The Last Roman is the only biography about Romulus Augustulus. It focuses on the personalities behind this powerful story and reveals the world into which Romulus was born - an empire that was about to die. Author Adrian Murdoch explores how Romulus's father Orestes, secretary to Attila the Hun, rose through the ranks to become kingmaker; how all was lost to another usurper in an Italy wracked with civil war; and how Romulus found peace at last, founding a monastery. This dramatic and poignant story of politics, decline and loss has inspired. Drawing on extensive new archaeological and historical research and using numerous contemporary sources, many translated for the first time since the nineteenth century, The Last Roman is the vivid story of an empire breathing its last.

ADRIAN MURDOCH is an award-winning journalist, historian and broadcaster. A former editor at Reuters and the New Statesman, he has also presented documentaries about Ancient Rome – most recently Caligula: The Mad Emperor (Netflix). Among his books, Rome’s Greatest Defeat was named a Daily Telegraph book of the year. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.