Cicero, On Pompey’s Command (De Imperio), 27-49. Latin Text, Study Aids with Vocabulary, Commentary, and Translation

Reviewed by Christina Franzen, Associate Professor, Marshall University on 11/30/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This is an excellent, comprehensive introduction, text, and commentary on "De Imperio." The introduction is extremely thorough and not only will familiarize undergraduate students with historical context, but it provide students with deep knowledge and semantic range of some of the key Roman concepts and Latin terms Cicero relies on throughout his speech. The vocabulary help and the study questions at the end of each section are also thorough and rightfully focus on grammatical and thematic elements prominent in the text. The commentary also focuses on grammatical help, historical context, and thematic issues, a range of advice and guidance that I value in a commentary greatly. While some commentaries focus either on grammar or context exclusively, this edition is thorough, satisfying, and erudite in its variety of notes.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

As far as commentaries go, this text is extremely accurate, and, as noted above, the grammatical, thematic, and historical context, as well as the page by page vocabulary help and discussion questions are helpful, accurate, and comprehensive. I found nothing objectionable at all, and all of it rang true in its discussion of nuanced Roman concepts and vocabulary. The introduction is well written and packed with information (I even learned some things myself).

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This is one of the best, most comprehensive, and relevant intermediate/upper level Latin texts and commentaries I've ever seen (especially commentaries on Cicero's works). The editor quotes from up to date scholarship, and I see no issue at all in the ways in which it may be updated. The layout is clear and the sections are broken up in such a way that it would be easy to make changes.

Clarity rating: 5

While aimed at students are in the second to fourth year Latin, who will be familiar with at least some working knowledge of Roman history and Latin oratorical terms, it's extremely clear in its explanations of new concepts and has a layout which breaks up the Latin text t into digestible chunks. The editor enlisted the help of his undergraduate students in the drafting of the text and commentary at Cambridge University (UK), who I'm sure guided the information content precisely to an undergraduate audience.

Consistency rating: 5

The text and commentary are very consistent in terms of the historical, political, and oratorical terminology and framework of late Republican Rome. The introduction and commentary use frequent vocabulary and concepts of Cicero in both places (as well as the discussion questions), such as auctoritas, dignitas, and virtus, which familiarize students with such important and vital Republican values.

Modularity rating: 5

While the introduction is rather long, it does contain important information for students. The Latin text itself is divided into digestible chunks; relevant vocabulary follows immediately as well as the discussion questions; and the commentary is well laid out but delayed until the end of the book, after the Latin text is presented. Though I do find less experienced readers of Latin do better with the commentary right below its relevant Latin text, withholding of the commentary until the end works fine too, especially since vocabulary is provided throughout.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The introduction, text, and commentary are indeed presented in a logical and clear fashion which is easy to access and comprehensible for students.

Interface rating: 5

There are no significant interface issues which are distracting or confusing.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The grammar and text itself of the book (and grammatical help for the Latin) are free from errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive, but because it's specifically about translating Latin into grammatically correct English, its scope is very limited with regard to discussion of race and ethnicity.

Comments

Overall, it's a great commentary, and I plan to use it in the future.