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History of Rome #1-5
A History of Rome
The classical historian Theodor Mommsen (1817 1903) published his monumental History of Rome between 1854 and 1856. His work was received with widespread acclaim by the scholarly community and the reading public. In 1902 Mommsen was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and acclaimed as 'the greatest living master of the art of historical writing'. Mommsen rejected traditional Enlightenment accounts, which glorified ancient Rome; instead, guided by a new and rigorous criticism of sources, Mommsen began the demythologisation of Roman history. In a vivacious and engaging style, Mommsen drew bold parallels between the nineteenth century and classical Rome.
Information about this Folio Society edition (taken from the Editorial Note):
Theodor Mommsen’s Römische Geschichte was first published in three volumes between 1854 and 1856, and was subsequently revised several times. The text of the present volume is derived from William Purdie Dickson’s translation, first published in four volumes by Richard Bentley in London in 1868, of the fourth German edition.
The text printed in the ensuing pages preserves slightly less than half of the 1868 edition’s three-quarters of a million words. In abridging a work of such magnitude, strict guiding principles tend to be honoured as much in their breach as in their observance. With that caveat in mind, therefore, the intention in this edition has been to provide, within a single volume, a continuous narrative of the history of Rome, from the origins of the city down to the Civil War that resulted in the sole rule of Julius Caesar (c.753—46BC). At the same time, it is hoped that the selection represents the essential character of Mommsen’s historical vision, and can be read with both pleasure and profit by a non-specialist audience.
In pursuit of these goals, the relative amount of space devoted to each of the main periods of Roman history has been preserved, and Mommsen’s own book divisions and titles retained. Similarly, the original chapter titles and breaks—and indeed even the paragraphing—has been followed as closely as possible. Wirth some obvious exceptions, marginal precedence has been given to social and constitutional developments, and to political events and conflicts in Rome and Italy, over foreign policy and the detailed narration of overseas wars. Consequently, the significant amount of background information that Mommsen provided concerning the foreign nations with which Rome came into violent contact—Etruscans, Celts, Carthaginians and the peoples of the Hellenistic eastern Mediterranean among them—has been almost entirely excised. And the summaries on literature and the arts that were tacked on to the end of each book have also had to be omitted. Within these broad parameters, however, every effort has been made to ensure that the full spectrum of Mommsen's themes, methodology, and style is portrayed.
So that the text retains its readability, all cuts have been made silently, without the distraction of frequent ellipses. Where it has proved impossible to provide a continuous narrative in Mommsen’s own words, then editorial linking passages, printed in smaller type than the rest of the text, have been supplied. These confine themselves to the bare essentials and take a deliberately conservative line in order to sit more comfortably with the main narrative. the new maps and extensive chronology are also intended to compensate for information otherwise excised. A handful of editorial footnotes and other brief interpolations have been added where essential for sense. All such additions to the original text, as well as any other localised rewordings necessitated by the cuts, are contained within square brackets. Most of Mommsen’s analogies to subsequent historical events, which are one of the many delights of his work, require no explanation for an educated readership.
Any attempt to update Mommsen’s scholarship would be presumptuous, if not completely foolhardy, and so all points of fact and interpretation have been allowed to stand without comment. thus, for example, Mommsen’s belief that Caesar was probably born in 102BC—rather than 100 BC, as is now generally accepted—has not been amended. Nor has it been deemed necessary to bring into line with current accepted norms either the spelling of proper nouns or Disckon’s faithful equivalents of Mommsen’s deliberately idiosyncratic and anachronistic rendition of Latin terms. Of these, the most noticeable is undoubtedly the word ‘burgess’ instead of ‘citizen’. While proving that few things date faster than modernity, they also provide an important reminder that Mommsen wrote his history with the pressing political and national issues facing both pre-unification Germany and the rest of the mid-nineteenth0century Europe directly in mind.
Information about this Folio Society edition (taken from the Editorial Note):
Theodor Mommsen’s Römische Geschichte was first published in three volumes between 1854 and 1856, and was subsequently revised several times. The text of the present volume is derived from William Purdie Dickson’s translation, first published in four volumes by Richard Bentley in London in 1868, of the fourth German edition.
