Table of Contents

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

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Harry Mount and John Davie unlock the wisdom of the past, revealing how ancient Latin can help us to live better in the present

About the Author

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

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*

…highly readable… the perfect approach… presented with verve and wit.
*The Wall Street Journal*