nelsta's review against another edition
4.0
A few years ago, I read "SPQR" by Mary Beard. It was good, but that book left me wondering if a good history of the Roman Republic and Empire existed. You can find my review on "SPQR" elsewhere on my Goodreads account. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago: my curiosity about Rome, which was left unsatiated by "SPQR," drew me to search for other histories that might give me the context and history I was missing. This book seemed to fit the bill.
I briefly considered returning this book once I realized it was essentially a companion volume to the BBC's "Ancient Rome" miniseries that ran in the early 2000s. I felt duped, like I could have been getting the same kitsch history from actors on screen rather than reading a book I paid for. But I'm glad I stuck it out. Had I never known this book accompanied the BBC's miniseries, I never would have guessed. The history is fascinating and the storytelling is great. The book follows a handful of different individuals (or events) and their effect on Roman history. I initially thought this would feel myopic, but it doesn't. Baker does a really good job of providing context before and after the event.
Honestly the book hit its high point about 2/3 the way through. The section on Diocletian and Constantine was riveting to me, although the section on Caesar Augustus was also pretty good. I especially appreciated the final section, which explained how Rome fell in the 5th century AD. It's apparent that Rome fell for many reasons, but not least because Diocletian's choice to split up the Empire into four districts each run by a co-emperor opened the flood gates for Game of Thrones-like political jockeying. (If you don't believe me, check out Constantine's quest for sole power.)
While this book is good at putting a human face on many of the most famous people in European history, it does not address Roman culture, infrastructure, or society in a meaningful way. I keep hoping I'll find a book that does, though. My disappointment aside, this book knows what it is, and it delivers. I enjoyed it immensely more than Beard's "SPQR" and would recommend it ahead of her history to anyone interested in a bird's eye view of the Roman Republic and Empire. 4/5 stars
I briefly considered returning this book once I realized it was essentially a companion volume to the BBC's "Ancient Rome" miniseries that ran in the early 2000s. I felt duped, like I could have been getting the same kitsch history from actors on screen rather than reading a book I paid for. But I'm glad I stuck it out. Had I never known this book accompanied the BBC's miniseries, I never would have guessed. The history is fascinating and the storytelling is great. The book follows a handful of different individuals (or events) and their effect on Roman history. I initially thought this would feel myopic, but it doesn't. Baker does a really good job of providing context before and after the event.
Honestly the book hit its high point about 2/3 the way through. The section on Diocletian and Constantine was riveting to me, although the section on Caesar Augustus was also pretty good. I especially appreciated the final section, which explained how Rome fell in the 5th century AD. It's apparent that Rome fell for many reasons, but not least because Diocletian's choice to split up the Empire into four districts each run by a co-emperor opened the flood gates for Game of Thrones-like political jockeying. (If you don't believe me, check out Constantine's quest for sole power.)
While this book is good at putting a human face on many of the most famous people in European history, it does not address Roman culture, infrastructure, or society in a meaningful way. I keep hoping I'll find a book that does, though. My disappointment aside, this book knows what it is, and it delivers. I enjoyed it immensely more than Beard's "SPQR" and would recommend it ahead of her history to anyone interested in a bird's eye view of the Roman Republic and Empire. 4/5 stars
simon_barker06's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
1.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Genocide, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Murder
pratik1092's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent introduction to Roman History if you know nothing about it. A topic like this is extremely deep and you can find books that go in volumes that try to delve into every piece. But if you are just diving into Roman history and want to get a sense of the hierarchy of the emperors during the time and how the story unfolds from rise to collapse, this is a good introduction!
billyr35's review against another edition
5.0
Baker achieves a phenomonal task, making the full history of Roman times, from grubby backwater to shabby and splintered empire via glorious republic.
Would recommend to anyone seeking a broad yet brilliant introduction.
Would recommend to anyone seeking a broad yet brilliant introduction.
claudiacatanho's review against another edition
4.0
É um excelente livro para quem é principiante no que toca à História da origem do Império Romano, e é também um óptimo livro de apoio para quem estuda essa área. Sendo Simon Baker especializado em Antiguidade Clássica, é sem dúvida a pessoa indicada para introduzir e explicar este longo e vasto tema.
***
It is an excellent book for those who are beginners when it comes to the History of the origin of the Roman Empire, and is also a great book of support for those who study this area . Being Simon Baker a specialist in Classical Studies, he is undoubtedly the right person to introduce and explain this long and vast subject .
***
It is an excellent book for those who are beginners when it comes to the History of the origin of the Roman Empire, and is also a great book of support for those who study this area . Being Simon Baker a specialist in Classical Studies, he is undoubtedly the right person to introduce and explain this long and vast subject .
zombiemaster's review
4.0
There is no way that you are going to get a full history of the Roman Empire in 400+ pages but this is a very good introduction that hits on six points in time that were important to said empire. I highly recommend it.