The author, an expert on the history of ancient Rome, presents his ideas about the greatness and weakness of the Roman empire. The lectures, "seem to concern themselves with very different subjects. On the contrary, they present three different aspects of the one, identical problem - the struggle between the Occident and the Orient - a problem that Rome succeeded in solving as no European civilization has since been able to do, making the countries of the Mediterranean Basin share a common life, in peace. How Rome succeeded in accomplishing this union of Orient and Occident is one of the points of greatest interest in its history." The book contains the following chapters: "Corruption" in Ancient Rome, and its Counterpart in Modern History The History and Legend of Antony and Cleopatra The Development of Gaul Nero Julia and Tiberius Wine in Roman History Social Development of the Roman Empire Roman History in Modern Education