The Classical Roman Reader: New Encounters with Ancient Rome

Western civilization is in many ways an outgrowth of the Roman Empire. The Classical Roman Reader, which contains a collection of some of the finest and most important writing of the Roman period, brings the modern reader into direct contact with the literature, political thought, science, art and architecture, and psychology of classical Rome. Here are the wonders of the Roman world presented in a modern, accessible manner. Each selection is preceded by an introduction that identifies the author and provides information that allows modern readers to consider these texts in a new light. What we discover might be surprising. For instance, in Cicero's orations and Marcus Aurelius' meditations, we hear echoes of todays political forums and popular-psychology talk-show hosts. Virgil's ironic dramatization of the founding myth in the Aeneid prepared the way for America's deeply embedded ambivalence toward the presidency. The Roman preference for practicality over philosophy, leading to a network of superhighways that joined Europe, Asia, Asia Minor, and Africa, literally paved the way for the "global village" of the contemporary world. From Plautus' wildly comic plays to Cato's instructions on farming, and from Catullus' erotic poems to Petronius' descriptions of the decadent splendor of the declining empire, The Classical Roman Reader provides access to the literary, artistic, social, religious, political, scientific, and philosophical texts that shaped Roman thinking and helped form the backbone of Western culture.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction PART I Early Rome (509 -- 65 B.C.) Plautus / The Rope Ennius / Annals Cato the Elder / On Farm Management Terence / The Brothers Lucilius / Epigrams Varro / On Agriculture PART II The Late Republic (64-27 B.C) Cicero / The First Oration Against Catiline and Letters to His Wife and Family in Rome and to Caesar in Gaul Caesar / The Gallic War Publilius / Maxims Laberius / An Old Actor Addresses Julius Caesar Propertius / Elegies Sulpicia / Lyrics Lucretius / On the Nature of Things Catullus / Lyrics Sallust / History of Rome Virgil / Aeneid Horace / Ars Poetica PART III The Empire (27 B.C. -- A.D. 476) Livy / Early History of Rome Tibullus / Elegies Seneca the Elder / Suasoriae Augustus / Acts Vitruvius / On Architecture Ovid / Metamorphoses and The Art of Love Seneca the Younger / Pumpkinification of Claudius Celsus / On Medicine Valerius Maximus / Noteworthy Words and Deeds Pliny the Elder / Natural History Silius Italicus / Punica Quintilian / Education of an Orator Josephus / The Jewish War Lucan / Pharsalia Martial / Epigrams Frontinus / On the Conveyance of Water Statius / Thebaid Pliny the Younger / Letters Juvenal / Satires Petronius / Satyricon Tacitus / Annals: The Mutiny of the Pannonian Legions Suetonius / from The Lives of the Twelve Caesars: Julius Caesar Hadrian / To His Soul Soranus / Gynecology Fronto / Correspondence with Marcus Aurelius Gellius / Attic Nights Gaius / Institutes Marcus Aurelius / Meditations Apuleius / The Golden Ass Paulus / Opinions Julian the Apostate / Hymn to the Mother of the Gods Ausonius / Lyrics Claudian / The Rape of Proserpine Avianus / Fables Macrobius / Commentary on the Dream of Scipio Vegetius / Military Institutions of the Romans Anonymous / The Vigil of Venus Justinian / Institutes Roman Gods/Heroes and Their Greek Counterparts Landmarks of Roman History Glossary Sources & Recommendations Acknowledgements Illustration Credits Index

About the Author :
Kenneth J. Atchity, a former professor at Occidental College and Fulbright Professor at the University of Bologna, is the author and editor of many books, including The Renaissance Reader, Homer's Iliad, Homer: Critical Essays, and The Classical Greek Reader.

Review :
"This reader for students new to the Roman world meets with moderate success. Atchity deserves commendations for including authors not normally found in English translation surveys.... The diversity of voices and topics, drawn from 700 years of Roman history, allows for a fairly complete overview not afforded by most Latin readers....This book is recommended for all undergraduate libraries."--Religious Studies Review, David Christiansen, Truman State University "As in the case of "The Classical Greek Reader," I found this collection interesting and well-balanced. The student will not become an expert in Rome through this book alone, yet by the time he/she finishes the book, he/she will have a reliable understanding of the Roman thought in a variety of fields. The book itself is attractive and inviting."--Ippokratis Kantzios, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey "Excellent, much needed anthology."--C.S.Kraszewski, King's College "The variety of authors is wonderful. It provides the opportunity to introduce students both to well known names and to completely new individuals."--T. Davina McClain, Loyola University, New Orleans "The selections give an excellent overview of Roman life and letters. This book will make enlightening reading for the serious undergraduate student of Roman civilization."--Patricia Matsen, University of South Carolina