Drawing on an array of ancient sources, and covering topics of interest to readers with little prior background in Roman history as well as those already familiar with the great civilization, Brian Campbell provides a fascinating and wide-ranging introduction to the world of ancient Rome.

"A lucid survey of Roman history."-Adam Kirsch, New Yorker

"One of the great joys of Campbell's unfailingly readable account is the readiness with which it returns to the Roman record, drawing on ancient sources to give a lively and immediate feel for Roman life and culture."-Michael Kerrigan, Scotsman