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Römische Geschichte - Komplettausgabe mit Kartenmaterial (Classics To Go)
Der deutsche Historiker Theodor Mommsen erhielt 1902 als erster Deutscher den Nobelpreis für Literatur für die Veröffentlichung seiner mehrbändigen Darstellung der Römischen Geschichte.
3596 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2021
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711 people want to read
About the author
Theodor Mommsen
741 books90 followersChristian Matthias Theodor Mommsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1902, for being "the greatest living master of the art of historical writing, with special reference to his monumental work, A History of Rome."
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 17, 2013
Of all the Nobel winners, there was only one of them who was awarded for history. He was Theodor Mommsen, and he won in 1902 for his History of Rome.
The feat has never been replicated since then, so it prompted me to look up the work that won the Nobel Prize for him and attempt to read it. I didn't expect much, but it was indeed brilliant. Mommsen describes the milieu and the politics of Rome. Democracy was initiated by Gaius Gracchus until eventually perfected by Caesar despite staunch opposition. The work still remains to be a lucid and beautiful illustration of that time, and proof that truth is indeed sometimes stranger than fiction. Heroic profligates like Sulla appeared in history at times: these are the people who single-mindedly pursue an ideal and then step back once it has been achieved; insipid and arrant clowns as Pompey also act as counterpoints to once-in-a-millennium people such as Julius Caesar, and the whole gamut of treachery, perfidy, larceny and robbery pepper the pathway of Rome to civilization and to finally becoming a proper empire.
It may not be one of my favorites, but it is one of the best works, not only of history, but of literature. For that it gets a perfect score from me.
The feat has never been replicated since then, so it prompted me to look up the work that won the Nobel Prize for him and attempt to read it. I didn't expect much, but it was indeed brilliant. Mommsen describes the milieu and the politics of Rome. Democracy was initiated by Gaius Gracchus until eventually perfected by Caesar despite staunch opposition. The work still remains to be a lucid and beautiful illustration of that time, and proof that truth is indeed sometimes stranger than fiction. Heroic profligates like Sulla appeared in history at times: these are the people who single-mindedly pursue an ideal and then step back once it has been achieved; insipid and arrant clowns as Pompey also act as counterpoints to once-in-a-millennium people such as Julius Caesar, and the whole gamut of treachery, perfidy, larceny and robbery pepper the pathway of Rome to civilization and to finally becoming a proper empire.
It may not be one of my favorites, but it is one of the best works, not only of history, but of literature. For that it gets a perfect score from me.
June 7, 2017
So, here I am at the end of Book Five. There were less cumbersome options when choosing to dive into a Mommsen writing. Having committed to reading a work by every Nobel Laureate for Literature and Mommsen being only the second chronologically, it would have been wiser to choose a shorter, singular work. But too many of the man's contemporaries like Mark Twain raved about his comprehensive History of Rome and so, alas, this long and exhaustive project. Mommsen is accused of tediousness in his style but, in truth, he is just immensely comprehensive and invested in his quest to show us our ancient past. And, of course, this isn't just about Rome but western civilization from Rome's founding and it's earliest monarchic origin, through its various republican and democratic incarnations bringing us full circle with the return of monarchy under Julius Caesar. This project required a commitment of an hour almost daily over eight months but it was worth the investment in that so many holes of my historical knowledge have now been filled. Mommsen wrote more about Rome's later eras which I will likely dive into later. For now, I move on both exhausted and grateful for this literary journey well written and well spoken.
April 20, 2014
An abridged version of Mommsen's 1857 multi-volume history of Rome during the collapse of the Republic and the very beginning of the Empire. Extremely clear & readable! Maps would have been a helpful addition- but otherwise, excellent.
On a scarier note. Much of what led to the Roman Republic's demise is very similar to what's occurring now with the US Republic. Arguments over the franchise and who is a "Roman citizen", including limits on immigration; Intransigence of the oligarchs, greed of the capitalist and political classes; A useless Senate more interested in itself than in the Republic. Scary, because there's no reason it can't happen here! Could the US Republic be lurching in this direction? Will a Caesar come to our rescue, bring stability at the cost of liberty...?
On a scarier note. Much of what led to the Roman Republic's demise is very similar to what's occurring now with the US Republic. Arguments over the franchise and who is a "Roman citizen", including limits on immigration; Intransigence of the oligarchs, greed of the capitalist and political classes; A useless Senate more interested in itself than in the Republic. Scary, because there's no reason it can't happen here! Could the US Republic be lurching in this direction? Will a Caesar come to our rescue, bring stability at the cost of liberty...?
i-want-money
November 9, 2012Just what the PhD ordered--another multi-volume History which I'll read, when? Or afford?
But, Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10706
Thanks, Moonbutterfly!
But, Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10706
Thanks, Moonbutterfly!
September 11, 2017
Insgesamt öde und dröge. Eine sehr behäbige, nervende Sprache, fast ohne Absätze, mit lauter wards. Dafür den Nobelpreis? Nun, immerhin gibt es diesen grandiosen Satz: “Daß von Hellas und Italiens vergangener Herrlichkeit zu dem stolzeren Bau der neueren Weltgeschichte eine Brücke herüberführt, daß Westeuropa romanisch, das germanische Europa klassisch ist, daß die Namen Themistokles und Scipio für uns einen anderen Klang haben als Asoka und Salmanassar, daß Homer und Sophokles nicht wie die Veden und Kalidasa nur den literarischen Botaniker anziehen, sondern in dem eigenen Garten uns blühe, das ist Cäsars Werk; und wenn die Schöpfung seines großen Vorgängers im Osten von den Sturmfluten des Mittelalters fast ganz zertrümmert worden ist, so hat Cäsars Bau die Jahrtausende überdauert, die dem Menschengeschlecht Religion und Staat verwandelt, den Schwerpunkt der Zivilisation selbst ihm verschoben haben, und für das, was wir Ewigkeit nennen, steht er aufrecht.”
April 24, 2017
Only read selected excerpts from a abridged Nobel prize edition. Too much detail regarding factions and ideas that can't fully be understood without previous knowledge about Ancient Rome.
September 8, 2023
I’m a hiker, and there are some hikes that you go into knowing they are going to be brutally hard, long slogs, that will at least have a pretty view or give you a rush of accomplishment. I once did an eleven-hour hike to the top of Mount Rundle that gave me that incredible feeling despite its gruelling nature. Some books can be like that too. I knew The History of Rome was a long read and I went in expecting it to be a slog. However, unlike Rundle, I gave up on this one part way through. Simply put, it was too long and too dry for me to continue. Nevertheless, I do have good things to say about it and I think it is a perfectly recommendable book for a certain audience.
Mommsen’s History of Rome is an extensive work that reviews the rise of Rome as a kingdom and mostly as a republic. From what I understand, this is the definitive historical work that is foundational to most modern research on the subject of the Roman Republic. Mommsen himself, who mostly wrote throughout the mid and late 1800s, won the Nobel Prize in literature for his efforts. The Kindle edition of the book that I read is divided into and contains all five volumes that are organized by topic. The book is considered a masterclass in classical history and a must-read for those who desire to research and best understand the ancient Roman world.
Mommsen disregards the traditional and mythological portions of Rome’s history and approaches the subject with a scientific and historical mindset, making it very factual and truthful in alignment with the archeological evidence and theories that existed at the time of publication. Even though I am more partial to a Roman history that includes the intervention of the gods and supernatural events, it is surprisingly refreshing to simply focus on the natural and practical elements that go into founding a nation.
Mommsen’s work easily reflects his deep study and research into the topic. From what I understand, he pioneered the translation of ancient Latin inscriptions at archaeological sites in Italy and was incredibly accomplished and passionate about his field of work. To this end, his honour for the Roman culture is felt throughout his work, yet, without shying away from some of Rome’s failures.
