Help me remember this book

[vazel]

I remember reading a review of this book in Time magazine. It takes place from the perspective of intellectuals during the fall of the Roman Empire and the Nazi occupation of France. And the periods had a parchment or something like that linking them. The theme of the book obviously is civilization in the face of barbarism. Can someone help me out?

 

[vazel]

Hmm, can't seem to edit my previous post. Anyway I found the book, it's titled 'The Dream of Scipio'.