Understanding Roman Inscriptions

by Keppie

ILLUSTRATIONS'; READING ROMAN INSCRIPTIONS;' DATING;' GRAVESTONES;' CHRISTIANITY; DATES;' PHOTOS;'

Genres: History, Italy

160 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 28, 2013

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!)