Ancient Rome: The Archaeology of the Eternal City

by Jon Coulston

A major new book on the archaeology of Rome. The chapters, by an impressive list of contributors, are written to be as up-to-date and useful as possible, detailing lots of new research. There are new maps for the topography and monuments of Rome, a huge research bibliography containing 1,700 titles and the volume is richly illustrated. Essential for all Roman scholars and students. Contents: Preface: a bird's eye view ( Peter Wiseman ); Introduction ( Jon Coulston and Hazel Dodge ); Early and Archaic Rome ( Christopher Smith ); The city of Rome in the Middle Republic ( Tim Cornell ); The moral museum: Augustus and the image of Rome ( Susan Walker ); Armed and belted men: the soldiery in Imperial Rome ( Jon Coulston ); The construction industry in Imperial Rome ( Janet Delaine and G Aldrete ); The feeding of Imperial Rome: the mechanics of the food supply system ( David Mattingly ); `Greater than the pyramids': the water supply of ancient Rome ( Hazel Dodge ); Entertaining Rome ( Kathleen Coleman ); Living and dying in the city of Rome: houses and tombs ( John Patterson ); Religions of Rome ( Simon Price ); Rome in the Late Empire ( Neil Christie ); Archaeology and innovation ( Hugh Petter ); Appendix: Sources for the study of ancient Rome ( Jon Coulston and Hazel Dodge ).

Genres: History

400 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

Reviews

[Augustus · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many books on archaeology of the City of Rome, and this is one of the best. Although it lacks the coherent organization of a book by a single author (see my review of Stephen Dyson's "Rome"), it benefits by aggregating the expertise of more than a dozen international scholars. It also has a large number of useful maps and black/white photographs, to say nothing of extensive bibliographies.

The book begins with introductory chapters on the early history and topography of Rome. It then offers two more historical outlines of the Middle Republic (400 - 100 BC) and of the Augustan Age. The following chapters are sorted by subject: soldiers in Rome, the construction industry, food and water supply, public entertainments, tombs, Roman religions, Rome after Constantine the Great, and alterations to the city when it became the capital of Italy in 1870. All of these contain details that should interest general readers, and all are well illustrated.

The chapters on the Roman food supply and construction industry (a major employer in ancient Rome) and Rome's multiple religions seemed particularly interesting, as there are not so many good books on these subjects.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the text for one of my classes this semester. It is soooooooooooooooo incredibly boring. I can't read it without falling asleep. I kid you not. It's a shame too because I'm obviously interested in the subject or I wouldn't be a Classics major. Last year's text, Roman Art by Nancy and Andrew Ramage was so much more enjoyable. I actually didn't mind completing my assignments. This one's a snoozer!
Oh gosh! End of semester! I'm so not reading anymore of this. I'm sure it's lovely for whatever its real purpose is. It's just NOT meant to be a textbook for students. PUT IT BACK! I've already smacked my instructor for choosing it.