Rome

If you've been to Rome once or twice, you probably feel that the city is fascinating in its art and its complexity, but you are a little bewildered how it all fits together. Anyway, I was. This book is incredible in the way it walks you through the factors shaping Rome's growth over the centuries, and the different phases. Why is Saint John Lateran way out there, and the Pantheon embedded in medieval streets? It all makes sense traced through this history, with excellent line maps. A perfect thing to read in between two trips to Rome!

The quality of the paper and printing is of a low quality. The font lacks a sharp definition. Photos all black & white.

I had the privilege of living in Rome, working for one of Krautheimer's students. It is a great city, layered with remarkable stories. Much happened after Imperial Rome; this is an excellent history of the city and its evolution.

This is no casual read. It's definitely for those with a deep interest in the history of Rome from the end of the Empire to, or close to, the Renaissance. That said, there's no better book about what Rome looked like during this period and why certain changes in architecture took place.

This was the text book I needed for class. It has good margins and spacing for taking notes. It can be wordy at times but overall an okay read.

Spent a week in Italy in April and this book was an opportunity to re-visit an incredible place

In the transition from antiquity to medieval times Rome went from the largest city in Europe to a small provincial town. Most histories only discuss Rome as the center of the Catholic church. This book covers the physical development of Rome during this period. As a result it also discusses the cultural and political history of the city.I had always wondered how the ruins remained so undisturbed. I discovered that the center of the town moved away from the hills towards the river and St. Peter's (which was originally a grave site outside the town and across the river). Also, the process of reusing pieces of old buildings was going on from ancient times. (Today we call that an ecologically good practice.)The photos and illustrations show the development of the town, before the rapid reurbanization of the 20th century. Many of the photos appear to be from the 1950s or 60s. There are a few color illustrations, but most are in black and white.The book was written in 1980, it has a new forward, which is almost completely unrelated to the book.

A great narrative description of the architectural development of medieval Rome. Very readable and a great help to me in pointing out some lesser known aspects of the city. Has encouraged me to wander off the beaten track when in Rome to investigate features that few tourist see.

El excelso Krautheimer nos ilustra en este libro sobre el período de la Roma más o menos cristiana. Me resulta curioso que a la mayoría nos resulte una era semidesconocida y hasta extraña cuando se la compara con la Roma republicana e imperial. Pero es el antepasado directo de la Roma renacentista.El libro no está destinado a un público académico y se lee y consulta con facilidad. Krautheimer, como siempre, excelente.

A penetrating historical study of palaeochristian architecture in Rome, situated in its societal and geographical context.Very well and nicelely written. Compelling.