New for Fall 2014, our Via Romana series is inspired by the 1579 binding of Parvus Mundus by Laurentius Haechtanus Goidtsenhovius. Parvus Mundus, meaning "small world," is a book of Latin poetry and accompanying emblems depicting classic tales of Roman mythology and early religion. The poetry and illustrations within Parvus Mundus are all cautionary morality tales that speak to "Via Romana," or "the Roman Way of Life."

“Via Romana” is a set of ethics by which the ancient Romans lived their lives. Parvus Mundus told these classic stories because they highlight the still-relevant moral conflicts people are faced with in daily life. As the direct application of Roman ethics, virtues and everyday philosophies, the cornerstones of Via Romana are the Virtues: those qualities that define the ideal state of being and behaviour of the Roman Citizen.

Two of the most predominant Via Romana Virtues covered in Parvus Mundus are Concordia and Fortuna, and it is for this reason that we have chosen these names for our Fall 2014 book covers.