title: The Reach of Rome: A Journey Through the Lands of the Ancient Empire, Following a Coin
author: Alberto Angela
description: &ldquo;Though tracing a coin is a rather unconventional way to outline the history of an empire, author Alberto Angela had good reason to do so. Admired in his native Italy for his ability to bring history to life through narrative, Alberto Angela opens up the ancient world to readers who have felt intimidated by the category or put off by dry historical tomes. By focusing on aspects of daily life so often overlooked in more academic treatments, <i>The Reach of Rome</i> travels back in time and shows us a world that was perhaps not very different from our own.&rdquo; -<i>Italian Tribune</i><br><br>"Using a coin to map the reach and power of the Roman Empire, Alberto Angela introduces readers to the ancient world, offering new insights into its people and territories, and deciphering what it really meant to live in the empire. The author examines aspects of daily life through the lens of a single coin...bringing us face-to-face with the real people of that era<i>." -i-ItalyNY</i><br><br>&ldquo;This lovely rendering of history is a hearty companion across the ancient empire &ldquo;from Scotland to Kuwait, from Portugal to Armenia.&rdquo; Our excursion follows a coin across the Empire for a few years as it passes through many hands, generating a payload of priceless information about day-to-day life in a world long gone. Be sure to join this glorious expedition by an author who shows us the money on the march!&rdquo; <i>&ndash;Celtic Connection<br>&#160;</i>
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  A BAD COIN ALWAYS TURNS UP
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Alberto Guardia
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A bad coin always turns up
  
  
  Original title _Come una moneta falsa_
  
  
  Copyright © Alberto Guardia
  
  
  English translation Katherine M. Clifton
  
  
  
  
  
  All rights reserved 2017
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My special thanks to
  
  
  Professor  Katherine M. Clifton
  
  
  for the superbe revison and translation
  
  
  from the original italian text to english
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  To Carlo who did not have time to read it
  
  
  
  
  
  ********
  
  
  This novel was conceived as a light-hearted joke played on a person by the
  same name as the protagonist who, in my mind, should have received the first
  copy, reading it and laughing aloud. Unfortunately, an untimely accident took
  him from us and I am now certain that, using one of those special telescopes
  they have up there, he was able to look over my shoulder and read it as I
  wrote.
  
  
  
  
  
  Many of the historical events mentioned are real, although freely i