Life in Egypt under Roman Rule (Classics in Papyrology) [Paperback]

Naphtali Lewis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0788505602 | ISBN-13: 978-0788505607 | Publication Date: June 1, 1999 | Edition: 2nd

This classic book by the `doyen of papyrologists' describes the economy and society of Roman Egypt from the ground level up, using the testimony of papyri. The unique climate of Egypt has preserved tens of thousands of records, covering a period of some 4,000 years from 3000 BC to AD 1000. Focusing on just part of this period (30 BC to AD 285), this book offers the perfect introduction to the possible uses of such material. The author takes a thematic approach, discussing the various areas of daily life into which papyri offer unique insights. From the production of food, to `works and days of Gods and Goblins' and `rendering unto Caesar', Naphtali Lewis uses quotations from the sources combined with an encyclopedic knowledge of the cultural context to bring a seemingly obscure class of evidence to life. "Lewis's writing is masterful in the amount of knowledge displayed and brilliant in the clarity with which complicated subjects are discussed." - Michael Woloch, The American Historical Review.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: American Society of Papyrologists; 2nd edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0788505602
• ISBN-13: 978-0788505607
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #823,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, March 31, 2003

By 

David C. Heimann (Pacifica, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Life in Egypt Under Roman Rule (Hardcover)

This is my favorite Egyptian history book. Lewis in one small volume brings Egypt during the period of Roman rule to life in the pages in front of you. The book draws from thousands of papyrus documents collected in Egypt over the years. As you might expect, these mostly deal with the minutia of daily life, contracts and prayers, polemics and taxes, and Lewis's book uses theses to tell his story. The book is highly readable, enjoyable, and I recomend it to any one with an interest in any period in Egypt (after all, how much did the Nile change between 1000 BC and 300 AD).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The simple life, July 25, 2007

By 

Glogg Rene - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Life in Egypt under Roman Rule (Classics in Papyrology) (Paperback)

For all who are longing for the simple life of yesterday this excellent and document based book gives a first introduction how life two thousand years ago really was.
Also for the non scientific reader a sketch into times long gone but nevertheless interesting in its own. I recommend it to all the nostalgics who think the the problems of today (beginning with bad neighbors and ending with the taxman) are something new.