From a small Iron Age settlement on the banks of the Tiber, Rome grew to become the center of an Empire that dominated the Western world. Powerful in war, Rome was magnificent in peace, so that even today her poets, artists, philosophers and historians exert their influence over Western thought and civilization. Michael Grant, the renowned classical historian, recreates the evolution of this astonishing city and community. He describes the individuals and events that made Rome a political and cultural conqueror, and defines the dramatic circumstances of her eventual decline and fall.-- From the publisher description.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff's Professional reading list, 2017. INCLUDES INDEX.

Etruscan Rome -- The unity of Italy and Rome -- Rome against Carthage -- The imperial republic -- The fall of the republic -- Caesar and Augustus -- The imperial peace -- Towards a new world -- The transformation of Europe.