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Life in Ancient Rome: Absorbing Social History--A Vivid Portrait of a Magnificent Age
“This book will be of the greatest service . . . a scholarly and convenient presentation of a vast array of facts.” – Times Literary Supplement
In this well-written and well-researched social history, F. R. Cowell succeeds in making Life in Ancient Rome alive and dynamic. The combination of acute historical detail and supplementary illustrations makes this book perfectly suited for the student preparing to explore classics, as well as the tourist preparing to explore twentieth-century Rome. Lucid and engaging, Life in Ancient Rome is for anyone seeking familiarity with the greatness that was Rome.
In this well-written and well-researched social history, F. R. Cowell succeeds in making Life in Ancient Rome alive and dynamic. The combination of acute historical detail and supplementary illustrations makes this book perfectly suited for the student preparing to explore classics, as well as the tourist preparing to explore twentieth-century Rome. Lucid and engaging, Life in Ancient Rome is for anyone seeking familiarity with the greatness that was Rome.
224 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 14, 2011
A fascinating book. I have always heard people make similarities between the fall of Rome and the downward spiral of the United States. It was interesting to read some history of Rome and read about those causes and frighteningly eye-opening to discover those similarities in the text. "Those who do not read history are doomed to repeat it." Let us hope that someone in Washington, D.C. reads Roman history... and reads it soon.
January 7, 2016
This is more of an introduction book, and very basic at that. There are many others that I would recommend before this one.
February 24, 2022
This was a fantastic overview of daily life in Rome spanning hundreds of years. I know some people complained that this book was too light on the various subjects, but for an author to go into great detail about daily Roman life it would take a series of books, not just one small paperback. Overall, I felt that it nicely tied in various aspects of daily life without getting bogged down in minutiae. The book did feel a bit dated at times, but I think it is well worth the read for anyone who is interested in Rome.
November 9, 2023
Some books might as well be titled "Book Caroline Wants to Read Right Now." I got curious about life in Ancient Rome, then I found this book in a free bin. What are the odds?
And indeed, it is chock full of all the information I wanted at precisely the depth I wanted--a quick little introduction to a very big topic. As far as I can tell, it's quite accurate and very readable. If you weren't interested in the topic, you might find it dry, for the author isn't trying to convince the reader that Rome is fascinating, he just provides the information someone who is already interested wants. And that interested someone is me.
There are some places where the book's age shows--it's copyright date is 1961, and some turns of phrase or comparisons now seem a little awkward. But I don't see that as a problem. There is nothing wrong with age all by itself, the only problem with older books is that sometimes new discoveries or recent events render them no longer a good source of information. And while it's hard for me as a non-historian to be sure, that doesn't seem to be the case here.
I gave the book four stars rather than five because it didn't wow me, but there's nothing wrong with it either. You want to learn a little about Ancient Rome? This is your book.
And indeed, it is chock full of all the information I wanted at precisely the depth I wanted--a quick little introduction to a very big topic. As far as I can tell, it's quite accurate and very readable. If you weren't interested in the topic, you might find it dry, for the author isn't trying to convince the reader that Rome is fascinating, he just provides the information someone who is already interested wants. And that interested someone is me.
There are some places where the book's age shows--it's copyright date is 1961, and some turns of phrase or comparisons now seem a little awkward. But I don't see that as a problem. There is nothing wrong with age all by itself, the only problem with older books is that sometimes new discoveries or recent events render them no longer a good source of information. And while it's hard for me as a non-historian to be sure, that doesn't seem to be the case here.
I gave the book four stars rather than five because it didn't wow me, but there's nothing wrong with it either. You want to learn a little about Ancient Rome? This is your book.
April 28, 2022
When reading this you must keep in mind that it was written 60 years ago. I found a copy at the thrift store and, knowing nothing on the subject before opening this little paperback, I am grateful for the knowledge that was imparted through reading. Im glad they do not exclude the fact that Rome was built by enslaved people.
March 5, 2017
The book feels a little dated, but the content is solid and well organized. You can't help but pick up a lot of the contextual details of everyday life in Rome.
September 28, 2018
Ancient Rome is endlessly fascinating.
June 4, 2015
This book was pretty all right. It's actually 3 1/2 stars, but when one has to make a choice between three or four, I am going to err on the conservative side. It gave me a brief history of the Roman culture and covered all of the basic points pretty well. Maybe it's just nonfiction in general that underwhelms me, but overall, a pretty decent read.
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November 21, 2009None
July 29, 2011
Excellent little book. An easy to read, well-written take on daily life in the city of Rome.
August 4, 2011
Outstanding!!
December 9, 2015
Good overview of the basics of Roman life and culture.
December 31, 2017
3/5 — finished 3/5
July 31, 2009
Old. Dry. Useful.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews