Chronicle of the Roman Emperors: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers of Imperial Rome (Chronicles) - Softcover

Scarre, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0500289891 ISBN 13: 9780500289891

Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd, 2012

Synopsis

This is a highly readable history and a unique work of reference. Focusing on the succession of the rulers of imperial Rome, it uses timelines with at-a-glance visual guides to each reign and its main events. Biographical portraits of the 56 principal emperors from Augustus to Constantine, together with a concluding section on the later emperors, build into a highly readable single-volume history of imperial Rome. Biographical information is illustrated with busts of each emperor, coin portraits, battle plans and cutaway diagrams of imperial monuments. Supporting datafiles for every emperor list key information such as name at birth, wives and children, full imperial titles and place and manner of death. Genealogical trees and over 90 sidebars and special features on subjects ranging from Neros Golden House to Diocletians Palace allow the reader to delve even deeper. Colourful contemporary judgments by such writers as Suetonius and Tacitus are balanced by judicious character assessments made in the light of modern research. The famous and the infamous Caligula and Claudius, Trajan and Caracalla receive their due, while lesser names emerge clearly from the shadows for the first time. Chronicle of the Roman Emperors is at once a book to be enjoyed as popular history, an essential work of reference, and a source of visual inspiration, bringing to life one of the most powerful and influential empires the world has ever known. A valuable volume providing a nice blend of information and entertainment Teaching History Marvellous New Scientist

About this title

Review:

A fine chronicle which will prove hard to put down.

Gossipy, yes; readable, certainly: but excellent on the politics and social history, too, with first-rate maps ... the very best kind of popular, illustrated history --The Good Book Guide

Expertly unpicks the tangled imperial lineage ... Scarre provides lively detail. --The Independent

From the Back Cover:

Chronicle of the Roman Emperors is the first book to focus on the succession of rulers of imperial Rome, using timelines and other visual aids throughout. Now no one need be in any doubt as to who built the Colosseum or when Rome was sacked by the Goths: the Chronicle provides the answers, quickly and authoritatively. This is only one aspect, however, of the book's value. The biographical portraits of the 56 principal emperors from Augustus to Constantine, together with a concluding section on the later emperors, build into a highly readable single-volume history of imperial Rome. Colorful contemporary judgments by writers such as Suetonius and Tacitus are balanced by judicious character assessments made in the light of modern research. The famous and the infamous - Caligula and Claudius, Trajan and Caracalla - receive their due, while lesser names emerge clearly from the shadows for the first time. In addition to timelines detailing major events, each emperor is introduced by a coin portrait, a bust and a datafile listing key information, such as name at birth, full imperial titles, and place and manner of death. Numerous special features supplement the main narrative.

About this edition

• Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0500289891
• ISBN 13: 9780500289891
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240