Reading list for Roman history

Revision as of 03:51, 24 December 2007

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A course in Roman history

This section is based on MIT's OpenCourseWare "The Ancient World: Rome, Spring 2005".

Textbook

The Romans: from village to empire

Boatwright, M.T., et al.. (2004). New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195118758

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Recommended Texts

The Golden Ass

Apuleius. (1999). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192838881
Translated with introduction and notes by P. G. Walsh.
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The Rise of Rome: Books 1-5

Livy. (1999). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192822969
Translated with introduction and notes by T. J. Luce.
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Roman Lives

Plutarch. (1999). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 019282502X
Translated by Robin Waterfield with introduction and notes by Philip A. Stadter.
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Lives of the Caesars

Suetonius. (2000). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192832719
Translated with introduction and notes by Catharine Edwards.
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The Annals of Imperial Rome

Tacitus. (1996). London: Penguin Books. ISBN 0140440607
Translated with introduction by Michael Grant
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Additional Readings

Roman Civilization. 3rd ed. Vol. 1

Lewis, Naphtali, and Meyer Reinhold, eds.. (1990). New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231071302
Paperback
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Roman Civilization. 3rd ed. Vol. II

Lewis, Naphtali, and Meyer Reinhold, eds.. (1990). New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231071329
Paperback
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As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History 2nd ed.

Shelton, Jo-Ann, ed.. (1997). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 019508974X

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Res Gestae Divi Augusti: The Achievements of the Divine Augustus

Augustus. (1967). London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198317727
With introduction and commentary by P. A. Brunt, and J. M. Moore. (Read a version of this text online.)
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Apocolocyntosis

Seneca. (1984). Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521288363
Eden, P. T., ed.
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Letters of the Younger Pliny

Pliny, the Younger, Betty Radice (Translator). (1963). New York: Penguin Classics. ISBN 0140441271
Reissue edition.
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General

The Oxford History of the Roman World

J. Boardman, J. Griffin, O. Murray. (2001). ISBN 0192802038
Paperback
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Early Rome

Etruscan Life and Afterlife : A Handbook of Etruscan Studies 

(Larissa Bonfante (Editor) / Paperback / 1987 / ISBN 0814318134). While it doesn't specifically deal with Classical Rome, the Etruscans were important contributors to the Roman conception of death, religion, and the afterlife. An important foundational work.

International Law in Archaic Rome: War and Religion 

(Alan Watson / Hardcover / 1993 / ISBN 0801845068). This excellent resource is essentially about the Fetiales, the priests whose duties included the maintenance of international relations; treaties, declarations of war, etc. A must-read for anyone aspiring to become a member of the Fetiales. (FVG)

The Classical Foundations of Modern Historiography 

(Arnaldo D. Momigliano, Riccardo Di Donato/ Sather Classical Lectures, No 54 / Published 1992 / ISBN 0520078705)

The Foundation of Rome: Myth and History 

(Alexandre Grandazzi, Jane Marie Todd / Cornel University Press / Published 1997 / ISBN 080143114X) "The Foundation of Rome is one of the few intelligent books on the subject, neither hypercritical nor visionary; its particular strength lies in the skillful interweaving of modern historiography and ideology with ancient history."--Jerzy Linderski, University of North Carolina

History of Earliest Italy 

(Massimo Pallotino, Martin Ryle, Kate Soper / Jerome Lectures 17th, University of Michigan / Published 1991 / ISBN 0472100971)

The Beginnings of Rome 

(T. J. Cornell / Routledge/ 1995 / ISBN 0415015960) This beautifully written study is the most comprehensive study of Rome from 753 BC to 264 BC. It is an importnat synthesis of the many develoments in research over the last couple of decades. It adheres closely to the available sources, dealing with economic, social, literary and religous history, as well as telling the story of internal politics and foreign policy. A major student text.

Roman Life and Society

Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome 

(Lesley and Roy Adkins / Hard Cover / Updated edition (March 2004) / ISBN 0816050260). An invaluable guide to daily life in Rome, from the earliest days of the Regal era to the 6th century. See also the Dictionary of Roman Religion by the same authors. Also available in paperback: ISBN 0195123328.

Intellectual History

Intellectual Life in the Roman Republic: Elizabeth Rawson/Johns Hopkins University Press 1984/ISBN 0801828996

Emotion, restraint, and community in ancient Rome: Robert A. Kaster/Oxford University Press 2005/ISBN 0195140788

Reference

A Dictionary of the Roman Empire 

(M. Bunson / Paperback / 1995 / ISBN 0195102339). Provides a good overview of many topics, and has in-depth articles on some others. A good place to begin researches on specific topics, with bibliographical source information included. (FVG)

The Oxford Classical Dictionary 

(3rd ed. revised S. Hornblower (Ed.), A. Spawforth (Ed.) / Hardcover / 2003 / ISBN 0198606419). The standard reference work on the entire classical world.

The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome 

(Christopher Scarre, Chris Scarre / Hardcover / 1995 / ISBN 0140513299). The Penguin Historical Atlas series is famous for being clear and concise, and the Ancient Rome volume is no exception. Don't expect too much in-depth analysis, but the plethora of illustrations and maps make it a worthy addition to any Roman library. (FVG)

Primary Sources

A selected reading list.

Titus Livius

The Early History of Rome : Books I-V of the History of Rome from its Foundation (Penguin Classics)

A. de Selincourt trans.. (1960). ISBN 0140441042
Paperback
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Rome and Italy : Books VI-X of the History of Rome from its Foundation (Penguin Classics)

B. Radice trans.. (1982). ISBN 0140443886
Paperback
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The War with Hannibal : Books XXI-XXX of the History of Rome from its Foundation (Classics S.)

A. de Selincourt trans.. (1965). ISBN 014044145X
Paperback
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Rome and the Mediterranean : Books XXXI-XLV of the History of Rome from its Foundation (Penguin Classics)

A. de Selincourt trans.. (1976). ISBN 0140443185
Paperback
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