The Romans

Why do the Romans still matter?

In The Romans: All That Matters, John Manley focuses on some of the fundamental aspects of the Roman Empire, especially those topics that have relevance beyond the study of Antiquity itself - how its material remains and philosophical concepts have survived and still influence us today.

How did a rather obscure settlement spread over a few hills on the banks of the Tiber come to dominate the lives of 65 million people? What drove this relentless desire to conquer? How did Rome manage to maintain direct rule over such a vast area - from present-day Scotland to Syria - approximately 6 million square kilometres?

The answer, in part, is that there were many different kinds of Roman culture, as each separate provincial elite, each region and each group of indigenous community leaders, chose slightly different elements of the Roman colonial 'package' to establish their particular identity.

This accessible and readable book will appeal both to students and general readers, giving a fascinating introduction to the Romans - and what mattered most about them.

About the Author

John Manley is an archaeologist, historian and social anthropologist. He is best known for discovering a new Roman building near Fishbourne Roman Palace in Chichester, and for advancing the theory that the Roman invasion of Britain landed in West Sussex rather than in Kent. He has written ten books, has been CEO of the UK's largest archaeological society, and has excavated Roman sites in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.