Ancient Rome in So Many Words

Francese, Christopher

ISBN 10: 0781811538 / ISBN 13: 9780781811538

Published by Hippocrene Books, 2007

About this Item

Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!

Seller Inventory # S_473001645

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Ancient Rome in So Many Words
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books
• Publication Date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0781811538
• ISBN 13: 9780781811538
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

The word histories in this book use language as a window into the culture of ancient Rome. The hidden stories behind common Latin words illustrate interesting aspects of Roman life, while more rare terms shed light on noteworthy facets of this ancient culture.

Avoiding traditional caricatures of the Romans as uniquely noble or depraved, this book uses the Latin vocabulary to figure out what mattered to the Romans themselves, and how they thought about it. Interweaving quotations, anecdotes, and analysis in a lighthearted and readable way, Francese holds the mirror of language up to the obsessions and blind spots of the Romans, and by extension to some of our own as well.

* Includes word histories of almost 100 classical Latin terms
* Divided by areas of social life, such as childhood, status & class, technology, debauchery, crime & punishment, and insults
* Features common words like dignitas, plebs, and alumnus, and rare terms like fascinum, pistor, and carnifex

About the Author

Christopher Francese is associate professor of classical studies at Dickinson College. He is also author of Parthenius of Nicaea and Roman Poetry (2001) and articles about Roman Literature.