Any good books about the Rome's transition to Empire?

Cafe Society
1

Can you recommend any good books about Rome’s transition from Republic to Empire? What did you read, and what did you think of it?

Thanks

2

On that particular topic no, sorry. I’d actually like to see a recommendation on that myself.

But since I’m wandering by I’ll put in a plug for The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire, From the First Century A.D. to the Third by Edward Luttwak ( 1976, John Hopkins University Press ) which I was recently re-browsing through ( can’t really say I was re-reading it, more skimming a few chapters :wink: ). Recommended if you are interested in ancient military history.

  • Tamerlane
3

Bump

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Doghouse, why don’t you check your local U and see what the profs are using for their ancient history courses. I remember some guys like a Peter Green, or is it Grant, that keep coming out with new books on them olden times. I am sort of surprised that no Doper has yet come to your immediate rescue, as there are definitely superior beings on the Boards regularly. I second your bump.

5

Peter Green is more Hellenistic period history, I believe. His fairly massive Alexander to Actium, The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age is a must read.

I did some ( brief ) poking around and I didn’t come up with much. But you could try looking at Appian’s Roman History Vol. 4, The Civil Wars, The Last Generation of the Roman Republic by Erich Gruen ( this one looks interesting, I might pick it up myself ) ), and Roman Political Life, 90B.C.- 69A.D. ed. by Timothy Peter Wiseman.

I’ve read none of the above, but it’s a start :slight_smile: .

  • Tamerlane
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There’s one called From the Gracchi to Nero that I liked. Um… there are others, but I’m having a block right now…

Tenebras