This book meets the same purpose as the book on the course of the previous class (on the history of Greece), and it is compiled according to approximately the same plan. It differs, perhaps, only in the number of pages. Its somewhat larger size is explained by the following two considerations: firstly, I assumed that I could, without significant inconvenience, place longer passages in a book intended for students who have moved more in their history studies; secondly, I needed more space in order to portray, at least in general terms, the life of a people who lived twelve centuries and spread their influence throughout the ancient world. I also increased the number of drawings, but meant only to give more clarity to those descriptions that are placed in the text. Finally, I have attached two plans for the city of Rome: one relating to the end of the republic, the other to the end of the empire.