A classic introduction to Latin literature, with translations of the best passages from Virgil, Livy, Ovid, Seneca and many others.

This classic anthology traces the development of Latin literature from the early Republican works of Cicero and Catullus, to the writers of the Empire such as Lucan and Petronius, to the later writings of St Augustine. The selections cover comedy and epic, history and philosophy, in prose and in verse, and each passage is prefaced by an introduction to the author and his influence. The translators range across history from Alexander Pope and Lord Byron to contemporaries. The result is a broad and brilliant overview of the civilization of Rome and its Empire - an ideal introduction to Latin literature.

Michael Grant was born in 1914. He served as an intelligence officer during the Second World War, and subsequently held academic posts at the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Khartoum and Belfast. Over his lifetime, he published nearly fifty books on the ancient world, ranging from studies of Roman coinage, to biographies of Caesar, Nero and Jesus, to books on Ancient Israel and the Middle Ages. Many of his translations were published in Penguin Classics. Professor Grant moved to Italy in 1966, where he spent most of the rest of his life until his death in 2004.

This essential introduction to the best of Latin literature gives a brilliant and broad overview of Roman civilization, from Caesar's description of invading Britain and Pliny's eye-witness account of Vesuvius' eruption to Cicero's speeches and the poetry of Virgil and Ovid.

About the Author
Michael Grant was born in 1914. He served as an intelligence officer during the Second World War, and subsequently held academic posts at the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Khartoum and Belfast. Over his lifetime, he published nearly fifty books on the ancient world, ranging from studies of Roman coinage, to biographies of Caesar, Nero and Jesus, to books on Ancient Israel and the Middle Ages. Many of his translations were published in Penguin Classics. Professor Grant moved to Italy in 1966, where he spent most of the rest of his life until his death in 2004.


Book Information
ISBN 9780141398112
Author Michael Grant
Format Paperback
Page Count 464
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 337g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 26mm