An old adage speaks of the grandeur that was Rome. That grandeur is captured in amazing, well-documented detail in this unusual volume, which takes the form of a travel guide written in AD 143, when the Roman Empire was at its height of size and prosperity. Included are the city's imposing public buildings, temples and other shrines, religious festivals, roads and aqueducts, shops, public games (including chariot races and gladiatorial combats), and...