Rome As a Guide to the Good Life
There’s something special about the desire to travel to Rome. At least some of us tourists are looking for la dolce vita. We dream of more than a change of scene. We long for a change of soul.
The wonderful thing is that for centuries philosophers and other seekers have been using the Eternal City to think through what it means to live well. Rome as a Guide to the Good Life is an exploration of both the city and the visions of life inspired by it, an eclectic guide that blends history, art, literature, religion, and philosophy. My aim is to see how much our souls can be instructed not only by thinkers like Cicero, Seneca, and Giordano Bruno but also by sites like the Forum, the Villa Farnesina, and the Galleria Borghese.
Though I hope my book can serve as a vade mecum for Rome, it’s also intended for those whose only road to the Eternal City is mental flight. When we travel to Rome, or even dream of traveling there, our imaginations play softly with questions of the good life. Let’s turn up that experience.
Praise
“A delightful and immersive guide to the city of Rome and the philosophical tradition it embodies concerning the good life, or as we would say today, the meaning of life. Travelers seeking ancient wisdom among the city’s famous buildings and works of art could ask for no better companion.”—Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
“Rome as a Guide to the Good Life immerses us in glorious works of art and architecture. But in Rome, every aspect of life, from Raphael to food to gesticulation, is an art. Rather than guiding us through the labyrinth of the city’s streets, Samuelson guides us through the labyrinth of life, more daunting than any streetscape.”
—Ingrid D. Rowland, author of Giordano Bruno and The Collector of Lives
“I have been a Roman for over half a century, but I’ll be sure to use Samuelson’s Guide the next time I visit my native city. I will look at it quite differently!”—Massimo Pigliucci, author of How to Be a Stoic
“In this elegantly written book, Samuelson takes us by the elbow and leads us to his favorite places and works of art in the Eternal City, spinning stories about their history, pointing out their beauties and contradictions, and reflecting on their philosophical meanings. Whether you travel to Rome with this book as your guide, or read it from the comfort of an armchair, Samuelson teaches us ancient lessons that can enrich our modern lives.”
—Lori Erickson, author of Holy Rover, Near the Exit, and The Soul of the Family Tree