Product Review

A mature but accessible Latin, a narrative brimming with historical significance and fascination: these were once touted as obvious advantages of reading Caesar's Bellum Gallicum. A change in sensibilities, however, read Rome s brutal invasion and conquest of northern Europe as problematic, if not disturbing. But questions about the validity of Rome s actions and of Caesar s, especially in his later Bellum Civile are precisely what make these commentaries compelling to read and to discuss. Additional selections from Caesar s letters, speeches, and poetry offer fresh perspectives on his stylistic versatility. Tatum s commentary guides readers through it all, pointing up Caesar s significance as a representative of his age, culture, and class, while not skirting issues raised by the intriguingly unsimple mentality that gave us these works.
Introduction to Caesar s life, times, works, and style
588 lines of unadapted Latin text selected from Caesar s two historical commentaries as well as from his extant correspondence, oratory, and poetry: Bellum Gallicum BOOK 1: 1.1 1.4, 2.1 3.1, 7, 11 12, 34 36; BOOK 2: 19.6 22.2; BOOK 5: 27; BOOK 6: 13 14, 16, 21, 24 Bellum Civile BOOK 1: 3 4, 7, 22 23; BOOK 2: 31 32; BOOK 3: 1, 57, 103.2 104.3 Cicero Ad Atticum 9.7C (Caesar to Oppius and Cornelius), 10.8B (Caesar to Cicero) Suetonius Vita Divi Iulii 6 (fragment of Caesar s funeral oration for his aunt Julia) Suetonius Vita Terentii 7 (Caesar s poem on Terence)
Notes at the back and complete vocabulary
Appendix on Latin prose rhythm
Three maps and three illustrations