Epitome Historiae Sacrae: Brevi Christi Vitae Narratione Addita

Lingua Latina per se Illustrata

by Charles François Lhomond, Roberto Carfagni (Editor)

The history of a nation is told through the story of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samson, and many others all the way to Jesus' birth, preaching, and passion in perfect Latin. Since no student can truly understand and appreciate Western culture without some knowledge of the Bible, it is worthwhile to introduce all students to many of the Judeo-Christian narratives which make up a fundamental part of Western tradition and religion. The Epitome Historiae Sacrae (Summary of Sacred History), a classic work by Charles François Lhomond (1727-1794) which has been in regular use for over two centuries, is here resurrected for the modern student of Latin. Its utility has been tested around the world by generations of students who have benefited from both its overview of Biblical stories and the exemplary model of Latin prose.

With the view of rendering it more acceptable to the modern audience, Lhomond's text is published here with a new and convenient arrangement of its contents, illustrated with beautiful historical engravings and annotated according to the Ørberg method. Also included are useful appendices of names and timelines. Each section is followed by suitable lessons which foster active production of Latin and test the reader's comprehension.

The Epitome's simplicity is well adapted to the early intermediate student. Its interesting narrative is calculated to engage the student's attention, and its sublime Latinity does not fail to inspire the reader to deeper learning. This beautiful edition, which has been edited according to the Lingua Latina per se Illustrata series, is ideal for students who have completed Familia Romana as it drills and reviews grammar while adding more than 1,300 words to their vocabulary and modelling excellent Latin prose style.

Features include:
- Summary of the major biblical stories and all of Jesus' life
- Lhomond's Epitome consists of 209 readings from the Old Testament Books
- This edition includes an addition of 37 sections on Jesus' life and death (totally 246 readings_
- Every word, cover to cover, is in Latin with vowel lengths marked
- Approximately 16,000 Latin words in length
- More than 1,300 new vocabulary words are taught
- Engaging exercises, including crosswords and matching
- Beautiful historical illustrations
- Perfect for home-schoolers, as it covers the material of a course in Biblical history
- Preface on the life of Lhomond and the history of the text
- Appendices of historical maps, glossary of names, and timelines

Genres: Religion, Language

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1784

About the author

Priest, grammarian, educator. Per Wikipedia article spelling is LHomond, not L'Homond or similar.

Reviews

[Cas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition includes not only Lhomond’s Epitome Historiae Sacrae, but also a summary of the New Testament by an unknown author.

The annotations are in the style of Lingua Latina per se Illustrata: fully in Latin and with useful illustrations. At the ending of each chapter, exercises are included, which I did not do but which may be useful to a student of Latin. Without these exercises this edition is great as an intermediate Latin reader.

[Dave Maddock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epitome Historiae Sacrae is one of two Latin textbooks Lhomond wrote in the 18th century. The other is De viris illustribus urbis Romae. Epitome is a summary of the Old Testament--the so called, "sacred history"--and De viris is a summary of Roman history. They appear to have been popular textbooks until Latin pedagogy was abandoned in the 20th century.

I read Epitome last summer after completing a two semester Latin course based on Wheelock. If you are familiar with the Bible, it is a useful early reader. If you are not, this might be a handy and enjoyable way to learn the broad strokes while studying your Latin without having to read the whole Bible itself.

Focus Publishing sells a modern edition in the style of Lingua Latina which I recommend, although I personally do not own it. I am looking forward to reading De viris at some point soon.

[Edragone · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

Cet Epitome Historiae Sacrae, que l'on peut lire une fois Familia Romana terminé, permet d'appréhender l'Ancien et le Nouveau Testaments avec une certaine facilité. Les mots qui sont difficiles sont glosés par le biais d'images et de notes marginales en latin. Il y a régulièrement des exercices pour réviser et utiliser le vocabulaire vu lors des derniers paragraphes. On notera, sauf erreur de ma part, qu'il n'y a pas de corrigé pour ces exercices parfois difficiles.

Du reste, il est intéressant d'avoir un compendium des histoires les plus importantes des textes sacrés. A lire, et parfois à relire si nécessaire.

Le texte n'est pas grammaticalement difficile, le plus dur est d'acquérir le vocabulaire parfois inhabituel puisqu'essentiellement religieux.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Latine legi, scilicet!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vocabulary builder with Bible stories. This first time through I did not do the exercises. Next time, at least the crossword puzzles.