Ancient Roman Villas

“This impressive book presents a wide range of ancient Greek and Roman literary sources (treatises, letters, poems, etc.) on Roman villas and villa life from the Republican to the late Imperial/early Christian period. Thanks to the clarity of organization and the editor’s lucid prose, the reader can navigate the content quite easily and gain a good sense of the development as well as significance of Roman villas in relation to social and political life, architectural developments, the agricultural economy, private as well as imperial ownership, and more. As a whole the book provides an excellent foundation for many areas of villa research and will serve as an essential resource for scholars and students, not only of the Roman period but also of later periods in which villas reemerged as centers of social and economic life.” –Elaine K. Gazda, Professor and Curator Emerita, Department of the History of Art and Kelsey Museum of Archeology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor“Impressive for its breadth of coverage and erudition, Ancient Roman Villas by Guy Métraux is far more than a sourcebook. Dipping into this carefully curated compilation of ancient writings on villas is both informative and engaging, like sitting in a Roman tavern hearing conversations about the occupants of local estates, current concerns, and shared aspirations–a delight for scholarly and general readers alike!” –Diane Favro, Distinguished Research Professor, Architecture and Urban Design, School of the Arts and Architecture, UCLA“Guy P. R. Métraux’s Ancient Roman Villas: The Essential Sourcebook proves to be a captivating read, appealing to both scholars and students with its fascinating commentary and informative translations. Offering insights into various aspects of ancient Roman villas, including regional differences and economic structures, this book serves as an essential resource for classical philologists, archaeologists, and cultural historians. Métraux’s extensive expertise and passion for the subject are evident, making this book a valuable addition to any academic or enthusiast’s library.” –John R. Clarke, Annie Laurie Howard Regents Professor, University of Texas at Austin

Guy P. R. Metraux is professor emeritus in the Department of Art and Art History at York University in Toronto.