I have been reading and re-reading James S. Jeffers’ book The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity. It is an informative and thoroughly enjoyable book — I highly recommend it. In his chapter on “Life and Death in the First Century” he recommends the following books for further reading:

Labor and the Economy

• The Social Context of Paul’s Ministry: Tentmaking and Apostleship, by Ronald F. Hock

Leisure and Games

• Cruelty and Civilization: The Roman Games, by Roland Auguet

Travel

• Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World, by Lionel Casson
• Travel in the Ancient World, by Lionel Casson
• The Book of Acts in Its Graeco-Roman Setting, edited by David W. J. gill and Conrad Gempf
• The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influece on His Life and Thought, by William Ramsay

Dining

• Roman Cookery, by John Edwards
• Rome: Its People, Life and Customs, by Ugo Enrico Paoli