Every Day Life in Ancient Rome

Children's Literature

From Rome's beginnings in 700 B.C. as a cluster of peasants' huts, to the building of a great empire and then on through to the empire's demise, the various aspects of every day life are described in skillfully-illustrated, two-page spreads. Some pages feature inside/outside views with acetate overlays. The author punctures stereotypes, mentioning that although we tend to think of Romans as city people, far more "citizens" lived in the country. He points out that while Rome did not produce such great thinkers and artists as ancient Greece, in technical matters like building roads, bridges and sewers, the Romans were far superior. When the author discusses women in ancient Rome, he mentions that we have fewer resources about mothers and daughters, adding that perhaps this happened because records we have were written by men—a very telling comment. He starts by describing life in Iron Age Italy and then continues by describing life in Rome in general. He provides detailed descriptions about shops and markets, inns and taverns (complete with takeout), the baths, a house, its kitchen, children, the Colosseum, circus and theater, soldiers, religion, farming, workers and crafts, and trade. This excellent richly illustrated overview would be enhanced with a bibliography. It is part of the "Uncovering History" series and includes an index. 2004 (orig. 2001), Smart Apple Media, Ages 9 to Adult.
— Janet Crane Barley