This volume investigates the cultural significance, performance mechanics, and social impact of pantomime as the preeminent theatrical form of the Roman Empire. Edited by Edith Hall and Rosie Wyles, the book compiles sixteen original essays from international scholars to reconstruct the history of solo male dancers who dominated stages from Portugal to the Euphrates. The contributors utilize archaeological evidence, literary texts, and historical records to argue that pantomime functioned as a sophisticated, highly athletic art form that bridged the gap between classical drama and modern ballet.

Scholars and historians identify this collection as a foundational resource for understanding the complexities of Roman performance culture. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the value of the illustrative materials in contextualizing ancient stagecraft.