Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Penguin Classics (1986), Paperback, 368 pages
Description
Brings together biographical sketches of six men who lived during the period of foreign and civil war that marked the collapse of the Roman Republic.
User reviews
LibraryThing member john257hopper
I found some of this rather dry, esp. the earlier lives which were very full of military manoeuvres and didn't bring across the subjects very well. The sections on Caesar and Cicero were the most readable, partly because the events were more familiar to me. The overlap between events in the
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respective accounts could be confusing in places. Overall, this edition could definitely benefit from some commentary, notes and maps, notwithstanding the foreword's remark about the simplicity of the author's style not needing further explanation. As it stands, there is no contextualisation for the non-expert reader. Show Less
LibraryThing member delta351
I read the 1979 version translated by Rex Warner. Overall I thought it was good, as it pulled together the whole story of the 'Fall of the Roman Republic.' I thought the Caesar chapter was exceptionally well done, and it concisely stated the high points of his life. As a relative novice to Roman
Maps and relevant footnotes would have helped immensely, and I often found myself wondering if a more up to date version of this book existed.
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history, the Marius and Sulla chapters were very informative, although dry at times. I was also interested in how compact the society was, in that Caesar was related to Marius and thought enough of his ancestor to bring his public statues back. The irony of Caesar dying at the feet of the Pompey statue was also significant.Maps and relevant footnotes would have helped immensely, and I often found myself wondering if a more up to date version of this book existed.
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Subjects
Language
Original language
Latin
Original publication date
120
Physical description
368 p.; 7.7 inches
ISBN
0140440844 / 9780140440843