Roman Glass: Reflections on Cultural Change

Follow the way social attitudes and historical events—among them, slavery and materialism, wars and plagues—influenced how glassworking developed in the Roman world from the mid-first century B.C. to the late sixth century A.D. Woven into this story is the place of glassware in Roman everyday life, from the lady-of-the-house's cosmetic preparations each morning to the setting of table for the evening meal. Included are two special appendices: one considers the technology of ancient glassmaking, the other summarizes ancient opinions on the properties and merits of glass.

Stuart Fleming was the scientific director of the Applied Science Center for Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.