'A readable and very informative history packed with a wealth of splendid detail' Joyce Tyldesley OBE, author of Tutankhamun'A brilliantly concise, but also entertaining, summary - in all its complexities - of an empire that spanned more than five centuries and three continents. Jacob skilfully weaves pithy and well-observed pen-portraits of dozens of emperors into the narrative, and offers revealing insights into aspects of daily life in Ancient Rome and into the Empire's enduring legacy' Robert Sackville-West, author of The Searchers'The Roman Empire is a concise yet thorough introduction to the Roman Empire. Jacob F. Field takes the reader through 500 years of Roman History at a rapid pace, yet maintains a coherent narrative across the centuries from rise to fall. Engaging and lucid, the reader will find this to be a gateway drug to history' Timothy May, author of The Mongol Art of War'A concise and thought-provoking account of one of history's most influential political orders' Niheer Dasandi, Professor of Global Politics and Sustainable Development, University of BirminghamFor over five centuries, the Roman Empire ruled much of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It produced some of history's greatest orators and statesmen, as well as some of its most debauched and corrupt tyrants. Shaping world affairs, the Roman Empire advanced economics, trade, archaeology and culture, but did so through conquest, bloodshed and enslavement of its enemies.In The Roman Empire, acclaimed historian Jacob F. Field tells the entire story of Imperial Rome. Beginning with Julius Caesar first laying the foundations for the Empire right up to the collapse of Rome's power, follow the journey of the Empire's rise to unprecedented heights and learn what caused it to eventually fall. Discover the greatest triumphs and most catastrophic disasters, the battles that defined the era, and what life was like for Roman citizens. Finally, explore in vivid detail the men who wielded ultimate power and moulded Rome into one of the world's greatest forces: the infamous emperors.Entertaining and accessible, this is the must-have history of the Roman Empire in just nine chapters.