Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome

Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: What an awesome book on all aspects of Ancient Rome arranged by subject in 9 chapters with 100 subtopics total. It has maps, lists, 125 diagrams and photographs (black & white). Wonderful to consult for learning more on a particular subject. Of course one can't expect it to contain in depth coverage on more complicated issues or it would be massive and boring. Instead it has enough to make it a wonderful reference for the ancient history enthusiast.

Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: What an awesome book on all aspects of Ancient Rome arranged by subject in 9 chapters with 100 subtopics total. It has maps, lists, 125 diagrams and photographs (black & white). Wonderful to consult for learning more on a particular subject. Of course one can't expect it to contain in depth coverage on more complicated issues or it would be massive and boring. Instead it has enough to make it a wonderful reference for the ancient history enthusiast.

Rating:
Summary: Valuable and never overwhelming.
Review: Without delving into the full complexities of any one aspect of Roman history, this well-constructed reference book provides concise explanations of subjects ranging from architecture, law, and religion to food, clothing, and coinage (to name a few). There are also timelines and brief delineations of the lives of key emperors. All topics are easily accessible, and since entries are written succinctly and organized neatly, the reading is rarely ponderous. As a whole, this handy work is a painless and informative introduction to a remarkable empire. Of course, any one of its areas can be further supplemented with additional sources, depending on a person's interest level, and the ample bibliography can be used for this purpose. In all, the authors accomplish satisfying both the casual reader and the serious student of history--an admirable task indeed.