Epigrams from the Anthologia Latina

Book excerpt: This new scholarly edition consists of the Latin text, with translation and detailed commentary, of a sequence of epigrams from the Anthologia Latina (Shackleton Bailey 78-188). The introduction discusses whether these epigrams constitute a unified collection and are the work of a single author, examines their likely date and place of composition – which, it is argued, is North Africa under Vandal rule –, and sets them in their cultural context. The line-by-line commentary covers issues of literary, linguistic and historical significance. Although text and interpretation of these pieces present frequent difficulties, the author confirms that they make up a fascinating collection of considerable importance and merit, contrary to the low reputation generally associated with the Anthologia Latina. The book will be of great interest to students of Latin literature and language in general, the epigram tradition in particular, and the culture of Vandal Africa.