Roman Empire

Roman aqueduct at Segovia, Spain. From a series on the Roman Empire for 'Life' 1965, Brake, Brian (1927–1988), Segovia. Gift of Mr Raymond Wai-Man Lau, 2001. Te Papa

Life magazine ran a seven-part series on the Roman Empire in 1966. Brian Brake was commissioned to photograph locations throughout the territory of the ancient Romans – from Turkey to the United Kingdom – for one of the issues.

It was a massive undertaking for the magazine to coordinate photographers, writers, and researchers, as well as arranging access to monuments and museums. Brake worked on the project for over a year, attending an initial briefing in New York and then sending back photographs as he took them. This was followed by further meetings to fine-tune subject matter and approach.