By focusing not on its famous citizens but rather its ordinary ones, Mary Beard brings the Roman Empire to life. Vesuvius' eruption barely gets a mention; instead we hear tales of bakers, garum makers and slaves. It's not a sanitised version of Roman life - smutty graffiti, lewd frescoes and filthy streets are all covered in Mary's irreverent style. So forget the guide books (they're probably wrong); take this to Pompeii and prepare to see it a new light.
(Kate Ellis - bwl 70 Autumn 2013 ) |
