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 today's 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.
Most libraries ought to stock an anthology of Roman literature, and Atchity's reader ably fills the bill. Excerpts by well-known authors are here--Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Juvenal--but so too are nonartistic authors who exemplify Rome's characteristic emphasis on the practical over the abstract. Cato the Elder instructs on running a farm; Vitruvius explains how to design classical buildings in his still-influential textbook; a cook lists recipes; and a doctor teaches about gynecology. The items about literature and living are arranged in chronological order, as are Atchity's selection of works of politics and history. Sensing a need to excite newcomers to the subject, he chooses such interesting extent pieces as Caesar's account of conquering Gaul, Augustus' bragging of his accomplishments, and the histories by Sallust, Tacitus, and Suetonius. For those uninitiated to Rome's written legacy but eager to meet it, this varied set of readings makes a memorable match. Gilbert Taylor--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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
With more than forty years experience in the publishing world, and over fifteen years in entertainment, I absolutely love being a "story merchant"--writer, producer, teacher, and literary manager, responsible for launching dozens of books and films. My life's passion is finding great storytellers and turning them into bestselling authors and screenwriters--and making films which send their stories around the world.
I've produced 26 films, including "Joe Somebody" (Tim Allen; Fox), "Life or Something Like It" (Angelina Jolie; Fox), "The Amityville Horror" (NBC), "Shadow of Obsession" (NBC), "The Madam's Family" (CBS). "Meg" (New Line), "Demon Keeper" (Fox 2000), "Henry's List of Wrongs" (New Line), and Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not (starring Jim Carrey; Paramount) are approaching production. Full film bio at www.imdb.com.
My 14 books include books for writers at every stage of their career. Based on my teaching, managing, and writing experience, I've successfully built bestselling careers for novelists, nonfiction writers, and screenwriters from the ground up. Clients include bestsellers Steve Alten, Royce Buckingham, Jamise Dames, Noire, Shirley Palmer, Tracy Price-Thompson, Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not!, Cheryl Saban, and Governor Jesse Ventura. Now, as chairman and CEO of Atchity Entertainment International, Inc., my Story Merchant companies, www.aeionline.com and www.thewriterslifeline.com, provide a one-stop full-service development and management machine for commercial and literary writers who wish to launch their storytelling in all media---from publishing and film and television production, to Web presence and merchandising & licensing.
I was born in Eunice, Louisiana; and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, where I attended Rockhurst High School (and was editor in chief of The Prep News). After undergraduate work at Georgetown (A.B., English/Classics), and getting my Ph.D. in comparative literature from Yale, I served as professor and chairman of comparative literature and creative writing at Occidental College (Faculty Achievement Award; published articles, reviews, short stories, and poems in major journals and magazines throughout the world).
Editor of CQ: Contemporary Quarterly: Poetry and Art
Co-founder and -editor (with Marsha Kinder of Dreamworks: An Interdisciplinary Journal Devoted to the Relationship between Dreams and the Arts (authors published and/or advisory board included Joyce Carol Oates, Ursula Leguin, Ernest Cardenal, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, Paul Bowles, John Fowles, Hubert Selby, John Rechy, Stephen King, Georges Simenon, Carlos Fuentes, Eugene Ionesco).
Served as Fulbright Professor of American Studies at the University of Bologna
Distinguished Instructor, UCLA Writers Program
Regular columnist-reviewer for The Los Angeles Times Book Review (involved in establishing the Los Angeles Times Book Awards)
Vice-president of P.E.N. Los Angeles
I'ves made numerous radio and television appearances, and given inspirational keynote talks at writers conferences, speaking on the world of professional storytelling, the storyteller's market, the storyteller's process, creativity, dreams, and various academic and entertainment and publishing related subjects.
I wrote and served as on-camera talent for Synapse Technology's "Columbus: The Voyage of Discovery," and consulted for the Discovery Channel's series, "The Power of Dreams."
