Romans

by R.H. Barrow

The Romans (Penguin History) [Sep 30, 1975] Barrow, R. H.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Roman, Classics, Ancient, Cultural

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Reginald Haynes Barrow

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book was like being lectured by a stern, unsmiling professor as he jumps from subject to subject within the Roman sphere, touching on history, religion, and culture more broadly. As a brief introduction to the ancient Romans, the book is passable; where the author lost me was in those places where he takes pains to absolve the Romans of any wrongdoing, of any wanton violence or territorial ambition. For Barrow, the Romans simply subdued turbulent tribes when they had no other choice, and then held onto the land so as to ensure peace, nothing more. Likewise in the field of literature, Barrow does a bit of whitewashing to make the Romans seem more self-sufficient and imaginative than they were; for example, when he claims that The Aeneid is "independent of Greek influence," he does so evidently ignoring the fact that the whole work is based on a Greek myth and copies many features of Greek epic poetry, down to the very meter of the verse. Hard to take that kind of thing seriously.

This is a quick read, and enjoyable enough for anyone already interested in Roman history (probably unreadable for anyone else), but for its patently skewed vision of the Romans and their place the wider Mediterranean world of 2,000 years ago, I could hardly recommend it.

[Andrea Hickman Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting introduction to Ancient Rome. It recognises that it cannot cover everything, but highlights the main points in the development and demise of the civilisation. It certainly whet my appetite for more. Unfortunately, while it admits that there were seamier, repellent aspects to Ancient Rome, it mostly glosses over them. I shall have to discover those somewhere else. This book was rather heavy on Roman law and Stoicism, the military and the Senate, but didn't really tell me very much about what life was like for the average Roman on a day-to-day basis through the years, both in the city itself and in the provinces. How did the Roman Catholic religion come to be seen as a different form of Christianity than that of Byzantium or Africa? There are so many questions that this book raises (intentionally or otherwise) that I will have to find more.

[Ahmed Moftah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite good read ! A decent introduction to all aspects of the Roman history ; from the Roman virtues to the Roman approach to philosophy, religion, law , statecraft . It's a good guide to give you a general picture of the Roman mindset across the thousand years of the eternal city .

Definitely gonna reread it, it's so dense in information and can be difficult to understand at times if not read attentively. After all the book is dealing with centuries worth of logical and cultural development.

This book is a really good starting point if you wanna study Roman history :)

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Aaron Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virtues of Rome…

Attitude towards the gods

Self-reliance, practical skill, strength and endurance of the farmer

The mores maiorum, manners of ones ancestors

Tradition


Decline of Rome…

“Introspective absorption in self and its culture meant the collapse of a common morality; and then would emerge the ‘leader’, casting his spell by cleverness of word and promise over a characterless people.”

“…the new populace of Rome and the great cities within the Empire exerted their growing strength to secure ends that were no less selfish than those of the governing class…”

Increased power of the Imperial Government

Career of soldier became exclusively military and professional

Vast administration to collect taxes

Price controls

Manipulation of mints created inflation

Large bureaucracy

High taxes decreased incentives to earn

Collectivization - increased state-ownership

[Edward Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically analytical, thought-provoking and a deep insight into social and administrative change; RH Barrow was a master of language, culture and philosophy. Just re-read and finally properly appreciated the book that I bought 50 years ago. Also very modern in terms of the themes of Roman imperial philanthropy.

[Jeremy Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skilfulness takes time, and life is short
I pulled this little book off my shelf (where it's been for many years) to read ahead of our visit to Rome next month. It aims to explore the nature of the Romans - firstly through their history for an account of their deeds, and secondly through their literature for the minds behind the deeds. This starts with a description of their religion: how they believed that numen (their word for power or will) resided everywhere, and made it less vague by naming it - or, more accurately, splitting it up into innumerable named powers "energizing the actions of the household" [p15].

Along the way, the author identifies events such as the introduction of Greek literature to the Romans by Livius Andronicus, a Greek slave captured at Tarentum, who "composed as a reading-book for his master's children a metrical Latin version of Homer's Odyssey" [p62]. He describes Cato the Elder as a man "who fought Hellenistic influences in Rome, and naturally lost [thinking] that Greek oratory had nothing to say, and many words with which to say it" [p66], but writes warmly of his character, saying that towards the end of his life, after he'd achieved a great deal, he still showed the same ardour "with which many approach the beginning, when their fame is yet to make" [p65]. As regards Latin literature, he notes how the Romans from Cicero's time had a genius for compiling encyclopaedias which were further summarised into the "text-books for the education of the new Western nations"; as these grew up, they were able to go to the Latin literature itself "stored away in libraries and monasteries and ecclesiastical centres of learning". This gave them an "introduction to Greek thought through Latin translations of Greek literature, till at last they were able to go to Greek literature itself" [p203].

