Lanciani

lan-cha'ne, Rudolfo, an eminent Italian archaeologist. He is a native of Rome, a graduate and a professor of the University of Rome. He is the leading authority on the buildings and institutions of ancient Rome. He is professor of topography and director of excavations. He is a member of several learned societies and is a lecturer of note. In 1887 he delivered a series of lectures at Harvard University. In 1888 he published Ancient Rome in the Light of Recent Discoveries, a remarkably clever and enticing exposition of the topography and edifices of the ancient city. A continuation of this work appeared in 1897 under the title of The Ruins and Excavations of Ancient Rome. These volumes are admirable for high school libraries.