How did a single village in Italy grow to become a world-class imperial power? This introduction, a new and shorter version of the authors' The Romans: From Village to Empire, is an inviting guide to the stages of Rome's remarkable political and military evolution over 1,500 years - through monarchy, republic, and then empire. With extensive illustrations, maps, and excerpts from writings by Romans themselves, this is a book that leaves its readers informed and eager to learn more.

Readership: Undergraduate Ancient Roman and Mediterranean history and civilization courses.

Mary T. Boatwright, Professor of Ancient History, Department of Classical Studies, Duke University, Daniel J. Gargola, Associate Professor of History, University of Kentucky, Lexington, and Richard J. A. Talbert, Kenan Professor of History and Classics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill