Book Description
This classic book brings to life imperial Rome as it was during the second century A.D., the time of Trajan and Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, and Commodus. It was a period marked by lavish displays of wealth, a dazzling cultural mix, and the advent of Christianity. The splendor and squalor of the city, the spectacles, and the day's routines are reconstructed from an immense fund of archaeological evidence and from vivid descriptions by ancient poets, satirists, letter-writers, and novelists-from Petronius to Pliny the Younger. In a new Introduction, the eminent classicist Mary Beard appraises the book's enduring-and sometimes surprising-influence and its value for general readers and students. She also provides an up-to-date bibliographic essay.
Customer Reviews:
Difficult to get through.......2006-11-03
I suppose if one looked closely at all of the information available at Amazon, one could learn that this book was written about fifty years ago. I suspect that the original was written in the author's mother tongue (Italian) and this is a painfully translated version. I found it to be very difficult and tedious reading.
Daily Life in Ancient Rome.......2002-04-01
A highly engaging, well thought-out book. The author dares to have an opinion--very refreshing.
The upper classes were diminished by low birth rates and had to be augmented by people who, several generations ago, were slaves. Those of the upper classes who survived considered the burden of empire too great they simply could not provide the leadership or the administration necessary for such a great enterprise. Finally, the education system did not teach their upper-class students to wrestle with real-life problems, and completely avoided subjects like philosophy and science which could have given them the enthusiasm and the tools to beneficially modify their society.
I sense the beginnings of some of the unfortunate Latin traits which followed the Iberians to South America.
Ditto, ditto; don't-miss reading for fans of ancient Rome.......2001-10-28
Were it not for the customer reviews below, I would have rejected this book for having three strikes against it: it was written in 1940, an English translation (groan) from French, and published by a university press -- a prescription for dated unreadablity. But not so! Though at first the typeface and writing style feel a little anachronistic (and the first chapter does NOT represent the richness to come), it quickly becomes charming and flowing. And what a bounty of fascinating detail is packed into its pages!
I wholly agree with what my unknown compatriots below have said. I can only add that I finished it with that rare, dejected feeling of "Oh, no! I've run out of book!"
The Sharp Contrasts of Roman Society........1999-04-12
Reading Jérôme Carcopino's timeless account of life in ancient Rome brings the reader back to the dark, narrow, crowded Roman streets, flanked on both sides by teetering, five-story tenements. Although written in a style of long ago, therein lies the charm of this book. Jérôme Carcopino has effortlessly summoned 1st and 2nd Century Rome back to life. And what a society of contrasts he evokes: on the one hand, the highly refined aspects of Roman society, epitomized by the public baths, the public parks, the theater, and the dinners hosted by the wealthy for their friends; on the other hand, he describes compellingly the dark side of Roman society, in particular, slavery and the gladiatorial games which entertained the Roman public with the appallingly casual slaughter of both man and beast. His detailed accounts depict horrific spectacles pitting man against man, man against beast, beast against beast -- and woman against dwarf. The most interesting part of his book, though, is his insight respecting the toxic impact slavery had upon Roman society, both upon the poor pleb in general and upon the Roman family in particular. This book is a must for anyone captivated by Roman social history.
A modern classic on social customs in Imperial Rome........1997-09-09
Jerome Carcopino's scholarly work on how the Romans of the second century A.D. saw and lived their lives has been in print for almost 60 years, and with good reason. This book provides, in addition to the basic facts and figures, a poignant commentary on the people and their times. Always reflective, the author does not hesitate to express his opinions (often in the first person) on his ancient subjects, whether they inspire admiration or revulsion. To bolster these opinions, he frequently quotes the views of contemporary scholars as well as ancient sources. While much of the text related to the modern era is dated and the archeological research treated as "recent" may have occurred very early in our century, "Daily Life in Ancient Rome" does not need updating or revising. The basic premise of the book, i.e., the social life and customs of the Romans, remains unaffected by the passage of time. Furthermore, the unaltered text and its references give us an interesting glimpse of Roman archeology and historical writing during the first half of the twentieth century and earlier. E. O. Lorimer's English translation of the original French text is fluid and well structured, while the bibliography and notes by Henry T. Rowell are excellent. "Daily Life in Ancient Rome" is a welcome reference for the student of Roman history
Book Description
In the early fourth century, a lawyer and public figure from the Nile valley city of Hermopolis made a six-month business related journey to Antioch. The day to day details are preserved on papyrus documents and offer a remarkable record of this journey, covering everything from distances traveled to daily food purchases, from medicinal supplies to fees paid for services.
In this book, the classicist and historian John Matthews translates these important documents and places them in the wider context of the social history of the Graeco-Roman world. The memoranda relating to Theophanes’ journey are presented within a historical narrative that offers an array of revelations on diet, travel, social relations, and other fascinating topics. This book creates an unprecedented account of daily life in the years preceding Emperor Constantine’s rise to power in the eastern provinces of the Roman empire.
