Harry Mount and John Davie unlock the wisdom of the past in this light-hearted and fascinating book, revealing how ancient Latin can help us to live better in the present.There are so many Latin phrases in everyday use that often we use them without understanding the background and context within which they were actually used. 'Carpe diem'; 'Stet'; 'Memento mori'; 'Et tu Brute' - examples would fill a book. And often these phrases are also used in English translation: 'The die is cast'; 'crossing the Rubicon'; 'Rome was not built in a day'. Many of these phrases are humorous, but they are also a rich source of wisdom: the wisdom of the ancients. The chapters of this book include: Latin for Gardeners, the Great Latin Love Poets, Cicero on How to Grow Old Gracefully and Seneca's Stoic Guide to Life. Each chapter starts with a quotation and is lightly sprinkled with many more, with accompanying English translations and entertaining cartoons and illustrations dotted throughout.The background to each quotation is explained so that the context is fully understood. Who crossed the Rubicon and why, for example? At a time of great political and social turbulence, more and more people are turning back to ancient wisdom as a guide to life. Here they are in touch with two classical scholars of distinction who have the common touch and can help make Latin accessible to all, not to mention fun!

IntroductionA note on translationA timeline of Julius Caesar and the Roman Emperors1. Writing on the Wall - Latin graffiti, from Pompeii's brothel to Herculaneum's tavernas2. Ruling Britannia - Roman Britain, from Londinium's first bankers to freezing legionaries on Hadrian's Wall3. Sex in Rome and the Rudest Poem in Latin4. True Romance - the Great Latin Love Poets5. Latin Jokes and Insults6. Latin for Gardeners7. Bathtime, Feasts and La Dolce Vita 8. Bread, Circuses and Gladiators9. Plebs and Patricians - the Roman Class System10. Empire and Emperors11. The Divine Family - Religion and the Gods12. Christian Conversion - how Christ went from Roman Victim to Roman God13. Vesuvius Erupts - Pliny Reports 14. What did you get for Saturnalia? Martial's Funny Festival Presents15. Horace, the Sweetest Poet of All16. Cicero on How to Grow Old Gracefully17. Seneca's Stoic Guide to Life18. Your Vade Mecum - the Latin-English GlossaryRoman NumeralsConclusion AcknowledgementsPicture credits