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Cover image of The Ancient Roman City
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The Ancient Roman City

John E. Stambaugh

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To walk through Rome today is to find the past made present at nearly every corner. For John Stambaugh, this continuity of fabric, form, and function affords an extraordinary view of the ancient city, the experience of its inhabitants, and the Roman way of life. Exploring ancient Rome as both a physical and social environment, he has written the first extended survey of its development in English—and a vivid "guidebook into the living past of one of the most emphatically urban cities the world has ever known."

The Ancient Roman City synthesizes recent work in archaeology and social history and...

To walk through Rome today is to find the past made present at nearly every corner. For John Stambaugh, this continuity of fabric, form, and function affords an extraordinary view of the ancient city, the experience of its inhabitants, and the Roman way of life. Exploring ancient Rome as both a physical and social environment, he has written the first extended survey of its development in English—and a vivid "guidebook into the living past of one of the most emphatically urban cities the world has ever known."

The Ancient Roman City synthesizes recent work in archaeology and social history and draws on physical, literary, and documentary sources to illuminate ancient Rome as a functioning city. Stambaugh conveys a remarkable sense of the details and texture of daily existence—of apartment houses and street vendors, taverns and graffiti, water deliverymen and dry cleaners. Focusing on individuals and groups at all levels of society—from senators to slaves—he also considers the ways in which the physical city reflected and influenced the needs, aspirations, and attitudes of its people.

In The Ancient Roman City, the author combines a chronological account of Roman topography and growth, extending from the eighth century B.C. to the third century A.D., with examinations of such specific topics as city government, public servuces, religion, commerce, demography, housing, social life, and public spectacle. Surveys of Cosa, Pompeii, Ostiam, Arelate, and Thamugadi chart the expansion of Roman urbanism through the empire. The text is enhanced by numerous illustrations—site and building plans, drawings, and photographs.

For the newcomer to ancient Rome, there is no better orientation. For the person already familiar with the Eternal City's cultural riches or with its modern manifestation, The Ancient Roman City provides a deeper appreciation of Rome's phsical monuments and social foundations.

Reviews

Reviews

The Ancient Roman City is so full of novel facts, useful synthesis and insightful summations, that the non-specialist is frequently drawn to dwell on the footnotes, track down the intriguing references and generally to reflect on what has been read... Likely to become a standard reference work for undergraduate and high school libraries, a popular supplementary textbook, and a well-worn occupant of that handy shelf near your desk.

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Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
5.25
x
8.25
Pages
416
ISBN
9780801836923
Illustration Description
37 b&w photos, 21 line drawings
Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Part I. The Growth of Rome
Chapter 1. Earliest Rome
Chapter 2. Expansion under the Republic
Chapter 3. The Late Republic, 146 – 144 B.C.
Chapter 4. The Augustan City
Chapter 5. Rome

Preface
Introduction
Part I. The Growth of Rome
Chapter 1. Earliest Rome
Chapter 2. Expansion under the Republic
Chapter 3. The Late Republic, 146 – 144 B.C.
Chapter 4. The Augustan City
Chapter 5. Rome under the Emperors
Part II. Urban Life in Rome
Chapter 6. Population
Chapter 7. City Government
Chapter 8. Services, Public and Private
Chapter 9. The Commercial City
Chapter 10. Households and Housing
Chapter 11. City and Suburbs
Chapter 12. Social Life in the City
Chapter 13. The City and the Gods
Chapter 14. Roman Holidays
Part III. Patterns of Roman Urbanism
Chapter 15. The Theory and Practice of Building Towns
Chapter 16. Cosa
Chapter 17. Pompeii
Chapter 18. Ostia
Chapter 19. Arelate (Arles)
Chapter 20. Thamugadi (Timgad)
List of Plates
Notes
Index

Author Bio
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John E. Stambaugh

John E. Stambaugh is professor of classics at Williams College. He is the coauthor of The New Testament in Its Social Environment.