Roman Conquests: Italy
November 18, 2009
“Roman Conquests: Italy” is the first book in a new series by history publisher Pen & Sword Books. Ancient Roman military historian Ross Cowan provides a detailed accounting of pre-Republican Roman expansion across the Italian peninsula. Emphasizing the importance of this era, Cowan points out that “the famous Caesar would have accomplished nothing if the groundwork in Italy and the creation of a solid base for overseas expansion had not been achieved by the likes of the lesser-known Torquatus, Corvus, Cursor, Rullianus and Dentatus in the fourth and third centuries BC...”
...read the full review of Roman Conquests: Italy by Ross Cowan
Osprey Books Giveaway
November 10, 2009
We are happy to announce that Osprey Publishing is giving away five books. All you have to do is reply to newsletter@unrv.com that you are interested… (and which title you would prefer) and winners will be chosen in a random draw. Osprey has long been a leading publisher of ancient historical works and is offering the following titles to UNRV visitors:
Gladiator,
Spartacus and the Slave War 37-71BC,
Roman Battle Tactics 109BC - AD313,
The Roman Army: The Civil Wars 88-31 BC,
Rome and Her Enemies
Additionally, if you use the promotional code 'roman' on any title in the Ancient Warfare section of the Osprey bookstore, all customers will receive a 25% discount.
Intrusive Ideology
November 08, 2009
How pre-Modern ideologies have coloured our perceptions on Roman History
During my first year as an undergraduate, I remember having a meeting with my personal tutor in the Classics department. The sixth-form education I had received prior to this meeting had taught me a fairly two-tiered approach to history: ‘this source says this; another differs; make compromise with the two sources, and you have the ‘historical truth’.
While this may sound like a flippant dismissal of my college education – truth be told that the courses I took during this time forged the backbone of much of my historical understanding – historical context was something that was not high up on my academic agenda...
...read the full essay of Intrusive Ideology (How pre-Modern ideologies have coloured our perceptions on Roman History)
The Classical Compendium
November 05, 2009
Need some light reading this holiday season? Want a good stocking stuffer to give to someone this Saturnalia? Consider The Classical Compendium by Philip Matyszak. As with all of Maty's books, it is an enjoyable yet informative read. This tome in particular seems to be geared as a "fun" event to be enjoyed by the more casual history student. The work surveys a variety of interesting trivia from the Roman and Greek worlds...
...read the full review of The Classical Compendium by Philip Matyszak
