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Ancient Rome: From the Earliest Times Down to 476 A.D.
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1890
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 28, 2011
A beginner's run round the facts of Ancient Rome. Nothing in depth but a useful memory jog for personalities and titles or to point the way for further research. Some of the facts are dated and have been reassessed.
February 14, 2014
This was something I downloaded on a whim after reading something online about Roman history. I wanted a book which covered early Rome's sweeping thousand years (give or take) of history without being a thousand or more pages or taking up multiple volumes. All I really wanted was the basics - an introduction, if you will. Robert Franklin Pennell's book did the trick. It's very bare bones but it covers all the events, locations and individuals key to Rome's rise and fall.
Despite being published in 1890, this book was easily enjoyed by my 21st century vocabulary. Sure, it's a little dry at times, but it's Roman history - a thousand year's worth - so I'll cut it some slack. Pennell writes history pretty well. He doesn't get too bogged down in minute detail and covers his topics in short little segments which are easy to devour in quick installments.
If you're looking for detail on the individuals and events which make up Roman history, you'd be wise to look elsewhere. But if you just want a quick refresher on Roman history, government, religion and politics - not to mention the men and women who shaped each - this is a good place to start. The foundation and tribal separations of early Rome are covered through the founding of the republic, the birth of Roman self government, the rise of the emperors, and the catastrophic collapse of the empire. As mentioned, there's not a lot of detail, but there are plenty of facts and dates and this makes an excellent reference source for those little factoids.
The writing is efficient and to the point. Pennell doesn't ramble or waste much time. The text is easily accessible to most reading levels and there are only a handful of instances where the author offers opinions and personal remarks. On the whole, the book is straight up history recitation.
I liked it for what it was despite a few dry spells. Three stars.
Despite being published in 1890, this book was easily enjoyed by my 21st century vocabulary. Sure, it's a little dry at times, but it's Roman history - a thousand year's worth - so I'll cut it some slack. Pennell writes history pretty well. He doesn't get too bogged down in minute detail and covers his topics in short little segments which are easy to devour in quick installments.
If you're looking for detail on the individuals and events which make up Roman history, you'd be wise to look elsewhere. But if you just want a quick refresher on Roman history, government, religion and politics - not to mention the men and women who shaped each - this is a good place to start. The foundation and tribal separations of early Rome are covered through the founding of the republic, the birth of Roman self government, the rise of the emperors, and the catastrophic collapse of the empire. As mentioned, there's not a lot of detail, but there are plenty of facts and dates and this makes an excellent reference source for those little factoids.
The writing is efficient and to the point. Pennell doesn't ramble or waste much time. The text is easily accessible to most reading levels and there are only a handful of instances where the author offers opinions and personal remarks. On the whole, the book is straight up history recitation.
I liked it for what it was despite a few dry spells. Three stars.
April 12, 2016
There is something about Winter, which is when I read Ancient Rome, that compels me to read about unforgiving times.
Winter in itself is unforgiving, it's rough on the bones and the senses and takes no pity on the frail. This is why I picked up this little dozy and started reading, for the Romans themselves were very unforgiving. That is not to say the Romans were barbarians. I will not play the Ego Game which implies that since I was born in a gentler time that they were any less of then person I am. However, that being said, they weren't exactly the choirboys of their time either.
I wanted to read about battles and blood, great statesmen and mad emperors, towering deeds and shocking horror.
I found it here.
It's puzzling no one has written about it on GoodReads because this is a jewel of a book, not only informative and well written but, most importantly, damned entertaining.
Do yourself a favor, pick it up, it's everything you'll want: a bloody, unforgiving time.
Winter in itself is unforgiving, it's rough on the bones and the senses and takes no pity on the frail. This is why I picked up this little dozy and started reading, for the Romans themselves were very unforgiving. That is not to say the Romans were barbarians. I will not play the Ego Game which implies that since I was born in a gentler time that they were any less of then person I am. However, that being said, they weren't exactly the choirboys of their time either.
