Review by Choice Review
While this two-volume encyclopedia focuses on Caesar's lifetime, the author includes entries about his ancestors and other political, cultural, and religious influences on him to place his life and legacy in the context of his time. Information is provided on his lasting influence on history, literature, and even today's popular culture. Entries in the work are arranged alphabetically; further research is facilitated by the bibliographies at the end of each entry and the guide to related topics, which includes documents, media, events, people, customs, religions, and more. Lovano (St. Norbert College), author of Age of Cinna: Crucible of Late Republican Rome (2002), has designed this work to appeal to high school students and others beginning to explore classical history, and it is well suited for those levels. Approximately one-third of the entries have illustrations, sidebars (including fun topics such as the origins of the Orange Julius beverage), and primary documents to facilitate learning and help maintain the reader's interest. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-level undergraduates. --Nancy J. Mactague, Aurora University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
No history of ancient Rome can ignore Julius Caesar, a towering historical figure. A gifted orator, successful military commander, and able government administrator, he lived in interesting times and made those times interesting himself. This two-volume encyclopedia is intended for those who wish to focus their attention on particular topics or themes with relevance to Caesar. Although the encyclopedia concerns Caesar, there is, curiously, no actual entry for him, though the work's introduction serves as a substitute. Rather, Caesar is found scattered throughout the 213 alphabetically arranged entries that comprise this set. They range from geographic locations to strategic battles to the important personages with whom Caesar interacted. The entry Clothing, for example, not only discusses modes of dress at the time but also includes Suetonius' report concerning Caesar's personal alterations to his traditional garb. One of the more interesting entries is Caesar I-IV (Computer games, 1993-2006). The entry describes a series of computer games for which Caesar was the inspiration and in which players develop skills in military logistics, simulate combat, cultivate political alliances, and build empires. Although there's much to learn about ancient Rome in these games, the entry states they contain historical inaccuracies and perhaps send troubling messages about imperialism, conquest, and civilization. The entry Homosexuality is worrisome, for it anachronistically applies a modern concept to ancient sources rather than presenting a nuanced discussion of why certain sexual behaviors were considered inappropriate. The latest edition of the Oxford Classical Dictionary is both broader in scope and superior in scholarship, but its academic rigor can be impenetrable for many. This work is far more accessible. Since its focus is an important and oft-studied period of Roman history, it is recommended for libraries serving undergraduates and high-school students.--McConnell, Christopher Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
The purpose of this set is to provide readers a glimpse into the time when Julius Caesar lived (100 BCE-44 BCE) and his lasting impact on culture for the past 2,000 years. Lovano (history, St. Norbert Coll., De Pere, WI) offers less a biography of Caesar and more of an introduction to the leader's world, family, friends, and enemies. Volume 1 covers entries A-L, includes a list of the entries with related topics and begins with a short summary that condenses the life of Caesar for the novice historian. A chronology of events from 753 BCE to Caesar's death covers the next few pages. Two maps and a genealogy of the Roman dictator finish the introductory portion of the set. Volume 2 completes the summaries and provides a short selection of primary documents written in the period before and after the subject's life. The set concludes with a full bibliography of sources and a thorough index. The 213 entries are two to six pages in length each and address the definition or explanation of that topic followed by a short list of further readings. Some entries are complemented by pictures, drawings, paintings, or screenshots from films. This is the only reference set of its kind to consider the world surrounding Caesar instead of focusing on the man himself-still, the scope of the work means that it will have a narrow audience. If a biography of Caesar is needed, Adrian Goldsworthy's Caesar: Life of a Colossus is recommended. VERDICT High school and undergraduate students with courses in ancient Roman history will find this title helpful.-Jason L. Steagall, Gateway Technical Coll., Elkhorn Lib., WI (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
