A day in old Rome

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About this book

"A day in old Rome : a picture of Roman life" by William Stearns Davis is a historical account written in the early 20th century. It offers a guided, daylong portrait of everyday life in Imperial Rome, centering on the city and its people during Hadrian’s era. Drawing on Latin authors and modern scholarship, it recreates streets, homes, customs, institutions, entertainments, and beliefs to show how Romans of many ranks actually lived. The opening of the book lays out the premise: a hypothetical visit to Rome in the second century, chosen for its prosperity under Hadrian and for the city’s near-complete architectural form. The preface explains the method, sources, and focus on urban life rather than the emperor, and the contents map a comprehensive tour.