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Two hundred years of Roman imperial politics and power brought to life in an action-packed narrative

About the Author

Michael Kulikowski is Professor of History and Classics at Penn State University, where his research and writing ranges widely across ancient and early medieval history. He is a regular contributor to the London Review of Books. His books include Rome's Gothic Wars, described by Bryn Mawr Classical Review as 'exceptional' and by Military History Review as 'breezy and animated, yet authoritative', and Imperial Triumph (Profile, 2016).

Reviews

A fascinating account showing just what it was like to be a Roman emperor - the endless court politics, the shock of outside events, the need to bring in reforms, and, above all, the constant struggle to stay alive and keep your place on the throne.
*Jerry Toner, Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge*

A tour de force history of the inner workings of the late Roman Empire. Kulikowski tells a vivid, compelling story of the humans who fought to control the machinery of the empire until the entire system could no longer hold.
*The Fate of Rome*

Kulikowski pairs his comprehensive understanding of late Roman politics with an uncanny eye for spatial and material details as he reconstructs an empire in a downward spiral of self-destruction. Roman emperors and barbarian kings, pagan aristocrats and Christian bishops, loyal soldiers and self-serving condottieri are woven into the brilliantly dramatized story of The Tragedy of Empire.
*Constantine and the Cities*

Michael Kulikowski tells the story of the Roman Empire from the fourth to the sixth century. He writes boldly and fluently about imperial politics, incorporating the latest scholarship yet avoiding getting bogged down in academic controversies. Highly recommended as an introduction to the political history of this period.
*The Roman Empire in Late Antiquity*

Weaving together a more than 200-year history of complex family affairs, rebels, battles, coups and intrigue into engaging prose, Kulikowski's book is an enjoyable read for anyone who is interested in late Roman history.
*Minerva Magazine*

Kulikowski pairs his comprehensive understanding of late Roman politics with an uncanny eye for spatial and material details as he reconstructs an empire in a downward spiral of self-destruction. Roman emperors and barbarian kings, pagan aristocrats and Christian bishops, loyal soldiers and self-serving condottieri are woven into the brilliantly dramatized story of Imperial Tragedy.
*Constantine and the Cities*

Outstanding history about the failures of roman totalitarianism
*Pennsylvania Literary Journal*