The Fall of the Roman Republic: Roman History, Books 36-40

by Cassius Dio, John Rich (editor), Robin Waterfield (translator)

'That was how things stood in the city at the time. With no one in charge, murders were taking place almost every day and the elections could not be held.'

Books 36-40 of the Roman History by Cassius Dio (born ca. 163 CE), covers 69-50 BCE, the last twenty years before the Roman Republic collapsed in a long series of civil wars, leading to the monarchy of the emperors. Although Dio's history was written over 250 years later, it provides the fullest surviving account of this crucial period in Roman history and is a key source of information on many of the chief developments. Dio fashions his account of these years to foreshadow the coming civil war, exposing the violence and corruption of the political life of the time, and portraying the gradual eclipse of the great general Pompey by his younger rival Caesar.

Robin Waterfield's lively and up-to-date translation is accompanied by an introduction by John Rich, which sets Dio's work in its context and explores both literary and historical features of the text, and his portraits of major characters such as Pompey, Cicero, and Caesar. This edition also includes full explanatory notes, a glossary, and maps of Central Rome, Gaul, and the East.

ABOUT THE For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Genres: History, Roman History, Classics, Nonfiction

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 230

About the author

Cassius Dio or Dio Cassius (c. 155 – c. 235) was a Roman statesman and historian of Greek origin. He published 80 volumes of history on ancient Rome, beginning with the arrival of Aeneas in Italy.

Reviews

[Stuart Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman history from the rise of Pompey the Great to the eve of Julius Caesar's crossing the Rubicon. Pompey is given a free hand to eliminate piracy and does so throughout the Mediterranean. Then he is sent East to end the long-standing conflict with Mithridates. Which he does and brings the entire Middle East under Roman rule. Then he returns to Rome and much time is spent covering Roman politics. It's a lot of corruption and bribery and incompetence and stabbing, so completely familiar to people of today, without the stabbings. Pompey rules Rome without officially ruling Rome, and he is opposed by many famous Romans, most notably Cicero. Dio has a much lower opinion of Cicero than Cicero has of himself. He lists him as the world's greatest braggart, and both worrying and burdensome. Cicero's actions in the Catiline conspiracy are covered, which Cicero lists as his greatest accomplishments. Dio is less complimentary of Cicero's actions. Cicero is not at all popular with the optimates, which results in his exile. While all this is going on a young guy named Julius Caesar starts to make a name for himself.

Caesar is well known for his actions in Gaul and his later dictatorship. We get some insight in how he got the that point. Some political marriages, some bribery, manipulation of the populace to get himself a priesthood, and using Pompey and Crassus to raise his own standing. Once he gets popular he gets himself a plum assignment in Gaul where he can get some easy victories. Caesar's time in Gaul is not a series of uninterrupted victories, but he conquers in the end. Then it's time to go back to Rome where Pompey is in charge and no longer his buddy. Crassus had gone on a military expedition to Parthia to get some war cred in the meantime. He does not come back.

It's really revealing how much more important Pompey was than Caesar. Caesar conquered Gaul and discovered Britain. Pompey subjugated the entire Mediterranean and added all of Asia Minor and the Middle East to the Empire, extending its borders by practically a third. The long time spent covering Roman politics is revealing as well, showing just how much corruption was an everyday occurrence. The foreshadowing of the fall of the Republic could not be more evident, and this book ends on a big cliffhanger. Pompey is in Rome with two legions waiting for Caesar, and Caesar is collecting soldiers and favors as he prepares for his return.

It's not graphic novel but a historical document, so the writing and the plot are not always exciting or overly relevant. But as a source material for important events in an important time and place it cannot be replaced.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for the translation rather than the content itself - I felt it slightly “lazy”, relying on a lot of very modern turns of phrase and not doing much to bring the original to life. I’d suggest going with a different edition!

[Nicholas Fritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far each of the the books has gotten better. If you enjoy reading older histories, this is an easy book.

[Citrom Citrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest edition is really good – Waterfield's translation is fine, but Rich should have written a longer introduction...; his notes are very useful.