From the poorest slave to the emperor himself ... this process yielded clean and refreshed clothing for Roman customers. For the workers, known as fullones, the job came with serious health ...

Now she turns her attention to the role of the Roman emperor, from the rule of Augustus (31 BC–AD 14) to the death of Alexander Severus in AD 235. In an engaging prologue, ‘Dinner with Elagabalus’ ...