Books in the The Edinburgh History of Ancient Rome series

This book is about the formative period of the Roman state.

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

This book is about the reinvention of the Roman Empire during the eighty years between the accession of Diocletian and the death of Julian.

A crucial and turbulent centuryBy 146, Rome had established itself as the leading Mediterranean power.Over the next century, it consolidated its power into an immense territorial empire. At the same time, the internal balance of power shifted dramatically, as a narrow ruling elite was challenged first by the rest of Italy, and then by military commanders, a process which culminated in the civil war between Pompey and Caesar and the re-establishment of monarchy. Catherine Steel tells the history of this crucial and turbulent century, focussing on the issues of freedom, honour, power, greed and ambition, and the cherished but abused institutions of the Republic which were central to events then and which have preoccupied historians ever since.Key features:"e; traces the processes of change which transformed Rome from a republic to a monarchy"e; explores a period of political crisis in relation to its military and cultural dynamism"e; analyses the political culture of the Roman Republic as a dynamic and evolving system which reflected changes in citizenship and in the ruling elite

Outlines the significant developments in the period AD 363 to 565These centuries witnessed a number of momentous changes in the character of the Roman empire. Most obviously, control of the west was lost during the fifth century, and although parts of the west were reconquered in the sixth century, the empire's centre of gravity had 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. A. D. Lee charts these and other significant developments which marked the transformation of Ancient Rome into medieval Byzantium. By no means only a story of decline and fall, it also explores the reasons for the resilience of the east, as well as Rome's legacy to the emerging medieval world.Key features:"e; draws together the threads of 'Roman' history up to this point"e; also points the way forward to the developments, both in the east and the west of the former Roman Empire in the centuries which followed

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.