Roman History (Volume 1)

Author: (German) Theodor Mommsen
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1994-01-01
Features: The new edition of The History of Rome differs greatly from the previous one. This mainly applies to the first two volumes, which cover the first five centuries of the Roman state. At the very beginning of the historical narrative, it was determined and arranged by its own nature to shape the content and form of the presentation. For earlier periods, due to the lack of boundaries in the study of historical sources and the difficulty in determining their dates and establishing connections between them, the historian faced the challenge of making others satisfied and, indeed, of satisfying himself. Although the author of this book has strived to overcome these difficulties in research and presentation, there is still much to be done before it is presented to the public, and many revisions are needed. A series of new studies, such as the status of Roman subjects under state law, the development of creative and plastic arts, have been incorporated into this edition based on the significance of their findings. Additionally, many small gaps have been filled, the text has been made more vivid and the content richer, and the overall structure clearer and more comprehensible. Moreover, in the third volume, the internal relations of the Roman society during the Carthaginian Wars are not merely summarized as in the edition but are given due detailed description based on the importance and complexity of the events. A fair judge, perhaps especially the one who has undertaken a similar task, will understand that these revisions were necessary and thus request indulgence.
Regardless, the author gratefully acknowledges that the public's judgment has not emphasized the obvious flaws and shortcomings of this book but, on the contrary, both praise and criticism have been directed at those parts that have been completed or concluded.
Furthermore, the author has made every effort to present the book in a more polished exterior. Varro's dating of Rome is retained in the main text; marginal symbols indicate the corresponding years before Christ. In year comparisons, 1 year of Rome corresponds to 753 BC and the 6th Olympiad, year 4; although considering the different start dates of the year—March 1 for the Roman solar year and July 1 for the Greek year—the more accurate calculation shows that 2 years of Rome correspond to the last ten months of 753 BC and the first two months of 752 BC, as well as the last four months of the 6th Olympiad, year 3, and the first eight months of the 6th Olympiad, year 4. Roman coins and Greek coins are converted as follows: As and Sesterces, Denarii and Attic Drachmas are considered equal. All amounts above 100 Denarii are based on the current gold value of the corresponding weight, while all amounts below 100 Denarii are based on the current silver value of the corresponding weight. Thus, one Roman pound (327.45 grams) equals 4,000 Sesterces. According to the gold-silver ratio of 1:15.5, the Roman pound is converted to 304