Table Of Content2
The Romans
The Romans: An Introduction, 3rd edition is a concise, readable and comprehensive survey of
the civilization of ancient Rome. Covering more than 1,200 years of political, military and
cultural history, it explores the religion, society and daily life of the Romans, through a study
of their literature, art, architecture and technology.
This new edition contains extensive updated and revised material designed to evoke the
themes and debates which resonate in both the ancient and modern worlds: class struggles,
imperialism, constitutional power (checks and balances), the role of the family, slavery,
urbanization and religious tolerance.
New features include:
• Expanded historical coverage of republican history and the legacy of Rome.
• An expanded introduction to the ancient source materials, as well as a more focused and
analytical approach to the evidence, which are designed to engage the reader further in
his/her interaction and interpretation of the material.
• New maps and a greater variety of illustrations have been added, as well as updated
reading lists. A further appendix on Roman nomenclature has also been provided.
• The book’s successful website, www.routledge.com/cw/kamm, has been updated with
additional resources and images, including case studies which provide closer ‘tutorial’-
style treatment of specific topics and types of evidence.
Those with an interest in classical language, ancient history, Roman art, political and
economic systems or the concept of civilization as a whole will gain a greater understanding
of both the Romans and the model of a civilization that has shaped so many cultures.
3
4
Antony Kamm read Classics and English at Oxford University. He was Lecturer in
Publishing Studies at the University of Stirling 1988–95. His publications include the Collins
Biographical Dictionary of English Literature (1993), The Israelites: An Introduction (1999), The
Last Frontier: The Roman Invasions of Scotland (2004) and Julius Caesar: A Life (2006).
Abigail Graham is Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Warwick. She specializes
in the epigraphy and monumentality of the ancient world and conducts a biennial
postgraduate course in epigraphy for the British School at Rome. She has published The
Roman Empire: A Brief History (2008).
5
THE ROMANS
An Introduction
Third Edition
Antony Kamm
and
Abigail Graham
6
First published 1995
Second edition published 2008
This third edition published 2015
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2015 Abigail Graham and the estate of Antony Kamm; 2008 and 1995 the estate of
Antony Kamm.
The right of Abigail Graham and the estate of Antony Kamm to be identified as authors of
this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any
form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested
ISBN: 978-1-138-77667-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-77668-5 (pbk)
7
ISBN: 978-1-315-73992-2 (ebk)
Typeset in Avenir and Amasis
by Keystroke, Station Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton
8
To the memory of Antony Kamm: author, teacher and poet
Maioresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae
Virgil, Eclogue 1.84
9
CONTENTS
List of figures
List of maps
Acknowledgements
A note on ancient sources: caveat lector (reader beware)!
Companion website
General introductions and websites
1 THE ORIGINS OF ROME
Foundation legends and their sources
Aeneas arrives in Italy: Virgil and the Trojan Wars (c. 1250 BC)
The story of Romulus: Livy on the founding of Rome (753 BC)
Rome: centre of the universe
Etruscan influence
Rome under the kings: a city of mud
Further reading
2 THE REPUBLIC (510–60 BC)
The birth of the Roman constitution (509–281 BC)
Offices and assemblies in the Roman constitution
Law and order: Roman law and the struggle of the orders
The origins of empire: Roman warfare and imperialism (281–121 BC)
10
