Ancient Rome (Nature Company Discoveries Libraries)

Describes life in ancient Rome, and discusses the growth and decline of the Roman empire

Grade 4-7. A lavishly illustrated introduction to Roman culture and history. Although there isn't enough material for school reports, this is one of the most attractive additions to an ever-growing list of titles about ancient cultures. Well-designed double-page spreads cover history, government, religion, social customs, and leading personalities. One four-page gatefold depicts the ancient rock of Masada. A chronological listing of emperors is included. Full-color drawings and photographs of sculptures, reliefs, and frescoes fill in some of the details. There's nothing new here, but the combination of a well-written, lucid text and vivid illustrations may encourage curious students to move on to more solid sources. A good choice if basic, introductory material is needed.?Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A portrait of ancient Rome, divided into four sections: ``The Roman World,'' ``Living in the Empire,'' ``Expansion and Empire,'' and ``The Fall of Rome.'' Along the way it covers the usual topics for this type of book--family life, education, farming--as well as more unusual topics, including the siege of Masada, appearing in a beautifully done four-page fold-out. Following the Nature Company Discoveries Library format, this is lavishly illustrated, both with full-color reproductions of original paintings and with photographs of Roman antiquities (though a few are too small to view well). The text is clear and interesting, but brief; the book is an introduction, and readers who want more in-depth coverage will have to look elsewhere. (maps, charts, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 8-13) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.