Select Documents of the Principates of the Flavian Emperors


Book Description

This volume was first published in 1966. Its authors, M. McCrum and A. G. Woodhead, were both fellows of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Here, they have produced a thorough and far-reaching compilation of literature dating from the Flavian dynasty and the year of revolution. By choosing to provide numerous texts, rather than reprinting fewer extracts accompanied by longer commentaries, the authors have ensured that their work will capture the interest of any classical scholar, as well as serving as an incredibly valuable reference work for academic research. McCrum and Woodhead's volume contains documents on topics such as the imperial family and household, the army and navy, and the Empire's cities and governance, amongst others. This volume will thus appeal to scholars of the Roman Empire in general, and of the years AD 68-96 more specifically.




Aspects of Roman History AD 14–117


Book Description

Aspects of Roman History AD14–117 charts the history of the Roman Imperial period, from the establishment of the Augustan principate to the reign of Trajan, providing a basic chronological framework of the main events and introductory outlines of the major issues of the period. The first half of the book outlines the linear development of the Roman Empire, emperor by emperor, accenting the military and political events. The second half of the book concentrates on important themes which apply to the period as a whole, such as the religious, economic and social functioning of the Roman Empire. It includes: a discussion of the primary sources of Roman Imperial history clearly laid out chapters on different themes of the Roman Empire such as patronage, religion, the role of the senate, the army and the position of women and slaves designed for easy cross-referencing with the chronological outline of events maps and illustrations a guide to further reading. Richard Alston's highly accessible book is designed specifically for students with little previous experience of studying ancient/Roman history. Aspects of Roman History provides an invaluable introduction to Roman Imperial history, which will allow students to gain an overview of the period and will be an indispensable aid to note-taking, essay preparation and examination revision.










A Companion to the Flavian Age of Imperial Rome


Book Description

A Companion to the Flavian Age of Imperial Rome provides a systematic and comprehensive examination of the political, economic, social, and cultural nuances of the Flavian Age (69–96 CE). Includes contributions from over two dozen Classical Studies scholars organized into six thematic sections Illustrates how economic, social, and cultural forces interacted to create a variety of social worlds within a composite Roman empire Concludes with a series of appendices that provide detailed chronological and demographic information and an extensive glossary of terms Examines the Flavian Age more broadly and inclusively than ever before incorporating coverage of often neglected groups, such as women and non-Romans within the Empire




Roman Tragedy


Book Description

The first detailed cultural and theatrical history of a major literary form, this landmark introduction examines Roman tragedy and its place at the centre of Rome’s cultural and political life. Analyzing the work of such names as Ennius, Pacuvius and Accius, as well as Seneca and his post-Neronian successors, Anthony J. Boyle delves into detailed discussion on every Roman tragedian whose work survives in substance today. Roman Tragedy examines: the history of Roman tragic techniques and conventions the history of generic form and change the debt that Rome owes to Greece, and text owes to text the birth, development and death of Roman tragedy in the context of the cities evolving, institutions, ideologies and political and social practices tragedy proper and the historical drama (fabula praetexta), which the Romans allied to tragedy. With parallel English translations of Latin quotations, this seminal work not only provides an invaluable resource for students of theatre, Roman political history and cultural history, but it is also accessible to all interested in the social dynamics of writing, spectacle, ideology and power.




Prodigality, Liberality and Meanness


Book Description

This monograph interprets the parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk. 15.11-32) in the light of Graeco-Roman popular moral philosophy. Luke's special parables are rarely studied in this way, but the results of this study are very fruitful. The unity of the parable is supported, and it is shown to be deeply concerned with a major Lukan theme: the right use of possessions. The whole parable is read in terms of the moral topos 'on covetousness', and shown to be an endorsement of the Graeco-Roman virtue of liberality, modified by the Christian virtue of compassion.




Trajan


Book Description

Did Trajan really deserve his reputation as the embodiment of all imperial virtues? Why did Dante, writing in the Middle Ages, place him in the sixth sphere of Heaven among the Just and Temperate rulers? In this, the only biography of Trajan available in English, Julian Bennett rigorously tests the substance of this glorious reputation. Surprisingly, for a Roman emperor, Trajan comes through the test with his reputation relatively intact.




How the Gospels Became History


Book Description

A compelling comparison of the gospels and Greco-Roman mythology which shows that the gospels were not perceived as myths, but as historical records Did the early Christians believe their myths? Like most ancient--and modern--people, early Christians made efforts to present their myths in the most believable ways. In this eye-opening work, M. David Litwa explores how and why what later became the four canonical gospels take on a historical cast that remains vitally important for many Christians today. Offering an in-depth comparison with other Greco-Roman stories that have been shaped to seem like history, Litwa shows how the evangelists responded to the pressures of Greco-Roman literary culture by using well-known historiographical tropes such as the mention of famous rulers and kings, geographical notices, the introduction of eyewitnesses, vivid presentation, alternative reports, and so on. In this way, the evangelists deliberately shaped myths about Jesus into historical discourse to maximize their believability for ancient audiences.




Vespasian


Book Description

From a pre-eminent biographer in the field, this volume examines the life and times of the emperor Vespasian and challenges the validity of his perennial good reputation and universally acknowledged achievements. Levick examines how this plebeian and uncharismatic Emperor restored peace and confidence to Rome and ensured a smooth succession, how he coped with the military, political and economic problems of his reign, and his evaluation of the solutions to these problems, before she finally examines his posthumous reputation. Now updated to take account of the past 15 years of scholarship, and with a new chapter on literature under the Flavians, Vespasian is a fascinating study for students of Roman history and the general classical enthusiast alike.