Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Imperial Rome

Journey through the opulent splendor and imperial grandeur of ancient Rome with our meticulously curated reading list, offering a comprehensive exploration of the imperial era.

Delve into the works of renowned historians such as Wallace-Hadrill, Coulston, and Robinson, whose insightful analyses illuminate the political intrigue, cultural achievements, and architectural marvels of Rome at the height of its power. From the towering majesty of the Colosseum to the magnificent forums and palaces that adorned the cityscape, immerse yourself in the architectural legacy of emperors such as Augustus, Nero, and Hadrian. Explore the socio-economic dynamics of imperial society, from the lavish lifestyles of the elite to the struggles of the urban poor. Uncover the military conquests and diplomatic maneuvers that expanded Rome’s dominion across three continents, forging an empire that would endure for centuries. With our curated selection of texts, you’ll embark on a captivating journey through the heart of ancient Rome, unraveling the complexities of power, prestige, and enduring legacy that defined this iconic civilization.

General

  • Claridge, A., Rome: an Oxford archaeological guide, Oxford, 2010, 125-59, 161-96, 301-6.
  • Connolly, P. & Dodge, H., The ancient city: life in Classical Athens and Rome, Oxford, 1998, 115-9, 218-25.
  • Coulston, J. & Dodge, H., Ancient Rome: the archaeology of the eternal city, Oxford, 2000, Ch 4-5.
  • Robinson, O.F., Ancient Rome: city planning and administration, London, 1992, Ch 2, 5, 7, 9, 12-13.
  • Stambaugh, J.E., The ancient Roman city, Baltimore, 1988, Ch 4, 7.

Further Reading

  • Anderson, J.C., The historical topography of the imperial fora, Brussels, 1984.
  • Boatwright, M.T., Hadrian and the city of Rome, Princeton, 1987.
  • Busch, A.W., Militär in Rom: militärische und paramilitärische Einheiten im kaiserzeitlichen Stadtbild, Wiesbaden, 2011.
  • Ewald, B.C. & Norena, C.F., The emperor and Rome: space, representation, and ritual, Cambridge, 2010.
  • Favro, D.G., The urban image of Augustan Rome, Cambridge, 1996.
  • Hannestad, N., Roman art and imperial policy, Aarhus, 1986.
  • Haselberger, L. & Humphrey, J.H., Imaging ancient Rome: documentation, visualization, imagination : proceedings of the Third Williams Symposium on Classical Architecture, held at the American Academy in Rome, the British School at Rome, and the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Rome, on May 20-23, 2004 in JRA.61, Portsmouth RI, 2006.
  • Lott, J.B., The neighborhoods of Augustan Rome, Cambridge, 2004.
  • Lusnia, S.S., Creating Severan Rome: the architecture and self-image of L. Septimius Severus (A.D. 193-211), Brussells, 2014.
  • Meneghini, R., I Fori imperiali e i Mercati di Traiano: storia e descrizione dei monumenti alla luce degli studi e degli scavi recenti, Rome, 2009.
  • Packer, J.E., The Forum of Trajan in Rome: a study of the monuments in brief, Berkeley, 2001.
  • Rehak, P., Imperium and cosmos: Augustus and the northern Campus Martius, Madison, 2006.
  • Robinson, O.F., Ancient Rome: city planning and administration, London, 1992, Ch 2, 5, 7, 9, 12-13.
  • Wallace-Hadrill, A., Augustan Rome, Bristol, 1993.
  • Ward-Perkins, J.B. & Boethius, A., Roman imperial architecture, Harmondsworth, 1981.