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Guide Picks - Top 3 Books on the Late Republic / Roman Revolution
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Sometimes it seems as though there is too much material on Rome around the time of Julius Caesar. There's a reason for this -- many first hand accounts -- a rarity in ancient history. The authors of the following books distill the Latin primary sources to present authoritative pictures of the Roman Republic when it was the dominant world power abroad, but in revolt or chaos closer to home.
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1) Roman Revolution
Sir Ronald Syme's 1939 classic about the period from 60 B.C. to A.D. 14, the accession of Augustus, and the ineluctable movement from democracy to dictatorship.
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2) Party Politics in the Age of Caesar
Another classic, from 1949, this time by Lily Ross Taylor (1896-1969). Party Politics makes it clear that politics were different in Cicero and Caesar's day, although the dominant optimates and populares are often identified with modern conservative and liberal parties. Patrons had clients so they could "get out the vote."
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3) The Last Generation of the Roman Republic
"[Erich S.] Gruen in particular makes a great bookend for Syme since their theses are near polar opposites. Read Sir Ronnie first, for his outlook, research and especially prose style. Then dig into Gruen to see how things were starting to be re-examined after 30+ years." - Pomponia
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