Author Description

Books in the series: Food in the Ancient World: John Wilkins, Exeter (2004) Ethnicity and Identity in the Ancient World: Kathryn Lomas, London (2004) Sexuality and Gender in the Ancient World: Marilyn Skinner, Arizona (2004) Theories of Mythology - Eric Csapo, Toronto (2004) Ancient World in Popular Culture - Maria Wyke, Reading, and Dominc Montserrat, Open U (2004) Greek and Roman Economies - Jeremy Paterson, Newcastle (2004) Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World - Don Kyle, Texas Arlington (2005) Greek Political Thought - Ryan Balot, Washington U (2005) Other volumes might include Sparta, Archaeologies of Homer, Medicine, The Family, and Greek and Roman Law and Society. ------------------------ Main Blurb: In the course of a few hundred years, the city of Rome grew from a small nucleus of huts by the Tiber to become the largest city of its time. The population reached around 1,000,000 inhabitants in the age of Augustus (31 BC - AD 14) - no other city reaced such a size until 18th century London. The city was a stage for aristocratic rivalries and imperial politics; its size, and the demand it generated for food, water, and other supplies, exercised a substantial impact on the economy, not only of Italy but of the whole empire. Organizing, controlling, and supplying such a large and diverse metripolis was a constant source of concern for the Roman authorities. This book will relate the topopgraphy and archaeology of the city to its political, social, economic, religious, and cultural history. It will proceed chronologically, analyzing issues from the transformation of the physical fabric of the city in the late republic and early empire, to the housing, entertainment, religious life and burial of the city's rich and poor.