Life in Ancient Rome

by Lionel Casson

". . . gracefully written" - The New York Times Award-winning historian Lionel Casson paints a vivid portrait of life in ancient Rome - for slaves and emperors, soldiers and commanders alike - during the empire's greatest period, the first and second centuries A.D.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Ancient History, Roman History, Italy

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2015

About the author

Lionel Casson was a classicist, professor emeritus at New York University, and a specialist in maritime history. He earned his B.A. in 1934 at New York University, and in 1936 became an assistant professor. He later earned his Ph.D. there during 1939. In 2005 he was awarded the Archaeological Institute of America Gold Medal.

Reviews

[Wee Lassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a fascinating look into Roman Life.

[stephanie suh · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a time when all the roads led to Rome that lasted approximately 1,500 years ranging from the era of B.C. to that of A.D. It was from this Roman world where the art of politics was crafted and exemplified; it was also from this grandiose empire where Christianity gained ground and dispersed Christendom to Urbi et orbi. However, what piqued me most was the key phases of life in the Roman world; what life was like in the various spectrums of society, ranging from the slave to the aristocrat? How different was the life in the Roman world from our modern world? This book by the erudite historian Lionel Casson presents elegant sketches of such aspects of the Eternal City, particularly during the first and second A.D.

Although Rome was the center of the Empire, its strength came from its provinces. For instance, the grain, wine and oil came from Egypt, France, and Spain. The businessmen who traded such goods were largely provincials, so were the army recruits. Moreover, even slaves could achieve upward social mobility once they became freed through manumission which granted them Roman citizenship. In fact, it was this practice of incorporating into the state the communities it claimed and the populace it governed by bestowing upon them citizenship on the whole. To illustrate, Horace, the famous Roman lyric poet, was a son of a freed slave who later became a wealthy farmer. Felix, who threw St. Paul in a jail, was himself a freed slave who rose above the planes of his melee. These nouveau citizens joined the citizen body and contributed their labour to the society.

Most girls married between the age of twelve and fifteen years, and they must possess a dowry. If her husband died, or the couple divorced, it was returned, except a portion for the raising the children by the husband and penalty in case of her misdemeanor. No dowry, no husband in this paterfamily society. Also, the common law marriage was accepted, such as in the case of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor ruling Rome from 161 A.D. to 180 A.D. After his wife died, he lived with the daughter of his wife's business agent as concubine. IAn upper-class woman could have a lover of humble status, even including a slave.

There are lots of other interesting facts that will surprise the reader with a feeling of closeness to these citizens of the Eternal City because they were not much different from the citizens of the modern world in many ways; the scenery changes, and the people change, but the human nature does not change as along as the humankind exists.

[Craig Amason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for someone like me who wants a brief refresher on certain periods of history without devoting months of trudging through an exhaustive study or biography. Professor Casson does a fine job of providing just enough detail to keep the reader interested but not so much that we get bogged down.

What I really like most about this book is how it lives up to its title. Casson's focus here is on what life was like for Roman's during the time of the Empire, from slaves all the way up to the emperor himself. He touches on various aspects of social life that we would expect, including the gladiator battles, gathering at public baths, shopping, traveling, and so forth. He also offers a window into the daily routines and practices of people in the various strata of society. Like any good historian, Casson separates myth from verifiable fact. For instance, he doesn't paint such a horrible picture of most of Nero's reign as modern media tend to do.

Another real "plus" to this book was that it was included in Audible's Plus catalog of free books to members. One negative point was the reader (Goodreads did not have the Audible version listed that I downloaded, which was narrated by John Glouchevitch). He has such a soothing, breathy, almost monotone voice, which would be great if I wanted the book to help me drift off to sleep. I did not, and I found it difficult to concentrate at times. All in all though, this was definitely worth the time.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rather delightful little book, clearly written with the layman in mind, that gives a nice overview of life in ancient Rome. As Rome was an empire rather than a city during the times with which the author concerns himself, we also get a good look at activities in Spain, Germany, and Pompeii.

The book is broken down into chapters like "The Emperor," "Fun and Games," and "Food and Drink." The author gives us some information in each area, drawing from sources as varied as the Biblical epistles and graffiti on the exterior walls of houses.

The book is a good starting place if one is interested in doing a deeper dive, as it provides sources for additional information throughout the text. For example, the discussion of gladiatorial games is not deeply detailed itself, but tells of letters and other sources that one might consider for further study.

I would call this book an excellent beginning to research, but not the be-all and end-all.

