Divided into an eclectic mix of 13 chapters, How to Survive in Ancient Rome is part tourist manual and part of an introduction to ancient Rome. The author guides the reader through the guise of two members of the Roman hierarchy: Titus Flavius Ajax, the imperial secretary to the Emperor and Hortensia, a member of the patrician class. Set during the reign of the Emperor Domitian (AD81-96), Trafford first offers the reader a view of Rome in the year AD 95, which helps set the scene. Despite the immediate focus on a single year, Trafford soon carries us on a ‘whistle-stop tour’ of the early history of Rome, recounting the early mythology of Aeneas, Romulus, Remus, and the ruinous exploits of the last King of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus. This section is engaging, and the mythological history of Rome will be enjoyed by both student and casual reader alike.
After this early mythology lesson, Trafford dedicates a chapter each to a particular aspect of life in Rome. Written in an amusing, and often informal style, this work keeps the narrative fast-flowing while providing the reader with a suitable depth of knowledge on various topics. The work asks, ‘What was it like living in ancient Rome?’ while also providing advice on ‘How best to get along’ if you ended up living there. While informative, Trafford does not aim to overwhelm the reader with unnecessary academic language, often using a type of internal monologue (presumably provided by Ajax or Hortensia), to keep the tone light. For example, when noting the lacklustre efforts to assassinate Romulus and Remus, the narrator observes that to accomplish the job properly and drown the twins, the assassins would have needed ‘effort and a decent overarm’(XIV).
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the work can be found in the form of ‘did you know’ boxes. These are interspersed throughout the work and provide the reader with interesting facts on a variety of different topics. These interesting asides are mentioned in relation to the topic of a particular chapter, for example, while chapter 4 is about accommodation in Rome (pp. 35–42), one ‘did you know’ box in this chapter highlights the fact that the emperor Nero had a running waterfall in his dining room (p.41). Although there are footnotes throughout the work, it is a shame that the ‘did you know’ boxes themselves do not contain footnotes. As these boxes are often referencing the more weird and wonderful aspects of Roman history, it would aid the reader in seeking out these pieces of information and investigating further, should they wish.
Throughout the work, Trafford seeks to involve all aspects of life in Rome, be that as a tourist or as a permanent resident. For example, in the chapter on entertainment, Trafford details several ways in which a resident or visitor to Rome may pass the time. This chapter is particularly entertaining as it informs the reader about the various events and competitions which occur at the games. Here the reader is regaled with outrageous tales of the emperor Nero, who rather than running the Empire, embarked on a two-year chariot racing and theatrical tour of Greece! Along with these light-hearted elements, there are more extreme and sometimes violent instances too. We hear of a pacifist gladiator who committed suicide by choking on a lavatory sponge rather than fight, and a racing fan so overcome by the death of his favourite racing driver, he threw himself onto the man's funeral pyre!
In Rome, Trafford argues, there are many people to keep on the right side of. These she examines in individual chapters: the gods, in chapter 11 on Religious Beliefs, and the emperor in chapter 12, on Law and Order. There are ways to appease both, yet as our guide, Ajax helpfully informs us, many ways to fall foul of both, particularly the emperor. In his guide to ‘upsetting the emperor’, Ajax notes that there are many crimes for which the emperor may put someone to death. Some of these appear quite understandable, for example, plotting to replace the current emperor yourself or with someone in his own family. Other examples are less understandable, with such cases being that the individual in question was described as ‘being tall and handsome’ or another, where the individual carried a coin bearing the emperor's image into a toilet when they needed to use the facilities. Overall, How to Survive in Ancient Rome is an informative and enjoyable work which will provide readers with a good introduction to the Roman world. There are moments of genuine humour as well as a large amount of scholarly work which has gone into the creation of this volume. I believe this would be a fine introduction to Rome for those in key stage 4 or as a good summer text before an AS Ancient History course. In addition, it would make a good introduction to those who are not studying for a course but are interested in a more panoramic view of the Republic and Empire.
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