Rome

Looks at the physical development of ancient Rome--its buildings, monuments, and urban spaces--while also exploring its social, economic, and cultural histories. Dyson follows Rome as it developed between the third century BC and the fourth century AD, dividing the megalopolis into distinct neighborhoods and locales. He shows how these communities, each with its own unique customs and colorful inhabitants, eventually grew into the imperial capital of the Italian Empire. He integrates the full range of sources available--literary, artistic, epigraphic, and archaeological--to create a history of the monumental city. In doing so, he offers picture of a complex and changing urban center that, despite its flaws, flourished for centuries. --From publisher description.