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The story of Amarantus and his neighbourhood

Best selling author Caroline Lawrence worked in collaboration with archaeologists and historians to bring ancient Pompeii to life in her novel Amarantus and his Neighbourhood. The story was written to complement and reflect the archaeological Evidence and Teaching and Learning materials and used alongside these as part of a course of study or simply enjoyed on its own. The 18 core chapters found on this website are arranged in six groups of three, corresponding to the six key Topics, each with a Think Question which acts as a bridge between the story and the historical enquiry for that topic.

To read the full 30 chapter novel of Amarantus and his Neighbourhood purchase the printed book via the link below.

AMARANTUS IN AUTUMN AD 62 (Oct–Nov)

Enquiry question

What sort of people might have lived in Amarantus’s neighbourhood?

1.1: A World Full of Gods and Dogs

What does Amarantus mean when he says 'thirty years of being a slave will do that to you'? What does it tell us about his life?
1.2: Power Seating

The seating plan for the banquet is clearly very important, what does it suggest about Roman Society?
1.3: Bad Birthday Omens
In this chapter we meet a variety of different people from the insula; what do you think it would be like to live in a neighbourhood like this?
1.1
1.2
1.3

AMARANTUS IN WINTER AD 62 (Dec)

Enquiry question

Setting the scene; how would you characterise everyday life for the different members of society in Pompeii?

2.1: A Tipsy Mule
Nuceria is only about 10 miles from Pompeii. What are relations like between nearby towns, cities or areas today?
2.2: Fighting Merchants

We’ve heard a few times in the story that gambling is illegal, but that doesn’t seem to stop people in Amarantus’s neighbourhood! Can you think of any historical or modern parallels?
2.3: Fighting Cocks
What do you think life might have been like for a child like Sophe living on Pompeii’s streets?
2.1
2.2
2.3

AMARANTUS IN WINTER AD 63 (Jan–Feb)

Enquiry question

How were religion and belief present in the daily lives of ancient Pompeians? What did this involve in practice?

3.1: Dolls, Balls and Pork Products
Superbus got his doll when he ‘came of age’ and Pompeia left her dolls and toys on the altar when she got married; what does this suggest about the gods and their place in Roman Life?
3.2: Birthday Earthquake

Amarantus wakes up feeling worried, so he immediately says a prayer to his favourite god, Dionysus, god of wine; why do you think the Romans gave specific jobs to their gods? What things in the modern world might the Romans have given gods to?
3.3: A Fragrant Funeral
What is the most striking thing about the funerals described in the story? Why?
3.1
3.2
3.3

AMARANTUS IN SPRING AD 63

Enquiry question

Pompeii was part of the Roman Empire. Did this stop local politics being important in everyday life? Where did power lie in Pompeii?

4.1: Manumission

Amarantus and Pompeia need a magistrate from Rome to witness Amarantus’s manumission; what does this suggest about the political and legal system?
4.2: Naughty Sophe

There is a lot of graffiti about elections in Pompeii, it seems to have been a popular way of campaigning; can you think of any modern equivalents? What tactics do modern politicians use to win over voters?
4.3: Election Results

What do Vatia’s actions suggest about Roman elections and politics?
4.1
4.2
4.3

AMARANTUS IN SUMMER AD 63 (Jun–Jul)

Enquiry question

How did the nature of trade and commerce in Pompeii influence the everyday experience of living there?

5.1: A Humble Client

In this episode we hear a lot about Amarantus’ woes trying to find a builder for the bar; what other trades and jobs have we heard about throughout the story?
5.2: The Problem with Tituli Picti

Sophe sees ships from a wide range of places when she visits Pompeii’s harbour, what does this suggest about Pompeii and Roman trade?
5.3: The Fourth Hour

Julia Helena clearly has less power in her household than Pompeia, but she still finds a way to help Amarantus. What does the depiction of these two characters suggest about the influence of Roman women?
5.1
5.2
5.3

AMARANTUS IN AUTUMN AD 63 (Oct–Nov)

Enquiry question

What might meals have been like for different members of Pompeian society?

6.1: Introducing Doctor Hypatus

Do you find it surprising that Dr Hypatus prescribes certain foods to help Grata? How different are these ideas to ones people hold today?
6.2: What is Love?

What sort of wedding feast do you think Fabia and Mestrius will have? How might this compare to Amarantus and Grata’s?
6.3: A Generous Wedding Feast

And so we leave our neighbours and finish the story! Do you have a favourite character? What do you hope happens next?
6.1
6.2
6.3

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