'Roman History: The Early Empire, from the Assassination of Julius Caesar to that of Domitian' Summary

Roman History: The Early Empire, from the Assassination of Julius Caesar to that of Domitian by William Wolfe Capes is a comprehensive history of the Roman Empire from the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC to the assassination of Domitian in 96 AD. Capes provides a detailed account of the political, social, and cultural developments of this turbulent period, and he offers his own insights into the causes and consequences of the rise and fall of the Roman Republic.

The book begins with a description of the chaotic aftermath of Caesar's assassination. Capes explains how Caesar's supporters and detractors fought for control of the Roman Republic, and how this led to a series of civil wars. He also discusses the rise of Augustus, Caesar's adopted son, who eventually emerged as the victor of these civil wars and established himself as the first Roman emperor.

Capes then goes on to chronicle the reigns of the first five Roman emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. He provides a detailed account of each emperor's life and career, as well as the major events of their reigns. Capes also explores the social and cultural changes that were taking place in Rome during this time, such as the rise of Christianity and the decline of the traditional Roman aristocracy.

One of the most striking things about Capes's book is his ability to bring the characters and events of Roman history to life. He does this through his vivid descriptions of battles, political intrigue, and everyday life in Rome. Capes also has a knack for explaining complex historical concepts in a clear and concise way.

Another notable feature of Capes's book is his honesty and objectivity. He does not shy away from the dark side of Roman history, and he is critical of many of the emperors he writes about. However, Capes is also fair-minded, and he gives credit to the emperors for their achievements.

Roman History: The Early Empire, from the Assassination of Julius Caesar to that of Domitian is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of the Roman Empire. It is a comprehensive, well-written, and insightful account of a fascinating and important period in Roman history.

In addition to its historical value, Capes's book is also a valuable literary work. His writing is clear, engaging, and often poetic. He has a knack for painting vivid word pictures and for capturing the essence of a person or a place in a few well-chosen words.

For example, Capes describes the city of Rome in the following way:

"Rome was a city of contrasts. It was a city of wealth and poverty, of beauty and ugliness, of vice and virtue. It was a city where the old and the new coexisted side-by-side. The ancient temples and basilicas stood alongside the new palaces and amphitheatres."

Capes also has a gift for sketching memorable portraits of the people he writes about. For example, he describes the emperor Augustus in the following way:

"Augustus was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant politician and a gifted administrator. He was also a ruthless dictator who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. But he was also a man who loved art and literature, and he was a patron of many of the greatest poets and writers of his time."

Overall, Roman History: The Early Empire, from the Assassination of Julius Caesar to that of Domitian is a masterfully written and informative book. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of the Roman Empire.