Spartacus Review

Volume 3: 15th October, 2007

Archaeology and the Ancient World

Title: The Complete Pompeii

Author: Joanne Berry

Editor:

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Price: £24.95

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Pompeii

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Pompeii is the best known and probably the most important archaeological site in the world. The drama of its destruction has been handed down to us by Roman writers, its paintings and mosaics have astonished visitors since their discovery in the 18th century, and its houses and public buildings to this day present a vivid picture of life, disaster and death in a Roman town. Yet, until now, there has been no up-to-date, authoritatative and comprehensive account for the general reader of its rise, fall and splendour. "The Complete Pompeii" fills that gap. With its lavish illustrations, numerous box features and reams of information, this book is the ultimate resource and inspirational guide to this magnificent ancient site, visited by millions each year.

Title: Discovery: Unearthing the New Treasures of Archaeology

Author: Brian M. Fagan

Editor:

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Price: £24.95

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Pompeii

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An unprecedented look inside archaeology today, "Discovery!" reveals the exciting, significant and astonishing finds from around the world in the last fifteen years that have changed the way we see our past. Spanning a timescale of two million years of history, this book covers everything from the latest fossil discoveries to wrecks of early submarines and ironclads from the American Civil War. Truly international in scope and totally authoritative, "Discovery!" is illustrated throughout with amazing photographs, sometimes taken at the very moment of discovery.

Title: Boudica: Iron Age Warrior Queen

Author: Richard Hingley & Christina Unwin

Editor:

Publisher: Continuum

Price: £12.99

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Boudica's Revolt

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Boudica, or Boadicea, queen of the Iceni, led a famous revolt against Roman rule in Britain in AD 60, sacking London, Colchester and St Albans and throwing the province into chaos. Although then defeated by the governor, Suetonius Paulinus, her rebellion sent a shock wave across the empire. Who was this woman who defied Rome? Boudica: Iron Age Warrior Queen is an account of what we know about the real woman, from classical literature, written for the consumption of readers in Rome, and from the archaeological evidence. It also traces her extraordinary posthumous career as the earliest famous woman in British history. Since the Renaissance she has been seen as harridan, patriot, freedom fighter and feminist, written about in plays and novels, painted and sculpted, and recruited to many causes. She remains a tragic, yet inspirational, figure of unending interest.

Title: Boudica's Last Stand

Author: John Waite

Editor:

Publisher: Tempus

Price: £17.99

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Boudica's Revolt

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It is Britain, AD 60. Three Roman towns are in ashes and thousands lie dead. With her new allies, the Trinovantes and the Catuvellauni, Boudica and the Iceni march defiantly towards their enemy. They seek one last pivotal victory to drive the Romans from their land forever. Not far away the Roman governor, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus awaits them. His ground chosen, his strategy decided, his small force awaits the great native army. If his strategy is sound they will prevail, if not they will be massacred, losing the province forever. Is it really revenge Boudica wants for the vile humiliations the Romans heaped on her? Or is she playing for much higher stakes? And Paulinus, can he defeat the odds to win the day? To answer these questions, this book will re examine events from a fresh, tactical perspective and produce a clearer picture of a revolt crushed on a newly suggested battle site, offering a new interpretation of a battle that decided 2000 years of Britain's cultural heritage.