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Rome Is Burning

Nero and the Fire That Ended a Dynasty
Series: Turning Points in Ancient History
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Check link for latest rating. ( 264 ratings, 42 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Rome Is Burning by Anthony A. Barrett, the book explores the period of turmoil during the reign of Emperor Nero, focusing on the infamous Great Fire of Rome. It delves into the political, social, and cultural contexts, examining Nero's leadership and the narratives that have shaped historical understanding of the event. Barrett provides an in-depth analysis of the fire and its repercussions on the Roman Empire, challenging long-held perceptions and myths.
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Format: Hardback
$8999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have a keen interest in the history of ancient Rome, particularly the social, political, and cultural dynamics during the reign of Emperor Nero. It delves into the intrigue and complexities of Roman society, offering an insightful look at how artistic and cultural elements influenced and reflected the broader historical landscape.

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According to legend, the Roman emperor Nero set fire to his majestic imperial capital on the night of July 19, AD 64 and fiddled while the city burned. It's a story that has been told for more than two millennia - and it's likely that almost none of it is true. In Rome Is Burning,

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

According to legend, the Roman emperor Nero set fire to his majestic imperial capital on the night of July 19, AD 64 and fiddled while the city burned. It's a story that has been told for more than two millennia – and it's likely that almost none of it is true. In Rome Is Burning, distinguished Roman historian Anthony Barrett sets the record straight, providing a comprehensive and authoritative account of the Great Fire of Rome, its immediate aftermath, and its damaging long-term consequences for the Roman world.

Drawing on remarkable new archaeological discoveries and sifting through all the literary evidence, Barrett tells what is known about what actually happened and argues that the disaster was a turning point in Roman history, one that ultimately led to the fall of Nero and the end of the dynasty that began with Julius Caesar.

Rome Is Burning tells how the fire destroyed much of the city and threw the population into panic. It describes how it also destroyed Nero's golden image and provoked a financial crisis and currency devaluation that made a permanent impact on the Roman economy. Most importantly, the book surveys, and includes many photographs of, recent archaeological evidence that shows visible traces of the fire's destruction. Finally, the book describes the fire's continuing afterlife in literature, opera, ballet, and film.

A richly detailed and scrupulously factual narrative of an event that has always been shrouded in myth, Rome Is Burning promises to become the standard account of the Great Fire of Rome for our time.

'A thorough, high-quality work on Emperor Nero and the fire that destroyed Rome in 64 CE... Sure to be the most enduring treatment of this major historical event for some time.' - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Series: Turning Points in Ancient History

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  • Rome Is Burning
    According to legend, the Roman emperor Nero set fire to his majestic imperial capital on the night of July 19, AD 64 and fiddled while the city burned. It's a story that has been told for more than two millennia – and it's likely that almost none of it is true. In Rome Is Burning, distinguished Roman historian Anthony Barrett...
    Hardback
    $8999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Rome Is Burning
    According to legend, the Roman emperor Nero set fire to his majestic imperial capital on the night of July 19, AD 64 and fiddled while the city burned. It's a story that has been told for more than two millennia – and it's likely that almost none of it is true. In Rome Is Burning, distinguished Roman historian Anthony Barrett...
    By Anthony A. Barrett
    Paperback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • After 1177 B.C.
    After 1177 B.C.
    In this gripping sequel to his bestselling 1177 B.C., Eric Cline tells the story of what happened after the Bronze Age collapsed—why some civilisations endured, why some gave way to new ones, and why some disappeared forever. At the end of the acclaimed history 1177 B.C., many of the Late Bronze Age civilisations of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean lay...
    By Eric H. Cline
    Paperback
    $5200
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Rome Is Burning by Anthony A. Barrett is praised for its engaging analysis of Nero's role in the Great Fire of Rome, noted for its clear narrative and comprehensive research. Reviewers highlight Barrett's exploration of rumours and conspiracy theories, which contribute to political change, offering a fresh perspective on historical events. His work, rich with maps and illustrations, is deemed valuable for both scholars and enthusiasts of Roman history.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691172316

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 10 November 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 51 b/w illus. 1 table. 1 map.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 368

Collections

Ancient & Classical History History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Series: Turning Points in Ancient History

About the Author

Anthony A. Barrett is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia and visiting professor at the University of Heidelberg. His many books include Caligula: The Abuse of Power and Livia: First Lady of Imperial Rome. He is also the coeditor of The Emperor Nero: A Guide to the Ancient Sources (Princeton).

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