New York Times Bestseller A New York Times Notable Book Named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Foreign Affairs, and Kirkus Reviews Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award (Nonfiction) Shortlisted for the Cundill Prize in Historical Literature Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize (History) A San Francisco Chronicle Holiday Gift Guide Selection A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice Selection A sweeping, "magisterial" history of the Roman Empire from one of our foremost classicists shows why Rome remains "relevant to people many centuries later" (Atlantic). In SPQR, an instant classic, Mary Beard narrates the history of Rome "with passion and without technical jargon" and demonstrates how "a slightly shabby Iron Age village" rose to become the "undisputed hegemon of the Mediterranean" (Wall Street Journal). Hailed by critics as animating "the grand sweep and the intimate details that bring the distant past vividly to life" (Economist) in a way that makes "your hair stand on end" (Christian Science Monitor) and spanning nearly a thousand years of history, this "highly informative, highly readable" (Dallas Morning News) work examines not just how we think of ancient Rome but challenges the comfortable historical perspectives that have existed for centuries. With its nuanced attention to class, democratic struggles, and the lives of entire groups of people omitted from the historical narrative for centuries, SPQR will to shape our view of Roman history for decades to come.

From the earliest hill tribes to the cultural peak of the Pax Romana, and finally to the Western Empire's chaotic decline - H. A. Guerber's history of Rome is superb for young readers. The legends that accompanied the founding of the Roman Republic were part of the popular consciousness; the twin boys Romulus and Remus, raised by a wolf, going on to found Rome. First ruled by kings, Rome transitioned to a republic, with a ruling Senate and offices. The author mixes legend with the known facts of the era; that Italy was divided into tribes such as the Etruscans and the Latins. The feuds between these groups were gradually consigned to the past, as all of Italy united under a single, Roman culture. Yet there were threats to the young nation; to the South, across the Meditteranean Sea, was the prosperous Carthage. To the north were the Gallic tribes. Overcoming these established Rome as the strongest power of Europe. However, political infighting led to the end of the Republic's government: beginning with Augustus, Rome was an Empire - with very much political power concentrated in the hands of the Emperor. In this illustrated and well-written history, H. A. Guerber successfully summarizes the feats and accomplishments of classical Rome.

A major new history of the spectacular rise and fall of the ancient world's greatest empire

A. Katherine Grieb insightfully traces the argument of Paul's letter to the Romans and shows how it is grounded in the story of God's faithfulness to Israel. She draws together a number of crucial insights: the narrative character of Paul's thought, the apocalyptic message of his gospel, the depth of his engagement with Israel's Scripture, and the practical and political impact of his theology. She demonstrates the letter's relevance today and invites contemporary readers to locate their own stories within Paul's account of God's righteousness. Informed by recent Pauline scholarship, this book will be useful to scholars, students, and pastors.

A vibrant portrait of a lost world, 'Lives of the Romans' reveals the mightiest civilization of antiquity through the eyes of 100 of its citizens. The book gives a voice not just to Rome's most famous generals and rulers, such as Caesar and Caligula, but also to her builders and sculptors, her poets, historians, gladiators, shepherds, slaves and courtesans. Exploring every level of society and using the latest archaeological evidence as well as ancient texts, the authors build up a picture of what it meant to be a Roman citizen. Note: The ebook edition includes the complete text of the printed book without illustrations

Explores what life was like in ancient Roman times.