
Ancient Rome
Facts and Fictions
Monica M. Bontty(Author)
ABC-CLIO (Publisher)
Published on 17. March 2020
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-4408-5562-7 (ISBN)
Description
This book shares little-known facts from and excerpts of primary source documents to correct popular misconceptions about Ancient Rome and to show how those misconceptions became widespread.
Roman personalities and history have always had a larger-than-life profile in American popular culture, but most people think of this ancient civilization as merely decadent, cruel, and elitist. Most of our stereotypical conceptions of the empire and its people, however, are wrong. This book corrects popular misconceptions about the ancient Roman world, thus making ancient history relevant and accessible to modern readers and allowing modern critics of American politics and society to draw accurate comparisons.
Each chapter discusses how a particular misconception developed, spread, and evolved into what we now believe to be the historical truth. Topics discussed include crucifixion, the destruction of Carthage, Julius Caesar's last words, and Roman hygiene. Excerpts from primary source documents provide evidence of both the rise of the historical fictions and the truths behind the myths.
Roman personalities and history have always had a larger-than-life profile in American popular culture, but most people think of this ancient civilization as merely decadent, cruel, and elitist. Most of our stereotypical conceptions of the empire and its people, however, are wrong. This book corrects popular misconceptions about the ancient Roman world, thus making ancient history relevant and accessible to modern readers and allowing modern critics of American politics and society to draw accurate comparisons.
Each chapter discusses how a particular misconception developed, spread, and evolved into what we now believe to be the historical truth. Topics discussed include crucifixion, the destruction of Carthage, Julius Caesar's last words, and Roman hygiene. Excerpts from primary source documents provide evidence of both the rise of the historical fictions and the truths behind the myths.
Reviews / Votes
The text will be good supplementary reading for anyone studying ancient history, particularly undergraduates or anyone just beginning to study this topic. Recommended. General readers and lower-division undergraduates. * Choice *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
552 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4408-5562-7 (9781440855627)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2020
1st Edition
ABC-CLIO
€47.99
Available for download
Person
Monica M. Bontty is professor of history at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a respected authority on ancient history.
Content
Preface
Introduction
1. The Romans Destroyed Carthage and Plowed Salt into the Soil
2. Cato the Elder Hated Greek and Punic Culture
3. Caesar's Last Words Were "Et Tu, Brute"
4. Livia Murdered Augustus's Heirs to Make Tiberius Emperor
5. Caligula Made His Horse, Incitatus, a Consul
6. Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned
7. Romans Vomited in Vomitoria
8. The City of Rome Was Very Hygienic
9. Not All Gladiators Were Slaves
Ancient Sources
Secondary Sources
Index
Introduction
1. The Romans Destroyed Carthage and Plowed Salt into the Soil
2. Cato the Elder Hated Greek and Punic Culture
3. Caesar's Last Words Were "Et Tu, Brute"
4. Livia Murdered Augustus's Heirs to Make Tiberius Emperor
5. Caligula Made His Horse, Incitatus, a Consul
6. Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned
7. Romans Vomited in Vomitoria
8. The City of Rome Was Very Hygienic
9. Not All Gladiators Were Slaves
Ancient Sources
Secondary Sources
Index