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History of the Ancient World
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars
In the late Iron Age, Rome was a small collection of huts arranged over a few hills. By the third century BC, it had become a large and powerful city, with monumental temples, public buildings and grand houses. It had conquered the whole of Italy and was poised to establish an empire. But how did it accomplish this historic transformation?
This book explores the development of Rome during this period, and the nature of its control over Italy, considering why and how the Romans achieved this spectacular dominance. For Rome was only one of a number of emerging centres of power during this period. From its complex forms of government, to its innovative connections with other states, Kathryn Lomas shows what set Rome apart. Examining the context and impact of the city's dominance, as well as the key political, social and economic changes it engendered, this is crucial reading for anyone interested in Ancient Rome.
This book explores the development of Rome during this period, and the nature of its control over Italy, considering why and how the Romans achieved this spectacular dominance. For Rome was only one of a number of emerging centres of power during this period. From its complex forms of government, to its innovative connections with other states, Kathryn Lomas shows what set Rome apart. Examining the context and impact of the city's dominance, as well as the key political, social and economic changes it engendered, this is crucial reading for anyone interested in Ancient Rome.
405 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 26, 2025
Origin Story
How did Rome transform itself from a small village of mud huts in the 9th Century BC into the dominant power of the Mediterranean in the 3rd Century BC? Kathryn Lomas in The Rise of Rome shows how. Lomas shows the economic, political and social change that transformed Rome into the most powerful of places. Unlike traditional narratives that emphasise military conquest or the genius of Roman institutions, Lomas new research places Rome’s rise within the broader context of cultural exchange, migration, and diplomacy among Italy’s diverse peoples.
A strength of her research is the focus on archaeology and the role of non-Roman civilizations, such as the Etruscans, Greeks, and Samnites, in shaping early Rome. Lomas convincingly argues that Rome’s ability to integrate different cultures, through alliances, citizenship policies, and economic networks, was key to its expansion. She also challenges the idea that Rome’s dominance was inevitable, showing how it was the result of adaptation and contingency rather than a predetermined path. Although this at times can be matter of fact and dry, it is necessary to get her point across.
Her writing is scholarly yet accessible, making The Rise of Rome suitable for both specialists and general readers. She synthesises a wealth of evidence, from material culture to ancient texts, while maintaining a clear narrative. However, as I have mentioned above, her emphasis on archaeological and social history definitely makes this book less engaging than more traditional political or military accounts. Personally I enjoy social history as comparing how 21st Century lives are lived to those in the past can really bring history alive, but this book was dry in parts as a result. Furthermore, for me this was more than of a useful reference book rather than an entirely enjoyable casual read.
Overall, I would say that Lomas has made a solid contribution to the study of early Rome, providing a nuanced and well-supported interpretation of its growth. It is new research and offers a new perspective and is therefore valuable for those interested in the interconnectedness of ancient Italy and the often-overlooked influences on Roman development.
How did Rome transform itself from a small village of mud huts in the 9th Century BC into the dominant power of the Mediterranean in the 3rd Century BC? Kathryn Lomas in The Rise of Rome shows how. Lomas shows the economic, political and social change that transformed Rome into the most powerful of places. Unlike traditional narratives that emphasise military conquest or the genius of Roman institutions, Lomas new research places Rome’s rise within the broader context of cultural exchange, migration, and diplomacy among Italy’s diverse peoples.
A strength of her research is the focus on archaeology and the role of non-Roman civilizations, such as the Etruscans, Greeks, and Samnites, in shaping early Rome. Lomas convincingly argues that Rome’s ability to integrate different cultures, through alliances, citizenship policies, and economic networks, was key to its expansion. She also challenges the idea that Rome’s dominance was inevitable, showing how it was the result of adaptation and contingency rather than a predetermined path. Although this at times can be matter of fact and dry, it is necessary to get her point across.
Her writing is scholarly yet accessible, making The Rise of Rome suitable for both specialists and general readers. She synthesises a wealth of evidence, from material culture to ancient texts, while maintaining a clear narrative. However, as I have mentioned above, her emphasis on archaeological and social history definitely makes this book less engaging than more traditional political or military accounts. Personally I enjoy social history as comparing how 21st Century lives are lived to those in the past can really bring history alive, but this book was dry in parts as a result. Furthermore, for me this was more than of a useful reference book rather than an entirely enjoyable casual read.
Overall, I would say that Lomas has made a solid contribution to the study of early Rome, providing a nuanced and well-supported interpretation of its growth. It is new research and offers a new perspective and is therefore valuable for those interested in the interconnectedness of ancient Italy and the often-overlooked influences on Roman development.
January 23, 2019
A very informative account of the history of Rome preceding the Punic Wars. What makes any good book on the subject extremely helpful is the fact that there is hardly any extant, reliable evidence preceding Gallic sack of Rome in 390BCE and the popular interest in its history is fixed almost entirely on the later period. Lomas manages to draw whatever plausible conclusions she can from the accounts of the likes of Livy and scraps of material evidence. Along the obligatory timeline of kings and battles she thoroughly describes the underlying socio-political evolution of Rome, convincingly situating it among other not-less important players from Italian Peninsula. An occasional quasi city plan showing Rome’s evolution over time serves as a cherry on top. I recommend the book as a good, yet not too academic account of the said times and a perfect baseline for further exploration of the topic.
February 15, 2018
'How did Rome come to rule the Ancient Mediterranean' is a question which picks at the mind of many enthusiasts of the Classical World. Kathryn Lomas successfully tackles this question in her book demonstrating that Romes "manifest destiny" to to rule the civilized world was neither an inevitability from the cities earliest days, nor even at the onset of the First Punic War in 264BC. Rather Romes rise to power was a long and slow process during which time, especially from the later 6th and early 5th centuries BC, the city's survival was at stake due to both external and internal threats.
The book itself traces the history of Rome from the foundation of the first scattered settlements on the hills beside the Tiber, which gradually united and began to form a solid settlement and community by the 7th century, which transformed into the Roman Kingdom and then into the Republic. It details many of Romes earliest wars, political alliances as well as the transformation of society within Rome itself due to external influences from the Greek and Etruscan civilizations.
Lomas studies Rome within the context of other Italian cities growing in both regional and cultural power at the same time. Time and again she manages to demonstrate via archaeological and written evidence that Rome was not a special case that later imperial propaganda would attempt to disseminate. Rather Rome was at times much smaller in size that many of its stronger opponents, far less opulent even as late as the 3rd century BC than many of the cities over which it had been victorious, and who's position as the mistress of Italy was by no means set in stone even as late as the beginning of the First Punic War in 264BC when this work concludes.
Within this same study Lomas views other Italian, Etruscan, and Greek examples in Italy to show how their own societies were developing, how they influenced the development in Rome and how they came to view the rise of Rome and even contributed to it either directly or indirectly. It is also fascinating to see the progression in the development in Roman society towards the formation of the Oligarchic Republic which would go on to conqueror the Mediterranean basin, and how the citizens of Rome viewed their place within the state.
In all this book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in a highly readable, well structured, yet not overwhelming dense account of the rise of the city of Rome to the position of a major Italian power. In many ways having read this book, the rise of Rome is in no way any less miraculous given the odds that were stacked against it from its foundation.
