[05
NOV 98] UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK PRESS RELEASE
Coventry Woman Writes Book On Ancient Roman Gardens Coventry born woman Linda Farrar has produced the definitive book on
the world's ancient Roman gardens. Linda used her time as a research student at the
University of Warwick to travel to many different parts of the old Roman Empire to carry
out extensive research into the archaeological remains of Roman gardens and the surviving
documentary accounts and artistic depictions of these gardens from almost 2000 years ago.
She covers everything from early Roman vegetable patches to
the ornate gardens seen at the height of the Roman Empire. Just like British people today
gardening was an activity that touched the lives of a great many Romans. In her book Linda
says:
"The Roman love of nature and growing things is shown
in the many areas that were given over to greenery in Pompeii and elsewhere....gardens
were not just the preserve of the wealthy, for even those living in smaller properties
were able to include a corner of greenery, or even a few plants in containers or a window
box..."
Linda lists in her book some Roman gardens, recreations of
Roman gardens or the sites of former Roman gardens that are available to see in mainland
Britain. These include:
- Corinium Museum in Cirencester
- Roman garden in Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
NOTES:
Ancient Roman Gardens by Linda Farrar is published by Sutton Publishing Limited, Phoenix
Mill, Stroud. Price £25 ISBN: 0 7509 1725 3
MORE INFORMATION:
Peter Dunn, University Press Officer 01203 523708
|
