Loeb Classical Library/L174

by Sextus Julius Frontinus

Layout 2

Porta Maggiore

Frontinus

The Stratagems

and

The Aqueducts of Rome

with an English Translations by

Charles E. Bennett
Late Godwin Smith Professor of Latin in
Cornell University

The translations of The Aqueducts being a
revision of that of

Clemens Herschel

Edited and prepared for the press by

MARY B. McELWAIN
Professor of Latin in Smith College

 

 

London: William Heinemann
New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons
MCMXXV

Preface

Before his death in May 1921, Professor Bennett had finished the draft of his translation of the Strategemata and of this revision of Clemens Herschel's translation of the De Aquis. He had also, through various footnotes, indicated clearly his attitude toward the texts he had adopted as the basis for his translation. For the editorial revision of the versions, the introductory material, the index, many of the footnotes and the general matters of typography, the responsibility should rest with the undersigned. The references to the sources of the Strategemata have been selected for the most part from those cited in Gundermann's conspectus locorum.

The translation of the Strategemata is based upon Gundermann's text, Leipzig, 1888, with very few changes, which are indicated in the footnotes. The brackets indicating glosses or conjectures have been omitted for the sake of appearance. Professor Bennett's translation is the first English rendering of the Strategemata with any accuracy of interpretation, the only other English version, published in 1811 by Lieutenant Robert B. Scott, leaving much to be desired both in the matter of interpretation and the manner of expression. A French version, prepared under the direction of M. Nisard, is a careful piece of work, well annotated, and indicated knowledge of the sources as well as of the standard editions of the Strategemata.

The text of the De Aquis is that of Bucheler, Leipzig, 1858, with certain changes in spelling and punctuation and with the omission of his diacritical marks. Some variants in readings have been admitted, and where the text is unreadable, conjectures have been accepted and the translation bracketed. The translation is a revision of that of Herschel, 1899, since the credit for the first English version of this treatise must go not to a Latinist but to an hydraulic engineer. In the preface to his book, Mr. Herschel thus explains his undertaking of this translation: "Having had the study of Frontinus for my pastime and hobby for many years, it has seemed to me fitting that others should be enabled likewise to partake of the instruction and pleasure this has given me.… We laymen have been waiting for a long time for Latin scholars to do this thing for us, and they have not responded." Mr. Herschel was very familiar with the translations of the French architect, Rondelet, and the German builder, Dederich, and he resolved to add an English rendering to these translations by men whose interests were primarily scientific.

But though not a Latin scholar, Mr. Herschel achieved what few Latin scholars can hope to do. In his quest for first-hand information about his subject, he went to Rome, studied the aqueducts in person, conferred with Lanciani and others, and finally went to the monastery at Monte Cassino and succeeded in having this, the sole original manuscript of the De Aquis, photographed for publication in his book. This is an excellent facsimile, and a most valuable gift to the student of this work.

During the preparation of his translation, Mr. Herschel found in Professor Bennett an interested and helpful adviser. In the conclusion of his preface he says: "Professor Charles E. Bennett gave me active aid, countenance and encouragement at every stage of the work, and ended off by reading the proofs and correcting the copy of the translation to an extent that makes the translation fairly his own." When, therefore, Professor Bennett was considering the preparation of this volume, Mr. Herschel generously turned over to him for revision his translation, which for twenty-five years has continued to be the only English version of the De Aquis. And within the past year this pioneer translator has given further proof of his continued interest in Frontinus and his spirit of co-operation with the students of the classics by patiently solving for the writer some of the technical difficulties encountered in proof reading. For this help grateful acknowledgment is here made.

Mary B. McElwain.

Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Contents
Page
Preface			v
List of Illustrations			xi
The Life and Works of Sextus Julius Frontinus			xiii
The Manuscripts:—
		of the Strategemata	xxviii
		of the De Aquis	xxxii
Bibliography			xxxv
Sigla			xl
The Stratagems			3
		Book I	9
		Book II	89
		Book III	205
		Book IV	267
The Aqueducts of Rome			331
		Book I	339
		Book II	389
Index			469

List of Illustrations
To Face Page
Porta Maggiore		Frontispiece
Map of Aqueducts		341
Ruins of Aqua Claudia		355
The Seven Aqueducts at the Porta Maggiore		361
Ad Spem Veterem		363
Ruins of Aqua Claudia Near the Appian Way		407
Map of Rome and Vicinity		At end
Tables Showing the Water Supply of the City of Rome		At end