In 1909, intellectual superstar Guglielmo Ferrero toured the northeast of the USA, accepted an honorary degree, and lectured about Roman history. These lectures were published in book form as Characters and Events of the Roman Empire. The book presents a lively selection of people and events: Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, the Emperor Nero-and a chapter about the importance of wine to the growth of Rome. Ferrero argued that "Rome is in the mental field the strongest bond that holds together the most diverse peoples of Europe."