Includes a map of the Roman Empire and film stills,
Trade Review
"Useful perspectives and controversial points of discussion." (Scholia Reviews, 2009)
“A comprehensive treatment of an underappreciated film from a variety of critical perspectives” (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 2010)
“After reading the book, I reviewed The Fall of the Roman Empire, this time better informed about the director, the history (Roman and cinematic), the political and social issues of the day, details about production, comparison with contemporary and later films, and much more. Viewing the film from this expansive vantage point made for a rich experience.”
(Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, July 2011)
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations vii
Notes on Contributors ix
Editor's Preface xii
1. A Critical Appreciation of The Fall of the Roman Empire 1
Martin M. Winkler
2. History, Ancient and Modern, in The Fall of the Roman Empire 51
Allen M. Ward
3. Marcus Aurelius: The Empire Over Himself 89
Diskin Clay
4. Was Commodus Really That Bad? 102
Eleonora Cavallini
5. East and West in The Fall of the Roman Empire 117
Jan Willem Drijvers
6. Empire Demolition 130
Anthony Mann
7. Excerpts from the American Souvenir Program of The Fall of the Roman Empire 136
1. A Prologue by Will Durant 137
2. The Roman Forum: In Ruins Today . . . and Re-Created 139
3. An Epilogue 143
8. Edward Gibbon and The Fall of the Roman Empire 145
Martin M. Winkler
9. Fact, Fiction, and the Feeling of History 174
Martin M. Winkler
10. Peace and Power in The Fall of the Roman Empire 225
Ward W. Briggs, Jr.
11. The Politics of The Fall of the Roman Empire 241
Peter W. Rose
12. Excerpts from Edward Gibbon 262
1. Marcus Aurelius and His Time 262
2. The Auction of the Empire 266
The Chief Ancient Sources on Marcus Aurelius 271
1. Cassius Dio 271
2. The Augustan History: Marcus Antoninus the Philosopher 282
3. Herodian 298
Chronology: The Roman Empire at the Time of Marcus Aurelius 302
Bibliography 305
Index 327
