رومیان باستان

by Don Nardo, مهدی حقیقت‌خواه (Translator)

تاریخدانان و باستانشناسان از میان همه تمدن‌های گمشده درباره روم بیش از دیگران آگاهی دارند. آن هم به این علت است که فرهنگ رومی‌ها بسیار دیرپا بود. دست کم از قرن هفتم پیش از میلاد، دولتشهر کوچکی به نام رم در نزدیکی ساحل غربی ایتالیا وجود داشت، قلمرو کوچکی که در آغاز شاهان بر آن فرمان می‌راندند و سپس در قرن ششم پیش از میلاد شکل حکومتی جمهوری در آن بنا نهاده شد. جمهوری روم طی چندین قرن بعدی به شکلی تهاجمی بسیار فراتر از مرزهای ایتالیا گسترش یافت و با آمیزه‌ای از چیرگی، هراس‌افکنی و سیاست همه سرزمین‌های اطراف دریای مدیترانه را به کام کشید. سرانجام در قرن‌های پنجم و ششم میلادی این امپراتوری فرو پاشید با این حال بخشی از امپراتوری روم به حیات خود ادامه داد. چرا که این تنها بخش غربی امپراتوری بود که سقوط کرده بود، بخش شرقی آن با نام امپراتوری بیزانس تقریباً یک هزار سال دیگر دوام آورد. کتاب رومیان باستان، حوادث مربوط به نحوه شکل‌گیری و اضمحلال این امپراتوری را پی می‌گیرد.

152 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 2001

About the author

Don Nardo (born February 22, 1947) is an American historian, composer, and writer. With close to four hundred and fifty published books, he is one of the most prolific authors in the United States, and one of the country's foremost writers of historical works for children and teens.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adequate treatment.

[Reeds]

After the Republic fell, they had five great Emperors in a row when they had tremendous prosperity a time called the ‘Pax Romana’ that started under Augustus and it was quite impressive. Augustus lived in a modest house and didn’t live a lavish lifestyle of wealth and power. He and the five emperors after him seemed to want to build Rome and take care of its people. Imagine that, a ruler who wants to make the city nice for all the people instead of making shrines to himself.
Quote: “In Rome’s earliest days, for example, most people, even those few who were well-to-do, generally lived simple, austere lives and looked on unnecessary luxury as improper and a potentially corrupting influence.”
Makes sense, the more stuff you have to tend to the more hectic you feel.

They said that autumn was planting season and that harvest time was April or May. With them being north of the equator I never would have guessed that. I knew they did that south of the equator because their seasons are opposite to ours, but I guess the Mediterranean is hotter than I’d ever thought through. I guess that has something to do with why that area just shuts down for the entire month of August; it is just too hot to breathe.

HaHa!
The Ancient Roman poet Ovid was so naughty he was banished by the Emperor Augustus. For example: “Don’t neglect the horse races if you’re looking for a place to meet your girlfriend. A circus (racetrack) crowded with people offers many advantages. You don’t have to use a secret sign language here…Sit right next to your girlfriend—no one will stop you—and squeeze up beside her as closely as possible…The narrowness of each seating space forces you to squeeze together; in fact the rules for seating compel you to touch her! Conversation should begin with no problem; just start out with the same comments that everyone else is making. Be sure to ask with great interest which horses are running and then immediately cheer for the same one, whichever it is, that she cheers for. Perhaps a speck of dust will settle on your girlfriend’s breast (it often happens); be sure to brush it off with your hand. Even if there is no speck of dust, pretend—and keep brushing off nothing! Take advantage of every opportunity…In addition, turn to whoever is sitting behind her and ask him not to jab her in the back with his knees. These little touches win over simple female hearts…It’s also helpful to fan her with the racing program and to give her a stool for her dainty feet. Yes, the circus provides many opportunities for initiating a love affair.”