Death-Ritual and Social Structure in Classical Antiquity

Key Themes in Ancient History

by Ian Morris

The chief purpose of this book is to show how burials may be used as a uniquely informative source for Greek and Roman social history. Burials permit a far wider range of inference and insight than the literary texts produced by and for a narrow social elite, and by studying them in depth Dr. Morris is able to offer new interpretations of social change in Graeco-Roman antiquity. The major interdisciplinary importance of the book lies in its attempt to break down barriers between archaeologists and historians of different societies and cultures.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, School, Archaeology

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[hh · Rating 3 out of 5]

for my death & the afterlife in the ancient world class. a clear, useful introduction to greek and roman death rituals. morris' style is informal but he makes good use of serious scholarship. his analysis of a rhodesian cemetery is a good wrap-up that neatly aligns his thinking and his methods into an understandable conclusion.