Michel Serres first book in his 'foundations trilogy' is all about beginnings. T
he beginning of Rome but also about the beginning of society, knowledge and cult
ure. "Rome "is an examination of the very foundations upon which contemporary so
ciety has been built.
With characteristic breadth and lyricism, Serres leads th
e reader on a journey from a meditation the roots of scientific knowledge to set
theory and aesthetics. He explores the themes of violence, murder, sacrifice an
d hospitality in order to urge us to avoid the repetitive violence of founding.
"Rome "also provides an alternative and creative reading of Livy's "Ab urbe cond
ita "which sheds light on the problems of history, repetition and imitation.
Fi
rst published in English in 1991, re-translated and introduced in this new editi
on, Michel Serres' "Rome" is a contemporary classic which shows us how we came t
o live the way we do.
