A Cultural History of the Home in Antiquity

‘Home is a powerful idea throughout antiquity, encompassing the Greek oikos and the Latin domus, and can be recognized even without a specific word. It brings together two fields of study: the family and its legal frameworks, and the archaeological study of the domestic setting. This collection explores the home as a force of integration, uniting the worlds of family, outsiders, leisure, work, public and private life, practical structures and furnishings, and religion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Home has been a significant concept throughout history, from the epic journey of Odysseus to reclaim his own home to the nostalgic longing for it during his long absence, to the introduction of Christianity into the domestic sphere in late antiquity. While there may not be a direct equivalent to our modern concept of home in ancient languages, the Greek oikos and the Latin domus encompassed both the house and the family, which are essential components of home. To explore the history of "the home in antiquity" requires the integration of two distinct but interconnected fields of study. On the one hand, we examine the family, including its legal frameworks and literary representations in daily life. On the other hand, we delve into the archaeological study of the domestic setting, where these family relationships unfold. Spanning over a millennium, this collection explores the home as a powerful force of integration, bringing together the worlds of family and outsiders through hospitality, leisure, work, public and private life, practical structures and furnishings, and religion.

Weight: 449g
Dimension: 244 x 169 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350412224