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A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome: Daily Life, Mysteries, and Curiosities Paperback – May 26, 2009

by Alberto Angela (Author), Gregory Conti (Translator)

125 ratings

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The wondrous extravagance of banquets where flamingos are roasted whole and wine flows like rivers. The roar of frenzied spectators inside the Colosseum during a battle between gladiators. A crowd of onlookers gathered at a slave auction. The silent baths and the boisterous taverns...Many books have dealt with the history of ancient Rome, but none has been able to so engage its readers in the daily life of the Imperial capital.

This extraordinary armchair tour, guided by Alberto Angela with the charm of a born storyteller, lasts twenty-four hours, beginning at dawn on an ordinary day in the year 115 CE, with Imperial Rome at the height of its power. The reader wakes in a rich patrician home and discovers frescoes, opulent furnishings and richly appointed boudoirs. Strolling though the splendors of the Roman Forum, one overhears both erudite opinions from learned orators and local ribaldry floating out from the public latrines. One meets the intense gazes of Roman matriarchs strolling the streets, looks on as a banquet is prepared, and is afforded a peek into the sexual habits and fetishes of Roman patricians and plebs. For all those who have ever dreamed of traveling back in time, Alberto Angela's narrative style will prove thoroughly satisfying. Rich in atmosphere and historical information, A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome is a voyage into a world both distant to us in time and surprisingly near in its habits, mores, and passions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome

"Angela's rigorous research and populist style, aided by Conti's seamless translation, should fascinate casual readers as well as dedicated Italophiles.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Alberto Angela makes an important but often complicated subject fascinating and accessible. The reader is catapulted into a day in the Imperial capital and uncovers affinities, secrets, curiosities, and anecdotes about the inhabitants of ancient Rome . . . Angela transforms his book into a kind of three-dimensional set in which the reader strolls, visiting homes, markets, open air school, baths, and even public latrines."
—Il Giornale

"One discovers a wealth of details about the curious habits of ancient Romans, from their recipes to their tastes in interior design, from life in the Insulae, the giant Roman housing projects, to the shocking slave markets."
—Il Corriere della Sera

"A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome feels like a cinematic tour through the apartments and streets of ancient Rome. [The book] is an excellent introduction to the daily life of Roman, likely to inspire further interest in Roman history for the reader."
—Bookslut

"In this scrupulous portrait of ancient Rome, Alberto Angela breathes life into history's intimate aspects, paying homage to that history made not by great figures but by individuals, those citizens of Rome whose daily habits and energies contributed to the grandeur and power of the Roman Empire."
—Agora Magazine

“A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome produces a remarkably illustrative overview of how Romans of that time lived. Angela has succeeded at delivering a large quantity of information with an affable, inviting style.”
—Kristin Merrihew, MostlyFiciton Book Reviews

"Reading this book is like being with a tour guide who has taken you back in time, and is giving you a day’s guided tour of 115 CE Rome.”
—EmmabBooks

“This is a wonderful book for lovers of history and novices alike.”
—History and other Thoughts

About the Author

Alberto Angela hosts two of Italy's most popular science television programs, Superquake and Ulisse. He is the author of Life-sized Museums (1988) and, with his father Piero Angela, The Extraordinary Story of a Growing Life (1996), Sharks (1997), and Voyage in the Cosmos (1998).

Gregory Conti teaches at the University of Perugia and the University of Rochester. His published translations include works by Rosetta Loy, Mario Rigoni Stern, and Tiziano Scarpa. Most recently, he translated Capital and Language by Christian Marazzi and The Templars by Barbara Frale.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Europa Editions
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 26, 2009
Edition ‏ : ‎ Later prt.
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1933372710
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933372716
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.11 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #413,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,098 in Humorous Fiction
- #17,929 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- #29,644 in Historical Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
125 ratings

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Customers find the book entertainingly written, with one mentioning it's particularly enjoyable while traveling in Italy. Moreover, the information quality receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as detailed and informative, making it a good reference book.

