ROME AND THE BARBARIANS

Like Attila descending on Rome's outposts, Professor Harl, steeped in classical history and archaeology, besieges his listener. His 36 lectures abound with legions of information, delivered with limitless energy. It is a daunting achievement, but one made manageable by the professor's own natural, at times stumbling, excitement for the Roman civilization he introduces. Throughout its history, Rome was so deeply integrated into the cultures we now call "barbarian" that by the time they actually triumphed, they were hardly distinguishable. This eight-hundred-year process is the fascinating stuff of our own civilization and Professor Harl's lectures. As with all The Great Courses series, the presentation comes with an excellent guidebook, class notes for each lecture, suggested further readings, and a comprehensive bibliography. P.E.F. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 05]