Description:
This book examines birds in Roman life and myth, focusing primarily on the transitional period of 100 BCE to 100 CE within the Italian peninsula.
Review Quotes:
The title of the series "Global Perspectives on Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology," of which Green's monograph is the inaugural volume, helps the reader refine his/her expectations, as it suggests a focus on the physical remnants of avian bones and avian detritus; yet at the same time, "Global Perspectives" points at a breadth not limited to an archaeological lens. Indeed, Green's work (and I assume the goal of the series) moves beyond disciplinary divisions and instead tackles the topic from a range of approaches and sources: zooarchaeological evidence, (e.g., in her discussion of chickens on p. 96) and, just as importantly, its absence (e.g., the absence of peacock bones from Roman archaeological sites, p. 118); a range of literary works (e.g., by Columella, Juvenal, and Pliny); and an array of artistic works, including paintings, mosaics, and carvings. Using this range of primary sources, Green successfully shows how "taking a 'bird's-eye view' of history is an effective method for interpreting and understanding cultural beliefs and social stratification" (p. 7).
- Alison L. Beringer, Montclair State University