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Ten Caesars
By Barry Strauss
Simon and Schuster
Description
Bestselling classical historian Barry Strauss delivers “an exceptionally accessible history of the Roman Empire…much of Ten Caesars reads like a script for Game of Thrones” (The Wall Street Journal)—a summation of three and a half centuries of the Roman Empire as seen through the lives of ten of the most important emperors, from Augustus to Constantine.
In this essential and “enlightening” (The New York Times Book Review) work, Barry Strauss tells the story of the Roman Empire from rise to reinvention, from Augustus, who founded the empire, to Constantine, who made it Christian and moved the capital east to Constantinople.
During these centuries Rome gained in splendor and territory, then lost both. By the fourth century, the time of Constantine, the Roman Empire had changed so dramatically in geography, ethnicity, religion, and culture that it would have been virtually unrecognizable to Augustus. Rome’s legacy remains today in so many ways, from language, law, and architecture to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Strauss examines this enduring heritage through the lives of the men who shaped it: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian, and Constantine. Over the ages, they learned to maintain the family business—the government of an empire—by adapting when necessary and always persevering no matter the cost.
Ten Caesars is a “captivating narrative that breathes new life into a host of transformative figures” (Publishers Weekly). This “superb summation of four centuries of Roman history, a masterpiece of compression, confirms Barry Strauss as the foremost academic classicist writing for the general reader today” (The Wall Street Journal).
In this essential and “enlightening” (The New York Times Book Review) work, Barry Strauss tells the story of the Roman Empire from rise to reinvention, from Augustus, who founded the empire, to Constantine, who made it Christian and moved the capital east to Constantinople.
During these centuries Rome gained in splendor and territory, then lost both. By the fourth century, the time of Constantine, the Roman Empire had changed so dramatically in geography, ethnicity, religion, and culture that it would have been virtually unrecognizable to Augustus. Rome’s legacy remains today in so many ways, from language, law, and architecture to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Strauss examines this enduring heritage through the lives of the men who shaped it: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian, and Constantine. Over the ages, they learned to maintain the family business—the government of an empire—by adapting when necessary and always persevering no matter the cost.
Ten Caesars is a “captivating narrative that breathes new life into a host of transformative figures” (Publishers Weekly). This “superb summation of four centuries of Roman history, a masterpiece of compression, confirms Barry Strauss as the foremost academic classicist writing for the general reader today” (The Wall Street Journal).
Summary by AI
Authors' Background
- Barry Strauss is a renowned historian and classicist, specializing in ancient military history and the Roman Empire. He is a professor of history and classics at Cornell University. He has written several acclaimed books on ancient warfare and leadership.
Main Theme
- "Ten Caesars" explores the lives and reigns of ten Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Constantine the Great, examining their leadership styles, their impact on the Roman Empire, and the legacies they left behind. The book delves into the complexities of power, ambition, and the challenges of ruling a vast empire.
Key Points
- Julius Caesar: The book begins with Caesar, highlighting his military genius, political maneuvering, and ultimate assassination, which set the stage for the imperial system.
- Augustus: The first emperor, Augustus, is portrayed as a shrewd politician who established the Pax Romana, a long period of peace and prosperity.
- Tiberius: The book examines Tiberius's reign, marked by both stability and paranoia.
- Caligula: The infamous Caligula is presented, exploring his alleged madness and tyrannical behavior.
- Claudius: Claudius, often underestimated, is shown as an effective administrator who expanded the empire.
- Nero: Nero's reign is explored, focusing on his artistic pursuits, extravagance, and the accusations of his role in the Great Fire of Rome.
- Vespasian: The founder of the Flavian dynasty, Vespasian, is presented as a pragmatic ruler who restored order after a period of civil war.
- Trajan: Trajan is celebrated as one of the "good emperors," known for his military conquests and public works.
- Hadrian: Hadrian's reign is examined, focusing on his travels, his consolidation of the empire, and his building projects.
- Constantine: The book concludes with Constantine, the emperor who legalized Christianity and moved the capital to Constantinople, marking a turning point in Roman history.
Reputation
- Good: The book is praised for its accessible writing style, making complex historical events understandable for a general audience. It offers a comprehensive overview of the Roman emperors and their impact. Strauss's expertise in military history provides insightful analysis of the emperors' military campaigns and strategies.
- Bad: Some critics argue that the book simplifies complex historical events and personalities. Some readers may find the focus on individual emperors at the expense of broader social and economic contexts.
Who Should Read It
- Anyone interested in Roman history, particularly the imperial period.
- Readers looking for an accessible introduction to the lives and reigns of the Roman emperors.
- Those interested in leadership, power, and the rise and fall of empires.
Similar Books
- "SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" by Mary Beard
- "Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic" by Tom Holland
- "The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction" by Christopher Kelly
Readers
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