What does 'Roman' mean? How does the mythical city touch people's identities, values and attitudes? In the long-established and official imaginary of the West, Rome is the citta dell'arte, the city of faith, an heirloom city inspired by the traces of ancient Empire, by the brooding aura of the Church, by Hollywood fairy-tale romance, and by the spicy tang of veiled decadence. But what of its contemporary residents? Are they now merely guides and waiters servicing throngs of tourists indifferent to the city's contemporary charms? Guy Lanoue, a former resident of Rome, explores how Romans live the modern myth of Rome Eternal. Since the 19th century, it has defined an important community, the fatherland, a home-spun society where the rules of everyday life become 'tradition': ways of eating, dressing, making and keeping friends and acquaintances, 'proper' ways of speaking and a hard to define but nonetheless tangible air of composure. Guy Lanoue is a Professor of Anthropology at the Universite de Montreal.

Pictorial survey of Rome and the papacy, based on film shown over TV under auspices of the "Catholic Hour."

From the earliest hill tribes to the cultural peak of the Pax Romana, and finally to the Western Empire's chaotic decline - H. A. Guerber's history of Rome is superb for young readers. The legends that accompanied the founding of the Roman Republic were part of the popular consciousness; the twin boys Romulus and Remus, raised by a wolf, going on to found Rome. First ruled by kings, Rome transitioned to a republic, with a ruling Senate and offices. The author mixes legend with the known facts of the era; that Italy was divided into tribes such as the Etruscans and the Latins. The feuds between these groups were gradually consigned to the past, as all of Italy united under a single, Roman culture. Yet there were threats to the young nation; to the South, across the Meditteranean Sea, was the prosperous Carthage. To the north were the Gallic tribes. Overcoming these established Rome as the strongest power of Europe. However, political infighting led to the end of the Republic's government: beginning with Augustus, Rome was an Empire - with very much political power concentrated in the hands of the Emperor. In this illustrated and well-written history, H. A. Guerber successfully summarizes the feats and accomplishments of classical Rome.