Harold Mattingly

while often dry and text book like this work offers interesting angles on the Roman empire from Augustus to the final collapse of this empire in the west. the author has expertise in coins and brings in numismatic clues accompanied by many plates. the author brings in much detail on slow decline of paganism and the furtive rise of Christianity tied to imperial decline and collapse. for paganism the final resurgent echoes in Mithras, Isis and Sol were interesting. for Christianity was the show more phrase atheism applied to them the inherent acceptance and inclusivity of polytheism versus the antagonistic monotheism of the Christians.

One thing that jumped out to me is Roman soldiers in the field complaining of being served meat when they could not get their pulse (edible legumes) porridge with veggies. Maybe in an era before refrigeration that was a sensible response, though it struck me as sad like the prisoners complaining of being server lobster multiple times a week in The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell. show less

Celebrated classicist Harold Mattingly provides a carefully selected yet wide-ranging history of the ancient world, from the Babylonians to the decline of the Western Roman Empire.

Illustrated with thirty-five plates of ancient coins and sculptures as well as twelve maps, this text remains a useful overview of ancient history and literature

This is the second volume of the classic RIC. This work is the standard reference for roman imperial coins, it is extremely comprehensive and detailed. An excellent and valuable book.