Daily Life of the Ancient Romans (Daily Life Through History Series)

by David Matz

Overview

Use this fascinating reference resource to find out what it meant to be a typical Ancient Roman. Using plenty of anecdotal material written by Romans themselves, this volume explores the ins and outs of daily living for ordinary people, from their homes, to the foods they ate, to the sports and games they enjoyed. The ancient civilization is brought to life, and students can easily make comparisons between the people of that culture and the people of our own, discovering the similarities and differences between the two.

Many different aspects of life in Ancient Rome are presented to provide a full and varied picture. Discover what the education system was like and what the critics had to say about it. Find out who the most successful gladiators and charioteers were, the equivalent of our modern-day sports superstars. Examine what life was like for slaves. These details and more help to provide an understanding of this ancient society that at first glance may seem very foreign but that upon closer study seems to have much in common with modern day society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313303265
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/30/2001
Series:	Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

DAVID MATZ is Associate Professor, Humanities, at Saint Bonaventure University./e

Table of Contents

Introduction

Education

Slavery

Food and Dining

Housing

Travel

Politics

Family Life

The Relaxed Romans

Sports/Amusements

Religion

Retirement

Index

Editorial Reviews

The book's use of primary sources to illustrate daily experiences makes it valuable both for the historical and cultural background it presents and for the wide array of Roman voices it includes. Its chapter arrangement and direct, informative style make it an excellent supplementary text for courses on classical literature. The chronology and brief biographies of Roman authors are valuable and uncomplicated resources --Okey Goode, Lewis-Clark State College

A very good, comprehensive introduction to Roman life. Especially valuableare the primary source quotes that let the ancients speak for themselves. I am particularly pleased that the author even probed the treasury of CIL in digging up primary sources. This helps students realize that the treasury of ancient Roman literature is vast, and is handed down to us in various forms. . . the index of authors, which provides a brief biography and list of major works for each, is especially attractive. Students, I feel, will find this index particularly helpful. All in all, a very fine intro. --Keith C. Wessel, Martin Luther College

From the Publisher