Vae Victis - (Very Brief Histories) by Jacob F Field (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

For 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. This was the Roman way: vae victis, or, 'woe to the conquered'.

In this thrilling new book, acclaimed historian Jacob F. Field tells the entire story of Imperial Rome, from its initial expansion across mainland Italy to its monumental collapse. 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. This book tells the stories of the greatest triumphs and most catastrophic disasters, the battles that defined history, what it was like to live under the Romans. And it will explore the men who wielded ultimate power and who moulded Rome into one of the world's greatest powers: the infamous emperors.

Fascinating and entertaining, Vae Victis: The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire in 9 Chapters is the must-have history of Roman Empire in one book.

About the Author

Jacob F. Field read History at the University of Oxford and then moved to Newcastle University for his postgraduate work, earning a Masters' and PhD in economic and social history. Jacob did his post-doctorate work at the University of Cambridge's Group for the History of Population and Social Structure, joining a research project on the long-term occupational structure of Britain, focusing on women's work and London's economy. Due to his academic work, he was elected as a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He is the author of many books, including The History of Europe in Bite-Sized Chunks.