Overview

From humble beginnings, Rome became perhaps the greatest intercontinental power in the world. Why did this historic city become so much more influential than its neighbor, nearby Latium, which was peopled by more or less the same stock? Over the years, historians, political analysts, and sociologists have discussed this question ad infinitum, without considering one underlying factor that led to the rise of Rome--the geology now hidden by the modern city. This book demonstrates the important link between the history of Rome and its geologic setting in a lively, fact-filled narrative sure to interest geology and history buffs and travelers alike. The authors point out that Rome possessed many geographic advantages over surrounding areas: proximity to a major river with access to the sea, plateaus for protection, nearby sources of building materials, and most significantly, clean drinking water from springs in the Apennines. Even the resiliency of Rome's architecture and the stability of life on its hills are underscored by the city's geologic framework. If carried along with a good city map, this book will expand the understanding of travelers who explore the eternal city's streets.Chapters are arranged geographically, based on each of the seven hills, the Tiber floodplain, ancient creeks that dissected the plateau, and ridges that rise above the right bank. As an added bonus, the last chapter consists of three field trips around the center of Rome, which can be enjoyed on foot or by using public transportation.

Full Product Details

9780691130385

Table of Contents

Reviews

The writing in this joint Italian-American volume is delightfully clear, and the book is full of helpful illustrations. --Ron Smith, Georgia Review This fascinating and easy-to-read guidebook shows how the geography and geology of Rome allowed it to grow into the great center of civilization that it became. . . . This book is for travelers and readers interested in both history and geology. --Science News Now here's a tourist guide to Rome with a difference. . . .This isn't just a guide. The authors have also set out to awaken people to Rome's geological framework in the hope of making the city itself more sustainable. --Sarah Barnett, Geographical Magazine This is a book of delights. A volcanologist and two geologists unpick the fabric of Rome, from its roots of silts and gravels overlain by volcanic flows to the summits of the seven hills. --Maggie McDonald, New Scientist A very interesting book on the geology of Rome and how that geology has strongly influenced the city's geography, history, economics, and culture since its earliest settlement. --Choice This is a truly unusual book of great interest to amateur geologists, historians, and travelers. --Library Journal Rome we know as a museum of empires and faiths, architecture and art collections: this fascinating little book shows how it may be a museum of the earth as well. --Greg Woolf, Times Literary Supplement A detailed description. --Ingrid Rowland, New York Review of Books A detailed description. --Ingrid Rowland, New York Review of Books Rome we know as a museum of empires and faiths, architecture and art collections: this fascinating little book shows how it may be a museum of the earth as well. --Greg Woolf, Times Literary Supplement This is a truly unusual book of great interest to amateur geologists, historians, and travelers. --Library Journal A very interesting book on the geology of Rome and how that geology has strongly influenced the city's geography, history, economics, and culture since its earliest settlement. --Choice This is a book of delights. A volcanologist and two geologists unpick the fabric of Rome, from its roots of silts and gravels overlain by volcanic flows to the summits of the seven hills. --Maggie McDonald, New Scientist Now here's a tourist guide to Rome with a difference...This isn't just a guide. The authors have also set out to awaken people to Rome's geological framework in the hope of making the city itself more sustainable. --Sarah Barnett, Geographical Magazine This fascinating and easy-to-read guidebook shows how the geography and geology of Rome allowed it to grow into the great center of civilization that it became... This book is for travelers and readers interested in both history and geology. --Science News The writing in this joint Italian-American volume is delightfully clear, and the book is full of helpful illustrations. --Ron Smith, Georgia Review

A detailed description. -- Ingrid Rowland, New York Review of Books Rome we know as a museum of empires and faiths, architecture and art collections: this fascinating little book shows how it may be a museum of the earth as well. -- Greg Woolf, Times Literary Supplement This is a truly unusual book of great interest to amateur geologists, historians, and travelers. -- Library Journal A very interesting book on the geology of Rome and how that geology has strongly influenced the city's geography, history, economics, and culture since its earliest settlement. -- Choice This is a book of delights. A volcanologist and two geologists unpick the fabric of Rome, from its roots of silts and gravels overlain by volcanic flows to the summits of the seven hills. -- Maggie McDonald, New Scientist Now here's a tourist guide to Rome with a difference...This isn't just a guide. The authors have also set out to awaken people to Rome's geological framework in the hope of making the city itself more sustainable. -- Sarah Barnett, Geographical Magazine This fascinating and easy-to-read guidebook shows how the geography and geology of Rome allowed it to grow into the great center of civilization that it became... This book is for travelers and readers interested in both history and geology. -- Science News The writing in this joint Italian-American volume is delightfully clear, and the book is full of helpful illustrations. -- Ron Smith, Georgia Review

A detailed description. -- Ingrid Rowland New York Review of Books Rome we know as a museum of empires and faiths, architecture and art collections: this fascinating little book shows how it may be a museum of the earth as well. -- Greg Woolf Times Literary Supplement This is a truly unusual book of great interest to amateur geologists, historians, and travelers. Library Journal A very interesting book on the geology of Rome and how that geology has strongly influenced the city's geography, history, economics, and culture since its earliest settlement. Choice This is a book of delights. A volcanologist and two geologists unpick the fabric of Rome, from its roots of silts and gravels overlain by volcanic flows to the summits of the seven hills. -- Maggie McDonald New Scientist Now here's a tourist guide to Rome with a difference...This isn't just a guide. The authors have also set out to awaken people to Rome's geological framework in the hope of making the city itself more sustainable. -- Sarah Barnett Geographical Magazine This fascinating and easy-to-read guidebook shows how the geography and geology of Rome allowed it to grow into the great center of civilization that it became... This book is for travelers and readers interested in both history and geology. Science News The writing in this joint Italian-American volume is delightfully clear, and the book is full of helpful illustrations. -- Ron Smith Georgia Review

Author Information

Grant Heiken is a past president of the International Association of Volcanology. He is the author or co-author of several professional and general-interest books on geology, including Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change (Princeton). Renato Funiciello is Professor of Geology at the University of Roma Tre and Vice President of the National Institute for Geophysics. Donatella De Rita is Professor of Field Geology and the Geology of Volcanic Areas at the University of Roma Tre.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available