Edward J. Watts has delivered an ambitious and sweeping history of the Roman state with The Romans: A 2,000‑Year History. Watts offers a panorama of the Roman state from its earliest roots to its transformation into a republic, an empire, the gradual evolution of its power center moving to Constantinople, and then the eventual sacking of the city by Norman Crusaders in 1204. Watts challenges the standard snapshot view of the Romans as simply the pre‑imperial republic or the early empire by including the centuries of Eastern European rule as part of Rome instead of how we commonly have considered it to be Byzantine.
Watts argues that the resilience of Rome lay in its openness to new peoples, new faiths and shifting political geographies. Shifting geographies challenges the so‑called “decline and fall” theory and shapes Rome more as a story of transformation rather than abrupt collapse. His writing is clear and engaging; he moves the reader through centuries of politics, war, religion, and culture at a brisk but not overwhelming pace.
The sheer scope of 2 000 years of history means that the level of detail for each era is necessarily modest and brief. Readers seeking deep dives into particular emperors, military campaigns, or the evolution of Roman social status over time may find the coverage too broad for their tastes. However, the book serves brilliantly as a unifying overview and a call to reconsider how we define “Roman” identity across time.
The Romans is an excellent introduction for history enthusiasts and students who wish to view the Roman world centered not merely on the city of Rome but as a dynamic civilization spanning centuries. Watts has produced a compelling and richly readable account that will stand as a major single‑volume history of the Roman state.
MY RATING: 4.5
