LAST SUPPER IN POMPEII

by Paul Roberts, Maria Laura Iadanza, Lisa Lodwick

-Brand new research based on the excavation of drains and rubbish pits -Newly commissioned photography from both Pompeii and Naples -Further new research on the first ever excavation of a Roman vineyard - one near Oplontis - which is at the foot of Vesuvius, between the volcano and Pompeii Last Supper in Pompeii looks at the traditions of Roman dining - including its political and religious role, and the ever-present link between feasting and death. Pompeii has always been one of our most valuable sources of information because of the sudden preservation in the midst of life. The catalogue covers where the Romans got their ideas from; the influence of Etruscans and Italics (who had themselves been influenced by the Greeks); the production and distribution of food around Pompeii; a look at the role of food and feasting in the Roman house; the arrival of the Romans in Britain, and the impact on dining there. Contents: 1. Foreword; 2. Introduction; 3. Where did Roman ideas on food come from; 3.1 Etruscans; 3.2 Etruscans (Diet and archaeological evidence); 3.3 Italics - Paestum; 3.4 Fondo Ioszzino (Massimo Osanna); 3.5 Pompeii 5-4 century BC grave group; 4. Production; 4.1 Literary sources; 4.2 Archaeological evidence; 4.3 Villa B (Giuseppe Scarpati) pop-up: 750 words, 4 images; 5. House; 5.1 Atrium; 5.2 Garden - intro and sources; 5.3 Garden - general; 5.4 Garden - food of the gods; 5.5 Dining Room; 5.6 Bracciale d'Oro; 5.7 Kitchen; 5.8 Conservation project bronzes; 5.9 Latrine contents; 6. Britannia; 6.1 General; 6.2 Production and distribution; 6.3 Food, diet and archaeological evidence (Iron Age); 6.4 Food, diet and archaeological evidence (Roman Britain); 6.5 Dining; 6.6 Death; 7. Death and Pompeii; 7.1 General; 7.2 Resin Lady (context, discovery, possessions); 7.3 Resin lady (scientific analysis); 8. Index of Objects: Tombstone info and bibliography for all displayed objects. Published to accompany the exhibition 'Last Supper in Pompeii' which runs from 25 July 2019 to 12 January 2020 at the Ashmolean, Oxford.

296 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2019

About the author

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Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently saw this catalog’s exhibit at one of my local museums. Mask mandates and limited capacity/physical distancing rules were still in place at the time and I felt safe enough to see the exhibit in its entirety. It was an interesting exhibit but I thought I’d also read this exhibit catalog after I saw it. I often read the catalogs before I see exhibits. I wasn’t sure if I needed to read the book but I’m glad that I did. There was much more in the book than in the exhibition, though there were some objects that were not in the book that were at the museum, such as the food remnants, and there was a video as well. The book is well written, interesting, text heavy but with great photos & other images. I recommend seeing the exhibition and reading the book, though doing one or the other is enough to get a satisfying experience. I learned a lot from both. Excellent museum exhibit catalog! 4-1/2 stars

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We thoroughly enjoyed the Exhibition in the Ashmolean Museum back in early 2020 and sadly, it has taken me all this time to read the catalogue, but so glad that I did, as it brought back memories not only of the exhibition but also our holiday in Pompeii and surrounding Campania. The catalogue has so much more detail that in the exhibition itself. It was also easier to read than some museum catalogue, with shorter more focused chapters and articles.