spring comes early

well, so much for loving my semester break. :(

i received an early email from one of my professors, who is anxious to dive into Ancient Rome. hmm? what i'm trying to decide is whether or not this is a good thing. yes, i can get a head start on one of my classes. no, i don't to start worrying about my classes.

oh, well...

Shall we dive in?

the first book is The Nature of the Gods by Cicero. so, i made the long trek to the university bookstore today to buy it. i have started on the introduction and have had to stop to look up 2 things. (and please forgive me if i sound stupid!)

1. what does Hellenistic mean? i'm sure i was suppose to have learned that in my civ I class, but it just doesn't ring ANY bells.

well, according to the merriam-webster definition it is:

of or relating to Greek history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great.

of or relating to the Hellenists, which is a person living in Hellenistic times who was Greek in language, outlook, and way of life but was not Greek in ancestry.

2. what does the translator mean when he writes, "This early acquaintance with prominent figures...made him the most highly educate of emergent orators when he embarked on a forensic career in his mid-twenties.."

surely, Cicero was not part of CSI, right? or would it be RSI for Rome Special Investigation. what does CSI even mean? i never watch the show.

no, my dear reader, upon further investigation into the merriam webster dictionary, i believe forensic means his public career. the definition is: belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature, or to public discussion and debate.


o.k. so now i've moved past page xv. i still have a lot of pages left in the introduction. i wonder how much more "research" i will have to do in order to get through this book.

i'm going to spend another 10 minutes reading and call it a night.

bonsoir et bonne annee!