Early Rome to 290 Bc: The Beginnings of the City and the Rise of the Republic

Guy Bradley's book explores Rome's early history as a highly mobile society within a wider interconnected Mediterranean network, covering its rise to supremacy in central Italy and analyzing its origins and Republican form of government. It highlights the city-state's aggressive drive to conquer and its sophisticated and cosmopolitan nature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Rome's Early History: A Highly Mobile Society within a Wider Interconnected Mediterranean Network
Rome's early history is a fascinating tale of a small community that rose to supremacy in central Italy. Using the latest archaeological evidence, Guy Bradley explores the sophisticated and cosmopolitan nature of early Rome and analyzes the origins of its Republican form of government and its aggressive drive to conquer.

In the first few centuries of its existence, Rome developed from a minor settlement on the Tiber into the most powerful city-state in Italy. Bradley examines the reasons for Rome's emergence and success within a highly competitive Italian environment and how much it owed to its neighbors. He explains how many of Rome's key characteristics, such as its powerful ruling elite, stable political institutions, openness to outsiders, and intensely militaristic society, were shaped by their origins in the monarchy and early Republic.

One of the key factors that contributed to Rome's success was its location. Rome was situated at the crossroads of several important trade routes, including the Appian Way, the Via Appia, and the Via Latina. These routes allowed Rome to trade with other cities and regions throughout the Mediterranean, and they also provided a means of transporting goods and people.

Another factor that contributed to Rome's success was its military strength. Rome was a highly militarized society, and its army was one of the most powerful in the ancient world. The Roman army was composed of professional soldiers who were trained to fight in a variety of different environments, and they were equipped with advanced weapons and armor.

Rome's political institutions were also highly sophisticated. The Roman Republic was a democratic system that allowed citizens to participate in the government. The Senate was the highest legislative body in the Republic, and it was composed of elected representatives from each of the city-states. The Senate was responsible for making laws and overseeing the government.

Rome's openness to outsiders was also a key factor in its success. Rome was a city that was open to trade and immigration, and it attracted people from all over the Mediterranean. This diversity of people and cultures helped to shape Rome's culture and society.

However, Rome's success also had its dark side. Rome's aggressive drive to conquer led to the conquest of many other cities and regions throughout the Mediterranean. This conquest led to the enslavement of many people and the destruction of many cultures.

In conclusion, Rome's early history is a fascinating tale of a small community that rose to supremacy in central Italy. Using the latest archaeological evidence, Guy Bradley explores the sophisticated and cosmopolitan nature of early Rome and analyzes the origins of its Republican form of government and its aggressive drive to conquer. Rome's success was due to its location, military strength, political institutions, and openness to outsiders, but its success also had its dark side.

Weight: 714g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780748621095