To put it bluntly, this book is long and dry. Perhaps my issues with the book mainly lie in the way it was translated into English, but as much as I tried to push through, I just found the book dull. The History of Rome is worth recommending to history buffs or those who are looking for an interesting academic read. But It is not for casual readers, although the language level of my translation seems accessible to most readers. Don’t get me wrong, it has the occasional highlight, such as its description of the various Rome superstitions and schools of learning, and the Pyrrhic War. However, I spent months reading this book on and off and found I had only gotten about 20 percent through. I finally decided that this would be one of the few books I would leave incomplete.
The History of Rome is an important historical and academic work that certainly must be read by researchers on this topic. At the very least, it is an excellent resource and reference book into the life of the ancient Roman Republic. However, it is long, it is dry, and it is simply a slog to read through cover-to-cover. For these reasons, I give it a two out of five star rating.
Mommsen’s History of Rome is an extensive work that reviews the rise of Rome as a kingdom and mostly as a republic. From what I understand, this is the definitive historical work that is foundational to most modern research on the subject of the Roman Republic. Mommsen himself, who mostly wrote throughout the mid and late 1800s, won the Nobel Prize in literature for his efforts. The Kindle edition of the book that I read is divided into and contains all five volumes that are organized by topic. The book is considered a masterclass in classical history and a must-read for those who desire to research and best understand the ancient Roman world.
Mommsen disregards the traditional and mythological portions of Rome’s history and approaches the subject with a scientific and historical mindset, making it very factual and truthful in alignment with the archeological evidence and theories that existed at the time of publication. Even though I am more partial to a Roman history that includes the intervention of the gods and supernatural events, it is surprisingly refreshing to simply focus on the natural and practical elements that go into founding a nation.
Mommsen’s work easily reflects his deep study and research into the topic. From what I understand, he pioneered the translation of ancient Latin inscriptions at archaeological sites in Italy and was incredibly accomplished and passionate about his field of work. To this end, his honour for the Roman culture is felt throughout his work, yet, without shying away from some of Rome’s failures.
To put it bluntly, this book is long and dry. Perhaps my issues with the book mainly lie in the way it was translated into English, but as much as I tried to push through, I just found the book dull. The History of Rome is worth recommending to history buffs or those who are looking for an interesting academic read. But It is not for casual readers, although the language level of my translation seems accessible to most readers. Don’t get me wrong, it has the occasional highlight, such as its description of the various Rome superstitions and schools of learning, and the Pyrrhic War. However, I spent months reading this book on and off and found I had only gotten about 20 percent through. I finally decided that this would be one of the few books I would leave incomplete.
The History of Rome is an important historical and academic work that certainly must be read by researchers on this topic. At the very least, it is an excellent resource and reference book into the life of the ancient Roman Republic. However, it is long, it is dry, and it is simply a slog to read through cover-to-cover. For these reasons, I give it a two out of five star rating.
July 31, 2021
Un testo monumentale dietro cui sta uno studio immenso e una sapienza storica veramente immensa, se si pensa che è stato scritto nell'800 senza ausilio di mezzi tecnologici ma solo per ricerca sui luoghi e sulle fonti. Per questo meriterebbe 5 stelle. Ancora oggi le basi dello studio della storia romana repubblicana sono quelle delineate dal Mommsen. Ha inoltre il merito di raccontare in modo quasi romanzesco alcune vicende, anche se lo stile risente del tempo e quindi può sembrare pomposo (in questo non aiuta la traduzione italiana fatta in pieno periodo fascista, con un lessico ricercato, da addetti ai lavori).
