A geography of luxury runs through the literature of Imperial Rome - Persica , the golden peaches whose Latin name pinpointed Persia as the source of their world-wide migration - Caecubum , a fine, rare, dry red wine from Campanian vineyards that were once prized, afterwards neglected; these flavours were identified, evaluated and tasted in a single word. In this unique book Andrew Dalby explores the Romans’ renowned taste for titillation and fulfilment of the senses, from Persia, Greece and Asia Minor to Spain, France and Britain. Empire of Pleasures presents an evocative and picturesque analysis of the Romans’ extraordinary desire for food and wine and how this quest for the luxurious is woven into the literature, art, language and culture.