The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire by M. Rostovtzeff, Set of Two
Author: M. Rostovtzeff
Second edition is revised by P. M. Fraser
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Amen House, London E.C.4
Printed in Great Briton, 1957
Hardcover
Page Count: Vol. 1: 541 , Vol 2: 306
This is a magnificent but flawed work of history. In the study of how history is written—historiography—special attention is paid to two themes: the role of the authors personal history in biasing his analysis, and the compelling need to assert that the interpretations are new despite evidence that others have said much of the same thing. Rostovtzeff was found wanting on both counts. His interpretation is clearly based on the recent history of Czarist and Soviet Russia [the first edition being published in 1926] and he asserts novelty where there is none.
And yet, what a great work. The adjectives sweeping, synthetic, all encompassing, holistic, and comprehensive hardly cover what was one of the great summations of the Roman empire. He also introduced new elements into scholarship such as profound conclusions drawn from archeological digs, of which he himself was a master. Even if his main thesis is now in disfavor, there are dozens of eddies in the great flow of Roman history where historians still read him for insight.
Condition: Good to Very good. There is some normal chipping on the dustjackets but in all other aspects the set is in Very Good condition.
Author: M. Rostovtzeff
Second edition is revised by P. M. Fraser
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Amen House, London E.C.4
Printed in Great Briton, 1957
Hardcover
Page Count: Vol. 1: 541 , Vol 2: 306
This is a magnificent but flawed work of history. In the study of how history is written—historiography—special attention is paid to two themes: the role of the authors personal history in biasing his analysis, and the compelling need to assert that the interpretations are new despite evidence that others have said much of the same thing. Rostovtzeff was found wanting on both counts. His interpretation is clearly based on the recent history of Czarist and Soviet Russia [the first edition being published in 1926] and he asserts novelty where there is none.
And yet, what a great work. The adjectives sweeping, synthetic, all encompassing, holistic, and comprehensive hardly cover what was one of the great summations of the Roman empire. He also introduced new elements into scholarship such as profound conclusions drawn from archeological digs, of which he himself was a master. Even if his main thesis is now in disfavor, there are dozens of eddies in the great flow of Roman history where historians still read him for insight.
Condition: Good to Very good. There is some normal chipping on the dustjackets but in all other aspects the set is in Very Good condition.
Author: M. Rostovtzeff
Second edition is revised by P. M. Fraser
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Amen House, London E.C.4
Printed in Great Briton, 1957
Hardcover
Page Count: Vol. 1: 541 , Vol 2: 306
This is a magnificent but flawed work of history. In the study of how history is written—historiography—special attention is paid to two themes: the role of the authors personal history in biasing his analysis, and the compelling need to assert that the interpretations are new despite evidence that others have said much of the same thing. Rostovtzeff was found wanting on both counts. His interpretation is clearly based on the recent history of Czarist and Soviet Russia [the first edition being published in 1926] and he asserts novelty where there is none.
And yet, what a great work. The adjectives sweeping, synthetic, all encompassing, holistic, and comprehensive hardly cover what was one of the great summations of the Roman empire. He also introduced new elements into scholarship such as profound conclusions drawn from archeological digs, of which he himself was a master. Even if his main thesis is now in disfavor, there are dozens of eddies in the great flow of Roman history where historians still read him for insight.
Condition: Good to Very good. There is some normal chipping on the dustjackets but in all other aspects the set is in Very Good condition.