As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History, 2nd Edition 2nd Edition

This book was required reading for a Roman Civilization class, but we only read a few selections from it as supplementary evidence for other things we were studying, but since graduation I’ve had the opportunity to read it cover-to-cover and am surprised to find what enjoyable reading the book is on its own. Basically the book is a collection of excerpts from primary sources. In addition to the selections from contemporary writers, the author also includes inscriptions from gravestones and architectural monuments, graffiti, and personal correspondence of ordinary people. Some of the excerpts are funny, but a number of them are surprisingly moving and very disturbing, such as the letter from a soldier on the frontier to his pregnant wife at home. He writes that if she has a boy that she should keep it, but if it is a girl that she should expose it. The reader gets a really good idea of how the Romans thought and what their values were from their own words. The author has provided extensive footnotes, serviceable maps, and a comprehensive bibliography. This book, in tandem with Charles Boren’s ROMAN SOCIETY, provides an excellent foundation for further studies in the culture of Ancient Rome. Highly recommended! Five Stars!

Bought this book on a lark, intrigued by its presentation format: snippets with Ancient Roman live anecdotes, to illustrate the snippets' meaning. I didn't expect a comprehensive and incisive organization to the material, but that's what I got. Shelton picks the right things to analyze, writes extremely well. Terms are defined, comparison to modern American life is made, so you can more readily appreciate what it was like to be a 'Roman'.Buy this book, pair it up with the Adkins' 'Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome' (also here at Amazon): then you'll have a ready reference to the very many categories which relate to the question, 'what was it like to be alive, BACK THEN?'

I have lots and lots of books on the Greek and Roman worlds. Source books and texts. Historical-fiction and Reviews. This book give a board look at Roman live under easy to follow heading IN THEIR OWN WORDS. What a wonderful giftThe. If you are interested in the day to day life of the peoples who made up the great empire - here it is! It is easy to read and it is in their own words. I love it. (only draw back are some limited examples on very interesting headings). No enough to stop you for a minute from purchasing this great, fun, factual book!

An excellent resource for any student learning about the Romans, their customs, as well as history-- with primary quotations and passages attached to every topic covered in this book. I have used this book for numerous courses as well as some major research papers and it has proven its worth! From women, children, slaves, abortion, military, the power of the man in every familial unit, satire, etc- this book covers everything. I highly encourage students to purchase this book.

The sources in the book are amazing! Everything is interesting and where the sources themselves come from are part of the fun! I have no complaints about the content of the book, however the rental book I got had a whole section ripped out. The section is included in the book, but it was quite a shock! I've never gotten an amazon rental in this kind of state before. If anyone wants to know, pages 207 to 222 are free from the spine of the book.

When I ordered this book it said it would take a month to get to me. The next day Chuck at Buffalo Book Source reached out to me and offered to drop the book off that day which is clutch being that my course that uses this book already started. They also had the best price.

Assigned this book for a Roman history book. I was impressed how detailed it is and how in depth it goes into all of the references. The best part is that it pulls quotes and whole sections from old literature so you aren't just reading the author's words - you're reading directing from translated ancient texts.

This was broken down into topics and further broken down into very specific sections on various aspects of Roman life. Some of the information was interesting and engaging, but others were not. Romans aren't really my thing, but if you love those wacky Romans, this might be a good supplemental book.