Roman Honor: The Fire in the Bones

by Carlin A. Barton "Though thoroughly grounded in the ancient writings-especially the work of Seneca, Cicero, and Livy-this book also draws from contemporary theories of the self and social theory to deepen our understanding of ancient Rome. Barton explores the relation between inner desires and social behavior through an evocative analysis of the operation, in Roman society, of contests and ordeals, acts of supplication and confession, and the sense of shame. As she fleshes out Roman physical and psychological life, she particularly sheds new light on the consequential transition from republic to empire as a watershed of Roman social relations. "