World History
Alternate history can take many forms. Sometimes it can be simple (What if Lincoln had lived?) to the unbelievable such as Harry Turtledove's accounts of aliens invading during World War Two. I recently read a role playing game supplement that goes in the unbelievable section right with Turtledove. However, just like the Turtledove saga, this is very enjoyable alternate history.
The book is Requiem for Rome by several authors. It was written to support the Vampire: The Masquerade game system. Here is a description of the book, "A gameplay expansion and setting book, Do battle with barbarian vampires, uncover the secrets of mystery cults, rule a family of the Roman aristocracy and change the course of Kindred history in the Necropolis beneath Rome."
Ancient Rome was a bloodthirsty place which had a great deal of reverence for the past and the dead. Is it such a stretch to imagine a vampire influence over the city? This book gives a good fantasy try at it.
What I found interesting for alternate history was not the large portions of the book that dealt with game playing mechanics. Instead, I found the authors account of vampire clans and how they influenced the various aspects of Roman history from the Kingship of Romulus, the founding and fall of the Roman Republic, the founding of the Empire, and the decline and fall of the Western Empire very entertaining. The first chapter of this book (Ab Urba Condita: The History of Rome) has a detailed time line of Roman history coupled with short essays on key periods. Of course, some of these essays discuss vampire politics and how this altered the history of Rome. Who would have guessed that the founding of the Roman Republic coincided with a vampire revolution in the catacombs below the city?
I realize this book review is a strange choice for this blog. However, I like alternate history and I like Roman history. I found this book satisfying and enjoyable. I hope the goth teenagers playing this vampire role playing game are inspired by this and go on to study Roman history.
- Opening Atlantis
I just finished reading Opening Atlantis by Harry Turtledove. It is an alternate history novel that takes place in a setting with a continent between North America (Terra Nova) and Europe. The map on the cover of the book shows the east coast of the United...
- Missing Hbo Rome?
Missing HBO Rome? So am I. I can not wait until the next season comes out. I also hope the first season is released on DVD soon. Want to read about Roman history while we wait? Here are some suggestions: Roman History - This is a category at the Open...
- Feminae Romanae: The Women Of Ancient Rome
Feminae Romanae: The Women of Ancient Rome - A history of women in ancient Rome from the Graeco-Etruscan period to the fall of the Empire. Sections cover multiple periods, graphics and biographies of famous Roman women. The link titled "Republican Women"...
- The Heart Of Change: Julius Caesar And The End Of The Roman Republic
The Heart of Change: Julius Caesar and the End of the Roman Republic. This is an essay that looks at the organizational change theory of Kotter and Cohen (2002) and applies it to the actions of Julius Caesar as he brought about the end of the Roman Republic....
- Unrv History
UNVR History Provides information about the Roman Empire, its governments, military, culture and economy. Archaeological news and discussions can be found in the online forum. From the site: UNRV... United Nations of Roma Victor, represents the...
World History
Requiem for Rome
Alternate history can take many forms. Sometimes it can be simple (What if Lincoln had lived?) to the unbelievable such as Harry Turtledove's accounts of aliens invading during World War Two. I recently read a role playing game supplement that goes in the unbelievable section right with Turtledove. However, just like the Turtledove saga, this is very enjoyable alternate history.The book is Requiem for Rome by several authors. It was written to support the Vampire: The Masquerade game system. Here is a description of the book, "A gameplay expansion and setting book, Do battle with barbarian vampires, uncover the secrets of mystery cults, rule a family of the Roman aristocracy and change the course of Kindred history in the Necropolis beneath Rome."
Ancient Rome was a bloodthirsty place which had a great deal of reverence for the past and the dead. Is it such a stretch to imagine a vampire influence over the city? This book gives a good fantasy try at it.
What I found interesting for alternate history was not the large portions of the book that dealt with game playing mechanics. Instead, I found the authors account of vampire clans and how they influenced the various aspects of Roman history from the Kingship of Romulus, the founding and fall of the Roman Republic, the founding of the Empire, and the decline and fall of the Western Empire very entertaining. The first chapter of this book (Ab Urba Condita: The History of Rome) has a detailed time line of Roman history coupled with short essays on key periods. Of course, some of these essays discuss vampire politics and how this altered the history of Rome. Who would have guessed that the founding of the Roman Republic coincided with a vampire revolution in the catacombs below the city?
I realize this book review is a strange choice for this blog. However, I like alternate history and I like Roman history. I found this book satisfying and enjoyable. I hope the goth teenagers playing this vampire role playing game are inspired by this and go on to study Roman history.
- Opening Atlantis
I just finished reading Opening Atlantis by Harry Turtledove. It is an alternate history novel that takes place in a setting with a continent between North America (Terra Nova) and Europe. The map on the cover of the book shows the east coast of the United...
- Missing Hbo Rome?
Missing HBO Rome? So am I. I can not wait until the next season comes out. I also hope the first season is released on DVD soon. Want to read about Roman history while we wait? Here are some suggestions: Roman History - This is a category at the Open...
- Feminae Romanae: The Women Of Ancient Rome
Feminae Romanae: The Women of Ancient Rome - A history of women in ancient Rome from the Graeco-Etruscan period to the fall of the Empire. Sections cover multiple periods, graphics and biographies of famous Roman women. The link titled "Republican Women"...
- The Heart Of Change: Julius Caesar And The End Of The Roman Republic
The Heart of Change: Julius Caesar and the End of the Roman Republic. This is an essay that looks at the organizational change theory of Kotter and Cohen (2002) and applies it to the actions of Julius Caesar as he brought about the end of the Roman Republic....
- Unrv History
UNVR History Provides information about the Roman Empire, its governments, military, culture and economy. Archaeological news and discussions can be found in the online forum. From the site: UNRV... United Nations of Roma Victor, represents the...