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The Origin of Empire

Rome from the Republic to Hadrian
  • David Potter
Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2019
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History of the Ancient World
This book is in the series
History of the Ancient World

About this book

Starting with the Roman army’s first foray beyond its borders and ending with Hadrian’s death (138 CE), David Potter’s panorama of the early Empire recounts the wars, leaders and social transformations that lay the foundations of imperial success. As today’s parallels reveal, the Romans have much to teach us about power, governance and leadership.

Reviews

Potter has written a characteristically crisp, vibrant, and provocative new account of a turbulent and fascinating period in Roman history. Highly recommended.
-- Carlos Noreña, author of Imperial Ideals in the Roman West

A lively and engaging new account of the inexorable rise of the Roman Empire from a city on the banks of the Tiber to a supreme power in the ancient world. Potter’s book is sure to become essential reading for anyone interested in this key period of Roman history.
-- Guy Bradley, author of Early Rome to 290 BC

Combines a sweeping narrative with impressively detailed analysis of the factors behind Rome’s imperial conquests and internal turbulence. An invaluable resource.
-- Catherine Steel, author of The End of the Roman Republic, 146 to 44 BC

Potter presents this epic tale afresh with insight, erudition, and remarkable detail. His approach stands out for its clear-eyed exposure of the bloodshed, suffering, and persistent strife that led eventually to the Republic’s self-destruction and the unexpected emergence of Pax Romana. Here is a book that should jolt generous admirers of ancient Rome to rethink their viewpoint.
-- Richard Talbert, coauthor of The Romans from Village to Empire

A vigorous experience even for readers who are already very familiar with the men, women, scandals, and wars the book considers. As a portrait of an old and vast representative republic deteriorating into an autocracy, Potter’s book is easily, even alarmingly, lucid.
-- Steve Donoghue Open Letters Review

This is a flawless book. It should inspire and educate all who approach it…An enjoyable, dramatic narrative.
-- Anna Faktorovich Pennsylvania Literary Journal

Topics

  • Publicly Available

    Frontmatter

    i
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  • Publicly Available

    Contents

    vii
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    Maps

    ix
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    Note on the abbreviations in the text

    xiv
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    Introduction: The Path to Empire

    1
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  • Part I: War (264–201 BC)
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    1. The Invasion of Sicily (264 BC)

    15
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    2. War by Land and Sea (263–241 BC)

    21
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    3. Rome and Italy (240–217 BC)

    35
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    4. Hannibal

    49
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    5. Cannae (216 BC)

    59
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    6. Victory (201 BC)

    67
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  • Part II: Empire (200–146 BC)
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    7. Macedon

    81
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    8. Victory in the East

    87
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    9. The Home Front

    101
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    10. Carthage Must be Destroyed (146 BC)

    116
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  • Part III: Revolution (146–88 BC)
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    11. Tiberius Gracchus and the Sovereignty of the People

    125
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    12. Gaius Gracchus and the Rise of the Contractors

    138
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    13. A Critic’s View

    146
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    14. Marius: Politics and Empire

    155
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    15. Civil Wars (91–88 BC)

    167
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  • Part IV: Dictatorship (88–36 BC)
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    16. Sulla Triumphant

    181
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    17. Sulla’s Rome

    193
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    18. Sulla’s Legacies

    198
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    19. Politics in a Post-Sullan World

    215
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    20. 63 BC

    225
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    21. Law and Disorder

    237
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    22. Pompey and Caesar

    256
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    23. Caesarians and Pompeians

    270
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  • Part V: Monarchy (36 BC–AD 138)
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    24. Imperator Caesar Augustus

    287
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    25. The Augustan Empire

    304
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    26. Eccentricity and Bureaucracy

    321
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    27. Three Murders and the Emergence of an Imperial Society

    339
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    28. Dynasties Come and Go

    359
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    29. Reimagining Rome

    371
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    30. The View from Tivoli

    387
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    31. What Happened

    400
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    Notes on Sources

    402
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    List of Illustrations

    417
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    Acknowledgements

    419
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    Index

    421
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
July 1, 2019
eBook ISBN:
9780674240223
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Main content:
448
https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674240223
eBook ISBN: 9780674240223
Keywords for this book
Antonius; Roman army; Carthage; Cleopatra; Tacitus; Livy; Lucullus; Nero; Polybius; Pompey; Cicero; Agrippa
Audience(s) for this book
General/trade;
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