School Library Journal
Gr 4-6-Condensing the more than 300-year Roman Empire into 36 pages would seem to be a daunting task. However, Nardo succeeds at providing a concise overview of the long and tumultuous history of events and the people who played large roles in their making. Beginning with the ascent of Augustus, which marked the end of the Roman Republic, the author briefly touches on rulers such as Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius and their roles in maintaining the Pax Romana. The excesses of Nero and Caligula are also described, but not in any detail, rather just as an example of the importance of good leadership. One chapter is devoted to the military, which seems logical, given the pivotal role control of the army came to play in Imperial politics. The final chapter, "Rediscovering the Ancient Romans," discusses the importance of archaeological discoveries in aiding our understanding of the past. Good illustrative material accompanies a clearly written text, but more maps would have been helpful.-David Pauli, Hillsboro Public Library, OR Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal
Gr 6-9-Ancient Greece describes the lives and times of such ancients as Alexander the Great, the noble Pericles, and the handsome but treacherous Alcibiades, whose betrayal of Athens changed the course of history. The Roman Republic begins with short introductions to the city's founding; the Roman character and society; and then details the Republic's myriad wars, leaders, and treacheries. Picking up at the end of the Republic, The Roman Empire chronicles the history of life under emperors who ranged from good (Antoninus), to bad (Nero), to insane (Caligula). In addition to the helpful timelines, all three volumes are highlighted by excerpts from primary and secondary sources: Plutarch's description of how Cleopatra ``auditioned'' deadly snakes and insects before picking the asp for her means of suicide (in Republic) and Juvenal's ominously familiar narration of the horrors of life during the days of the Empire (``Anyone who goes out to dinner without making a will is a fool'') are sure to fascinate readers. A user-friendly index and annotated lists of works consulted and suggestions for further reading add to the comprehensiveness of these titles.-Anita Palladino, Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, NY
Hazel Rochman
Part of the World History series (which also includes "Ancient Greece", "The Roman Republic", and "Hitler's Reich", this is an in-depth overview that lends itself well to curriculum use. From the glory of the Augustan Age to the fall of Rome, Nardo's history focuses on the role of the Caesars and also on the everyday life of the Romans, their citizens, and their slaves. The bright cover and rather large size of the volume suggest a middle-school audience, but the material is scholarly and detailed. The design is accessible, with black-and-white illustrations on every page and numerous boxed quotations, some from modern historians, others from the era (a bishop's account of the persecution of the Christians, a soldier's letter home, etc.). A map would have been useful, but all sources are carefully cited, and Nardo includes a time line and an excellent annotated bibliography.
