Jérôme Carcopino (1881–1970)

Looking at other reviews, I'm not sure we all read the same book! Quot homines, tot sententiae. I first read this long ago as an undergraduate. I no longer have that copy, but the newer second edition with an introduction and bibliographical update by Mary Beard. Definitely get this one if you are reading it. Carcopino covers the basics of everyday life in imperial Rome of the second century AD, a time of which Gibbon said “If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the show more world, during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of Commodus.” The first part covers various theories on the population of Rome, the physical characteristics of the city (streets, public buildings, housing), social organization, family, education, and religion. The second covers the Roman day: morning, occupations, public entertainments, and afternoon and evening. While some oof the content is dated, most is still quite accurate. Carcopino had a thorough command of the literary and epigraphic sources, and knew well the archaeological remains of Rome and Ostia. If you want to know about everyday life in Rome, this is still the best single volume. I especially appreciate the many Latin terms for everyday items that Carcopino provides (you won't run across a lot of them in a typical college Latin curriculum). The biggest drawback is lack of maps and illustrations. show less

Originally written before the 2nd World War, this charming look at daily life at the city of Rome covers all aspects including bathing and eating. The author has a moralizing tone: he is imbued with Christian values and what we call nowadays "the protestant work ethic". In the last paragraph of his book he states: "The pictures of Petronius, the Epigrams of Martial, the Satires of Juvenal only too clearly impress upon us all the sordid and depraved side of Roman life...;" and how wonderful show more it could be when "and above all in those serene "agapes" where the Christians lifted up their hearts in the joy of knowing the divine presence in their midst."

He informs us that the ancients by any standards were lazy, randy, gluttonous and barely employed. The author finds this appalling, however appealing it would be to early 21st century man! Perhaps it's just a little too old, but if you want to know about what was going on in Rome at the height of empire you may wish to start here. Plenty of spicy quotes by Martial, Juvenal and that ultimate nouveau riche Trimalchio--the gods bless his fictitious soul! show less

It's a fairly entertaining book, though for all the wrong reasons. Carcopino makes sweeping declarations about things that don't seem to be supported, and has fairly quaint ideas - that Roman women stayed indoors and idle because they chose to do so, for example. His analysis of Roman religion is outdated. But the prose is that mid-century sort of magisterial tone, even when he's probably wrong, and so it was at least worth reading.

This is the stand by classic, older work done at least a generation ago. Nonetheless, it remains a delightful romp and a somewhat romantic look at daily life in Rome. He surveys the ordinary life of Romans, their eating, where they ate, bathing, and the practices surrounding the bath. At the same time there is a somewhat high brow tone to the work that seems to cast dispersion on the Romans. His moralizing leads him to conclude that the classic works of Rome display "the sordid and depraved show more side of Roman life."

Despite the age of the work, this is still a sound beginning point to understand the typical Roman during the Empire. He enjoys displaying the tawdry with copious quotes by Martial, Juvenal, and Trimalchio. show less