The only time I thought he could have done better was when he introduced Trimalchio, the character from Petronius' Satyricon. Globally knowing the Petronian text in its original language and translation, I feel Toner just rendered his own translation of the passage without elaborating on it, which for me felt disappointing. I would have loved it if in his commentaries, Toner would have chosen to react more to what he made Falx, his Roman narrator, say, to start more of an internal discussion.
But, taking it as it is, this book is ingenious and approachable to anybody who wants to learn more about Roman slavery. A great job done. May 23, sage rated it really liked it Shelves: did-i-have-comments , historical-fiction , nonfiction , antiquity.
A very fast read, vividly drawn. Tags for historical fiction because Toner uses the conceit of a fictive Roman giving lessons on managing slaves, followed by authorial commentary on each chapter.
The bibliography is solid, the forward is by Mary Beard, and the text itself runs the gamut from funny to horrifying.
Note that massacre was part of empire-building, physical punishment of social inferiors was normal, sexual abuse, including of minors, was endemic, and same-sex relationships were as ord A very fast read, vividly drawn. Note that massacre was part of empire-building, physical punishment of social inferiors was normal, sexual abuse, including of minors, was endemic, and same-sex relationships were as ordinary as het. Toner doesn't bowdlerize, but he also isn't gratuitous.
It's important to note that freeing slaves after a period of time was normal in Rome, much like indenture. It's a pretty stark contrast with how people enslaved in the Americas were treated.
First of all, the book is not about slavery or history of ancient Roma. If you think so, you read it and understood nothing. It's a very good book about human management. Surely if you are able to read between the lines. Sep 21, Kilian Metcalf rated it really liked it. When I saw the title of this book, I wasn't sure whether it was serious or satirical. I have a writer friend whose book is set in a world where slavery is accepted, so I took a look.
It is a serious look at Roman slaver, written by a classics scholar. The style of the book is accessible, reads just like a modern management handbook, only about managing slaves. The Romans looked on slavery as an unquestioned part of life, and addressed the problems and benefits of well-managed slaves. At the end When I saw the title of this book, I wasn't sure whether it was serious or satirical. At the end of each chapter there is a commentary giving the original sources for the advice of the fictional slaveholder, Marcus Sidonius Falx.
A quick, enjoyable read, and an excellent resource for anyone writing fiction that includes slave characters. Aug 06, Janet rated it liked it Shelves: finished , nonfiction , history. Fair warning. This book is probably going to offend you. Falx or Toner, whichever you prefer graphically covers all aspects of slave management, including torture and the mistreatment of female slaves by their male owners.
Do Fair warning. Not just good advice for managing children and husbands, it's a wonderful read for those who are curious about what it was really like to live in Roman times. There are even fantastic references for those who would like to learn more about the institution of slavery in classical Rome.
Oct 23, Douglas Wilson rated it really liked it Shelves: history. Well researched, and cleverly written. A wealth of information here about the customs surrounding ancient Roman slavery. Feb 15, Grace rated it it was ok Shelves: saitre-spoof , historical-fiction , slavery. This review is based on an advanced reading copy.
I freely confess that my fatal flaw is curiosity. This can usually be worked around in my daily life, even if can be occasionally irritating I can't leave a book unfinished so once I saw the title and had to know: what could the purpose of such a book possibly be?
Was it just a translation of some old Roman text or some kind of academic exercise? It turns out the answer is satire. It could probably work as an academic resource about slavery in This review is based on an advanced reading copy.
It could probably work as an academic resource about slavery in Rome because the author explains the sources he used to extrapolate what the common attitude towards slaves would have been as well as how they are believed to have lived how they worked, were sold etc. As satire, I assume humor or a moral lesson though the idea that the world might need reminding that slavery is evil makes me want to just lie down and give up on humanity.
The foreword by Mary Beard challenges the reader to notice the parallels between the institution of slavery and the exploitation of "wages-slaves" - both people reduced to mere assets. The book ends on a brief admonishment to the reader to not pat themselves on the back for being better than Falx because there are more people enslaved today than the Romans ever managed. Granted it did set me to thinking about at least donating the price of the book to an anti-trafficking organization, but it felt a bit abrupt and I was surprised to not find any books on slavery in the modern world or even a recommended charity in the further reading section given that particular mic drop.
