This interesting book of essays (with a useful introduction by the editor) examines both perceived flaws in Roman life and also the flawed ways in which this flawed past has been received. Those essays in this book that deal with US history and politics in particular explore the ways in which people use a view of the ancient world as part of their own attempts to judge and change the world around them. If opponents in a cultural debate are using the same Roman data to draw diametrically opposing conclusions—about slavery for instance—then that says something about their methods of inference but it is not merely a matter of cultural taste. ‘Nothing prevents todays’ “use” from becoming tomorrow’s “abuse” and vice versa’ says Dufallo wisely (13).