A lively survey for the nonspecialist, with new essays and a new appendix of translated documents

Provides those with a general interest in Roman antiquity a starting point, informed by the latest developments in scholarship, for understanding the extraordinary range of Roman society. Family structure, slavery, gender identity, food supply, religion, and entertainment—all crucial parts of the Roman world—are discussed here, in a single volume that offers an approachable guide for readers of all backgrounds.