An Illustrated Guide to Life in Ancient Rome: society, religion, culture : A cultural history of the Roman Empire, celebrating the architecture, art, customs and rituals of one of the world’s greatest civilizations

The art, architecture and culture in ancient Rome have shaped the world we live in today. In this magnificently illustrated history the everyday world of ancient Rome is revealed in fascinating detail.

Classical sculptures, paintings and mosaics, ancient letters, records and artworks all help show how real people lived during one of the cultural peaks of world history. Detailed cross-sections and beautiful drawings of the Colosseum, the Pantheon and other World Heritage sites reveal Roman construction techniques and architectural styles. The poems of Virgil, Horace and Ovid, and prose writers such as Cicero, Seneca and Pliny are still read today. Daily life is explored in contemporary accounts of sports and games in the arenas, work and play at the baths, the theatre, the forum, and the woman's domain of the home. The world of ancient Rome is not only discovered in its grand art and architecture but also in the lives of its citizens, from emperor to slave. Find out more about the scandalous lives of such notorious emperors as Caligula and Nero, and the controversial histories of such leading citizens as Mark Antony, the great general and famous lover, and Pliny the Elder, who died at Pompeii. Slaves were an intrinsic part of many ancient societies but some Roman slaves were educated and promoted, and some were freed and granted citizenship. An empire open to many different cults and beliefs, laws and language, art and architecture, religion and philosophy created an incredible cultural fusion. With its wealth of photographs and illustrations, cross-sections and artworks, this informative and inspiring book will be a constantly illuminating reference in any library. How the Romans lived: an exploration of art, architecture, religion and customs, laws and literature, society and family, culture and lifestyle. Mosaics, paintings and sculpture; poems, plays and prose; amphitheatres, baths and temples; the many gods and goddesses of ancient Rome: all help tell the story of how people lived, worshipped and interacted during one of the cultural peaks of world history. Detailed cross-sections and drawings of the Colosseum, the Pantheon and other beautiful World Heritage buildings reveal Roman construction techniques and architectural styles. Find out about everyday lives and routines in the home for families, women, children and slaves as well as the sometimes shocking lives of notorious emperors as Caligula and Nero and the controversial histories of leading citizens, including Mark Antony and Ovid. An authoritative and accessible text is augmented with 450 photographs, illustrations, maps and diagrams.