Ancient Rome on 5 Denarii a Day is basically, as suggested by the title, a tourguide for the average ancient person traveling through Rome. Throughout each section, (sections which include where the best bathhouses are, local temples, and what kind of food to expect among many others)varoius detailed pictures are interspersed, along with a nice batch of colored pictures in the center. A map is also included to help you find your way around Rome. Matsyszak knows his Roman history, and his humerous interjections are well thought out. Overall, this is a great book for the Roman history buff, even for readers/scholars who know quite a bit about Rome. This book would also be a great addition to any classroom, as it does make history fun for those who don't ordinarily find it so.
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Posted Mon Feb 23 00:00:00 EST 2009
I Also Recommend:
Written as a tourist guide to Ancient Rome, this book is accurate, enlightening and so much easier to read than a historical text about the Roman Empire.
It is a fun resource for students and teachers who are looking for a stimulating way to learn History, as well to people who travel to Italy interested in the Archaeology, religion, traditions and daily way of life two thousand years ago.
Anonymous
Posted Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2009
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Posted Mon Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2010
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More About This Textbook
Overview
This entertaining guide provides all the information a tourist needs for a journey back in time to ancient Rome in AD 200. You just have to pack your imagination and a toothbrush! Here is advice on arranging the sea journey to Italy, how to negotiate the road to Rome, and what to see on each of the city's famous seven hills. You'll learn what to take to a fancy dinner party (dining robe, your own napkin, and indoor shoes) and where to find the best markets and public baths.
A series of walks takes in all the sights of the eternal city, from the opulence of the imperial palace on the Palatine hill through the bustle of the Forum to the grandeur of the Pantheon and the Temple of Jupiter. The largest and most populous city in the ancient world has over one hundred spectacles to offer, including chariot races and events at the Colosseum where gladiators fight to the death. Philip Matyszak's ingenious book will appeal to anyone who has ever wondered what it would have been like to visit the greatest city of ancient times.
Editorial Reviews
Chicago Tribune
History buffs (or, indeed, anyone with a vivid imagination) will enjoy this witty and erudite—and most unusual—travel guide.KLIATT - Prof. John Rosser
The author is a specialist on ancient Rome, and has written several books on the subject, including Enemies of Rome and Chronicle of the Roman Republic. A companion book to this book is the author's Ancient Athens on 5 Drachmas a Day (see above). There are ten chapters in the book: I. Getting There (Puteoli, Hitting the Road); II. The Environs of Rome (Villas, Aqueducts, Tombs, The Pomerium, Walls & Gates); III. Settling In (Where to Stay—the Seven Hills, Types of Accommodation, Sanitary Facilities, Medical Emergencies, What to Wear, Food); IV. Out and About (Dining Out; Meeting People, Roman Names, The Social Order, Slaves, Family); V. Shopping (Where to Shop, Changing Money, What to Buy, Aediles); VI. Law and Order (Praetorians, Urban Cohorts, Vigiles, Crime, Law Courts, Prison, Punishment); VII. Entertainment (Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Theatre, Prostitution & Brothels); VIII. Religion (Temples to Visit, The Pantheon, Religious Festivals); IX. Must-See Sights (Forum of the Romans, Arch of Titus, Imperial Forums, Triumphal Columns, Tomb of St Peter, Baths); X. Roman Walks (The Palatine, Along the Tiber, The Campus Martius). The whole point of the book is to introduce the reader to the society of imperial Rome. Chapter IV, for example, includes information about dining out in Roman times, not how one dines out in modern Rome. The illustrations are superb, including some color plates that are stunning. The author's mastery of every aspect of Roman society is coupled with a brevity that Roman authors would have appreciated. Easy and fun to read, this book is packed with information and humor. Reviewer: Prof. John RosserProduct Details
Related Subjects
Meet the Author
Chronicle of the
Roman Republic,
and The Greek and Roman Myths. He lives in
British Columbia, Canada.