Writing Latin: An Introduction to Writing in the Language of Cicero and 

Caesar. By RICHARD ASHDOWNE AND JAMES MORWOOD. London: Bristol Classical 

Press, 2007. Pp. vi + 186. Paper, $23.50. ISBN 978–1–85399–701–3.



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While Ashdowne and Morwood’s (A&M) Writing Latin: An Introduction to 

Writing in the Language of Cicero and Caesar seems quite useful as a 

grammar review in intermediate/advanced Latin classes (high school or 

college level), it would not be my choice for a class in prose composition. 

The author’s goal, as stated in the introduction, is twofold: (1) to use 

prose composition as an aid to gaining mastery of construction (“First, 

practicing the language in this way helps to fix constructions and 

vocabulary in the mind, so that a student can read texts with greater 

fluency, accuracy, and therefore enjoyment,” p. v), and (2) to give 

students a greater appreciation of “the style, artistry and literary 

qualities of the ancient authors” (p. v). The book offers much review and 

practice of Latin grammar. It is harder, however, to see that the second 

aim is fulfilled.



A new composition book such as A&M’s invites a reexamination of aims and 

means in teaching students to compose Latin. More simply put, different 

textbooks will better suit different classes. As an example of an “old 

style” prose composition text, consider Bennett’s Latin Prose Composition. 

Bennett begins each chapter with references to his own New Latin Grammar. 

The grammatical references are followed by examples in Latin. The scant 

prose explanations are confined to useful remarks, followed by vocabulary 

necessary for the exercises (with a full English-Latin vocabulary in the 

back) and exercises. A&M, on the other hand, offer an abbreviated grammar 

written with a view to composition, which offers prose explanations and 

examples, followed by useful notes on the differences between English and 

Latin. Unlike Bennett’s Grammar, which, e.g., devotes ten chapters to the 

uses of the ablative (and divides them over two halves of the book, Part I 

based on the usage of Caesar and Part II based on that of Cicero), A&M 

treat all cases in their opening two chapters, a good approach for a 

comprehensive review of the major uses of the ablative.



Latin grammar is covered in this summarizing way in 21 chapters. A brief 

chapter on word order follows. along with some annotated examples of Latin 

prose style; longer passages for translation; and two appendices (numbers 

and dates; top irregular Latin verbs), plus the aforementioned vocabulary.



The text is visually packed. While there are some useful bullet lists, 

breakout boxes, notanda (for differences between the way English and Latin 

work), A&M present much of their information in paragraph form, and it 

would be easy for students to get lost in the words. Explanations are also 

confusing at times. In the discussion of participles, for example, A&M 

observe that “the usual abl. sg. of present participles is in –i, except 

when they are used as nouns or are in the ablative absolute construction 

(see below), when the abl. Sg. Ending is –e” (p. 21). “Below” is one 

unmarked example in the middle of the next page (fele dormiente). Nor are 

there any examples of the participle used as a noun, although I have found 

this e/i alteration to be a point of anxiety for students. In the same 

chapter, A&M urge their reader: “Remember that perfect participles which 

are passive describe nouns that are the objects of the actions described” 

(p. 22). If I had to read this twice, how easy will it be for students?



While A&M often seem to take for granted that students will see points of 

style by being given points of syntax, the book contains some good pointers 

on Latin idiom, their command of which leads to felicitous examples of how 

the language works. In discussing word order, for example, A&M point out 

that Latin will say “is est puer quem pulcherrimum umquam vidi” rather than 

“is est puer pulcherrimus quem umquam vidi” (p. 26), and that the emphatic 

forms of the verb are made clear by putting the verb first (“num hoc dixit? 

dixit hoc,” p. 43). They also blessedly encourage students to check a Latin 

dictionary for the final word on usage (e.g. p. 38). The best parts of the 

book seem to me to be those that address idiom head-on; for example, the 

break-out box that looks at how to say “without, instead of” in Latin (p. 

113) and the chapter devoted to “because, as if, although” (pp. 99–103).



The Latin examples given in the text are very simple, and are not taken 

from Caesar or Cicero. While that fits with A&M’s goal of updating the 

approach to prose composition, it does little to give students a feel for 

the style of ancient authors. The first mention of ancient authors comes at 

the very end of the book: after a brief and less-than-satisfying chapter on 

word order, A&M offer a sample of passages illustrating Latin prose style 

(two from Cicero, one each from Caesar, Livy and Tacitus), each followed by 

reading notes and notes on prose style. None of the passages is accompanied 

by a general overview of its style, although the notes point out useful and 

important features that students could imitate (e.g. fronting of verbs, 

clausulae).

	

In sum, Writing Latin looks and reads as a good review for students 

“finished” with grammar and about to begin reading ancient authors.



JEANNE NEUMANN 

Davidson College





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