Why people recommend it
Surviving Rome: The Economic Lives of the Ninety Percent by Kim Bowes investigates the hidden economic realities and survival strategies of ordinary Roman citizens rather than the ruling elite. On Conversations with Tyler, Tyler Cowen plugged the publication at the conclusion of the interview, praising it as a great new contribution to economic history. Earlier in the same episode, Cowen used the book as a launching pad for a detailed discussion, asking the author why a society that demonstrated such sophisticated and advanced economic lives among everyday people never developed anything resembling formal economic reasoning. This exchange allowed the guest to elaborate on the empirical evidence gathered from archaeological findings regarding ancient labor, trade, and household management. The podcast conversation underscored the value of looking past traditional historical texts to uncover the daily financial struggles and resourcefulness of the ancient working class. Listeners interested in classical history and economic anthropology find the book to be a groundbreaking exploration of a largely ignored demographic.
Who recommended it
- Tyler Cowen Recommended
Tyler Cowen — 2 mentions
“As you know, in your own book, Surviving Rome, you show the Romans had quite sophisticated and advanced economic lives. Why is it the Romans never had anything resembling economic reasoning?”
“Again, a plug for Kim’s great new book, Surviving Rome: The Economic Lives of the Ninety Percent. Kim Bowes, thank you very much.”
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“She is an archaeologist at the University of Pennsylvania, and she has a new book out called Surviving Rome: The Economic Lives of the Ninety Percent.”