Understanding Roman Inscriptions

by Lawrence Keppie

In this classic study of the Late Roman Empire, one of this century's most eminent ancient historians surveys social, economic, and administrative developments from the end of the Principate and the accession of Diocletian to the collapse of the empire in the West.

Genres: History, Italy

158 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2013

About the author

Lawrence John Forbes Keppie is a Scottish historian and archaeologist. He attended Coatbridge High School and then studied classics at Glasgow University where he came under the influence of A.R. Burn, who first introduced him to epigraphy. After graduation he transferred to Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied Roman history and archaeology.

Professor Keppie started his digging career as a schoolboy on a medieval castle site in Cumbernauld, before moving on to participate in the Scottish Field School of Archaeology excavations at Birrens Roman fort under the directorship of Anne Robertson. The first excavation he directed himself was on a section of the Antonine Wall at Carleith in 1969.

Dr. Keppie was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1971, of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1978 and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1995. He served as the Honorary Secretary of the Glasgow Archaeological Society, Vice President and then the 45th President of the Society from 1988 to 1991. He also served as a curator at the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow University.

Dr. Keppie's academic career throughout has been focused on Roman Scotland, Roman Italy and the Roman army. He is now retired.

Reviews

[Fred Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first met Roman inscriptions in a survey of Latin literature in college (the Praenestine fibula, the epitaphs of the Scipios, etc.), but never have had a formal course in Latin epigraphy. Keppie is an excellent introduction whether you know Latin or not, although it helps if you do. He covers the basics: stonecutting, dating and reading inscriptions, fundamental reference works. Then a series of chapters covers the contents of inscriptions. The book is well illustrated. You can learn a lot about the everyday life of the Romans, as well as history writ large, from Keppie. There are also entertaining asides: on Rosemary Sutcliffe's Eagel of the Ninth in discussing inscriptions from the ninth legion, on I, Claudius, and the Sator Arepo magic square to mention a few.

[Dominic Muresan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty straightforward introduction to the subject. The author doesn't dispense with too many details, either grammatical or technical, which makes it a much more accessible work, great for whoever needs something quick or wants to, perhaps one day, go deeper into the subject.

[Wouter Seijsener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful guide to help giving interpretations to inscriptions. I used it to guide trough Late Antique (Early Christian) Epitaphs. Alongside the Oxford Handbook of Epigraphy a must use!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for the novice (like me) trying to get a feel for the field of Roman inscriptions. Each chapter focuses on a different type of inscription (be it military, political, imperial, Christian, epitaphic, or plebian), gives a good introduction to that particular aspect of Roman life, and then provides several interesting examples. Knowledge of Latin is not necessary to enjoy the book, since Mr. Kepple provides an English translation along with the Latin. He even includes the full Latin in parentheses where the original had abbreviations. The selections of inscriptions were varied, interesting, and often off the beaten track. Finally, Kepple provides some really useful information in the appendices, like common epitaphic abbreviations and the names of all the Roman tribes.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

More about the where/when/why than a course in Latin - and the book does a really good job of it!

(Found in the 'new acquisitions'-shelf at my university library in 2015... But better late than never, I suppose!)