The World of Ancient Rome: A Daily Life Encyclopedia [2 volumes]

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Description

This study of Ancient Rome offers a fascinating glimpse of what Roman society was likefrom fashion, to food, to politics and recreationgathered from literary works, art, and archaeological remains. While the political history and prominent figures of Ancient Rome are well known, accounts of daily life in that time and place often remain untold. This fascinating encyclopedia explores this period from a social and cultural perspective, digging into the day-to-day activities of how Romans dressed, what they ate, how they worked, and what they did for fun. Drawing from recent archaeological evidence, author James W. Ermatinger explores the everyday lives of Roman citizens of all levels and classes. This book is organized into ten sections: art, economics, family, fashion, food, housing, politics, recreation, religion, and science. Each section contains more than two dozen entries that illuminate such topics as slavery as a social movement; the menus of peasants, slaves, and the elite; and the science and engineering solutions that became harbingers for today's technology. The work contains a selection of primary documents as well as a bibliography of print and Internet resources.

Reviews

The World of Ancient Rome: A Daily Life Encyclopedia gives researchers looking specifically into the lives and customs of ancient Roman citizens, as well as the interested reader, a good starting point. This work would be a useful addition to public and undergraduate libraries. * Booklist *
[O]verall, the writing style is accessible, thus recommending the book as a general introduction for high school or beginning college students. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers. * Choice *
It is a very good overview of life in the Roman Republic and would be useful for secondary and undergraduate students researching the topic or for general interest. * Reference & User Services Quarterly *

Author Bio

James W. Ermatinger, PhD, is dean of the college of liberal arts and sciences and professor of history at the University of Illinois Springfield.