For thousands of years an enigmatic and astonishingly beautiful piece of Roman art has captivated those who have come in contact with it. Made before the birth of Christ, the Portland Vase, as it is called, is renowned for both its beauty and its mystery. In "The Portland Vase," Robin Brooks takes us on a vivid journey across Europe and through the centuries, as this delicate piece of glass, less than ten inches in height, passes through the hands of a stunning cast of characters, including the first Roman emperor, Augustus; a notorious tomb raider; a reckless cardinal; a princess with a nasty gambling habit; the ceramics genius