There are so many Latin phrases in everyday use that often we use them without understanding the background and context within which they were actually used. 'Carpe diem'; 'Stet'; 'Memento mori'; 'Et tu Brute' – examples would fill a book. And often these phrases are also used in English translation: 'The dye is cast'; 'crossing the Rubicon'; 'Rome was not built in a day'.
Many of these phrases are humorous, but they are also a rich source of wisdom: the wisdom of the ancients. The chapters of this book include: Life’s Misfortunes and how to deal with them; How to deal with old age (Cicero); Why Death is nothing to fear (Lucretius); The Stoic guide to life. Each chapter starts with a quotation and is lightly sprinkled with many more, with accompanying English translations.
The background to each quotation is explained so that the context is fully understood. Who crossed the Rubicon and why, for example? At a time of great political and social turbulence, more and more people are turning back to ancient wisdom as a guide to life. Here they are in touch with two classical scholars of distinction who have the common touch.
By:
Harry Mount,
John Davie
Imprint: Bloomsbury
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 135mm,
ISBN: 9781399400978
ISBN 10: 1399400975
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 10 January 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction A note on translation A timeline of Julius Caesar and the Roman Emperors 1. Writing on the Wall – Latin graffiti, from Pompeii’s brothel to Herculaneum’s tavernas 2. Ruling Britannia – Roman Britain, from Londinium’s first bankers to freezing legionaries on Hadrian’s Wall 3. Sex in Rome and the Rudest Poem in Latin 4. True Romance – the Great Latin Love Poets 5. Latin Jokes and Insults 6. Latin for Gardeners 7. Bathtime, Feasts and La Dolce Vita 8. Bread, Circuses and Gladiators 9. Plebs and Patricians – the Roman Class System 10. Empire and Emperors 11. The Divine Family – Religion and the Gods 12. Christian Conversion – how Christ went from Roman Victim to Roman God 13. Vesuvius Erupts – Pliny Reports 14. What did you get for Saturnalia? Martial’s Funny Festival Presents 15. Horace, the Sweetest Poet of All 16. Cicero on How to Grow Old Gracefully 17. Seneca’s Stoic Guide to Life 18. Your Vade Mecum – the Latin-English Glossary Roman Numerals Conclusion Acknowledgements Picture credits
After obtaining a first class degree in Latin and Greek at Oxford University, Harry Mount embarked on life as a journalist. A frequent contributor to The Spectator, Daily Telegraph and The Times, he is now the editor of The Oldie. John Davie was for many years head of Classics at St Paul's School in London. He then moved to Trinity College, Oxford where he became tutor in Classics.
Reviews for Et tu, Brute?: The Best Latin Lines Ever
Both entertaining and informative, this is not to be missed. * This England * There's much pleasure to be had in Et Tu, Brute?...which carries a lot of learning very lightly. * The Tablet * ...filled with memorable and fun facts. * The Times Literary Supplement *
