The Crimes of Elagabalus
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 296

The Crimes of Elagabalus

Elagabalus was one of the most notorious of Rome's 'bad emperors': a sexually-depraved and eccentric hedonist who in his short and riotous reign made unprecedented changes to Roman state religion and defied all taboos. An oriental boy-priest from Syria - aged just fourteen when he was elevated to power in 218 CE - he placed the sun god El-Gabal at the head of the established Roman pantheon, engaged in orgiastic rituals, took male and female lovers, wore feminine dress and was alleged to have prostituted himself in taverns and even inside the imperial palace. Since his assassination by the Praetorian Guard at the age of eighteen, Elagabalus has been an object of fascination to historians and a source of inspiration for artists and writers. This immensely readable book examines the life of one of the Roman Empire's most colourful figures, and charts the many guises of his legacy: from evil tyrant to firebrand rebel, from mystical androgyne to modern gay teenager, from decadent sensualist to ancient pop star.

The World of Rome
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 430

The World of Rome

The World of Rome is an introduction to the history and culture of Rome for students at university and at school as well as for anyone seriously interested in the ancient world. Drawing on the latest scholarship, it covers all aspects of the city - its rise to power, what made it great, and why it still engages and challenges us today. The first two chapters outline the history and changing identity of Rome from 1000 BC to AD 476. Subsequent chapters examine the mechanisms of government, the economic and social life of Rome, and Roman ways of looking at and reflecting the world. Frequent quotations from ancient writers and numerous illustrations make this a stimulating and accessible introduction to ancient Rome. The World of Rome is particularly designed to serve as a background book to Reading Latin (Cambridge University Press, 1986).

The Big Book of Celebrity Inventions
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 194

The Big Book of Celebrity Inventions

Due to the complicated layout, this ebook is best viewed on a tablet. Ever wanted to see Harry Hill’s nuts? Fancy a cuppa with Karl Pilkington and his Clippable Coasters? Ever wondered how Michael Jackson defied gravity with his dance moves? Then read on!

Flight Catering
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 336

Flight Catering

  • Type: Book
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  • Published: 2012-05-23
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  • Publisher: Routledge

* Fully endorsed by the International Flight Catering Association. * Academic and practitioner contributor team provide a practical and user friendly guide to every aspect of this vital part of the airline industry. * Unique and authoritative guide to the principles and practice of in-flight catering.

The 1848 Revolutions
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 145

The 1848 Revolutions

  • Type: Book
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  • Published: 2013-11-14
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  • Publisher: Routledge

In 1848 revolutions broke out all over Europe - in France, the Habsburg and German lands and the Italian peninsular. This Seminar Study considers why the revolutions occurred and why they were so widespread. The book offers a broad ranging investigation of the social, economic and political circumstances which led to the revolutions of 1848 as well as an account of the revolutions themselves. First published in 1981, and fully revised in 1991, the study has long established itself as one of the most accessible and valuable introductions to this complex subject.

Veni, Vidi, Vici
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 313

Veni, Vidi, Vici

The Romans left a long-lasting legacy and their influence can still be seen all around us - from our calendar and coins, to our language and laws - but how much do we really know about them? Help is at hand in the form of Veni, Vidi, Vici, which tells the remarkable, and often surprising, story of the Romans and the most enduring empire in history. Fusing a lively and entertaining narrative with rigorous research, Veni, Vidi, Vici breaks down each major period into a series of concise nuggets that provide a fascinating commentary on every aspect of the Roman world - from plebs to personalities, sauces to sexuality, games to gladiators, poets to punishments, mosaics to medicine and Catullus to Christianity. Through the twists and turns of his 1250-year itinerary, Peter Jones is a friendly and clear-thinking guide. In this book he has produced a beguiling and entertaining introduction to the Romans, one that vividly brings to life the people who helped create the world we live in today.

Pathlands
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 259

Pathlands

  • Type: Book
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  • Published: 2015-04-02
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  • Publisher: Random House

'When we walk, we walk through two landscapes: an exterior land of trees, seas, cities, mountains and fields but we also follow the paths that lead into our own interior world.' This thoughtful, and beautifully written, book offers 21 circular walks. They span the length and breadth of the British Isles: Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Wales, Staffordshire, Scotland, Sussex and Cornwall are just a few of the varied landscapes that they cover. As one of the prime 'walks correspondents' of The Sunday Times, Peter Owen Jones already has a loyal following. This book will only increase his audience, and will be both for those who love walking in the countryside and those who enjoy reading, and musing on it, in their armchair at home.

Eureka!
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 268

Eureka!

The ancient Greeks gave us our alphabet and much of our scientific, medical and cultural language; they invented democracy, atomic theory, and the rules of logic and geometry; laid the foundations of philosophy, history, tragedy and comedy; and debated everything from the good life and the role of women, to making sense of foreigners and the best form of government, all in the most sophisticated terms. But who were they? In Eureka!, Peter Jones tells their epic story, which begins with the Trojan War and ends with the rise of the Roman Empire, by breaking down each major period into a series of informative nuggets. Along the way he introduces the major figures of the age, including Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Euclid and Archimedes; explores the Greek myths and the role of the gods;provides fascinating insights into everyday life in ancient times; and shows us the very foundations of Western culture. Eureka! is both entertaining and illuminating, and will delight anyone who ever wanted to know more about our ancient ancestors.

Imagist Poetry
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 191

Imagist Poetry

  • Type: Book
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  • Published: 2001-03-29
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  • Publisher: Penguin UK

This anthology traces the complicated evolution of imagism through its poetry from the pre-imagists and the period of the anthologies (1914-17) to the imagists after imagism.

Quid Pro Quo
  • Language: en
  • Pages: 378

Quid Pro Quo

Did you know that the word 'prestige' derives from the Latin word for 'illusion'? Or that 'infantry' stems from a Latin word meaning one who could not speak? In this original and highly entertaining book, Peter Jones reveals the roots of Latin words that are now common in the English language and shows how Romans actually used them in the ancient world. Covering every aspect of Roman life - from politics, philosophy, religion and the arts, to technology, warfare, medicine and botany - Quid Pro Quo highlights the vital role Latin has played in the creation of our vast vocabulary.