This book was an absolute pleasure to read, and for any students or teachers who are interested in learning more about more niche topics within the realms of religion within the Roman world, or the nature of power in particular circumstances, it is an absolute must read. The 11 contributions cover a wide range of topics within the themes of ‘Empire’ and ‘Religion’ to create an excellent collection that intrigues readers, and to present different perspectives on more liminal geographies and time periods.
It is perhaps within the classroom that it has a more limited use. There is perhaps little relevance to teachers who are teaching Latin, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation as there is little or tangential material that would be covered in curricula for Key Stage 3, or for public examinations in Key Stages 4 and 5. Therefore, as a teaching resource, it is not a must have, but should certainly be a port of call for students looking to further their knowledge of the Roman world as a whole. Furthermore, the timescale that the book covers stretches far into Late Antiquity, which again limits its usefulness in direct Latin, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation teaching in most cases. Nonetheless, for those students wanting to learn more about the connections that existed across the Roman world and across disciplines, this is an important read. This volume is perhaps most suited to the students who are looking to study Classics, Theology or any related subject at university, and want to explore issues and ideas from different perspectives. For such students, this book is written in an accessible and enjoyable way, and provides a level of academic challenge to stretch them beyond the curriculum.
Open access
