{"product_id":"a-cabinet-of-roman-curiosities-9780195393750","title":"A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe ancient Romans have left us far more information about themselves than has any other Western society until much more recent times. But what we know about them is sometimes bizarre, and hardly fits the conventional view of the Romans as a pragmatic people with a ruthlessly efficient army and a very logical and well ordered language. A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities is a serendipitous collection of odd facts and opinions, carefully gleaned from the wide body of evidence left to us by the Romans themselves. Each highlights a unique and curious feature of life in ancient Rome. Readers will find a plethora of trivial but fascinating facts about Rome, from the fantastical (a description of werewolves) to the quotidian (styles of chamber pots), and from the refined (dining etiquette of Pompeiians) to the crude (punishments for mutineers). The author has organized the entries around major themes--e.g., The Army, Women, Education, Foreigners, Spectacles, etc.--making the book easily accessibl\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMcKeown's scholia are tersely informative, enlivened by pertinent modern analogues, myth puncturing ... and dry witticisms. * Barry Baldwin, Fortean Times *\u003cbr\u003eEnjoyable surendipitous rummage. * Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman *\u003cbr\u003eA fascinating social history which should appeal to a wide readership. * Anthony Looch, Oxford Mail *\u003cbr\u003eAnyone dipping into this serendipitous book,,,will find enough surprising facts and strange tales to satisfy the most voracious quizzer. * Daily Mail, Michael Simkins *\u003cbr\u003eThe book could persuade the most history-hating student to fall in love with ancient Rome. * James McConnachi, Sunday Times *\u003cbr\u003eEven for confirmed classicists, it's a highly entertaining read. * James McConnachie, Sunday Times *\u003cbr\u003eMcKeown has provided us with an amazing jumble of information ... This amusing little collection would make a nice gift for graduating Classics majors or friends interested in Rome. * William K. Freiert, International Journal of Classical Tradition *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChapter I. Family Life  Chapter II. Women  Chapter III. Names  Chapter IV. Education  Chapter V. The Army  Chapter VI. Romans At Sea  Chapter VII. The Law  Chapter VIII. Farming  Chapter IX. Medicine  Chapter X. Religion \u0026amp; Superstition  Chapter XI. The Life Of The Mind  Chapter XII. Foreigners  Chapter XIII. Slaves  Chapter XIV. Animals  Chapter XV. Spectacles  Chapter XVI. Food \u0026amp; Drink  Chapter XVII. Decadence  Chapter XVIII. Buildings  Chapter XIX. Pompeii \u0026amp; Herculaneum  Chapter XX. Toilets  Chapter XXI. Not For The Puritanical  Chapter XXII. Tempus Fugit  Chapter XXIII. Kings, Consuls, \u0026amp; Emperors  Glossary  Acknowledgements","brand":"OUP USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51862470951255,"sku":"9780195393750","price":14.24,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780195393750.jpg?v=1759917892","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/a-cabinet-of-roman-curiosities-9780195393750","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}