concepts of law and government, and even central heating and air-conditioning are only a few of the gifts left to us by the great Roman Empire. Now, this newest addition to the REBUILDING THE PAST series offers a detailed and accessible review of this turbulent and exciting time in the world's history, written and illustrated especially for young readers aged 10 to 14. In fact-filled essays, from a wide range of historical sources, Roy Burrell vividly describes the early kings and emperors of Rome, the physical layout of the city, army life and major battles, the Barbarian threat, and eventual fall of Rome. But what makes this story of Rome's rise and fall so irresistable to children is its focus on the average citizen. What food and drink was most popular? How did people earn a living? What were the homes like -- did they have indoor plumbing? What games did the children play? These are the kinds of questions that children ask, and Burrell has made sure he has the answers. Through fictional eye-witness accounts that are the trademark of the series, the reader hears first-hand how momentus events of history touch ordinary men and women. An eighty year old man discusses how Rome changed as it grew, a twelve year old boy describes a typical family visit to the public baths, a slave talks of his chances for freedom, and other citizens from all classes and walks of life speak directly to the reader to tell what it was like to live in Rome. But perhaps the most remarkable part of this exciting new book is the contribution of the acclaimed children's illustrator, Peter Connolly. He excells in THE ROMANS with maps, cross-sections, detailed drawings, and even a complete scale model of what Rome may have looked like at the height of its glory. A child's curiosity and interest will be piqued before he or she reads a single word. THE ROMANS is an excellent addition to school, classroom, or home library. It's non-fiction at its best -- accurate, detailed, and thorougly fascinating. Included in The Romans: Section 1: Origins Section 2: Rome and her neighbors Section 3: The city of Rome Section 4: Republic and empire Section 5: Daily life Section 6: The state and religion Section 7: The arena Section 8: Barbarians at the gate Postscript: The legacy of Rome Index

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