The book itself traces the history of Rome from the foundation of the first scattered settlements on the hills beside the Tiber, which gradually united and began to form a solid settlement and community by the 7th century, which transformed into the Roman Kingdom and then into the Republic. It details many of Romes earliest wars, political alliances as well as the transformation of society within Rome itself due to external influences from the Greek and Etruscan civilizations.
Lomas studies Rome within the context of other Italian cities growing in both regional and cultural power at the same time. Time and again she manages to demonstrate via archaeological and written evidence that Rome was not a special case that later imperial propaganda would attempt to disseminate. Rather Rome was at times much smaller in size that many of its stronger opponents, far less opulent even as late as the 3rd century BC than many of the cities over which it had been victorious, and who's position as the mistress of Italy was by no means set in stone even as late as the beginning of the First Punic War in 264BC when this work concludes.
Within this same study Lomas views other Italian, Etruscan, and Greek examples in Italy to show how their own societies were developing, how they influenced the development in Rome and how they came to view the rise of Rome and even contributed to it either directly or indirectly. It is also fascinating to see the progression in the development in Roman society towards the formation of the Oligarchic Republic which would go on to conqueror the Mediterranean basin, and how the citizens of Rome viewed their place within the state.
In all this book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in a highly readable, well structured, yet not overwhelming dense account of the rise of the city of Rome to the position of a major Italian power. In many ways having read this book, the rise of Rome is in no way any less miraculous given the odds that were stacked against it from its foundation.
May 11, 2020
Libro solidissimo, documentatissimo ed estremamente chiaro nella esposizione che, senza mai essere pedante, si può rivolgere sia al neofita che all'appassionato che ne sa qualcosa di più.
La bontà dell'autrice è dimostrata dall'uso critico delle fonti. Il problema che riguarda l'Italia preromana e quella romana fino all'inizio del III secolo a.C. è l'assenza di fonti letterarie, cioè di storici. Dunque, quanto sono affidabili i vari Tito Livio, Polibio ecc. L'autrice ci spiega che esistono varie scuole di pensiero a proposito. Ad esempio il famoso Carandini è il più "ottimista", diciamo così, e crede che le vicende narrate dagli storici successivi contengano molti elementi di verità e che racconti all'apparenza mitici (come i sette re di Roma) siano interpretabili in senso realistico. Ovviamente ci sono anche quelli che negano qualsiasi validità alla letteratura storico antica. L'autrice segue una via di mezzo: gli storici latini raccontano parziali verità, quindi nei processi generali sono credibili, ma non nelle singole vicende, che possono essere frutto d'invenzione.
Detto questo (in realtà questo cose l'autrice le spiega alla fine), la storia è molto solida. I primi capitoli, che trattano l'Italia preromana appunto, sono basati totalmente sulle fonti archeologiche. Ecco quindi ricostruite le (probabili) società protourbane dell'età del ferro con le loro dispendiose pratiche funerarie ad inumazione e incinerazione; il subentrare delle pratiche orientalizzanti segno di commerci e contatti con tutto il mediterraneo; l'ascesa degli etruschi; la crisi del V secolo e l'apparizione anzi discesa di genti appenniniche (equi volsci sanniti).
La storia di Roma si inserisce in questo contesto. L'autrice discute i risultati archeologici a disposizione. La spiegazione è abbastanza nota: Roma si forma dall'aggregazione di villaggi protourbani che discesero dai numerosi colli (ben più di sette in origine) e iniziarono a creare luoghi pubblici in cui si formò la comunità.
Interessantissima la parte sulla storia della repubblica: non fu semplicemente un conflitto patrizi-plebei per due secoli. In una prima fase, fino alla legge delle XII tavole, i patrizi mantennero molti privilegi e soltanto dopo ne cedettero alcuni. Roma divenne potente nel momento in cui la nobiltà e il potere si aprirono agli strati inferiori sulla base del merito, del prestigio e della ricchezza.
Una curiosità: il sacco di Roma del 390 rimane un "mistero" a livello archeologico, dato che non si è mai trovata una sola traccia di una distruzione di Roma in quella data.
Consigliatissimo, anche se l'approccio via di mezzo dell'autrice che ho detto sopra non mi trova d'accordo (sono carandiniano lo ammetto). Le fonti citate, le mappe e le immagini valgono il prezzo dell'acquisto.
Mi dimenticavo i punti deboli! Primo, forse lo stile è un po' piatto, mancano momenti avvincenti. Secondo, la TRADUZIONE. Ogni tanto lo stesso personaggio viene tradotto in modo diverso (Varrone e Varro) oppure, vero orrore, ad un certo punto ho letto la seguente frase:
"Fonti antiche descrivono le pratiche greche quali ad esempio le corse dei carabinieri"
Proprio così!!! Fatico a credere che l'autrice abbia scritto carabinieri in originale, perciò temo sia una Caporetto della traduzione.
Lo consiglio ancora, comunque.
La bontà dell'autrice è dimostrata dall'uso critico delle fonti. Il problema che riguarda l'Italia preromana e quella romana fino all'inizio del III secolo a.C. è l'assenza di fonti letterarie, cioè di storici. Dunque, quanto sono affidabili i vari Tito Livio, Polibio ecc. L'autrice ci spiega che esistono varie scuole di pensiero a proposito. Ad esempio il famoso Carandini è il più "ottimista", diciamo così, e crede che le vicende narrate dagli storici successivi contengano molti elementi di verità e che racconti all'apparenza mitici (come i sette re di Roma) siano interpretabili in senso realistico. Ovviamente ci sono anche quelli che negano qualsiasi validità alla letteratura storico antica. L'autrice segue una via di mezzo: gli storici latini raccontano parziali verità, quindi nei processi generali sono credibili, ma non nelle singole vicende, che possono essere frutto d'invenzione.
Detto questo (in realtà questo cose l'autrice le spiega alla fine), la storia è molto solida. I primi capitoli, che trattano l'Italia preromana appunto, sono basati totalmente sulle fonti archeologiche. Ecco quindi ricostruite le (probabili) società protourbane dell'età del ferro con le loro dispendiose pratiche funerarie ad inumazione e incinerazione; il subentrare delle pratiche orientalizzanti segno di commerci e contatti con tutto il mediterraneo; l'ascesa degli etruschi; la crisi del V secolo e l'apparizione anzi discesa di genti appenniniche (equi volsci sanniti).
La storia di Roma si inserisce in questo contesto. L'autrice discute i risultati archeologici a disposizione. La spiegazione è abbastanza nota: Roma si forma dall'aggregazione di villaggi protourbani che discesero dai numerosi colli (ben più di sette in origine) e iniziarono a creare luoghi pubblici in cui si formò la comunità.
Interessantissima la parte sulla storia della repubblica: non fu semplicemente un conflitto patrizi-plebei per due secoli. In una prima fase, fino alla legge delle XII tavole, i patrizi mantennero molti privilegi e soltanto dopo ne cedettero alcuni. Roma divenne potente nel momento in cui la nobiltà e il potere si aprirono agli strati inferiori sulla base del merito, del prestigio e della ricchezza.
Una curiosità: il sacco di Roma del 390 rimane un "mistero" a livello archeologico, dato che non si è mai trovata una sola traccia di una distruzione di Roma in quella data.
Consigliatissimo, anche se l'approccio via di mezzo dell'autrice che ho detto sopra non mi trova d'accordo (sono carandiniano lo ammetto). Le fonti citate, le mappe e le immagini valgono il prezzo dell'acquisto.
