Roman Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the ancient world. At its peak in 117 CE, it covered around 5.9 million square kilometers over three continents, Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is estimated that perhaps 60 million people lived within its borders.

"Why the Romans Fell Despite Their Superiority.’”

The collapse of Rome is still an enigma for historians and it remains a distressing topic for many in the West. Actually, the West is totally afraid of the repetition of the collapse nowadays.

"The collapse of Rome" is well documented and the author made a good job presenting protagonists and the context that led to the collapse. When we compare to the practice of politics today we realize that probably nothing has changed. Everyone wants more power and each country wants more territory.

In the first century BC, the Roman Republic was in trouble. The surrounding areas were beginning to chafe under Roman rule without the benefits of citizenship, whilst those at the top were making power grabs. The First Civil War saw families and friends divided on opposite sides of the conflict, whilst legions either deserted or in some cases murdered their commanders. Fighting and assassinations were seen on the streets of Rome itself.

The Republic is the area where my knowledge of Rome is the weakest. I thought the book was well-researched and posited some interesting theories. It was quite a challenge to keep up with the plethora of people who paraded in and out of prominence during this time, and I found the writing was a little academically dry in places. I would recommend this to those who have a least a rudimentary starting knowledge of the Republic. Overall, I rate this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Pen & Sword, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've been reading a fair bit about the Romans lately, and "The Collapse of Rome" stands out among the best. What do we know for sure? How do we know it? What's missing? What can we guess about what's missing? These questions are answered in a very well laid out and accessible way, making that part of history a little bit more real.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

This was a very factual, detailed account of the Roman Empire around the first century B.C, under tge dictatorship of Sulla. This was a very difficult time in the early Roman Empire and glad this was the focus of the book instead of later times highlighting issues with the Mongols and Armenia and anyone else that had issues. Very well researched and a great way study Roman history.

Yes, the book may be a little long but it is quite informative and reads more like a story which I always appreciate. I would definitely read something else written by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Pen & Sword Publishing for an ARV in exchange for an honest review. Thanks also for granting my wish to read this.

Available: 6/30/20