Edinburgh History of Ancient Rome – serie

A new view of early Rome as a highly mobile society within a wider interconnected Mediterranean networkCovers the rise of Rome from small scale community to supremacy in central ItalyUses the latest archaeological evidence to demonstrate the sophisticated and cosmopolitan nature of early RomeAnalyses the origins of Rome''s Republican form of government and of its aggressive drive to conquerIn the first few centuries of its existence, Rome developed from a minor settlement on the Tiber into the most powerful city-state in Italy. Guy Bradley examines the reasons for Rome''s emergence and success within a highly competitive Italian environment, and how much it owed to its neighbours. He explains how many of Rome''s key characteristics, such as its powerful ruling elite, its stable political institutions, its openness to outsiders, and its intensely militaristic society, were shaped by their origins in the monarchy and early Republic.

Rome''s stunning rise to mastery of the ancient MediterraneanNathan Rosenstein charts Rome''s incredible journey and command of the Mediterranean over the course of the third and second centuries BC. He describes the Republic''s great wars - against Pyrrhus, Carthage and Hannibal, and the kings of Macedon and Syria - as well as its subjugation of Gallic northern Italy and Spain.This book reveals why and shows how Rome engaged in war so frequently; it highlights the secret of Rome''s extraordinary military success and the significant impact on both Italy and Rome.Key features:Explains the political dynamics of the Republican aristocracy and the economic and demographic foundations of Roman powerDemonstrates how it integrated many thousands of citizens across the whole of central Italy into a single body politicAnalyses the operation of the Roman army on campaign and in combatKeywords:Rome, Pyrrhus, Middle Republic, Heraclea, Asculum, Beneventum, Maleventum, First Punic War, Second Punic War, Hannibalic War, Trasimene

A distinct perspective on the momentous religious change in the regionDiocletian (284-305) and his principal successor, Constantine (306-337), would rule the Roman world for over half a century and Constantine''s sons would build on their legacy. Administrative reform encouraged the rise of a bureaucratic culture, provincial government was reshaped and became more hierarchical and the court became more structured. The period was also one of momentous religious change. With Constantine''s adoption of Christianity as the favoured recipient of imperial patronage, the religious landscape would, over time, be radically reshaped.Jill Harries combines the administrative reform and religious change with accounts of war, women and imperial cities to offer a new and revealing view of the region.Key features:Focuses on the Emperor Constantine as a major figure and offers a context to his achievementAddresses the role of imperial women, often ignored for this periodStudies the control of empires and how rulers fashion their claims to legitimacyKeywords:Roman history; Late Antiquity; Later Roman Empire; History of Christianity; Diocletian; Constantine; Emperor Julian.

Augustus: How the Roman Empire came aboutThe reign of Augustus, the first of the Roman emperors, has been seen, both by contemporaries and over the centuries that have followed, as a pivotal moment in the history of Rome. The final stage in the move to monarchical government and the structures he put in place, which were to last largely unchanged for over two hundred years, ensured this; but Augustus himself remains an enigmatic figure. J. S. Richardson explores the processes which resulted in such a massive shift, and the often unforeseen events which led to the establishment of an empire and a dynasty.Key features:* a pivotal volume in the series* traces the changing shape of the entity that was ancient Rome through its political, cultural and economic history* demonstrates how the effectiveness and dominance of Rome as the centre of work power became increasingly obviousKeywords:Augustus; Roman Empire.

The final dramatic centuries of Roman historyBetween the deaths of the Emperors Julian (363) and Justinian (565), the Roman Empire underwent momentous changes.  Most obviously, control of the west was lost to barbarian groups during the fifth century, and although parts were recovered by Justinian, the empire''s centre of gravity shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople.  Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture.  Doug Lee charts these and other significant developments which contributed to the transformation of ancient Rome and its empire into Byzantium and the early medieval west.  By emphasising the resilience of the east during late antiquity and the continuing vitality of urban life and the economy, this volume offers an alternative perspective to the traditional paradigm of decline and fall.Key features:• Provides a clear analytical narrative of pivotal political, military, and religious developments• Complements this with an examination of overarching trends in urban life and the economy• Gives particular attention to the dynamics of political and religious power and of Roman-barbarian relations during the fifth centuryKeywords: Late Antiquity, Late Roman Empire, Fall of the Empire, Early Byzantine Empire, barbarians, Goths, vandals, Theodosius, Justinian