Hadrian was not the only emperor to prefer country life to Rome’s imperial palace. Several generations earlier, Tiberius had retired to villas constructed by his predecessor Augustus.

In the ruins of Rome’s opulent Domus Aurea palace ... skillfully decorated the rooms of this precious and refined imperial palace.” Unlike ocher and realgar, which occur naturally, Egyptian ...

Acclaimed classicist Mary Beard explores what it was really like to be emperor of Rome, taking us behind palace walls to reveal the hidden world of the Roman imperial court and lifestyle.