At Empire's Edge: Exploring Rome's Egyptian Frontier - Hardcover

Jackson, Robert B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300088566 ISBN 13: 9780300088564

Publisher: YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2002

Synopsis

When Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire in 30 B.C. after the deaths of Antony and Cleopatra its vast and mysterious frontier lands had an important impact on the commerce politics and culture of the empire. This engrossing book -- part history and part gazetteer -- focuses on Rome's Egyptian frontier describing the ancient fortresses temples settlements quarries and aqueducts scattered throughout the region and conveying a vivid sense of what life was like for its inhabitants.

About this title

About the Author

Robert B. Jackson is chair of the department of history at the American International School of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Reviews

Drawn to the rich history of the deserts bordering Egypt, Jackson (chair of the department of history, American International School of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman) has traveled the eastern and western deserts, and south to the Sudan, by foot, camel, and jeep over the past 20 years. His attraction to Greco-Roman sites gave rise to the research that produced this magnificent study, which focuses on the period from 29 B.C.E. to the fifth century C.E. Rich in archaeological and textual documentation, the work also deftly re-creates a feeling for the lives of the people who inhabited these now barren places. Though the author visited every known Roman site, never once does he intrude upon his subject with the personal pronoun "I." Rather, his narrative draws us into the subject matter, site by site, covering Roman stone quarries, trade routes, ports, oases, fortresses, temples, and settlements. Jackson effortlessly blends ancient history with accounts by later travelers and the most recent archaeological work. Written for students and the general reader, this volume, besides providing otherwise inaccessible information, is meant to draw attention to the importance of these sites, which are being vandalized and neglected. A superbly written work of major importance for laypersons and scholars; recommended for history and travel collections. Joan W. Garland, Detroit P.L.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300088566
• ISBN 13: 9780300088564
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320