Women in Ancient Rome - Hardcover

Chrystal, Paul

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1445608707 ISBN 13: 9781445608709

Publisher: Amberley Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

The history of women in ancient Rome is fascinating and exhilarating. It gives a unique insight into one of the world's most dynamic, successful super-power civilisations and, at the same time, illuminates any number of admirable, exciting, evil, slatternly and dangerous women fighting to be heard and seen against insurmountable odds in a world run by men for men. 'Silent' is a word that is sometimes used to describe these women, because of the paucity of first-hand evidence from women for their lives; 'silent' can also be used to describe how the typical Roman male liked his women. Some women though broke that silence and forged an identity of their own in a largely suspicious, paranoid, patronising, critical world. It is those women whom we meet in this intriguing book. Paul Chrystal examines aspects of the Roman woman's lifestyle: her evolving role in the family; the assertive, brave, pernicious and outrageous women in the public arena; we learn about women's education and of artistic, cultured women; we meet women soothsayers, witches and ghosts; we examine the role of women in religion and in the mystery cults; women as health professionals; women's medicine; women's sexuality; women as mistress, prostitute and pimp.

About this title

Product Description:

In this intriguing history we encounter 'admirable, exciting, evil, slatternly and dangerous women fighting to be heard and seen against insurmountable odds in a world run by men, for men'. Chrystal's account, written for the general reader as well as students of ancient history, covers aspects of Roman women's lives ranging from betrothal and marriage to education, religion and the dark arts.

Review:

'Chrystal combs through ancient literature, and archaeological evidence, to throw light on the lives of ordinary women.' --The Good Book Guide

'This is an impressive piece of work, not least because of the wealth of evidence and the number of references to ancient sources.' --Dr Stanley Ireland, University of Warwick

Clear, well organised and thorough [...] Thoroughly recommended. --BBC History Magazine

About this edition

• Publisher: Amberley Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1445608707
• ISBN 13: 9781445608709
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240