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Readability Information quality Entertainment value

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertainingly written and easy to read, with an interesting format. One customer mentions it's particularly enjoyable while traveling in Italy.

"...and absorb the details because it provides such a rich, immersive reading experience...." Read more

"...Interesting way for writing and easy to read about Rome during the time of Trajan. Walks you through a typical day of a resident of Rome." Read more

"...Anyway, the book is wonderful and it was in perfect condition." Read more

"Am enjoying this book... Lots of interesting facts and details about daily life in Rome. A fun and easy read...." Read more

16 customers mention "Information quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched, with entertaining details about everyday life in ancient Rome, making it a good reference book.

"...some time to get through and absorb the details because it provides such a rich, immersive reading experience...." Read more

"Am enjoying this book... Lots of interesting facts and details about daily life in Rome. A fun and easy read...." Read more

"...this book would have easily got 4 or 5 stars from me, as it is very informative." Read more

"The format of the book it very interesting. The details put in here were excellent...." Read more

3 customers mention "Entertainment value"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining.

"...A fun and easy read...." Read more

"I read this before a recent trip to Rome and found it fascinating...." Read more

"Informative and entertaining. A good read while traveling in Italy..." Read more

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Kimberly
Great Tool for Writers
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2014
Verified Purchase

I'm using this book as "research" for writing fiction so it is taking some time to get through and absorb the details because it provides such a rich, immersive reading experience. I just finished the section wherein the author attempts to wrap a 21st century outlook on how the ancients viewed slavery. The analogy given was very helpful even as it was appalling to modern sensibilities. I anticipate using much of the atmosphere of this book in my future novel. (I can't comment as to whether or not it is truly historically accurate, though it reads as extremely plausible, as I am not versed on the subject. I don't plan to write a historical novel so I don't have to worry about it.) I definitely recommend to lovers of history and writers alike.

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Mary Surman
This could be boring but isn't
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2021
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My daughter got this as a textbook-- I picked it up to see what it was about. Interesting way for writing and easy to read about Rome during the time of Trajan. Walks you through a typical day of a resident of Rome.

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Danno
So cool!
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2018
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I am not an avid reader and it takes a lot to hold my interest, but this book certainly did! The history is so interesting and the way the book is written it made me feel I was actually back in Ancient Rome as an observer. So cool!

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Mercedes Rochelle
Fine details from everyday life
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2016
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A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome can be taken essentially as a written TV documentary. In fact, author Alberto Angela is in the television business which takes him around the world, making him a very cosmopolitan tour guide. He brings his skills to this interesting day-long trip through Trajan’s Rome at the height of the empire, c.115 CE (AD is no longer politically correct). Alberto takes an unusual approach, but it really worked for me. We are strangers—almost ghosts—who start walking through the city at dawn, peeking into private houses, strolling through public buildings, checking out the forums, attending the games and later a Senator’s banquet. All the while the author describes details to us that are usually left out of our basic education. For instance, we watch a woman in the marketplace so the author can describe how Romans count: “The woman makes the horns sign with her thumb, index, and little finger. But the customer doesn’t get flustered; evidently it’s not an insult. What does it mean? Our curiosity piqued, we walk over to get closer. ‘Four,’ she says. The horn sign must mean four.” And so on. The next page, we get a chart showing the different hand positions and what they (probably) mean. Frankly I never thought about how Romans count, so this was quite useful to me. Later on, Alberto gives us a lesson about the value of money in terms we can relate to today: “In contemporary terms, a sestertius is worth about two Euros, or two and a half dollars…1 quart of olive oil = 3 sestertii = $7.50…1 admission to the baths = ¼ sestertius (1 as) = $0.65…1 slave = 1200-2500 sestertii = $3,150 - $6,300.”

