Roman Empire

Roman Satire, Part I: The Republican Tradition

Both before and after the fall of the Republic, Roman satirists give us an extraordinarily vivid picture of the society in which they lived, with its materialism, its opportunism, its unceasing pursuit of power and wealth.

Nero: The Two Versions

Michael Grant offers the tale of Rome's most infamous emperor from both his fans and detractors.

Ausonius

Charles Johnston describes how, during the latter half of the fourth century, one of the last of the Roman poets was appointed by Valentinian I, Emperor of the West, to undertake the education of his hopeful son Gratian.

The Silk Road

2000 years ago, writes William Y. Willetts, magnificent Silks from China began to reach the wealthy families of Rome.