An Anthology of Latin Prose [Paperback]

D. A. Russell (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 22, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0198721218 | ISBN-13: 978-0198721215

Filling a major gap in the literature, this useful collection of Latin prose offers ninety-six short passages ranging from the second century B.C. to the sixth century A.D. The book allows students to sample a wide variety of Latin prose texts and illustrates both development and generic differences. Each text is accompanied by a short introduction and brief notes that explain difficult words and draw attention to linguistic and stylistic points. The selections include works by Cato the Censor, C. Gracchus, the annalists, Cicero, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus, Seneca, Vitruvius, and Pliny; some early Patristic texts; and extracts from the Vulgate. Chosen for their diversity and interesting content, the passages are completely accessible to both teachers and students of Latin language and literature, making this anthology invaluable in the teaching and study of Latin prose composition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very useful and informative anthology....Graduate students could be left to their own devices with the collection, and the anthology might serve as an excellent introductory survey."--New England Classical Newsletter

"First-rate useful introduction to Latin prose in a variety of styles. Also makes an excellent second-year reader."--Dirk Obbink, Barnard College

"An excellent collection of texts, sensibly presented, which provides a sound introduction to the range of styles found in Latin prose. The selections are not only important to the understanding of Roman history and culture, but intrinsically interesting."--Christina H. Roseman, Seattle Pacific University

"Well chosen and interesting texts. Excellent background notes to introduce each Latin excerpt. Ideal for our purposes."--Robert Lager, University of Southern Alabama

"A good all-purpose anthology for intermediate level Latin courses. Makes for a convenient survey of important authors."--Daniel Nodes, Conception Seminary College

About the Author

D. A. Russell is at St John's College, Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 22, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198721218
• ISBN-13: 978-0198721215
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good text for a sorely neglected pedagogical genre, September 27, 2004

By 

Jon Torodash (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Anthology of Latin Prose (Paperback)

It has always been my impression that (Cicero, Pliny, and Livy aside,) Latin prose often receives the short end of the stick when classics departments create their course offerings. It would be no wonder if this were true, for many people are attracted to the field in the first place by the beautiful poetry of Vergil, Catullus, Ovid, etc. A mastery of Latin literature however, is not attained without solid grounding in the prosaic tradition, which presents its own unique challenges and aesthetic.

The book's introduction nicely acquaints the reader with the development of the genre and I thoroughly enjoyed the section on clausulae, which my teachers have rarely discussed, and some have outright dismissed. For the text itself, Russell has chosen some wonderful excerpts that sport both a wide range of authors across time periods with engaging content.

I withhold a 5th star from this review only because Russell chose several selections for which his notes are too sparse for an introductory anthology reader. If I were to use this book with students at any level below undergraduate advanced Latin, I would have to expand the notes on just about every passage to make them manageable. And even then most students would have to work hard at it. This is not as user-friendly as Balme's "Intellegenda," and it is hard to specify just what demographic Russell was shooting for. The included notes chiefly cover questions of historical reference and not the brain-busting grammatical convolutions and lengthy constructions that make Latin prose very troublesome for a neophyte.

Overall I would recommend this book for its quality selections and introductory sections. This is not a logical step for self-study if your only prose experience is slogging through a beginner's De Bello Gallico or a heavily annoted text with a specialized dictionary-appendix and a patient teacher. I would imagine however that any dedicated classics scholar, especially teachers, would be pleased to have this on his or her shelf.