All Roads Lead to Rome - by Rhiannon Garth Jones (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Rhiannon Garth-Jones explores Rome's enduring legacy through three core themes: religion, empire, and culture. Each chapter examines how Rome's history, governance, and mythology have been reimagined throughout centuries, and how these interpretations continue to shape our modern world.

Rome is not merely a city--it's an enduring idea, a symbol of identity, power, and legitimacy that has shaped the course of history for over 1,500 years. This book embarks on an exploration of how the concept of Rome has been invoked by emperors, modern governments, religious leaders, and even pop culture icons, all using it to assert authority and influence society. Each chapter explores how Rome's history, governance, and mythology have been reimagined throughout centuries, and how these interpretations continue to shape our modern world. By delving into Rome's influence, readers gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping today's global landscape.

For readers of all things Roman, e.g. Emperors of Rome by Mary Beard, Rubicon, Dynasty and Pax by Tom Holland as well as The West: A New History of Old Idea by Naoise MacSweeney and The Map of Knowledge by Violet Moller.

Review Quotes

'All roads lead to Rome, but the fight is over which Rome? Whose Rome? This eloquent, well-researched, and witty book shows us that not only are the flat black and white memories of Rome the product of cynical political exploitation, but that the real thing was a riot of color and complexity that was so much more interesting!'

--David M. Perry, co-author of The Bright Ages and Oathbreakers

'A fascinating and entertaining analysis of how Rome's propaganda has colonized our collective imaginations, and what it says about us and them. All Roads Lead to Rome is an un-putdownable must-read for everyone who says they think about the Roman Empire daily, when they are actually thinking about myths and catchy PR.'

--Eleanor Janega, author of The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society

'Rhiannon Garth Jones's stunning new history takes us on a deeply-researched journey through the overlooked legacies of Rome. She shows us that Romans were so much more than just swords and sandals; wherever there is empire - Ottoman, Russian, British, American - the spectre of Rome is never far away. This book will change the way you think about world history.'

--Raphael Cormack, author of Midnight in Cairo: the divas of Egypt's roaring '20s

"Authoritative and engaging. An enlightening, candid and pleasingly irreverent antidote to all those people who insist on harping on about the Roman Empire."

--Subhadra Das, author of Uncivilised: Ten Lies That Made The West

'Brilliant. A fresh and highly engaging look at how Rome still shapes the world today, including bits of it the Romans had no idea even existed.'

--Jonn Elledge

About the Author

Rhiannon Garth Jones is an historian who works with both material culture and textual sources, with a PhD on the Muslim visual language of power and relationship with Rome during the "Golden Age" of Islam. Since her undergraduate degree in Classics, Rhiannon's research has traced the impact of ancient Rome on cultures, empires, and religions around the Mediterranean and beyond. She is also a skilled public communicator who has spent ten years writing for a public audience about materials science, material culture, sports, energy policy, and more.