Tenney Frank (1876-1939) was a renowned classicist and scholar of the ancient world. Originally published in 1930, this book grew out of a series of lectures given by Frank which attempted to 'visualize a few of the early Roman writers in their response to the desires and demands of their own environment'. An introductory preface and textual notes are also included. This is a highly readable book that will be of value to anyone with an interest in the culture and society of Ancient Rome.