Spanning over 1,300 years, this popular history of Rome combines an overview of political events with a balanced analysis of social and economic change, and of religious and cultural life. This new edition includes increased coverage of the late republic, and more attention is devoted to the impact of material culture. A significantly expanded bibliography and an updated companion website make this an essential student text and useful scholarly reference.

Table of Contents

List of Plates.List of Figures.List of Genealogical Tables.Preface to the Third Edition.Preface to the Second Edition.Preface to the First Edition.Abbreviations.Introduction.The Sources for Roman History.Rome and the Mediterranean.The Origins of the Roman Miracle.Part I: From the Origins to the Empire:.1. Italy before Rome:.The Peoples of Primitive Italy.The Cultures of Primitive Italy.The East's Grip on the West.2. The Formation of Rome: From Romulus to the Tarquins:.Latin and Sabine Kings.Etruscan Rome.The Religion of Archaic Rome.3. The Young Republic: The Fifth and Fourth Centuries bc:.The Birth of the Republic.The Decemvirs and their Task.In Search of Equilibrium (449-312 bc).The Republic's Institutions at the End of the Fourth Century.4. The Growth of the Republic: War and Conquest in the Third Century bc:.Economy, Society, Army.The Conquest of Central and Southern Italy.The Hellenization of Art and Religion.The Punic Wars.Gladitorial Combat: Rise and Early Development.5. Consequences of Conquest: the Second Century bc:.Roman Imperialism: The Grip of the West on the East.Roman Triumphs: Spectacles of Military Victory.The Economic, Social, and Political Consequences of the Conquests.Cultural and Spiritual Consequences.6. Crisis of the Republic: The First Century bc:.Personal Ambitions and the Civil Wars.Spectacles in the Late Republic: Festivals, Celebrations, and Games.The End of the Republic: The Second Triumvirate: Toward a New Order.Part II: Rome, Master of the World:.7. The Roman World in 31-28 bc:.Actium and its Aftermath.Rome and Italy.The Provinces.Beyond the Frontiers.8. Augustus: The Birth of the Imperial Regime: 29 bc-ad 14:.The Formation of the Principate.The Emperor and his Entourage.A Hierarchy of Offices.The Army and its Conquests.The Administration of the Empire.Augustus: Showman and Gamesmaster of Rome.Religious Policy.The Succession.9. The Julio-Claudians: The System Under Stress, ad 14-68:.Four Personalities.Constants and Innovations.Development of the Administration.10. The Flavians: Consolidating the Imperial Order, ad 68-96:.Return of the Civil Wars?.The "Bourgeois" Empire of Vespasian and Titus.Domitian and Tyranny (ad 81-96).A Developing Municipal Life and a Changing Society.11. The Antonine Empire, ad 96-192:."Italo-Provincial" Emperors.Italy in Decline, the Provinces Expanding.Romanization.A Mediterranean Economy.The Army.Spectacles and the Roman Empire.Religious Life.12. The African and Syrian Emperors, ad 193-235:.The Crisis of 193-197.Septimius Severus and his Sons.Macrinus, Elagabalus, Severus Alexander.Provincial Upsurge and the Orientalization of the Empire?.Part III: Another Roman World (Third to Fifth Century):.The Nature of the Times.13. Equilibrium, ad 235:.A Fragile Balance.Rome and Italy.The Western Provinces.The Eastern Provinces.Beyond the Limes.Balance and Disequilibrium.14. A Disintegrating Order, ad 235-284:.Sinking into Crisis (235-260).The Nature and Limits of the Crisis.The reaction of the Imperial Government (260-284).15. A Different Order, ad 284, 361:.Diocletian and the Tetrarchy (284-305).Constantine (306-337).Constantine's Sons (337-361).Three Emperors and their Achievements.16. Different Institutions: Reorganization:.Central Government.The Army.Territorial Authorities.Cities and Municipal Life.An Absolute Monarchy.17. A Different Socio-Economic World: Recovery and State Control:.The Economic Recovery.Society and the State.Towns and Villas.Expansion and Lifestyles.18. A Different Civilization: Between Paganism and Christianity:.The Character of the Times.Paganism on the Defensive.Judaism between the Empire and the Church.Christianity takes the Offensive.Boom and Decline.19. The End of the Roman World?.Julian (361-363).The Start of a New Crisis (364-395).The End of Rome?.Chronological Table.Glossary.Guide to Greek and Roman Writers: David Cherry.Guide to Further Reading: David Cherry, including further reading on the Spectacles by Donald G. Kyle.Index

Author Biography

Marcel Le Glay was, until his death in 1993, Professor Emeritus at the Sorbonne, Paris. Jean-Louis Voisin is Senior Lecturer at the University of Bourgogne. Yann Le Bohec is Professor at the University of Lyon III. David Cherry is Professor of History at Montana State University, Bozeman. Donald G. Kyle is Professor of History at the University of Texas at Arlington. Eleni Manolaraki is Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of South Florida.