The histories of early Rome written in antiquity by the likes of Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus include many sensational stories, from the she-wolf suckling the twins to the miraculous conception of Servius Tullius and the epiphany of the Dioscuri at Lake Regillus. Even the more sober parts of the narrative are of dubious historicity, and certainly include a good deal of rhetorical invention, aetiologies and folktales. The essays composing this volume attempt to analyse these stories to explore the porous boundaries and the hybrid borrowings between myth, history and historiography, and the limits of historical knowledge.

Cities in the ancient world relied on private generosity to provide many basic amenities, as well as expecting leading citizens to pay for 'bread and circuses' - free food and public entertainment. This collection of essays by leading scholars from the UK and USA explores the important phenomenon of benefaction and public patronage in Roman Italy. Ranging from the late republican period to the later Roman Empire, the contributions cover a wide range of topics, including the impact of benefactions and benefactors on the urban development of Roman Italy, on cultural and economic activity, and on the changing role of games and festivals in Roman society. They also explore the relationship between communities and their benefactors, whether these were local notables, senators, or the emperor himself, and examine how the nature of benefaction changed under the Empire.

Using the results of archaeological techniques, and examining methodological debates, Tim Cornell provides a lucid and authoritative account of the rise of Rome. The Beginnings of Rome offers insight on major issues such as: Rome's relations with the Etruscans the conflict between patricians and plebeians the causes of Roman imperialism the growth of slave-based economy. Answering the need for raising acute questions and providing an analysis of the many different kinds of archaeological evidence with literary sources, this is the most comprehensive study of the subject available, and is essential reading for students of Roman history.

With a new foreword by Tim Cornell 'Can anyone be so indifferent or idle as not to care to know by what means and under what kind of polity almost the whole inhabited world was conquered and bought under the dominion of a single city of Rome?' - Polybius, Greek Historian The city of Rome created the foundations of an empire that would come to challenge and conquer the great civilizations of Europe and the Near East. H.H. Scullard's definitive and highly acclaimed study reveals the peculiar genius of the Roman people, their predilection for law and order and their powers of organization and administration, all of which created a confederation the like of which the Greek World had never seen. He explores the political, military, economic and social history of this incredible empire, showing how the Romans realized an ecumenical ideal and embraced Western Civilization within one political system. Celebrated for its political and military victories as well as its incredible feats of engineering, literature and art. Scullard charts the foundation of Rome, the establishment of the Republic, and its spectacular rise until the fall of Carthage. Scullard not only explores the accomplishments of the empire but vividly delves into the corruptive foreign influences which began to undermine the moral qualities of Rome, when lust for power superseded the desire for law and order. A superb overview of this charged historical epoch, A History of the Roman World takes us inside the pivotal events and struggles which have heavily influenced modern western civilizations.

Cities in the ancient world relied on private generosity to provide many basic amenities, as well as expecting leading citizens to pay for 'bread and circuses' - free food and public entertainment. This collection of essays by leading scholars from the UK and USA explores the important phenomenon of benefaction and public patronage in Roman Italy.
Ranging from the late republican period to the later Roman Empire, the contributions cover a wide range of topics, including the impact of benefactions and benefactors on the urban development of Roman Italy, on cultural and economic activity, and on the changing role of games and festivals in Roman society. They also explore the relationship between communities and their benefactors, whether these were local notables, senators, or the emperor himself, and examine how the nature of benefaction changed under the Empire.

The beginnings of Rome, once thought to be lost in the mists of legend, are now being revealed by agrowing body of archaeological evidence, much of it unearthed during the last twenty-five years. This new material has made it possible to trace the development of Rome back from an Iron Age village to a major state which eventually outstripped its competitors and became a Mediterranean power. The study of this period raises acute questions of historical method, demanding analysis of many different kinds of archaeological evidence in conjunction with literary sources.
Tim Cornell provides a lucid and authoritative account of the rise of Rome in this extensive textbook. He uses the results of up to date archaeological techniques and examines current methodological debates. The Beginnings of Rome offers new and often controversial answers to major questions such as Rome's relations with the Etruscans, the conflict between patricians and plebians, the causes of Roman imperialism and the growth of a slave-based economy. It is the most comprehensive study of the subject available; essential reading for students of Roman history.

With a new foreword by Tim Cornell

‘Can anyone be so indifferent or idle as not to care to know by what means and under what kind of polity almost the whole inhabited world was conquered and bought under the dominion of a single city of Rome?’ – Polybius, Greek Historian

The city of Rome created the foundations of an empire that would come to challenge and conquer the great civilizations of Europe and the Near East. H.H. Scullard’s definitive and highly acclaimed study reveals the peculiar genius of the Roman people, their predilection for law and order and their powers of organization and administration, all of which created a confederation the like of which the Greek World had never seen.

He explores the political, military, economic and social history of this incredible empire, showing how the Romans realized an ecumenical ideal and embraced Western Civilization within one political system. Celebrated for its political and military victories as well as its incredible feats of engineering, literature and art. Scullard chartsthe foundation of Rome, the establishment of the Republic, and its spectacular rise until the fall of Carthage. Scullard not only explores the accomplishments of the empire but vividly delves into the corruptive foreign influences which began to undermine the moral qualities of Rome, when lust for power superseded the desire for law and order.

A superb overview of this charged historical epoch, A History of the Roman World takes us inside the pivotal events and struggles which have heavily influenced modern western civilizations.

Table of Contents

List of Maps Foreword to the Routledge Classics Edition Preface to first edition Preface to second edition Preface to third edition Preface to fourth edition Introduction Part 1 Rome and Italy 1. The Land and Its Peoples 2. Regal Rome 3. The New Republic and the Struggle of the Orders 4. The Roman Republic and Its Neighbours 5. The Union of The Orders and The Constitution 6. Rome's Conquest and Organization of Italy Part 2 Rome and Carthage 7. The First Struggle 8. The Entr'acte 9. Hannibal's Offensive and Rome's Defensive 10. Scipio and Rome's Offensive Part 3 Rome and the Mediterranean 11. Rome and Greece 12. Rome and Antiochus 13. Rome and the Eastern Mediterranean 14. Rome, Italy and the Western Mediterranean 15. Roman Policy and the Government Part 4 Roman Life and Culture 16. Economic and Social Organization 17. Literature and Art 18. Roman Religion 19. Sources and Authorities Chronological Table Select Bibliography Abbreviations Notes Index