Gareth Harney is a historian and coin collector striving to bring the wonders of the ancient world to a wider audience. For two decades he has explored the ruins of the Roman Empire, from the rugged landscapes of Hadrian's Wall to the desert sands of the Sahara, all the while celebrating every aspect of ancient Rome with his large online following. Tweeting @OptimoPrincipi he combines rigorous historical research with thrilling storytelling to make classical history vital and relatable. Having built his own ancient coin collection since childhood, he now uses his website, blog, and high-definition coin photography to promote the joys of the hobby to a whole new generation.
A novel and highly readable approach to Roman history. The author's enthusiasm shines through on every page -- PHILIP MATYSZAK, author of A History of Ancient Rome in 100 Lives Extremely enjoyable. A brilliant combination of entertaining and educational Roman history that makes numismatics vivid and exciting -- EMMA SOUTHON, author of A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women This vivid story of some 800 years of artistry, assassination and adventure makes it far more than a history of Roman coins, but it's that too, and if you weren't already fascinated by these tiny beautiful works of art and all we can learn from them, I promise that you will be by the time the barbarians are at the gate (and probably by end of the prologue). There are riches aplenty in these pages, and Gareth uses his wonderful hoard of coins to pay our fare back to the roar of the Colosseum and the Roman senate house, where he is waiting to describe the ancient past with learning and immediacy -- CHRISTOPHER HADLEY, author of The Road A first-rate popular history written with verve and imagination -- THOMAS J. T. WILLIAMS, author of Lost Realms