Chapter 1 covers graffiti and advertisements-sometimes the same thing, in cases such as the Pompeian prostitute who wrote, 'I’m yours for two bronze coins' near the courthouse. To make their case, they go low before going high. Once they’ve taken readers through the streets of Pompeii to the palaces of the emperors, up to Vatican City and down to huts in Roman Britain, the authors allow themselves to wax eloquent about 'the world’s most influential language.' Somewhat charmingly, they sound like a typical Latin teacher when they conclude: 'The fundamental reason for reading Latin is because it’s the language of Western civilization because, inscribed in Latin, lie the secrets of our deepest cultural memory.' For something more fun, there’s Ovid’s Ut ameris, amabilis esto : 'If you want people to like you, be likable.' The beautiful line, 'There are tears at the heart of things' ( Aeneid 6.847) in Seamus Heaney’s translation is just three words in Vergil’s original ( sunt lacrimae rerum ). The book sets Latin lines alongside English translations and thereby demonstrates Latin’s aptitude for brevity-you know, the soul of wit.

They confront the idea that Latin is 'pompous and grandiloquent' by pointing out that Latinate English words tend to be long and highfalutin, but the Latin language itself is marked by economy. The authors do something smart at the beginning of the book by drawing attention to Latin’s concision.

The aeneid in latin