The ruins of Pompeii destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79 offer the best evidence we have of life in the Roman empire What kind of town was it? What can it tell us about life then - from sex to politics, food to religion, slavery to literacy? Can we use this extraordinary survival to write a history of 'ordinary' Roman life? The headings of Mary Beard's notes give a taste of this book Bad Breath, Intestinal Parasites, Performing Monkeys, One-way Streets, Kosher Food, Water Shortages