20 Best Books About Rome (2023 Update)

Gibbon's decline and fall of the roman empire, published between 1776 and 1788, is the undisputed masterpiece of english historical writing which can only perish with the language itself. its length alone is a measure of its monumental quality: seventy-one chapters, of which twenty-eight appear in full in this edition. with style, learning and wit, gibbon takes the reader through the history of europe from the second century ad to the fall of constantinople in 1453 – an enthralling account by 'the greatest of the historians of the enlightenment'. this edition includes gibbon's footnotes and quotations, here translated for the first time, together with brief explanatory comments, a precis of the chapters not included, 16 maps, a glossary, and a list of emperors.

Ancient rome was an imposing city even by modern standards, a sprawling imperial metropolis of more than a million inhabitants, a "mixture of luxury and filth, liberty and exploitation, civic pride and murderous civil war" that served as the seat of power for an empire that spanned from spain to syria. yet how did all this emerge from what was once an insignificant village in central italy? classicist mary beard narrates the unprecedented rise of a civilization that even two thousand years later still shapes many of our most fundamental assumptions about power, citizenship, responsibility, political violence, empire, luxury, and beauty. opening the book in 63 bce with the famous clash between the populist aristocrat catiline and cicero, the renowned politician and orator, beard animates this "terrorist conspiracy," which was aimed at the very heart of the republic, demonstrating how this singular event would presage the struggle between democracy and autocracy that would come to define much of rome's subsequent history. illustrating how a classical democracy yielded to a self-confident and self-critical empire, s.p.q.r. reintroduces us to famous and familiar characters — hannibal, julius caesar, cleopatra, augustus, and nero, among others — while expanding the historical aperture to include those overlooked in traditional histories: the women, the slaves and ex-slaves, conspirators, and those on the losing side of rome's glorious conquests.

Lonely planet: the world's number one travel guide publisher* lonely planet's best of rome is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. imagine the roar of the crowds in the colosseum, crane your neck at the sistine chapel, and sample every single flavour of pizza and gelato the city offers – all with your trusted travel companion. discover the best of rome and begin your journey now inside lonely planet's best of rome: full-colour maps and images throughout highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots essential info at your fingertips – hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices honest reviews for all budgets – eating, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience – covering history, art, architecture, food, wine, sport, politics covers ancient rome, centro storico, tridente, trevi, quirinale, vatican city, borgo, prati, trastevere, gianicolo, monti, esquilino, san lorenzo, san giovanni, testaccio, villa borghese, and more. the perfect choice: lonely planet's best of rome is filled with inspiring and colourful photos, and focuses on rome's most popular attractions for those wanting to experience the best of the best. looking for a comprehensive guide that recommends both popular and offbeat experiences, and extensively covers all the country has? about lonely planet: lonely planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. you'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. 'lonely planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – new york times 'lonely planet. it's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media (australia) *source: nielsen bookscan: australia, uk, usa, 5/2016-4/2017

Dramatic artist, natural scientist and philosopher, plutarch is widely regarded as the most significant historian of his era, writing sharp and succinct accounts of the greatest politicians and statesman of the classical period. taken from the lives, a series of biographies spanning the graeco-roman age, this collection illuminates the twilight of the old roman republic from 157-43 bc. whether describing the would-be dictators marius and sulla, the battle between crassus and spartacus, the death of political idealist crato, julius caesar's harrowing triumph in gaul or the eloquent oratory of cicero, all offer a fascinating insight into an empire wracked by political divisions. deeply influential on shakespeare and many other later writers, they continue to fascinate today with their exploration of corruption, decadence and the struggle for ultimate power.

An epic endeavor by a man genuinely enamored of his native rome, livy's "the history of rome" was originally written in 142 books spanning the entire history of the roman people up to livy's day in the time of augustus in the first century bc. while this roman historian's monumental undertaking took most of his life, only 35 books still survive today. livy begins with aeneas' landing on italy and the myth of romulus and remus' founding of rome. he also thoroughly covers numerous wars, such as the samnite wars, the punic wars, and the social war, as well as all of the rulers of rome, including julius caesar, nero, and augustus. though the work is a bit biased, its countless references to other sources are a testament of livy's attempt to create an accurate, understandable history of the roman kingdom, and, later, the republic. simultaneously a glorification of rome and a passionate warning to future romans, "ab urbe condita" reflects the magnificence and ignominy, the opinions and interests, and the myths and political realities of one of history's most remarkable civilizations. in this volume you will find books i-viii of livy's "histories".

A comprehensive and radical new survey of religious life in rome over the course of a millennium. this book offers a radical new survey of more than a thousand years of religious life in rome, from the foundation of the city to its rise to world empire and its conversion to christianity. it sets religion in its full cultural context, between the primitive hamlet of the eighth century bc and the cosmopolitan, multicultural society of the first centuries of the christian era.

