This is a literary study dealing with the possible influence of Roman comic drama on the surviving fragments of Petronius' "Satyrica." Aspects of plot-construction, characterization, language, and structure are analysed theatrically in each episode of the surviving text.

"The Ancient Economy holds pride of place among the handful of genuinely influential works of ancient history. This is Finley at the height of his remarkable powers and in his finest role as historical iconoclast and intellectual provocateur. It should be required reading for every student of pre-modern modes of production, exchange, and consumption."--Josiah Ober, author of Political Dissent in Democratic Athens

Of all the stories narrated, "Trimalchio" tells the story from beginning to end, though in bits and pieces; that is, in the fragments that have survived. When readers think of a dinner banquet in ancient times, what comes to mind is Plato's Symposium, in which Plato treats his readers to a discussion of the most delicious intellectual delicacies, such as the theme of love. In contrast what one finds in "Trimalchio," is a dinner of the most delicious culinary delicacies, and a dearth of intellectual discussion. The guests at the dinner table consist of gabby table-talkers who delight in conversing about the most trivial themes-supernatural tales- which they cap with obscene and vulgar behavior, such as the mistreatment of slaves and women. The nouveau riche Trimalchio, holds the dinner party at his grossly expensive estate, where a retinue of slaves, cooks, and servants, serve the guests with exotic, abundant, extravagant, and wasteful dishes. Given that F. Scott Fitzgerald's recreates such extravagant parties in his novel The Great Gatsby, he initially named the novel, Trimalchio. While both, Petronius and Fitzgerald, appear to have been concerned with portraying the moral decay that accompanies the noveau riche, Petronius' book manages to capture the spirit of ancient Rome, through its low characters; Fitzgerald fails to capture the spirit of New York in the 1920s. This selection presents only one story of the Satyricon: "Dinner at Trimalchio's." The reader should not expect all the stories of the Satyricon.

'A really fun idea for a book - and full of great stuff.' Greg Jenner, Public HistorianThis is the perfect guide for any writer who wants to recreate the Roman world accurately in their fiction. It will aid any novelist, screenwriter, games designer or re-enactor in populating their story with authentic characters and scenes, costumes and locations. Written from a historian's perspective, this guide pulls back the curtain to show the reader what life in Ancient Rome was really like: what they wore, what they ate, and how they spent their time at work, at home, at war, and at play. Individual chapters focus on different aspects of Romans' lives, to give you specific knowledge of what they looked like and how they behaved, as well as a broad appreciation of what held their civilisation together, from religion, to the economy, to law and order. You may wish to work your way through the book from cover to cover, or focus specifically on individual chapters as you hone your creative writing skills. Covering the period between 200 BCE and 200 CE, A writer's guide to Ancient Rome surveys the vast amount of sources and scholarship on the Classical world so you don't have to! It outlines current scholarly debates and changing interpretations, suggests further reading, and recommends particular resources to mine for each topic. It gives you plenty to consider while you construct your own Roman world.