Ancient

Michael Grant describes how the most essential single fact in the whole history of the Etruscans was their division into separate city states.

Sarah Searight introduces the fifth century ascetic whose long life on top of a pillar attracted thousands of worshippers.

The temples of Paestum have long been admired. Only recently, writes Neil Ritchie, have archaeologists unearthed a wealth of associated works of art.

‘The Acts of the Apostles’ was written in the first century A. D. and describes a vital thirty years in the expansion of Christianity. J.K. Elliott studies its production and influence.

At a time when the Turkish rulers of Greece were conducting a profitable trade in ancient statues, Charles Fellows, an enlightened English tourist, rescued a precious hoard from Asia Minor. By Sarah Searight.

After Hannibal’s defeat by Scipio Africanus, writes Zvi Yavetz, Carthage tried for some fifty years to live in peace with Rome.

M.L. Ryder describes the use of skins for writing material from about 2000 B.C. in Egypt down to recent times.

F.R. Cowell describes how the Romans were keen book-collectors; and the works they bought were often expensive and beautifully produced.

Anthony Dent describes the battle order of a Roman Governor in Asia Minor during the second century, A.D.

Michael Grant describes how, in their portrait-heads, which reveal an extraordinary grasp of the subject’s personality, Roman sculptors ‘created one of the outstanding arts of all time’.