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Aeneid XII
This
edition, originally published in 1953 in the admirable Methuen Classical
Texts series, has been maintained in print by Bradda Books. This longevity is
deserved; for it remains a very fine edition, manageable at different levels
of attainment. Maguinness had chiefly in mind students at sixth-form or early
university level but, for the benefit of less practised students taking GCSE
or in their second year of Latin bugun at University, he wisely included a
Vocabulary (marked with syllable lengths to tie in with his very useful
section on scansion and reading aloud) and a considerable amount of fairly
elementary linguistic matter in the Notes. The Introduction gives an outline
of the background knowledge needed by a beginner in Virgilian studies. For a
succinct and always level-headed approach to the "Aeneid", this remains a splendid edition - one for which more advanced
Virgilians still have every reason to be thankful; and Book XII gives an
excellent flavour of the whole epic and the meaning of its constantly
enigmatic closure.
edition, originally published in 1953 in the admirable Methuen Classical
Texts series, has been maintained in print by Bradda Books. This longevity is
deserved; for it remains a very fine edition, manageable at different levels
of attainment. Maguinness had chiefly in mind students at sixth-form or early
university level but, for the benefit of less practised students taking GCSE
or in their second year of Latin bugun at University, he wisely included a
Vocabulary (marked with syllable lengths to tie in with his very useful
section on scansion and reading aloud) and a considerable amount of fairly
elementary linguistic matter in the Notes. The Introduction gives an outline
of the background knowledge needed by a beginner in Virgilian studies. For a
succinct and always level-headed approach to the "Aeneid", this remains a splendid edition - one for which more advanced
Virgilians still have every reason to be thankful; and Book XII gives an
excellent flavour of the whole epic and the meaning of its constantly
enigmatic closure.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 20
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Virgil
4,202 books1,916 followersborn 15 October 70 BC
died 21 September 19 BC
Roman poet Virgil, also Vergil, originally Publius Vergilius Maro, composed the Aeneid , an epic telling after the sack of Troy of the wanderings of Aeneas.
Work of Virgil greatly influenced on western literature; in most notably Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri.
died 21 September 19 BC
Roman poet Virgil, also Vergil, originally Publius Vergilius Maro, composed the Aeneid , an epic telling after the sack of Troy of the wanderings of Aeneas.
Work of Virgil greatly influenced on western literature; in most notably Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 25, 2025
Man, this is such a great book.
12 might be my favorite now, too.
12 might be my favorite now, too.
November 5, 2014
Let me start by pointing out the obvious. This is a unique kind of textbook, typical of Cambridge Latin texts (the green and yellows). The 12th book of the Aeneid is here in the original Latin, filled out with apparatus criticus, but absolutely no translation. There is a thoughtful English introduction by Professor Tarrant, an insightful guide for the topic, and the majority of the book by far is taken up with detailed, line-by-line commentary on the Latin text, ranging from grammar and vocabulary help to allusions from other Classical authors (Homer in particular). No glossary in the back; bring your own dictionary if you need it.
If you don't read Latin at least a little bit, look elsewhere. If you do read Latin, then read on.
Tarrant is clearly at home discussing any variety of topics in this book. He elucidates a number of fine points in Vergil's work, and I appreciated reading the 12th book of the Aeneid more thanks to his commentary and, to a slightly lesser extent, his introduction. In particular, I enjoyed his presentation of intertextual references: he cites Homer in Greek but provides literal translations for those without a Greek background, as well as lots of post-Vergilian references in Latin (Ovid, Livy, Statius, Seneca, and more). I think this was lovely for interested students, although mining it for material would be time consuming if taken as a whole.
There is also plenty of ink on the Aeneid itself, and how book 12 factors into the larger picture. Again, the relevant Latin passages are cited, but not translated; it is fair to assume that if you have come this far, you can read a little Latin, and so translations are generally overlooked. That is good exercise for a student, but as an armchair scholar I tended to gloss those segments. Tarrant isn't pulling any punches, and although I am half baited to try my hand at a different book of the Aeneid in Latin, plowing through this book on my own was rather tiring at times.
And finally, there's good old Publius Vergilius Maro. This closing chapter of the Aeneid is a gem, overlooked by many undergraduate courses, and perhaps best enjoyed as a finale for those who have seen Troy fall, banqueted with Queen Dido, and plucked the golden bough. the commentary was educational, and not without style, but this a book which showcases the Latin poet doing what he does best. Say what you want about the death of Turnus, the rage of Aeneas, or the whimsy of the Roman gods-- there is plenty to appreciate in book 12, and a teacher with a free hand could do worse than choose this text for close reading for a term (paired with book 10, or book 11, perhaps?). The closing scenario is a work of art! This is a textbook first and foremost, and I would enjoy designing a class around Tarrant's work.
In closing, this is no book for the faint of heart. But if you know Latin, love Vergil, and are looking to find out more, I highly recommend this book. Tarrant is helpful, but Vergil is outstanding, and the effort of digesting this chapter of the Aeneid will be time well spent.
If you don't read Latin at least a little bit, look elsewhere. If you do read Latin, then read on.
Tarrant is clearly at home discussing any variety of topics in this book. He elucidates a number of fine points in Vergil's work, and I appreciated reading the 12th book of the Aeneid more thanks to his commentary and, to a slightly lesser extent, his introduction. In particular, I enjoyed his presentation of intertextual references: he cites Homer in Greek but provides literal translations for those without a Greek background, as well as lots of post-Vergilian references in Latin (Ovid, Livy, Statius, Seneca, and more). I think this was lovely for interested students, although mining it for material would be time consuming if taken as a whole.
There is also plenty of ink on the Aeneid itself, and how book 12 factors into the larger picture. Again, the relevant Latin passages are cited, but not translated; it is fair to assume that if you have come this far, you can read a little Latin, and so translations are generally overlooked. That is good exercise for a student, but as an armchair scholar I tended to gloss those segments. Tarrant isn't pulling any punches, and although I am half baited to try my hand at a different book of the Aeneid in Latin, plowing through this book on my own was rather tiring at times.
And finally, there's good old Publius Vergilius Maro. This closing chapter of the Aeneid is a gem, overlooked by many undergraduate courses, and perhaps best enjoyed as a finale for those who have seen Troy fall, banqueted with Queen Dido, and plucked the golden bough. the commentary was educational, and not without style, but this a book which showcases the Latin poet doing what he does best. Say what you want about the death of Turnus, the rage of Aeneas, or the whimsy of the Roman gods-- there is plenty to appreciate in book 12, and a teacher with a free hand could do worse than choose this text for close reading for a term (paired with book 10, or book 11, perhaps?). The closing scenario is a work of art! This is a textbook first and foremost, and I would enjoy designing a class around Tarrant's work.
In closing, this is no book for the faint of heart. But if you know Latin, love Vergil, and are looking to find out more, I highly recommend this book. Tarrant is helpful, but Vergil is outstanding, and the effort of digesting this chapter of the Aeneid will be time well spent.
May 3, 2021
solid commentary
March 28, 2023
I thinkkk I like Ovid more
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews