The Roman Republic, history, myths, politics, and novelistic historiography

The history of the Roman Republic has been shrouded in myth, assailed by gaps in historical knowledge, and even immersed in political biases. But in this book, the author has succeeded in penetrating the mist, using both ancient and modern sources, as well as numismatic information and other illustrative materials and artforms. He narrates the history of ancient Rome—from its beginnings with the legendary seven kings of Rome, the founding and struggles of the Republic, the wars of conquests and civil wars, to the collapse of the Republic and the inception of the Roman Empire with Augustus. Peace is finally established, and the Augustan Renaissance and the Pax Romana followed, hinting at the course of Western civilization. One lesson is learned: Liberty and civic duties are too valuable to be forsaken for the material safety of "bread and circuses" because in the end citizens so partaking may end up with neither liberty nor safety.