The history of ancient Rome omitting all the boring bits.

Following the success of BBC2 hit Rome on BBC2, no one has looked at the private lives of the Roman Emperors again in the same light.

Anthony Blond's scandalous expose of the life of the Roman emperors is a must-read for anyone interested in what really went on in ancient Rome.

Julius Caesar is usually presented as a glorious general when, in fact, he was an arrogant charmer and a swank; Augustus was so self-conscious about his height that he put lifts in his sandals.

But they were nothing compared with Caligula, Claudius and Nero. Blond's book is eye-opening in its revelations, and unfailingly entertaining.