ABSTRACT
This book is an introduction to the period AD 14-117 aimed at those with little or no previous experience of ancient history. The book’s aims are modest. It is intended to provide a basic chronological framework for study of the main events of the period and to give brief introductory outlines of the major issues. In the first section of the book, I consider the major political and military events of the period. The discussion is arranged mainly by emperor. In the second section, I turn to themes which will tend to apply to the whole of the period. There will be times when issues which arise in considering individual reigns are discussed thematically and reference will be made to these discussions. The book need not be treated as a linear account and students are encouraged to switch between chapters as the need arises.
