Ancient Romans

Children's Literature - Joyce Rice

The people of Rome built the first great empire of the western world. It is the first empire we remember studying as students, whether we have approached it from the biblical perspective, or a strictly historical perspective. We can learn much from exploring this topic. Readers will find a great deal of information about the Romans in the form of timelines, short facts, charts and definitions. However, much of the information is placed so tightly on the page that it will be difficult for upper elementary students to locate it. There is an index included, but it is not very thorough. Divisions of government and Roman society are presented within the text, but are not included in the index. This volume could be supplemental material for a classroom unit on the Roman period, but it will not be very beneficial in a general collection.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-This book is divided into sections that begin with a myth, followed by a double-page spread providing information about Roman culture and society. The introduction shares a two-page spread with the table of contents and background on ancient Rome as well as information on how the book works and a definition of myth. This beginning highlights what is lacking here: a clear sense of organization or progression. While the myths are interesting, they are not presented in any apparent order. The first one is about Aeneas but his story is not continued until the next to last myth. Long after the factual content has detailed the glories of a well-established Rome, the myth of the Battle of Champions appears. The factual content often refers to situations that have not been explained. And this lack of organization is equally apparent in the vivid illustrations. This is an attractive book, but looks aren't everything.-Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A collection of snippets of information that offer an overview of ancient Rome, from its legendary founding by Romulus and Remus to the overrunning of the Empire by Goths, Huns, and Vandals. Included is information about the emperors, religion, recreation, warfare, technology, and styles of the times; timelines give events occurring elsewhere in the world. The series' title, At a Glance, is somewhat inaccurate since the tiny pictures and small typeface require more than a casual glance. The maps are good, and the text is concise, but there is little in these pages that isn't covered in a dozen other books. (maps, charts, diagrams, chronologies, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)