It followed every major military victory in ancient Rome: the successful general drove through the streets to the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill; behind him streamed his raucous soldiers; in front were his most glamorous prisoners, as well as the booty he'd captured, from enemy ships and precious statues to plants and animals from the conquered territory. Occasionally there was so much on display that the show lasted two or three days.
A radical reexamination of this most extraordinary of ancient ceremonies, this book explores the magnificence of the Roman triumph, but also its darker side. What did it mean when the axle broke under Julius Caesar's chariot? Or when Pompey's elephants got stuck trying to squeeze through an arch? Or when exotic or pathetic prisoners stole the general's show? And what are the implications of the Roman triumph, as a celebration of imperialism and military might, for questions about military power and "victory" in our own day? The triumph, Mary Beard contends, prompted the Romans to question as well as celebrate military glory. Her richly illustrated work is a testament to the profound importance of the triumph in Roman culture--and for monarchs, dynasts and generals ever since. But how can we re-create the ceremony as it was celebrated in Rome? How can we piece together its elusive traces in art and literature? Beard addresses these questions, opening a window on the intriguing process of sifting through and making sense of what constitutes "history."Related Subjects
Ancient Customs & Traditions History Military Politics & Social Sciences Rome Social Sciences TextbooksThe Roman Triumph. Author: Mary Beard. 448 pages. 2007. I picked this book up at the library while I was browsing for another title. It proved to be an interesting read. The book is not a definitive treatise on what a Roman Triumph would have looked like. Rather this book is a survey of all research related to the topic of the Roman Triumph. The author choose not to provide a word picture of a triumph or to take a stand...
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When a Roman general won a great victory the Senate would frequently vote for him to be given a triumph. The Roman triumph was Rome at its most glorious, according to many. It was mostly "about display and success" (p 31). The entire city seemed to shut down to watch the gaudy parade; work was suspended, songs were sung, and everyone came to cheer on the victors. Imagine seeing Pompey's booty carried through the streets,...
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Not all history books are written to be read by those of us who are not academics. When Mary Beard takes on a subject matter, all that changes and history not only comes alive, it becomes clear and enjoyable. Thank you, Ms. Beard. This book has, of course, led to me looking for related subjects of the Roman Empire, as well the as the Republic.
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This book more than fulfills expectations. It is a much needed correction to earlier studies of the triumph. B. calls into question much that has been considered factual knowledge about the triumph by showing the inconsistencies and scarcity of the ancient evidence. A must read for everyone interested in the topic. B. has also gone to great lengths to make the text accessible to a non-scholarly audience, while maintaining...
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Ms. Beard possesses such command of the subject and immense erudition that she can pull off an enjoyable and well-written book on a specialized topic. Of particular value are Ms. Beard's insights into the process by which scholars - from antiquity to today -- have established "facts" of Roman History, and their fragile (if not inaccurate) basis. This is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of Rome...
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