Review
"...like a compelling novel, [Before Augustus] is dense, clear, well documented. Barca, writing with the historical present, talks about everything: political intrigues, wars, big companies, political assassinations, consuls, the Senate, popular assemblies." (trans.)--SFOGLIA ROMA
"[A] must-read for anyone interested in ancient history... Barca masterfully weaves together military, political, and social aspects, analyzing the actions of the key figures and the epic battles that ensued. Before Augustus is an excellent addition to the study of Roman history and a highly recommended read."-- "Books World"
"[A] seminal study drawing upon both ancient sources and on contemporary literature. [Before Augustus] is an impressively presented, extraordinarily informative, and exceptionally detailed and documented account of the tempestuous last century of the Roman Republic before it became fully transformed into the Roman Empire. Strong recommended..."-- "Midwest Book Review"
"...the author does an admirable job of showing just how complicated and interconnected all the great patrician families were and how their jealousies and rivalries ultimately led to their undoing and the end of the great Roman Republic."-- "New York Journal of Books"
About the Author
Natale Barca was Visiting Scholar Researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, and Academic Visitor at the University of London’s Institute of Classical Studies. He is a member of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies (Roman Society), London. He has previously published numerous books in his native Italian, and in English. His latest publications are focused on the history and archaeology of ancient cities of the Mediterranean, including Roman Aquileia: The Impenetrable City-Fortress, a Sentry of the Alps (Oxbow Books, 2022).
