Richard Alston's latest book, Rome's Revolution, has just been published in Chinese translation under the title 'Birth of an Empire'.

China has long had a distinguished tradition of Classical scholarship. But commercial translation of works of Classical history into Chinese is relatively recent. The translation is part of an agreement with Oxford University Press for the translation of some of the volumes in a series on Warfare and Civilization that Richard has been editing for the New York offices of Oxford University Press.

Richard comments, 'It is very flattering that the Chinese publishers were interested in my work. Obviously, China is a vast market for our research. Over the years, I have met many Chinese people who are really interested in the Western Classical tradition and the similarities and differences from the Chinese antique cultures. The book itself focuses on the transition from Rome's Republic to the Empire. It questions the way in which we understand politics in violent times and consequently has lessons which cross cultures and contexts. I really hope that the translation will mean more engagement of Chinese readers with this important moment in our global history'.

Professor Alston's ability to read Chinese is sadly very poor, but he assures us that available on-line translation services suggest that this is his book!