The Roman Empire, 27 B.C.-A.D. 476: A Study in Survival by Chester G. Starr

Description

In this probing study, Starr covers the whole sweep of imperial Roman history, analyzing the binding forces of government and the army as initiated by Augustus, the maturing of these forces under subsequent emperors, and the eventual collapse of this network in the western provinces. Not simply a chronological summary, the book explores in piquant, telling detail the elements and institutions that shaped the empire's history.

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gmicksmith 1,116 reviews

Fabulous short work by a classic ancient historian. Marvelous. The work reminds me of the "Very Short" introductory series by Cambridge University although the series originated many years after Starr's heyday. Starr was writing during an era of historiography that is characterized by French structural thought. In this vein then Starr describes an impossible Empire held together through successive Emperors, the classes and organs of imperial administration, local government and life, and finally, the military (p. 7). The survey then is analytically performed and not chronological.

Cf. http://www.librarything.com/work/8086327/67515444

May 21, 2012 (Edited)

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pomonomo2003 104 reviews