Roman Audience

In an ambitious overview of 1000 years of history, from the formation of the city-state of Rome to the establishment of a fully Christian culture, T.P. Wiseman examines the evidence for the oral delivery of 'literature' to mass public audiences. The treatment is chronological, utilising wherever possible contemporary sources and the close reading of texts. Presenting the history of Roman literature as an integral part of the social and political history of the Roman people, he draws some unexpected inferences from the evidence that survives. In particular, he emphasises the significance of the annual series of 'stage games', and reveals the hitherto unexplored common ground of literature, drama and dance.