Mi dimenticavo i punti deboli! Primo, forse lo stile è un po' piatto, mancano momenti avvincenti. Secondo, la TRADUZIONE. Ogni tanto lo stesso personaggio viene tradotto in modo diverso (Varrone e Varro) oppure, vero orrore, ad un certo punto ho letto la seguente frase:
"Fonti antiche descrivono le pratiche greche quali ad esempio le corse dei carabinieri"
Proprio così!!! Fatico a credere che l'autrice abbia scritto carabinieri in originale, perciò temo sia una Caporetto della traduzione.
Lo consiglio ancora, comunque.
May 17, 2019
Solid survey of what we do and don’t know about archaic and early classical Rome and Italy, but often seems to stop discussing a topic or research problem just when it’s getting interesting. Draws heavily on Cornell’s earlier book, so if you’ve read that I’m not sure how much new you’ll learn.
Quite good for a general audience that has some knowledge of the legendary founding of Rome.
Quite good for a general audience that has some knowledge of the legendary founding of Rome.
February 17, 2024
Billed as a modern synthesis of what we know about archaic Rome, and how it rose to predominance out of a melange of competing polities and tribes, Lomas seems to be mostly responding to a faction of Italian archaeologists who have not yet been translated into English, but who believe that we can take the Roman creation myths about themselves more literally than have recently been done. Lomas is politely, but firmly, disagreeing with that position, and proceeds to spend the rest of the book interrogating those creation myths by means of what current archaeology tells us, and by the deployment of Occam's Razor.
In short, I had a good time with this study, as Lomas does a good job of keeping things in perspective, while moving her narrative along briskly. As to why Rome arrived at the predominance it did, a lot of it boils down to a willingness to be inclusive, and coming up with political institutions capable of responding effectively to crisis; be they external or self-induced. Highly recommended.
In short, I had a good time with this study, as Lomas does a good job of keeping things in perspective, while moving her narrative along briskly. As to why Rome arrived at the predominance it did, a lot of it boils down to a willingness to be inclusive, and coming up with political institutions capable of responding effectively to crisis; be they external or self-induced. Highly recommended.
August 15, 2024
Going to Rome in three weeks, so brushing up on my history! This is incredibly dense and meticulously researched, but it strikes the right balance of detail and narrative. Occasionally she gets stuck in the weeds, but it otherwise reads really easy.
May 24, 2024
The Rise of Rome is a fantastic, heavily archaeological look into early Rome from its inception to the cusp of the First Punic War. As a massive fan of the Roman Republic and the world of antiquity, this was right up my alley. I learned a lot about early Rome, in particular it’s culture and the fact we simply do not know a lot about this point in history. Overall, I’d recommend this as an introductory source for anyone wanting to study early Rome.
February 23, 2018
I liked this book a lot. It is a manageable look at the beginnings of Rome with more than a nod to the archaeological sources needed to understand the narrative. Most of the work being produced now looks at the decline of the Empire or at specific personalities of the Empire. I think Lomas' work is as important if not more so. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to understand the whys and hows of the beginnings of Rome.
August 2, 2018
I enjoyed this book: Excellent use of recent archaeological evidence helps provide a clear picture of Roman consolidation of Italy. I wish the maps could have been a little more useful (topographical shading would have been nice) and more detail for the conflicts with Tarentum and Pyrrhus would have driven home how far-ranging these battles were. The coverage of the evolution of Rome's styles of treaties with its neighbors was excellent.
My main problem with the book was excessive equivocating. Over and over again this or that might or might not have happened — sometimes "cannot" have happened. I think everyone is aware that ancient texts aren't completely reliable. The more annoying examples are like Cincinnatus, where the story is substantially doubted then two pages later leveraged as factually true.
I got the physical book because of the color plates (which are excellent) and must note a wonderful help: chapter and sections breaks were copiously deployed and usefully bundled different facets of the narrative. I prefer to have footnotes on the page rather than the end, but that's just me. The notes on sources were extremely clear and useful and maybe if they had been put at the front of the book the constant equivocation could have been reduced.
If your knowledge of Roman history is woefully behind on recent archaeology as mine was, this is a MUST
There is to be a next in this series covering the Punic Wars but not sure when it is due or who is slated to write it.
My main problem with the book was excessive equivocating. Over and over again this or that might or might not have happened — sometimes "cannot" have happened. I think everyone is aware that ancient texts aren't completely reliable. The more annoying examples are like Cincinnatus, where the story is substantially doubted then two pages later leveraged as factually true.
I got the physical book because of the color plates (which are excellent) and must note a wonderful help: chapter and sections breaks were copiously deployed and usefully bundled different facets of the narrative. I prefer to have footnotes on the page rather than the end, but that's just me. The notes on sources were extremely clear and useful and maybe if they had been put at the front of the book the constant equivocation could have been reduced.
If your knowledge of Roman history is woefully behind on recent archaeology as mine was, this is a MUST
There is to be a next in this series covering the Punic Wars but not sure when it is due or who is slated to write it.
June 16, 2025
Jheez this one took a while. I did get distracted by other books while reading this one, but only because I thought the prose here could really get quite dry and morose after a while. What is an intensely interesting journey through the early years of the Roman Republic is let down by an overly descriptive account of the history. This is a recurring issue throughout the book, but I think the “orientalising” period in particular suffered from this a lot, when Lomas still has to rely on archaeological evidence quite extensively.
On the other hand, it is also an enlightening exploration of the fascinating tapestry of cultures in Iron Age Italy. Peoples and tribes of which I only had cursory knowledge or recognition of were dealt with very well, covering a very nice amount of information. Given that the scope of the book is about 600 odd years, the author can’t go into immense detail, but as an introductory read into the culture and socio-political arena from which the might of Rome emerged, this book definitely excels. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a lesser known period of the Romans, I just wish it was written slightly better.
On the other hand, it is also an enlightening exploration of the fascinating tapestry of cultures in Iron Age Italy. Peoples and tribes of which I only had cursory knowledge or recognition of were dealt with very well, covering a very nice amount of information. Given that the scope of the book is about 600 odd years, the author can’t go into immense detail, but as an introductory read into the culture and socio-political arena from which the might of Rome emerged, this book definitely excels. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a lesser known period of the Romans, I just wish it was written slightly better.
February 26, 2019
This book went a long way to filling a gap in my knowledge of Roman history, which previously had been fairly hazy on anything prior to the First Punic War. I recently re-read Livy, which made me even more aware of how much our sources on Regnal and Early Republican Rome rely on legend. Lomas' book makes critical use of those later Roman accounts of their city's prehistory, tempered by modern archaeology, to sketch out what things may have been like. She also shows clearly how sources like Livy were shaped by later ideas and concerns, which they projected onto early Rome.
By putting Rome into its wider Italian and Mediterranean context, Lomas makes sense of how one settlement of thatched huts became a city state and then came to dominate all of Italy and come to the brink of imperial expansion.
By putting Rome into its wider Italian and Mediterranean context, Lomas makes sense of how one settlement of thatched huts became a city state and then came to dominate all of Italy and come to the brink of imperial expansion.
May 31, 2025
This book was a good introduction to roman history however the first half was pretty repeditive and stated there is just not alot we know about the early history of rome.The second half gets better as there is more information avalible. The fact that there is not a ton of info on the early history of rome isnt the authors fault but at the same time just doesnt make for an engaging read. 4.0
September 25, 2025
Here is proof that scholars do not necessarily make good writers. Taking a subject of endless fascination and applying an astonishing wealth of knowledge and research, Kathryn Lomas has managed to grind out a book that is, as my good friend Barry Humphries would say, dryer than a dead dingo's donger. I could barely stagger through it, and 50 pages from the end I was unable to stand a sentence more.
