The Ancient Roman City

Stambaugh's decision to begin with a political overview of the city's development and then to focus individual chapters on particular topics related to urban history is an excellent solution to presenting his material. This book works very well in undergraduate courses on ancient history, and I'm sure would be a very satisfying read for anyone with a targeted interest in the city of Rome.

When I first read this book some years ago, as a classics major and student of ancient domestic architecture, I found it easy to read and digest. The caveat for this review is that it has been a few years since I last referenced the book--although I always make certain it's handy on my library shelf. It walks the line between detailed scholarship and accessibility, which led me at first to wonder how it could be both a pleasant read and so informative. It helps that this is a topic of special interest for me, but I remember it so fondly that I still think of it as a model for writing on the topic. I recommend it as an introduction or overview, and direct readers to the footnotes and sources for further reading and study.