Good fun; this is part of a series of books set up as if they were travel guides for a modern visitor to the ancient society in question. Thus there are familiar travel-book chapter headings – “Getting There”; “The Environs”; “Shopping”; “Entertainment” and so on. Author Philip Matyszak has a wry sense of humor; for example, consider the following “useful phrases”:


Vinum bellum iucundumque est, sed animo corporeque caret.

(It’s a pleasant little wine but it lacks body and character)


Estne pugio in tunica, an tibi libet me videre?

(Is that a dagger in your tunic or are you glad to see me?)

In hac tunica obesa videbor?

(Does this tunic make me look fat?)


There’s a recipe for glires – stuffed dormice – which doesn’t seem as bad as it initially sounds, it’s basically a dormouse with sausage filling; the going rate for a girl for the night at a rural inn (8 asses) seems rather cheap, considering that was also the price for two loaves of bread; and walking tours of all the sights (ironically, of course, since most are long vanished). There are computer-rendered illustrations of many of the monuments; something of a treat, since the inside of the Pantheon isn’t that spectacular any more.


If there’s a flaw, it’s that the Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day doesn’t include much history – a modern travel guide would include a capsule history of whatever country you were visiting - and that it keeps with the “traveler in the ancient world” theme a little too strictly and doesn’t give the reader much idea of which of the ancient monuments are still visible in modern Rome. Nevertheless, pleasant and entertaining.
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Your guide to sleeping, shopping and sightseeing in the city of the Caesars

If you have plans to get into your time machine and visit ancient Rome, this is the book for you. Just make sure you go in the time of the Caesars (200 AD). By reading this book you can learn how to don a new toga or tunic, attend the best circus, avoid drinking feces tainted water, visit a brothel, see the tomb of St. Peter and so much more. Read every word so you don't miss the humor (especially in the section of useful phrases. My personal favorite: "Vel vinum mihi da, vel nummos mihi redde or I want my wine or my money back"). How's this for tongue-in-cheek: "The oldest and largest of Rome's sewers is the Cloca Maxima, which runs under the forum and is large enough to take a boat through, if that is your idea of fun" (p 34). See what I mean? It's a small book but it's packed with good fun! ( )

A fine, amusing and educational account of Rome in about 100AD, full of cultural and historical detail. It's a little bit dense at times, but it's not like you're obliged to memorise all the names and cross-references. The main thread of the account (which is pleasantly wry) is peppered with pithy quotes and fragments that illustrate the Roman character, attitudes and concerns of the day. ( )

Historia de la antigua ciudad de Roma, a modo de las guías modernas ( )