Changes

The time span covered by the book takes Rome from its inauspicious beginnings as a not particularly well-favoured settlement through growth to an extensive empire. The broader picture is regularly humanised by honing in on individuals and looking at their life in detail. Augustus, Cicero and Pliny the Younger receive particular attention and help to illustrate key periods in the development from republic to empire. Given the extensive use of source material needed to support the scale of the book, some readers may be disappointed at the lack of a full bibliography. There is a detailed chapter by chapter further reading section, but this will not necessarily help anyone wanting to trace a specific quote as not all references are listed. That said, the enthusiasm, knowledge and understanding of the Roman world that enlivens this book make it a treat to read.

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