What was it like to live in one of the most powerful and bustling cities of the ancient world - a city that was eight times more densely populated than modern-day New York?

In this entertaining and educational book, historian Philip Matyszak, author of several bestsellers, introduces the people who lived and worked in ancient Rome. Every hour of the day we meet a new character - from the emperor to the slave girl, from the gladiator to the astrologer, from the doctor to the water clock maker - and thus we can discover the fascinating details of their daily lives.

"What a clever book! For an hour at a time, from midnight to midnight, we walk in the footsteps of the inhabitants of ancient Rome, from bath attendants to Vesta virgins, laundresses, lawyers to sex workers and more - this book gives you a taste of living history and allows you to makes us think with the heads of typical townspeople of the past."

"A wonderful depiction of a typical day, hour by hour, in Imperial Rome. A very understandable book, full of interesting and humorous information, a perfect read for those who do not like dry history books. Well written, informative and entertaining - what more could we ask for?"
(Goodreads)