Ancient Rome : the rise and fall of an empire
(Book)

TV tie-in.

Originally published: 2006.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 419-434) and index.

Focusing on six turning points in Roman history, Simon Baker's narrative charts the rise and fall of the world's first superpower--a political machine unmatched in its brutality, genius, and lust for power. From the conquest of the Mediterranean in the 3rd century BC to the destruction of the Empire at the hands of barbarian invaders 700 years later, we discover the pivotal episodes in Roman history. At the heart of this account are some of the most powerful rulers in history: men like Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, and Constantine. Putting flesh on the bones of these legendary figures, Baker looks beyond the dusty caricatures to explore their real motivations, ambitions, intrigues, and rivalries. Accompanying a BBC television series, Ancient Rome is a fast-paced account that addresses themes as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago.--From publisher description.