Chapter I - `... ET DEBELLARE SUPERBOS' : ROMAN IMPERIALISM

This whole volume is based on the premise that imperialism is always dualistic, because it denies other political entities the right to independent existence. Rome was an imperialistic state if there ever was one.

The concept of Rome's universalism is discussed, and also the notion the Romans had of their `manifest destiny'. It is explained what made the Romans move. Roman society is described as one geared for war. (Length of this chapter, with notes, = 26 pp.)

Chapter II - ROME'S UNIVERSAL EMPIRE - PART I : THE CONQUEST OF ITALY

The humble origin of Rome is described. Rome was originally an (Etruscan) monarchy, but became a republic in 510 B.C. This republic was a fighting community. First Latium was conquered, later also, in long, hard, and not always successful wars, the surrounding tribes. Rome almost succumbed to a Celtic invasion. The longest wars were with the Samnites. Next it was the turn of the Greeks of South Italy. The nations and towns of Italy became the allies of Rome, which mainly meant that they had to fight Rome's wars. (Length of this chapter, with notes, = 72 pp.)

Chapter III - THE ROMAN EMPIRE - PART II : ROME AND CARTHAGE

It is described how Rome and the North African commerial state Carthage became enemies. The First Punic War lasted long, but finally led to the conquest of Sicily. This island became a `province', which meant that it would have no self-government. All later conquests became provinces. The Carthaginians tried to restore their position by conquering Spain. This led to the Second Punic War. Hannibal invaded Italy, dealt the Romans dramatic defeats, but could not conquer Rome. After many years he had to evacuate Italy. The Romans invaded North Africa, defeated Carthage, and reduced it to the status of a minor power.

Because the Romans feared that Carthage would once again become powerfult, they began the Third Punic War, which consisted in a three-year siege of Carthage; it ended with the total destruction of this city in 146 B.C. (Length of this chapter, with notes, = 61 pp.)

Chapter IV - ROME'S UNIVERSAL EMPIRE - PART III : THE CONQUEST OF THE HELLENISTIC EAST

The Romans appeared on the Balkans because they hoped to restore the freedom of the Greeks, but soon discovered that the Greeks were intractable. In order to help the Greeks, Rome fought the Kingdom of Macedonia, which finally was defeated and divided into four provinces. In the end the Romans abolished Greek freedom and ruled the country directly.

The Seleucid Empire in Asia Minor proved a formidable enemy. The Syrians, who came to the help of the Greeks, were driven out of Hellas. When Rome came to Asia Minor, it had to combat the energetic King of Pontus, Mithridates V, who hated the Romans. Quite a number of wars were fought against him, before he was finally defeated. His victor was Pompey, who conquered Syria and Palestine and made an end of what remained of the Seleucid Empire. (Length of this chapter, with notes, = 92 pp.)

Chapter V - THE ROMAN EMPIRE - PART IV : THE ABORTIVE EMPIRE OF THE EAST

Rome came to eastern North Africa and annexed Cyrenaica (Libya). Egypt came under the spell of the Romans, was finally not really annexed and made a province, because the emperors were also Kings of Egypt. The remarkable story of Queen Cleopatra is related, and also her love affairs with Caesar and Marc Antony. The possibility of a separate eastern Roman Empire has existed. (Length of this chapterm with notes, = 38 pp.)

Chapter VI - THE ROMAN EMPIRE - PART V : HOW THE WEST WAS WON

It is related how Numidia was conquered. By far the greater part of this chapter is devoted to Caesar's conquest of Gaul, which was accompanied by great cruelties, vast devastation, and an enormous loss of life. More than once Caesar was on the brink of defeat. Finally Gaul was made into three provinces.

The Romans were less successful in Germany. They conquered that part of the country that lies west of the Rhine, but after their defeat in the Teutoburgerwald in A.D. 9, they gave up all plans of extending their power beyond the Rhine. In the first half of the first century A.D. England became a Roman province.

The last part of this chapter describes how Central Europe and the northern Balkans, were conquered. It ends with a description of the Limes, the great defensive wall along the Rhine and the Danube. (Length of this chapter, with notes, = 77 pp.)

This volume contains a number of maps, a Bibliography, and a General Index.

Published in 1995 by J.C. Gieben, Publisher.
ISBN 90 5063 537 7