Jon Lendon offers a bold new analysis of how Roman government worked in the first four centuries AD. He contends that a despotism rooted in force and fear enjoyed widespread support among the ruling classes of the provinces on the basis of an aristocratic culture of honor shared by rulers and ruled.

"Empire of Honour is a very fine book. It is a delight to read and opens up for exploration subtle aspects of the exercise of power in the Roman empire."

"Excellent....If we make of Lendon's book a garden, than it is one both beautiful and luxuriant. It is, in fact, a garden that must be visited by anyone interested in understanding how the imperial Romans governed their empire."

"This volume extends its purview to Italy and the provinces... Interesting contributions."

J. E. Lendon, Associate Professor of History, University of Virginia