The Roman Banquet: Images of Conviviality [Hardcover]

Katherine M. D. Dunbabin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521822521 | ISBN-13: 978-0521822527 | Publication Date: February 16, 2004

Drawing frequently upon ancient inscriptions as well as other archaeological material, Katherine Dunbabin studies the representations of the banquet in Roman painting, mosaic, sculpture, and the minor arts, and compares them to archaeological evidence as well as written sources. She discusses the history of dining practices and the evolution of the iconography of dining. By highlighting the artistic and archaeological evidence, Dunbabin offers a more well-rounded picture of the role of the Roman banquet than can be found in literary sources alone.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is handsomely produced and well illustrated, with a generous section of colour plates." Ruth Westgate, Cardiff School of History and Archaeology, Cardiff University

"The Roman Banquet is a superb example of art history in context. By isolating the visual, achaeological and literary evidence for a single theme, this short book succeeds in providing an overview of the role of art in communicating deeply held social and cultural ideals...This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Roman art, archaeology, and cultural and social history." - Helen Nagy, University of Puget Sound

"...artfully packaged into an attractive book-length format, in which a lively text and rich assortment of illustrations, some in colour, combine to offer the reader a stimulating introduction to the world of Roman banqueting and to the issues raised by the many surviving images of Roman conviviality." - J.J. Rossiter, University of Alberta

"Engagingly written, extensively documented, and generously illustrated by a variety of media (sculpture, painting, and mosaic) from a range of locations, contexts and chronological periods, the work contains much that is new. Dunbabin illustrates the book with well-chosen, mostly clear photographs closely keyed to the text. A valuable glossary, extensive bibliography, and helpful indices add to the usefulness of the work." American Journal of Archaeology, Robert I. Curtis, University of Georgia

Book Description

Dining was an important social occasion in the classical world. Scenes of drinking and dining decorate the wall paintings and mosaic pavements of many Roman houses. They are also painted in tombs and carved in relief on sarcophagi and on innumerable smaller grave monuments. Drawing frequently upon ancient literature inscriptions as well as archaeological evidence, this book examines the visual and material evidence for dining through Roman antiquity. Richly illustrated, Roman Banqueting offers the fullest and varied picture of the role of the banquet in Roman life.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521822521
• ISBN-13: 978-0521822527
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,097,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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