{"title":"Series: Ancient Lives","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Lives\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a diverse tapestry of narratives that explore history, culture, and human endeavour across different eras and disciplines. From the intimate beauty of a well-tended garden to the profound impact of political figures, this series invites readers to journey through time and ideas, blending the past with insights on art, society, and innovation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection spans varied themes including \u003cem\u003earts and culture\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003epolitics\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003escience and technology\u003c\/em\u003e, presenting works that range from poetic reflections and historical biographies to technical explorations and literary reinterpretations. 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As she builds on Perpetua’s own words and integrates them into their religious and historical contexts, Ruden shines a light on Perpetua’s disarming candidness, her brashness, and her naïveté.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn contrast to traditional portrayals of the saint as a brave but submissive young woman, Ruden’s narrative reveals a complex individual who flaunts a vivid public persona as a martyr while at the same time navigating the emotions of a mother, daughter, sister, and friend approaching death.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46792447852780,"sku":"9780300273717","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24734913482294.jpg?v=1757004952"},{"product_id":"julian-by-philip-freeman-9780300281873","title":"Julian","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe tragic life of Julian, the last non-Christian emperor of Rome, by award-winning author Philip Freeman.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"When we think of ancient Rome, it's impossible not to think of Christianity, one of its most notable exports—but what if it hadn't been? This is the question provoked by classicist Philip Freeman in \u003cem\u003eJulian\u003c\/em\u003e, an appealing new entry in Yale's Ancient Lives series, which tells the story of the old faith's last imperial torchbearer.\"—Anna Heyward, \u003cem\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFlavius Claudius Julianus, or Julian the Apostate, ruled Rome as sole emperor for just a year and a half, from 361 to 363, but during that time he turned the world upside down. Although a nephew of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, Julian fought to return Rome to the old gods who had led his ancestors to build their vast empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs emperor, Julian (331–363) set about reforming the administration, conquering new territories, and reviving ancient religions. He was scorned in his time for repudiating Christianity and demonised as an apostate for wilfully rejecting Christ. Through the centuries, Julian has been viewed by many as a tragic figure who sought to save Rome from its enemies and the corrupting influence of Christianity. Christian writers and historians have seen Julian much differently: as a traitor to God and a violent oppressor of Christians. 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It's a must-read for any aspiring Stoic. —Ryan Holiday, #1 \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Daily Stoic\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis novel biography brings Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE) to life for a new generation of readers by exploring the emperor's fascinating psychological journey. Donald J. Robertson examines Marcus's relationships with key figures in his life, such as his mother, Domitia Lucilla, and the emperor Hadrian, as well as his Stoic tutors. He draws extensively on Marcus's own \u003cem\u003eMeditations\u003c\/em\u003e and correspondence, and he examines the emperor's actions as detailed in the \u003cem\u003eAugustan History\u003c\/em\u003e and other ancient texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMarcus Aurelius struggled to reconcile his philosophy and moral values with the political pressures he faced as emperor at the height of Roman power. 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As a pioneer disruptor of finance and politics, Crassus became the wealthiest man during the last years of the Roman republic. His ambition led to a tragic end, forsaking a subtle entry into history as Rome’s first modern political financier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn pursuit of military glory, Crassus and his son launched an unprovoked campaign against Parthia, navigating the borderlands of what are now Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Their defeat at Carrhae left a lasting mark on Roman consciousness for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing Crassus's death, numerous stories emerged from historians about his demise. One popular tale recounts that his mouth, weakened by the desert air, was filled with molten gold to symbolize his insatiable greed. 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He ended his career in a rash invasion of Asia and became the target of a desperate manhunt, only to be captured and destroyed by his own son-in-law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJames Romm tells the story of Demetrius the Besieger’s rise and spectacular fall but also explores his vibrant inner life and family relationships to depict a real, complex, and recognisable figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Wiley and Sons Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46855762247916,"sku":"9780300274165","price":25.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780300274165.jpg?v=1759276089"},{"product_id":"horace-by-peter-stothard-9780300256581","title":"Horace","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA biography of Horace, one of the most popular poets from antiquity, revealing the little-known man behind his famous lines.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePeter Stothard is a master of modern writing about ancient Rome, vividly bringing to life its poetry and its poets.\u003c\/em\u003e – Mary Beard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eQuintus Horatius Flaccus (65–8 BCE) wrote some of ancient Rome's greatest poetry, melding languages and cultures with youthful ideals and a realist's recognition of the dictatorial world around him. 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The existence of the \u003cem\u003eAeneid\u003c\/em\u003e is cause for gratitude. So is Ms. Ruden's sensitive, celebratory portrait of its maker.\" — Willard Spiegelman, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWall Street Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eAeneid\u003c\/em\u003e stands as a towering work of Classical Roman literature and a gripping dramatization of the best and worst of human nature. In the process of creating this epic poem, Vergil (70–19 BCE) became the world's first media celebrity, a living legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut the real Vergil is a shadowy figure; we know that he was born into a modest rural family, that he led a private and solitary life, and that, in spite of poor health and unusual emotional vulnerabilities, he worked tirelessly to achieve exquisite new effects in verse. 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