Head of Zeus

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Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian's Wall, AD 130

by Bronwen Riley

'An erudite and fascinating work' Jan Morris, New York Times

'An artful combination of history, archaeology and the imagination' Mary Beard, New York Review of Books

'Riley manages to bring multi-faceted, polygot and multi-cultural Roman Britain to vibrant life for specialists and generalists' Country Life

It is AD 130. Rome is the dazzling heart of a vast empire and Hadrian its most complex and compelling ruler. Faraway Britannia is one of the Romans' most troublesome provinces: here the sun is seldom seen and 'the atmosphere in the country is always gloomy'.

What awaits the traveller to Britannia? How will you get there? What do you need to pack? What language will you speak? How does London compare to Rome? Are there any tourist attractions? And what dangers lurk behind Hadrian’s new Wall?

Combining an extensive range of Greek and Latin sources with a sound understanding of archaeology, Bronwen Riley describes an epic journey from Rome to Hadrian's Wall at Britannia's – and the empire's – northwestern frontier. In this strikingly original snapshot of Roman Britain, she brings vividly to life the smells, sounds, colours and textures of travel in the second century AD.

Head of Zeus * Ancient History

01 Aug 2015 * 272pp * £6.99 * 9781781852675

REVIEWS

'An erudite and fascinating work'

Jan Morris, New York Times

'Riley manages to bring multi-faceted, polyglot and multi-cultural Roman Britain to vibrant life'

Country Life

'A must for all interested in the Roman empire and Roman Britain'

British Archaeology

'An artful combination of history, archaeology and the imagination'

Mary Beard, New York Review of Books

'Strap on your colleague, or marching boots, and head off on an epic journey across the Roman Empire in this entertaining read'

History Revealed

A brilliant idea, to describe the journey of Julius Severus as he travelled from Rome to Britain to take up his new post of governor of Britain... Well written, eminently readable... It is a must for all interested in the Roman Empire and Roman Britain'

Prof David J Breeze, author of Hadrian's Wall: A History of Archaeological Thought and Roman Scotland

If you've ever wondered what it felt like to travel from Rome to the northernmost outposts of the empire, this is the book for you... Bronwen Riley brings the long journey by sea and land to life, describing sights, sounds, smells, colours and textures'

Cumbria Life

'This wonderful book is a testament to this haunting land'

Sunday Times

'Bronwen Riley writes superbly'

Independent

'A delightful trip from Rome to Hadrian's Wall – in C.E. 130. Great fun for anyone with even a slight knowledge of Roman and English history and geography – or those curious about them'

Kirkus Reviews

'There is much enlightening material here'

The Tablet

'Bronwen's lively account brings the edge of empire to life'

Cumbria Life

Author

Bronwen Riley

Bronwen Riley is a writer, lecturer and editor with a special interest in the Classical world. Her books include Journey to Britannia, Transylvania and Great Yarmouth Row Houses and Greyfriars' Cloister. She writes regularly on country houses, antiques, gardens, collections and heritage for publications such as Country Life, Gardens Illustrated and BBC History Magazine. She also devises literary and historical journeys in Britain, the Balkans and beyond and is director of the Transylvanian Book Festival. Bronwen read Classics at Oxford and Byzantine Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She lives in the Lake District.

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