The Origin of Empire: Rome from the Republic to Hadrian

David Potter

Book

The Origin of Empire

Rome from the Republic to Hadrian

David Potter

Language: English

Published/Copyright: 2019

Published by

View more publications by Harvard University Press

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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

Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies Classical Studies Ancient History

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Maps Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Note on the abbreviations in the text Publicly Available Download PDF	xiv
Introduction: The Path to Empire Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	1
Part I: War (264–201 BC)
1. The Invasion of Sicily (264 BC) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	15
2. War by Land and Sea (263–241 BC) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	21
3. Rome and Italy (240–217 BC) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	35
4. Hannibal Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	49
5. Cannae (216 BC) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	59
6. Victory (201 BC) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	67
Part II: Empire (200–146 BC)
7. Macedon Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	81
8. Victory in the East Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	87
9. The Home Front Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	101
10. Carthage Must be Destroyed (146 BC) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	116
Part III: Revolution (146–88 BC)
11. Tiberius Gracchus and the Sovereignty of the People Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	125
12. Gaius Gracchus and the Rise of the Contractors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	138
13. A Critic’s View Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	146
14. Marius: Politics and Empire Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	155
15. Civil Wars (91–88 BC) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	167
Part IV: Dictatorship (88–36 BC)
16. Sulla Triumphant Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	181
17. Sulla’s Rome Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	193
18. Sulla’s Legacies Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	198
19. Politics in a Post-Sullan World Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	215
20. 63 BC Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	225
21. Law and Disorder Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	237
22. Pompey and Caesar Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	256
23. Caesarians and Pompeians Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	270
Part V: Monarchy (36 BC–AD 138)
24. Imperator Caesar Augustus Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	287
25. The Augustan Empire Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	304
26. Eccentricity and Bureaucracy Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	321
27. Three Murders and the Emergence of an Imperial Society Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	339
28. Dynasties Come and Go Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	359
29. Reimagining Rome Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	371
30. The View from Tivoli Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	387
31. What Happened Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	400
Notes on Sources Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	402
List of Illustrations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	417
Acknowledgements Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	419
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed	421

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;

The Origin of Empire

Overview

About this book

Reviews

Topics

Table of contents

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