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Books

What made Romans LOL?

A review of Laughter in Ancient Rome, by Mary Beard. Roman humour may not have aged well but it’s still fascinating knowing what made them laugh

7 June 2014

9:00 AM

7 June 2014

9:00 AM

Laughter in Ancient Rome Mary Beard

University of California Press, pp.326, £19.95, ISBN: 9780520277168

At the beginning of The Art of Poetry, Horace tells a story that, he promises, will make anyone laugh: ‘If a painter wanted to put a horse’s head on a human neck, would you be able to keep your laughter in?’ Would you? I certainly would.

That’s the thing about Roman jokes: they’re not really very funny now.

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Available from the Spectator Bookshop, £18.95. Tel: 08430 600033. Harry Mount is the author of Amo, Amas, Amat and All That.

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