Rome's Debt to Greece Book

This book, originally published in 1976 and now for the first time in paperback, offers a study of Roman attitudes to the Greek world, showing what Romans of the governing class thought about Greeks, both past and contemporary. It considers the practical effects of Philhellenism in Rome and surveys Rome's attempts to assimilate Greek literature. Wardman discusses the faults and virtues of the Greeks through Roman eyes; Roman views on use of the Greek language and Greek art; Roman readings of Homer; interpretations of Greek history and historians; evaluations of Greek rhetorical theory; and the problems they faced in turning Greek philosophy into Latin. The book ranges from the age of Cicero to the second century A.D. and is still unique in providing an overall, thematically arranged survey. It will be useful to all students of Greek and Roman civilization and will appeal to all who are interested in the reception of Hellenism. Quotations are in translation, so it is readily accessible to those who do not read the ancient languages.Read More