Below is an easy-to-browse gallery
of books that cater to those who are interested in visiting Italy or learning
more about its ancient past. The majority of descriptions below are by independent
editors. Feel free to purchase these books directly from Amazon.com!
The
Roman Amphitheatre: From its Origins to the Colosseum:
Analyzing the evolution of the Roman amphitheatre as an architectural form, Katherine
Welch addresses the critical period in the history of this building type. She
covers the origins and dissemination under the Republic (from the third to first
centuries BC); monumentalization as an architectural form under Augustus; and
canonization as a building type with the Colosseum (AD 80). The study then focuses
on the reception of the amphitheatre in the Greek East, a part of the Empire strongly
divided about the new realities of Roman rule.
This lively book carries the reader painlessly through a complex record of legend
and history. By the end the authors have touched authoritatively on architecture,
mythological spectacle, imperial patronage, gladiators, sadism, early Christianity,
and modern romantic impressions of the Colosseum. A delightful and instructive
account. -- G. W. Bowersock, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton...
The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire: From the First Century
A.D. to the Third:
"Luttwak has done scholarship an immense service... Every page brings detailed
insights into the working of Roman military organization, in strategy and tactics."
-- E. Badian, New York Review of Books.
Unfold a spectacular model of the world’s most awe-inspiring amphitheater
— the Colosseum — and enter an ancient world where, for three hundred
years, gladiators pitted their strength and skill against one another. This exciting
set includes:
— A sophisticated pop-up scale model of the Colosseum.
—
A forty-page book describing a day at the games — for both a Roman citizen
and a slave.
— Eight gladiator cards identifying weapons and fighting
styles.
— A map of the streets and buildings of ancient Rome.
—
A diagram of the Colosseum and its underground tunnels.
— Game pieces
and rules for playing the ancient Roman game of tabula.
The rise and fall of Rome as an ancient world power continues to fascinate, especially
in a world where people often draw comparisons between the Roman Empire and the
United States in the 21st century. In an elegantly written and beautifully crafted
study, three recognized historians of ancient Rome provide a first-rate and definitive
history of the city from its prehistory to its rise and fall as the ancient world's
dominant power.
The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny, Second Edition:
The Pantheon is an informative and extremely well organized [book on] one of the
most important and influential buildings in world history. Throughout, the language
is appealing...Not only a coherent summary of the history, description, and analysis
of the building, but also a discussion of the relevant architectural issues within
a larger framework. (Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians).
Analyzing the evolution of the Roman amphitheatre as an architectural form, Katherine
Welch addresses the critical period in the history of this building type. She
covers the origins and dissemination under the Republic (from the third to first
centuries BC); monumentalization as an architectural form under Augustus; and
canonization as a building type with the Colosseum (AD 80). The study then focuses
on the reception of the amphitheatre in the Greek East, a part of the Empire strongly
divided about the new realities of Roman rule. 
This lively book carries the reader painlessly through a complex record of legend
and history. By the end the authors have touched authoritatively on architecture,
mythological spectacle, imperial patronage, gladiators, sadism, early Christianity,
and modern romantic impressions of the Colosseum. A delightful and instructive
account. -- G. W. Bowersock, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton...
"Luttwak has done scholarship an immense service... Every page brings detailed
insights into the working of Roman military organization, in strategy and tactics."
-- E. Badian, New York Review of Books.
Unfold a spectacular model of the world’s most awe-inspiring amphitheater
— the Colosseum — and enter an ancient world where, for three hundred
years, gladiators pitted their strength and skill against one another. This exciting
set includes:
The rise and fall of Rome as an ancient world power continues to fascinate, especially
in a world where people often draw comparisons between the Roman Empire and the
United States in the 21st century. In an elegantly written and beautifully crafted
study, three recognized historians of ancient Rome provide a first-rate and definitive
history of the city from its prehistory to its rise and fall as the ancient world's
dominant power.
The Pantheon is an informative and extremely well organized [book on] one of the
most important and influential buildings in world history. Throughout, the language
is appealing...Not only a coherent summary of the history, description, and analysis
of the building, but also a discussion of the relevant architectural issues within
a larger framework. (Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians).
