This is the first general survey of Roman Italy that brings together the wealth of evidence available from literary sources, inscriptions, and the exciting recent discoveries in Roman archaeology. Written in a lively prose with the lay reader as well as the scholar in mind, Potter's account is one of the few to cover the whole period of Roman Italy. "A handsome book, filled with magnificent photographs, and eminently useful for the classroom. . . . The bibliography and reference system will be useful for novice and scholar alike." -- Catherine Kroeger, Religious Studies Review "In an exciting and at times almost breathless review of recent findings through excavation and survey, along with the theories and controversies they have generated, Potter leaves his reader in no doubt as to what is important and, for the most part, it is what's new that's important. . . . Potter's book is . . . a vigorous, authoritative yet selective essay on how our knowledge of Roman Italy is being increased." -- J. J. Wilkes, Times Literary Supplement "Potter's book, both systematic and lively, richly illustrated, covers Roman Italy as by a satellite camera. . . . The book is both unique and valuable for its peninsular range and its vivid combination of history and modern archaeology." -- Harry C. Rutledge,The Classical Outlook "The ambitious objective of this work . . . is to present the results of modern field archaeology in a firmly historical context. It thus represents a welcome attempt to bridge the gap between two disciplines that have largely ignored one another, to the detriment of both. . . . Potter is especially to be applauded for the care he has taken to explore the rural context as fully as the urban, and equally for his determination to balance the evidence supplied by Pompeii and Osia with material from less well-known sites." -- John K. Evans, American Journal of Archaeology "[In this] fascinating book, lavishly produced for its modest price, Dr. Potter manages to be both scholarly and highly readable. This is not just a book for the Roman specialist but can be enjoyed by anyone interested in the development of the social, cultural and economic life of a community whose parallels to the modern world are often closer than we imagine." -- Richard Brooks, European Access T.W. Potter is Assistant Keeper, Department of Prehistoric and Romano British Antiquities, British Museum.