Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine

Barry Strauss' "Ten Caesars" is a highly accessible history of the Roman Empire, spanning three and a half centuries and featuring the lives of ten important emperors. It tells the story of the empire's rise, fall, and transformation, from Augustus to Constantine, and explores the enduring legacy of Rome in language, law, architecture, and the Roman Catholic Church. The book is praised for its captivating narrative and ability to bring transformative figures to life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 02 April 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Bestselling classical historian Barry Strauss presents an exceptionally accessible history of the Roman Empire, spanning three and a half centuries and encompassing the lives of ten pivotal emperors. The book, aptly titled "Ten Caesars," reads like a captivating script for the popular TV series "Game of Thrones," offering a comprehensive and engaging perspective on the Roman Empire.

In this essential and "enlightening" work, Barry Strauss takes readers on a journey through the rise and reinvention of the Roman Empire, from the founding emperor Augustus to the transformative reign of Constantine. He explores the intricate tapestry of the empire's history, from its territorial expansion and splendor to its eventual decline and loss. By the fourth century, the Roman Empire had undergone a seismic shift in geography, ethnicity, religion, and culture, rendering it virtually unrecognizable to Augustus.

However, Rome's legacy endures to this day, manifesting in various aspects of language, law, architecture, and the prestigious seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Strauss delves into this enduring heritage by examining the lives of the men who shaped it: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian, and Constantine. Through their experiences and struggles, these emperors learned the art of maintaining the family business—the governance of an empire—by adapting when necessary and persevering through adversity, no matter the cost.

"Ten Caesars" is a captivating narrative that breathes new life into a host of transformative figures. It offers a superb summation of four centuries of Roman history, a masterpiece of compression that confirms Barry Strauss as the foremost academic classicist writing for the general reader today. The book's rich insights and compelling storytelling make it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in delving deeper into the fascinating history of the Roman Empire.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 246 x 141 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781451668841