Immigrants, Rome, c. AD 90	285	(1)
Martial
Window Shopping, Rome, c. AD 90	285	(1)
Martial
Advice to Fathers on Education, c. AD 95	286	(2)
Quintilian
``A Fine Crop of Poets'': Public Readings of Literature, Rome, c. AD 97	288	(1)
Pliny
Some Laws of the Road, c. AD 100	288	(1)
Anon
The Manners and Customs of the Germans, c. AD 100	289	(5)
Tacitus
Roll Call of the First Cohort of Tungrians, Vindolanda, Britain, c. AD 100	294	(1)
Anon
An Appeal for Beer, Vindolanda, Britain, c. AD 100	295	(1)
Masclus
A Birthday Invitation, Britain, c. AD 100	295	(1)
Claudia Severa
Slaves Murder Their Master, Moli Di Gaeta, c. AD 100 Pliny the Younger	296	(1)
Chariot-Racing, Rome, c. AD 100 Pliny the Younger	297	(1)
The Life of a Roman Gentleman, AD 100 Pliny the Younger	298	(2)
Petty Crimes, Roman Egypt, c. AD 100 Various	300	(1)
Pilfering Water, Rome, c. AD 100	301	(3)
Frontinus
Summer in Tuscany, c. AD 104 Pliny the Younger	304	(7)
Homosexuals in Rome, c. AD 105	311	(7)
Juvenal
A Love Letter, c. AD 108 Pliny the Younger	318	(1)
Should I Found A Fire-Brigade? Bithynia, AD 112 Pliny the Younger	318	(1)
The Persecution of the Christians, Bithynia, AD 112 Pliny the Younger	319	(3)
On the City of Rome, c. AD 118	322	(13)
Juvenal
Female Athletes and Gladiators, c. AD 116	335	(1)
Juvenal
Two Days in the Life of an Emperor's Son, c. AD 139	336	(3)
Marcus Aurelius
The Golden Age: An Oration to Rome, c. AD 150	339	(7)
Aelius Aristides
A Boy Complains, Roman Egypt, AD 2nd Century	346	(1)
Theon
The Martrdom of Polycarp, Smyrna, c. AD 155	347	(4)
Anon
The Virtues of Anontinus Pius, c. AD 170	351	(1)
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius Meditates, The Danube, c. AD 170	352	(7)
Marcus Aurelius
A Governor Plots Insurrection, Syria, AD 175	359	(2)
Avidius Cassius
Part Three Fall: Rome AD 181--476	361	(94)
Introduction	363	(4)
Didius Julianus Buys the Roman Empire at Auction, AD 193	367	(3)
Herodian
A Prototype Jet Engine, Alexandria, c. AD 200 Hero of Alexandria	370	(1)
Emperor Septimius Severus is Made A God, Rome, AD 211	371	(2)
Herodian
A Cuckold Laments, Roman Egypt, AD 2nd Century	373	(1)
Serenus
A Soldier Writes Home, Italy, AD 2nd Century	374	(1)
Apion
Mob Insurrection, Rome, AD 235	375	(3)
Herodian
Certificate of Having Sacrificed to the Pagan Gods, Egypt, 26 June AD 250	378	(1)
The Defeat of the Goths: The Emperor Reports, Macedonia, AD 269	379	(1)
Claudius II
Aurelian Conquers Zenobia, Syria, AD 273	379	(3)
Vopiscus
Diocletian Seizes The Christians' Books, Cirta, Numidia, c. AD 303	382	(1)
Anon
Constantine the Great Overthrows Maxentius, AD 312	383	(4)
Eusebius
A Flute-Player's Contract, Roman Egypt, AD 322	387	(1)
Aurelius Psenymis
Constantine Founds Constantinople, AD 324--330	388	(1)
Sozomen
Constantine Orders the Buildings of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, AD 325	389	(2)
Constantine
The Emperor As Pilgrim: Constantius II Visits Rome, AD 357	391	(2)
Ammianus Marcellinus
Julian is Proclaimed Augustus, Paris, AD 360	393	(3)
Julian
An Emperor's Gift, c. AD 360	396	(1)
Julian
Delinquency in Rome: The Rich, c. AD 370	397	(6)
Ammianus Marcellinus
Delinquency in Rome: The Common People, c. AD 370	403	(2)
Ammianus Marcellinus
The Huns, c. AD 370	405	(2)
Amminanus Marcellinus
The Battle of Adrianople, 9 August, AD 378	407	(2)
Ammianus Marcellinus
The Conversion of Augustine, AD 386	409	(5)
St Augustine
The Hazards of Sea Travel, The Mediterranean, c. AD 400	414	(5)
Synesius
Buying Summer Clothes, c. AD 400	419	(1)
Synesius
Embarrassing Relatives, c. AD 400	419	(2)
Synesius
Alaric the Visigoth Sacks Rome, AD 410	421	(3)
Jordanes
A Churchman Laments the Sack of Rome, Bethlehem, AD 410	424	(2)
St Jerome
Priscus at the Court of Attila the Hun, c. AD 450	426	(15)
Priscus
The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, AD 451	441	(3)
Jordanes
A Portrait of Theodoric The Visigoth, Toulouse, AD 454	444	(3)
Sidonius Apollinaris
Leo and Majorian Demand the Preservation of Rome's Buildings AD 458	447	(2)
Leo
Majorian
A Country House Party, Nimes, c. AD 460	449	(4)
Sidonius Apollinaris
The Magnificence of the Barbarian Prince Sigismer, Burgundy, c. AD 470	453	(2)
Sidonius
Part Four Epilogue: The Roman Empire in the East, 477--565	455	(24)
Introduction	457	(2)
The Secret History of Empress Theodora, c. 500--525 AD	459	(4)
Procopius
Justinian Supresses the Nika Revolt, Byzantium, AD 532	463	(3)
Procopius
Belisarius Reconquers Africa, AD 534	466	(3)
Procopius
The Plague, Byzantium, AD 542	469	(10)
Procopius
Appendix: Extract from the Second Speech of Marcus Tullius Cicero against Mark Antony, 44 BC	479	(38)
Sources and Acknowledgments	517