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The Death of Caligula: Flavius Josephus

The emperor Gaius (‘Caligula’) was assassinated in January AD 41. It seemed that the dynasty of the Caesars was over, and republican rule restored; but a military coup by the Praetorian Guard set ... More

The emperor Gaius (‘Caligula’) was assassinated in January AD 41. It seemed that the dynasty of the Caesars was over, and republican rule restored; but a military coup by the Praetorian Guard set up Gaius’ uncle Claudius as emperor. A detailed contemporary account of the plot and its aftermath was incorporated by the historian Josephus into his Antiquities of the Jews, as an example of the providence of God (if Gaius had lived, he would have desecrated the temple at Jerusalem). This book is a translation of that unjustly neglected narrative, one of the most important texts in Roman imperial history, with an introduction and historical commentary to bring out its full significance. Two appendices provide detailed discussion of (1) the scene of the events, the imperial residence on the Palatine, of which our understanding has been revolutionised in the last few years by new archaeological evidence, and (2) the Roman historian Cluvius Rufus, the likely author of the original account used by Josephus.Less

Domestic Wooden Artefacts: In Britain and Ireland from Neolithic to Viking Times

Caroline Earwood

This book traces the changing styles and manufacturing techniques of domestic wooden artefacts in Britain and Ireland from the Neolithic age to the time of the Vikings. A surprising number of these ... More

This book traces the changing styles and manufacturing techniques of domestic wooden artefacts in Britain and Ireland from the Neolithic age to the time of the Vikings. A surprising number of these items have survived — some as ancient as 6,000 years old — in wet and waterlogged places such as wells and bogs. The book attempts to answer questions about who made the many and varied objects, who used them, and how their style and decoration compare with pottery, metal and stone artefacts from the same period. It also examines the continued use of ancient techniques as late as the twentieth century.Less

The Emperors' Needles: Egyptian Obelisks and Rome

Susan Sorek

Obelisks, originally associated with the sun cult, had their heyday between 2000 and 1500 bc, when they adorned the Nile's banks and proclaimed the splendour of the pharaohs. Today, only twenty-seven ... More

Obelisks, originally associated with the sun cult, had their heyday between 2000 and 1500 bc, when they adorned the Nile's banks and proclaimed the splendour of the pharaohs. Today, only twenty-seven Egyptian obelisks remain standing and they are scattered in various locations throughout the world. Rome, with thirteen, boasts more than anywhere else, including Egypt itself. These monolithic structures can be seen in every corner of the ‘Eternal City’ and still hold a fascination for all who gaze upon them. This book is intended as a general guide to the obelisks that have found their way to the four corners of the earth. It examines the interest shown in them by the Roman emperors; it discusses each obelisk in detail, and traces individual histories and anecdotes concerning their journeys from Egypt.Less

Greek Tyranny

Sian Lewis

The tyrants of Greece are some of the most colourful figures in antiquity, notorious for their luxury, excess and violence, and provoking heated debates among political thinkers. This book examines ... More

The tyrants of Greece are some of the most colourful figures in antiquity, notorious for their luxury, excess and violence, and provoking heated debates among political thinkers. This book examines the phenomenon of autocratic rule outside the law in archaic and classical Greece, offering a new interpretation of the nature of tyranny. The development of tyrannical government is examined in theory and in practice, embracing lesser-known rulers such as the tagoi of Thessaly and the Hecatomnids of Halicarnassus, as well as canonical figures like the Pisistratid rulers of Athens and the Dionysii at Syracuse. The book considers the different forms that sole rulership took – the violent usurper, the appointed magistrate, the general and the Hellenistic king – and the responses which tyranny evoked, both from the citizens of the polis and from intellectuals such as Plato and Aristotle. The author replaces the longstanding theory of an ‘age of tyranny’ in Greece with new arguments, suggesting that tyranny was a positive choice for many Greek states.Less

Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy

Dexter Hoyos

As Carthage's commanding general and effective leader Hannibal (247–183 BC) crossed the Alps in 218 BC with a multi-ethnic and superbly professional army to confront the Romans in their own land. His ... More

