A Dictionary of the Roman Empire

I have been reading Gibbon's DECLINE AND FALL, but I suffer from a major disability: I have never studied Roman history at all. Therefore, while I know some names, I don't have a sharp understanding of the time periods under consideration. In reading Gibbon, I have been keeping this volume by my side, and it has been more useful than I had possibly imagined that it would be. I haven't gotten into the later periods that Gibbon covers, but at least on the earlier periods of the Roman Empire, this dictionary has had entries on nearly everything that I have wanted to look up.I highly recommend it.

From the Abdagaeses to Zstommas, a superb collection of entries on the peoples places and things that made up the Roman world, including those who influenced but never fell within the sway of Roman power. Loads and loads of superb information, well cross referenced. By no means flawless, however. The illustrations are a mere afterthought and add little to the volume's presentation. Some of the articles are curiously stilted and awkwardly constructed like there was a rush to get them in under a deadline. A caveat to anyone looking for an all in one volume on Roman history, this dictionary covers the Empire only, with events and characters from the Republic and Kingdom presented only in reference to how they contributed to the Imperial Epoch or not at all. All in all, a great buy for anyone building a Roman history library. Ave Roma Aerterna!!!