An English Translation of the Poetry of Lucillius, a First-century Greek Epigrammatist

Book excerpt: This is not the friend of Seneca or the grammarian of Tarrha, says Nystrom (humanities and religious studies, California State U.-Sacramento), but a poet considered minor whose work has therefore not been translated into English before. He finds him very clever despite his obscurity, and thinks readers will be pleased with the well-turned lines, comical caricatures, and interesting insights into the complexities of life in first-century Rome. His translations are intended to approximate the style and spirit of the original Greek, which appears on facing pages. For readers unfamiliar with classical culture, he includes explanatory notes on features of the poems they may find difficult. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).