As Carthage's commanding general and effective leader Hannibal (247–183 BC) crossed the Alps in 218 BC with a multi-ethnic and superbly professional army to confront the Romans in their own land. His early victories at the river Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae employed daringly unconventional tactics, culminating at Cannae in near-total annihilation of the much larger Roman army. For several years Carthage dominated most of the western Mediterranean's lands, encircling Rome and what remained of her allies. But Hannibal's hopes of forcing Rome to submit and establishing Carthage's permanent dominance were frustrated by the Romans’ uncompromising resistance under leaders like Fabius ‘the Delayer’ and Marcellus ‘the sword of Rome’. Hannibal's own strategic decisions, especially not to march directly on Rome after victory at Trasimene in 217 and more famously after Cannae in 216, contributed to the stalemate that followed. In 202 his new equal in military genius, Scipio Africanus, ended his and Carthage's greatness at the battle of Zama. Hannibal, however, was elected civilian leader (sufete) of Carthage in 196 and reformed the city's corrupt politics and finances, then was forced into exile by his enemies with Rome's connivance. After years in the Hellenistic Greek east, he took poison to avoid being seized by his unforgiving Roman foes. Yet Greeks and Romans remembered him with admiration—even paradoxical affection—as an honourable foe, and his reputation as one of history's greatest commanders endures.Less

Horkos: The Oath in Greek Society

Alan Sommerstein and Judith Fletcher (eds)

The importance of oaths to ancient Greek culture can hardly be overstated, especially in the political and judicial fields; but they have never been the object of a comprehensive, systematic study. ... More

The importance of oaths to ancient Greek culture can hardly be overstated, especially in the political and judicial fields; but they have never been the object of a comprehensive, systematic study. This book derives from a research project on the oath in ancient Greece, and comprises seventeen chapters by experts in law, in political and social history, in literary criticism, and in cross-cultural studies, exploring the subject from a broad spectrum of positions. Topics covered include the nature of ancient Greek oaths; the functions they performed within communities and in relations between them; their exploitation in literary texts and at critical moments in history; and connections between Greek oath phenomena and those of other cultures with which Greek came into contact, from the Hittites to the Romans.Less

Insects and other Invertebrates in Classical Antiquity

Ian C. Beavis

A comprehensive survey of insects and terrestrial invertebrates (worms, scorpions, spiders, etc) in Antiquity.

Rome and the Unification of Italy

Arthur Keaveney

This book narrates how, from late in the second century B.C., Rome's Italian subjects began to desire equality with her. This, at first, manifested itself in a desire for and agitation to obtain ... More

This book narrates how, from late in the second century B.C., Rome's Italian subjects began to desire equality with her. This, at first, manifested itself in a desire for and agitation to obtain Roman citizenship. When the Romans refused to grant this, the Italians resolved to be independent and fought the Social War (91-88 B.C.) to achieve this. The Romans crushed the rebellion but were forced, ultimately, to grant the citizenship. This grant, however, was so hedged around with qualifications that further Italian intervention in Roman politics became necessary until full equality was achieved by the end of the 80s B.C.Less

Unwritten Rome

T.P. Wiseman

The earliest evidence for the occupation of the site of Rome dates to the 13th century BC; the earliest evidence for written literature at Rome dates to the third century BC. How can we ever be in a ... More

The earliest evidence for the occupation of the site of Rome dates to the 13th century BC; the earliest evidence for written literature at Rome dates to the third century BC. How can we ever be in a position to understand the intervening thousand years of Rome's prehistory± Since our earliest historical sources date from the first century BC, it is obvious that neither they nor their earliest sources could have had authentic knowledge of early Rome. The essays in this book address the problem both directly and indirectly, firstly by scrutinising the material our sources present, in the hope of identifying genuinely early elements; secondly by analysing the evidence for institutions that may presuppose early conditions, in particular religious rituals and the stories told to account for them; thirdly by focussing on the origins and development of the annual ‘stage games’ (ludi scaenici), which not only entertained the Roman People but also taught them what they needed to know about their gods and the deeds of their ancestors; and finally by exploring how Roman history-writing first developed, to try to understand some of the ways in which the various quasi-historical narratives of early Rome may have been constructed.Less