Wit and the Writing of History: The Rhetoric of Historiography in Imperial Rome
Language: English
Published by The University of Wisconsin Pres, 1988
- Softcover
- Used

Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.Midtown Scholar Bookstore
AbeBooks seller since June 7, 2002
Condition: Used - Good
£ 6.93
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Good paperback, bumped/creased with shelfwear; may have previous owner's name inside. Standard-sized.
Seller Inventory # mon0000310667
- Title
- Wit and the Writing of History: The Rhetoric of Historiography in Imperial Rome
- Author
- Plass, Paul
- Publisher
- The University of Wisconsin Pres
- Publication year
- 1988
- Condition
- Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0299118045
- ISBN 13
- 9780299118044
Wit has many uses in political discourseto entertain, to underscore or unmask, to hinder or enhance insight. Wit and the Writing of History focuses on how this potential is realized in the historiography of the earlier Principate. Preeminently in Tacitus, to a lesser degree in Suetonius and Dio Cassius, wit is a vehicle for political understanding and judgment of the historical account. As part of Roman political life, hostile anecdotal or epigrammatic wit was deeply embedded in the sources used by historians and is reflected in the rhetoric of their narratives. Some anecdotes may, in fact, have been mere jests later taken as fact, hence the frequent problem of credulity. But what is historically false can be politically true. Not only were political jokes a weapon for making some fair points against the Principate; ancient rhetorical theory recognized that wit in general arises from a violation of normal, expected ways of thinking. What is funny is thus disturbing in a serious way as well as amusing, and in the hands of Tacitus wit becomes scalpel as well as sword.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Paul Plass is professor emeritus in the Department of Classics at the University of WisconsinMadison. He is author of many articles and the book The Game of Death in Ancient Rome: Arena Sport and Political Suicide.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since June 7, 2002
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 21 business days | 3 to 7 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 4.49 | £ 6.73 |
Payment methods
Store description
We are PENNSYLVANIA'S LARGEST USED BOOKSTORE specializing in second-hand and out- of-print scholarly books in all fields! We offer the finest selection of art books between New York and Chicago. We invite you to email us with any questions or concerns about any of our books. We are always interested in buying academic libraries and are willing to travel to collect your books!!
Specialty
Scholarly and Academic Books in ALL Fields!, World History, Literary and Cultural Studies, Latin American Studies, American History, Asian Studies, British and European History, Psychology and Science, Social Sciences, PoetrySeller's business information
The Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Inc.
3401 North Sixth Street
Harrisburg, PA U.S.A. 17110
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it is described on the Abebooks website. If you are dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order has not arrived, you may be eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you have changed your mind about a book that you have ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us and our customer service team will typically respond within 2 business days.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 3401 North Sixth Street, Midtown Scholar Bookstore - Abebooks returns, 17110, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
* * * All books are packed with great care! * * * DOMESTIC SHIPPING OPTIONS for standard-sized books: USPS PRIORITY MAIL (takes business 3-7 days to arrive in the continental U.S.) - $9.00 for the 1st book and $6.00 for a 2nd book. ... BOOK RATE SHIPPING ("media mail", takes 1-4 weeks to arrive in the continental U.S.; please note that media mail delivery to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, APO/FPO addresses, and US territories can take 6-8 weeks) - $6.00 for the 1st book and $3.00 for each additional book. MEDIA MAIL BOOKS ARE TYPICALLY SEALED IN A HIGH-QUALITY PLASTIC BAG AND THEN PACKAGED IN A STRONG CARDBOARD BOX. Some extremely small, very light items receive a First-Class upgrade and may ship in a First-Class bubblewrap-lined mailer. ... AIRMAIL SHIPPING TO CANADA: Price varies based on rate. Please contact us for details. Oversized or heavy items may require additional postage.... OTHER INTERNATIONAL AIRMAIL SHIPPING: Shipping by DHL service whenever possible with typical delivery in 5-14 business days. Oversized or heavy items may require additional postage.... If your book is HEAVY or OVERSIZED, we will contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.