Traveler's Guide to the Ancient World: The Roman Empire

by Ray Laurence

THIS IS H/C WITH D/J BOOK. THE ROMAN EMPIRE - ROME AND ITS ENVIRONS IN THE YEAR 100 CE. A CONCISE BACKGROUND TO THE HISTORY, POLITICS, AND PEOPLE OF ANCIENT ROME.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Roman, Ancient History, Adult

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not being a lover of travel books this was approached with some trepidation, but all fear was for nought. This little guide is so detailed that you can still trace your way through the ruins with a good deal of accuracy. Set in a very historical point in Romes life, although it would be a great spoiler, I will not say.

An excellent book for lovers of ancient Rome who want a real guide book.

[Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another appealing entry in the (short) series of travel guides written for contemporary travelers visiting a major city of the ancient world - in this case, the Eternal City in the year 300 CE. The guide's unusual approach gives it something of a shoebox diorama quality - it's not the right way to convey a lot of kinds of historical or cultural analysis, but what it does, it does very well. When you superimpose Ancient Rome onto the way one thinks about visiting another city today, the similarities and differences between our modern and Rome's ancient cultures really stand out, in a way that they don't when simply listed in a text. For example, the guidebook offers advice on finding lodging, on entertainment, on religion (keep yours private, especially if you are a Christian), on health care (whatever you do, don't drink from the Tiber, swim in the Tiber, or eat any fish caught from the Tiber). It's fun as a stand-alone read; even better if you're reading books about the late Empire or its fall.

[Dominique "Eerie" Sobieska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written to the fictitious traveler of the 4th century, The Traveler's Guide to the Ancient World: Ancient Rome offers suffice detail for anyone looking for a quick tour and ample historical accounts. Unfortunately, it is not a tool I would use for learning in depths about Roman history as it lacks many fundamental details. This would be a good tool for young children up to the age of 12, as a research book to learn about the history of Rome and how it shaped our world today (or at least until the 4th century).

[Petr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Czech/English

Velice zajímavá kombinace - stylem je to turistický průvodce, ale pojednává o Římu v roce 300 n. l. Popis je tedy vskutku dělaný jako byste tam byli a měli možnost jednotlivá místa navštívit. Styl psaní je živý a modernímu čtenáři srozumitelný i bez zbytečných berliček (např. se používá stále římský letopočet a ne náš). Všiml jsem si jediného opakujícího se odkazování na současnost - jména měst, která bývají doplněna moderním názvem v závorkách. Kniha obsahuje i odkazy na další odborné publikace nebo zmiňuje dobové prameny. Co bych vytkl jsou zejména ilustrace, nebylo by na škodu obsahovat buď dobově stylizované ilustrace nebo klidně i barevné obrázky. Kresby mi přišly vskutku jen ilustrační, avšak ne nápomocné.

A nice combination of a tourist guide and a book about history. The language and style keeps you immersed in the world and references modern terms only when necessary (e.g. city names are mentioned). The thing I did not like were the illustrations, they could have been a lot better in order do really help the imagination. Now they seem cheap and often very vague.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is lovely -- "Lonely Planet" for the historical traveler. The kind of book you can read cover to cover, or simply dip in and out of...but the overall experience remains satisfying and informative. A lovely work of scholarship & imagination. Perfect for use in the classroom or your own personal enjoyment and edification.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little read and gives a good summary of life in Rome in imperial times.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written as a contemporary guidebook as though the year is 300 AD.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be taught by Ray Laurence and this book is brilliant its a quick short read that makes Ancient History accessible to those who have not been lucky enough to study it.

[Heather Hartsel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written like a travel book about ancient Rome.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best. Idea. Ever.