Synopses & Reviews
In this superbly illustrated volume, Athens and Rome, the two greatest cities of antiquity, spring to life through the masterful pen of Peter Connolly. For the first time ever, all the evidence has been painstakingly pieced together to reconstruct the architectural wonders of these mighty civilizations. By re-creating their public buildings, their temples, shops, and houses, Connolly reveals every aspect of a person's life in glorious detail, including religion, food, drama, games, and the baths.
The first part of The Ancient City covers the development of Athens in the hundred years following the Persian Wars, which began in the 4th century B.C. These chapters encompass the Golden Years of Athens; the establishment of democracy; the building of the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, and the municipal buildings of the Agora; a typical Athenian workday; and the construction of the Long Walls.
Part II examines the development of Rome in the hundred years from Nero (emperor of Rome from A.D. 54 to 68) to Hadrian (emperor of Rome from A.D. 117 to 138)--the great building period of Rome. Visit Nero's Golden Palace and the buildings subsequently built over it, the Colosseum, the Flavian Palace, the Baths of Trajan, the Temple of Venus and Roma, as well as other buildings such as the Circus Maximus, the Theatre of Marcellus, and Trajan's Forum and Market.
In addition to reading about the great monuments and moments of classical Greece and Rome, readers learn about a typical day in the life of an Athenian and a Roman. They read about--and see--the houses people inhabited; attend 5-day festivals and go to the theatre; fight great battles and witness the birth of Rome's navy; visit temples and spend a day at the races. The fascinating artwork and vivid descriptions provide a window into the great history of these two extraordinary cities and civilizations.
The Ancient City is the crowning achievement of Peter Connolly's distinguished career. His illustrations and reconstructions have a unique authority, providing the starting point for a fascinating exploration of these cities and the lives of the people who inhabited them.
Review
"Strewn with minutely detailed cityscapes, cutaway views, and interiors, this hefty urban study recaptures the architectural glories of two great cities in their heydays.... Equally suited to casual readers or serious study, this takes a giant step past the Eyewitness-filled cheap seats and even beyond David Macaulay territory."--Kirkus Reviews (pointer review)
"A fascinating, close-up picture of what daily life was like for the inhabitants of the two most celebrated cities of the Western Classical Age. Private houses, public spaces, city streets, shops, restaurants, Greek temples, Roman baths, clothing, hairdos, utensils, customs, beliefs, manners, and mores are among the many areas that Connolly covers... The text is lucid, succinct, easy-to-follow, and the hundreds of illustrations--photographs, maps, drawings, and diagrams--are attractive and very much to the point."--The Christian Science Monitor
"Connolly and Dodge have done a remarkable job resurrecting the golden years of classical Athens and ancient Rome.... The elaborate maps and lavish illustrations that grace every page most vividly communicate the tenor and the texture of classical antiquity.... A superior historical, sociological, and architectural survey."--Booklist
"For anyone assigned a report on the design, construction, and use of the Parthenon or the Roman Colosseum, it would be hard to find a better source than this one. The full-page color drawings are stunning and include a wealth of detail not often found in other sources."--School Library Journal
"Peter Connolly's eminent reputation as an archaelogical illustrator can only be enhanced by this superb book. Using remarkable simulations of city-scapes, modelled maps, imaginative and convincing reconstructions of objects, together with vase paintings, friezes and statues in clear photographs, he has made two great civilizations come alive on the page... If you want to know exactly what it looked like when Socrates attended the famous Symposium with Agathon and Aristophanes, or what Suetonius saw when he described Nero's Golden House, this is the book to tell you."--Times Educational Supplement
"Focuses on the development and growth of each city, with superb, colorful illustrations that help the reader visualize all aspects of life and building construction." -- Dig!
Synopsis
In this superbly illustrated volume, Athens and Rome, the greatest cities of antiquity, spring to life. By recreating the public buildings, temples, shops, and houses of these mighty civilizations, Connolly reveals every aspect of a person's life in glorious detail, including food, drama, religion, games, and the baths. 500 color illustrations.
About the Author
Peter Connolly is one of the foremost writers and illustrators on the subject of the ancient world. His best-selling books are popular throughout the world. He is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Institute of Archaeology, London, and has studied at the British School in Athens and in Rome. Co-author
Hazel Dodge is a scholar of international reputation, known for her publications on Roman architecture and construction.
Table of Contents
Part I: Athens
1. The Golden Years - Athens in the fifth century BC
2. The Keys to Survival - The city's defences, and food and water supplies
3. The Cradle of Democracy - The workings of the world's first democracy
4. Daily Life - Life in fifth-century BC Athens
5. Work - Earning a living in Athens
6. The Houses of Athens - Athenian domestic architecture
7. Temples for the Gods - Athenian religious buildings
8. A Festival for Athena - Celebrations and sports for Athena's birthday
9. The Theatre - Athenian drama: the world's first plays
Part II: Rome
1. The Site of Rome - Rome before the Empire
2. The Imperial City - The transformation of Rome during the reign of Augustus
3. Government - Roman law and the civil service
4. Food and Water - Aqueducts and the ports of Rome
5. Houses and Apartments - Roman houses for rich and poor
6. Daily Life - Life in Rome in the first and second centuries AD
7. Shops, Bars and Restaurants - Commercial activity in Rome
8. Many Gods - Religion and worship
9. A Day at the Races - Chariot racing at the Circus Maximus
10. The Theatre - Farce, parody and other aspects of Roman drama
11. The Colosseum - Gladiatorial games at Rome's arena complex
`n 12 A New Palace - The great palace complex of Domitian
13. The Age of Apollodorus - The golden age of Roman architecture under Trajan's chief architect
14. The Great Baths - Roman imperial thermae (heated baths)
15. The City in Late Antiquity - Rome after the time of Hadrian