The Plays of Roswitha, written by Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim, consists of six Latin plays that are considered among the earliest known plays written by a woman. Hrotsvitha, a Benedictine nun from the Holy Roman Empire, is often seen as a pioneering figure in Christian literature. Her works are deeply influenced by the theological and moral ideals of her time, offering dramatic stories that combine religious themes with classical models of drama, particularly drawing on the style of the Roma...

The Plays of Roswitha, also known as Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim, represents a significant literary artifact from the 10th century, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of Western drama. Written in a highly structured, eloquent Latin reminiscent of classical Roman playwrights, Hrotsvitha'Äôs works illuminate themes of virtue, faith, and female agency within a patriarchal society. Her innovative use of dialogue and character development not only revitalizes ancient storytelling forms but...

The story of Agnes, a beautiful Roman girl and devoted Christian, highlights her unwavering commitment to Christ amidst the advances of Count Sempronius's son. Despite his attempts to win her over with gifts and affection, Agnes remains steadfast in her vow of chastity. Her refusal to sacrifice to the goddess Vesta leads to her being accused of witchcraft after the tragic death of the prefect's son. Demonstrating her faith, Agnes raises him from the dead, which ultimately inspires the pref...

Timeless wisdom on death and dying from the celebrated Stoic philosopher Seneca"It takes an entire lifetime to learn how to die," wrote the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca (c. 4 BC–65 AD). He counseled readers to "study death always," and took his own advice, returning to the subject again and again in all his writings, yet he never treated it in a complete work. How to Die gathers in one volume, for the first time, Seneca's remarkable meditations on death ...

The Roman playwright Plautus wrote comedies that are the earliest Latin literary texts to have survived in their entirety. Loosely adapted from lost Greek plays, the works of Plautus helped establish a truly Roman drama in the Latin language for the first time. Delphi’s Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Latin texts. This comprehensive eBook presents Plautus’ complete extant works, with r...

Amphitryo centers on the mythological story of the hero Amphitryon, whose wife, Alcmene, is visited by Jupiter disguised as her husband. The play explores themes of divine intervention, mistaken identity, and jealousy, with comedic confusion arising from the gods' interference in human affairs. Asinaria is a lively tale about a young man, who is in love with a woman but needs money to marry her. He enlists the help of a clever slave, who tricks his miserly father into providing the necessa...

How ancient Stoicism can help teach us to treat others—and ourselves—more fairly and mercifullyThere are times when we’ve all felt that we haven’t been treated as we deserve—that we’ve been misjudged, shortchanged, or given a raw deal. And, at one time or another, other people have probably felt that we’ve treated them just as unfairly. How to Do the Right Thing draws on the principles of ancient Stoicism as articulated by the Roman statesman and philosoph...

A devoted companion. A vivacious best friend. And a magical power beyond compare. By all accounts, Coral should be happy, but her father’s disappearance still haunts her. Coral uses the knowledge she’s gained at the Academy to find him, but will her obsession lead her closer to her father or to her greatest enemy?A visit to the Royal Palace leads Coral to discover a new magical ability and a new potential ally, both of which could reunite her with Aquatica. Believi...

Latin Phrases - Translate Latin Phrases to English is a book that takes business and everyday Latin phrases and translates them into English. Have you ever wondered what "Quid Pro Quo" means or any of the Latin phrases that are used daily in business terminology? Business quotes phrases abound in the English language. How about "non sequitar?" Well now there is a handy desktop compendium and Latin phrase dictionary of thousands of Latin phrases to use as a reference resource right at your ...

In the first century a.d., Ovid, author of the groundbreaking epic poem Metamorphoses, came under severe criticism for The Art of Love, which playfully instructed women in the art of seduction and men in the skills essential for mastering the art of romantic conquest. In this remarkable translation, James Michie breathes new life into the notorious Roman’s mock-didactic elegy. In lyrical, irreverent English, he reveals love’s timeless dilemmas and Ovid’s e...