Ancient

Paestum and its Museum

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

Christianity’s First History Book

‘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.

The British Museum and the Xanthos Marbles

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.

Parchment

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

Book Production in Ancient Rome

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

Arrian’s Array

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

Roman Portrait Busts

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’.

The Hellenistic World

Michael Grant describes how, after the death of Alexander the Great, the classical world was divided into a system of contending super-states of which our twentieth century world is the heir.