Ancient Rome

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--A lavishly illustrated introduction to Roman culture and history. Although there isn't enough material for school reports, this is one of the most attractive additions to an ever-growing list of titles about ancient cultures. Well-designed double-page spreads cover history, government, religion, social customs, and leading personalities. One four-page gatefold depicts the ancient rock of Masada. A chronological listing of emperors is included. Full-color drawings and photographs of sculptures, reliefs, and frescoes fill in some of the details. There's nothing new here, but the combination of a well-written, lucid text and vivid illustrations may encourage curious students to move on to more solid sources. A good choice if basic, introductory material is needed.--Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR

Kirkus Reviews

A portrait of ancient Rome, divided into four sections: "The Roman World," "Living in the Empire," "Expansion and Empire," and "The Fall of Rome." Along the way it covers the usual topics for this type of book—family life, education, farming—as well as more unusual topics, including the siege of Masada, appearing in a beautifully done four-page fold-out. Following the Nature Company Discoveries Library format, this is lavishly illustrated, both with full-color reproductions of original paintings and with photographs of Roman antiquities (though a few are too small to view well). The text is clear and interesting, but brief; the book is an introduction, and readers who want more in-depth coverage will have to look elsewhere.