Other titbits include the idea that the name (or more precisely the title) Augustus contains within it the notion of "increase" (cf "augment"). Elsewhere, he suggests that the Romans had a liking for oratory because of their tendency to moralize, and you "cannot argue your hearer into accepting a moral ideal, for an ideal is not a matter of intellect or reason. You can only hope to win his agreement and approval by presenting it skilfully and winningly [...] even by overwhelming him in a torrent of surging emotion till he yields to its appeal" [p119]. This is followed by a bravura passage on the nature of the Latin language ("It may be brief and epigrammatic [...] it can build up long periods with perfect clarity") with which I was so taken that I shared it with my granddaughter who knows more about this than I do. Later on, there's a neat illustration of this brevity in the Emperor Justinian's comment about his Digest [of Roman law]: "moderatum et perspicuum compendium", i.e. "a moderate compendium through which you can easily see your way" [p211].

Despite its brevity, this book contains a lot of fascinating detail about the Romans and Roman history. Some of it was rather too erudite and/or technical for me, but I found it an interesting and stimulating read. Recommended.

[Jack R.]

A thematic history of the Roman "genius" (as Barrow would put it), beginning from their misty tribal origins to imperial heights until their decline (of state power but not intellectual influence). Barrow is a product of his time: the Roman empire is a civilizing good, their temperaments, characters, and qualities independently emerging from their (racial?) intrinsic nature, and the various peoples around the Roman realm are of little culture, or interest--they are vassals for continuing Roman-ness. Indeed, the least problematic aspects of Roman civilization: its philosophy and literature, Barrow finds either weak or wanting. Such a dated perspective is rightly regarded as needing disposal in the archives of historiography, but Barrow's exposition on the Romans nonetheless emphasizes those cultural elements that deserve to be treasured and passed down to form a "Western Civilization" that lacks the violence and viciousness that characterized so much of Rome's politics (what a Christian move I am performing!). Roman practicality, persistence, sociality, and liberty, as well as (and reflected in) their appreciation of law, positive and natural. Yet, perhaps this is a foolhardy expedition in cultural ressourcement: maybe Barrow, for all his dated assumptions, is pointing towards an unhappy conclusion: that Rome's empire and cultural modes are inextricably linked.

[Hugo Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un breviario sobre la historia política y social de Roma y los romanos, sintetisa de forma muy digerible la larga historia de Roma, al ser escrito hace ya 70 años insiste mucho en los beneficios de la Roma Italica y cuando se expande se "vicia" con otras razas, perfecto para comprender un poco más en uno de las civilizaciones más importantes de la historia.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seems very much of its time (first published 1949). While some fascinating facts do seep out in each chapter, the writer adopts a joyless, glib and didactic tone throughout, and assumes a fair bit of existing knowledge of ancient Rome on the part of the reader.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dry

[Calum Orr · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent and readable introduction. some of it very interesting (roman attitudes and religion). nice work!

[Michael Moseley]

So many interesting facts about the Romans that make me want to read more about this subject. Rome was first recognised as beginning in 753 BC or with the expulsion of the Kings 510BC.PATRICIAN family with landed roots PLEBEIANS Fugitives from surrounding settlements, "council of plebs". TRIUNES of plebs elected by the council of plebs.
CATO "Greek oratory had nothing to say and many words with which to say it"
"A man should not think it slavery to live according to the constitution; he should think of it rather as his salvation" Aristotle
"A multitude of books distracts the mind; since you cannot red all the books you have, it is enough to have what you can read" Seneca
"In every good man God dwells, though we know not what God." Seneca
Roam stoicism is an attitude to life based on a few fundamental ideas, variously exposed. How am I to discover by intellectual process what is right? Neither trouble nor tribulation distresses the sage. He will depart this world with the consciousness that in independence of sprit he has borne alike its joys and sorrows and that death holds no terrors. The criticism which the Christians make of the pagan though is that it regards man as sufficient of him self. That the world can be explained by the world. So much of this book I would like to use as a personal philosophy.

[May Ling]

This book is a quick overview of Roman history. The problem is how do you jam that much history into 200 pages. Clearly not enough. I think the author would have done better to write a series about each period separately. It felt a little like running a race, even for an overview. It is even so quick that it's hard for the reader to feel like they really got any one or two take aways.

An alternatively manner to organize such a quick writing would be by themes of a period.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable and interesting, but rather light on details. Any book, of course, that tries to condense all of Roman culture (religion, history, art/architecture, daily life, literature)into 200 pages will necessarily touch only on the high points, but still, I learned very little that I didn't already know. (Then again, I am a Latin teacher.) This book would, however, be an excellent addition to a high school Latin 1 course.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent little history book that covers several aspects of Roman history (culture, philosophy, technology, socio-political). Catholics will benefit greatly from reading about the people who had such a tremendous impact on the development of the Church. This is readable but well-written and intelligent: a tough combination.

[Jamey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Racist jerk.

[Mark Singer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly organized survey of ancient Rome. The author writes in a condescending tone and there is no bibliography.

[Audrey Saltarelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it provided a good over view of roman history.

[John Somers · Rating 2 out of 5]

7/20.

[Belle Meade School]

913.37

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the 70s Ancient Societies course.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good history book on the Roman people. Slow read but very informative. Recommended

[Belle Meade School]

913.37