Synopsis:
This volume investigates the neighborhoods of ancient Rome during the reign of the first Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE). Focusing on a group of neighborhood-based voluntary associations that were important political and social communities for the city's diverse population of slaves and ex-slaves, it locates the Augustan neighborhoods within the broader context of the history of Rome. John Bert Lott stresses their importance as physical and cultural divisions of the city and investigates the distinctive relationship between local neighborhoods and Augustus himself.
Review:
"The book is attractively printed and designed, with useful photographs of compital altars, inscribed bases, and maps. Topographers, social, political, and religious historians, and students of Augustan artistic programs will find in Lott's book not only a coherent and well-researched contribution to neighborhood studies, but a source for illuminating discussions on numerous topics touching their specialties." New England Classical Journal, Peter J. Aicher, University of Southern Maine
"...the study contributes to our knowledge of Rome's lower classes, in that Lott gauges the impact of the emperor's reforms on the freedmen and slaves, who, as magistri and ministri vici respectively, typically assumed responsibility for the neighborhoods' cultic and administrative upkeep. What makes this study particularly useful is Lott's integration of the literary evidence for the vici during Augustus' reign with the comparatively abundant epigraphic and material evidence..."
Adam Serfass, Kenyon College
"The non-specialist...should derive a tremendous amount of welcome information from the volume." - Marjorie Venit, University of Maryland
"The Neighborhoods of Augustan Rome is, nevertheless, an important book...this book should provide an excellent incentive to future research." - Carlos F. Norena, Yale University
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