History of Rome (Mommsen)

Under the title History of Rome published the German historian Theodor Mommsen 1854-1885 a multi-volume account of the history of the Roman Empire. For this work Mommsen was awarded in 1902 as the first German Nobel Prize for Literature. For the ancient history it is still an important work.

Publication

Originally five volumes were planned, which should cover the history of Rome from its beginnings to the time of Diocletian. The first three volumes were published annually from 1854 to 1856 and cover the period up to Gaius Julius Caesar. For the publication of a fourth volume was not reached; 1885 appeared as the fifth volume a presentation of the provinces from Caesar to Diocletian. The first three volumes were divided by Mommsen in five books, the fifth volume in this count represents the eighth book

Effect

Mommsen's work has been praised since its release for the competent, comprehensive representation performance in an engaging narrative style. Known in ancient historians and students include Mommsen's characterizations of prominent figures, such as his negative judgment about Marcus Tullius Cicero:

" As a statesman without insight, opinion and intention, he has successively figurated as a Democrat, as an aristocrat and as a tool of the monarch and has never been more than a short-sighted selfish. "

Expenditure

• Theodor Mommsen: History of Rome. Vols 1-3. Weidmann, Leipzig 1854-56. Vol 1: Up to the battle of Pydna. Weidmann, Leipzig 1854. ( Digitized and full text in German Text Archive )
• Vol 2: From the Battle of Pydna up to Sulla 's death. Weidmann, Leipzig 1855. ( Digitized and full text in German Text Archive )
• Vol 3: From Sulla's death until the Battle of Thapsus. Weidmann, Leipzig 1856. ( Digitized and full text in German Text Archive )