From Library Journal
Edited by Marjorie Lightman, who has a Ph.D. in ancient history from Rutgers, and Benjamin Lightman, the founder of the Time/Life research library, this contribution to the "Facts on File Library of World History" focuses on women mentioned in classical Greek and Roman historical literature. Each woman in this alphabetical arrangement is clearly identified by her regional affiliation, her time period, and a descriptive classification (e.g., "political power," "reformer," and "ruler"). This makes it easier to distinguish among individuals bearing the same name: there are 15 Cleopatras, eight Julias, and three Clodias among the entries. Many listings are brief or dominated by citations of familial relationships. By contrast, the movers and shakers of Rome's Julio-Claudian period (figures familiar to devotees of the I Claudius television series) receive longer and more detailed treatment. Inexplicably, while some non-Greco-Roman women--including Zenobia, Barsine, and Boudicca--are profiled, others like mathematician Hypathia of Alexandria, physicians Elephantis and Sotira of Greece, and Christian martyr Cecilia of Rome are ignored. Easy to use but limited in scope, this work is recommended only for academic libraries and public libraries where classical studies are popular.
-Rose M. Cichy, Osterhout Free Lib., Wilkes-Barre, PA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Biographical sketches for 447 women living throughout the Greek and Roman worlds from the seventh century B.C.E. to early fourth century C.E. are presented in this volume. The work is intended for all interested readers and is suitable for both popular and scholarly interests. The purpose is to expand the "understanding of circumstances that shaped a woman and her life" in antiquity.
Content is organized alphabetically by the names most commonly used in ancient literature, then chronologically in the case of similarly named subjects. Subjects include the familiar, such as Aspasia, Boadicea, and Sappho, and the lesser known, such as the Arete (fifth^-fourth century B.C.E.), a Greek philosopher; and Marcia (first century B.C.E.), wife of Cato the Younger. Entries include the subject's name(s), dates (if known), cultural identity, home, description, citations to source material, and cross-references. Length ranges from a few lines (e.g., Cleito) to several pages (e.g., Cleopatra VII).
Twenty-three illustrations appear throughout the text. Access points include a table of contents, "Registry," and index. The Registry is an alphabetical list of all the women covered, with very brief occupational, geographical, and chronological descriptors. Also included in the volume are a glossary and two bibliographies: one of ancient sources and an extensive list of modern sources. Indexes by occupation and cultural identity would be helpful.
This is an excellent work, providing not only information about the lives of individual women but broad insight into the circumstances surrounding their lives. Much of the information it contains is unique and not included in other reference sources on the Greek and Roman world. Recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries.
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