PAGE
The Peoples of Italy about 500 B. C. 14
The Environs of Rome 24
Roman Expansion in Italy to 265 B. C. 32
The Expansion of Rome in the Mediterranean World 68
265-44 B. C.
The Roman Empire from 31 B. C. to 300 A. D. 204
The Roman Empire in 395 A. D. 332
The Roman Empire and the Germanic Kingdoms in 526 368
A. D.
The Roman Empire in 565 A. D. 380

INTRODUCTION

THE SOURCES FOR THE STUDY OF EARLY ROMAN HISTORY

The student beginning the study of Roman History through the medium of the
works of modern writers cannot fail to note wide differences in the
treatment accorded by them to the early centuries of the life of the Roman
State. These differences are mainly due to differences of opinion among
moderns as to the credibility of the ancient accounts of this period. And
so it will perhaps prove helpful to give a brief review of these sources,
and to indicate the estimate of their value which is reflected in this
book.

The earliest Roman historical records were in the form of annals, that is,
brief notices of important events in connection with the names of the
consuls or other eponymous officials for each year. They may be compared
to the early monastic chronicles of the Middle Ages. Writing was practised
in Rome as early as the sixth century B. C. and there can be no doubt that
the names of consuls or their substitutes were recorded from the early
years of the republic, although the form of the record is unknown. It is
in the annals that the oldest list of the consuls was preserved, the
Capitoline consular and triumphal Fasti or lists being reconstructions of
the time of Augustus.

The authorship of the earliest annals is not recorded. However, at the
opening of the second century B. C. the Roman pontiffs had in their
custody annals which purported to run back to the foundation of the city,
including the regal period. We know also that as late as the time of the
Gracchi it was customary for the Pontifex Maximus to record on a tablet
for public inspection the chief events of each year. When this custom
began is uncertain and it can only be