The Beginnings of Rome: Italy from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c.1000-264 BC)
Using the results of archaeological techniques, and examining methodological debates, Tim Cornell provides a lucid and authoritative account of the rise of Rome. The beginnings of Rome, once thought to be lost in the mists of legend, are now being revealed by an ever-increasing body of archaeological evidence, much of it unearthed during the past twenty-five years. This new material has made it possible to trace the development of Rome from an iron-age village to a major state which eventually outstripped its competitors and became a Mediterranean power. The Beginnings of Rome offers new and often controversial answers to major questions such as Rome's relations with the Etruscans, the conflict between patricians and plebeians, the causes of Roman imperialism and the growth of a slave-based economy.
My Review
It's now clear to me why there was so little written about the early history of Rome. There isn't that much information available to write about. Still, this book very neatly gave an overview of that what is available, and describes the problems of gathering enough evidence to write about.