Book Description
A celebration of the character and style of one of the world's most spectacular cities! This vibrant insider's view of the most mature city on earth is the perfect companion for anyone who loves anything Italian. In 1995, after a twenty-year love affair with Italy, Alan Epstein fulfilled his dream to live in Rome. In As the Romans Do, he celebrates the spirit of this stylish, dramatic, ancient city that formed the hub of a far-flung empire and introduced the Mediterranean culture to the rest of the world. He also reveals today's Roman men and women in all their appealing contradictions: their gregarious caffe culture; inborn artistic flair; passionate appreciation of good food; instinctive mistrust of technology; showy sex appeal; ingrained charm and expressiveness; surprisingly unusual attitudes toward marriage and religion; and much, much more.
Customer Reviews:
Entertaining, Light.......2006-09-10
I agree with a lot of the other reviewers in that the author obviously finds himself delightful. His ego seeps through the pages to the point where I was rolling my eyes in exasperation at him. You can just imagine him jumping up and down screaming "Look at me! Look at me! Aren't I awesome, I live in Rome!" His ego comes across in his pointless name dropping (the story could have been told without naming his friends and he would have come off the better for it), and his sections about how desirable his wife and him can be to Romans who just love to flirt. (Please.)
The book is entertaining and he obviously loves the city and it shows in his colorful, lively interpretation of it. However, as others have mentioned, he just skims the surface, never bothering to delve deeper. At one point he has a blurb mentioning that when they were away from Rome they had heard how expensive it had gotten. He further states that they sure found out just how expensive when they came back. BUT he never bothers to explain how expensive and what they experienced!!! (Hello? Don't lead us on and then not bother with an explanation.)
His constant obsession throughout the book with la bella figura wore thin after the one millionth time he mentioned how amazing Roman women are. (Can we say stereotype?) I'm sure they are amazing, but I find it really hard to believe that every woman in Rome is always dressed to the nines. I would really like to read an honest portrayal of the women.
His chapter on how seductive and flirtatious that city was really had my eyes rolling. Why does he need to describe a woman's chest bouncing away in her car? I know it was to demonstrate sexyiness of the city, but come on, does he need to describe this for pages? (I don't take issue with this b/c it offends my sensabilities...I just thought it was very silly.) He reminds me of guys who think if a girl merely glances at him than that must mean she likes him.
Furthermore in the first part of the book he states how untrustworthy Roman workers are and how you should never leave them around your stuff. (And how first floor apartments can be very unsafe b/c they are always robbed.) But throughout the book he keeps mentioning how crime is very low in Rome, bla bla how Romans never commit crime. Uh...maybe his editor should have picked up on these inconsistencies.
All in all I don't hate this book, but the author's obnoxiousness and his superficial look at Rome detracted from my enjoyment. I would recommend this book in ADDITION to another more in depth coverage of the city.
a half-excellent book.......2004-10-23
I agree with Veerby's assessment - the first half is a fun, engaging read, but after that, you wonder if there is anything bad about Rome in the least. It's great with all the men being mama's boys and women making themselves up to go to the grocer and the traffic jams and everything. I was actually surprised when he mentioned how Rome is not perfect and has its flaws in the last chapter, but he failed to elaborate in the least, aside from mentioning that many immigrants have come whose customs are different than that of the Romans, insinuating that they also brought crime with them. i would much prefer a more even-handed read, and preferably from someone who is not as obviously well-off. It makes me think of New York City, where having a little money makes the city a MUCH nicer place to live, mainly from being able to afford a nice neighborhood to live in.
Enough already!.......2002-05-08
I quickly got absorbed in the first half or so of this book. The author's delight in his adopted city is contagious, and apart from falling into the occasional cliche and tendency to name-drop, he's an engaging writer. But eventually it cloys. Please, let's hear something--anything--to indicate that Rome is not paradise, because no place is paradise. The absence of a single negative note gets to be monotonous and annoying--and suspect. (You get the feeling that his publisher gave him his marching orders, instructing him to offer kudos and nothing but. Or else that Epstein lives in a fantasy, averting his eyes from anything unpleasant.) By the second half of this book I couldn't shake off the sense that if it were the Roman habit to toss the household garbage out the front window, Epstein's response would be "How charming! What insouciance! Such a devil-may-care approach to life!" I hope in his next book, if there is one, he exhibits a little more candor.
If only life for most people was so easy............2002-01-24
Mr. Epstein obviously has bushels of cash, and plenty of connections with the glitterati. His descriptions of buying a place in Rome, going to dinner parties with his famous personal friends, and his perceptions of la bella figura, etc. are all rather patronizing. While I did enjoy a couple of the chapters, I found that Mr. Epstein's reality in the USA was obviously far different from mine, and so is his reality in Italy. Must be nice to have it all so easy.
Had high hopes for it, but it was a thorough disappointment.......2001-11-11
I do not like Epstein's Rome and I resent having to share my Rome with him. After reading it, I was left with a strong feeling of dislike for the author's viewpoint. Stale and predictable emotions and unsympathetically told. The anecdotes were labored and the language patronizing in the extreme. Thanks anyway, Alan, but I prefer my Rome to yours and I hope our paths never cross. Good luck with the guiding business - there are certainly fellow New Yorkers who'll need your spurious "insights" into Italian culture.
