
A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities
Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the World's Greatest Empire
J. C. Mckeown(Autor*in)
Oxford University Press Inc
Erschienen am 22. Juli 2010
Buch
Hardcover
272 Seiten
978-0-19-539375-0 (ISBN)
Beschreibung
The ancient Romans have left us far more information about themselves than has any other Western society until much more recent times. But what we know about them is sometimes bizarre, and hardly fits the conventional view of the Romans as a pragmatic people with a ruthlessly efficient army and a very logical and well ordered language.
A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities is a serendipitous collection of odd facts and opinions, carefully gleaned from the wide body of evidence left to us by the Romans themselves. Each highlights a unique and curious feature of life in ancient Rome. Readers will find a plethora of trivial but fascinating facts about Rome, from the fantastical (a description of werewolves) to the quotidian (styles of chamber pots), and from the refined (dining etiquette of Pompeiians) to the crude (punishments for mutineers). The author has organized the entries around major themes--e.g., The Army, Women, Education, Foreigners, Spectacles, etc.--making the book easily accessible for quick browsing or for more deliberate consumption. Throughout, the purpose of the enterprise is to amuse and to stimulate an interest in the ancient world's most remarkable and abundantly documented empire.
A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities is a serendipitous collection of odd facts and opinions, carefully gleaned from the wide body of evidence left to us by the Romans themselves. Each highlights a unique and curious feature of life in ancient Rome. Readers will find a plethora of trivial but fascinating facts about Rome, from the fantastical (a description of werewolves) to the quotidian (styles of chamber pots), and from the refined (dining etiquette of Pompeiians) to the crude (punishments for mutineers). The author has organized the entries around major themes--e.g., The Army, Women, Education, Foreigners, Spectacles, etc.--making the book easily accessible for quick browsing or for more deliberate consumption. Throughout, the purpose of the enterprise is to amuse and to stimulate an interest in the ancient world's most remarkable and abundantly documented empire.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
McKeown's scholia are tersely informative, enlivened by pertinent modern analogues, myth puncturing ... and dry witticisms. * Barry Baldwin, Fortean Times * Enjoyable surendipitous rummage. * Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman * A fascinating social history which should appeal to a wide readership. * Anthony Looch, Oxford Mail * Anyone dipping into this serendipitous book,,,will find enough surprising facts and strange tales to satisfy the most voracious quizzer. * Daily Mail, Michael Simkins * The book could persuade the most history-hating student to fall in love with ancient Rome. * James McConnachi, Sunday Times * Even for confirmed classicists, it's a highly entertaining read. * James McConnachie, Sunday Times * McKeown has provided us with an amazing jumble of information ... This amusing little collection would make a nice gift for graduating Classics majors or friends interested in Rome. * William K. Freiert, International Journal of Classical Tradition *Weitere Details
Sprache
Englisch
Verlagsort
New York
USA
Produkt-Hinweis
Klebebindung
Pappband
mit Schutzumschlag
Illustrationen
numerous halftones
Maße
Höhe: 216 mm
Breite: 150 mm
Dicke: 30 mm
Gewicht
437 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-539375-0 (9780195393750)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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J. C. Mckeown
A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities
Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the World's Greatest Empire
E-Book
06/2010
1. Auflage
OUP eBook
7,49 €
Als Download verfügbar

J. C. Mckeown
A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities
Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the World's Greatest Empire
E-Book
06/2010
1. Auflage
OUP eBook
7,49 €
Als Download verfügbar
Person
Professor of Classics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Inhalt
Chapter I. Family Life
Chapter II. Women
Chapter III. Names
Chapter IV. Education
Chapter V. The Army
Chapter VI. Romans At Sea
Chapter VII. The Law
Chapter VIII. Farming
Chapter IX. Medicine
Chapter X. Religion & Superstition
Chapter XI. The Life Of The Mind
Chapter XII. Foreigners
Chapter XIII. Slaves
Chapter XIV. Animals
Chapter XV. Spectacles
Chapter XVI. Food & Drink
Chapter XVII. Decadence
Chapter XVIII. Buildings
Chapter XIX. Pompeii & Herculaneum
Chapter XX. Toilets
Chapter XXI. Not For The Puritanical
Chapter XXII. Tempus Fugit
Chapter XXIII. Kings, Consuls, & Emperors
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Chapter II. Women
Chapter III. Names
Chapter IV. Education
Chapter V. The Army
Chapter VI. Romans At Sea
Chapter VII. The Law
Chapter VIII. Farming
Chapter IX. Medicine
Chapter X. Religion & Superstition
Chapter XI. The Life Of The Mind
Chapter XII. Foreigners
Chapter XIII. Slaves
Chapter XIV. Animals
Chapter XV. Spectacles
Chapter XVI. Food & Drink
Chapter XVII. Decadence
Chapter XVIII. Buildings
Chapter XIX. Pompeii & Herculaneum
Chapter XX. Toilets
Chapter XXI. Not For The Puritanical
Chapter XXII. Tempus Fugit
Chapter XXIII. Kings, Consuls, & Emperors
Glossary
Acknowledgements