As to the writing; I liked the formula of hearing from Falx and then hearing Toner "translate" it for the "barbarians" by contextualizing what we heard. Toner's interpretations clarified where modern ideals the idea of universal human dignity would not have been present to inform Falx's understanding of the world though I did notice an anachronism or two slip into Falx's speech. Additionally, Toner's commentary was a welcome break in-between the sickening things Falx's discusses sexual abuse, torture, freedom being neither free nor absolute, etc as natural.
However that the commentary was followed by an explanation of where the author found the information for each chapter was jarring and messed up my suspension of disbelief. It also gave the book a feeling of someone trying to prove their bonafides. The use of anecdotes about his friends' experinces and the various comparisons between slavery in Greece and in Rome smacking of regional rivalries that happen irl ala New Zealand and Australia or the sides of the Pond and his being somewhat pompous in his delivery of his treatise added to Falx's authenticity as a narrator.
The book doesn't do anything like explain in detail the torture that comes up though stuff like having an eye poked out or being threatened with being eaten alive by an animal comes up , but it can be gross just the same to read someone who purports to so thoroughly buy into the de-humanization of other people. I definitely know more now than before I read this and not even all about slavery but about stuff Roman beliefs about dreams , but I can't really say I recommend this as a pleasure read.
Truly, the ways of thinking of other times are sometimes incomprehensible to us. Other current cultures may even be incomprehensible. In ancient Rome the institution of slavery was one of the firmest, no one questioned its legitimacy. What did the Romans think of their slaves?
An illuminating book: How to be a real master? How to buy a slave? Sex with slaves, of course, was allowed since they are objects for your pleasure. How to make a good slave? Advantages and disadvantages of torture. How to provide Truly, the ways of thinking of other times are sometimes incomprehensible to us. How to provide fun for them to entertain themselves and not reveal themselves.
What to do in case of rebellion? When and how to free your slaves? Christians and their relationship with slaves. I think many of the topics are topical, even the book tries to treat slaves well, motivate them, make them live well so that they are faithful to their masters On the other hand the book makes me think two things: Jesus never spoke of slavery as a wrong institution, even the early Christians were proud to be slaves to the lord Latin words used by Christians say that man is a slave of God.
Why was Jesus never against the first apostles? Another interesting thing to reflect: today slavery is prohibited in all countries, however there are 25 million people working against their will, as slaves, more than those who were in the worst time in Rome. Jan 06, Robert Monk rated it really liked it.
This little book is written as a faux instruction manual, composed in some unnamed period of Roman history 3rd century, maybe by a composite Roman nobleman. In other words, it's not a translation of an actual Roman text. Toner, a Cambridge scholar, tried to present the feel of how someone from that class might have viewed their slaves.
He certainly says they should be treated This little book is written as a faux instruction manual, composed in some unnamed period of Roman history 3rd century, maybe by a composite Roman nobleman.
He certainly says they should be treated like valuable property and cared for appropriately. Each chapter consists of "Falx" describing a topic, followed by Toner himself, writing as an editor, giving some perspective and naming the sources he used in inventing "Falx"'s ideas. It's interesting, but not really a source for hard facts about Roman slavery.
The bibliography gives some texts which might be better for a more hardcore exploration of the topic. But it was a quick and entertaining read, so an extra star for that. Apr 17, Kim rated it really liked it Shelves: classics.
A fun, tongue-in-cheek, approach to describing Roman attitudes towards owning slaves - from where to buy them, the roles they played in the life of the "average" Roman because you didn't own slaves if you were poor, let's be real , the morality of owning them, and what to do when your former slave is now a rich freedman.
For a casual scholar, this book is easy to read and engaging, working in several references that may be familiar Aesop's fables or not so familiar The Satyricon. For a more A fun, tongue-in-cheek, approach to describing Roman attitudes towards owning slaves - from where to buy them, the roles they played in the life of the "average" Roman because you didn't own slaves if you were poor, let's be real , the morality of owning them, and what to do when your former slave is now a rich freedman.
For a more seasoned scholar, the book is laid out in a way that begs comparison to other institutions of slavery - in my case, there were several parallels to Roman slavery that echoed American slavery: some were more obvious than others, and some came as a surprise, such as the instance that freed men, once given their freedom, still had to meet several stipulations before they could actually be released from their master.