Of course, no discussion about Rome would be complete without the baths: “Come to think of it, all our imagined reconstructions of ancient Rome are ‘clean’. In reality, they are missing an important detail: smoke… wood is the fuel of the great public baths, ecological monsters that burn trees nonstop, day after day, month after month, year after year—For centuries, almost without interruption.” That certainly puts things into perspective! Of course, the baths are a thing of beauty and a major part of the daily routine. They are also more than just a series of rooms; you get “gardens, woods, statues, and fountains…The only places you can enjoy this type of atmosphere today are the parks of big modern cities.” This book is full of such anecdotes which makes ancient Rome resound with images (both in words and in drawings) that bring everyday people closer to our points of view and make them something we can relate to. Although to me it seemed like the book was written in one draft, I found it very enjoyable and learned much I will find useful in the future.

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7 people found this helpful

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MRM
Perfect Condition
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
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This was not an easy book to find. The seller worked hard to get it to me. Due to Covid-19 and the mail service was somewhat slow (not the sellers fault). Anyway, the book is wonderful and it was in perfect condition.

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Peanut jelly and butter
Fun read
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2011
Verified Purchase
Am enjoying this book... Lots of interesting facts and details about daily life in Rome. A fun and easy read. Some facts are more random than others, but if you're the type to wonder what it was like to live back in ancient times, then you'd like this book. Love it!

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Ian Cooper
Clunky translation of a neat and educational book.
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2017
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A nice look into daily life in ancient Rome. However, the translation is often frustratingly poor, especially when the author refers to names: for example, the Roman consul Sulla is called "Silla", which is the current Italian spelling, but for an English speaker it makes no sense, especially since the classical latin spelling of this consul's name is the same as it is in English. Sulla was a rather famous (or infamous) dictator in ancient Rome, so the error is quite confusing for those of us unaware of the modern Italian translation. I had to look the name up online to figure out who the author was talking about. One or two references to somewhat well-known latin quotes are also mistranslated (or poorly translated). This sort of clunky translation happens a number of times, and it tends to halt the flow of the book, as the reader tries to figure out what the author means. With a better translation, this book would have easily got 4 or 5 stars from me, as it is very informative.

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10 people found this helpful

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Linda C Marchman
A lot of research went into this book so references are authentic
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2013
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I chose this rating because I am interested in all things about Italy and this book followed a person who spent a day roaming around the city. Comparisons are made between the setting, which is 110 CE to later years and earlier years. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in ancient history, architecture, or just how the Roman people lived in that time period.
I have read other accounts about Rome in the early days but most dealt with wars and military accomplishments which I am not interested in.

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krisley
Detalhado e interessantíssimo
Reviewed in Brazil on November 3, 2019
Verified Purchase

Escrito pelo italiano Alberto Angela e traduzido do italiano para o inglês por Gregory Conti, o livro narra um dia na Roma de 115 E.C., durante o reinado de Trajano, um dos períodos de maior poder e extensão territorial do Império Romano.

O autor “caminha” pela cidade interagindo com a população e descrevendo o que vê, permitindo ao leitor uma visão mais detalhada da vida na Roma daquela época. Dentre as diversas curiosidades e informações, podem-se destacar: como os romanos faziam fogo; escovavam os dentes; tomavam banho; quando, como e o quê comiam; como se vestiam; como escreviam e liam; os diferentes tipos de habitações; maquiagem e penteados das mulheres; como os homens se barbeavam; engenharia e arquitetura urbanas; leis; descrição da estrutura do Coliseu, do cronograma e da experiência de um dia de evento; o “código moral” a respeito das orientações e atos sexuais; moedas e poder de compra; vida, direitos e venda de escravos; entre outros.

Apesar de ser um livro de não-ficção, o autor descreve interações ficcionais entre os moradores da cidade, normalmente baseado em epitáfios, pinturas ou documentos históricos, dando vida à soldados, gladiadores, escravos, trabalhadores regulares, professores, entre outros, mostrando um pouco de como era o dia a dia dessas pessoas.

