Duces Romanorum : Profiles in Roman Courage

These short biographies of outstanding Romans -- from the founding of the city to the late Roman Empire -- are arranged in chronological order. The historical context is explained and each reading is followed by vocabulary and questions. Exploits of Roman heroes such as Aeneas, Horatius Cocles, Scaevola and Germanicus are recounted in clear, accessible Latin aimed at intermediate level students. The Duces of these stories show qualities greatly admired by the Romans: tenacity, determination and a willingness to sacrifice for one's country. Their feats of daring are presented in such a way as to provoke lively class discussion on the nature of heroism and on what it was to be "a great Roman".