From the cover,"Death and retribution in the ancient and early Christian Worlds. Straight, bright copy, hardcovers with no bumping. Jacket rather worn at edges, scuffs, no long tears in new mylar wrapper. *We feel that books offered for internet sale should be described thoroughly and accurately. Books listed by Brass Dolphin are so described, and graded, using the strict, traditional standards. For this reason, we have virtually zero returns.*