Ancient Rome History at UNRV.com
  • Home
  • Daily Life
  • Economy
  • Government
  • Military
  • Provinces
  • Map
  • Forum
  • Donate
  • Contact
Ancient Rome History at UNRV.com
  • Daily Life
  • Economy
  • Government
  • Military
  • Provinces
  • Map
  • Forum
  • Donate
UNRV.com Roman History
  • Home
  • Daily Life
  • Economy
  • Government
  • Military
  • Provinces
  • Map
  • Forum
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Book Reviews
  • Book Review of The Ancient Guide to Modern Life

Book Review of The Ancient Guide to Modern Life by Natalie Haynes

Book Review by Nick Brown

Authors, publishers and readers are always on the lookout for new concepts and surely no one could deny the appeal of Natalie Haynes’ book from 2010. It sets out to draw parallels between the modern and ancient worlds and does so in a lively, thoughtful manner. In eight chapters, the author – a classics scholar and stand up comedian no less - examines politics, law, philosophy, religion, women, town and country, entertainment and money. The introduction outlines Haynes’ ‘obsession’ with the ancient world and her knowledge and passion are evident throughout the ensuing two hundred and sixty pages.

An early outline of ancient Greek democracy typifies the author’s fluent, balanced approach. While lauding the benefits of the egalitarian, direct voting system, she also highlights the numerous weaknesses – no women or foreign-born inhabitants could take part and the society was largely dependent on slavery. The first of many telling points is also made about modern life: the prevalence of decreasing elector turnout while millions take part in direct votes for TV talent shows. Clearly, something’s amiss; and here indeed it seems we might have something to learn from the ancients. Later in the chapter, a powerful case is made for comparing Rome to the modern USA – both sole superpowers who experienced fraught relations with the Middle East. Haynes argues that present day politicians might benefit from emulating some of the bold ideas and willpower demonstrated by their forebears.

When examining ancient law enforcement, we discover that the Romans, in effect, had none. After a robbery, no police officer would turn up at the door and there was no district attorney to bring charges. There were however, alternatives: the vigiles, who acted as both firemen and night-watchmen and would at least keep an eye out for burglars, muggers and runaway slaves. Civil disquiet, however, was more often dealt with by the military. And if a case actually reached court, evidence garnered from slaves was secured by torture and the outcome was often dependent on the oratorical ability of one’s lawyer (assuming you could afford one). Here, the reader is left feeling perhaps a tad less pessimistic about the state of policing and the courts in the modern world.

When discussing the role of women, Haynes encounters the usual stumbling block; the almost complete lack of sources from a female perspective. Male dramatists and commentators either idealised women as docile, obedient housewives or portrayed them as wanton, dangerous sirens. While learning of the perils of life for women in millennia past, we are also reminded that such treatment has not been banished to history: ‘across the world, 2 million girls a year disappear: they are abandoned at birth, or not treated when they are ill, or worse.’ Though here – as in other sections – we stray a little from the titular concept, the topics covered are always compelling and germane.

Arguably the most engaging section involves the author teasing out the long threads running from ancient forms of entertainment all the way to the twenty first century. She draws convincing parallels between original epics The Iliad and The Odyssey and the long-running television shows so beloved of modern audiences. Like Odysseus or Hector, Buffy the Vampire Slayer – stay with me – is a ‘demigod’ engaged in an epic struggle against supernatural foes who must protect her family with the support of various companions. Hard to argue with. The original protagonists, Haynes contends, eventually spawned archetypal detectives Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade and Inspector Morse; all self-destructive yet independent and brilliant - like the first flawed heroes.

Within the epilogue, the author mounts a stirring defence of the study of classics. Some familiar ground is covered in terms of ‘what history can teach us’ but more punches are landed when it comes to the sheer joy and wonder of learning about ancient societies. This accessible but authoritative book is certain to further that cause.



Nick Brown is the author of the "Agent of Rome" series. The fifth book, The Emperors Silver was released this summer.

  • Tell us your opinion in the Forum
  • Buy the Book

Donate to UNRV

Roman Empire Wall Map
$59.99 incl. shipping

Find Out More
BECOME FLUENT IN ANY LANGUAGE


  • Featured
    Pages
  • Further
    Reading
  • Discussion
    Board
A woman playing an instrument for a Roman festival
Roman Festivals

A month by month look at the many festivals which took place during the Roman period, which provided an enjoyable break from the stresses of daily life.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
A Roman chariot race
Chariot Races

Chariot races were the Roman equivalent of today's motorsport events. Find out more about this thrilling yet dangerous ancient entertainment spectacle.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Vestal Virgins at a Ceremony
Vestal Virgins

The Vestal Virgins were the only female priests within the roman religious system, and were responsible for maintaining the sacred fire within the Temple of Vesta on the Forum Romanum.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
An ancient calendar
Roman Calendar

The original Roman calendar was assumedly borrowed, in part, from the culturally advanced Greeks. It was far from perfect, and necessitated the need for the Julian Calendar.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
To Be A Roman: Topics in Roman Culture by M. A. Brucia & G. N. Daugherty
To Be A Roman: Topics in Roman Culture
by M. A. Brucia & G. N. Daugherty

Each chapter in this workbook designed for middle- and high-school students presents well researched, current, readable information on a topic the family, education, entertainment, political life, to name a few.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
The Roman Empire: Economy, Society and Culture by P. Garnsey and R. Saller
The Roman Empire: Economy, Society and Culture
by P. Garnsey & R. Saller

This second edition includes a new introduction that explores the consequences for government and the governing classes of the replacement of the Republic by the rule of emperors.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Sexuality in Greek and Roman Culture by Marilyn B. Skinner
Sexuality in Greek and Roman Culture
by Marilyn B. Skinner

This agenda-setting text has been fully revised in its second edition, with coverage extended into the Christian era. It remains the most comprehensive and engaging introduction to the sexual cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
The Culture of the Roman Plebs by Nicholas Horsfall
The Culture of the Roman Plebs
by Nicholas Horsfall

This is the first attempt to reconstruct what your average Roman talked about in the bar or in the multi-seater latrine. All Latin is translated and all due care is taken of the non-specialist's requirements.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Roman Dress and the Fabrics of Roman Culture by J. Edmondson and A. Keith
Roman Dress and the Fabrics of Roman Culture
by J. Edmondson & A. Keith

Roman Dress and the Fabrics of Roman Culture investigates the social symbolism and cultural poetics of dress in the ancient Roman world in the period from 200 BCE - 400 CE.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Discussion forum chat icon
Treatment of Conquered Land and Peoples
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DISCUSSION
Discussion forum chat icon
An Egalitarian Society Building Monuments?
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DISCUSSION
Discussion forum chat icon
Roman Culture a Rip-Off of Greek Culture
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DISCUSSION
Discussion forum chat icon
Roman Culture in Early Medieval Southern Gaul
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DISCUSSION
Discussion forum chat icon
Late Roman History in Popular Culture
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DISCUSSION
Discussion forum chat icon
Power, Culture, Or Patronage?
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DISCUSSION

Categories

  • Architecture
  • Clothing
  • Economy
  • Gladiators
  • Government
  • Medicine
  • Military
  • Religion
  • Slavery



Newest Updates

Added a new page to the site about the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo)
30 March 2021
Converted more archived book reviews into the new website format.
26 March 2021

Popular Search Terms

  • Germania
  • Pax Romana
  • Roman Architecture
  • Roman Gods
  • Roman Numerals
  • Roman Colosseum
  • Pompey
  • Praetorian Guard
  • Roman Legion
  • Tacitus
  • Newsletter

    UNRV.com
    United Nations of Roma Victrix (UNRV) represents the all encompassing power of Rome in the ancient world. United and Romanized, through conquest, or absorbed through its culture, Rome still stands today as a legacy to the achievement of mankind, and its failures.
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Privacy & Cookie Policies
    • Contact
    © Copyright 2021 UNRV.com. All rights reserved.