The Restoration of the Roman Forum in Late Antiquity: Transforming Public Space (Ashley and Peter Larkin Series in Greek and Roman Culture)

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The Restoration of the Roman Forum in Late Antiquity: Transforming Public Space (Ashley and Peter Larkin Series in Greek and Roman Culture) [Kalas, Gregor] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Restoration of the Roman Forum in Late Antiquity: Transforming Public Space (Ashley and Peter Larkin Series in Greek and Roman Culture) Review: A study of the Roman Forum and its use before it faded from the historical record - Despite its rather esoteric scholarly title, this terrific book is quite engaging and easy to read for the layperson. Full of numbered illustrations and photographs that nicely guide the reader along with the author’s text, this reviewer discovered much more about the Forum’s late history and interpreting its current state of ruin than from any other book previously read. Focused on the period from the late third century through the fifth century, the author details the Forum restoration works of several emperors during this period as well as the monuments that were installed and their historical significance. Also detailed are the restoration works and modifications made to a number of significant structures throughout the Forum as well as their reuse over time. The evolving use of the Forum as a public space is woven in with the evidence for the continued restoration works and modifications. Of particular note for this reviewer was the retelling of the last documented triumphal procession through Rome on January 1, 404 by Honorius, and the statues and monuments that were dedicated to him and to Stilicho in the Forum. The author also details the installation of the Column of Phocas in 608 – the last monument erected in the Forum before it began falling out of use and fading from the historical record. An added bonus is the book directing the reader to the UCLA Experiential Technologies Center website where the reader can take a virtual tour through a digital re-construction of the Roman Forum as it existed in late antiquity Review: An unusual topic and so much appreciated. Terribly terribly repetitive though (sic): it would benefit from severe editing to reduce this. Further the page size is too large for the thickness: I found it hard to hold with just one hand because it would flop over.