The text printed in the ensuing pages preserves slightly less than half of the 1868 edition’s three-quarters of a million words. In abridging a work of such magnitude, strict guiding principles tend to be honoured as much in their breach as in their observance. With that caveat in mind, therefore, the intention in this edition has been to provide, within a single volume, a continuous narrative of the history of Rome, from the origins of the city down to the Civil War that resulted in the sole rule of Julius Caesar (c.753—46BC). At the same time, it is hoped that the selection represents the essential character of Mommsen’s historical vision, and can be read with both pleasure and profit by a non-specialist audience.
In pursuit of these goals, the relative amount of space devoted to each of the main periods of Roman history has been preserved, and Mommsen’s own book divisions and titles retained. Similarly, the original chapter titles and breaks—and indeed even the paragraphing—has been followed as closely as possible. Wirth some obvious exceptions, marginal precedence has been given to social and constitutional developments, and to political events and conflicts in Rome and Italy, over foreign policy and the detailed narration of overseas wars. Consequently, the significant amount of background information that Mommsen provided concerning the foreign nations with which Rome came into violent contact—Etruscans, Celts, Carthaginians and the peoples of the Hellenistic eastern Mediterranean among them—has been almost entirely excised. And the summaries on literature and the arts that were tacked on to the end of each book have also had to be omitted. Within these broad parameters, however, every effort has been made to ensure that the full spectrum of Mommsen's themes, methodology, and style is portrayed.
So that the text retains its readability, all cuts have been made silently, without the distraction of frequent ellipses. Where it has proved impossible to provide a continuous narrative in Mommsen’s own words, then editorial linking passages, printed in smaller type than the rest of the text, have been supplied. These confine themselves to the bare essentials and take a deliberately conservative line in order to sit more comfortably with the main narrative. the new maps and extensive chronology are also intended to compensate for information otherwise excised. A handful of editorial footnotes and other brief interpolations have been added where essential for sense. All such additions to the original text, as well as any other localised rewordings necessitated by the cuts, are contained within square brackets. Most of Mommsen’s analogies to subsequent historical events, which are one of the many delights of his work, require no explanation for an educated readership.
Any attempt to update Mommsen’s scholarship would be presumptuous, if not completely foolhardy, and so all points of fact and interpretation have been allowed to stand without comment. thus, for example, Mommsen’s belief that Caesar was probably born in 102BC—rather than 100 BC, as is now generally accepted—has not been amended. Nor has it been deemed necessary to bring into line with current accepted norms either the spelling of proper nouns or Disckon’s faithful equivalents of Mommsen’s deliberately idiosyncratic and anachronistic rendition of Latin terms. Of these, the most noticeable is undoubtedly the word ‘burgess’ instead of ‘citizen’. While proving that few things date faster than modernity, they also provide an important reminder that Mommsen wrote his history with the pressing political and national issues facing both pre-unification Germany and the rest of the mid-nineteenth0century Europe directly in mind.
771 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1855
37 people are currently reading
1589 people want to read
About the author
Theodor Mommsen
741 books87 followersChristian Matthias Theodor Mommsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1902, for being "the greatest living master of the art of historical writing, with special reference to his monumental work, A History of Rome."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 30, 2017
This is a magisterial account of the history of Rome from its conception in 753 BC down to the rise of Caesar written in an authoritative prose. Prior knowledge of Rome is recommended.
Unfortunately, this beautiful Folio Society edition is abridged, but as this is among the more easily found (and lower priced) editions of the work, and even though I agree with Montaigne's view that "every abridgement of a good book is a foolish abridgement.", I would still recommend it.
(See the description for this edition above for a full explanation of how it is abridged.)
I was not planning on reading this due to the abridgement, but before I began Gibbon, I came across a copy for an extremely good price, and so I grabbed it. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it more than Gibbon, partly due to the period being discussed, but it is beautifully written, in a grand, authoritative manner that I really enjoyed. I'm very glad that I read it, even if it was an abridgement (this is the only abridged version of a work I have read, and the only one I ever plan on reading), and I definitely look forward to reading the complete, unabridged version some time in the future.
Unfortunately, this beautiful Folio Society edition is abridged, but as this is among the more easily found (and lower priced) editions of the work, and even though I agree with Montaigne's view that "every abridgement of a good book is a foolish abridgement.", I would still recommend it.
(See the description for this edition above for a full explanation of how it is abridged.)
I was not planning on reading this due to the abridgement, but before I began Gibbon, I came across a copy for an extremely good price, and so I grabbed it. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it more than Gibbon, partly due to the period being discussed, but it is beautifully written, in a grand, authoritative manner that I really enjoyed. I'm very glad that I read it, even if it was an abridgement (this is the only abridged version of a work I have read, and the only one I ever plan on reading), and I definitely look forward to reading the complete, unabridged version some time in the future.
