Themes in Roman Society and Culture

An Introduction to Ancient Rome

Second Edition

Edited by Matt Gibbs, Milorad Nikolic, and Pauline Ripat

Innovative thematic approach introduces students to Rome's vibrant social and cultural history while also challenging them to consider its complex relationships, dynamics, structures, and beliefs outside of a chronological timeline.
Written and edited by Canadian researchers and scholars, offering students a relevant assessment of current Roman scholarship.
Historical timelines at the beginning of select chapters ensure students have a grasp of Rome's chronological history before exploring topics thematically.
Distinctive coverage of non-traditional topics-such as gender and sexuality, technology, and economy-asks students to consider aspects of Roman history not typically covered in other textbooks.
Primary Source boxes provide excerpts of translated documents from the period, offering students an enriched perspective on a variety of topics.
Political History boxes outline political events and their effect on Roman society and culture in relation to chapter themes.

Themes in Roman Society and Culture

An Introduction to Ancient Rome

Second Edition

Edited by Matt Gibbs, Milorad Nikolic, and Pauline Ripat

Description

Focused on the period 200 BCE to 200 CE, this contributed volume provides a thematic introduction to the social aspects of ancient Rome - its composition, institutions, structures, and cultural products - and challenges students to consider Roman society as more than a series of chronological events.

Themes in Roman Society and Culture

An Introduction to Ancient Rome

Second Edition

Edited by Matt Gibbs, Milorad Nikolic, and Pauline Ripat

Preface and Acknowledgements to the Second Edition
Contributors
A Note to the Reader
Introduction
1. The Development of Roman Social History
Pauline Ripat
Introduction
The Development of Social History
Social History and Classics
Social History and the Classics: Debates and Problems
Social History and This Volume
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
2. A Summary of Roman History
Matt Gibbs, Milorad Nikolic, and Andrew Sherwood
Introduction
Early Rome: Legends and Kings
The Early Republic (508-287 BCE)
The Middle Republic (287-133 BCE)
The Late Republic (133-31 BCE)
Augustus
The Julio-Claudians (14-68 CE)
The Flavians (69-96 CE)
From Nerva to the Antonines (96-192 CE)
The Severans (193-235 CE)
"Military Anarchy," or "Crisis of the Third Century" (235-284 CE), and Tetrarchy (293-313 CE)
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
3. Roman Government in the Republic and Early Empire
John Vanderspoel
Introduction
The Voting Assemblies
The Senate and Senators
The Elected Officials of the State
The Imperial Period and Beyond
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Note
4. The Roman Army
Conor Whately
Introduction
The Composition of the Roman Army
Professionalization and the Roman Army
Warfare
War: The Aftermath
The Army and Society
The Army as Distinct Society
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
5. Class and Status
Pauline Ripat
Introduction
Terms
Class and Status: Changes over Time
Mobility
Did Class and Status Matter?
The Persistence of Hierarchy
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
6. The Roman Household
Alison Jeppesen-Wigelsworth
Introduction
Terms, Concepts, and the Shape of the Roman Family
Household Members and Relationships
The Physical House
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
7. Roman Slavery
Leslie J. Shumka
Introduction
Definitions
The Roman Slave Supply
The Lives of Slaves
The Longevity of Roman Slavery
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
8. Roman Sexuality and Gender
Kelly Olson
Introduction
Literary Sources
Prudery and Expurgation
Terminology
Gender Identity versus Sexual Orientation
The Phallus
Female Sexuality
Sexual Scenes
Same-Sex Couplings: Men
Same-Sex Couplings: Women
Sexuality and the Law: Stuprum and Rape
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
9. Education in the Roman World
Fanny Dolansky
Introduction
"Letters are a Good Start to Life."
Beyond the Basics: Grammaticê, Rhetoric, and Vocational Training
"A proper education is the source and root of all goodness."
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
10. Latin Literature
Luke Roman
Introduction
Defining "Literature"
Chronology
Greece and Rome
Literature and the Roman Elite
Tradition, Intertextuality, and Decline
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
11. Art and Architecture
Beth Munro
Introduction
Defining "Roman-ness"
Augustan Rome: Image of an Empire
Imperial Dynasties and Dominance
Responses to Economic and Social Change
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
12. Religion at Rome
Andreas Bendlin
Introduction
Practice, Belief, and Divinity: Some Salient Features of Religion at Rome
Civic Religion
From Roman Religion to Religion at Rome
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
13. Crime, Criminal Law, and Order
Benjamin Kelly
Introduction
"Crime" in the Roman World
Courts, Justice, and Terror
Roman "Policing Officials"
Self-Help
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
14. Entertainment in the Roman World
Michael Carter
Introduction
Public Entertainment
The Political Importance of Entertainment Spectacles
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
15. Health and Well-Being in the Roman World
Tana Allen
Introduction
Designing Healthy Cities
Food and Nutrition
Disease and Illness
Patterns of Disease
Greek Medicine and Medical Treatments in Rome
Baths and Bathing in Roman Life
Concerning Demography
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
16. The Economy
Matt Gibbs
Introduction
Evidence and Theory
The Transformation of the "Roman Economy"
Public and Private Economies?
Slaves and Freedpersons in Roman Economies
Land and Property
Taxation
Production and Trade
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
17. Roman Technology and Engineering
Milorad Nikolic
Introduction
Terminology and Transfer of Knowledge
Technology Assimilated
Roads and Bridges
Water Transport
Concrete
Water Supply
Instruments
Sources of Energy
The People behind the Works
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
18. The Reception of the Roman World
Craig Maynes
Introduction
Continuity and the "Classical Tradition"
Republicanism, Imperialism, Fascism
Popular Reception of the Roman World
The Romans on Film
The Romans on Television
The Romans in Video Games
Summary
Questions for Review and Discussion
Suggested Reading
Notes
Conclusion
Appendix: Resources for Students
Glossary
Index

Themes in Roman Society and Culture

An Introduction to Ancient Rome

Second Edition

Edited by Matt Gibbs, Milorad Nikolic, and Pauline Ripat

Author Information

Edited by Matt Gibbs, Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, MacEwan University, Milorad Nikolic, Associate Professor, Department of Classics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Pauline Ripat, Associate Professor, Department of Classics, University of Winnipeg

Matt Gibbs is an assistant professor in the Department of Humanities at MacEwan University. Milorad Nikolic is an associate professor in the Department of Classics at Memorial University. Pauline Ripat is an associate professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Winnipeg.

Themes in Roman Society and Culture

An Introduction to Ancient Rome

Second Edition

Edited by Matt Gibbs, Milorad Nikolic, and Pauline Ripat

Reviews and Awards

"The book is thematic and timely, and provides a solid introduction to Roman society." -Georgia Irby, College of William & Mary "

"A well-organized, thematic, and modern approach to the study of Roman civilization. It covers a wide range of topics and provides students with a solid introduction to the field." -Timothy Pettipiece, Carleton University "

"This is an excellent book that I'm very much looking forward to using. It is thoughtful and challenging while remaining accessible." - Cristiana Zaccagnino, Queen's University "

"A very strong contribution to the available undergraduate textbooks for Roman history." - Alyson Roy, University of Idaho "