Life in Egypt Under Roman Rule: Volume 1
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Book Overview
This classic book by leading historian Naphtali Lewis describes the economy and society of Roman Egypt from the ground level up, using the testimony of papyri. The unique climate of Egypt has preserved tens of thousands of records, covering a period of some 4,000 years from 3000 BCE to 1000 CE. Focusing on just part of this period (30 BCE to 285 CE), this book offers the perfect introduction to the possible uses of such material. The author takes a thematic approach, discussing the various areas of daily life into which papyri offer unique insights. From the production of food, to "works and days of Gods and Goblins" and "rendering unto Caesar," Naphtali Lewis uses quotations from the sources combined with an encyclopedic knowledge of the cultural context to bring a seemingly obscure class of evidence to life.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0788505602
ISBN13:9780788505607
Release Date:January 2001
Publisher:American Society of Papyrologists
Length:240 Pages
Weight:1.75 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"
Related Subjects
Africa Americas Ancient Egypt Europe History Literature & Fiction Middle East Rome Social ScienceCustomer Reviews
2 ratings
The simple life
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
For all who are longing for the simple life of yesterday this excellent and document based book gives a first introduction how life two thousand years ago really was. Also for the non scientific reader a sketch into times long gone but nevertheless interesting in its own. I recommend it to all the nostalgics who think the the problems of today (beginning with bad neighbors and ending with the taxman) are something new.
Outstanding
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
This is my favorite Egyptian history book. Lewis in one small volume brings Egypt during the period of Roman rule to life in the pages in front of you. The book draws from thousands of papyrus documents collected in Egypt over the years. As you might expect, these mostly deal with the minutia of daily life, contracts and prayers, polemics and taxes, and Lewis's book uses theses to tell his story. The book is highly readable, enjoyable, and I recomend it to any one with an interest in any period in Egypt (after all, how much did the Nile change between 1000 BC and 300 AD).
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