“The dramatic story of the soldiers at the heart of the Roman empire . . . traces the history of the praetorians and the emperors they served.”—Adrian Goldsworthy, author of Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors Founded by Augustus around 27 B.C., the elite Praetorian Guard was tasked with the protection of the emperor and his family. As the centuries unfolded, however, Praetorian soldiers served not only as protectors and enforcers but also as powerful political players. Fiercely loyal to some emperors, they vied with others and ruthlessly toppled those who displeased them, including Caligula, Nero, Pertinax, and many more. Guy de la Bédoyère provides a compelling first full narrative history of the Praetorians, whose dangerous ambitions ceased only when Constantine permanently disbanded them. de la Bédoyère introduces Praetorians of all echelons, from prefects and messengers to artillery experts and executioners. He explores the delicate position of emperors for whom prestige and guile were the only defenses against bodyguards hungry for power. Folding fascinating details into a broad assessment of the Praetorian era, the author sheds new light on the wielding of power in the greatest of the ancient world’s empires. “Any future researcher into the subject will certainly begin here.”—The Times (London) “A lively and up-to-date history of the Praetorian Guard, the anti-coup divisions of the Roman emperors from Augustus to Constantine. De la Bédoyère tells their story with clarity and panache, and his book can be most warmly recommended both to aspiring tyrants and the ordinary armchair historian.”—The Sunday Times “Fast paced and engaging.”—The Sunday Telegraph “A definitive and highly readable account.”—Tom Holland, author of Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic

The figure of Sejanus has fascinated from ancient to more modern times. Sejanus, the emperor Tiberius' infamous Praetorian Prefect, is synonymous with overreaching ambition, murder, conspiracy and betrayal. According to the traditional storyline, this man craved the imperial throne for himself and sought it by isolating the naive emperor in his island pleasure palace on Capri whilst using his control over the Praetorian Guard, coupled with his immense power and influence in Rome, to purge the capital of potential opponents. His victims supposedly included the emperor's son, Drusus, poisoned by his own wife who had been seduced by Sejanus. The emperor, forewarned of Sejanus' ambition, struck first. The Prefect was arrested in the Senate, strangled and his corpse cast down the Gemonian Stairs. Study of Sejanus has generally been overshadowed by focus on Tiberius. John McHugh makes a fresh appraisal of the sources to offer the first full-length study in English to focus on this highly influential figure and his development of the Praetorian Prefecture.

The Collected Works of Edward Gibbon is a monumental literary achievement, encompassing Gibbon's celebrated magnum opus, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. This seminal work offers a meticulous and comprehensive account of the Roman Empire's collapse, blending historical analysis with philosophical reflections. Gibbon's narrative style is characterized by its elegance, clarity, and erudition, making it a cornerstone of historical literature. The collection also includes Gibbon's lesser-known works, shedding light on his diverse interests and intellectual prowess. Overall, the Collected Works showcase Gibbon's unmatched ability to engage readers with complex historical themes, making it a must-read for scholars and history enthusiasts alike. Edward Gibbon, a renowned historian and member of the Enlightenment era, was uniquely positioned to undertake such a monumental historical project. His meticulous research, insightful commentary, and engaging narrative style set him apart as a leading figure in the field of history. Gibbon's intellectual curiosity and dedication to scholarship shine through in his works, establishing him as a foundational figure in the study of ancient history. I highly recommend The Collected Works of Edward Gibbon to anyone seeking a deep dive into the history of the Roman Empire and the wider implications of historical decline. Gibbon's masterful storytelling and rigorous analysis make this collection an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the complexities of historical narratives.

DigiCat presents to you this carefully created collection of Edward Gibbon's historical works, memoirs & letters. This ebook has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. He is best known for his book, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The work covers the history of the Roman Empire, Europe, and the Catholic Church from 98 to 1590 and discusses the decline of the Roman Empire in the East and West. Because of its relative objectivity and heavy use of primary sources, unusual at the time, its methodology became a model for later historians. This led to Gibbon being called the first modern historian of ancient Rome. Table of Contents: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Memoirs of My Life and Writings Private Letters of Edward Gibbon Gibbon - Biography by J. C. Morison

This unique collection of Edward Gibbon's history books, essays & autobiographical writings has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards. Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. He is best known for his book, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The work covers the history of the Roman Empire, Europe, and the Catholic Church from 98 to 1590 and discusses the decline of the Roman Empire in the East and West. Because of its relative objectivity and heavy use of primary sources, unusual at the time, its methodology became a model for later historians. This led to Gibbon being called the first modern historian of ancient Rome. Table of Contents: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Memoirs of My Life and Writings Private Letters of Edward Gibbon Gibbon - Biography by J. C. Morison

This book analyzes the decay of Liberal politics in Spain as the regional version of the general crisis that engulfed most of Europe between 1916 and 1923. Romero enriches the important wider debate about this watershed period of European history when, in the face of unprecedented mass social protest and political mobilization, incumbent governing elites struggled to find a valid formula of social containment in the dawning of mass politics which also saw the spread of the radical new doctrines of Bolshevism and Fascism. Above all, this book examines Spain’s "crisis of modernization," a process marked by complex social and political realignments through which the nature of civil society was profoundly altered. It resulted in an unprecedented spiral of violence and a polarization that firstly led to an authoritarian formula of social control in 1923, and ultimately to the outbreak of civil war in 1936.