[Thomas M. McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great refresher on Ancient Rome

This is a fast paced, well-written history of Rome. The author paints vividly in words the daily life of Romans, and chronicles the most historically important emperors. I recommend this book before or after a trip to Europe where you visit ancient Roman sites and view with wonder and imagination what life was like and how in the world they accomplished what they did.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good primer, a few spelling grammad errors

I found dozens of grammar and spelling errors, but the content was interesting. I got it for background on a fiction book, so it's been useful for that along with primary sources.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic overview of everyday life in the Roman Empire. Chapters focus on different parts of society - slaves, merchants, etc.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Where to stay and how to travel..."

it is not easy to give a panoramic view of a two century period of. changing time and.wide location in a single, fairly brief volume, and make it interesting not one just studded with names, dates and places, but the author succeeds well. There is an overall impression left for the reader of what it was like to have lived in the empire at this time. Moreover, it is an interesting and easy read, well executed by narrator John Glouchevitch.
Recommended.

[Helfren · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you think, you have it hard, Rome girl and boy have it worse. They are commanded to marry in age of 12 and 15 respectively and many older people marry these underage children nowadays.

Fairness in Rome isn't like what it is today. Being fair is applicable to the rich and the poor being fair is hoping he can go home with a few teeths left.

There is so much violence back in the ancient days. The evolution of human tradition and norm is really need to be thankful for.

[Daniel Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a decent, easy read surveying life and society in ancient Rome around the period from Augustus through Hadrian. It's nothing phenomenal. Eminently digestible, if that makes any sense. If you're not already interested in learning about domestic life and culture in ancient Rome, this book likely isn't for you.

[E.C. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing and detailed

This book is well-written, and should
appeal to the general reader with a casual interest in the Roman Empire, and valuable, as well, to the smaller specialist audience of classicists. The detailed bibliography offers opportunities for further exploration of the topic. Highly recommended.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

History is almost always an interesting subject, and much can be learned from it. This book is good about illustrating the lifestyles that were more common in ancient Rome. Though sometimes it seems the author goes about putting his own ideas before facts.

Overall, well worth the time of anyone with interest in ancient Rome and the people of the time.

[Sumit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is a bit of a misnomer, as the book wanders into other areas as well. One complete chapter is on Pliny the younger. Another on Emperor Hadrian. However as a quick overview, the book is not a bad read.

[Demeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Príjemne napísaná kniha o tom, ako fungoval Rím (Rímska ríša) v časoch najväčšieho rozmachu. Kto dával v škole pozor sa dozvie menej. Ostatných bude fascinovať vyspelosť kombinovaná s pestrosťou. Kniha viac akcentuje na úspechoch ako prehrách. V každom prípade fascinujúce čítanie. 3.8.

[Ron W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casson does a stellar job in summarizing life in Rome with a lot of unnecessary details left out. If you want a good summary of civil conditions in Rome, without details pertaining to political or religious affairs, then this book is great.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great little "primer" for a quick and easy guide on life in ancient Rome. It answered a lot of what I needed to know about daily life to enable me to write my novel with a good working knowledge of the time and area.

[Bob Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a long book, but it is thorough and well-researched, yet easy to read. It gives the reader an excellent understanding of life in ancient Rome during the first and second centuries, A.D., at the height of the empire.

[Learae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly readable

I found this book to be surprisingly readable. Books about history can often be dry and lifeless. This book was fairly easy reading and definitely provided interesting information about what it was like living in Rome during ancient times.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

This book is a plainly written account of life in ancient Rome. Each chapter is devoted to a particular facet....engineering, the gods, the emperor, etc. I recommend it to anyone interested in the life at ancient Romans.

[Marcin W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed to be just a bit less dry to be like Bill Bryson's At Home... which is high praise IMO.
I read 99.99999% fiction, & the 1% i try i drop quick, but this managed to keep my attention & had some nuggets i think will stick with me. The 1+2* reviewers apparently wanted a school textbook.

[Sekhar N Banerjee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very sketchy

It is possibly a good read for high school students, who just had a glimpse of Roman History. It was a mistake in buying this book

[Daphne Courts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look into Roman history

Very interesting and informative content. The author spent time making this a fun read for all. It was thoroughly enjoyed.

[Tony Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book! Fascinating.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Susan Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life in Ancient Rome

I can tell that Mr. Casson did a wonderful job of getting all this information but I was hoping it would have been a story with facts included. Not just facts.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting information, but assumed a greater knowledge of Roman history than I possess.

[sherry revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Roman Society by Occupation and Social Status

I think my title sums it up nicely. I gave the book 4 stars due to lack of any illustrations.

[Katherine Cuttonaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it for anyone to read. It is true and exciting. I would read it again.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting.

[Kyle Willey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very basic overview of daily life, a good antidote to modern misconceptions of the ancient world.