Nigel Rodgers

Classical sculptures, paintings and mosaics, ancient letters, records and artworks all help show how real people lived during one of the cultural peaks of world history. Detailed cross-sections and beautiful drawings of the Colosseum, the Pantheon and other World Heritage sites reveal Roman construction techniques and architectural styles. The poems of Virgil, Horace and Ovid, and prose writers such as Cicero, Seneca and Pliny are still read today. Daily life is explored in contemporary accounts of sports and games in the arenas, work and play at the baths, the theatre, the forum, and the woman's domain of the home. The world of ancient Rome is not only discovered in its grand art and architecture but also in the lives of its citizens, from emperor to slave. Find out more about the scandalous lives of such notorious emperors as Caligula and Nero, and the controversial histories of such leading citizens as Mark Antony, the great general and famous lover, and Pliny the Elder, who died at Pompeii. Slaves were an intrinsic part of many ancient societies but some Roman slaves were educated and promoted, and some were freed and granted citizenship. An empire open to many different cults and beliefs, laws and language, art and architecture, religion and philosophy created an incredible cultural fusion. With its wealth of photographs and illustrations, cross-sections and artworks, this informative and inspiring book will be a constantly illuminating reference in any library. How the Romans lived: an exploration of art, architecture, religion and customs, laws and literature, society and family, culture and lifestyle. Mosaics, paintings and sculpture; poems, plays and prose; amphitheatres, baths and temples; the many gods and goddesses of ancient Rome: all help tell the story of how people lived, worshipped and interacted during one of the cultural peaks of world history. Detailed cross-sections and drawings of the Colosseum, the Pantheon and other beautiful World Heritage buildings reveal Roman construction techniques and architectural styles. Find out about everyday lives and routines in the home for families, women, children and slaves as well as the sometimes shocking lives of notorious emperors as Caligula and Nero and the controversial histories of leading citizens, including Mark Antony and Ovid. An authoritative and accessible text is augmented with 450 photographs, illustrations, maps and diagrams.

A military and political history of one of the world’s most remarkable leaders, with over 250 photographs, illustrations, maps and battleplans. This concise and expert book describes the might of Alexander’s armies, and the arms, troops, ships and war machines crucial to his campaigns. It includes detailed coverage of every significant battle, from Alexander’s early commands to the final campaigns, and analysis of his greatest opponents. Alexander’s brief reign is placed in the context of the rise of  Macedonia and the disintegration of his immense empire after his death, from Philip II of Macedon until Hadrian in ad138.

From the legends of the Trojan War to the world conquests of Alexander the Great, Greece is the bedrock of Western civilization. Above all, the Greeks were pioneers in political thought and creators of the world’s first democracies. The first half of this fascinating military and political history details how the Greeks recovered from the collapse of the first Minoan, Cretan and Mycenaean civilization. It highlights the Persian Wars, and shows Athens during its brilliant Golden Age, before it was wrecked by the long wars with Sparta. It describes the men and women who have made Greece’s name resonate down the ages: Solon, the great reformer; Pericles, the supreme democrat; and Dionysius, the Sicilian tyrant. The second part of the book opens with the rise of Macedonia under Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Alexander, one of the most heroic and controversial figures in history, was a military genius who transformed the world, and who overthrew the Persian empire and helped spread Greek civilization and culture across half of Asia. His untimely death resulted in his eventual successor becoming the Roman empire. Over 500 photographs, illustrations, maps and battleplans bring this ancient history to life. With illuminating information on weapons, fleets and armies, on military tactics, and the organization of the great armies of Dionysius of Syracuse, Philip II and Alexander the Great, this is a breathtaking analysis of 2,000 years of impassioned politics, warfare and culture. An authoritative and beautifully illustrated account of ancient Greece, describing its classical heritage and influence on the history of the Western world. Chronicles political development in ancient Greece and explores the democracies, oligarchies and autocracies of Pericles, Solon and Leonidas. Explains the military techniques and strategies, operations and training of the Greek armies, with a special focus on the life, tactics and conquests of Alexander the Great. Includes detailed accounts of all the major conflicts – from the time of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars, charting Alexander the Great’s campaigns across the known world, to the reigns of Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, and Emperor Hadrian of Rome. Over 500 photographs, illustrations, specially commissioned battleplans and maps show Athens, Sparta and other ancient Greek city-states in magnificent detail.

The story of ancient Rome is one of the great tales ofhuman history. This richly illustrated book offers afascinating insight into the rise of Rome, which ruledalmost the whole known world, from Britain in the westto North Africa and the Middle East. Over 1500 yearsafter Rome's final decline and fall, this examination of thepeople, places and events of Rome's military and politicalempire will absorb any reader. Over 470 magnificent photographs,specially commissioned illustrations, family trees, maps,battle plans and timecharts build up a panoramic pictureof the political strength of the Roman Empire and itspolicy of ruthless conquest, in this highly accessible popular history of government,warfare, military conquest, leadership and power inancient Rome.