It rests first and foremost on the primary evidence, with translations of many texts included throughout, and Ruffini's engaging tone pulls the reader into the stories that are showcased and woven together. It is especially useful for students (undergraduate and master's level in particular), but is a convenient synthesis of material that is not easy for the non-specialist to navigate, and the bibliography provides newcomers to the sixth century material with the most important resources.

Giovani R. Ruffini. Life in an Egyptian Village in Late Antiquity: Aphrodito Before and After the Islamic Conquest. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018.

From Bryn Mawr Classical Review (BMCR). Review by Jennifer Cromwell, Manchester Metropolitan University