Email from a reader:
I've followed your weekly About column on ancient history for several years and found it interesting and informative. During this time, I've seen no comment on the accounts of ancient Rome which are so fully described in the detective novels of Lindsey Davis detailing the exploits of Marcus Didius Falco throughout the Roman Empire in the first century C.E. It would be interesting to have your assessment of the accuracy of those accounts, which combine detailed descriptions of Roman customs and sites with actions and motivations more modern in tone and content. I understand that you might be reluctant to comment on the work of another contemporary author but believe that some reference to her extensive descriptive accounts would be of general interest to your subscribers....