Confronting the Classics: Traditions, Adventures, and Innovations

This "bottom-up" view of history introduces readers to the millions of people who lived in the Roman Empire who were not Caesars: what was their lives like? What made them laugh? How did they clean their teeth?

Beard shows us how we can engage with and/or challenge the classical tradition . . and why even today there is much to consider. Challenging the idea that classical history is all about emperors and heroes, this panoramic portrait moves through Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Imperial Rome, the Roman underclass, and finally provides us with a fascinating chapter on the expert scholars, archaeologists, and dramatists who have re-created this world for us. 310 indexed pages, hardcover with dust jacket.