Product Description

A key re-evaluation, in the light of recent scholarship, of the difficulties facing the Roman empire in the AD 260s and 270s, concentrating upon the reign of the Emperor Aurelian and his part in summoning them.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1197432 in Books
• Published on: 1999-02-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 328 pages

Review
"It is good to have an up-to-date biography of aurelian in English, and this is a good one."
-Classical World
...".the author has woven numismatic and epigraphic evidence with the more traditional literary sources to construct a fuller picture of the emperor and his world.."
-"Ancient History Journal
"This work opens with the best summary analysis of the third-century 'crisis' that this reviewer has ever come across. For this introduction alone, Watson's book is worth reading.."
-"Ancient History Journal
"A full-length monograph on Aurelian is long overdue, and Watson's will prove very useful for undergraduate and graduate level course, because it is at once very readable and well grounded in primary and secondary research.."
-"Ancient History Journal
"This is a splendid book, lucid, well-written, judicious in its interpretations, comprehensive in its use of the appallingly inadequate sources...I have notread a better, more judicious, concise account of the third-century "crisis," nor a more lucid narrative of the divided empire from 248 onwards.."

From the Back Cover
In his brief reign (lasting just over five years) Aurelian contributed more to the recovery of the Roman empire than any other individual of his time. He decisively repelled the German invaders threatening the Danube and crushed the rebel leaders, Zenobia and Tetricus. Among his other achievements he also introduced major monetary reforms and constructed the defensive walls around Rome that bear his name to this day.
Aurelian and the Third Century provides a stimulating re-evaluation in the light of recent scholarship of the difficulties facing the Roman empire in the AD 260s and 270s, concentrating upon the reign of the emperor Aurelian and his part in surmounting them. After an introduction examining the situation in the mid-third century, the book is divided into two parts. The first deals chronologically with the military and political events of the period from 268 to 276. The second part analyses the other achievements and events of Aurelians reign and assess their importance.

About the Author
Alaric Watson has a PhD from King's College London in Roman history and has taught Roman history at the University of North London and Queen Mary and Westfield College. He is now a Barrister in Lincoln's Inn.

Customer Reviews

excellent reappraisal of 3rd Century Roman history
Watson has taken as his subject a poorly documented period of Roman history and written a book that, with humour and academic rigour, lays out the historical context of a Roman emperor who made a real difference to the longevity of the empire, rebuilding a single political unit from three large breakaway empires. Watson's deep knowledge of the sources has enabled him to build a cohesive picture of a period that is difficult to gain a firm understanding of. I'd heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in the later Roman empire.