Death and Burial in the Roman WorldNever before available in paperback, J. M. C. Toynbee's study is the most comprehensive book on Roman burial practices. Ranging throughout the Roman world from Rome to Pompeii, Britain to Jerusalem--Toynbee's book examines funeral practices from a wide variety of perspectives. First, Toynbee examines Roman beliefs about death and the afterlife, revealing that few Romans believed in the Elysian Fields of poetic invention. She then describes the rituals associated with burial and mourning: commemorative meals at the gravesite were common, with some tombs having built-in kitchens and rooms where family could stay overnight. Toynbee also includes descriptions of the layout and finances of cemeteries, the tomb types of both the rich and poor, and the types of grave markers and monuments as well as tomb furnishings. |
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altar appear arched base blocks body built burial busts carried carved catacomb cemetery central centre century chamber Chapter Christian circular closed columns consists containing cornice couch cremation dead death decoration door east elaborate entrance Etruscan example façade face feet figures five flanked flat four front funeral funerary gallery grave hand head holding Ibid inhumation inscription inside instance Italy later lead light loculi lower marble mausoleum metres MICHIGAN monument Museum necropolis niches once originally painted panels pediment persons pieces pilasters Plan podium probably rectangular relatively relief remains rest Roman Rome roof round running Sacra sarcophagi scenes sepulchral shows side single slab square standing steps stone storey street structure third tomb tumuli upper vaulted walls woman