Rome Before Rome

Embark on a fascinating journey into Rome's legendary past with this illuminating historical account. Explore the mysterious beginnings of Roman civilization and witness how the earliest foundations of this extraordinary empire were laid, perfect for those with an interest in ancient history.

A lot can be learned about a society and its cultural identity by reading the legends and historical stories that captivated them, which values they upheld and how teachings of what is right and wrong shapes who they are. This is at the heart of author Philip Matyszak's book Rome Before Rome: The Legends That Shaped the Romans.

There are few books which explain how these different legends fit into Rome’s overall narrative and none which explore the range of myths Matyszak describes. Some of the legends are well known, from Romulus and Remus to the Rape of the Sabines, whilst others are more obscure such as the story of the praetor Cipus, who grew horns and became a King of Rome. Whether renowned or unfamiliar, all are significant in their own way and have had a profound impact on the Romans. Even today these myths continue to reverberate throughout western culture as films, TV shows and plays.

Matyszak dissects these myths, investigating hard-to-find texts, such as the historical texts of Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Plutarch’s Roman Questions sources, as well as classic texts like Livy’s From the Founding of the City and Ovid’s Metamorphoses, revealing that Rome’s illustrious mythological past is not quite as it might seem.

Philip Matyszak has a doctorate in Roman history from St John's College, Oxford. He also teaches and prepares courses for the eLearning programme at Cambridge University. He is the author of numerous books on the ancient world, including Lost Cities of the Ancient World (2023), The Greek and Roman Myths (2010), and Ancient Magic (2019).