Companion guide to Release your Inner Roman. This is a non fiction work, bringing all kinds of information regarding the institution of slavery as practiced by the Romans into one place.
The book is written as though it is a manual written by the fictitious slave owner, Marcus Sidonius Falx. Each chapter deals with a topic where and how to purchase, treatement, manumission etc. As such it is a good digest on the subject, with plenty of good and well researched information.
Mary Beard, classics professor at Cambridge, provides the forward. Avery fine introduction to slavery in the Roman Empire, well sourced with commentary following the faux Falx advice of how to manage slaves as an owner and master. The distinct advantage of the foil of a mid first century manual is its tone and the exposure of the reader to Roman mores and sense of title and class culture.
Index and bibliography serves to grant further use of the book as a reference for further research. Having read most of the primary sources that document the chapters in the c Avery fine introduction to slavery in the Roman Empire, well sourced with commentary following the faux Falx advice of how to manage slaves as an owner and master. I really wasn't sure what to make of this book: a fictitious character presenting guidelines on slavery, with commentary and references by the author at the end of each chapter — just made for plain confusion.
Indeed, if I really wanted to read fiction set in ancient roman times then I would have read one of Lindsay Davies fab novels! While Mary Beard's forward is instructional and prepares you for what you are about to read, the book doesn't really engage you: it isn't a particularly fascinatin I really wasn't sure what to make of this book: a fictitious character presenting guidelines on slavery, with commentary and references by the author at the end of each chapter — just made for plain confusion.
While Mary Beard's forward is instructional and prepares you for what you are about to read, the book doesn't really engage you: it isn't a particularly fascinating read, rather it was dull and quite uninteresting.
I'm not sure the author really successfully set out to achieve whatever it was he was intending. The ancient Greeks had a word for it Jerry Toner imagines Marcus Sidonius Falx, using real, documented examples as his treatment of a very sensitive subject I need to put the bins out Sep 27, Joshua Little rated it really liked it. Toner, through his fictional character "Marcus Sidonius Falx," creatively merges fiction with history in addressing the topic of slavery in ancient Greece and Rome.
The reader is forced to grapple with images and stories of the ugly institution of slavery in the ancient world - thus, leading the reader through uncomfortable yet challenging moments of reflection. An easy to read way of learning about the institution of slavery in the Roman world. The author puts instruction into the mouth of a fictional Roman who takes slavery for granted as would have been the case and discusses various aspects of the relationship between master and slave.
Source material is quoted with a few comments from the historian at the end of each chapter. Good for anyone interested in social history.
Dec 28, Thomas rated it liked it. Fun little book about the treatment of slaves in ancient Rome, written from the perspective of a fictional character. Not always logically consistent, but I guess that reflects the attitude of Romans themselves. I'm still not sure if Marcus Sidonius Flax is a real person or not Anyway, the book was surprisingly good, considering i picked it entirely based on its title. And in lots of cases similar to current world. Feb 26, Darren rated it really liked it.
Interesting historical perspective on the ethic of the time. The mind-boggling thing about this is that the writer seems to genuinely care about the slaves, but still considers them of such lowered status.
I read this for a better understanding of the context of the mentions of slavery in the New Testament. Toner also adds commentary throughout, analyzing the callous words and casual brutality of Falx and his compatriots and putting it all in context for the modern reader. In this creative text, Toner Roman Disasters , classicist at Churchill College, Cambridge, "translates" a work of Marcus Sidonius Falx, a fictionalized average Roman citizen from a well-off noble family who offers his rationale for owning slaves, how to procure them, and how to treat them.
Falx relates the story of when a small hoe banged his leg and a slave had the audacity to smirk. Falx ordered the slave's legs broken, but a guest from a German tribe, who found slavery distasteful, asked Falx to show mercy.
The event was so thought provoking for Falx that he composed this treatise, written in a tone that feels both educated and archaically brutal. After each of Falx's chapters, Toner offers commentary and explanations for modern readers, and the text as a whole is full of details on the history of the slave trade in the Mediterranean, how slaves came to be slaves by owing a debt or being captured from a conquered land , the expenses incurred in owning slaves, and the prestige that came from being a slave master.
Toner doesn't condone Falx's views, but his history and commentary provides context for the dirty institution upon which modern civilization is built. Apple Books Preview.
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