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Usually ships in 1 business days | | | | | | Rome’s oldest known Latin inscription dates from the sixth century BC; the most recent major specimen was mounted in 2006—a span of more than two and a half millennia. Remarkably, many of these inscriptions are still to be found in situ, on the walls, gates, temples, obelisks, bridges, fountains, and churches of the city. Classicist Tyler Lansford has collected some 400 of these inscriptions and arranged them—with English translations—into fifteen walking tours that trace the physical and historical contours of the city. Each itinerary is prefaced by an in-depth introduction that provides a survey of the history and topography of the relevant area of the city. The Latin texts appear on the left-hand page with English translations on the right. The original texts are equipped with full linguistic annotation, and the translations are supplemented with historical and cultural notes that explain who mounted them and why. This unique guide will prove a fascinating and illuminating companion for both sophisticated visitors to the Eternal City and armchair travelers seeking a novel perspective into Rome's rich history. (2010) | | | |
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| | Product Details | | Author: | Tyler Lansford | | Paperback: | 600 pages | | Publisher: | The Johns Hopkins University Press | | Publication Date: | July 17, 2009 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0801891507 | | Product Length: | 8.08 inches | | Product Width: | 6.08 inches | | Product Height: | 1.44 inches | | Product Weight: | 1.6 pounds | | Package Length: | 8.2 inches | | Package Width: | 5.9 inches | | Package Height: | 1.6 inches | | Package Weight: | 1.6 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 6 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 6 customer reviews )
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15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Rome in her own Words Aug 27, 2009
By Michael J. Hart
Rome is a magnificent city and for centuries the Romans have been leaving us messages about who they were and what they did. Unfortunately they are in Latin. Even with my four years of Latin, I was never able to make out more than a few words of these wonderful inscriptions, so I just walked by.
Tyler Lansford has given us the key to unlock these echoes from the past in his book, "The Latin Inscriptions of Rome. A Walking Guide." My family (including two high school Latin students) took this book to Rome on vacation this summer. Grouping the inscriptions along walks around Rome made it the perfect companion for our trip. Instead of walking past the inscriptions we sat down with Lansford's book and were amazed by the stories they told. From the poetry of the Latin on Raphael's tomb in the Pantheon to the more mundane Tiber flood markers on buildings, Lansford leaves few inscriptions untreated. Each section begins with a general introduction to the area you are going to enter, then it leads you from inscription to inscription, telling the story of Rome. It is a great excuse to buy a gelato and mull over the inscriptions at the Trevi.
The book is well-designed with Latin on the left and English on the right. The Latin side also includes the frequently missing letters of the abbreviated inscriptions and explanations of the words and constructions. If you've ever suffered through a Latin class, you can take a crack translating it. When you give up, you can check out Lansford's wonderful translations on the right.
Some Latin texts exclude the 2000 years of Latin since the Classical period but Lansford's book includes Latin from all centuries. I especially appreciated the coverage of the Vatican and St. Peters.
I came away from Rome this time with a much deeper appreciation for the people who built it and made it great over the centuries. Even if you haven't had any Latin instruction in your past, you can use the English side alone to hear the voices of the Romans through their own writings.
I can't wait to go back to Rome, I have a few walks still to go.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
a must-have for fans of Rome Aug 20, 2009
By Jenninrome
This book is a must-have for fans of Rome. It will be of interest to scholars, tourists ... and to anyone interested in getting to know a new "layer" of the Eternal City. Lansford doesn't just translate Rome's Latin inscriptions; he puts them in historical context, bringing them to life. The organization of the guide into walking tours will turn even the most well-known neighborhood of Rome into an off-the-beaten track discovery.
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Outstanding Blend of Scholarship and Travel Writing Sep 09, 2009
By David Heitman
This is quite an impressive tome with its unique blend of scholarly precision and highly accessible, travel-related material. The introduction to each major area of the city is a robust and engaging history, followed by the relevant Latin inscriptions and their English translations. Whether you literally follow in Lansford's footsteps, or take in the Roman inscriptions from the comfort of your own study, this is great history brought to life, well written, and thoroughly enjoyable. I think this is the kind of book you can pick up and open to any page and enjoy as much as reading cover-to-cover.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A "Must-Have" Guidebook for Rome Dec 27, 2009
By Gifford Combs
"asiabear"
I cannot praise this work highly enough and I would recommend it as an essential item for anyone interested in the Eternal City. Lansford has managed in one volume to pack in a huge amount of fascinating history and information that will keep even the most experienced tourist interested. The streets of Rome are filled with Latin inscriptions that are difficult for even a serious student of Latin to understand. In this book, the key to reading these inscriptions is revealed in a fun and lively way. If you are headed to Rome, you need this book. And if you want to have a vicarious armchair "visit" to Rome, you'll love this book.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A must have for ANY fan of Rome!! Nov 19, 2010
By Albert Slap
My stepson was bragging to me about a Roman History class what a great and extremely knowledgeable Classics teacher he had at the University of Colorado, so I curiously asked to see the syllabus to the class. Immediately I read name Tyler Lansford on the top of the page and realized my stepson was taking a class from our "personal" guide, my stepson and I had just traveled to Rome the summer before and used Lansford well crafted book as a virtual tour guide of Rome and its timeless inscriptions by foot!! A must have for all ages of those who wish to understand the ancient city of Rome, and to those who wish to see hidden marvels in the city of Rome that they would otherwise be unaware of.
See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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