A Loeb Classical Library Reader

This selection of lapidary nuggets drawn from 33 of antiquity's major authors includes poetry, dialogue, philosophical writing, history, descriptive reporting, satire, and fiction-giving a glimpse at the wide range of arts and sciences, thought and styles, of Greco-Roman culture. The selections span twelve centuries, from Homer to Saint Jerome. The texts and translations are reproduced as they appear in Loeb volumes. The Loeb Classical Library? is the only existing series of books which, through original text and facing English translation, gives access to all that is important in Greek and Latin literature. A Loeb Classical Library Reader offers a unique sampling of this treasure trove. In these pages you will find: Odysseus tricking the Cyclops in order to escape from the giant's cave; Zeus creating the first woman, Pandora, cause of mortals' hardships ever after; the Athenian general Nicias dissuading his countrymen from invading Sicily; Socrates, condemned to die, saying farewell; a description of Herod's fortified palace at Masada; Cicero's thoughts on what we owe our fellow men; Livy's description of the rape of the Sabine women; Manilius on the signs of the zodiac; and Pliny's observation of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE. Here you can enjoy looking in on people, real and imaginary, who figure prominently in ancient history, and on notable events. Here, too, you can relish classical poetry and comedy, and get a taste of the ideas characteristic of the splendid culture to which we are heir.

“This little book is a delight to hold and to read...You would, if you're remotely interested in books, be hard-pressed to find anything better anywhere on which to spend your money. -- Bradley Winterton "Taipei Times" (08/20/2006)”

A small book that has been my companion on every train and bus journey for the past two weeks… It is a pocket-sized selection of some of the greatest writers who ever lived. -- A. N. Wilson Daily Telegraph
Even for those with little Latin and less Greek, this compendium will bring enormous pleasure. Loeb is, indeed, a many-splendoured thing. -- Peter Jones The Spectator
This little book is a delight to hold and to read… You would, if you’re remotely interested in books, be hard-pressed to find anything better anywhere on which to spend your money. -- Bradley Winterton Taipei Times

A complete list of the works available in the Loeb Classical Library is available at

This selection of lapidary nuggets drawn from thirty-three of antiquity's major authors includes poetry, dialogue, philosophical writing, history, descriptive reporting, satire, and fiction--giving a glimpse at the wide range of arts and sciences, thought and styles, of Greco-Roman culture. The selections span twelve centuries, from Homer to Saint Jerome. The texts and translations are reproduced as they appear in Loe

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