Ferrero is of that class of historians who like nothing so much as overturning the established view of things and erecting a new, individual and unique one in its place. Still, this makes for good reading. It is in fact comprised of a series of essays on Roman history around the fall of the Republic and its replacement by the Empire. The first, "The Theory of Corruption in Roman History" is rather philosophy or social analysis than detailed history; "The History and Legend of Antony and Cleopatra" is a rebuttal of the traditional tragic love-story, seeking to ground Antony's motives in a calculated struggle for empire in the east. "The Development of Gaul" is a very interesting study of Gaul's role in the Empire. "Nero" depicts the influence of oriental manners on the capital and aristocracy of the Empire. "Julia and Tiberius" is a whitewashing of this not very amiable pair, but not without solid arguments. "Social Development of the Roman Empire" is an intriguing vindication of the empire's role in reestablishing European economy on a sound basis and securing general peace. "Wine in Roman History" is again partly social analysis, but very well done. and there is also a not very convincing, but short, after piece on Roman history in modern education, which argues for the supreme importance of that study.
I give it five stars.
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