New Series “Ancient Lives” Fills in the Gaps with Authoritative Biographies

Marcus Aurelius ruled as Roman emperor during the second century, presiding during a troubling era of increased military engagements with neighboring kingdoms and tribes. He was not only a leader, but a philosopher, and struggled to reconcile his views on ethics and Stoic philosophy with the demands of his position. Drawing on Meditations, a series of personal reflections authored by Marcus Aurelius, as well as the emperor’s correspondence and actions, this new book takes a look at his inner world, his relationships, and the political issues he faced, from slavery to the treatment of Christians.

Although he was the nephew of Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Julian sought to return his empire to its pagan traditions during his own reign. His efforts earned him the nickname Julian the Apostate—and the scorn of his contemporaries. Was Julian unfairly demonized, or is his reputation as an oppressor well earned? Find out in this critical new look at his year and half as emperor, during which Julian turned Rome upside down before meeting a tragic and untimely end at the hands of the Persians.

The Aeneid is widely considered a foundational work of Western literature. Composed over 2,000 years ago, the epic poem and foundational myth traces the journey of Aeneas, a refugee of the Trojan War who wanders to Italy, where his descendants will establish the city of Rome. Despite the poem’s significance, relatively little is known for certain about its author, Vergil. But what we do know raises even more questions. Why was Vergil’s dying wish that the Aeneid be destroyed? Find out in Sarah Ruden’s impeccably researched biography about the towering poet who’s been shrouded in mystery, until now.

Immortalized in Percy Shelley's poem "Ozymandias", Ramesses II was arguably the most celebrated pharaoh of the New Kingdom, which in itself was ancient Egypt’s most influential period. A cultural innovator and powerful warrior feared by his enemies, he also went down in history as a tyrant. Acclaimed Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson relentlessly combed through the historical record in his quest to reconcile Ramesses’ contradictory reputation and “succeeds in bringing this distant age to life through telling detail and insightful analysis” (The Economist).

Cleopatra is undeniably one of the most compelling historical figures of the ancient world, with her beauty and mystery drawing curiosity throughout the centuries. Unfortunately, her own perspective is obscure to us. None of her own writings survive, and most of what we know about her was written through the lens of male historians with their own biases and agendas. This feminist reinterpretation of Cleopatra’s life and legacy by New York Times bestselling author Francine Prose challenges our one-dimensional understanding of the powerful Egyptian queen.

General Marcus Licinius Crassus was “the richest man in Rome,” and something of a celebrity in the ancient world. He amassed his fortune through real estate speculation and helped transform the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. For a man with such a dramatic life, an equally memorable death was only fitting. Crassus died during his invasion of the neighboring state Parthia, which was an utter failure. While Crassus may be unknown to modern readers, this true tale of greed and unchecked ambition is startlingly familiar. The Times Literary Supplement calls this account of the statesman “a perfectly paced biography.”

Demetrius the Besieger saw his good fortune wax and wane throughout his lifetime. He sought to reconquer territories lost during Alexander the Great’s reign, with mixed success, and later died in exile. This biography of the king’s spectacular rise and fall will appeal to anyone interested in not just the fascinating period of his rule, but his relationships and rich inner life.