As The Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History / Edition 2

by Jo-Ann Shelton

Overview

Revised to include new selections and updated bibliographical material, the second edition of this popular sourcebook offers a rich, revealing look at everyday Roman life. It provides clear, lively translations of a fascinating array of documents drawn from Latin and Greek source material—from personal letters, farming manuals, medical texts, and recipes to poetry, graffiti, and tombstone inscriptions. Each selection has been translated into readable, contemporary English. This edition includes more than 50 additional selections that introduce new topics and expand coverage of existing topics. In addition, the commentary on all the selections has been revised to reflect the recent scholarship of social and cultural historians. Extensive annotations, abundant biographical notes, maps, appendices, cross-references to related topics, and a newly-updated bibliography provide readers with the historical and cultural background material necessary to appreciate the selections.
Arranged thematically into chapters on family life, housing, education, entertainment, religion, and other important topics, the translations reveal the ambitions and aspirations not only of the upper class, but of the average Roman citizen as well. They tell of the success and failure of Rome's grandiose imperialist policies and also of the pleasures and hardships of everyday life. Wide-ranging and lively, the second edition of As the Romans Did offers the most lucid account available of Roman life in all its diversity. Ideal for courses in Ancient Roman History, Social History of Rome, Roman Civilization, and Classics, it will also appeal to readers interested in ancient history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195089745
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/09/1997
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	9.19(w) x 6.48(h) x 0.93(d)

About the Author

Jo-Ann Shelton is Professor of Classics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is the author of several books and articles on the social and cultural history of Rome in the early imperial period, including Hercules Furens: The Madness of Hercules (1991).

Table of Contents

Introduction
I. The Structure of Roman Society
II. Families
III. Marriage
IV. Housing and City Life
V. Domestic and Personal Concerns
VI. Education
VII. Occupations
VIII. Slaves
IX. Freedman and Freedwomen
X. Government and Politics
XI. The Romaan Army
XII. The Provinces
XIII. Women in Roman Society
XIV. Leisure and Environment
XV. Religion and Philosophy
Maps
Appendix I. Sources
Appendix II. Roman Money
Appendix III. Important Dates and Events
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Rich....Very much a collection for today's English-speaking investigator of the Roman world....Should find a very wide and happy audience."—New England Classical Newsletter & Journal (on the previous edition)

"Will be useful in college courses and high-school classrooms alike."—The Classical Outlook

"The most lucid account of daily activity thus far constructed....A wonderful sourcebook of everyday life...will become a short classic of the past."—Ronald T. Marchese, University of Minnesota

"A wonderful book! The best introduction to the Romans that I have seen. The Romans speak to the students in their own voices, but the clear organization, excellent introductions and cross-referencing make the book accessible and informative."—Kathryn Argetsinger, University of Rochester

From the Publisher