April 23, 2017
-Culminó una época y empezó otra.-
Género. Ensayo.
Lo que nos cuenta. Trabajo sobre la historia de la Antigua Roma, desde periodos previos a su fundación envuelta en brumas hasta el final de la República con Cayo Julio César, que se sumerge en religión, cultura, arte, política y todos los aspectos que constituyen la sociedad romana. En realidad, el autor tenía previsto continuar con nuevos volúmenes que llegarían hasta bien avanzada la época imperial pero nunca lo hizo.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ensayo.
Lo que nos cuenta. Trabajo sobre la historia de la Antigua Roma, desde periodos previos a su fundación envuelta en brumas hasta el final de la República con Cayo Julio César, que se sumerge en religión, cultura, arte, política y todos los aspectos que constituyen la sociedad romana. En realidad, el autor tenía previsto continuar con nuevos volúmenes que llegarían hasta bien avanzada la época imperial pero nunca lo hizo.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
August 5, 2016
Thoroughly engrossing! Written with a kind of passion. Mommsen has strong opinions about who is worthy of praise and who just happened to be on the right place at the right time. I prefer this style which openly advocates certain views to supposed neutrality.
The analysis of ancient society is at a very high level. The book is not just a good read (which it is!) but also promotes understanding.
The analysis of ancient society is at a very high level. The book is not just a good read (which it is!) but also promotes understanding.
December 27, 2022
Onhan tässä kieltämättä se mitä otsikko lupaa. Kerran on luettu ja toista ei tule.
October 1, 2024
Якщо вам цікава історія Риму та всі основні деталі щодо цього, війни, особи, які створювали, розвивали, знищували цю державу, то ця книжка для вас.
Багато дуже деталей битв з різними народами, зокрема є опис Пунічних війн з Карфагеном, що теж добре, з врахуванням, що ця книжка більше про Рим.
Всі деталі правління, розвитку культури, мистецтва, літератури, писемності також описані в цій історії, зокрема до епохи правління Цезаря.
Так, це невелика книжка, але тим вона і нескладна для прочитання, і доступна для розуміння навіть не фанатам історії, а людям, які хочуть просто зрозуміти, що таке Рим і чому він був таким величним та непереможним колись.
Багато дуже деталей битв з різними народами, зокрема є опис Пунічних війн з Карфагеном, що теж добре, з врахуванням, що ця книжка більше про Рим.
Всі деталі правління, розвитку культури, мистецтва, літератури, писемності також описані в цій історії, зокрема до епохи правління Цезаря.
Так, це невелика книжка, але тим вона і нескладна для прочитання, і доступна для розуміння навіть не фанатам історії, а людям, які хочуть просто зрозуміти, що таке Рим і чому він був таким величним та непереможним колись.
October 9, 2019
Actual genius historians, and the unimprovable anthologies by which they earn our deference, come at the price of a century apiece. The 18th: Gibbon. The 19th: Mommsen. 20th: Durant.
November 13, 2022
The grand question of 'What makes the Romans simply better?' is gradually answered in the first 100 pages of this book, with this elucidation accompanied by crisp judgment on all people and nations, from someone who understood them all.
Yet it might prove difficult to settle on what to take and what to send back to the kitchen. The historian is enthusiastic at times, laudative often, but hence the Republic spirals out of control, so his cynicism rises, a clear disdain for demagogues and the perpetual age of mediocrities in which Antiquity everywhere seems to be suddenly potted. It births laughter from me, but great angst later. Mommsen also speaks of patriotism, a cause for his unified Germany, to get himself invested in the parallel with Rome, but a feeling not much present today in said form, and that came as odd to me, the distracted reader.
Lastly, the text is insanely good. But my gripe stands over the 'Scholar Select' edition, one which seemingly attempts to keep the book in its original 1850's spirit (the English translation, of course). One lesson that all Classicists must learn is that just because something stood as value to several generations, it does not automatically deserve to be put on a pedestal. A modern introduction and new maps will generally strenghten this piece of human civilization
Yet it might prove difficult to settle on what to take and what to send back to the kitchen. The historian is enthusiastic at times, laudative often, but hence the Republic spirals out of control, so his cynicism rises, a clear disdain for demagogues and the perpetual age of mediocrities in which Antiquity everywhere seems to be suddenly potted. It births laughter from me, but great angst later. Mommsen also speaks of patriotism, a cause for his unified Germany, to get himself invested in the parallel with Rome, but a feeling not much present today in said form, and that came as odd to me, the distracted reader.
