ancient rome

Part One In the sweltering summer of Rome, 79 CE, young Lucius Aelius, the 21-year-old son of Senator Gaius Aelius Marcellus, felt trapped in the marble halls of his father’s villa. Despite the privilege of fine tunics, learned tutors, and invitations to elite banquets, Lucius yearned for...

The Roman legions were marching east to Syria, ready to launch an attack on the Parthian Empire, but the road was long. As the army camped for the night the tent of Emperor Titus stood at the heart of the camp, just as he stood at the heart of the empire. Known for his military prowess and his...