A lively and accessible guide to the rich literary, philosophical and artistic achievements of the notorious age of Nero.

Tacitus' account of Nero's principate is an extraordinary piece of historical writing. His graphic narrative (including Annals XV) is one of the highlights of the greatest surviving historian of the Roman Empire. It describes how the imperial system survived Nero's flamboyant and hedonistic tenure as emperor, and includes many famous passages, from the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64 to the city-wide party organised by Nero's praetorian prefect, Tigellinus, in Rome. This edition unlocks the difficulties and complexities of this challenging yet popular text for students and instructors alike. It elucidates the historical context of the work and the literary artistry of the author, as well as explaining grammatical difficulties of the Latin for students. It also includes a comprehensive introduction discussing historical, literary and stylistic issues.

Canfield, Leon Hardy. The Early Persecutions of the Christians. New York: Columbia University Press, 1913. 215 pp. Reprint available February, 2005 by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. ISBN 1-58477-481-9. Cloth. $75. * Based on a sensitive reading of all known primary sources, many of a legal or legislative nature, Canfield reconstructs the early history of the Christians' persecution. After discussing their legal basis, he shows how the law was employed from the reign of Nero through the reign of Hadrian. The book has two parts. Each chapter in Part I has a corresponding chapter of relevant source documents in Part II. All appear in translation, some are also presented in the original Latin or Greek. Originally published as Volume LV, Number 2 in Columbia's series Studies in History, Economics and Public Law.

Conway presents a landmark text on the history of German churches during the Nazi era.