A wide-ranging survey of the history of the Roman Empirefrom its establishment to decline and beyond

Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinian provides a sweeping historical survey of the Roman empire. Uncommonly expansive in its chronological scope, this unique two-volume text explores the time period encompassing Julius Caesars death in 44 BCE to the end of Justinians reign six centuries later. Internationally-recognized author and scholar of Roman history John Matthews balances broad historical narrative with discussions of important occurrences in their thematic contexts. This integrative approach helps readers learn the timeline of events, understand their significance, and consider their historical sources.

Defining the time period in a clear, yet not overly restrictive manner, the text reflects contemporary trends in the study of social, cultural, and literary themes. Chapters examine key points in the development of the Roman Empire, including the establishment of empire under Augustus,Pax Romana and the Antonine Age, the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, and the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Discussions of the Justinianic Age, the emergence of Byzantium, and the post-Roman West help readers understand the later Roman world and its impact on the subsequent history of Europe. Written to be used as standalone resource or in conjunction with its companionVolume II: Selective Anthology, this innovative textbook:

Combines accessible narrative exposition with thorough examination of historical source materialProvides well-rounded coverage of Roman economy, society, law, and literary and philosophical cultureOffers content taken from the authors respected Roman Empire survey courses at Yale and Oxford UniversityIncludes illustrations, maps and plans, and chapter-by-chapter bibliographical essays

Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinianis a valuable text for survey courses in Roman history as well as general readers interested in the 600 year time frame of the empire.

JOHN MATTHEWS is Professor Emeritus of Classics and History, Yale University, USA. He received his PhD from Oxford University in 1969 and taught Greek and Roman history at Oxford for many years before moving to Yale in 1996. He was elected Fellow of the British Academy in 1990. He is author of many books includingWestern Aristocracies and Imperial Court, A.D. 364-425, The Roman Empire of Ammianus,??Laying Down the Law: A Study of the Theodosian Code, andRoman Perspectives: Studies in the social, political and cultural history of the First to Fifth Centuries. He is also co-author of the acclaimedAtlas of the Roman World.

Preface vii

List of Maps xv

List of Figures xvii

Part I Building an Empire 1

1 Introduction: The Roman Republic and its Discontents 3

2 The Tragedy of Julius Caesar 19

3 Caesars Heir 29

4 A New Order 37

5 Succession, and the Nature of the Imperial Office 57

6 The JulioClaudian Dynasty: Loyalty and Dissent 67

Bibliographical Notes to Part I: Building an Empire 83

Part II Pax Romana: A Polite and Powerful Empire 91

7 Frontiers and Provinces 93

8 From Flavians to Severi 117

9 Age of the Antonines 137

10 Religious Change and Early Christianity 173

Bibliographical Notes to Part II: A Polite and Powerful Empire 185

Part III Rising to the Challenge 197

11 Into an Age of Iron 199

12 Political Change and the Economy 213

13 Diocletian and the Tetrarchy 223

Bibliographical Notes to Part III: Rising to the Challenge 239

Part IV A New Empire 245

14 The Ascendancy of Constantine 247

15 Cities of Constantine: Constantinople, Rome, Jerusalem 263

16 The House of Constantine 281

17 Julian, Hellenism, and Christianity 297

18 Christianity and Roman Society 307

19 The Late Roman State 321

20 Rome and the Barbarian World 333

Bibliographical Notes to Part IV: A New Empire 345

Part V Facing the Future 355

21 The Fall of Rome 357

22 Into a PostRoman World 373

23 East and West after the Fall of Rome 389

24 Royalty at Ravenna 403

25 Dialogues with the Past: The Reign of Justinian 417

26 Retrospective 437

Bibliographical Notes to Part V: Facing the Future 447

Abbreviations and Short Titles 457

Bibliographical References 459

Index 479