Plutarch, On Divine Vengeance (Moralia 549c-e) “Just as a lash or a prod that immediately follows a stumble or a misdirection straightens out a horse and compels it to the right path, but if you annoy the creature and pull on the reins or flick the whip later on and at length, such an action seems more like torture than teaching because it seems to have some other purpose than instruction, so too a cruelty that is doled out at each stumble and dip and hammered home by punishment might barely render you humble and thoughtful and mindful of god because he makes no delay in the dispensation of ju ..read more

Traditional founding of Rome: April 21, 753 BCE This passage from Ennius is preserved in Cicero’s De Divinatione 1.48 “They were struggling over whether the city would be called Roma or Remora. And worry about which one of them would rule infected all men. They were awaiting the word as when the consul wishes to give the signal And all men eagerly look to the wall’s border to see How soon he will send out the chariots from the painted mouths— This is the way the people were watching and holding their mouths For which man the victory would elevate to a great kingdom. Meanwhile, the white sun re ..read more

In Odysseus’ tale of his wanderings he recounts how he saved his men from the temptations of the land of the Lotus-Eaters Odyssey 9.82-97 “From there for nine days I was carried by ruinous winds over the fish-bearing sea. On the tenth we came to the land of the Lotus-Eaters where they eat the florid food. There we disembarked to the shore and we drew water; soon my companions made dinner around the swift ships. But after we had shared the food and drink I sent out companions to go and discover whatever men there were who ate the fruit of the earth. I chose two men and sent a herald as a t ..read more

Seneca, Moral Epistles 72.1-2 “The thing you were asking me about used to be clear enough because I had learned it so well. But I haven’t checked my memory for a while and it isn’t coming back to me so easily. I seem to have turned out like those books that are stuck together from sitting in place. My mind must be unrolled and what ever has been put there should be perused on occasion so it is ready whenever it needs to be used. So, let’s talk about something else now, since that topic requires a lot of attention and hard work. Once I can spend a longer time in the same place, I’ll t ..read more

Euripides, Hecuba 251-257 “Don’t you engage in true evil in these plans When you even admit that I treated you well But instead of helping me you do as much harm as possible? You are a thankless brood, you mob of wannabe Politicians. I wish I didn’t know you When you don’t care about harming your friends As long as you say something the masses will like ..read more

Seneca, Moral Epistle 71.36-37 “No one can restart their progress at the point where they gave it up. So, let us keep on keeping on!  More of the journey remains than we have finished–but wanting to proceed is the greater part of progress. I am conscious of this matter; I want it and I want it with my whole spirit. I can see that you are interested too and are rushing with great speed toward the most beautiful things. So let’s rush together. Then life will be a good thing. Otherwise, there is a delay and it is a disgraceful one at that if we are lingering on shameful things.. Le ..read more

Editor’s note: We are happy to bring you this amazing guest post. SA is always open for posts about ancient literature and the modern world. Feel free to reach out over email if you have an idea While visual arts have been synonymous with classics for centuries, substantial research has connected the field of classics to performing arts, specifically theater, dance, and music. In his paper, The Novelty of Ovid’s Heroides, author Maurice P. Cunningham asserts that the originality of the Heroides lies in how they were written as “lyric-dramatic monologues to be presented on the stage with music ..read more

Herodotus, Histories 1.133.3-4 “The [Persians] are really fond of wine. It is not permissable to puke or to piss in front of another—these things are guarded against. And they are in the custom of taking counsel about the most important matters while they are drunk. Whatever seems fit to them while they are deliberating, the housemaster of the place where they deliberate proposes to them on the next day when they are sober. If the idea is pleasing to them when they are sober too, then they adopt it. If it is not, they waive it. When they have debated an issue while sober, they make a final dec ..read more

Sappho, fr. 96 “…..Sardis…. Often she turns her mind there …[where she brought you ]…. Like a goddess best known She was delighting especially in your song. Now she stands out among the Lydian Women like the rosy-fingered moon when the sun is setting and it outshines all the stars— Its light pours over the salted sea And equally over the much-flowered plains. Dew drips with beauty While the roses bloom alongside The soft chervil and blossoming clover. But while she wanders back and forth She thinks so much of gentle Atthis with longing And it weighs down her fragile thoughts. She wants to go t ..read more

Seneca, Moral Epistles 75.1-3 “You grumble that my letters to you are not very polished. Well, who speaks with polish unless they want to talk ostentatiously? I want my letters to have the quality of the kind of conversation we’d have while sitting next to each other or walking: easy and unlabored, since there is nothing forced or false about them. If I could, I would prefer to show rather than tell you what I am feeling. Even if I were debating with you, I wouldn’t stomp my foot, or wave my hands around, or raise my voice–I’d abandon those tricks to the orators because I am happy to have ..read more