Walking in Roman Culture [Hardcover]

In this book, literary, artistic and architectural evidence reveals the role that walking played in how Romans perceived themselves and their society.This innovative book explores the significance of walking in Roman literature, thought and culture. Timothy O'Sullivan employs a wide range of literary, artistic and architectural evidence to reveal the crucial role that walking played in the performance of social status, the discourse of the body and the representation of space.This innovative book explores the significance of walking in Roman literature, thought and culture. Timothy O'Sullivan employs a wide range of literary, artistic and architectural evidence to reveal the crucial role that walking played in the performance of social status, the discourse of the body and the representation of space.Walking served as an occasion for the display of power and status in ancient Rome, where great men paraded with their entourages through city streets and elite villa owners strolled with friends in private colonnades and gardens. In this first book-length treatment of the culture of walking in ancient Rome, Timothy O'Sullivan explores the careful attention which Romans paid to the way they moved through their society. He employs a wide range of literary, artistic, and architectural evidence to reveal the crucial role that walking played in the performance of social status, the discourse of the body and the representation of space. By examining how Roman authors depict walking, this book sheds new light on the Romans themselves  not only how they perceived themselves and their experience of the world, but also how they drew distinctions between work and play, mind and body, and republic and empire.Introduction; 1. The art of walking; 2. Seneca on the mind in motion; 3. Urban walkers on display; 4. Cicero's legs; 5. Theoretical travels; 6. Walking with Odysseus; Conclusion.'Walking in Roman Culture is one of those rare books that turns a spotlight on to some forgotten aslÚ