Populus

A superb combination of wit, first-rate research and panache. Highly recommended! * Tony Robinson *[A] rollicking new book… Drawing on letters, inscriptions, plays, poems, architecture, coinage and the preserved contents of Herculaneum’s sewers, de la Bédoyère sets out to reconstruct how people of all stations lived… De la Bédoyère’s command of these disparate sources is masterful, and his curation of them forms the backbone of the book – Honor Cargill-Martin * Sunday Telegraph *A comprehensive and very well referenced appraisal of city life… Where the archaeological record in Rome is patchy, he extrapolates on how life must have been from discoveries at sites such as Pompeii and Ostia as well as the vast written evidence, including letters and inscriptions * The Times *De la Bédoyère paints a vibrant picture, giving readers a lively and immersive look at life in this legendary ancient city * Booklist *Providing considerable detail in an easygoing style, this brings to pulsing life the average Roman’s daily existence. Roman history buffs will be thrilled * Publishers Weekly *Populus draws on such archives of the quotidian to make ancient Rome seem both wonderfully weird and convincingly real… . With his wide array of sources, his eye for compelling details and his engaging prose style, de la Bédoyère keeps the reader eager for more-and wondering what strange facet of Roman life will be served up next * Wall Street Journal *

Guy de la Bedoyere has written extensively on the ancient world over the last thirty years, most recently Gladius: Living, Fighting and Dying in the Roman Army (which was described by the Sunday Times as ‘highly enjoyable’) and Pharaohs of the Sun: How Egypt’s Despots and Dreamers drove the Rise and Fall of Tutankhamun’s Dynasty. He was part of Channel 4’s archaeology series Time Team for fifteen years and has degrees from Durham, London and University College.