Frontinus And The Curae Of The Curator Aquarum

The De aquis of Sextus Julius Frontinus is usually interpreted as either an administrative guide for the curator aquarum, or as a work of praise. It can be demonstrated, however, that Frontinus had another goal in writing. The book is more likely what we would call a political pamphlet, explaining a particular administrative reform, and encouraging those affected by that reform to cooperate with it. Frontinus wants to be sure that all concessions of aqueduct water to private individuals be made as proper grants by the emperor. In short, this curator aquarum is interested in regulating the flow of a particular beneficium, namely, aqueduct water, from the emperor to his elite subjects.

This book examines the survival, transformation and eventual decline of Roman public baths and bathing habits in Italy, North Africa and Palestine during Late Antiquity.

This book contains over fifty passages of Latin from 200 BC to AD 900, each with translation and linguistic commentary. It is not intended as an elementary reader (though suitable for university courses), but as an illustrative history of Latin covering more than a millennium, with almost every century represented. Conventional histories cite constructions out of context, whereas this work gives a sense of the period, genre, stylistic aims and idiosyncrasies of specific passages. 'Informal' texts, particularly if they portray talk, reflect linguistic variety and change better than texts adhering to classicising norms. Some of the texts are recent discoveries or little known. Writing tablets are well represented, as are literary and technical texts down to the early medieval period, when striking changes appear. The commentaries identify innovations, discontinuities and phenomena of long duration. Readers will learn much about the diversity and development of Latin.

This handy reference provides full access to the 1,200 years of Roman rule from the 8th century B.C. to the 5th century A.D., including information on art, literature, law, and engineering. 150 illustrations.

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