"a must for anyone interested in the roman empire and its impact on world history." —tony robinson, star of blackadder and time team. this entertaining and informative guide is the perfect introduction to the amazing world of ancient rome and its emperors, epic wars, awesome architecture, heroes, and villains. with a complete rundown of roman history alongside fascinating insights into the lives of everyday romans, you’ll discover the amazing people and events involved in the rise and fall of one of the greatest of all ancient civilizations and how its influence is felt around the world today. if you’ve tuned into any of several tv shows focused on rome and want to learn more about this fascinating part of history, the romans for dummies is the book for you. schoolteachers and lecturers looking for light-hearted inspiration for lessons will also benefit from this riotous roman adventure chronicling the rise and fall of the empire. the romans for dummies is an accessible guide written in plain english giving you the fascinating facts of this ancient civilization. you’ll learn about the following (and more): how roman society was divided into classes the assemblies that ruled rome why villas were important to the romans details about the roman army, including a roman soldier’s equipment the wonder of roman architecture, cities, roads, aqueducts, and sewers everything you ever wanted to know about gladiators and then some the importance of roman temples, shrines, and the gods how rome became a republic, an empire, and then collapsed additionally, you’ll learn about turning points in roman history, (mostly) good and (some) bad romans, rome’s greatest enemies, and great places to visit you won’t want to miss on your next roman holiday. grab a copy of the romans for dummies to discover this and so much more. guy de la bédoyère is a historian, archaeologist, and roman expert, he is well known for his numerous books and appearances on tv, especially channel 4’s time team.

This beautifully written, informative study is a portrait, a history and a superb guide book, capturing fully the seductive beauty and the many layered past of the eternal city. it covers 3,000 years of history from the city�s quasi-mythical origins, through the etruscan kings, the opulent glory of classical rome, the decadence and decay of the middle ages and the beauty and corruption of the renaissance, to its time at the heart of mussolini�s fascist italy. exploring the city�s streets and buildings, peopled with popes, gladiators, emperors, noblemen and peasants, this volume details the turbulent and dramatic history of rome in all its depravity and grandeur.

Boorstin illustrations by giovanni battista piranesiedward gibbon’s masterpiece, which narrates the history of the roman empire from the second century a.d. to its collapse in the west in the fifth century and in the east in the fifteenth century, is widely considered the greatest work of history ever written. this abridgment retains the full scope of the original, but in a breadth comparable to a novel. casual readers now have access to the full sweep of gibbon’s narrative, while instructors and students have a volume that can be read in a single term. this unique edition emphasizes elements ignored in all other abridgments—in particular the role of religion in the empire and the rise of islam.

This bumper photographic portrait of rome brings together hundreds of photographs from the 1840s through to today to explore the extraordinary history, beauty, and art of this incomarable cultural capital. through some 500 sepia, black-and-white, and color images. this bumper photographic portrait of rome brings together hundreds of photographs from the 1840s through to today to explore the extraordinary history, beauty, and art of this incomarable cultural capital. through some 500 sepia, black-and-white, and color images. giovanni fanelli, professor of architecture history at the university of florence, is the author of several works of architectural history, urban history, graphic arts and photography, translated into several languages; he has been the scientific director of the fondazione ragghianti (lucca) and is director of several series of laterza publishers (rome).

The history of rome is a monumental history of ancient rome. the first ten books cover the legendary founding of rome, including the landing of aeneas in italy and the founding of the city by romulus. this is followed by the period of the kings, the early republic and its conquest by the gauls in 390 bc, as well as the wars with the aequi, volsci, etruscans, and samnites, down to 292 bc.the history of rome originally comprised 142 "books," thirty-five of which still exist in reasonably complete form today. because livy was writing under the reign of augustus, livy's history emphasizes the great triumphs of rome. he wrote his history with embellished accounts of roman heroism in order to promote the new type of government implemented by augustus when he became emperor.this case laminate collector's edition includes a victorian inspired dust-jacket.

Edward gibbons classic timeless work of ancient roman history in 6 volumes collected into 2 boxed sets, in beautiful, enduring hardcover editions with elegant cloth sewn bindings, gold stamped covers, and silk ribbon markers. everymans library edward gibbons classic timeless work of ancient roman history in 6 volumes collected into 2 boxed sets, in beautiful, enduring hardcover editions with elegant cloth sewn bindings, gold stamped covers, and silk ribbon markers. edward gibbon(17371794), born into a prosperous family, was by turns historian, member of the house of commons, and member of dr. johnsons club. he is considered the greatest english enlightenment historian on the basis of his masterpiece, the decline and fall of the roman empire. hugh trevor-roper(19142003) was a historian ofearly modern britainandnazi germany. he was the regius professor of historyat theuniversity of oxford. trevor-roper's most famous work is the last days of hitler.

