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9780190915407

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Frampton explores the fascinating minutiae of the physical act of writing in Roman antiquity. For those of us who love the Roman literary tradition,Empire of Lettersimmerses us in the grit and gravel of Lucretius' and Virgil's tools of the trade, giving classically-minded readers the delightful opportunity to feel the papyrus and smell the wax. * FORMA Review *

Particularly noteworthy is Frampton's focus on the specific technology and materiality of writing, which forms an indispensable context not only for understanding the writers of the late Republic and the Augustan period (the focus of this study) but also for later writers. Written in an accessible style, with abundant references to earlier scholarship, this book constitutes an ideal first step for students interested in the history of writing in Rome, and will be especially welcome to students and scholars of Roman literature. ... Summing up: Highly recommended -- M. L. Goldman, CHOICE This is an engagingly written and thought-provoking volume that usefully brings together a wide range of interesting literary and physical material on specific topics. -- The Classical Review Frampton set herself the difficult task of producing an exhaustive overview of all aspects of the material aspects of writing in the Graeco-Roman world, but with emphasis on Latin language, by scouring available literary and epigraphic sources for information. The successful result is this eminently readable volume, which answers questions about ancient literacy that had never occurred to this reviewer, for one, to ask.... A beguiling book, a pleasure to read. -- Classical Journal-Online This is a very good book to shake up the classicists still relying on approaches of yore. -- The Library there is a great deal of interest and plenty of incentive to appreciate the inadequacy of one's experience as one settles down to study Horace -- Keith Maclennan, Classics for All Frampton explores the fascinating minutiae of the physical act of writing in Roman antiquitya. For those of us who love the Roman literary tradition,AEmpire of LettersAimmerses us in the grit and gravel of Lucretius' and Virgil's tools of the trade, giving classically-minded readers the delightful opportunity to feel the papyrus and smell the wax. -- FORMA Review

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Stephanie Ann Frampton is a classicist, comparatist, and historian of the book in antiquity. She is Associate Professor of Literature at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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