Given better narrative skill and flair, Dr Lomas might have turned out a non-fiction blockbuster but, as it stands, this book is for her fellow scholars, the ruthlessly determined, or the plain masochistic.
Given better narrative skill and flair, Dr Lomas might have turned out a non-fiction blockbuster but, as it stands, this book is for her fellow scholars, the ruthlessly determined, or the plain masochistic.
June 13, 2018
This is a fine account of Rome from its earliest days until it had established itself as the dominant power on the Italian peninsula. It's a difficult task and it's largely guesswork, but Lomas does what she can with existing archeological sources as well as written ones. Her guesswork made sense to me. (One annoyance to me: she kept using the word "Orientalizing" early on in the book. This means apparently the rise of one-man power. Call it Orientalizing because it borrowed from political practices from the East (eastern Mediterranean that is). Strikes me as a bad use of a word. Maybe it's a British thing (Lomas is British).
Early on, Italy was featured a variety of different ethnic groups, from Greeks in the South, to Etruscans in the North and Latins in the middle. I believe there were some other groups too, but my memory of the early section is a bit shaky. Rome was established and some features of Roman society started to come into view as the centuries moved on. By the 7th century (BC, as are all dates here), there was a rise in aristocratic wealth and stature. The aristocracy gained power in part due to a shared culture among them, which helped maintain a steep hierarchy. This same period saw more intensive agriculture, more crop diversity, and the emergence of literacy in Italy.
In the 6th century, city-states were on the rise in Italy. Rome was one of the biggest and most populous Latin cities, even back then. Roads and bridges were built. Women played a more prominent role in the Latin cities than in anywhere else in the Mediterranean Sea. The economy was on the rise across Italy, with increases in trade, manufacturing, and commerce. The Latin League's bonds were along shared language, religion, and culture. Rome was a highly stratified city with monumental architecture and made early gains by both war and alliances.
Etruscans were in retreat across much of Italy and civil unrest beset the peninsula. From 500 to 350, the Samnites emerges. They weren't a unified group, but had their own subcultures. Our written sources from way back when say they won through violent conquests, but archeology disagrees. The Celts appeared in north Italy. In general, the fifth century was a time of recession in Italy.
In the fifth century, the Senate may just have been an advisory body. Lomas ponders when the partirians and plebians became defined as classes. The ancient historians sound as if they were eternal, but that's almost certainly reading backwards by those historians. Still, there were always clear class divides. There was lots of private debt in the early Republic. The pleb assembly and tribune were created to help deal with these problems. Rome was open to religious cults from other places. Their own religion focused heavily on rituals and diviniation. Rome had a grain shortage in the early 5th century and land supply was linked to military success.
Rome signed a treaty and alliance with Latin states in 493. They went to war with Veii, a city 15 kilometers away on the Tiber. Rome lost the first war, but annexed Veii by 395/394. That was an Etruscan city, so Rome's first land outside Latin areas. After the Gauls sacked Rome in 390, the city needed to re-establish control over the Latins. Rome was becoming a feared power by 350, and established colonies to help solidify their power. They still relied on a citizen militia. There were still class issues in Rome, and the Struggle of Orders focused on debt relief, land ownership, and pleb political representation.
Wars from 343 to 272 gave Rome Italy. It was also an era of economic resurgence across Italy. Rome won the Latin War of 341-338 and imposed a settlement. This would be the basis for their future control of Italy. Citizenship was offered to some. The key thing was to break up older Latin communal organizations -- from now on they dealt directly with Rome, not each other. Rome organized their defeated rivals into three groups: 1) citizens, 2) those given Latin status, and 3) alliance treaties. The middle group included legal and civic rights. By 296, an alliance of Samnites, Etruscans, Umbrians, and Greeks formed. Pyrrhic War began in 281, and Rome won it by 272. Then it was some mopping up operations to secure control. Rome ruled with alliance networks.
Rome still had to figure out how to govern all of this. They used an innovative system of ruling at arm's length. They intervened little in day-to-day operations. Places lost their autonomy, but could still self-govern. This lasted over 200 years and would be extended across much of their empire. It was too much territory for Rome to rule directly. A new type of citizenship was created in 338: civil rights but not political rights. BUT - all still had obligations. Most notably, they had to provide men for the Roman army. This was true of those cities with treaty alliances. Rome established new colonies. There is a scholarly debate about how much cultural diffusion occurred.
Rome itself had political turmoil and experiments from 213 to 291. The Struggle of Orders finally ended in 287 with the debt issue. The Senate emerged as the key political institution by the 3rd century. The state was too complex for two consuls to govern it. Previously, the Senate couldn't pass laws, but had prestige. A new nobility emerged, and it consolidated and displayed their status. Rome reaped the economic rewards of the conquest of Italy. By the 3rd century, Rome minted their first coins. Slavery became more common, though manumission was also somewhat common. Temples, statues and other items were built.
Rome was greatly helped by their willingness to incorporate outsiders into their community. They broke up alternate power centers and made sure that all of Italy's cities were linked to Rome directly prior to the Punic Wars.
Early on, Italy was featured a variety of different ethnic groups, from Greeks in the South, to Etruscans in the North and Latins in the middle. I believe there were some other groups too, but my memory of the early section is a bit shaky. Rome was established and some features of Roman society started to come into view as the centuries moved on. By the 7th century (BC, as are all dates here), there was a rise in aristocratic wealth and stature. The aristocracy gained power in part due to a shared culture among them, which helped maintain a steep hierarchy. This same period saw more intensive agriculture, more crop diversity, and the emergence of literacy in Italy.
In the 6th century, city-states were on the rise in Italy. Rome was one of the biggest and most populous Latin cities, even back then. Roads and bridges were built. Women played a more prominent role in the Latin cities than in anywhere else in the Mediterranean Sea. The economy was on the rise across Italy, with increases in trade, manufacturing, and commerce. The Latin League's bonds were along shared language, religion, and culture. Rome was a highly stratified city with monumental architecture and made early gains by both war and alliances.
Etruscans were in retreat across much of Italy and civil unrest beset the peninsula. From 500 to 350, the Samnites emerges. They weren't a unified group, but had their own subcultures. Our written sources from way back when say they won through violent conquests, but archeology disagrees. The Celts appeared in north Italy. In general, the fifth century was a time of recession in Italy.
In the fifth century, the Senate may just have been an advisory body. Lomas ponders when the partirians and plebians became defined as classes. The ancient historians sound as if they were eternal, but that's almost certainly reading backwards by those historians. Still, there were always clear class divides. There was lots of private debt in the early Republic. The pleb assembly and tribune were created to help deal with these problems. Rome was open to religious cults from other places. Their own religion focused heavily on rituals and diviniation. Rome had a grain shortage in the early 5th century and land supply was linked to military success.
Rome signed a treaty and alliance with Latin states in 493. They went to war with Veii, a city 15 kilometers away on the Tiber. Rome lost the first war, but annexed Veii by 395/394. That was an Etruscan city, so Rome's first land outside Latin areas. After the Gauls sacked Rome in 390, the city needed to re-establish control over the Latins. Rome was becoming a feared power by 350, and established colonies to help solidify their power. They still relied on a citizen militia. There were still class issues in Rome, and the Struggle of Orders focused on debt relief, land ownership, and pleb political representation.
