Author Description
The beginnings of Rome, once thought to be lost in the mists of legend, are now being revealed by an ever-increasing body of archaeological evidence, much of it unearthed during the past twenty-five years. This new material has made it possible to trace the development of Rome from an iron-age village to a major state which eventually outstripped its competitors and became a Mediterranean power. The study of this period raises acute questions of historical method, demanding analysis of many different kinds of archaeological evidence in conjunction with literary sources. Professor Cornell uses the results of up-to-date archaeological techniques and takes current methodological debates into account. The Beginnings of Rome offers new and often controversial answers to major questions such as Rome's relations with the Etruscans, the conflict between patricians and plebeians, the causes of Roman imperialism and the growth of a slave-based economy.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the transition of Rome from a modest Iron Age settlement into a dominant Mediterranean power by synthesizing recent archaeological findings with traditional literary sources. Professor Tim Cornell, a distinguished historian of the ancient world, utilizes contemporary methodological frameworks to re-examine the foundational period of Roman history. By integrating material evidence unearthed over the last quarter-century, the author challenges established historical narratives and provides a rigorous analysis of the socio-political evolution of the early Roman state.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of archaeological data from Iron Age village sites through the rise of the Roman Republic.
- Methodological evaluation of how to reconcile physical artifacts with ancient literary accounts.
- Examination of complex social dynamics including the conflict between patricians and plebeians.
- Investigation into the economic foundations of Rome, specifically the development of a slave-based economy.
- Discussion of geopolitical relations between Rome and the Etruscan civilization.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of classical history frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of early Roman development. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous guide for those navigating the intersection of archaeology and historiography.
Page Count:
528
Publication Date:
2012-01-01
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis Group
ISBN-10:
0203821106
ISBN-13:
9780203821107
History
Archaeology
Roma sociedade
Histoire
Roman History
Rome History
Ancient History
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