Storming the Heavens

Storming the Heavens Soldiers, Emperors, and Civilians in the Roman Empire

Paperback (17 Feb 2014)

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Publisher's Synopsis

At the close of the third century B. C., the ancient world was in awe of Rome's clear political, military, and cultural hegemony. But however secure Rome's power may have seemed from the outside, from within it faced a challenge which was to seriously to threaten its supremacy.

Social turmoil prevailed at the heart of the Roman territories, and in Storming the Heavens, Santosuosso argues that the behaviour of the Roman armies played a central role in this unrest. The troops became the enemies within, pillaging and slaughtering fellow citizens indiscriminately, while remaining loyal to their leaders - for the livelihood and booty they provided - but not the Republic. The new army abandoned its role as depository for upper class values and became an institution of the poor.

Santosuosso also investigates the monopoly of military power in the hands of a few, the connection between the armies and the state's cherished values, and the manipulation, subjugation, and dehumanisation of the subject peoples. In all, he provides a fascinating and dramatic portrait of the Roman army from the time of its greatest supremacy through to the melancholy collapse of Empire in the fifth century A. D.

About the Publisher

Pimlico

Pimlico

Established in 1991 Pimlico has become leading paperback publisher of specialised, award-winning, high-end non-fiction. Areas of interest cover Politics, for example Bernard Donohue?s Downing Street Diaries Art, such as John Richardson?s prize-winning biography of Picasso Biography, for example Norman Sherry?s 3-part acclaimed biography of Graham Greene, and History, with authors such as Gillian Tindall, Charles Freeman and Anthony Read. Readable, informative, entertaining and important, Pimlico ? with its easily recognizable spines and innovative design ? publishes books that matter.

Book information

ISBN: 9781845952167
Publisher: Random House
Imprint: Pimlico
Pub date:
DEWEY: 937.06
DEWEY edition: 23
Language: English
Number of pages: 280
Weight: 356g
Height: 156mm
Width: 232mm
Spine width: 22mm