Life and Leisure in Ancient Rome

by J.P.V.D. Balsdon

How did average Romans live out each year, conduct their family life, rear and educate their children? What about slaves in the household? How did people enjoy themselves--did they travel or go to the theater? And, how were those famed gladiators trained? From a wide variety of sources--writers, inscriptions, papyri, mosaics, stones, even graffiti--the answers to these question come into sharp relief. "By far the best single volume on the subject."-- The Guardian .

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Roman History, Ancient History, World History, Roman, Reference

464 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

John Percy Vyvian Dacre Balsdon (per Library of Congress)

Reviews

[Garrett Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far and away the most comprehensive single volume on daily life in Ancient Rome. Long, scholarly, and heavily footnoted, it works better as a reference than as bedside reading. But as a reference, it's as good as any classical encyclopedia. Just go to the index, find a topic you're interested in, and lose yourself in the galaxy of sources.

[Sjonni · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me two years to read it, no shit. The Rome tv-series and Mika Waltari's novels sent me searching for trivial details of daily life back then. This is packed with such details, gathered from careful readings of the classics. The style is a bit tedious and slightly old-fashionned, the book being a re-edition from before the erection of the Berlin Wall. However, it is quite inspiring once you are in the right mood and it makes you want to read more and improve whatever mastery of latin you already possess. Also, it more or less convinced me that I should visit Lybia soon.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really thoroughly researched and scholarly book -- a bit dry in sections but an excellent comprehensive overview of what it meant to live in the Roman world. Some parts were rather complex in addition to being dry, like the calendar explanation that went on for pages, but it's all in aid of conveying a clear view of the subject. I enjoyed it, but I am partial to learning more about all things Roman of late.

[Mike E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a binge-read, more like an occasional one where you peruse a chapter or two and pick it back up in a month. It gives insight into questions you might ask yourself in the shower or late at night and wondered if anyone even had the answer. As a compendium of ancient daily life it works quite well

[Sir Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in ancient rome was filled with entertainment. From vibrant markets.
Restaurants. Strippers and bars.
Buituful beaches and romance.
Cock fights and class based society.
The colloseum and horse races.
The circus maximus and night life.
Oh what fun in the world of ancient rome.

[Jo O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid primer though, as might be expected from a work published by an Oxford don in the 1960s, it's written for an audience with an elite education in the English public schools: Eton, Harrow, etc. Knowledge of Latin, Roman offices such as the aediles, and Roman history/famous figures is assumed.

[Billy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good, easy read, despite being an academic book. While it does get kind of dry and stale at times, it does manage to keep itself engaging with its wide variety of facts about life in Ancient Rome.

A very good beginning for anyone looking to get into Roman studies, and a good addition to the library of any armchair historian or professional anywhere.

[Jaron Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly a page-turner, but an excellent read for anyone interested in Roman history. I was highly amused that the first book listed in the bibliography was by the same Author. Quoting yourself is something Cicero would have approved of.

[Ijorabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Steve said, this can be really dry. Still, it's very informative, and organized well. If you know what you're looking for, this is a good book to get. I learned a lot from it.