The Romans (Rebuilding the Past) - Hardcover

Burrell, Roy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199171629 ISBN 13: 9780199171620

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1991

Synopsis

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME! TEMPUS FUGIT! SUPER BOWL XXIV! JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER (ET CETERA, ET CETERA)!
These words and phrases, plus our concepts of law and government, and even central heating and air-conditioning are only a few of the gifts left to us by the great Roman Empire. Now, this newest addition to the REBUILDING THE PAST series offers a detailed and accessible review of this turbulent and exciting time in the world's history, written and illustrated especially for young readers aged 10 to 14.
In fact-filled essays, from a wide range of historical sources, Roy Burrell vividly describes the early kings and emperors of Rome, the physical layout of the city, army life and major battles, the Barbarian threat, and eventual fall of Rome. But what makes this story of Rome's rise and fall so irresistable to children is its focus on the average citizen. What food and drink was most popular? How did people earn a living? What were the homes like -- did they have indoor plumbing? What games did the children play? These are the kinds of questions that children ask, and Burrell has made sure he has the answers.
Through fictional eye-witness accounts that are the trademark of the series, the reader hears first-hand how momentus events of history touch ordinary men and women. An eighty year old man discusses how Rome changed as it grew, a twelve year old boy describes a typical family visit to the public baths, a slave talks of his chances for freedom, and other citizens from all classes and walks of life speak directly to the reader to tell what it was like to live in Rome.
But perhaps the most remarkable part of this exciting new book is the contribution of the acclaimed children's illustrator, Peter Connolly. He excells in THE ROMANS with maps, cross-sections, detailed drawings, and even a complete scale model of what Rome may have looked like at the height of its glory. A child's curiosity and interest will be piqued before he or she reads a single word.
THE ROMANS is an excellent addition to school, classroom, or home library. It's non-fiction at its best -- accurate, detailed, and thorougly fascinating.

Included in The Romans:
Section 1: Origins
Section 2: Rome and her neighbors
Section 3: The city of Rome
Section 4: Republic and empire
Section 5: Daily life
Section 6: The state and religion
Section 7: The arena
Section 8: Barbarians at the gate
Postscript: The legacy of Rome
Index

About this title

About the Author

ROY BURRELL is the author of The Greeks, published by Oxford in 1989, and many other historical books for children.
PETER CONNOLLY is an acclaimed archaeologist, artist, and writer. His award-winning Legend of Odysseus is now available in paperback.

Reviews

Grade 5-7-- If Rome wasn't built in a day, its history certainly can't be described in 112 pages. This attempt to do so has major gaps alongside worthwhile material. Chapters covering everything from the Eternal City's legendary beginnings as described by Virgil to the barbarian invasions are broken into smaller sections, each dealing with a particular aspect of the topic. ``Daily Life,'' for example, contains several spreads treating such subjects as food and drink, clothes, education, time and the calendar, painting, sculpture and drama, earning a living, and games and pastimes. Each could serve as a topic for a book in itself, and some have. Numerous full-color illustrations will interest readers more than the rather dry text. There are too few maps, and there's no glossary. This is similar in scope but less appealing than Mike Corbishley's The Roman World (Warwick Pr., 1986; o.p.). --David N. Pauli, Missoula Public Library, MT
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199171629
• ISBN 13: 9780199171620
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Connolly Peter
• Number of pages: 112