Women writers of ancient Greece and Rome : an anthology /

Plant (ancient history, Macquarie Univ., Australia) has brought together translations of 55 surviving texts written by women in classical antiquity. Geographically these texts cover the area from western Spain to Egypt in the south and Asia Minor in the east. Chronologically, they span more than a thousand years. These women wrote not only lyric poetry but also on philosophy, history, music theory, grammar, literary criticism, astronomy, travel, medicine, sex, mathematics, drama, prophecy, and alchemy. Many are here translated into English for the first time. The brief general introduction situates women's writings within the context of the male literary canon. The texts are presented chronologically, and the editor prefaces each with a short, well-documented introduction giving the author's historical and literary context. What emerges is an understanding not just of the number of these women writers but also of their often-substantial reputations. The translations aim for accuracy and are thus reliable with regard to content. Glossary, chronologies, maps, and indexes provide useful support. The collection's only shortcoming has to do with audience: since that audience extends to the uninitiated, additional annotation of the translations would have been helpful. Overall, this is a welcome addition to the literature. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers in a range of disciplines. H. M. Roisman Colby College