Wars from 343 to 272 gave Rome Italy. It was also an era of economic resurgence across Italy. Rome won the Latin War of 341-338 and imposed a settlement. This would be the basis for their future control of Italy. Citizenship was offered to some. The key thing was to break up older Latin communal organizations -- from now on they dealt directly with Rome, not each other. Rome organized their defeated rivals into three groups: 1) citizens, 2) those given Latin status, and 3) alliance treaties. The middle group included legal and civic rights. By 296, an alliance of Samnites, Etruscans, Umbrians, and Greeks formed. Pyrrhic War began in 281, and Rome won it by 272. Then it was some mopping up operations to secure control. Rome ruled with alliance networks.
Rome still had to figure out how to govern all of this. They used an innovative system of ruling at arm's length. They intervened little in day-to-day operations. Places lost their autonomy, but could still self-govern. This lasted over 200 years and would be extended across much of their empire. It was too much territory for Rome to rule directly. A new type of citizenship was created in 338: civil rights but not political rights. BUT - all still had obligations. Most notably, they had to provide men for the Roman army. This was true of those cities with treaty alliances. Rome established new colonies. There is a scholarly debate about how much cultural diffusion occurred.
Rome itself had political turmoil and experiments from 213 to 291. The Struggle of Orders finally ended in 287 with the debt issue. The Senate emerged as the key political institution by the 3rd century. The state was too complex for two consuls to govern it. Previously, the Senate couldn't pass laws, but had prestige. A new nobility emerged, and it consolidated and displayed their status. Rome reaped the economic rewards of the conquest of Italy. By the 3rd century, Rome minted their first coins. Slavery became more common, though manumission was also somewhat common. Temples, statues and other items were built.
Rome was greatly helped by their willingness to incorporate outsiders into their community. They broke up alternate power centers and made sure that all of Italy's cities were linked to Rome directly prior to the Punic Wars.
March 31, 2020
Ich liebe alles was mit dem alten Rom zu tun hat. Natürlich musste ich dieses Buch haben! Sehr informativ aber leider auch ziemlich trocken. Die Geschichte wird einfach abgerattert, ein paar Zahlen und Daten hier und da und das war's. Ich habe eine Ewigkeit gebraucht um es zu beenden weil es mich an manchen Stellen einfach zu sehr gelangweilt hat. Ansonsten kann ich es jedem empfehlen der etwas über die römische Geschichte wissen will!
May 28, 2018
It was impressively academic--open and honest about what we currently still don't know, while managing to tell a compelling story.
I especially appreciated the focus on early Rome. Decline and fall may be an exciting story, but I find more inspiration in how, more than 2000 years ago, Rome grew to more resemble some modern cities than it's peers at the time.
I especially appreciated the focus on early Rome. Decline and fall may be an exciting story, but I find more inspiration in how, more than 2000 years ago, Rome grew to more resemble some modern cities than it's peers at the time.
October 22, 2021
There's only so much one can do when bridging archeology with legend, but one certainly could have done it better than here.
January 21, 2019
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars charts the early origins of the the Roman Republic the Italian Iron Age through to the beginning of the first Punic War in 264 BC! :D Lomas does a great job of presenting the facts of the period as well as explaining areas that are not so clear! :D She also dips into explaining the efforts that are taking place in order to investigate these issues! :D This gives the book a current feel! D
Lomas does a great job of explaining all the different treaties and relationships that Rome established during it's rise! :D At the same time The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars explains the other inhabitants of the Italian lands from Greek colonies to the Etruscans! :D This give the context of the Rise of Rome and what the city had to accomplish a fresh look! :D We can see throughout how the Romans used a sophisticated combination of military and diplomacy practices in order to accomplish its consolidation of Italy under its rule! :D Lomas makes it very clear throughout how the interaction of the various states and how the Romans manoeuvred them! :D She also delves in what Romanisation actually meant to the other states that Roman encountered! :D This enables of view of Italy at the time that is both complicated and dynamic! :D The shifting alliances and how Rome put itself to the fore is also explained clearly throughout as well! :D
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars also pays close attention to the politics and opinions of people working in the field! :D She presents these theories as well but clearly has her interpretation of events as well! :D Though to her credit throughout she doesn't dismiss others who may clash with her interpretations and presents a great list of sources allowing you to check out her reasoning as well! :D This makes for great introduction to this period and the events taking place in not only Italy but internationally as well! :D It should be noted though that is would be handy if you have a pre-existing knowledge in order to already know who the people involved are! :D At the same time though the book has a brilliant series of footnotes referenced at the book that inform on the events in the core of the book! :D It also features clever asides as well about the Roman viewed the world that we as modern people will certainly understand! :D The book does a great job of really illustrating why the Roman's are known as the first moderns! :D
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars also puts the rising Republic into the wider world! :D You can see from early dates such as in the 5th BCE where the Romans are already working internationally and Lomas puts this into context to illustrate how fast they were rising! :D At the same time the Rise of Rome is presented in neat stages that really illustrate clearly the events that were taking place in the Italy and beyond :D Each chapter illustrates clearly what was taking place and impact that it had on the city! :D At the same time the book analysis the changes from the previous century as well as comparing to what follows! :D This gives the book a great feel as well see the Roman Republic develop! :D
Lomas does a great job of charting the rise of Rome! :D At the same time she also pays attention to the other inhabitants if Italy which allows you to draw comparisons to the other players involved! :D The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars does exactly what its it sets out to do and more! :D The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars it presents a great modern examination of the Rise of the Roman republic showing how incredible the achievements of the state were but also showing the Roman people as people! :D
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars is an incisive book from start to finish! :D It is full of up-to-date information, the Rise of the Republic and the issues it had to deal with, comparisons, places the events in a global context, is direct and to the point, a great appendix and footnotes and is clearly presented throughout! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D Get the next one when it is out! :D
Lomas does a great job of explaining all the different treaties and relationships that Rome established during it's rise! :D At the same time The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars explains the other inhabitants of the Italian lands from Greek colonies to the Etruscans! :D This give the context of the Rise of Rome and what the city had to accomplish a fresh look! :D We can see throughout how the Romans used a sophisticated combination of military and diplomacy practices in order to accomplish its consolidation of Italy under its rule! :D Lomas makes it very clear throughout how the interaction of the various states and how the Romans manoeuvred them! :D She also delves in what Romanisation actually meant to the other states that Roman encountered! :D This enables of view of Italy at the time that is both complicated and dynamic! :D The shifting alliances and how Rome put itself to the fore is also explained clearly throughout as well! :D
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars also pays close attention to the politics and opinions of people working in the field! :D She presents these theories as well but clearly has her interpretation of events as well! :D Though to her credit throughout she doesn't dismiss others who may clash with her interpretations and presents a great list of sources allowing you to check out her reasoning as well! :D This makes for great introduction to this period and the events taking place in not only Italy but internationally as well! :D It should be noted though that is would be handy if you have a pre-existing knowledge in order to already know who the people involved are! :D At the same time though the book has a brilliant series of footnotes referenced at the book that inform on the events in the core of the book! :D It also features clever asides as well about the Roman viewed the world that we as modern people will certainly understand! :D The book does a great job of really illustrating why the Roman's are known as the first moderns! :D
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars also puts the rising Republic into the wider world! :D You can see from early dates such as in the 5th BCE where the Romans are already working internationally and Lomas puts this into context to illustrate how fast they were rising! :D At the same time the Rise of Rome is presented in neat stages that really illustrate clearly the events that were taking place in the Italy and beyond :D Each chapter illustrates clearly what was taking place and impact that it had on the city! :D At the same time the book analysis the changes from the previous century as well as comparing to what follows! :D This gives the book a great feel as well see the Roman Republic develop! :D
Lomas does a great job of charting the rise of Rome! :D At the same time she also pays attention to the other inhabitants if Italy which allows you to draw comparisons to the other players involved! :D The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars does exactly what its it sets out to do and more! :D The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars it presents a great modern examination of the Rise of the Roman republic showing how incredible the achievements of the state were but also showing the Roman people as people! :D
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars is an incisive book from start to finish! :D It is full of up-to-date information, the Rise of the Republic and the issues it had to deal with, comparisons, places the events in a global context, is direct and to the point, a great appendix and footnotes and is clearly presented throughout! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D Get the next one when it is out! :D
May 19, 2021
An extremely comprehensive, detailed and scholarly account of the early centuries of Italy and Rome's rise within it, that is ideal for anyone with a deep interest in Roman history, but probably not for more casual readers.
