
- 368 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
WINNER OF THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE 2008
'The world's most controversial classicist debunks our movie-style myths about the Roman town with meticulous scholarship and propulsive energy' Laura Silverman, Daily Mail
The ruins of Pompeii, buried by an explosion of Vesuvius in 79 CE, offer the best evidence we have of everyday life in the Roman empire. This remarkable book rises to the challenge of making sense of those remains, as well as exploding many myths: the very date of the eruption, probably a few months later than usually thought; or the hygiene of the baths which must have been hotbeds of germs; or the legendary number of brothels, most likely only one; or the massive death count, maybe less than ten per cent of the population.
An extraordinary and involving portrait of an ancient town, its life and its continuing re-discovery, by Britain's favourite classicist.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Plan of Pompeii
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 Living in an Old City
- Chapter 2 Street Life
- Chapter 3 House and Home
- Chapter 4 Painting and Decorating
- Chapter 5 Earning a Living: Baker, Banker and Garum Maker
- Chapter 6 Who Ran the City?
- Chapter 7 The Pleasures of the Body: Food, Wine, Sex and Baths
- Chapter 8 Fun and Games
- Chapter 9 A City Full of Gods
- Epilogue
- Color Plates
- Making a Visit
- Further Reading
- Acknowledgements
- List of Figures
- List of Illustrations
- Index