Paradossalmente, è un testo che illustra piuttosto bene anche la storia e la cultura a cavallo tra XIX° e XX° secolo. E qui vengo ai difetti. Uno è la prolissità. Nei capitoli di azione il testo si distende ampio ma lo si segue. Nei capitoli meno narrativi, in cui si analizzano le arti, la cultura e la lingua latine, è piuttosto noioso. L'altro (grave) difetto (credo comune ai suoi contemporanei) e il fare storiografia giudicando i tempi andati col metro di oggi. Ogni aspetto della vita e della cultura, ogni comportamento è giudicato sulla base di valori non contemporanei e con categorie moderne (riferimenti alla democrazia parlamentare, per esempio, che sono tirati un po' per i capelli, anche se magari possono servire per far capire meglio). Al Mommsen per esempio stava notevolmente antipatico Cicerone, che viene stroncato come scrittore e come uomo. Lo stesso giudizio piuttosto spietato viene espresso su Pompeo, che emerge come un eterno indeciso, mentre è piuttosto benevolo con il grande Cesare. Ma il difetto peggiore è sicuramente l'alone nazionalistico che pervade il testo. Interi capitoli sulla cultura sono letti alla luce di una sorta di superiorità tedesca (la frase secondo cui i tedeschi sono eredi dei greci, la cui filosofia e cultura Mommsen ritiene superiore a quella italica, mentre gli italiani non sono mai stati poeti di alto livello... fa sorridere se pensiamo a Dante, Petrarca... e alla enorme differenza che esiste tra greci e tedeschi. Oggi diciami che siamo tutti eredi dei Greci e anche dei Romanim in quanti Europei). In questo senso, dicevo, il testo insegna a noi posteri anche il quadro del dibattito culturale tra '800 e '900, intriso appunto di pregiudizi su popoli e razze, su presunte superiorità, che poi ahimé porteranno a certi estremi. E il Mommsen era un liberale. Quindi se un liberale aveva queste idee (oggi quasi ridicole) immaginiamoci quale dovesse essere il dibattito tra i monarchici e tra quelle forze estremiste che poi avranno il loro peso nei decenni successivi. Insomma, un testo assolutamente fondamentale per la storia antica ma che sente tutti i suoi anni e ha il limite di una impostazione non totalmente scientifica ed eccessivamente giudicante. Tanto di cappello comunque a uno studioso di importanza mondiale.
Paradossalmente, è un testo che illustra piuttosto bene anche la storia e la cultura a cavallo tra XIX° e XX° secolo. E qui vengo ai difetti. Uno è la prolissità. Nei capitoli di azione il testo si distende ampio ma lo si segue. Nei capitoli meno narrativi, in cui si analizzano le arti, la cultura e la lingua latine, è piuttosto noioso. L'altro (grave) difetto (credo comune ai suoi contemporanei) e il fare storiografia giudicando i tempi andati col metro di oggi. Ogni aspetto della vita e della cultura, ogni comportamento è giudicato sulla base di valori non contemporanei e con categorie moderne (riferimenti alla democrazia parlamentare, per esempio, che sono tirati un po' per i capelli, anche se magari possono servire per far capire meglio). Al Mommsen per esempio stava notevolmente antipatico Cicerone, che viene stroncato come scrittore e come uomo. Lo stesso giudizio piuttosto spietato viene espresso su Pompeo, che emerge come un eterno indeciso, mentre è piuttosto benevolo con il grande Cesare. Ma il difetto peggiore è sicuramente l'alone nazionalistico che pervade il testo. Interi capitoli sulla cultura sono letti alla luce di una sorta di superiorità tedesca (la frase secondo cui i tedeschi sono eredi dei greci, la cui filosofia e cultura Mommsen ritiene superiore a quella italica, mentre gli italiani non sono mai stati poeti di alto livello... fa sorridere se pensiamo a Dante, Petrarca... e alla enorme differenza che esiste tra greci e tedeschi. Oggi diciami che siamo tutti eredi dei Greci e anche dei Romanim in quanti Europei). In questo senso, dicevo, il testo insegna a noi posteri anche il quadro del dibattito culturale tra '800 e '900, intriso appunto di pregiudizi su popoli e razze, su presunte superiorità, che poi ahimé porteranno a certi estremi. E il Mommsen era un liberale. Quindi se un liberale aveva queste idee (oggi quasi ridicole) immaginiamoci quale dovesse essere il dibattito tra i monarchici e tra quelle forze estremiste che poi avranno il loro peso nei decenni successivi. Insomma, un testo assolutamente fondamentale per la storia antica ma che sente tutti i suoi anni e ha il limite di una impostazione non totalmente scientifica ed eccessivamente giudicante. Tanto di cappello comunque a uno studioso di importanza mondiale.