I fully agree with the author's assertion that to understand the early development of Rome, one must understand it in context of the rest of Italy of the time; its people, cultures and their relationships with Rome. Too many histories I have seen focus only on the development of Rome itself, without the broader Italian context, to the extent that it can feel like the rest of Italy didn't exist or was not relevent. I'm very grateful to this book for having disabused me of that notion, dedicating whole sections as it does to the development of the Etruscans, Italiote Greeks, Gauls, Campanians, Oscans and Samnites, and their responses to the growing power of Rome.
Whilst intended as popular history, the book definitely leans more to the scholarly end of that spectrum, with detailed discussions of laws passed, tables of construction works in Rome, and lists of dates of colonies throughout Italy. This largely works in its favour, I believe, but to be honest the lengthy discussions of votive offerings, burial remains and laws could be a bit dry at times. This was especially true in the first few chapters, which were majority-archeology of burials, which gave the book a slow start. As such, it only really got going, I felt, about a third of the way in, with the foundation of the Republic.
That said, I appreciated the frequent reminders of the uncertainty of much of the history of this period, and offering other scholar's interpretations. It's clear that the author trusts the intelligence of her readers, and doesn't dumb anything down that she considers important to understand.
It took me longer to get through than I would have liked, but this was an area of Roman history that I was previously weak on, so I'm very grateful to this book for having helped me fill in that area at last.
I fully agree with the author's assertion that to understand the early development of Rome, one must understand it in context of the rest of Italy of the time; its people, cultures and their relationships with Rome. Too many histories I have seen focus only on the development of Rome itself, without the broader Italian context, to the extent that it can feel like the rest of Italy didn't exist or was not relevent. I'm very grateful to this book for having disabused me of that notion, dedicating whole sections as it does to the development of the Etruscans, Italiote Greeks, Gauls, Campanians, Oscans and Samnites, and their responses to the growing power of Rome.
Whilst intended as popular history, the book definitely leans more to the scholarly end of that spectrum, with detailed discussions of laws passed, tables of construction works in Rome, and lists of dates of colonies throughout Italy. This largely works in its favour, I believe, but to be honest the lengthy discussions of votive offerings, burial remains and laws could be a bit dry at times. This was especially true in the first few chapters, which were majority-archeology of burials, which gave the book a slow start. As such, it only really got going, I felt, about a third of the way in, with the foundation of the Republic.
That said, I appreciated the frequent reminders of the uncertainty of much of the history of this period, and offering other scholar's interpretations. It's clear that the author trusts the intelligence of her readers, and doesn't dumb anything down that she considers important to understand.
It took me longer to get through than I would have liked, but this was an area of Roman history that I was previously weak on, so I'm very grateful to this book for having helped me fill in that area at last.
August 5, 2019
Lomas does what many histories of ancient Rome fail to do: she digs into the very earliest years to reveal what the people and cultural landscape of Rome was like almost 3,000 years ago. Her analysis of the development of many significant cultures in addition to the "Romans" clearly showed that nascent Rome was overshadowed by the Etruscans and Greeks, to name two. What enabled Rome to develop from small, scattered settlements of mud and thatch huts spread out over its many hills, is a truly fascinating story. If one had visited "Rome" in 900 BCE, there would be no indication that this group of clans would one day rule a vast empire.
Lomas uses the latest discoveries in archeology, anthropology, epigraphy, linguistics, and more to reveal the character of these first Romans and show clearly how they forged an Italian empire and then a Mediterranean/European one. Rome's unique ability to adjust quickly to varying circumstances and pressures made it well suited to navigate the drastic changes that were occurring in Italy and beyond at that time.
One important fact that Lomas points out is that knowledge of ancient Rome is an ever evolving story. Even though we have mounds of information from and about ancient Rome, it is still not enough to fully grasp the world of the ancient Romans. But because of the efforts of Lomas and many others, we can at least get some idea of how Rome became Rome.
Lomas uses the latest discoveries in archeology, anthropology, epigraphy, linguistics, and more to reveal the character of these first Romans and show clearly how they forged an Italian empire and then a Mediterranean/European one. Rome's unique ability to adjust quickly to varying circumstances and pressures made it well suited to navigate the drastic changes that were occurring in Italy and beyond at that time.
One important fact that Lomas points out is that knowledge of ancient Rome is an ever evolving story. Even though we have mounds of information from and about ancient Rome, it is still not enough to fully grasp the world of the ancient Romans. But because of the efforts of Lomas and many others, we can at least get some idea of how Rome became Rome.
February 23, 2023
A dry and cautious overview of early Roman history from the archaic period to the eve of the First Punic War in 264 BC, heavily favoring archaeological evidence over later written sources, emphasizing the gradualness and fluidity of city-state formation and ethnogenesis on the Italian peninsula in the sixth and fifth centuries, and underlining the fact that Roman Italy was more of an alliance of semi-autonomous city-states under Roman leadership than an empire ruled from one urban center.
From the emergence of the republic at the end of the sixth century, even into the first century BC - before the Social War finally compelled Rome to concede citizenship to its Italian allies - the political structure of the peninsula was composed of a mishmash of Roman citizens, Latin semi-citizens, colonies, and allied states - socii - which were compelled to provide manpower in times of war. The deftness and pragmatism with which Rome eliminated rival confederations and connected the other cities and ethnic groups of the peninsula to itself in an alliance structure stable enough to allow Rome to draw on a deep reservoir of resources and military might, yet flexible enough to allow its confederates a degree of self-governance and keep them invested in the survival of the whole system, is ultimately what allowed Rome to rule a Mediterranean empire with the constitution of a city-state.
From the emergence of the republic at the end of the sixth century, even into the first century BC - before the Social War finally compelled Rome to concede citizenship to its Italian allies - the political structure of the peninsula was composed of a mishmash of Roman citizens, Latin semi-citizens, colonies, and allied states - socii - which were compelled to provide manpower in times of war. The deftness and pragmatism with which Rome eliminated rival confederations and connected the other cities and ethnic groups of the peninsula to itself in an alliance structure stable enough to allow Rome to draw on a deep reservoir of resources and military might, yet flexible enough to allow its confederates a degree of self-governance and keep them invested in the survival of the whole system, is ultimately what allowed Rome to rule a Mediterranean empire with the constitution of a city-state.
