The Oxford Anthology of Roman Literature
Edited by Peter E. Knox and J. C. McKeown
Reviews and Awards
"This book presents an overview of Roman literature , providing introductions to and excerpts from 28 major Roman authors in English translation. The translations are of high quality, the selections well chosen, and the introductions informative and substantive, with an appealing dash of humor. I have desired such a book for years. ... Peter Knox and Jim McKeown have now provided an impressively inclusive anthology that expertly serves student audiences at an affordable price. ... Thanks to Knox and McKeown, the power and range of Roman literature now opens more easily into the undergraduate classroom." --Bryn Mawr Classical Review
"The editors paint an intriguing portrait of the interdisciplinary challenges in harvesting history from a body of ancient literature." --Library Journal
"This most welcome publication provides an excellent introduction to the world of Roman literature. Highly recommended." --CHOICE
"This is simply the best collection available today of ancient sources from the Roman world. The translations are consistently readable and appealing. The prefaces to each selection are of exceptional quality, and make this a useful reference work for all readers. The afterwords likewise contain fascinating introductions to the post-classical history and tradition of each selection, and are worth reading for their own sake. Knox and McKeown are to be applauded for the real service they have done for Classics teachers and students everywhere with this valuable volume." --Barbara Weiden Boyd, Bowdoin College
"The two editors have outstanding reputations as Latin scholars, and they write in a very accessible manner, communicating a great deal of information with clarity and energy. The main strengths of the book are that it covers a remarkable range of Roman literature in authoritative translations and also provides a totally reliable and scholarly background for each text. The editors give us a fascinating line-up of great variety, even including Greek authors who wrote about Roman affairs. It is the only book of its kind on the market, and fills a real gap." --Denis Feeney, Princeton University
"Succinct yet highly informative and colorfully written forewords and afterwords give excellent orientation to the wide and very rich selection of readings in this well-judged anthology of Roman literature. Less advanced students will find a very practical but entertaining introduction to landmark texts of the Republican and Imperial eras; but more advanced students will also find much of value in the editors' state-of-the-art cultural-historical contextualization of their selections." --Gareth Williams, Columbia University