|
A History of Byzantium by Timothy E. Gregory
June 27, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Ursus.
Reviewing a book on the Byzantines can be a chancy affair for any Romanophile who sees them as an afterthought to the Latin West. Nonetheless any Romanophile worth his salt will realize the need to have some passing familiarity with this peculiar culture to fill in the gaps of Western Civilization. From that perspective, any book that offers an honest yet concise treatment of the subject provides a decidedly astute service...
...read the full review of A History of Byzantium by Timothy E. Gregory
Sand of the Arena by James Duffy
June 24, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Skarr.
From the very first line in the action packed first book that author James Duffy crafted in this series on the gladiators of the empire, you are transported to a gory, violent world that was ancient Rome, particularly in the arenas that recreated much of the action that the common plebeians hungered for. Packed to the gills, these sand filled arenas provided most of the entertainment that the weary citizens of Rome looked for, a vicarious substitute that provided all the excitement, danger and blood in a relatively safe environment, except for the occasional riot or accident of fate, when wild animals were set loose into the spectator stands, claiming several innocent lives....
...read the full review of Sand of the Arena by James Duffy
Rome’s Greatest Defeat and The Last Pagan by Adrian Murdoch
June 21, 2006
Two reviews have been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to Sutton Publishing who provided us with two review copies.
The Last Pagan by Adrian Murdoch reviewed by Ursus
Adrian Murdoch offers a fresh and largely sympathetic treatment of Flavius Claudius Julianus. Let not the title fool you: the book is much more than a stale rehashing of Julian’s religious polemics against the rising Christian tide. Quite the contrary, the author explores Julian’s many sides: philosopher, writer, soldier, ruler – and member of a murderous imperial family.
...read the full review of The Last Pagan by Adrian Murdoch
Rome’s Greatest Defeat by Adrian Murdoch reviewed by Primus Pilus
While Adrian Murdoch author of the recently published (June, 2006) Rome’s Greatest Defeat, may be a recent arrival as a published historian, perhaps more importantly he is also a journalist. Using a literary skill set perhaps not always available to the typical historian, he has delivered a refreshing account, not only of the events surrounding the book’s title, but of ancient history in general. This is history told from the perspective of a journalist: who, what, why, when and how are examined with journalistic integrity and in-depth review.
...read the full review of Rome’s Greatest Defeat by Adrian Murdoch
Caesar by Christian Meier
June 19, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Divi Filius.
Starting off my review of this book with a grievance may sound bad but should not be exaggerated. This grievance is that the name of this book is in fact a rather big misconception of what is in this bio. With Caesar, Meier does not stick to a simple narration of the various events of Julius Caesar’s life; rather he chooses to tread into the very mentality that guided Rome in that age and what impact this had on Caesar...
...read the full review of Caesar by Christian Meier
Under the Eagle by Simon Scarrow
June 16, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Lost_Warrior.
When I first opened Simon Scarrow’s Under the Eagle, I did not know what to expect. I found it to be instantly compelling; from the very first word I found myself eager for more. I even read the prologue; something I rarely take time to do but I just had to gobble up every single delicious adventure-filled word. For those who also tend to skip over prologues, I highly recommend reading this one, as it really does set up the story...
...read the full review of Under the Eagle by Simon Scarrow
Interview with Conn Iggulden
June 14, 2006
We are happy to announce that bestselling author Conn Iggulden has agreed to answer some of our question in a brief interview we did recently. If this is well received by our readers we definitely going to approach further authors and try to pick their brains.
Born in London, Conn Iggulden read English at London University and worked as a teacher for seven years before becoming a full-time writer. Married with two children, he lives in Hertfordshire. His highly acclaimed debut novel, The Gates of Rome was an instant bestseller, remaining in the Sunday Times top ten for over two months. It was the first novel in the Emperor series, in which he brilliantly interweaves history and adventure to recreate the astonishing story of Julius Caesar, an epic tale of ambition and rivalry, bravery and betrayal. The second novel in the series, The Death of Kings, spent ten weeks in the charts and reached the number 1 position.
You can read the interview in our forum
Marcus Aurelius
June 12, 2006
Marcus Aurelius
According to the Greek philosopher Plato, “There will be no end to the troubles of states, or indeed…of humanity itself, until philosophers become kings in this world, or until those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers.” While Marcus Aurelius could indeed be considered Rome’s first ‘philosopher King’ (followed only perhaps by Julian), the irony is that his otherwise often considered exemplary reign also included a nearly constant state of war along the Danubian frontier...
The Last Generation Of The Roman Republic by E. S. Gruen
June 09, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Germanicus.
The Last generation of the Roman republic is a great resource for anyone interested in this era of Roman history…..and for anyone after a collection of hard evidence for political machinations of the same era. A warning though, it is very tiring to read. As a scholarly work, it’s one of those books I haven’t read since university days, where there is half a page of text, accompanied by half a page of footnotes. I often found the real chestnuts of information were often contained in the footnotes. Published in 1974, this book by Erich Gruen, I understand written as a response to another scholarly work (Syme)which I haven’t read, aims to rethink all aspects of the era, with varying success...
...read the full review of The Last Generation Of The Roman Republic by Erich S. Gruen
The Roman Army At War by A. Goldsworthy
June 06, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Furius Venator.
This will never be a popular book and that is a great pity. There are several reasons for this lamentable truth, none of them good. It has no pictures to speak of, there is the odd diagram and an occasional sketch map but none of the rich illustrations that grace some other works, not least Goldsworthy’s own Complete Roman Army. It is a serious academic work and thus not light reading, though it is continuously interesting and that is (or should be) better. It may also undermine cherished illusions and raise difficult questions, neither of which is always pleasing. Constant reference is made to a wide variety of sources. In short it is a book for the informed layman or professional historian who already has digested lighter fare and is ready for the main course...
...read the full review of The Roman Army At War by A. Goldsworthy
Justin II
June 03, 2006
This article was brought to us by forum member Honorius
Flavius Iustinus Iunior Augustus was born in 520AD, his parents were Vigilantia sister of Justinian and Dulcissimus. At the age of 32 Justin was given the office of cura palatii by Justinian which meant master of the palace. He was noticed as an heir after his marriage to Sophia one of Theodora’s nieces and after his appointment to master of the palace. The validity of Justin’s appointment as Justinian’s successor is sketchy, only the sacred bed chamberlain was present at Justinian’s last breath and proclaimed that Justin the son of Vigilantia was to proceed to the throne of Byzantium.
...continue with the article on Justin II.
|
|
