The Ancient City: A Study of the Religion, Laws, and Institutions of Greece and Rome

The Ancient City is Fustel de Coulanges' superb investigation of life and living during classical antiquity; a culture he felt rested and flourished upon religious observance.

This fascinating history offers the reader an idea of how day-to-day life in Ancient Rome and Greece evolved and was sustained for centuries. Coulanges covers each major topic in sequence, beginning with the crucial assertion that religion what was held classical life together. This is swiftly followed by examples of customs and morals that defined interpersonal and familial life; marriage; adoption; rights of property and assets to name but some.

Coulanges progresses to discuss the physical city. How a town would grow in size, what amenities and institutions would appear, and how religion so greatly impacted the citizen's life. Governance, through edicts, criminal and civil law, and the ruling council of a given city is examined. Latterly, we hear the importance of the class system; conflict between the lower classes - or plebiscite - and the nobility.

As the Roman Empire matured, its admiration of Ancient Greece led to imitation. Over time, the two nations to combine to form what is commonly called the Greco-Roman culture. This convergence would cement the legacies of classical antiquity; structures of stone and marble with columns and archways; democratic institutions and lawmaking; a distinctive class system; the crucial sharing of the religious pantheon; and similarities of diet and dress code.

The Ancient City is noted primarily for its groundbreaking work on ancient religion. Coulanges central thesis that religion was the backbone upon which all life in the ancient society rested. Writing armed with a considerable body of primary sources, and an excellent and clear style of writing, Coulanges offers readers a compelling introduction to the culture of antiquity.

It is with this text that we gain a fresh and frank perspective on ancient history - that religious observance was the binding and foundation of the greater culture. Unlike many English-speaking authors of the Victorian era, Coulanges wrote incisively, putting his studious knowledge of original Greek and Latin texts to excellent and convincing use.