This landmark book shows how much Victorian and Edwardian Roman archaeologists were influenced by their own experience of empire in their interpretation of archaeological evidence. This distortion of the facts became accepted truth and its legacy is still felt in archaeology today. While tracing the development of these ideas, the author also gives the reader a throrough grounding in the history of Roman archaeology itself.

This eleventh edition was developed during the encyclopaedia's transition from a British to an American publication. Some of its articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time and it is considered to be a landmark encyclopaedia for scholarship and literary style.

This book presents the legislation that formed the basis of Roman law - The Laws of the Twelve Tables. These laws, formally promulgated in 449 BC, consolidated earlier traditions and established enduring rights and duties of Roman citizens. The Tables were created in response to agitation by the plebeian class, who had previously been excluded from the higher benefits of the Republic. Despite previously being unwritten and exclusively interpreted by upper-class priests, the Tables became highly regarded and formed the basis of Roman law for a thousand years. This comprehensive sequence of definitions of private rights and procedures, although highly specific and diverse, provided a foundation for the enduring legal system of the Roman Empire.

As straightforward and easy to follow as a Roman road, this is the most accessible guide to both the language and the literature of one of the greatest empires the world has known. Starting from basics, it covers all the essential grammar and vocabulary you need to decipher Latin for yourself, before going on to bring Rome's greatest writers back to life through superb audio recordings, available online. Suitable for complete beginners and improvers alike and makes an ideal companion to the best-selling Collins Latin Dictionary & Grammar. As well as a comprehensive introduction to Latin grammar and usage, it offers an insight into the works of key poets and thinkers. Accompanying recordings of every extract are available online, so you can hear how the texts should sound and can perhaps try reading them aloud yourself. There is ample background information on Roman life and culture along with plenty of exercise material to test your progress as you go. You will also learn about words derived from Latin and the commonest Latin phrases still in use in English today. All this means that you'll be well-versed in one of the greatest linguistic influences on modern English.