R. P. H. Green - Böcker

Ausonius of Bordeaux, poet, professor, and statesman, whose long life almost spanned the fourth century AD, lived at a time of great cultural and political change, and was for many years, as an imperial courtier, closely involved in the administration of the Roman Empire. A prolific and original writer, Ausonius covers an astonishing stylistic range in his many and varied poems, from an elaborate description of the river Moselle to after-dinner diversions, from scurrilous epigrams to the stately verses in which he proclaims his Christian beliefs or his eminence as consul. This revised text of Ausonius' complete works, with over a hundred new emendations, is followed by a detailed commentary. Four introductory chapters consider the nature of Ausonius' poetry, his life and career, his influence, and the manuscripts of his works.

Ausonius has become a more accessible writer since the appearance of Professor Green's acclaimed commentary on him in 1991, which among other things stimulated discussion of his text and the textual tradition. This newly revised text takes advantage of recent criticism, both conservative and conjectural, and re-examines the difficulties inherent in the long held view that extant manuscripts derive independently from separate authorial editions. The opportunity has been taken to reassess earlier decisions on various problematic passages and to introduce several new emendations, either in the text or in the apparatus criticus. There is a newly written introduction, in English, the apparatus criticus has been pruned, the concordances expanded, and the bibliography updated. The works in this new Oxford Classical Texts version of the text follow the same order as was established in Professor Green's previous edition of 1991.

`There are certain rules for interpreting the scriptures which, as I am well aware, can usefully be passed on to those with an appetite for such study...' On Christian Teaching is one of Augustine's most important works on the classical tradition. Written to enable Christian students to be their own interpreters of the Bible, it provides an outline of Christian theology, a detailed discussion of ethical problems, and a fascinating early contribution to sign theory. Augustine also makes a systematic attempt to determine what elements of classical education are permissible for a Christian, and in the last book suggests ways in which Ciceronian rhetorical principles may help in communicating the faith. This long-needed, completely new and up-to-date translation gives a close but stylish representation of Augustine's thought and expression. References to the classical background are carefully explained and Roger Green's introduction describes the aims and circumstances of the work, and outlines its influence on major figures in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.