Rome in the East: The Transformation of an Empire - Softcover

Ball, Warwick

3.96

23 ratings by Goodreads

9780415243575: Rome in the East: The Transformation of an Empire

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415243572 ISBN 13: 9780415243575

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

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In this lavishly illustrated and arresting study, Warwick Ball presents the story of Rome's overwhelming fascination with the East through a coverage of the historical, architectural and archaeological evidence unparalleled in both breadth and detail.
This was a fascination of the new world for the old, and of the mundane for the exotic - a love affair that took literal form in the story of Antony and Cleopatra. From Rome's legendary foundation by Aeneas and the Trojan heroes as the New Troy, through the installation of Arabs as Roman emperors, to the eventual foundation of the new Rome by a latter-day Aeneas at Constantinople, the East took over Rome, - and Rome eventually ditched Europe to the barbarians.
Rome in the East overturns the received wisdom about Rome as the bastion of European culture. Newly available in paperback, and illustrated with almost 300 photographs, plans and drawings, its accessible and comprehensive approach makes it an ideal resource for both the academic and general reader.

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About the Author:

Warwick Ball, F.S.A., M.I.F.A., is a distinguished writer and archaeologist who has conducted excavations in Afghanistan, Iran, Libya and Ethiopia. From 1972-1981 he worked in Afghanistan under successive regimes from kingdom to Soviet occupation. Between 1981-82 he was Acting Director of the British Institute of Afghan Studies. From 1983-85 he was Architectural Conservator in the Department of Antiquities in Jordan, and then between 1985-88 he served as Director of Excavations and Assistant Director of the British School of Archaeology in Iraq. He is now Director of Eastern Approaches, a company organizing tours to central Asia and beyond. He has published numerous books, which include" Syria: A Historical and Architectural Guide" (1994), "Rome in the East: The Transformation of an Empire "(2000) and (with Leonard Harrow) "Cairo to Kabul: Afghan and Islamic Studies Presented to Ralph Pinder-Wilson" (2002). Rome in the East won the James Henry Breasted Prize for History in 2000, and was Choice's Outstanding Academic Book in the same year.

Review:

'Truly remarkable and wide ranging survey ... a book that, without any doubt, is premier in this new view of Rome in the east.' - Minerva

'This is the most complete survey of the area in English and is an immensely valuable exploration of Syrian, Iranian, and even Indian influences on Roman culture.' - Choice

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