An examination of the relationship between the public and private lives of the men who were involved in the politics of the western Roman Empire in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. There is a postscript which examines work done on the subject since the book was first published in 1975.

The governing classes; the ascendany of Ausonius; the accession of Theodosius; Christianity and the court - Constantinople; the provincial upper classes - evangelism and heresy; the usurpation of Maximus; Christianity and the court - Milan; Theodosius and the West; the regime of Stilicho; Alaric, Rome, Ravenna; Gaul and Spain (406-418); "Ordo Renascendi" - Gaul, Italy; East and West; Olympiodorus and Rome.

`Perhaps for the first time we are introduced to the world of the later governing classes seen in the round; to their otium as well as their offices, their religion as well as their politics, their literary culture as well as their wealth...A lively and pleasantly written book.' Patrick Wormald, Journal of Roman Studies `An absorbing account of the conduct, attitudes, and aspirations of the last two generations of the Roman upper classes to enjoy the full material and cultural perspectives available within the full extent of the Roman Empire.' J. J. Wilkes, Times Literary Supplement `This is among the most ambitious and absorbing books on late antiquity to have appeared in recent years.' English Historical Review `This is an excellent book by Dr Matthews...makes a substantial and valuable contribution to our appreciation of the period.' Journal of Theological Studies `All students of late antiquity will welcome the renewed availability of a book which combines denseness of information, originality of thought and delightful readability. ' Robert Browning, The Classical Review, vol XLI, no 2, 1991. `All students of late antiquity will welcome the renewed availability of a book which combines denseness of information, originality of thought and delightful readability. ' Robert Browning, The Classical Review, 1991