Since this chapter is itself in part a bibliographical survey, it will be sufficient here to emphasize a few classics and important recent work. Mommsen 1996 (originally published 1854-6), Gelzer 1969 (originally published 1912), and Syme 1939 are still worth reading for their undiminished intellectual brilliance, even if the models of Roman Republican politics that underlie their reconstructions have since been shown to be deficient in certain aspects. The books by Mommsen and Syme are also examples of great history writing of high literary quality. Scheidel 2001a provides an expert survey of research in Roman demography. Nicolet 1980 vividly portrays how the Republic appeared from a citizen’s perspective. Millar 1998 offers a good introduction to public communication in the period 78-50, with exposition and interpretations based closely upon the sources. Yakobson 1999 gives a compellingly written account ofRoman elections and canvassing that is full ofintelligent and realistic analyses. Mouritsen 2001 is a provocative book about the Roman plebs that presents a great number of novel perspectives and arguments and stimulates thought over a wide area. Morstein-Marx 2004 takes an original approach in investigating the core question of communication between upper and lower classes in Rome; in the process he contests some of Mouritsen’s findings and suggests new ways of characterizing the Republic against the background of the democracy - aristocracy dichotomy. Those undaunted by the German language may consult Holkeskamp 2004a for a recent summary of the debate on the political system of the Roman Republic, with some interesting reflections on possible directions for further research.
World History