In ad 9, a roman traitor led an army of barbarians who trapped and then slaughtered three entire roman legions: 20,000 men, half the roman army in europe. if not for this battle, the roman empire would surely have expanded to the elbe river, and probably eastward into present-day russia. but after this defeat, the shocked romans ended all efforts to expand beyond the rhine, which became the fixed border between rome and germania for the next 400 years, and which remains the cultural border between latin western europe and germanic central and eastern europe today. in graphic detail, based on recent archaeological finds, the author leads the reader through the mud, blood, and decimation that was the battle of teutoburg forest.

This used book is in good condition. ancient rome rome is a city of myth and legend. the eternal city, the city of the seven hills, the sacred city, the caput mundi, the center of the world, roma, rome, by any of her many names is a city built of history and blood, marble and water, war and conquest. inside you will read about… – legendary beginnings- the senate and the people- ave caesar- empire- rulers of the world- the fall- legacyfrom legendary beginnings, a city rose from the swamp surrounded by the seven hills and split by the tiber river. built and rebuilt, a sacred republic and a divine empire, blessed by a thousand gods and by one, the story of her rise and fall has been told and retold for a thousand years and is still relevant in today's world, as echoes of her ancient glory have shaped our culture, laws, lifestyle and beliefs in subtle and pervasive ways. by createspace independent publishing platform [ 9781540742940 ]

Drawing on new archaeological evidence, an authoritative history of rome’s great fire—and how it inflicted lasting harm on the roman empireaccording to legend, the roman emperor nero set fire to his majestic imperial capital on the night of july 19, ad 64 and fiddled while the city burned. it’s a story that has been told for more than two millennia—and it’s likely that almost none of it is true. in rome is burning, distinguished roman historian anthony barrett sets the record straight, providing a comprehensive and authoritative account of the great fire of rome, its immediate aftermath, and its damaging longterm consequences for the roman world. drawing on remarkable new archaeological discoveries and sifting through all the literary evidence, he tells what is known about what actually happened—and argues that the disaster was a turning point in roman history, one that ultimately led to the fall of nero and the end of the dynasty that began with julius caesar.rome is burning tells how the fire destroyed much of the city and threw the population into panic. it describes how it also destroyed nero’s golden image and provoked a financial crisis and currency devaluation that made a permanent impact on the roman economy. most importantly, the book surveys, and includes many photographs of, recent archaeological evidence that shows visible traces of the fire’s destruction. finally, the book describes the fire’s continuing afterlife in literature, opera, ballet, and film.a richly detailed and scrupulously factual narrative of an event that has always been shrouded in myth, rome is burning promises to become the standard account of the great fire of rome for our time.

Helps you discover everything rome has to offer. this book showcases best places to visit in rome, from detailed information on the pantheon and colloseum to what to do in rome with kids. it also includes eleven itineraries that explore interesting areas – from the boutiques of the tridente to the artistic highlights of vatican city.

Helps you discover everything rome has to offer. this book showcases best places to visit in rome, from detailed information on the pantheon and colloseum to what to do in rome with kids. it also includes eleven itineraries that explore interesting areas – from the boutiques of the tridente to the artistic highlights of vatican city.

From robert hughes, one of the greatest art and cultural critics of our time, comes a sprawling, comprehensive, and deeply personal history of rome—as a city, as an empire, and as an origin of western art and civilization. starting on a personal note, hughes takes us to the rome he first encountered as a hungry twenty-one-year-old fresh from australia in 1959. from there, he goes back more than two thousand years to the city’s foundation, one mired in mythologies and superstitions that would inform rome’s development for centuries. he explores in rich detail the formation of empire, the rise of early christianity, the crusades, the renaissance, and takes us up to the present, through the rise and fall of mussolini’s fascism. equal parts idolizing, blasphemous, outraged, and awestruck, rome is a portrait of the eternal city as only robert hughes could paint it.

"experience the magic of rome with 15 carefully curated itineraries, written by an expert travel writer, that showcase the city's best sights. fun features include in-depth looks at major icons, 'best of' lists of quintessential things to see and do, and insider information full of local knowledge. a 'travel essentials' section has planning tips and hand-picked hotels."–

From robert hughes, one of the greatest art and cultural critics of our time, comes a sprawling, comprehensive, and deeply personal history of rome—as a city, as an empire, and as an origin of western art and civilization. starting on a personal note, hughes takes us to the rome he first encountered as a hungry twenty-one-year-old fresh from australia in 1959. from there, he goes back more than two thousand years to the city’s foundation, one mired in mythologies and superstitions that would inform rome’s development for centuries. he explores in rich detail the formation of empire, the rise of early christianity, the crusades, the renaissance, and takes us up to the present, through the rise and fall of mussolini’s fascism. equal parts idolizing, blasphemous, outraged, and awestruck, rome is a portrait of the eternal city as only robert hughes could paint it.