The Roman City and its Periphery: From Rome to Gaul

The first and only monograph available on the subject,Roman Suburbiaoffers a full and detailed treatment of the little-investigated aspect of Roman urbanism the phenomenon of suburban development. Presenting archaeological and literary evidence alongside sixty-three plans of cities, building plans, and photographs, Penelope Goodman examines how and why Roman suburbs grew up outside Roman cities, what was distinctive about the nature of suburban development, and what contributions buildings and activities in the suburbs might make to the character and function of the city as a whole. Goodman provides a broad investigation of the place of suburbs, and an in-depth study of the four provinces of Gaul, comparing the actions of the elite; the placing of buildings and the development of the suburb, to that of Rome, and in doing so she helps the reader discover and understand the links between the present day and the ancient world. With full bibliography and annotated throughout thiswill not only provide a coherent treatment of an essential theme for students of Roman urbanism, but archaeologists, urban planners and geographers also, will have an excellent comparative tool in the study of modern urbanism.

Penelope J. Goodman is a lecturer in Roman history at the University of Leeds.