The rise of Rome: the making of the world's greatest empire

Abstract

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE KANSAS CITY STAR From Anthony Everitt, bestselling author of acclaimed biographies of Cicero, Augustus, and Hadrian, comes a riveting, magisterial account of and its remarkable ascent from an obscure agrarian backwater to greatest empire world has ever known. Emerging as a market town from a cluster of hill villages in eighth and seventh centuries B.C., grew to become ancient world's preeminent power. Everitt fashions story of rise to glory into an erudite page-turner filled with lasting lessons for our time. He chronicles clash between patricians and plebeians that defined politics of Republic. He shows how shrewd strategy of offering citizenship to her defeated subjects was instrumental in expanding reach of her burgeoning empire. And he outlines corrosion of constitutional norms that accompanied imperial expansion, as old habits of political compromise gave way, leading to violence and civil war. In end, unimaginable wealth and power corrupted traditional virtues of Republic, and was left triumphant everywhere except within its own borders. Everitt paints indelible portraits of great Romans--and non-Romans--who left their mark on world out of which mighty empire grew: Cincinnatus, George Washington, very model of patrician warrior/aristocrat; brilliant general Scipio Africanus, who turned back a challenge from Carthaginian legend Hannibal; and Alexander Great, invincible Macedonian conqueror who became a role model for generations of would-be Roman rulers. Here also are intellectual and philosophical leaders whose observations on art of government and the good life have inspired every Western power from antiquity to present: Cato Elder, famously incorruptible statesman who spoke out against decadence of his times, and Cicero, consummate orator whose championing of republican institutions put him on a collision course with Julius Caesar and whose writings on justice and liberty continue to inform our political discourse today. decline and fall have long fascinated historians, but story of how empire was won is every bit as compelling. With The Rise of Rome, one of our most revered chroniclers of ancient world tells that tale in a way that will galvanize, inform, and enlighten modern readers. Praise for The Rise of Rome Fascinating history and a great read.--Chicago Sun-Times An engrossing history of a relentlessly pugnacious city's 500-year rise to empire.--Kirkus Reviews Rome's history abounds with remarkable figures. . . . Everitt writes for informed and uninformed general reader alike, in a brisk, conversational style, with a modern attitude of skepticism and realism.--The Dallas Morning News [A] lively and readable account . . . Roman history has an uncanny ability to resonate with contemporary events.--Maclean's Elegant, swift and faultless as an introduction to his subject.--The Spectator [An] engaging work that will captivate and inform from beginning to end.--Booklist