Roman Aristocratic Parties and Families

Rating:
Summary: Prodigious Work
Review: Despite being a republic with democratic institutions, Roman society was heavily influenced by class distinction based on one's family ancestry. Roman families were also extended and paternal authority was omnipotent over family affairs. Romans had a strong tradition of ancestral worship and a Roman aristocrat's duty was to bring honor to his family by achieving political and/or military fame. Although it wasn't the sole determinant, one's patrician or noble ancestry could carry immense influence in the coveting of political office or swaying public opinion in the forum. It was for no small reason that Julius Caesar claimed to be a descendant of Aeneas and so from the godess Venus.

After 70 years, Munzer is still one of the leading authorities in the study of Roman history and politics. Thanks to his contributions, historians have been able to better understand the political changes and upheavals of the Roman republic and early empire that resulted from family feuds and alliances. Munzer carefully researched historical texts and other sources to trace the family trees of several important families such as the Metelli, Claudii, etc., to study how they affected the politics of their time.

This book is a must for anyone who seeks to have a thorough understanding of Roman history and its institutions. I strongly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A must for roman Republic historians
Review: This book was first published in 1920 and made a revolution. F.Munzer is one of the contibutors of the Real Encyclopaedie of Pauly-Wissowa in which he has wrote about 5000 entries of Roman names. His books marks the debut of prosopography, a technique who use roman nomenclature to study the aristocracy and find evolution in institutions, alliances between parties and who really rules Rome. His book is a reference for all student who is interest in roman Republic. The translation 79 years later tells you why.