Read
November 15, 2022This very lengthy abridgment of a segment of the author’s multi volume history of Rome was enough of a challenge to work through. It certainly reinforced my understanding of the events and nature of the eras. While the writing was a bit convoluted, it was good to have an author who expresses his perspective. There are probably too many excellent, more recent explorations of the aspects of Roman history for me to commit to reading the full set of volumes, but it is good to know they are there!
March 31, 2022
Großartig. Aufschlussreiche Analysen und eine wundervolle Sprache. Passt hervorragend zu Robert Fabris Werken oder eine Runde Rome: Total War.
August 25, 2025
The first book is very dry, with tons of words and locations that you have never heard of, if you are not somewhat familiar with the history of Italy. But if you can get passed the first book, you will be blessed with one of the best history book of all time.
June 8, 2024
Umfassend, detailiert, faktenreich, aber trockener als zwei Wochen altes panis.
January 26, 2014
A great read. The book is an adaptation of the fourth and fifth books of Mommsen's massive work, covering the history of Rome from the end of the Third Punic War to the death of Caesar.
It reads easily, mostly because Mommsen presents this time as a unified drama: the decay of the Roman republic to an oligarchy and the different assaults on the entrenched oligarchs of the Senate by the Gracchi brothers, Marius, and finally and successfully, by Caesar.
It is also entertaining because his judgments on individual characters wind through the entire work and have all the delicacy of a chainsaw; he repeatedly castigates Cicero, Cato, and Pompey. His heavy-handedness is annoying at times, especially to one who loves Cicero the author and has sympathies with Cato. His judgment of Pompey as a mediocre man was the most startling, though, as it is difficult to reconcile with his own descriptions of Pompey's achievements as a general. Mommsen finishes his work with an extensive and fascinating analysis of Caesar, whom he reveres.
It reads easily, mostly because Mommsen presents this time as a unified drama: the decay of the Roman republic to an oligarchy and the different assaults on the entrenched oligarchs of the Senate by the Gracchi brothers, Marius, and finally and successfully, by Caesar.
It is also entertaining because his judgments on individual characters wind through the entire work and have all the delicacy of a chainsaw; he repeatedly castigates Cicero, Cato, and Pompey. His heavy-handedness is annoying at times, especially to one who loves Cicero the author and has sympathies with Cato. His judgment of Pompey as a mediocre man was the most startling, though, as it is difficult to reconcile with his own descriptions of Pompey's achievements as a general. Mommsen finishes his work with an extensive and fascinating analysis of Caesar, whom he reveres.
September 7, 2007
one of the great
Read
August 19, 2012It is a great book on ancient Rome !
July 1, 2016
Took me year, certainly worth it.
Read
December 3, 2018Interessante nella prima parte, ma diventa poi un poco noioso. Ristabilisce l'importanza degli etruschi nella storia e nell'arte.
August 5, 2020
A well-written documentation of the Roman military occupation projects in Germany, Gaul, Britain, and the Balcan.
May 25, 2021
Immer noch ein Standardwerk.
July 16, 2021
So boring, didn't even come close to finishing.
December 30, 2021
Bad quality scan
This is a bad quality scan and not an e-book. Not worth buying. There are e-book versions of the same book.
This is a bad quality scan and not an e-book. Not worth buying. There are e-book versions of the same book.
February 2, 2023
Reads like a textbook. Still, a great resource for research and / or term paper. Enjoy!
June 5, 2023
Nobelprijs 1902. Dit was niet om door te komen. Heb het na enkele tientallen pagina's weggelegd.
April 29, 2024
onestamente abbandonato dopo i primi capitoli, con ancora Augusto che pacifica la Germania. sarà un limite mio ma il susseguirsi di evento con il tono piatto di un libro di scuola anche no.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews