Overview

In the early fourth century, a lawyer and public figure from the Nile valley city of Hermopolis made a six-month business related journey to Antioch. The day to day details are preserved on papyrus documents and offer a remarkable record of this journey, covering everything from distances traveled to daily food purchases, from medicinal supplies to fees paid for services. In this book, the classicist and historian John Matthews translates these important documents and places them in the wider context of the social history of the Graeco-Roman world. The memoranda relating to Theophanes' journey are presented within a historical narrative that offers an array of revelations on diet, travel, social relations, and other fascinating topics. This book creates an unprecedented account of daily life in the years preceding Emperor Constantine's rise to power in the eastern provinces of the Roman empire.

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9780300108989

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Reviews

This remarkably original piece of scholarship recreates the lifestyle of a Roman imperial official, drawing readers into the streets of ancient cities to smell the food, see the houses, and hear how people talked. David Potter, University of Michigan -- David Potter

In discussing Theophanes' home, his family and colleagues, the cities of Hermopolis and Antioch, food, ancient travel itineraries, and prices, Matthews explores important topics in social and economic history while offering the reader direct contact with the rhythms of ancient daily life. --Timothy Renner, Montclair State University--Timothy Renner

In discussing Theophanes' home, his family and colleagues, the cities of Hermopolis and Antioch, food, ancient travel itineraries, and prices, Matthews explores important topics in social and economic history while offering the reader direct contact with the rhythms of ancient daily life. --Timothy Renner, Montclair State University --Timothy Renner

In discussing Theophanes' home, his family and colleagues, the cities of Hermopolis and Antioch, food, ancient travel itineraries, and prices, Matthews explores important topics in social and economic history while offering the reader direct contact with the rhythms of ancient daily life. --Timothy Renner, Montclair State University<br><br><br>--Timothy Renner

Author Information

John Matthews is John M. Schiff Professor of Classics and History, Yale University, and the author of Laying Down the Law: A Study of the Theodosian Code, published by Yale University Press.

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