An in-depth exploration of the myths and legends of early Rome, highlighting the enigmatic origins of the Romans and how the first seeds of this vast empire were sown.
"I sing of arms and the man" wrote Vergil at the start of the Aeneid, one of Rome's most iconic origin stories as it explores the tumultuous journey of Aeneas from Trojan prince to Roman hero. But did Aeneas actually flee from Troy? How did this story affect the Romans' perspective of themselves? And did they believe it? In Rome Before Rome, Philip Matyszak explores the myths and legends, heroes and villains that shaped the Roman sense of self.
There are few books which explain how these different legends fit into Rome's overall narrative—and none which explore the range of myths Matyszak describes. Some of the legends are well known, from Romulus and Remus to the Rape of the Sabines; others are more obscure, suchas the story of the Latin king Picus, who was turned into a...
Description:
An in-depth exploration of the myths and legends of early Rome, highlighting the enigmatic origins of the Romans and how the first seeds of this vast empire were sown.
"I sing of arms and the man" wrote Vergil at the start of the Aeneid, one of Rome's most iconic origin stories as it explores the tumultuous journey of Aeneas from Trojan prince to Roman hero. But did Aeneas actually flee from Troy? How did this story affect the Romans' perspective of themselves? And did they believe it? In Rome Before Rome, Philip Matyszak explores the myths and legends, heroes and villains that shaped the Roman sense of self.
There are few books which explain how these different legends fit into Rome's overall narrative—and none which explore the range of myths Matyszak describes. Some of the legends are well known, from Romulus and Remus to the Rape of the Sabines; others are more obscure, suchas the story of the Latin king Picus, who was turned into a...