Lastly, the text is insanely good. But my gripe stands over the 'Scholar Select' edition, one which seemingly attempts to keep the book in its original 1850's spirit (the English translation, of course). One lesson that all Classicists must learn is that just because something stood as value to several generations, it does not automatically deserve to be put on a pedestal. A modern introduction and new maps will generally strenghten this piece of human civilization
July 6, 2022
I opted for Folio Society's abridged version due to no better edition in print right now and it is too huge a work. The title may be misleading but appropriate if you consider it only referring to the republic period of Rome. It stopped when Caesar won the civil war and instituted a monarchy. 600 years or so history is condensed into 700 pages. It could be hard for a lay man like me, but you can get the most gist out of it and you can appreciate Mommsen's insights in each of the chapter's end. This is part of my Nobel Prize of Literature challenge. Now I am only on the second winner among more than 100 writers.
January 4, 2025
Книга Моммзена це фундаментальна праця з історії Риму. Автор майстерно охоплює усі галузі життя, як пересічного бідняка, так і патриціїв. Напевне, нікому не вдастся краще оцінити ситуацію різного прошарку тодішнього населення і особистості в цілому, адже Моммзен висловлюється як римлянин, з тією строгістю солдата і генієм сенату, яка притаманна римському суспільству.
Історична хроніка вдало поєднана з формою письма, що спонукає емоційно закарбувати події у пам'яті кожного, від чого твір ніколи не втратить своєї класичної популярності.
Історична хроніка вдало поєднана з формою письма, що спонукає емоційно закарбувати події у пам'яті кожного, від чого твір ніколи не втратить своєї класичної популярності.
April 10, 2020
Es un libro que logra un nivel de detalle bastante alto, considerando que es "Histórico" y más aún, la época en que fue escrito. De verdad vale muchísimo la pena. El autor describe a Roma y sus alrededores de tal manera, que es posible realmente conocer el ambiente en que se encontraban los antiguos... Situación que sólo podemos imaginar, cuando leemos a los antiguos romanos y sus contemporáneos.
August 11, 2019
It contains, more or less, the same kind of stuff one can read in today‘s news. Nothing is really new, just thepeople do not seem to learn from their mistakes.
December 24, 2019
Some antiquated views come through every now and then, but on the whole is a very solid account
Read
February 26, 2022Excerpts only
November 24, 2023
Amazing work. But too scholastic to be really interesting.
June 20, 2024
дадада, книга хоч й застаріла, проте інформації вдосталь, й подана вона цікаво, й по всім аспектам (культура, мистецтво, література, війни, лідери)
February 10, 2011
Massive undertaking on the history of Rome until the advent of the Principate. Mommsen won the Nobel Prize thanks to this book. His interpretation of events still has a bit of a modern tone 150 years after he wrote the book.
Overall, a very significant read for any person who wants to understand the Roman Republic, but it may be too scholarly for those too used to Dan Brown or JK Rowling.
Overall, a very significant read for any person who wants to understand the Roman Republic, but it may be too scholarly for those too used to Dan Brown or JK Rowling.
January 18, 2014
Great for pure history lovers, otherwise, a slow kill. Don't know how I managed to survive reading it... Why this earned the Nobel Prize for Literature, I don't know. It's written well, but it's more like a higher ed history book than the type of writing that earns such prize, in my opinion. But what do I know...
April 11, 2017
Exhaustive description of the romans, including religion, art, warfare, from the times Rome was just a village to the times of Pompey and Caesar.
Mommsen had extreme nationalistic beliefs and that influenced his writing, him believing the German people were the worthy descendants of the Roman Empire, so believe the historic facts (years, names) but take the descriptions with a pinch of salt.
Mommsen had extreme nationalistic beliefs and that influenced his writing, him believing the German people were the worthy descendants of the Roman Empire, so believe the historic facts (years, names) but take the descriptions with a pinch of salt.
May 5, 2010
It was like climbing Mount Everest but I did it! I read the whole thing. I learned a lot but there is so much more information in the book that didn't sink in, and some ideas that definitely should not be taken seriously.
February 27, 2021
Really good if you like history, but so many names to keep track of.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews