Herculaneum and the House of the Bicentenary : History and Heritage - Sarah Court

Herculaneum and the House of the Bicentenary

History and Heritage

By: Sarah Court, Leslie Rainer

Paperback | 11 February 2020 | Edition Number 1

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This volume provides a striking account of the life, destruction, rediscovery, and cultural significance of the Roman town of Herculaneum and its grandest residence—the House of the Bicentenary.
 
This volume vividly recounts, for general readers, the Roman town of Herculaneum, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE and uniquely preserved for nearly two thousand years. Initial chapters offer an engaging historical overview of the town during antiquity, including the riveting story of its rediscovery in the eighteenth century, excavation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and broad cultural significance in modern times.
 
Subsequent chapters offer an interpretive tour of the ancient town, then focus on one of Herculaneum’s grandest and most beautifully decorated private residences, known as the House of the Bicentenary. Located on the town’s main street, it has a range of features—original rooms, magnificent wall paintings and mosaics, and remarkable documents—that illuminate daily life in the ancient world.
 
Final chapters bring the story up to date, including recent discoveries about the site and its famous papyrus manuscripts, as well as ongoing conservation initiatives.
 
Industry Reviews

"With its lavish colour illustrations and thematic structure, the book's objective lies in 'presenting conservation and cultural heritage to a broad readership' (168). Particularly compelling is the discussion of how the Herculaneum Conservation Project, with support from the Packard Humanities Institute, has transformed the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum; there is due emphasis, too, on more recent partnerships with the Getty Conservation Institute, above all in restoring and preserving the frescoes of the House of the Bicentenary."

-- "Greece & Rome" (3/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)
"Lavish colour illustrations."
--Michael Squire "Art and Archaeology" (3/16/2021 12:00:00 AM)
"Ambitious. . . . Upon first reading, one cannot help but be impressed by the accessibility of the text, which is well supported by excellent photographs and illustrations. . . . A good addition to a recommended reading list for beginning students of archaeology, conservation, and classical studies yet also presents an interesting read for a professional conservator."
--Dr. Alaina Schmisseur "ICON News"
"Well written, well edited, insightful, and enjoyable to read. . . . The publication is a strong contributor to helping elucidate and fortify the future preservation of Herculaneum."
--Katharine Untch "News in Conservation"
"The authors breathe life into the ancient town, its shops, and its public baths. Full of gorgeous photos, helpful plans, and archival images, this abundantly illustrated book is a fantastic, accessible, and up-to-date overview of Herculaneum, its long history, and importantly, its conservation."
--Lucia Marchini "Minerva"

"This beautifully presented book by Court and Rainer illustrates the cultural value of the ancient town of Herculaneum while at the same time shining a light on the challenges and triumphs of the archaeologists and conservators who work to preserve it."
--Dr. Joanne Berry, Associate Professor, Department of Classics, Ancient History & Egyptology, Swansea University

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