Big Screen Rome is the first systematic survey of the most important and popular films from the past half century that reconstruct the image of Roman antiquity.

* The first systematic survey of the most important and popular recent films about Roman antiquity.

* Shows how cinema explores, reinvents and celebrates the spectacle of ancient Rome.

* Films discussed in depth include Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus, Ridley Scott's Gladiator and Terry Jones's Monty Python's Life of Brian.

* Contributes to discussions about the ongoing relevance of the classical world.

* Shows how contemporary film-makers use recreations of ancient history as commentaries on contemporary society.

* Structured in a way that makes it suitable for course use, and features issues for discussion and analysis, and reference to further bibliographic resources.

* Written in an energetic and engaging style.