Laughter in Ancient Rome. What the Romans joked about and what made them laugh in the Eternal City

What did the ancient Romans joke about? What elicited their 'ironic smile' or made them 'roll on the floor with laughter'? What role did jokes play at the imperial court, in the gladiatorial arenas, and even in court? Readers will find answers to these and many other questions in this publication. Mary Beard, a renowned British expert on Ancient Rome, explores one of the most intriguing and complex issues – the culture of laughter. Drawing on a wide range of sources – from the immortal 'Bucolics' of Virgil and the provocative novel of Apuleius 'The Golden Ass' to the oldest collection of anecdotes 'Philogelos' and the witty treatise of Macrobius 'Saturnalia' – the author introduces readers to Roman humor, seeking to answer the key question: will we ever truly understand the jokes of the Romans? This edition is aimed at historians, classical philologists, and a wide audience interested in the culture of Antiquity.