Essa edição da “Europa editions” conta com capa comum, papel de alta gramatura, tipografia muito bem-feita e pouco mais de 10 ilustrações de alta resolução em preto e branco ao longo do texto. Tamanho um pouco menor que o padrão nacional, mas maior que um livro de bolso.

Recomendadíssimo para quem quer ter uma visão mais detalhada da vida na Roma Antiga.

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krisley

Detalhado e interessantíssimo

Reviewed in Brazil on November 3, 2019
Escrito pelo italiano Alberto Angela e traduzido do italiano para o inglês por Gregory Conti, o livro narra um dia na Roma de 115 E.C., durante o reinado de Trajano, um dos períodos de maior poder e extensão territorial do Império Romano.

O autor “caminha” pela cidade interagindo com a população e descrevendo o que vê, permitindo ao leitor uma visão mais detalhada da vida na Roma daquela época. Dentre as diversas curiosidades e informações, podem-se destacar: como os romanos faziam fogo; escovavam os dentes; tomavam banho; quando, como e o quê comiam; como se vestiam; como escreviam e liam; os diferentes tipos de habitações; maquiagem e penteados das mulheres; como os homens se barbeavam; engenharia e arquitetura urbanas; leis; descrição da estrutura do Coliseu, do cronograma e da experiência de um dia de evento; o “código moral” a respeito das orientações e atos sexuais; moedas e poder de compra; vida, direitos e venda de escravos; entre outros.

Apesar de ser um livro de não-ficção, o autor descreve interações ficcionais entre os moradores da cidade, normalmente baseado em epitáfios, pinturas ou documentos históricos, dando vida à soldados, gladiadores, escravos, trabalhadores regulares, professores, entre outros, mostrando um pouco de como era o dia a dia dessas pessoas.

Essa edição da “Europa editions” conta com capa comum, papel de alta gramatura, tipografia muito bem-feita e pouco mais de 10 ilustrações de alta resolução em preto e branco ao longo do texto. Tamanho um pouco menor que o padrão nacional, mas maior que um livro de bolso.

Recomendadíssimo para quem quer ter uma visão mais detalhada da vida na Roma Antiga.

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John7474
Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2017
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A very interesting account of life in ancient Rome for the various classes of people who lived here.

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Guide Book to Ancient Rome
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2013
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This is a wonderful book. It's very easy to read but packed full of fascinating facts, anecdotes and information. It really does bring Ancient Rome alive and is an excellent and very attractive addition to anyone's book collection. I am lucky enough to be going to Rome in a few weeks so bought it to deepen my knowledge of the period. The author "leads" us through Rome in a day, from pre-dawn for 24 hours. It covers all levels of society, food, buildings, habits, attitudes, relationships etc. He explains and describes with reference and comparison to modern civilisation, occasionally deviating to other cities in the empire and wider background information. This is a brilliant book for everyone interested in the Roman Empire and the people who were part of it.

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Geoff Taylor
Brings Ancient Rome to life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2014
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Having just returned from a first visit to Rome, I ordered this book after seeing it for sale in the Colliseum. The title stuck with me so I later purchased it and reading it brings my whole Rome visit to life as it was in the days of the Empire. Brilliant story about day to day life for the subjects of the Empire. Very good on two levels: one as an historical record and secondly to bring any present day visit to Rome into contrast with the past, it truly enhances your imagination of those times. Also a very easy read, not at all heavy going.

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jameschapman
being there
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
i am currently in the process of writing a novel set in ancient rome and this book is excellent for details on the city and its sights,smells,day to day goings on indeed there is not much that went on there that is not in this book its a first class volume if you want the feel of roman life i would recommend it

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5.0 out of 5 stars Detalhado e interessantíssimo

Detalhado e interessantíssimo

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5.0 out of 5 stars Guide Book to Ancient Rome

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings Ancient Rome to life

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being there