The City in Roman Palestine [Hardcover]

This book is a study of the city and urban life in Roman Palestine during the Talmudic period, 100-400 B.C. Rather than focus on a specific city, Daniel Sperber synthesizes what is known about city life in Talmudic Palestine to create a paradigmatic hypothetical Palestinian city. Drawing on numerous literary records for his information, he describes the structure and use of many physical aspects of the city, such as its markets, pubs, streets, bathhouses, roads, walls, toilets, and water supply. Rounding out the study is a chapter describing the archeological evidence, written by Sperber's colleague, Professor Joshua Schwartz. With the recent upsurge of interest in urbanization in the Greco-Roman world,The City in Roman Palestinewill attract not only scholars of Judaic literature and history, but also classicists and ancient historians.

The volume is massively researched and full of invaluable information. Highly recommended for basic research collections in ancient history. --Religious Studies Review

This is a detailed and highly useful study for scholars of the Roman Empire and Roman Palestine. --Choice

[T]he book can be read either as an entertaining introduction to life in the Greco-Roman city, or as a quarry for the rich material assembled in the text and abundant footnotes. --The Jewish Quarterly Review