Empire of the Romans From Julius Caesar to Justinian: Six Hundred Years of Peace and War, Volume I: A History

A wide-ranging survey of the history of the Roman Empire—from its establishment to decline and beyond

Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinian provides a sweeping historical survey of the Roman empire. Uncommonly expansive in its chronological scope, this unique two-volume text explores the time period encompassing Julius Caesar’s death in 44 BCE to the end of Justinian’s reign six centuries later. Internationally-recognized author and scholar of Roman history John Matthews balances broad historical narrative with discussions of important occurrences in their thematic contexts. This integrative approach helps readers learn the timeline of events, understand their significance, and consider their historical sources.

Defining the time period in a clear, yet not overly restrictive manner, the text reflects contemporary trends in the study of social, cultural, and literary themes. Chapters examine key points in the development of the Roman Empire, including the establishment of empire under Augustus, Pax Romana and the Antonine Age, the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, and the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Discussions of the Justinianic Age, the emergence of Byzantium, and the post-Roman West help readers understand the later Roman world and its impact on the subsequent history of Europe. Written to be used as standalone resource or in conjunction with its companion Volume II: Selective Anthology, this innovative textbook:

• Combines accessible narrative exposition with thorough examination of historical source material
• Provides well-rounded coverage of Roman economy, society, law, and literary and philosophical culture
• Offers content taken from the author’s respected Roman Empire survey courses at Yale and Oxford University
• Includes illustrations, maps and plans, and chapter-by-chapter bibliographical essays

Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinian is a valuable text for survey courses in Roman history as well as general readers interested in the 600 year time frame of the empire.

JOHN MATTHEWS is Professor Emeritus of Classics and History, Yale University, USA. He received his PhD from Oxford University in 1969 and taught Greek and Roman history at Oxford for many years before moving to Yale in 1996. He was elected Fellow of the British Academy in 1990. He is author of many books including Western Aristocracies and Imperial Court, A.D. 364-425, The Roman Empire of Ammianus,??Laying Down the Law: A Study of the Theodosian Code, and Roman Perspectives: Studies in the social, political and cultural history of the First to Fifth Centuries. He is also co-author of the acclaimed Atlas of the Roman World.

Preface

List of Figures

PART I: BUILDING AN EMPIRE

I Introduction: The Roman Republic and its Discontents

II The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

III Caesar’s Heir

IV The New Order

V Succession, and the Nature of the Imperial Office

VI The Julio-Claudian Dynasty: Loyalty and Dissent

PART II: PAX ROMANA: “A POLITE AND POWERFUL EMPIRE”

VII Frontiers and Provinces

VIII From Flavians to Severi

VIIII The Age of the Antonines

X Religious Change and Early Christianity

PART III: RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

XI Into an Age of Iron

XII Political Change and the Roman Economy

XIII Diocletian and the Tetrarchy

PART IV: A NEW EMPIRE

XIV The Ascendancy of Constantine

XV Cities of Constantine: Constantinople, Rome, Jerusalem

XVI The House of Constantine

XVII Julian, Hellenism and Christianity

XVIII Christianity and Roman Society

XVIIII The Late Roman State

XX Rome and the Barbarian World

PART V: FACING THE FUTURE

XXI The Fall of Rome

XXII Into a post-Roman World

XXIII East and West after the Fall of Rome

XXIV Royalty at Ravenna

XXV Dialogues with the Past; the Reign of Justinian

XXVI  Retrospective

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