The Roman Empire is widely admired as a model of civilisation. In this compelling new study Neil Faulkner argues that in fact, it was nothing more than a ruthless system of robbery and violence. War was used to enrich the state, the imperial ruling classes and favoured client groups. In the process millions of people were killed or enslaved.

Within the empire the landowning elite creamed off the wealth of the countryside to pay taxes to the state and fund the towns and villas where they lived. The masses of people slaves, serfs and poor peasants were victims of a grand exploitation that made the empire possible. This system, riddled with tension and latent conflict, contained the seeds of its own eventual collapse.

A major new single volume history of the greatest empire of antiquity, which challenges the orthodox view that Rome was a bringer of civilisation.

About the Author

Archaeologist and historian Neil Faulkner works as a lecturer, writer, editor and professional broadcaster. He has worked as excavation director for Time Team and is an Honorary Lecturer at the Institute of Archaeology at the University College of London.

His previous books include The Decline and Fall of Roman Britain(2004) and Apocalypse: the Great Jewish Revolt against Rome, AD66-73(2004) and Hidden Treasures, which accompanies the BBC series.

Book Information
ISBN 9781408229200
Author Neil Faulkner
Format Paperback
Page Count 378
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 560g