January 18, 2025
這本書是我的第一本羅馬史，9/3 開始。
過了兩個月，10/26 的此時，在中間看了七本羅馬人的故事+一本羅馬共和國的殞落，我終於看完了！！
放鞭炮！撒花！🎉🎉🎉
《羅馬的崛起》是一本我「現在」很推薦的書。爲什麼說現在呢？
因爲九月份的時候，我實在看得霧煞煞。
這本書非常有趣，博引各種考古證據來打臉羅馬史學家像李維等人的羅馬史，會用史料和考古證據互相印證哪些是真的哪些是假的。
這裡就要介紹一下，目前羅馬史的史料，大部分是羅馬時代的司馬遷們寫下來的。
就像身處西漢時期的司馬遷其實作為後世人物並沒有身處鴻門宴的現場卻寫的彷彿他裝了針孔攝影機偷看一樣的鉅細靡遺，希臘羅馬時代的史學家們，很多也都是這個風格。
綜合書友們筆記，關於希臘羅馬歷史有貢獻的司馬遷們：
1. 最早的歷史之父希羅多德 Herodotus 他是 484BC。
2. Polybius 他是希臘人，在羅馬當人質。大約200-118BC，他寫史記"Histories"時，大約146BC ，他是 Scipio 打第三次 Punic War 時帶去隨軍親臨現場，這部分歷史最具權威。
3. Livy 英文是念livie，大約59-17BC ，他就是純正羅馬人，是帝國初期奧古斯都時代的文人和公務員，他的《建城以來羅馬史》是少數保存至今的關於羅馬初期至共和時代的文字資料，雖然大半部分都佚失了。
基本上羅馬王政時代到共和，主要參考這些人。
4. 西塞羅 Cicero，是羅馬共和末期當過執政官、也是位處權力中心的人物。他意見很多又很愛打聽八卦、寫信和朋友哭訴，留下大量作品、筆記、書信。
5. 凱撒本人的《高盧戰記》、《內戰記》等，奧古斯都《業績記》，並整理了歷代凱旋的紀錄等等。
後面的我還沒看到，暫時不知道。
總之，可以看出羅馬在起源傳說、王政時期（西元前六世紀）、乃至共和初期（西元前四、前五世紀）的史料，都是後人寫下的。
所以《羅馬的崛起》的醍醐味，就是用考古證據來驗證這些古羅馬史的真確性，比方說考證發現羅馬史裡面說的王政時期七位羅馬國王，很有可能只是反應羅馬人的起源傳說，並非實際人物；390BC高盧人攻陷羅馬大肆劫掠、燒燬破壞羅馬城導致重建，可能過於誇大，因為考古證據顯示城市並未遭受大規模破壞。
高盧人也不像羅馬人說的沒有自己的土地聚落，在義大利北部定居至少兩世紀且進行多方貿易。
然後很多流傳下來的羅馬史料，都有時代錯置的問題。
好的，要領略這個醍醐味，前提是要很清楚他在驗證的羅馬史長什麼樣子！
我作為一個完全對本來經典羅馬史長什麼樣子就一點概念都沒有的讀者，看的非常痛苦！看不懂啊！
所以中間繞道去補課。
總之我看完了《羅馬人的故事》1-6集，也就是一直到共和結束、奧古斯都建立帝制之後，回頭看《在風暴來臨之前：羅馬共和國殞落的開始》，就又對共和末期有更深入的了解。
然後在看完這本和七集《羅馬人的故事》之後，我回頭看當初看得很痛苦的《羅馬的崛起》，就看得津津有味了！
《羅馬的崛起》這一本的時間線在 Punic War 之前，可以先看一下《羅馬人的故事》1-4集，至少了解一下王政時期的七個羅馬國王的傳說和共和制度。熟悉古羅馬史的人物劇情和傳統敘事角度，看到這本考古證據打臉的醍醐味，看得超級開心的！
覺得讚讚讚！
過了兩個月，10/26 的此時，在中間看了七本羅馬人的故事+一本羅馬共和國的殞落，我終於看完了！！
放鞭炮！撒花！🎉🎉🎉
《羅馬的崛起》是一本我「現在」很推薦的書。爲什麼說現在呢？
因爲九月份的時候，我實在看得霧煞煞。
這本書非常有趣，博引各種考古證據來打臉羅馬史學家像李維等人的羅馬史，會用史料和考古證據互相印證哪些是真的哪些是假的。
這裡就要介紹一下，目前羅馬史的史料，大部分是羅馬時代的司馬遷們寫下來的。
就像身處西漢時期的司馬遷其實作為後世人物並沒有身處鴻門宴的現場卻寫的彷彿他裝了針孔攝影機偷看一樣的鉅細靡遺，希臘羅馬時代的史學家們，很多也都是這個風格。
綜合書友們筆記，關於希臘羅馬歷史有貢獻的司馬遷們：
1. 最早的歷史之父希羅多德 Herodotus 他是 484BC。
2. Polybius 他是希臘人，在羅馬當人質。大約200-118BC，他寫史記"Histories"時，大約146BC ，他是 Scipio 打第三次 Punic War 時帶去隨軍親臨現場，這部分歷史最具權威。
3. Livy 英文是念livie，大約59-17BC ，他就是純正羅馬人，是帝國初期奧古斯都時代的文人和公務員，他的《建城以來羅馬史》是少數保存至今的關於羅馬初期至共和時代的文字資料，雖然大半部分都佚失了。
基本上羅馬王政時代到共和，主要參考這些人。
4. 西塞羅 Cicero，是羅馬共和末期當過執政官、也是位處權力中心的人物。他意見很多又很愛打聽八卦、寫信和朋友哭訴，留下大量作品、筆記、書信。
5. 凱撒本人的《高盧戰記》、《內戰記》等，奧古斯都《業績記》，並整理了歷代凱旋的紀錄等等。
後面的我還沒看到，暫時不知道。
總之，可以看出羅馬在起源傳說、王政時期（西元前六世紀）、乃至共和初期（西元前四、前五世紀）的史料，都是後人寫下的。
所以《羅馬的崛起》的醍醐味，就是用考古證據來驗證這些古羅馬史的真確性，比方說考證發現羅馬史裡面說的王政時期七位羅馬國王，很有可能只是反應羅馬人的起源傳說，並非實際人物；390BC高盧人攻陷羅馬大肆劫掠、燒燬破壞羅馬城導致重建，可能過於誇大，因為考古證據顯示城市並未遭受大規模破壞。
高盧人也不像羅馬人說的沒有自己的土地聚落，在義大利北部定居至少兩世紀且進行多方貿易。
然後很多流傳下來的羅馬史料，都有時代錯置的問題。
好的，要領略這個醍醐味，前提是要很清楚他在驗證的羅馬史長什麼樣子！
我作為一個完全對本來經典羅馬史長什麼樣子就一點概念都沒有的讀者，看的非常痛苦！看不懂啊！
所以中間繞道去補課。
總之我看完了《羅馬人的故事》1-6集，也就是一直到共和結束、奧古斯都建立帝制之後，回頭看《在風暴來臨之前：羅馬共和國殞落的開始》，就又對共和末期有更深入的了解。
然後在看完這本和七集《羅馬人的故事》之後，我回頭看當初看得很痛苦的《羅馬的崛起》，就看得津津有味了！
《羅馬的崛起》這一本的時間線在 Punic War 之前，可以先看一下《羅馬人的故事》1-4集，至少了解一下王政時期的七個羅馬國王的傳說和共和制度。熟悉古羅馬史的人物劇情和傳統敘事角度，看到這本考古證據打臉的醍醐味，看得超級開心的！
覺得讚讚讚！
August 7, 2025
Finally finished this after chipping away at it for several months (my fault for trying to read it before bed and falling asleep after 10 pages most nights). It's very detailed and a bit dense, but incredibly informative. What I really appreciated was how careful Lomas is about distinguishing between verified fact, evidence-based interpretation (whether archaeological or from early texts), and the more embellished versions of history that later Roman authors crafted to suit their ideals of Rome or their own agendas. Turns out much of the very early history of Rome was most likely made up or, at the very least, written highly subjectively.
