The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic

How did the Roman Republic end? The quick answer hinges on Julius Caesar. But, as for any historical event, the real causes are many and convoluted. There is a long history before the history; trends and pressures from natural, political, and cultural causes drove actions by a range of players whose self-interest congealed in a milieu where such a dramatic change was even possible. This book documents that labyrinthine “pre-history,” carefully tracing out the chain of seminal events, sifted from a sea of individual decisions, that led, step by step, to the Republic’s collapse.

This book is fascinating, brisk, and entertaining. Readers will see many parallels to our modern times as they watch various Roman leaders and generals vie for power or push for reform – or both – while tearing down old institutions and cultural norms that had kept the Republic functioning for centuries. The author is adept at presenting just the right amount of information to keep the narrative flowing swiftly and explaining the implications and ramifications, and the pertinent background, without boring the casual reader with too much detail; the writing makes these characters, long since dead, important and relevant to any student of Western or modern history today.