24 Hours in Ancient Rome: A Day in the Life of the People Who Lived There

by Philip Matyszak

Overview

What was it like to live in one of the ancient world’s most powerful and bustling cities—one that was eight times more densely populated than modern day New York? In this entertaining and enlightening guide, historian Philip Matyszak introduces us to 24 characters who lived and worked there. In each hour of the day we meet a new character—from a senator to a slave girl, a gladiator to an astrologer, watchmen to washerwomen—and discover the fascinating details of their daily lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789291278
Publisher:	Michael O'Mara Books
Publication date:	05/01/2020
Series:	24 Hours in Ancient History
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Philip Matyszak has written a number of titles on the ancient world including Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day, Ancient Athens of Five Drachmas a Day, and The Greek and Roman Myths. He currently works as a tutor for Madingley Hall Institute of Continuing Education at the University of Cambridge, teaching a course on Ancient Rome.

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

Hora Noctis VI (00.00-01.00) The Watchman Handles a Complaint 11

Hora Noctis VII (01.00-02.00) The Carter in a Jam 20

Hora Noctis VIII (02.00-03.00) The Baker Starts Work 29

Hora Noctis IX (03.00-04.00) The Slave Girl Prepares Breakfast 41

Hora Noctis X (04.00-05.00) The Mother Cares for her Sick Baby 50

Hora Noctis XI (05.00-06.00) The Imperial Messenger Sets Off for Britain 59

Hora Noctis XII (06.00-07.00) The Schoolboy Starts Morning Class 70

Hora I (07.00-08.00) The Senator Goes to Meet His Patron 80

Hora II (08.00-09.00) The Vestal Virgin Gathers Water 91

Hora III (09.00-10.00) The Jurist Consults On a Case 102

Hora IV (10.00-11.00) The Teenager Breaks Up With Her Boyfriend 113

Hora V (11.00-12.00) The Stonemason Works On an Imperial Tomb 122

Hora VI (12.00-13.00) The Tavern Keeper at Lunchtime 132

Hora VII (13.00-14.00) The Water-Clockmaker Starts a Project 142

Hora VIII (14.00-15.00) The Bath Attendant Checks in Customers 152

Hora IX (15.00-16.00) The Hostess Organizes the Evening 162

Hora X (16.00-17.00) The Washerwoman Does a Late Shift 172

Hora XI (17.00-18.00) The Cook Gets Frantic 182

Hora XII (18.00-19.00) The Priestess Prepares to Sacrifice 192

Hora Noctis I (19.00-20.00) The Spice Trader Sets Out For Dinner 203

Hora Noctis II (20.00-21.00) The Prostitute Finds a Client 213

Hora Noctis III (21.00-22.00) The Astrologer Casts a Horoscope 224

Hora Noctis IV (22.00-23.00) The Gladiator Struts His Stuff 235

Hora Noctis V (23.00-00.00) The Parasite Returns From Dinner 245

Endnotes 254

Picture Credits 257

Index 259

Bibliography 271

Editorial Reviews

Narrator Michael Page's English accent and professorial tone highlight the dry humor in this account of one day in ancient Rome. Each chapter follows one person for one hour. Page delivers dialogue with gusto—as exemplified by the spirited scolding of the tavern keeper who tosses out her unruly customers. Characters include a priestess and a prostitute who rues dropping the potted plant from her balcony onto the tipsy magistrate’s head. Page truly shines with his deadpan delivery of wry commentary on daily irritations; for example, the washerwoman’s struggle to clean white togas and “seductively dyed” nightwear using that wonder treatment—human urine, the “professional dinner guest’s” bemoaning of the scarcity of watchmen when he’s accosted after dark, and the messenger’s suspicion that the locals begrudge his tax-funded salary. We haven’t changed that much. L.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JULY 2020 - AudioFile

Narrator Michael Page's English accent and professorial tone highlight the dry humor in this account of one day in ancient Rome. Each chapter follows one person for one hour. Page delivers dialogue with gusto—as exemplified by the spirited scolding of the tavern keeper who tosses out her unruly customers. Characters include a priestess and a prostitute who rues dropping the potted plant from her balcony onto the tipsy magistrate’s head. Page truly shines with his deadpan delivery of wry commentary on daily irritations; for example, the washerwoman’s struggle to clean white togas and “seductively dyed” nightwear using that wonder treatment—human urine, the “professional dinner guest’s” bemoaning of the scarcity of watchmen when he’s accosted after dark, and the messenger’s suspicion that the locals begrudge his tax-funded salary. We haven’t changed that much. L.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JULY 2020 - AudioFile