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"For who is so indifferent or indolent as not to wish to know by what means the Romans succeeded in subjecting nearly the whole inhabited world to their sole government―a thing unique in history?"―Polybius, second century BCE
Ancient Rome gave rise to the Roman Empire, one of history's greatest civilizations. It flourished for roughly five hundred years and, at its height, made up at least twenty percent of the world's population. It left an indelible mark on the world, shaping politics, laws, philosophy, and architecture, and gave us Roman numerals, the calendar, aqueducts, and concrete. Alongside the Greeks, the Romans laid the groundwork for Western civilization.
In this fast-paced history, Ross King introduces the emperors and warriors, the madmen and upstarts, and the artists and gladiators responsible for the empire's rise, reign, and ruin. King's vivid narrative offers fresh context for key political and religious events and paints lively portraits of Rome's most formidable and notorious leaders. Spanning over one thousand years of Roman history, The Shortest History of Ancient Rome brings an ancient civilization to vibrant life, elucidating why the Romans still matter to us today.
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Ross King is the highly praised author of Brunelleschi’s Dome (the Book Sense Nonfiction Book of the Year in 2000), Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling (on the New York Times extended bestseller list), The Judgment of Paris, Machiavelli, and two novels, Ex Libris and Domino. He lives outside Oxford in England.
Russ Williams, presenter of the morning show on Smooth FM Radio wakes up millions of Britons every day with his amazing voice along. For five years, Russ hosted The Russ and Jono Breakfast Experience with Jonathan Coleman on Virgin Radio to the audience and critical acclaim. They won the Sony Radio Award for Best Breakfast Show during their tenure. Russ did the first show in 1993 and the station’s last broadcast in 2008.
Russ has hosted many live specials for Absolute Radio including Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi in Hyde Park, has been on tour with the Rolling Stones for a documentary series, and interviewed some of the biggest names in rock including Roger Waters, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, Yes, Jethro Tull, and many more.
Russ Williams accumulated three Gold Sony Awards during his twenty-two years at One Golden Square as well as a coveted New York Radio Award for his breakfast show. He also picked up another Gold in 1997 for best comedy competition. In December 2013, a great radio honor was bestowed on Russ as he was admitted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. Away from the studio Russ enjoys golf and his passion for Japanese gardens.