I wanted to read about battles and blood, great statesmen and mad emperors, towering deeds and shocking horror.
I found it here.
It's puzzling no one has written about it on GoodReads because this is a jewel of a book, not only informative and well written but, most importantly, damned entertaining.
Do yourself a favor, pick it up, it's everything you'll want: a bloody, unforgiving time.
May 5, 2016
I liked a number of things about this book. First of all it's in the public domain, so it's free. Second, if you are looking for a quick and concise overview of the Roman Republic and Empire, this book doesn't come short of more recent work. All the most important historical figures are mentioned, as well as battles and political developments. The Roman offices and titles receive an easily understandable treatment which will help you tell the difference between a censor and praetor.
Rome's early days are dealt with briefly and with caution. The unreliability of the sources is pointed out, which in itself is quite refreshing for such an old book. At other times you can clearly see that a similar work of today would not contain descriptions of "treacherous and untrustworthy" Carthaginians, nor would the influence from Asia upon Rome be described as one of "immorality". Maybe statements like these are lessons learned in themselves.
Rome's early days are dealt with briefly and with caution. The unreliability of the sources is pointed out, which in itself is quite refreshing for such an old book. At other times you can clearly see that a similar work of today would not contain descriptions of "treacherous and untrustworthy" Carthaginians, nor would the influence from Asia upon Rome be described as one of "immorality". Maybe statements like these are lessons learned in themselves.
August 21, 2019
This is a short American schoolbook published in the 1890s which provides a very summary overview of Roman history, so summary that it is difficult to follow at times. Much of the content is asserted without reference to sources, and many of the facts stated have been reassessed in subsequent decades of more meticulous research.
This is an old fashioned dates and battles view of history, an aide memoire for principal events, but it suggests in places that a broader study of popular sentiment and culture (necessarily viewed from a high level in generic sweeps) has a better chance of explaining the evolution of a nation than the mere punctuation of war. It’s a shame that the book did not yield to this modern insight and depart from the mundane cataloguing of events that was its stated aim from the introduction.
This is an old fashioned dates and battles view of history, an aide memoire for principal events, but it suggests in places that a broader study of popular sentiment and culture (necessarily viewed from a high level in generic sweeps) has a better chance of explaining the evolution of a nation than the mere punctuation of war. It’s a shame that the book did not yield to this modern insight and depart from the mundane cataloguing of events that was its stated aim from the introduction.
May 16, 2012
Pennell wrote this in 1890 to summarize some 1,000+ years of Roman history in 232 pages and he pulls it off. I found it an easy read, full of interesting details about not only the times, but the major individuals that shaped the course of the Roman Republic and Empire. Pennell's writings clearly show he really liked Julius Caesar, casting the would be Emperor in favorable light. This did not detract from the book at all, indeed, it adds a certain charm to it; a reminder that not only is history written by the victors, but also by the historians :)
This is not Gibbon, nor does he try to be, but it is a solid overview of the vast Roman history.
Recommended.
This is not Gibbon, nor does he try to be, but it is a solid overview of the vast Roman history.
Recommended.
April 24, 2015
This book, with its simple and explanatory narrative, served its purpose. I was looking for a general run down of the history of Rome, with the highlights of its important people and especially the great generals. Now I have a few more names to study individually, like Stillico, who fought off, as long as he could, the great Allaric. Really enjoyed this book.
April 11, 2012
This book is a great beginners guide to the Roman Empire. Anyone who wants to learn about Rome and doesn't know where to start, this will give you the best, most concise, and comprehensive breakdown of the Empire highlights from its origins to it's fall.
November 4, 2013
A quick brief short history of rome. If you know much about the subject this is not the book for you.
May 28, 2013
As many have noted, this is an old textbook and reads as such. It's dry but it is an excellent reference book and guide for further study with its detailed account of names and dates.
February 4, 2016
Not much here although I suppose that shouldn't be surprising considering the expansive scope of the book.
February 15, 2012
Got plenty of great info out of this, though fight expect the most exciting of writing.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews