Why We're All Romans

The Roman Contribution to the Western World

Carl J. Richard

This engaging yet deeply informed work not only examines Roman history and the multitude of Roman achievements in rich and colorful detail but also delineates their crucial and lasting impact on Western civilization. Noted historian Carl J. Richard argues that although we Westerners are "all Greeks" in politics, science, philosophy, and literature and "all Hebrews" in morality and spirituality, it was the Romans who made us Greeks and Hebrews.

As the author convincingly shows, from the Middle Ages on, most Westerners received Greek ideas from Roman sources. Similarly, when the Western world adopted the ethical monotheism of the Hebrews, it did so at the instigation of a Roman citizen named Paul, who took advantage of the peace, unity, stability, and roads of the empire to proselytize the previously pagan Gentiles, who quickly became a majority of the religion's adherents. Although the Roman government of the first century crucified Christ and persecuted Christians, Rome's fourth- and fifth-century leaders encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout the Western world.

In addition to making original contributions to administration, law, engineering, and architecture, the Romans modified and often improved the ideas they assimilated. Without the Roman sense of social responsibility to temper the individualism of Hellenistic Greece, classical culture might have perished, and without the Roman masses to proselytize and the social and material conditions necessary to this evangelism, Christianity itself might not have survived.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 320 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-0-7425-6778-8 • Hardback • June 2010 • $26.95 • (£19.99)

978-0-7425-6779-5 • Paperback • October 2011 • $16.95 • (£12.99)

978-0-7425-6780-1 • eBook • April 2010 • $15.99 • (£11.99)

Subjects: History / Ancient / Rome, History / World

Why We're All Romans

The Roman Contribution to the Western World

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

This engaging yet deeply informed work not only examines Roman history and the multitude of Roman achievements in rich and colorful detail but also delineates their crucial and lasting impact on Western civilization. Noted historian Carl J. Richard argues that although we Westerners are "all Greeks" in politics, science, philosophy, and literature and "all Hebrews" in morality and spirituality, it was the Romans who made us Greeks and Hebrews.

As the author convincingly shows, from the Middle Ages on, most Westerners received Greek ideas from Roman sources. Similarly, when the Western world adopted the ethical monotheism of the Hebrews, it did so at the instigation of a Roman citizen named Paul, who took advantage of the peace, unity, stability, and roads of the empire to proselytize the previously pagan Gentiles, who quickly became a majority of the religion's adherents. Although the Roman government of the first century crucified Christ and persecuted Christians, Rome's fourth- and fifth-century leaders encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout the Western world.

In addition to making original contributions to administration, law, engineering, and architecture, the Romans modified and often improved the ideas they assimilated. Without the Roman sense of social responsibility to temper the individualism of Hellenistic Greece, classical culture might have perished, and without the Roman masses to proselytize and the social and material conditions necessary to this evangelism, Christianity itself might not have survived.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 320 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-0-7425-6778-8 • Hardback • June 2010 • $26.95 • (£19.99)

978-0-7425-6779-5 • Paperback • October 2011 • $16.95 • (£12.99)

978-0-7425-6780-1 • eBook • April 2010 • $15.99 • (£11.99)

Subjects: History / Ancient / Rome, History / World

Author

Carl J. Richard is professor of history at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Roman History in Brief
Chapter 2: Administration and Law
Chapter 3: Engineering and Architecture
Chapter 4: Epic and Lyric Poetry
Chapter 5: Speeches, Letters, and Agricultural Manuals
Chapter 6: Philosophy
Chapter 7: Historical Writing
Chapter 8: Comedy and Satire
Chapter 9: Greek and Jewish Contributions in the Roman Era
Chapter 10: The Rise and Romanization of Christianity
Epilogue
Suggestions for Further Reading

Reviews

Richard (history, Univ. of Louisiana, Lafayette; Greeks & Romans Bearing Gifts: How the Ancients Inspired the Founding Fathers) gives us another work on classical influences, aimed at educated but nonexpert readers. Taking a broader focus than in his previous titles, he does not limit his study only to influences on early America but seeks to demonstrate how Roman culture influenced later Western culture in nearly all disciplines, including law, engineering, literature, and philosophy. Working on this monumental scale over such well-trod ground requires some deftness, and . . . Richard's prose is clear and engaging (he cites excerpts from his previous Twelve Greeks and Romans Who Changed the World). . . . An entertaining and informative book for readers interested in a broad view of Western reception of Roman culture.
— Library Journal

Richard (Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette) has written a readable, accessible overview of ancient Roman society and history. Organized thematically, the book examines a wide variety of topics, including Roman engineering, philosophy, and literature. Each chapter provides a succinct summary of Roman contributions in these fields, along with a description of how these contributions have affected later periods in Western history. Richard's overall argument is that the Romans deserve credit for helping to transmit both Greek and Jewish ideas into Western civilization, as well as for their own unique contributions, especially in the fields of architecture, engineering, and law. The book includes a one-chapter account of Roman political and military history, beginning with the founding of the city of Rome and stretching through the fall of the Roman Empire. . . . This book is a useful basic overview of Roman history. Summing Up: Recommended. General and undergraduate collections
— Choice Reviews

Lively account of Ancient Rome.
— Italian American Magazine

The author makes his case in an engaging and entertaining way. . . . He writes with remarkable clarity. His description of the Latin language as 'vigorous and precise' could well apply to his own prose, and the text is enlivened by his wry humor. Richard has a particular knack for selecting anecdotes that are telling and often amusing. . . . His historical assessments . . . are consistently balanced and perceptive. . . . This book will serve as a very good introduction to the ancient Romans and their achievements, and readers with a prior knowledge of the topic will profit from the author's insights.
— Renaissance Magazine

At this critical moment in our history, Carl Richard recovers for us the deepest roots of American order. In clear and lively prose, he guides us through Roman civilization and its influence on the West, artfully melding entertaining anecdotes with spot-on analysis. Why We're All Romans is a superb summary of Roman history, one that will both delight and instruct the reader.
— Bruce Thornton, Campbell National Fellow at the Hoover Institution

In Why We're All Romans, America's premier intellectual historian surveys the culture of the ancient Mediterranean with scholarly acumen and humane wit. Whether discussing Roman law, architecture, history or 'the Romanization of Christianity,' Carl Richard's well-written and informed account is an excellent introduction to the ancient culture that shaped the United States and is still important for American freedom and creativity.
— E. Christian Kopff, University of Colorado, Boulder

Why We're All Romans

The Roman Contribution to the Western World

Carl J. Richard

Why We're All Romans

The Roman Contribution to the Western World

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