WHY GOING TO ROME IS IMPORTANT
The descendants of the first settlers on the hills overlooking a ford across the Tiber River eventually controlled most of Europe, the Near East, and North Africa for centuries. Still today, a millennium and a half later, the legacy of this extraordinary achievement by the Romans exerts a powerful influence in a rich variety of spheres worldwide—not least among them, architecture, art, language, literature, law, and religion. Although the writings and material remains that survive are inevitably no more than a tiny, random sample of what once existed, there is still quite enough to impress and engage us, and to permit a fair degree of insight into many dimensions of the nature and development of Roman civilization. Of course there are aspects— related to politics or strategy or social practices, to name only three areas—which we can never hope to understand fully.
Even so, that does not deter a large body of interested inquirers from continuing to formulate questions and discuss answers as part of an ongoing dialogue. This activity has proved especially fruitful since the mid-nineteenth century: From then onwards, at an increasing pace, advances in scholarship, technology, and exploration have hugely improved the control and appreciation of the material at our disposal. These advances have also led to many exciting new discoveries, as well as stimulating ventures into fresh areas of inquiry over a broader range than ever. The expanding pursuit of inquiry, discovery, and (re)evaluation is sure to continue. Current knowledge, interests, and opinions are by no means fixed or exhausted; each generation chooses its own mix of elements in Roman history.
The distinctiveness of this book lies in its synthesis of the Roman state’s changing character and expansion from earliest beginnings to the fourth century A.D.
The archaeological scope would be the evolving nature of the Roman com¬munity, its state institutions, and forms of rule, together with its expansion and some of the consequences. Next to no background knowledge would be expected, nor any acquaintance with languages (ancient or modern) other than English. For Rome’s history to unfold most meaningfully for newcomers to it, we concluded that the presentation needed to be mainly, though by no means invariably, narra¬tive.
Yet since we are covering a truly vast canvas in terms of time, space, and hu¬man interaction, many topics and trends can only be touched on here, despite the fact that it would in principle be possible to discuss them at length in their own right. An important feature that distinguishes our treatment from others now available is that its focus on Rome’s political and institutional history is coupled with an awareness of how such a narrative is inseparable from social, cultural, economic, art hisstorical, and other types of history.
In Transit
A Guide to Intelligent Travel
A Floating Safari in Bostwana
8 Feb 2010 at 5:30pm
by By HUGH RYAN
The Zambezi Queen offers luxury river cruises down the Chobe River in Botswana.
High Tech on the High Seas
8 Feb 2010 at 5:00pm
by By ELAINE GLUSAC
Social media networks and mobile apps are popping up on cruises.
Travel Deals: Flight Sale to 16 European Cities
8 Feb 2010 at 2:41pm
by By ALLISON BUSACCA
Aer Lingus, an Irish airline, is having a European Spring Sale on flights from New York or Boston to 16 European cities.
Passengers Must Pay for Blankets on American
8 Feb 2010 at 12:44pm
by By MICHELLE HIGGINS
American Airlines plans to sell an $8 packet that includes a pillow and blanket starting May 1.
Surface to Air Flagship Shop Surfaces in Paris
8 Feb 2010 at 6:00am
by By SUZY EVANS
Creativity equals capital. That's the vision of Surface to Air, a multidisciplinary company combining efforts in fashion, film, photography, music, film, and graphics. Now the group has a flagship retail location in the Marais, which opened late last month.
Out With the Ox, in With the Tiger
7 Feb 2010 at 6:00am
by By JULIE MAKINEN
The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, will soon be upon us (and with it, the Year of the Tiger), and Hong Kong has one of the most elaborate celebrations in the world. Here's a quick guide to the festivities in the city.
Sunday Preview
5 Feb 2010 at 5:00pm
by By THE NEW YORK TIMES
The city is celebrating its 400th anniversary, but its heart and soul are the result of constant renewal.
Travel Deals: AirTran Flights From $44
5 Feb 2010 at 2:30pm
by By ALLISON BUSACCA
AirTran is offering discounted tickets to the "warmer climate of your choice," with flights starting as low as $44 one-way.
Making a Landing Without the Plane
5 Feb 2010 at 12:00pm
by By MICHELLE HIGGINS
What do you do if you find yourself free-falling from a plane without a parachute?
Parades, Horses and Art at Rome's Carnevale
5 Feb 2010 at 6:00am
by By GAIA PIANIGIANI
Carnival, the festive season before Lent, is celebrated around the world, and Rome is no exception. In fact, over the last couple of years, the city has taken the revelry up a few notches.
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