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Arabia Petraea
August 31, 2006
This article was brought to us by forum member FLavius Valerius Constantinus
To the Romans, Arabia Petraea was one of three zones that comprised the whole of Arabia (the other two regions being Arabia Deserta and Arabia Felix). In the Roman geographical sense, it was an Eastern or Hellenized province located directly to the south of Syria, bordering Egypt's nothern limit, and juxtaposed against Iudea (also Syria Paelestina)...
...continue with the article on Arabia Petraea
Daily Life In Ancient Rome by Jerome Carcopino
August 28, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Pertinax.
Originally published in French in 1940 and republished several times in translation since. My initial reaction was that the density of the translated prose and its sonorous and decorous rendition into the English language would be a barrier to the modern reader. This was the case at first , as Carcopino deals with the architectural theme of Trajan’s Forum at the start of the book, the Forum of Trajan being an apt metaphor and symbol of Rome at the apex of her power .A contemporary , younger reader might find the early part of the book somewhat indigestible, however this “heaviness” starts to fade into the ether as more vivid and human based tableau are described. The time frame is essentially “The Five Good Emperors” , so it’s a portrait when all was well and thriving...
...read the full review of Daily Life In Ancient Rome by Jerome Carcopino
September "Back To School" Book Bonanza
August 22, 2006
We are happy to announce a September "Back to School" Book Give Away Bonanza in association with E-Consultancy. We will reward 8 active participants of the UNRV forum with pre-selected Roman History Books in a random draw.
Participation is very simple. Members of the forum who wish to be included in the random draw simply need to post in the "September Book Bonanza" thread. Comments about the books (perhaps what you'd prefer if you win) or the drawing itself, a simple "I'd like to participate", or whatever comes to mind will qualify as your entry. Only one entry per person will be allowed, and multiple posts by a single participant will be deleted for clarity.
Everyone is eligible (location not an issue), except for the triumviri of course. (Despite my personal objections to Viggen )
This program was made possible thanks to the generosity of E-consultancy, a leading participant in internet marketing and e-commerce, who has graciously provided the funds to purchase the books.
The 8 books that will be available are:
The Punic Wars: Rome, Carthage, and the Struggle for the Mediterranean by Nigel Bagnall
Nero's Killing Machine: The True Story of Rome's Remarkable 14th Legion by Stephen Dando-Collins
A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War by Gary Forsythe
An Introduction to Roman Religion by John Scheid
The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough
The Roman Revolution Ronald Syme
The Emperor Domitian Brian W. Jones
Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy
We've tried to select a variety of choices that we hope will reflect a wide range of interest. Once winners are determined we will attempt to match the books appropriately.
Cheers from UNRV!
In the Name of Rome by Adrian Goldsworthy
August 20, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Antiochus of Seleucia.
You have to feel something when you pick up this book, looking at the old Roman veteran staring off into the distance. He looks off into the distance, taking in a sunset over an endless view of land- his achievement. Adrain Goldsworthy's book sucks you right in...
...read the full review of In the Name of Rome by Adrian Goldsworthy
Julian: A Novel by Gore Vidal
August 13, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member Leguleius.
Julian 'the Apostate' (or 'the Philosopher', depending on your point of view) effectively ruled the Western Roman Empire from 355 and, following the death of his cousin Constantius II in 361, the East as well until 363. These were momentous times for Rome, with the Gothic tribes of Germania frequently crossing into Gaul, the Persian Empire a constant threat in the East, and Christianity fast becoming established as the new state religion, following Constantine's conversion in 337. The Roman world was changing...
...read the full review of Julian: A Novel by Gore Vidal
The Philosopher Emperor
August 07, 2006
The Philosopher Emperor
Despite the turmoil caused by plague and war during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, his was a life strictly guided by philosophy. He has been largely associated with the idea of stoicism (perhaps most simply defined as a dedication to logic), but his own surviving works indicate a general intellectual devotion rather than strict adherence to a single thought process. Regardless, in the words of Edward Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” Marcus Aurelius is accurately described as the “philosophic monarch” and may be the most relevant example of such in human history...
Caesar: A History of the Art of War by T. A. Dodge
August 04, 2006
Another review has been completed for our Roman Books section, thanks to community member P.Clodius.
It is with some reserve I approach this review, for how can one do justice to a 780+ page book that inhabits every library in every military academy, and what surely must be as mandatory a read as the Commentaries themselves for future commanders. T. A. Dodge was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Union army during the American Civil War. He fought at Gettysburg where he lost a leg, following which, he moved to Europe and proceeded to write. He wrote detailed accounts of campaigns as varied as Alexander’s to the campaign at Chancellorsville...
...read the full review of Caesar: A History of the Art of War by T. A. Dodge
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