Rome: The Autobiography: The rise and fall of the Roman empire by those who saw it.

by Jon E. Lewis

The great events of Roman history are represented here, from the Battle of Mylae to the triumph of the Barbarians, and Rome's social, cultural, and religious life in all its sophistication, luxury, and depravity. Using memoirs, letters, and official reports, inscriptions, and household accounts, this new collection draws from life sketches of the Roman way of war, empire building, civilization, and the pax romana.These and many other accounts, whether of great events in war and politics, or everyday matters such as the raising of children, bring the Roman world to life in all its color and variety.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2010

About the author

Jon E. Lewis is a historian and writer, whose books on history and military history are sold worldwide. He is also editor of many The Mammoth Book of anthologies, including the bestselling On the Edge and Endurance and Adventure.

He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in history. His work has appeared in New Statesman, the Independent, Time Out and the Guardian. He lives in Herefordshire with his partner and children.

From: Constable & Robinson

Reviews

[Justin Walshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might help explain why your vacuum cleaner is making that odd noise

[Jason Marciak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rome. The Eternal City. It is hard to tackle subject matter having to do with it in a single book. Here though is an admirable effort to talk about the historical significance of Rome by using the letters and collected spoken material of the time. I like the book because we get the mundane with the great. There is the fall of empires surely but there are also trade reports and letters from friends that give a greater sense of what it meant to be living in that empire. This book is a very worthwhile read.

[René · Rating 2 out of 5]

A major deception... Several (if not most) of the chosen texts are meaningless - even some commercial graffitis are included... If there had been some texts by those who lived next to the Roman empire and would have given perspective on what it was living to a giant, it might have been better. Unfortunately, author concentrated mostly on those who described the depravity of its worst leaders and elite, leaving little for those who really made it a memorable empire, for better or for worse.

[Forrest Coyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this stunningly set of letters, historical accounts, and other writings, Jon E. Lewis allows the reader to experience history first hand by Rome's most well known characters. Nearly perfect to a an ampitheatre to the diversity of the Roman world.

[Bob Mask · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Roman studies.