Lomas doesn't just focus on Rome, either, which I found very unique and insightful. There's a strong emphasis on the broader Italian context - Etruscans, Samnites, Greek colonies, and so on - which makes the emergence of Rome feel much more grounded and influenced than the usual "inevitable rise to glory" story.
It's definitely scholarly, but not impenetrable. I'd actually recommend it to someone just getting into Roman history, as long as they're prepared for something that requires attention and patience. The writing is clear, the pacing is good, and the content is solid - it's just... a lot.
Lomas doesn't just focus on Rome, either, which I found very unique and insightful. There's a strong emphasis on the broader Italian context - Etruscans, Samnites, Greek colonies, and so on - which makes the emergence of Rome feel much more grounded and influenced than the usual "inevitable rise to glory" story.
It's definitely scholarly, but not impenetrable. I'd actually recommend it to someone just getting into Roman history, as long as they're prepared for something that requires attention and patience. The writing is clear, the pacing is good, and the content is solid - it's just... a lot.
July 14, 2020
How Rome became the Caput Mundi hundred years BC? Historian and archaeologist Kathryn Lomas tells the story of pre-Roman Italy before the emergence of a powerful and aggressive Rome from 8th century BC to the 3rd century BC. A vast range of ethnic communities, each with its own language and customs, were living in archaic Italy. Some such as the Etruscans, and later the Samnites, were major rivals of Rome, and more powerful for a while. The fought and were defeated after a series of wars. The defeat of the Latins in 338 BC at the Battle of Antium establishes the domination of Roma on the Italian peninsula. The conquest of the Greek cities in the South will be the last major strategic move in a clash with Pyrrhus and his mercenaries. Fascinating dive into the birth of an ancient superpower.
October 8, 2025
An archaeology-focused synopsis of early Rome, from a cluster of friendly neighboring hilltop villages to the seat of closely linked clans to a fully integrated, power-projecting city-state. I thoroughly enjoyed the early sections covering Etruscan influence in Latium and Campania. It was also fascinating to see the antecedent causes for famous Roman institutions, like the Senate and priesthood, during the Conflict of the Orders. There’s quite a lot of unnecessary repetition, which made certain sections needlessly cumbersome. Emphasizing the continued relevance of an important point is one thing, but I don’t need verbatim rehashes every couple of chapters. Generally good, though perhaps too dry for those who are not already burgeoning Romaboos.
June 29, 2023
《羅馬的崛起》是馬可孛羅在2021年引進，由英國Profile Books出版社與哈佛大學聯手打造的古代史書系的第二卷。作者凱瑟琳．洛馬斯(Kathryn Lomas)在羅馬參與考古數十年，本書堪稱是其多年研究成果的展現。
談到羅馬的上古史，其實說真的，跟其他文明的傳說時代沒什麼不同，我們孰悉的王政時期等種種傳說與故事，在歐美考古學界也大多是持存疑態度。就像是中國的夏朝，盡管有相當多的考古資料，但始終無法真正的證實，更不要提所謂的「三皇五帝」時代。這點，對於一個專業的學者來說，謹慎的都該持差不多的立場。
而本書的作者態度，比較接近王國維等人的二重證據法，她在本書中，基本上是先呈現其考古研究的成果，然後剖析可能的史實狀況，最後再對照傳說的王政時代，試圖解釋羅馬先民為何會有這樣的故事流傳。除此之外，作者在書後還附上了年代表、史料分析與解說、延伸閱讀跟遺址博物館一覽等相關研究工具。這種寫法很硬派跟專業，但也同時讓本書變得比較沒那麼好的可讀性，或者是說，不那麼親民。但對於一個認真想要研究羅馬早期史的來說，洛馬斯這本絕對是架上該有的大部頭，特別是在台灣的繁體書市，就個人所知，幾乎沒有跟它同等級的相關著作存在。早幾年前我想做相關的調查，只能寄託簡體，例如北京大學的教授劉津瑜的《羅馬史研究入門》(還出了第二版)，就是一本全面性的研究用工具書，也很值得收。
以上。
談到羅馬的上古史，其實說真的，跟其他文明的傳說時代沒什麼不同，我們孰悉的王政時期等種種傳說與故事，在歐美考古學界也大多是持存疑態度。就像是中國的夏朝，盡管有相當多的考古資料，但始終無法真正的證實，更不要提所謂的「三皇五帝」時代。這點，對於一個專業的學者來說，謹慎的都該持差不多的立場。
而本書的作者態度，比較接近王國維等人的二重證據法，她在本書中，基本上是先呈現其考古研究的成果，然後剖析可能的史實狀況，最後再對照傳說的王政時代，試圖解釋羅馬先民為何會有這樣的故事流傳。除此之外，作者在書後還附上了年代表、史料分析與解說、延伸閱讀跟遺址博物館一覽等相關研究工具。這種寫法很硬派跟專業，但也同時讓本書變得比較沒那麼好的可讀性，或者是說，不那麼親民。但對於一個認真想要研究羅馬早期史的來說，洛馬斯這本絕對是架上該有的大部頭，特別是在台灣的繁體書市，就個人所知，幾乎沒有跟它同等級的相關著作存在。早幾年前我想做相關的調查，只能寄託簡體，例如北京大學的教授劉津瑜的《羅馬史研究入門》(還出了第二版)，就是一本全面性的研究用工具書，也很值得收。
以上。
December 16, 2024
This book was not what I expected. I had no knowledge of the history of Ancient Rome and I expected this book to be an introduction of this history. However, this book it more like an academic archeological report. It focused on comparing archeological findings with the records written by ancient historians, to find out the real development process of Ancient Rome. This book is suitable for reeaders with some knowledge of the Roman history. Otherwise you may find it dry and painful to read (like me).
August 18, 2024
I really enjoy reading about early human history and archeology. A few books I've read have briefly mentioned Rome's beginning as a village. Most have moved on to describing a fairly stable form of government. This book filled in some blanks I didn't realize were there. Much is not definitively known about this era, but the exploration of it is fascinating. There are extensive suggested reading sections for each of the chapters. A very interesting resource.
June 28, 2025
This is a great overview of Roman History and Italian history before the Punic Wars began. I’ve read another book by the same name, and it was a much more sweeping history than this one. While this one does cover the same period, the author does it with archeological and scholarly evidence and facts. She also does a summary at the end of most chapters which I really liked because it can be a lot of information and that can be boring.
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