Overview

A hauntingly illustrated guide to memorable Latin phrases, including famous quotations on love, death, nature, politics, and more. Latin may be a “dead” language, but it’s all around us—in science, philosophy, religion, and at the root of English grammar. From “carpe diem” to the more obscure “alea iacta est,” classicist Maia Lee-Chin explains the fascinating origins of many Latin phrases still in use—as well as those that have been lost to the ages. Each entry includes a direct translation, attribution, origin, and a striking, full-page illustration by Italian artist Marta Bertello. A beautiful object as well as a useful reference book, Et Cetera brings ancient knowledge and culture to life for readers of the 21st Century.

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9781524886349

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Reviews

"""...a refreshing dusting-off of the genre of classical phrase compendiums, sure to appeal to a wide range of curious readers [...] Clearly a work of love, written by one of a new breed of classicists, this is a delightful following of Horace’s inducement to make writing 'dulce et utile,' both enjoyable and instructive—but you knew that, didn’t you?"" (Billy Collins, New York Times bestselling author and former U.S. Poet Laureate) “Et Cetera is my Roman Empire. Literally. You would think a reference book of Latin phrases could not possibly make you cry. You would be wrong. Fresh, funny, and poignant […] each lovingly illustrated phrase becomes a portal to a Rome we don’t often see.”    (Eunice Hong, author of Memento Mori: A Novel) “A fascinating and beautiful introduction to Latin, infused with history and literature from the ancient world […] it will intrigue even the staunchest of hellenophiles (like me).”   (Liv Albert, creator of the Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! Podcast)"

"""...a refreshing dusting-off of the genre of classical phrase compendiums, sure to appeal to a wide range of curious readers [...] Clearly a work of love, written by one of a new breed of classicists, this is a delightful following of Horace’s inducement to make writing 'dulce et utile,' both enjoyable and instructive—but you knew that, didn’t you?"" -- Billy Collins * New York Times bestselling author and former U.S. Poet Laureate * “Et Cetera is my Roman Empire. Literally. You would think a reference book of Latin phrases could not possibly make you cry. You would be wrong. Fresh, funny, and poignant […] each lovingly illustrated phrase becomes a portal to a Rome we don’t often see.”    -- Eunice Hong * author of Memento Mori: A Novel * “A fascinating and beautiful introduction to Latin, infused with history and literature from the ancient world […] it will intrigue even the staunchest of hellenophiles (like me).”   -- Liv Albert * creator of the Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! Podcast *"

""...a refreshing dusting-off of the genre of classical phrase compendiums, sure to appeal to a wide range of curious readers [...] Clearly a work of love, written by one of a new breed of classicists, this is a delightful following of Horace’s inducement to make writing 'dulce et utile,' both enjoyable and instructive—but you knew that, didn’t you?"" -- Billy Collins * New York Times bestselling author and former U.S. Poet Laureate * “Et Cetera is my Roman Empire. Literally. You would think a reference book of Latin phrases could not possibly make you cry. You would be wrong. Fresh, funny, and poignant […] each lovingly illustrated phrase becomes a portal to a Rome we don’t often see.”    -- Eunice Hong * author of Memento Mori: A Novel * “A fascinating and beautiful introduction to Latin, infused with history and literature from the ancient world […] it will intrigue even the staunchest of hellenophiles (like me).”   -- Liv Albert * creator of the Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! Podcast *

Author Information

Maia Lee-Chin is a classicist and educator whose research interests include classical reception, early elementary literacy, community engagement, and urban education. She studied Classical Languages and Education at Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. Born in New York City and raised in north Jersey, she is now based in Boston, Massachusetts. Marta Bertello is a freelance illustrator from Turin, Italy. She graduated with honors from the Albertina Fine Art Academy and later moved to Venice, were she currently lives and works. She is fascinated by suspended, slightly unsettling atmospheres, medieval iconography, and magic realism. 

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