Titus Livius (59 BCE – 17 CE), known as Livy, was a Roman teacher, writer and historian, and friend of the Emperor Augustus. Livy was a teenager during the time of civil wars throughout the Roman world, was educated in philosophy and rhetoric, and moved to Rome sometime in the 30s BC. After working as a teacher of rhetoric, he decided to forego teaching and write a history of the city. Using only traditions, official temple annals (which weren't entirely reliable) and personal records of illustrious families, Livy attempted to compile the most complete history of Rome from its creation to the reign of Tiberius. Nearly eight centuries of history originally comprised 142 books, of which barely a quarter have survived. Nevertheless, this monumental work paints a colorful picture of the grandeur of Rome; it is as much a narration as it is a history, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the Roman Empire and its citizens. Contained in this edition is the last of four volumes, comprising the extant works of Livy.
Inspired during a trip to Rome to write a work that would come to define a large portion of his life, Gibbon proceeded to write one of the most ambitious histories in the English language. «The History» is an epic narrative, comprised of six volumes, that covers thirteen centuries of Roman history. Beginning after Marcus Aurelius in 180 and concluding in 1453, Gibbon provides both the broad pattern and the illuminating details of this time period, covering an enormous number of characters and topics with insightful precision. The general objective of this history is to mark the gradual fall of the Roman Empire, stating many reasons for Rome's decay, from political decisions to religious behavior. Published between 1776 and 1788, «The History» has all of the detached irony and objective quality of eighteenth century prose, and it is additionally praised for its extensive and accurate use of reference materials. Gibbon's use of citations became the precursor to today's footnotes, providing entertaining commentary on both ancient Rome and the Great Britain of his own time. Now called the 'modern historian of ancient Rome,' Gibbon's bold work has become the model of most modern historians. Contained here is volume VI of VI, representing chapters LIX through LXXI and is extensively annotated by H. H. Milman.
"The Agricola and The Germania" are two important historical works by Cornelius Tacitus, an ancient Roman Senator and historian. The Agricola is a biography of the Roman general Gnaeus Julius Agricola as well as a geographic and ethnographic history of Ancient Britain. «The Germania» is an ethnographic study of the people believed by Tacitus to be part of the ancient Germanic tribes. While not as famous as Tacitus's «Annals» or «Histories», «The Agricola and The Germania» still remain as important first-hand documents of ancient history.
One of the more important works of the ancient Greek writer, soldier, and historian Xenophon, «Hellenica» is essentially a history of Greek occurrences from 411 to 362 BCE. It continues a similar account begun by Thucydides to detail the events of the Peloponnesian War. Xenophon is the principal source for today's historians on the last seven years of this war, including the Battle of Mantineia, as well as the war's aftermath. Written during Xenophon's retirement on his estate in Sparta, «Hellenica» is thought to be a personal work, intended for his friends, who were likely participants of many of the battles and knew the main warriors, political leaders, and events of the time. Through his more personal approach, this friend of Socrates proves his excellence as a writer with his masterful exposition, as well as his considerable ability as a historian with his memory for detail and breadth of topics. Ultimately, the result is a window into a turbulent period in the history of Greece, giving even today's readers an intimate, eye-opening view into the lives of the ancients.
Written in the early fourth century BCE by a gentleman and soldier from Athens, «Cyropaedia» is an account of Cyrus the Great that escapes a simple genre placement. It is a sort of historical, political, biographical, fictional romance, encapsulating the sweeping type of narrative characteristic of Xenophon's works. The overall portrait of Cyrus is artistic, offering glimpses of this huge figure's character. Organized into eight books, the entire life of Cyrus the Great is told, from his descent and education to his stay in the Median court, and eventually his own kingship and monarchical views. Considered an important piece of literature by many historical figures, from Edmund Spenser to the Founding Fathers, «Cyropaedia» is an ancient text that contains a timeless relevance.
