Success for Michael Sommer: the first volume of his Roman history "Rom und die antike Welt bis zum Ende der Republik. Römische Geschichte" was voted "Historical Book of the Year" in the "Overview" category by the history magazine "Damals".
In the volume, the ancient historian from Oldenburg describes the development of Rome from a small town in central Italy to the centre of a world power - and explores the question of why Roman history still holds enormous fascination today.
"For us as contemporaries of globalisation and worldwide networking, what is particularly interesting about Roman history is that a process was completed in it that also tremendously accelerated the mobility of people, goods and ideas," says Sommer, describing the topicality of his book. Sommer relies on sources: More than in other overviews, he allows ancient people themselves to have their say. An approach that convinced the nine-member jury of historians and journalists.
Rome and the Ancient World to the End of the Republic. Römische Geschichte, vol. 1, Stuttgart: Alfred Kröner Verlag. 654 pages, ISBN 978-3520449016.