(no subject)
Several years ago I picked up a copy of Romans Without Laurels by Indro Montanelli at a used book store, and just now got around to reading it. I wish I had read it when I bought it. It would have made a very good introduction to Roman history. It covers most major events and players from before the founding to the fall, giving enough detail for it to make sense, but not so much that it gets bogged down. At times it's even slightly funny, especially for having been written in 1953. I don't like the way he often uses US dollar amounts rather than sestertii, etc, but I got over it. Any of you who have an interest in Roman history should read this.
From the introduction:
What makes the history of Rome great is not that it was made by men different from us, but that it was made by men like ourselves. There was nothing supernatural about them. If there had been, there would be less reason for us to admire them. Cicero and Carnelutti, the famous jurist, have a lot in common. Caesar as a young man was an utter blackguard, and all his life remained the woman-chaser who used to comb his hair over the top from the back and sides because he was ashamed of being bald. Augustus did not spend all his time like an automaton organizing the empire, but also having trouble with his colitis and rheumatism, and he very nearly lost his first battle against Brutus and Cassius owing to an attack of diarrhea.
And check this shit out:
Exquisite frescoes in the house of Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, will go on show after a 40-year restoration project. The modest villa, which stands on Palatine Hill overlooking the Forum was discovered in the early 1960s after a dig uncovered a small fragment of painted plaster.
From the introduction:
What makes the history of Rome great is not that it was made by men different from us, but that it was made by men like ourselves. There was nothing supernatural about them. If there had been, there would be less reason for us to admire them. Cicero and Carnelutti, the famous jurist, have a lot in common. Caesar as a young man was an utter blackguard, and all his life remained the woman-chaser who used to comb his hair over the top from the back and sides because he was ashamed of being bald. Augustus did not spend all his time like an automaton organizing the empire, but also having trouble with his colitis and rheumatism, and he very nearly lost his first battle against Brutus and Cassius owing to an attack of diarrhea.
And check this shit out:
Exquisite frescoes in the house of Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, will go on show after a 40-year restoration project. The modest villa, which stands on Palatine Hill overlooking the Forum was discovered in the early 1960s after a dig uncovered a small fragment of painted plaster.