Customer Reviews

I, Claudia: Women in Ancient Rome

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I liked this book a lot because it filled in the role of women in ancient Rome in an interesting way. Through the interpretation of hairstyles, jewelry, tombs, coins and buildings it told the reader a lot about the social place and space of such women. I read it after watching Diana Kleiner on Roman Architecture, a Yale course on ITunes U which is an excellent course not only on architecture but on Roman history more widely.

This is mainly a catalog of roman antiquities with some articles included. I have not read all of the articles, as I purchased it more for the photographs of the items. What sticks out most to me is the inclusion of things like drop spindles (an ancient implement for spinning wool into yarn), needles, and fabric. These sorts of items are of great interest to someone studying the everyday lives of women, but, in my experience are not often included in collections. It also has a lovely collection of busts and jewelery.