Origins, Growth, and Decline of Roman Civilization

Abstract

Abstract This chapter provides a historical overview of Rome. What follows is a framework of the major historical events that occurred throughout Rome’s long history. This account is short and is not meant to be exhaustive. Rather, it should be used as a beginning step in one’s study of Roman history. A broad perspective of the flow of Roman history will help provide a structure for future investigations. The sheer volume of works written on Roman history can be overwhelming, and many of them assume a basic level of knowledge. This section provides that level of knowledge. After reading it, it will be possible to peruse a more detailed work on Roman history and understand the major arguments that are made and situate the discussion within one’s own broader perspective. The major events and people in Roman history are described to give a sense of how they all fit together in the larger narrative of Roman life. However, the descriptions that follow should not be considered complete. For example, numerous volumes have been written on the Punic Wars, yet here they are discussed only in brief.