Henry Adams (1838-1918), grandson of President John Quincy Adams and great-grandson of President John Adams, was a journalist, historian and novelist who, in 1919, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his autobiography «The Education of Henry Adams». One of his less well-known, but equally brilliant, novels was privately published in 1904: «Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres». American architect Ralph Adams Cram pushed for the public release of the novel in 1913, with the support of the American Institute of Architects. The work is a detailed exploration of medieval society, its poetry, mysticism and philosophy, written through his examination of Gothic architecture, sculpture and stained glass. The great cathedrals of France served as inspiration for this work, in which Adams also delves into the Catholic views of St. Michel, the ideology symbolized by St. Mary, the debate between William of Champaux and Peter Abelard, and the ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas. This work is a wonderful companion novel to the author's autobiography.
The great Roman poet Lucan (39–65 AD) is considered one of the most important Latin Poets of all time. His masterful epic «Pharsalia,» or «Civil War» chronicles the dynamic battle between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. The Great Civil War led to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Roman Empire. «Civil War» is divided into ten books, tracking Caesar's march to Rome, through Spain, and finally to Egpyt. The cast of characters is wide: Brutus, Cicero, and Cleopatra all have parts, creating a singular epic. The poem is rooted in history though Lucan uses his poetic gift to create a work of literature that is as symbolic and moving as it is informative. Lucan's clear and energetic verse brings one of the most important wars in history to life. The cruel and exacting Caesar is witnessed here like nowhere else in literature. Civil War brilliantly comments on violence, politics, and sacrifice. For the student of Roman history, Lucan's «Civil War» is an invaluable resource.
Inspired during a trip to Rome to write a work that would come to define a large portion of his life, Gibbon proceeded to write one of the most ambitious histories in the English language. «The History» is an epic narrative, comprised of six volumes, that covers thirteen centuries of Roman history. Beginning after Marcus Aurelius in 180 and concluding in 1453, Gibbon provides both the broad pattern and the illuminating details of this time period, covering an enormous number of characters and topics with insightful precision. The general objective of this history is to mark the gradual fall of the Roman Empire, stating many reasons for Rome's decay, from political decisions to religious behavior. Published between 1776 and 1788, «The History» has all of the detached irony and objective quality of eighteenth century prose, and it is additionally praised for its extensive and accurate use of reference materials. Gibbon's use of citations became the precursor to today's footnotes, providing entertaining commentary on both ancient Rome and the Great Britain of his own time. Now called the 'modern historian of ancient Rome,' Gibbon's bold work has become the model of most modern historians. Contained here is volume IV of VI, representing chapters XXXIX through XLVIII and is extensively annotated by H. H. Milman.
A Roman historian of Greek origin, Appian began writing his «Roman History» during the second century AD. Of the original twenty-four books only sections from half of these remain. Most importantly among these are books thirteen through seventeen, or the books that detail «The Civil Wars,» which stand out as the most comprehensive historical account of this period of Roman history. «The Civil Wars» covers the period from 133 to 70 BC, a tumultuous time in the history of Rome which we see the famed Catiline conspiracy, the rise of the first and second triumvirate, Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon and defeat of Pompey, and the dramatic struggle between Augustus Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. For students of Roman history there exists no better document of this important period of conflict in the Empire than Appian's «Civil Wars.»
Inspired during a trip to Rome to write a work that would come to define a large portion of his life, Gibbon proceeded to write one of the most ambitious histories in the English language. «The History» is an epic narrative, comprised of six volumes, that covers thirteen centuries of Roman history. Beginning after Marcus Aurelius in 180 and concluding in 1453, Gibbon provides both the broad pattern and the illuminating details of this time period, covering an enormous number of characters and topics with insightful precision. The general objective of this history is to mark the gradual fall of the Roman Empire, stating many reasons for Rome's decay, from political decisions to religious behavior. Published between 1776 and 1788, «The History» has all of the detached irony and objective quality of eighteenth century prose, and it is additionally praised for its extensive and accurate use of reference materials. Gibbon's use of citations became the precursor to today's footnotes, providing entertaining commentary on both ancient Rome and the Great Britain of his own time. Now called the 'modern historian of ancient Rome,' Gibbon's bold work has become the model of most modern historians. Contained here is volume I of VI, representing chapters I through XV and is extensively annotated by H. H. Milman.