The Romans For Dummies

by de la Bedoyere, Guy

• ISBN13: 9780470030776
• ISBN10: 0470030771
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-02
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

"A must for anyone interested in the Roman Empire and its impact on world history." -Tony Robinson star of Blackadder and Time Team. This entertaining and informative guide introduces readers to the amazing world of ancient Rome and its emperors, epic wars, awesome architecture, heroes, and villains. With a complete rundown of Roman history alongside fascinating insights into the lives of everyday Romans, readers will discover the amazing people and events involved in the rise and fall of one of the greatest of all ancient civilisations and how its influence can still be felt around the world today. Guy de la Bedoyere is a historian, archaeologist, and Roman expert, he is well known for his numerous books and appearances on TV, especially Channel 4's Time Team.

Author Biography

Guy de la Bédoyère is a freelance writer and broadcaster who took a history and archaeology degree at Durham University, followed by a history degree at the University of London specialising in Roman history, with papers in US history. Next came an MA in Roman Empire archaeology at University College, London. He has written many books on his specialist field of Roman Britain and is well-known for his numerous appearances on television, especially Channel 4’s Time Team in Britain. He has also written books on a variety of other historical subjects, including the papers of Samuel Pepys, and is a Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society. His other interests include playing the piano, travelling in the United States, and studying genealogy. He lives in Lincolnshire, England.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Romans a?? The Big Boys of the Ancient World

The Romans: Shaping Their World and Ours

Ita ??s the Cash That Counts: Roman Social Classes

Stairway to the Stars: The Greasy Path to Power

Rural Bliss a?? Roman Dreamland

When We Were Soldiers

Living the Good Life

The Urban Jungle

Making the Roman Machine Work

Entertainments: Epic and Domestic

Divine Intervention

The Rise of Rome

Kings ? No, Maybe Not a?? Republicans

This Town Isna??t Big Enough for All of Us a?? Seizing Italy

Carthage and the First Two Punic Wars

While Wea??re at It a?? Leta??s Conquer Everywhere Else, Too

When Romans Ruled the World

Reform and Civil War

Daggers Drawn a?? The Fall of the Republic

Augustus and the Caesars a?? Plots, Perverts, and Paranoia

The Five Good Emperors

Throwing the Empire Away

More Civil War, Auctioning the Empire, and Paranoid Lunatics

The Age of the Thug a?? The Third Centurya??s Soldier Emperors

East Is East and West Is West: Diocletian and Constantine

The Barbarians Are Coming! The End of Rome

The Part of Tens

Ten Turning Points in Roman History

Ten Interesting and Occasionally Good Romans

Ten (Mostly) Bad Romans

Ten of Romea??s Greatest Enemies

Ten (or So) Great Roman Places to Visit

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.