Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide (Oxford Archaeological Guides)

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Summary: Great Archaeological History of Rome
Review: Claridge's Oxford Guide to Rome is probably the best out there today among the many, many ancient guides to Rome. The guide is steeped in research and archaeological evidence which is perfect for the first time visitor to Rome.

The maps and plans that she includes are extremely helpful to the visitor since some of the sites are merely a pile of rocks and might be difficult to visualize in their ancient glory. The plans and cross-sections of buildings and areas of Rome are essential to understanding the ancient city when it was complete.

This guide also comes in handy when visiting the Roman Forum and the Imperial Fora as the buildings are not extremely well marked nor do they have much information to provide for the visitor. If you ever go to the Forum you MUST have Claridge with you because it is the only way you can begin to comprehend the complexity of the Forum. Claridge's details and historical facts that she adds to each building are essential.

As difficult as it is for the untrained visitor to try and extricate the buildings and monuments that were built at the same time or before and after one another, Claridge does a good job in trying to convey the urban growth of Rome. She does this but her clear descriptions and helpful plans.

Essential to any visitor to Rome, especially any history or archaeological buff.

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Summary: If your focus is ancient Rome, this is indispensable
Review: I saw this book randomly in a bookstore before I had ever been to Rome, and decided to buy it. The diagrams and maps inside were interesting even to scan, and the description of the sites and their history gave me a better sense of what I wanted to see on my trip. When in Rome, I carried this book everywhere. In addition to the standard highlights -- detailed descriptions of each item on the Forum, the Upper Via Sacra, the Palatine, etc. -- this book had coverage of the archeological sites that seem to be on random street corners throughout Rome. If I came across something that looked interesting, I could look it up on the maps, then find the text. Often, there would be a helpful diagram of the original site layout that allowed me to make sense of what stones were standing (and often there aren't many). The book also lists gems of archeological sites that I never would have planned to see had I not read parts of it before my trip. That said, this book has more detail than the casual tourist needs or wants. Much more. But if you want to spend several days delving around ancient Rome, then this book deserves your attention.

Rating:
Summary: If your focus is ancient Rome, this is indispensable
Review: I saw this book randomly in a bookstore before I had ever been to Rome, and decided to buy it. The diagrams and maps inside were interesting even to scan, and the description of the sites and their history gave me a better sense of what I wanted to see on my trip. When in Rome, I carried this book everywhere. In addition to the standard highlights -- detailed descriptions of each item on the Forum, the Upper Via Sacra, the Palatine, etc. -- this book had coverage of the archeological sites that seem to be on random street corners throughout Rome. If I came across something that looked interesting, I could look it up on the maps, then find the text. Often, there would be a helpful diagram of the original site layout that allowed me to make sense of what stones were standing (and often there aren't many). The book also lists gems of archeological sites that I never would have planned to see had I not read parts of it before my trip. That said, this book has more detail than the casual tourist needs or wants. Much more. But if you want to spend several days delving around ancient Rome, then this book deserves your attention.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Guidance
Review: Ms. Claridge's guide is well-organized, superbly illustrated, and bound to make it easier for first-time visitors (and even old hands) to find their way around Rome's ancient monuments and remains. I lived in Rome for several years, had previously taught its ancient history and language, still learned a few new things from this delightful little guide, and plan to recommend as "homework" for the next group of friends and relatives with whom I travel there. My sole negative criticism is that a bit more explanation of why the Romans placed their public buildings where they did (and tended to keep them there over the centuries, even through the shift from paganism to Christianity) would have made this book even more enlightening. That aside, a "bravissimi!" to Ms. Claridge and her collaborators.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Guidance
Review: Ms. Claridge's guide is well-organized, superbly illustrated, and bound to make it easier for first-time visitors (and even old hands) to find their way around Rome's ancient monuments and remains. I lived in Rome for several years, had previously taught its ancient history and language, still learned a few new things from this delightful little guide, and plan to recommend as "homework" for the next group of friends and relatives with whom I travel there. My sole negative criticism is that a bit more explanation of why the Romans placed their public buildings where they did (and tended to keep them there over the centuries, even through the shift from paganism to Christianity) would have made this book even more enlightening. That aside, a "bravissimi!" to Ms. Claridge and her collaborators.

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Summary: Unique guide for the archaeology minded traveler to Rome
Review: The little known Oxford Archaeological Guides series provides information that you cannot find elsewhere. This guide was written by Amanda Claridge in 1998 and gives information about many of the archaeological sites of Rome. Sites are described in great detail with an emphasis on how the site might have looked in ancient times and changes occurring over centuries. Famous artifacts that were once part of these sites are described and their present locations are mentioned. You learn where in the baths of Caracalla the famous Farnese Hercules and Farnese Bull were located and you learn how they came to be in the archaeological museum at Naples. There are little known sites like the tomb of the Scipios as well as places as familiar as the Piazza Navona and the Colloseum. Obscure but fascinating information is given: the great brick reinforcing wedge on the southeast side of the Colloseum was built in 1807: I have not seen this information anywhere else. The oval Piazza Navona is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian of 86 AD; the stores that line its periphery are built on top of the ancient seating. This book would not be suitable as the only guidebook to take with you on a trip, the information provided is far too specialized. I'd recommend taking along the Michelin Green guide or the Knopf guide for Rome as well. Some minor drawbacks: the drawings and maps are not as detailed as they could be and the few photographs that are provided are black and white and of poor quality. These complaints are not critical flaws; the book would still be invaluable even if it didn't contain a single illustration.

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Summary: This is a fine book.
Review: This book delivers what the cover promises. It's a thorough guide to what the city of Rome still has of the physical remains of the original inhabitants, of the Etruscans, of the Roman Republic, and of the Roman Empire. If you're going to Rome and you care about those things, take the time to read this book before you go. If you read it after you come back, you'll just have to plan another visit. If you're not going to Rome, but care about Roman history, then Ms. Claridge will give you some concrete (and marble) facts to add to the titillating stories of the emperor's peccadilloes that you've heard from Hollywood and that fuddy-duddy Classics professor.

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Summary: An incredible guide!
Review: This book was amazing. We just got back from a week in Rome and used this book to help us orient ourselves through the sites. We took a tour with a guide who practically drooled over our copy, so we gave it to him in lieu of a tip. He loved it.

I haven't seen a better guide book to the ancient sites of Rome. This guide is indespensible for anyone even remotely interested in the history and/or background of the ruins in Rome.

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Summary: Don't leave for Rome without it.
Review: This is the best guidebook in English on Rome's antiquities. It pulls together lots of information (eg., types of building stone, construction techniques) hidden in specialized sources. The descriptions and plans of the monuments make them rise in your mind to their former glory. I've been to Rome several times, and this author really knows her stuff. Now if only there were guidebooks this good on medieval, Renaissance, etc. Rome!