  This paper develops an empirical likelihood approach to testing for the
presence of stochastic ordering among univariate distributions based on
independent random samples from each distribution. The proposed test statistic
is formed by integrating a localized empirical likelihood statistic with
respect to the empirical distribution of the pooled sample. The asymptotic null
distribution of this test statistic is found to have a simple distribution-free
representation in terms of standard Brownian bridge processes. The approach is
used to compare the lengths of rule of Roman Emperors over various historical
periods, including the "decline and fall" phase of the empire. In a simulation
study, the power of the proposed test is found to improve substantially upon
that of a competing test due to El Barmi and Mukerjee.
