Questions About Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic

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Answered Questions (4)

Is this the tom holland actor that wrote the book? Or is it someone with the same name?

Lucina It's someone with the same name. This Tom Holland is a historian. Just to add to the confusion, there's an actor called Tom Hollander as well.…moreIt's someone with the same name. This Tom Holland is a historian. Just to add to the confusion, there's an actor called Tom Hollander as well.(less)

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Is a knowledge of Roman history (before the period in this book, or in general) necessary to appreciate the book?

***Dave Hill Having some basic knowledge certainly wouldn't hurt, but really isn't necessary. This is a pretty popular history, and very accessible. …moreHaving some basic knowledge certainly wouldn't hurt, but really isn't necessary. This is a pretty popular history, and very accessible. (less)

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What do you think of the cover? Does it help the book look interesting or does it make it look like "boring" history book? I'm not sure myself...what do you guys think?

Decessor The cover drew my attention so I certainly didn't find it boring.…moreThe cover drew my attention so I certainly didn't find it boring.(less)

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Is this book recommended for anyone who wants to have a general idea of the history of Rome, from its beginning until its decline?

LisaZen That's what I wanted too, but this book didn't work for me. It has very little illustrations, maps for example, and I really needed those to make the …moreThat's what I wanted too, but this book didn't work for me. It has very little illustrations, maps for example, and I really needed those to make the big picture of the events and the area. So, I ended up reading an old history book at the same time as the Holland's book. The history book I happened to have at home is a part of an encyclopedia type of publication with a lot of illustrations, maps and graphics. I found that particularly helpful were the graphics showing the structure of the political organs of the time. With Holland's book alone I would have been really lost.
As I went reading I ended up using also a travel guide which helped me to see what Rome looks like today. This I did for fun. I have never been to Rome, but would want to go there now. I also looked at street views in Google maps and "walked" in the streets that way. A third thing was looking at different interiors in Trip Advisor photos. Quite a journey with all these sources!(less)

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