JulianRome’s Last Pagan Emperor

Flavius Claudius Julianus, or Julian the Apostate, ruled Rome as sole emperor for just a year and a half, from 361 to 363, but during that time he turned the world upside down. Although a nephew of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, Julian fought to return Rome to the old gods who had led his ancestors to build their vast empire.

As emperor, Julian set about reforming the administration, conquering new territories, and reviving ancient religions. He was scorned in his time for repudiating Christianity and demonized as an apostate for willfully rejecting Christ. Through the centuries, Julian has been viewed by many as a tragic figure who sought to save Rome from its enemies and the corrupting influence of Christianity. Christian writers and historians have seen Julian much differently: as a traitor to God and violent oppressor of Christians. Had Julian not been killed by a random Persian spear, he might well have changed all of history.

Published: September 26, 2023

How to Tell a StoryAn Ancient Guide to the Art of Storytelling for Writers and Readers

An inviting and highly readable new translation of Aristotle’s complete Poetics—the first and best introduction to the art of writing and understanding stories

Published: May 10, 2022

HannibalRome's Greatest Enemy

Telling the story of a man who stood against the overwhelming power of the mighty Roman empire, Hannibal is the biography of a man who, against all odds, dared to change the course of history. 

Published: February 1, 2022

The Rule of St. BenedictAn Introduction to the Contemplative Life

The Rule of St. Benedict has governed monastic communities for centuries, but it is far more than a standard religious text. The Rule is, above all, a handbook for living a deliberate life—no matter your religious background or beliefs.

Published: December 8, 2020

How to Think about GodAn Ancient Guide for Believers and Nonbelievers

A vivid and accessible new translation of Cicero’s influential Stoic writings on the divine featuring an introduction, suggestions for further reading, and the original Latin on facing pages.

Published: November 5, 2019

How to Be a FriendAn Ancient Guide to True Friendship

A splendid new translation of one of the greatest books on friendship ever written. In a world where social media, online relationships, and relentless self-absorption threaten the very idea of deep and lasting friendships, the search for true friends is more important than ever. In this short book, which is one of the greatest ever  … Read more

Published: October 9, 2018

The Gospel of MaryA Celtic Adventure

A young Irish nun finds herself the guardian of a mysterious manuscript claiming to be the lost gospel of Mary, when she realizes that church authorities are willing to kill to get their hands on it.

Published: September 5, 2017

Celtic MythologyTales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes

Philip Freeman brings together numerous enthralling stories from Celtic mythology into one volume for the first time.

Published: March 1, 2017

How To Grow OldAncient Wisdom for the Second Half of Life

In How to Grow Old, the great Roman orator and statesman eloquently describes how you can make the second half of life the best part of all.

Published: March 29, 2016

Searching For SapphoThe Lost Songs and World of the First Woman Poet

An exploration of the fascinating poetry, life, and world of Sappho, including a complete translation of all her poems.

Published: February 15, 2016

SacrificeA Celtic Adventure

The grisly discovery of an elderly sister of Saint Brigid’s monastery strangled, bled dry, and thrown into a bog is just the beginning.

Published: October 15, 2015

Saint Brigid’s BonesA Celtic Adventure

In an evocative Celtic novel set in a time when druids roamed the land, lively young sister Deirdre embarks on a mission to find the stolen bones of her convent’s patron saint.

Published: October 15, 2014

For the first time in English translation, this book presents the ancient letters of Saint Patrick, the stories of his struggles in early Ireland, the life of Saint Brigid, Ireland’s first female saint, and the legendary voyage of Saint Brendan and his monks across the western ocean.

Published: September 1, 2014

A lively, modern retelling of favorite stories from Greek and Roman mythology for younger readers

Published: July 23, 2013

How to Run a CountryAn Ancient Guide for Modern Leaders

In the sequel to How to Win an Election, Cicero gives his thoughts on topics such as leadership, corruption, the balance of power, taxes, war, immigration, and the importance of compromise.

Published: January 23, 2013

Oh My GodsA Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths

“Narrates your favorite stories from classical mythology with all the sex, violence, and craziness of the original tales included.”

Published: January 1, 2013

How to Win an ElectionAn Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians

A translation of a little known Latin text by Quintus Cicero, this little book gives shamelessly practical advice on winning an election in any age.

Published: February 13, 2012

Alexander the Great conquered lands from Greece, Egypt, and Iraq to Iran, Afghanistan, and India, all before his death at the age of thirty two. In this new narrative biography, learn how this relentless and driven man was able to win against all odds and shape the world in which we still live today.

Published: October 18, 2011

Lecture NotesA Professor's Inside Guide to College Success

If you’re an incoming first-year college student facing the culture shock of college life, don’t panic. Lecture Notes counters the confusion of academia with a professor’s inside perspective, including three sure-fire rules for classroom success and friendly advice on everything from how to get into a closed class to writing research papers.

Published: April 6, 2010

Caesar was a complex man of incredible courage, ambition, honor, and vanity, as well as one of the greatest generals the world has ever known. But he was also a master politician, priest, lawyer, and poet, who among his many lesser-known accomplishments gave us the calendar we still use today.

Published: May 14, 2009

The Philosopher and the DruidsA Journey Among the Ancient Celts

The modern world is rightly fascinated by the ancient Celts – art, music, mythology, religion, druids, and much more. But who were they and what can we really know about them? The truth may surprise you. The Celts were master artisans, gifted poets, and fearsome warriors that spread across Europe and into Asia in classical times.

Published: February 8, 2008

Everyone knows about St. Patrick – the man who drove the snakes out of Ireland, defeated fierce druids in contests of magic, and used the shamrock to explain the Christian Trinity to the pagan Irish. It’s a great story, but none of it is true. The real story – slavery, escape, murder, and the struggles of faith against all odds – is much better.

Published: March 1, 2005