About the Latin
The Breviarium condenses Roman history into short, clear narrative, with little ornament and plenty of repeated constructions. That clarity is why it is so often recommended as a first author after a course.
It is also a good way to learn the outline of Roman history in the original language, because each episode is short enough to hold in your head.
How hard is it?
Difficulty 5.1 to 5.2, intermediate.
Every reading in the library has a difficulty score, on a scale that runs from about 1 to 11. Beginner texts sit below 3.5 and Advanced texts above 6.8.
Most demanding here: Rare vocabulary, Very rare vocabulary, Unseen vocabulary, Proper names, Sentence length, Subordination.
What you can read
2 readings, each with help on every word.
Librorum Capsula currently offers Book I complete, from the kings through the early Republic, and a selection on the war between Hannibal and Scipio.
Breviarium: Hannibal vs. Scipio
Eutropius traces the Second Punic War from Hannibal’s invasion of Italy through Rome’s long struggle to Scipio’s decisive victory over Carthage.
Breviarium: Liber I
The complete first book: Rome's kings, the birth of the Republic, and its early struggles through Camillus.
Where to start
Breviarium: Liber I
It is complete, and it opens the work. Open it and the reader gives you the Latin with a definition for every word, so you can read at the pace that suits you and look up only what you need.
Start reading