Why We're All Romans: The Roman Contribution to the Western World

by Carl J. Richard author of The Founders and the Classics: Greece, Rome, and the American Enl

Overview

This engaging yet deeply informed work not only examines Roman history and the multitude of Roman achievements in rich and colorful detail but also delineates their crucial and lasting impact on Western civilization. Noted historian Carl J. Richard argues that although we Westerners are "all Greeks" in politics, science, philosophy, and literature and "all Hebrews" in morality and spirituality, it was the Romans who made us Greeks and Hebrews.

As the author convincingly shows, from the Middle Ages on, most Westerners received Greek ideas from Roman sources. Similarly, when the Western world adopted the ethical monotheism of the Hebrews, it did so at the instigation of a Roman citizen named Paul, who took advantage of the peace, unity, stability, and roads of the empire to proselytize the previously pagan Gentiles, who quickly became a majority of the religion's adherents. Although the Roman government of the first century crucified Christ and persecuted Christians, Rome's fourth- and fifth-century leaders encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout the Western world.

In addition to making original contributions to administration, law, engineering, and architecture, the Romans modified and often improved the ideas they assimilated. Without the Roman sense of social responsibility to temper the individualism of Hellenistic Greece, classical culture might have perished, and without the Roman masses to proselytize and the social and material conditions necessary to this evangelism, Christianity itself might not have survived.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742567795
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/16/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	905,132
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Carl J. Richard is professor of history at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Roman History in Brief Chapter 2: Administration and Law Chapter 3: Engineering and Architecture Chapter 4: Epic and Lyric Poetry Chapter 5: Speeches, Letters, and Agricultural Manuals Chapter 6: Philosophy Chapter 7: Historical Writing Chapter 8: Comedy and Satire Chapter 9: Greek and Jewish Contributions in the Roman Era Chapter 10: The Rise and Romanization of Christianity Epilogue Suggestions for Further Reading

Editorial Reviews

Lively account of Ancient Rome.

Italian American Magazine

In Why We're All Romans, America’s premier intellectual historian surveys the culture of the ancient Mediterranean with scholarly acumen and humane wit. Whether discussing Roman law, architecture, history or 'the Romanization of Christianity,' Carl Richard’s well-written and informed account is an excellent introduction to the ancient culture that shaped the United States and is still important for American freedom and creativity.

E. Christian Kopff

At this critical moment in our history, Carl Richard recovers for us the deepest roots of American order. In clear and lively prose, he guides us through Roman civilization and its influence on the West, artfully melding entertaining anecdotes with spot-on analysis. Why We're All Romans is a superb summary of Roman history, one that will both delight and instruct the reader.

Bruce Thornton

Richard (Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette) has written a readable, accessible overview of ancient Roman society and history. Organized thematically, the book examines a wide variety of topics, including Roman engineering, philosophy, and literature. Each chapter provides a succinct summary of Roman contributions in these fields, along with a description of how these contributions have affected later periods in Western history. Richard's overall argument is that the Romans deserve credit for helping to transmit both Greek and Jewish ideas into Western civilization, as well as for their own unique contributions, especially in the fields of architecture, engineering, and law. The book includes a one-chapter account of Roman political and military history, beginning with the founding of the city of Rome and stretching through the fall of the Roman Empire.. .. This book is a useful basic overview of Roman history. Summing Up: Recommended. General and undergraduate collections

Choice Reviews

At this critical moment in our history, Carl Richard recovers for us the deepest roots of American order. In clear and lively prose, he guides us through Roman civilization and its influence on the West, artfully melding entertaining anecdotes with spot-on analysis. Why We're All Romans is a superb summary of Roman history, one that will both delight and instruct the reader.--Bruce Thornton, Campbell National Fellow at the Hoover Institution

In Why We're All Romans, America's premier intellectual historian surveys the culture of the ancient Mediterranean with scholarly acumen and humane wit. Whether discussing Roman law, architecture, history or 'the Romanization of Christianity, ' Carl Richard's well-written and informed account is an excellent introduction to the ancient culture that shaped the United States and is still important for American freedom and creativity.--E. Christian Kopff, University of Colorado, Boulder

Richard (history, Univ. of Louisiana, Lafayette; Greeks & Romans Bearing Gifts: How the Ancients Inspired the Founding Fathers) gives us another work on classical influences, aimed at educated but nonexpert readers. Taking a broader focus than in his previous titles, he does not limit his study only to influences on early America but seeks to demonstrate how Roman culture influenced later Western culture in nearly all disciplines, including law, engineering, literature, and philosophy. Working on this monumental scale over such well-trod ground requires some deftness, and . . . Richard's prose is clear and engaging (he cites excerpts from his previous Twelve Greeks and Romans Who Changed the World). . . . An entertaining and informative book for readers interested in a broad view of Western reception of Roman culture.--Library Journal

From the Publisher

Richard (Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette) has written a readable, accessible overview of ancient Roman society and history. Organized thematically, the book examines a wide variety of topics, including Roman engineering, philosophy, and literature. Each chapter provides a succinct summary of Roman contributions in these fields, along with a description of how these contributions have affected later periods in Western history. Richard's overall argument is that the Romans deserve credit for helping to transmit both Greek and Jewish ideas into Western civilization, as well as for their own unique contributions, especially in the fields of architecture, engineering, and law. The book includes a one-chapter account of Roman political and military history, beginning with the founding of the city of Rome and stretching through the fall of the Roman Empire. . . . This book is a useful basic overview of Roman history. Summing Up: Recommended. General and undergraduate collections

Choice

The author makes his case in an engaging and entertaining way.. .. He writes with remarkable clarity. His description of the Latin language as 'vigorous and precise' could well apply to his own prose, and the text is enlivened by his wry humor. Richard has a particular knack for selecting anecdotes that are telling and often amusing.. .. His historical assessments. .. are consistently balanced and perceptive.. .. This book will serve as a very good introduction to the ancient Romans and their achievements, and readers with a prior knowledge of the topic will profit from the author’s insights.

Renaissance Magazine