The two great western cities of antiquity come to life in this book superbly illustrated by Connolly. Divided into two parts, the first deals with Athens in the hundred years following the Persian Wars, which began in the 4th Century BC. Chapters cover the city's early history, the city's defenses, the development of democracy, daily and work life, domestic and religious architecture, celebrations and sports, and the history of Athenian theatre. Connolly's colour plates are plentiful, colourful and detailed, and bring the concise and detailed text to life. The construction techniques of the Parthenon, the Erechtheum and common houses are illustrated, and styles of wall painting are shown. Part II covers the development of Rome from the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) to that of Septimius Severus (193 AD - 211 AD). The early site of Rome on the Tiber prior to the Empire is covered, with chapters illustrating the transformation of Rome under Augustus, Roman law and the civil service, the aqueducts and ports of Rome, housing for the different social strata of the city, daily life, commercial activity, religion and worship, chariot racing at the Circus Maximus, the theatre, gladiatorial games at the Colosseum, Domitian's great palace, and the heated baths. The illustrations of architecture and construction of the many buildings included here are helped by the specialist scholarship of Hazel Dodge. The most breathtaking views to me are the birds-eye views of the two cities, Athens in the 4th Century BC dominated by the Acropolis, and Rome during Severus' reign dominated by the Colosseum, each with a small keyed index showing the major sites of interest. This book appears to have been written for adults as well as children, and like his earlier title 'Greece and Rome at War', features but expands on his earlier children's titles. Connolly's scholarship is renowned, and I recommend it to all students of the classical world.
