The Roman Empire at Bay, AD 180-395

In 264 BC, a Roman army was poised to cross from southern Italy into Sicily. They couldn't know that this crossing would be Rome's first step on its journey from local republic to vast and powerful empire. <BR><BR> At the beginning of the three dramatic centuries that make up this book's narrative, Rome had no emperor and limited global influence; by the book's end, Hadrian was set to pass into history as one of the greatest emperors, whose territories stretched from England to Turkey. <BR><BR> In David Potter's masterful history of this period, we trace the process of cultural, political and civic transformation which led to the creation of a monarchy and the acquisition of territory, via wars with Hannibal, the destruction of Carthage, Augustan Empire-building and Hadrian's famous wall, all of which contributed to the most successful multi-cultural state in the history of Europe. This is a lively, scholarly approach to an essential era.

By any measure, Julius Caesar is one of the most significant and famous figures in Roman history. Self-identified as a "popular" politician, he advocated for effective government to better the lives of average Romans,but believed such a government could not be based upon the existing democracy. Only through his personal authority and the massive organization he built to overthrow the government could the prosperity of all Rome's citizens be ensured.Through a careful analysis of the ancient sources, especially Caesar's own writings, David Potter offers us a stunning and original portrait of this great general and statesman.Master of Rome reveals Caesar as a highly organized manager with an extraordinary ability to adjust to circumstances while maintaining the ancient equivalent of a positive "media presence." After his death, Caesar's followers put forward a narrative of his life that made his rise to power seem inevitable, but Caesar's own writing tells us a different story--one of a detail-oriented general who demanded a high degree of accountability from his subordinates.A critical aspect of Caesar's philosophy of command was the need to find room for former enemies to serve in his organization. While this philosophy catapulted Caesar to great fame as a general during the wars in Gaul, when he attempted to put this method into effect in the wake of the civil war that established him as the master of Rome, it led to his brutal assassination in 44 BCE.Master of Rome tells the dramatic story of one of history's most intriguing figures, who rose from the fringes of Roman political society to unprecedented heights. Along the way, Potter identifies the extraordinary qualities that enabled Caesar to dominate the world in which he lived.

23:B&W 6 x 9 in or 229 x 152 mm Perfect Bound on White w/Gloss Lam

The Roman Empire at Bay is the only one volume history of the critical years 180-395 AD, which saw the transformation of the Roman Empire from a unitary state centred on Rome, into a new polity with two capitals and a new religion-Christianity. Updated for a new generation of students, this book remains a crucial tool in the study of this period.

The Great Days of Sunderland should be compulsory reading for every Black Cats fan. After a grim few years, it's important to remember that things were once very different for the club. David Potter transports us back to Sunderland's past glories - from the 'team of all the talents' that dominated English football in the 1890s, to the side that almost won the double in 1913, the great team of the 1930s that challenged the riches of Arsenal and the most recent success of 50 years ago, when Second Division Sunderland beat the mighty Leeds United in an epic FA Cup Final. Sunderland were champions of England six times before the Second World War and have won the FA Cup twice. Each of these triumphs is captured in detail and brought to life through vivid descriptions. Learn about club legends such as Ned Doig, Hugh 'Lalty' Wilson, Charlie Buchan, Raich Carter, Bobby Gurney, Ian Porterfield and Jim Montgomery, and relive some of the moments that did so much to enrich the lives of those who packed out Newcastle Road and Roker Park.