The Origin of Empire: Rome from the Republic to Hadrian (History of the Ancient World)

Beginning with the Roman army’s first foray beyond its borders and concluding with the death of Hadrian in 138 CE, this panoramic history of the early Roman Empire recounts the wars, leaders, and social transformations that lay the foundations of imperial success. Between 264 BCE, when the Roman army crossed into Sicily, and the death of Hadrian nearly three hundred years later, Rome became one of the most successful multicultural empires in history. In this vivid guide to a fascinating period, David Potter explores the transformations that occurred along the way, as Rome went from republic to mercenary state to bureaucratic empire, from that initial step across the Straits of Messina to the peak of territorial expansion. Rome was shaped by endless political and diplomatic jockeying. As other Italian city-states relinquished sovereignty in exchange for an ironclad guarantee of protection, Rome did not simply dominate its potential rivals―it absorbed them by selectively offering citizenship and constructing a tiered membership scheme that allowed Roman citizens to maintain political control without excluding noncitizens from the state’s success. Potter attributes the empire’s ethnic harmony to its relative openness. This imperial policy adapted and persisted over centuries of internal discord. The fall of the republican aristocracy led to the growth of mercenary armies and to the creation of a privatized and militarized state that reached full expression under Julius Caesar. Subsequently, Augustus built a mighty bureaucracy, which went on to manage an empire ruled by a series of inattentive, intemperate, and bullying chief executives. As contemporary parallels become hard to ignore, The Origin of Empire makes clear that the Romans still have much to teach us about power, governance, and leadership. Beginning With The Roman Army's First Foray Beyond Its Borders And Concluding With The Death Of Hadrian In 138 Ce, This Panoramic History Of The Early Roman Empire Recounts The Wars, Leaders, And Social Transformations That Lay The Foundations Of Imperial Success.between 264 Bce, When The Roman Army Crossed Into Sicily, And The Death Of Hadrian Nearly Three Hundred Years Later, Rome Became One Of The Most Successful Multicultural Empires In History. In This Vivid Guide To A Fascinating Period, David Potter Explores The Transformations That Occurred Along The Way, As Rome Went From Republic To Mercenary State To Bureaucratic Empire, From That Initial Step Across The Straits Of Messina To The Peak Of Territorial Expansion.rome Was Shaped By Endless Political And Diplomatic Jockeying. As Other Italian City-states Relinquished Sovereignty In Exchange For An Ironclad Guarantee Of Protection, Rome Did Not Simply Dominate Its Potential Rivals-it Absorbed Them By Selectively Offering Citizenship And Constructing A Tiered Membership Scheme That Allowed Roman Citizens To Maintain Political Control Without Excluding Noncitizens From The State's Success. Potter Attributes The Empire's Ethnic Harmony To Its Relative Openness.this Imperial Policy Adapted And Persisted Over Centuries Of Internal Discord. The Fall Of The Republican Aristocracy Led To The Growth Of Mercenary Armies And To The Creation Of A Privatized And Militarized State That Reached Full Expression Under Julius Caesar. Subsequently, Augustus Built A Mighty Bureaucracy, Which Went On To Manage An Empire Ruled By A Series Of Inattentive, Intemperate, And Bullying Chief Executives. As Contemporary Parallels Become Hard To Ignore, The Origin Of Empire Makes Clear That The Romans Still Have Much To Teach Us About Power, Governance, And Leadership. Potter Has Written A Characteristically Crisp, Vibrant, And Provocative New Account Of A Turbulent And Fascinating Period In Roman History. Highly Recommended. Starting With The Roman Army's First Foray Beyond Its Borders And Ending With Hadrian's Death (138 Ce), David Potter's Panorama Of The Early Empire Recounts The Wars, Leaders And Social Transformations That Lay The Foundations Of Imperial Success. As Today's Parallels Reveal, The Romans Have Much To Teach Us About Power, Governance And Leadership. Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Maps 10 Note on the abbreviations in the text 15 Introduction: The Path to Empire 34 Part I: War (264–201 BC) 46 Chapter 1: The Invasion of Sicily (264 BC) 48 Chapter 2: War by Land and Sea (263–241 BC) 54 Chapter 3: Rome and Italy (240–217 BC) 68 Chapter 4: Hannibal 82 Chapter 5: Cannae (216 BC) 92 Chapter 6: Victory (201 BC) 100 Part II: Empire (200–146 BC) 112 Chapter 7: Macedon 114 Chapter 8: Victory in the East 120 Chapter 9: The Home Front 134 Chapter 10: Carthage Must be Destroyed (146 BC) 149 Part III: Revolution (146–88 BC) 156 Chapter 11: Tiberius Gracchus and the Sovereignty of the People 158 Chapter 12: Gaius Gracchus and the Rise of the Contractors 171 Chapter 13: A Critic’s View 179 Chapter 14: Marius: Politics and Empire 188 Chapter 15: Civil Wars (91–88 BC) 200 Part IV: Dictatorship (88–36 BC) 212 Chapter 16: Sulla Triumphant 214 Chapter 17: Sulla’s Rome 226 Chapter 18: Sulla’s Legacies 231 Chapter 19: Politics in a Post-Sullan World 248 Chapter 20: 63 BC 258 Chapter 21: Law and Disorder 270 Chapter 22: Pompey and Caesar 289 Chapter 23: Caesarians and Pompeians 303 Part V: Monarchy (36 BC–AD 138) 318 Chapter 24: Imperator Caesar Augustus 320 Chapter 25: The Augustan Empire 337 Chapter 26: Eccentricity and Bureaucracy 354 Chapter 27: Three Murders and the Emergence of an Imperial Society 372 Chapter 28: Dynasties Come and Go 392 Chapter 29: Reimagining Rome 404 Chapter 30: The View from Tivoli 420 Chapter 31: What Happened 433 Notes on Sources 435 List of Illustrations 450 Acknowledgements 452 Index 454 Le site de l'éditeur indique : "Capturing the pivotal moment when Rome transformed from a republic to a world empire, spanning over three hundred action-packed years. In 264 BC, a Roman army was poised to cross from southern Italy into Sicily. They couldn't know that this crossing would be Rome's first step on its journey from local republic to vast and powerful empire. At the beginning of the three dramatic centuries that make up this book's narrative, Rome had no emperor and limited global influence; by the book's end, Hadrian was set to pass into history as one of the greatest emperors, whose territories stretched from England to Turkey. In David Potter's masterful history of this period, we trace the process of cultural, political and civic transformation which led to the creation of a monarchy and the acquisition of territory, via wars with Hannibal, the destruction of Carthage, Augustan Empire-building and Hadrian's famous wall, all of which contributed to the most successful multi-cultural state in the history of Europe. This is a lively, scholarly approach to an essential era"