Gr 8 Up-Flamingo boiled with dates, dormice stuffed with pork and pine kernels-just typical Roman banquet dishes. In addition to providing information on the daily life and customs of the classical world, these alphabetically arranged volumes cover people, places, history, culture, and mythology with enough asides to keep students reading after their reports are finished. Clearly written entries range in length from one-half to several pages. While some refer specifically to one culture (e.g., "Tribune," "Sculpture, Greek"), others discuss both cultures under the same entry (e.g., "Houses," "Slavery") drawing frequent comparisons. Lots of additional information can be found in the sidebars, chronologies, definitions, and captions, providing readers with additional useful facts and explanations. Average black-and-white photographs and quality full-color plates illustrate the text. Purple borders and framed word entries add a decorative element, while the careful design prevents all of the visual elements from becoming overwhelming. See and see-also references to the other entries, maps, and illustrations abound. A complete index and subject bibliographies appear in the fourth volume. The information here is, in part, "a distillation...and reshaping" of Ancient Writers: Greece and Rome (1982) and Civilization of the Ancient Mediterranean: Greece and Rome (1988, both Scribners), both adult titles. An accessible and useful introduction to the subject for a younger audience.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal
A four-volume reference that is substantially (but not exclusively) a distillation of two previous works, both published by Scribner<--> (1982), and (1988). Reshaped for a middle and high school audience, it presents 506 scholarly yet nontechnical essays on Greek and Roman literature, art, philosophy, religion, archaeology, and art. Entries are arranged alphabetically by topic. Contains approximately 200 illustrations as well as graphic timelines. Volume 4 contains the index. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
