pickInteresting book. It's definitely written in a more academic style. The author provided a good overview of the Roman army's structure, as well as examining some of the different government offices. There's several places the author openly admits that we don't know for sure what happened for certain events. However, he does frequently provides possible courses of events, and explains why. Worth reading if this time period interests you.
Next up for reading. I got this book a while ago, since I knew very little about these emperors, especially compared to more well-known ones like Augustus and Constantine I.
pickThis was very interesting- I never knew that Cicero‘s life was that remarkable and went through significant ups and downs. He survived more than Roman dictator and tried to save the Republic. This is definitely a very detailed book. To listen to the audiobook while driving proved difficult sometimes because it was easy to miss information, so I had to listen to some chapters more than once. But it was worth it.
Rome turns 2778 years old on April 21. Not part of Italy‘s Jubilee celebrations but definitely part of #foodandlit‘s all year celebration of all things Italian. #Jubilee. Throw a Roman birthday party this Monday!
More info here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIcFUz5MA9b/?igsh=ZzFvM2d0MTV2dGk5
panI'm not entirely sure why I stuck with this one to the end, because I found it really boring. I just couldn't retain the information. I think it's the travelogue style, rather than any kind of focus on history. Just bits of information thrown in a blender as an excuse to write off travel to Italy on one's taxes, one suspects, cynically.
This is going very slowly for me -- I think it's too much of a travelogue, and not organised in a way that's grabbing me, even though I am ostensibly interested in the subject.
It's probably also not working out cause I'm stressed to the gills about my wife's broken ankle and the awkwardness of our flat (which has had a long hole in the floor of the hallway that leads to the only bathroom for years, which is a problem when someone's on crutches).
"So all considerations of humanity were swept away by their rage and fury; or was this, rather, a demonstration that no wild beast is more savage than man when his passions are armed with power?"
Plutarch, "Fall of the Roman Republic"
pickI thought this to be interesting. While I have learned about most of the covered material before, it was interesting seeing how an ancient author wrote on it. It was also interesting seeing Plutarch's commentary on certain issues. Main downside is that this contains half of Plutarch's "Parallel Lives" where he compares a Greek figure with a Roman, then does a summary of the two. As a result, it can be slightly difficult to follow the summaries.
"As he left the forum he said to those who were with him: 'It is certainly sordid to do the wrong thing, and anyone can do the right thing when there is no danger attached; what distinguishes the good man from others is that when danger is involved he still does right."
-Plutarch, "Fall of the Roman Republic"
