Orgy Planner Wanted
Odd Jobs and Curious Callings in the Ancient World
Published on 1. May 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-84724-373-7 (ISBN)
Description
Two thousand years ago, the denizens of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds performed an amazingly diverse and challenging array of tasks to earn their daily bread. Personal entrail-reader to the emperor; war-elephant troop commander; mopper-up of dead gladiators; armpit-hair plucker; stage actor; orgy planner: these are just a few of the career opportunities that beckoned for our ancient Mediterranean ancestors. In Orgy Planner Wanted author Vicki Leon describes - in uniquely vivid and energetic style - 144 ancient career options, from the glittering to the gory, and from the strangely familiar to the entirely strange and entirely unfamiliar. Each of the book's ten chapters focuses on a particular professional area - from sex to showbiz, from cookery to slavery and from divination to hairdressing - looking in detail at specific jobs in each category.
Sidebar profiles tell the stories of some 30 named jobholders - the likes of Spurrina Vestricius (personal entrail-reader to Julius Caesar), Publius and Lucius Sestius (traders in garum - a pungent fish-based forerunner of Worcestershire sauce), and Paris (a celebrated actor-dancer whose abortive attempts to teach the Emperor Nero to dance would ultimately lead to his demise). Orgy Planner Wanted offers a unique perspective on the world as it was 2000 years ago, and looks certain to be one of the most intriguing and unputdownable popular history titles of 2007.
Sidebar profiles tell the stories of some 30 named jobholders - the likes of Spurrina Vestricius (personal entrail-reader to Julius Caesar), Publius and Lucius Sestius (traders in garum - a pungent fish-based forerunner of Worcestershire sauce), and Paris (a celebrated actor-dancer whose abortive attempts to teach the Emperor Nero to dance would ultimately lead to his demise). Orgy Planner Wanted offers a unique perspective on the world as it was 2000 years ago, and looks certain to be one of the most intriguing and unputdownable popular history titles of 2007.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 132 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84724-373-7 (9781847243737)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Vicki Leon is a travel writer, publisher, historian and author of the successful Uppity Women in History series. She has nurtured a lifelong passion for the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean, and when she is not on the road researching new books, she divides her time between Washington and California, USA.
Content
Acknowledgements Money Matters in the Ancient World Introduction 1. My Boss is a Real Slave-Driver: Pirate; Mangon; Clock-watcher; Hoplite slave; Silver miner; Tiro; Gladiator slave; Nomenclator; Scribe; Ornatrix; Clessipus; Slave roundup; Slave roundup; Vicarius; Valerian. 2. Professional Virgins & More Profane Callings: Priest roundup; Prostitute; Soul conductor; Dream incubator; Rent boy; Spurrina; Amulet maker; Vestal Virgin; Lycoris; Pullarius; Victimarius, popa, cultrarius; Augur; Astrologer; Pancrates. 3. Avocations Up & Down the Alimentary Canal: Farmer; Beekeeper; Phryne; Cook; Physician; Aquarius; Frumentarius; Laborer; Baker; Garum manufacturer; Fishmonger; Dental specialist; Foretaster; Stercorarius; Winemaker; Wine critic. 4. The Law & Disorder Professions: Archer-cop; Vigil; Praetorian prefect; Lictor; Lucky Bulla; Lucinius Lucullus; Legionary; Amanirenas; War-elephant commander; Marius; Mercenary; Slinger; Sailor; Rower. 5. Slick Talkers & Muse Seekers: Apelles; Maskmaker, costume designer; Actor; Die engraver; Musician; Author, playwright, poet; Potter, vase painter; Sculptor, et al; Muralist; Mosaic artist; Signwriter; Sentia Secunda; Apollodorus; Teacher; Tour guide. 6. Small-time Operators, Corporate Rackets: Olive-oil wholesaler; Pasion; Perfumer; Amber scout; Publisher-bookseller; Cephalus; Barber; Garland-maker; Jeweler; Litter carrier; Seller of purple; Armpit plucker; Silphium importer; Cobbler; Surgeon. 7. At Least I'm in Show Biz: Herodoros; Comedian; Theogenes; Faction master; Charioteer; Diocles; Horse breeder; Ticket tout; Doctor; Editor; Editor; Auctoratus; Gladiatrix; Beast supplier; Water-organist. 8. Have T-square, Will Travel: Plumber; Contractor; Andronicus; Mapmaker; Hydraulic engineer; Sostratos; Dioscorides; Astronomer; Sergius Orata; Carpenter; Frontinus; Salvage diver; Brick manufacturer; Architect; Surveyor; Highway builder. 9. Glamorous Posts & Unsavory Occupations: Liturgist; Gymnasiarch; Sophist; Tattooer; Tax farmer; Bookie; Curse-tablet maker; Crassus; Accusation specialist; Julia Balbilla; Fuller; Felicissimus; Auctioneer; Roscius. 10. Doomed Careers & Deathless Pursuits: Orgy Planner; Parasite; Cryptologist; Town crier; Sycophant; Democedes & Milo; Olympic judge; Fast-food entrepreneur; Librarian; Callimachus; Postal worker; Topiarius; Anointer; Underwear maker; Census taker; Undertaker; Funeral clown. Bibliography Index