The Atlas of Ancient Rome: Biography and Portraits of the City - Two-volume slipcased set

There is a lot of info here. The first volume is a standard book with lots of pictures. The second covers many buildings and places. A lot is one a page. So You can use a magnifying glass , that is not needed though but helpful. This is a huge amount of effort in this. it looks like 10 years was spent on it. This is for those who want a reference work or just want a to learn about ancient rome and its buildings.

This superb atlas of ancient Rome sets a new standard by which all others should be measured by. Comprising two separate volumes, this ambitious historical atlas is greater in scope than the best world atlas by comparison. Volume 1 Texts & Images begins with a thoughtful preface and a careful introduction to the atlas and its genesis. The reader is then guided though interpreting the atlas and the methodologies used. Rome is presented in its classical 14 regions beginning in the section titled The City and Its Parts. Each region and its monuments are methodically profiled over several historic eras starting from the pre- and proto-urban eras through the early and late kingdom, the Republic, the Age of Augustus, early to late Empire, and finally though the high medieval period ending in 553 AD. Supplementing the detailed profiles throughout the volume are lavish reconstruction illustrations, rare historical drawings, and antique and modern photographs. Together these visual artifacts are a feast for the eyes and they beautifully punctuate the atlas. This reviewer particularly enjoyed the Templum Pacis reconstruction illustration showing the Severan Forma Urbis as it once appeared, and several beautiful reconstruction illustrations that feature historic districts, buildings, or monuments at a point in time. However, the three excellent Campus Martius aerial reconstruction illustrations showing its changing use over time for 81 AD, the 5th century, and the 10th century should have been grouped together for easier comparisons rather than separately appearing in two different sections. Volume 2 Tables & Indexes features detailed architectural plans and design elements for the hundreds of structures and monuments profiled in Volume I. Each one is supplemented with photographs and illustrations to provide a comprehensive presentation for each subject. Detailed maps of ancient Rome, with the extant remains of the ancient structures highlighted, give perspective to the historic scope of the atlas. The atlas set arrived carefully packed in a custom box complete with the atlas title printed on the box exterior. The two volumes rest in a slip box that looks distinguished on any book shelf.

While the price of this two volume work (north of $150) may be beyond the grasp of most individuals and even many libraries it is - for the time being - the ultimate atlas/topographical/pictorial "dictionary/encyclopedia" of Ancient Rome. It dwarfs in size and content the previous efforts of L. Richardson (A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome) and E. Nash (Pictorial Dictionary of Ancient Rome - 2 vols.) though those two superb publications should not be discounted, especially when it comes to the quality of the latter's black&white steel photographic plates. However, Richardson's book is now 25 years old and Nash's work is 56 years old. This latest oeuvre under the editorship of A. Carandini with multiple authorship is the product of a Herculean scholarly effort. In addition to a sufficiently detailed introductory discussion of Roman art and architecture as well as the various periods and reigns pertaining to Roman history, new line drawings, up to date reconstructions in both black & white and color, and information regarding the multitude of monuments that once astounded the world in what was its magnetic capital makes this the most comprehensive book by far on the subject. An enormous Bibliography (some 50 pages long) in addition to a vast Index complements the text. Newer photographs of well known objects (e.g., the colossal bust of Constantine) may even bring a look of surprise to the viewer. C appears more human and far less ethereal. Even if one cannot afford to purchase this atlas, find out which library has it and don't hesitate to use it. And while it is written more for the specialist/scholar, anyone interested in the architectural and artistic layout and construct of the grandeur that was Ancient Rome should peruse and savour this book. A final note: This 2-volume work is an English translation of the original 2012 Italian edition with a brand new Preface for the English edition.

The best thing about this book is how much it enriches all other reading about ancient Rome. Any time you read about a specific place or building you can open it up and within minutes get a wealth of context that really brings the history to life. I've never seen a book so successfully tackle such a large subject over such a long period of time, from the earliest settlement through the empire you can easily see how the city changed. The team that produced it put an unbelievable amount of care and thought into the design to the point where it's easy to take for granted how naturally you find and understand what you're looking for. The authors are refreshingly upfront about what they know, what they don't, what they've reconstructed, and why. While the main attractions are the maps and elevations, it's worth noting that the English translation is top-notch. This is a scholarly work with a lot of very specific, specialized information and a lot of subtle distinctions, but I have yet to find a passage in it that drags or is difficult to follow. It's a real joy to engage with any piece of work where every little detail conveys the care and passion of the people making it.

Edición muy cuidada, tanto desde el aspecto del producto como de la calidad científica y del aparato crítico, muy contento con la compra.

Arquitetura explicada soberbamente. Obrigado pelo esmero aos autores.

Geweldig boek!

I have been looking for this work for a couple of years after getting knowledge of it on a youtube video; I was afraid at first because of the price, even though I had downloaded the samples on the internet. As a history passionate reader I had already some knowledge of Ancient Roman history, but this works offers perspectives and thought on the development of the city of Ancient Rome, their main monuments and landmarks which give the ultimate portrait of the greatest capital of the antiquity. Surely a piece that any history passionate, especially of antiquity, cannot miss. I believe it should belong to any library. Ho cercato quest'opera per un paio d'anni dopo averne appresa l'esistenza su un video di YouTube; All'inizio ero frenato a causa del prezzo, anche se avevo scaricato dei samples gratuiti da internet. Come lettore appassionato di storia avevo già una certa conoscenza della storia di Roma antica, ma questo lavoro offre prospettive e riflessioni sullo sviluppo della città , i suoi principali monumenti e punti di riferimento che danno il ritratto definitivo della più grande capitale dell'antichità. Sicuramente un pezzo che ogni appassionato di storia, soprattutto dell'antichità, non può lasciarsi scappare. Credo che dovrebbe essere presente in qualsiasi biblioteca.

Falls nicht in der Unibibliothek erhätlich, dann wunderbares Nachschlagewerk für Altertumsforscher. Gute und verständliche Karten für die Altertumsforschung - sehr zu empfehlen, trotz Preis!