Daily Life in Ancient Rome [Paperback]

Florence Dupont (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0631193952 | ISBN-13: 978-0631193951

This book, now available in paperback, concerns the everyday private and public lives of the citizens of ancient Rome. Drawing on a broad selection of contemporary sources, the author examines the institutions, actions and rituals of day to day life.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Dupont has written a fascinating study of Roman society during the Republic (509-27 B.C.). She examines the political, legal, and economic divisions in society and Roman ideas of space and time, religion, family relations, and philosophy of self. The Roman citizen's concept of honor and self depended totally on externals--how he carried out his civic duties and how others viewed him (not unlike the Japanese). While histories of Rome abound, nothing quite like Dupont's study exists in most public library systems. She has based her findings almost solely on primary sources and quotes liberally from them, especially Livy, Plutarch, Cato, Horace, and Cicero. The tone is scholarly, but this translation from the French is lively and enjoyable for a more general audience. Recommended for academic and large public libraries and wherever ancient history is still considered important.
-Katharine L. Kan, Aiea P.L., Hawaii
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Far better than anyone else who has written on daily life in ancient Rome, Dupont conveys a sense of the city itself as both physical and symbolic space." Times Literary Supplement

"Dupont's book is filled with fascinating minutiae of the material aspects and customs of Roman life." Choice

"A fascinating study of Roman society....This translation from French is lively and enjoyable." Library Journal

"This book presents fascinating reading-material, made available in a well-written style." Mnemosyne

"The author's often unusual approach and her striking ability to understand the Roman mind give it a unique stamp. She is very well served too by her translator whose version is remarkably fluent and graceful." Classics Ireland

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (October 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631193952
• ISBN-13: 978-0631193951
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Thorough, Easy to Read, all Encompassing, February 8, 2002

By 

fremontbob (Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Daily Life in Ancient Rome (Paperback)

Probably the best and most enjoyable book I've read on the culture (cultivatis) of Rome. Covers Roman Clothing, Houses,
War, everything. I could not put this book down.
Absolutely loved it and will purchase it. Dupont does an excellent job in her details and research. Esoteric issues such as homosexuality are touched upon lightly but nonetheless
informative. Highly recommend!