26 JUNE 1909, Page 12

STUDIES IN ROMAN HISTORY.

Studies in Roman History : Second Series. By E. G. Hardy, D.Litt. (Swan Sonnenschein and Co. 6s.)—Dr. Hardy's new book is largely an historical commentary on Tacitus. In the first section he discusses the German frontier, a subject which appears again and again in the period (14-70 A.D.) covered by the "Annals and Histories." We are not prepared to say how greab a proportion of the total narrative is occupied by it, but it is Unquestionably large, as any one will see who consults Orelli'e Chronologia Annalium." In the "Histories" it is not less prominent. In the modern history of Europe the Rhine is conspicuous. Dr. Hardy carefully works out the matter in great detail. The second section is given to the subject which occupies nearly all that survives of the "Histories,"—the" Year of the Four Emperors," the quatuor principal ferro intcrempli. Finally, he gives us an illuminating account of the struggle between Pompey and Caesar, which ended at Philippi.