Book Description
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.
Customer Reviews:
Not Bad Stuff...Easy Reading.......2004-06-30
What was it like to be a typical ancient Roman? Well, author Matz tells you in this gem. Whether by amusement or tidbit, Matz takes a different approach in writing this reference book. No confusing prose, text, etc. No confusing paradigms or models.. No confusing concept...
Matz takes you through short passages to make his points, and that he successfully does. So, if you want to read about the Roman Empire and don't want to get bored, confused, twisted or anything else that leads you away from its purpose, buy this book. It's different, pleasantly different. ---from Chalmette, LA
Book Description
Despite the fact that the majority of the inhabitants of the Roman Empire lived an agricultural existence and thus resided outside of urban centers, there is no denying the fact that the core of Roman civilization--its essential culture and politics--was based in cities. Even at the furthest boundaries of the Empire, Roman cities shared a remarkable and consistent similarity in terms of architecture, art, infrastructure, and organization which was modeled after the greatest city of all, Rome itself. In Gregory Aldrete's exhaustive account, readers will have the opportunity to peer into the inner workings of daily life in ancient Rome, to witness the full range of glory, cruelty, sophistication, and deprivation that characterized Roman cities, and will perhaps even gain new insight into the nature and history of urban existence in America today. Included are accounts of Rome's history, infrastructure, government, and inhabitants, as well as chapters on life and death, the dangers and pleasures of urban living, entertainment, religion, the emperors, and the economy. Additional sections explore two other important Roman cities: Ostia, an industrial port town, and Pompeii, the doomed playground of the rich. This volume is ideal for high school and college students, as well as for anyone interested in examining the realities of life in ancient Rome. A chronology of the time period, maps, illustrations, a bibliography, and an index are also included.
Book Description
This exciting series explores ancient life by examining the traditions and religious beliefs of each culture. Through photographs, illustrations, and cut-away, detailed diagrams, each book considers the way religious beliefs affected culture-- from food, drink, and entertainment to rituals surrounding birth and death. This unique series is an essential reference guide for library sections that focus on ancient life and offers students ample information for research reports in these subject areas. Supplements school curriculum social studies.
Average customer rating:
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The Daily Life of the Greek Gods (Mestizo Spaces / Espaces Metisses)
Giulia Sissa , and
Marcel Detienne
Manufacturer: Stanford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 0804736138
Release Date: 2000-04-17 |
Book Description
Despite the rousing stories of male heroism in battles, the Trojan War transcended the activities of its human participants. For Homer, it was the gods who conducted and accounted for what happened. In the first part of this book, the authors find in Homer’s Iliad material for exploring the everyday life of the Greek gods: what their bodies were made of and how they were nourished, the organization of their society, and the sort of life they led both in Olympus and in the human world. The gods are divided in their human nature: at once a fantasized model of infinite joys and an edifying example of engagement in the world, they have loves, festivities, and quarrels.
In the second part, the authors show how citizens carried on everyday relations with the gods and those who would become the Olympians, inviting them to reside with humans organized in cities. At the heart of rituals and of social life, the gods were omnipresent: in sacrifices, at meals, in political assemblies, in war, in sexuality. In brief, the authors show how the gods were indispensable to the everyday social organization of Greek cities.
To set on stage a number of gods implicated in the world of human beings, the authors give precedence to the feminine over the masculine, choosing to show how such great powers as Hera and Athena wielded their sovereignty over cities, reigning over not only the activities of women but also the moulding of future citizens. Equally important, the authors turn to Dionysus and follow the evolution of one of his forms, that of the phallus paraded in processions. Under this god, so attentive to all things feminine, the authors explore the typically civic ways of thinking about the relations between natural fecundity and the sexuality of daily life.
Customer Reviews:
Household Ecology.......2006-06-30
Despite the opaque, academic name, this book is very readable and provides a lot of insight into the economic and cultural life of the Kekchi people in a respectful way. It is good to read a book that both honours the uniqueness of an indigenous people while at the same time recognizing them as creative human beings who respond to life pressures according to internal values like everyone else, and not as some sort of artifact of the past.
Household ecology.......2001-01-06
Wilk develops an excellent model for talking about social organization. Based around an ethnography of the Kekchi Maya, household ecology presents a model that allows the anthropologist to deal with such issues as history, gender relations, markets, subsistence and political organization (and that is easily transferred to different settings for comparative work). This is a book for readers interested in understanding how households function as social institutions, it is replete with information and useful data. Not for a beginner, but for the student of anthropology and ecology, this is an important text.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from American Antiquity, published by Society for American Archaeology on October 1, 1993. The length of the article is 446 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Household Ecology: Economic Change and Domestic Life Among the Kekchi Maya in Belize.(Brief Article)
Author: Norman Hammond
Publication:
American Antiquity (Refereed)
Date: October 1, 1993
Publisher: Society for American Archaeology
Volume: v58
Issue: n4
Page: p774(1)
Article Type: Book Review, Brief Article
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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