The Ancient Roman City

by John E. Stambaugh

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.

Genres: History, Cities, Roman History, Classical Studies, Archaeology, Italy, Ancient

416 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1988

Reviews

[Randy Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book, considering that it gives an overview of a thousand years of development. It managed to strike the balance between summary and detail, anecdotal snapshots and more scholarly analysis. The only real frustration I had was the poor organization and presentation of the maps, figures and plates. The drawings themselves were usually fantastic, but the legends and descriptive notes were often nearly useless. Basic things like North arrows or consistent orientation were non-existent. It seems like many of these images were cut from other texts and dropped randomly throughout this one, without bothering to recreate the context or establish a coherent method of tagging and captioning the content and tying to what one was reading. Baffling, really, considering how thoughtful and fine-tuned the author's narrative was.

But, all in all, a great overview and starting point for further reading on ancient Rome.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Lots of great facts. Reads almost like a guide prior to going to Rome.

[Rob Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative book! I enjoyed reading it for a trip to Rome (but it is a difficult read if you aren't very motivated)

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has a touch of the sociology of 'Invisible Romans,' but it's much more oriented to the student of architecture and planning. The most intriguing contribution is not necessarily the dissection of the city of Rome, but the cities of Thamagudi, Ostia and Arelate. Congrats, Stambaugh. Loved it.

[Chrissy · Rating 1 out of 5]

As I don't remember much of it at all, I have to assume that it was not a very fine textbook.