The entire period of Greco-Roman history and literature from ca. 1500 BCE to 500 CE is one long wacko story. I understand the Byzantine period is even more so (hence "byzantine"), but it is one I am ignorant of (and intending to remedy that ignorance but without success yet). Judging by your latest post, you're probably better off in that department than I am! (Norwich's book is not on Kindle, to my dismay.)

I would be game for tag-teaming Classics education via entertainment if selenak is. That said, I would probably not be game for tag-teaming education on what I do for my day job, so if she needs a break from the Roman Republic, that would be totally understandable.