Sunday, December 10, 2000

When in Rome: Author going literary the Latin way
By Bill Whitaker
Reporter-News Staff Writer

Latin may be a dead language to some, but Rose Williams has found it a most lively diversion since retiring as a teacher of Latin three years ago.

For the past eight years, Williams has parlayed her lifelong love of Latin into more than a half-dozen books, ranging from serious guides to the language and its literature to outrageously commercial sendups of the Romans themselves.

The latest is definitely in the latter, lighter vein. Titled Going to Hades is Easy: Facilis Descensus Averno and published by London-based Michael O’Mara Books Limited, this utterly enjoyable book gathers some of Williams’ favorite witticisms by wise Romans.

In this case, the cover definitely gives telling evidence of the book: One of two attractive Roman maidens admiring their own beauty remarks, “Make me chaste and pure” — to which the other maiden replies, “But not yet!”

“It’s a fun book, but it is firmly tied to the literature,” says Williams, who for more than three decades, beginning in 1960, was Cooper High School’s legendary Latin teacher. “There are so many witty sayings by Roman authors, it was really tough to pick them.

“Most of these were sayings I’d used for years to bridge the gap between the classical world and the modern world,” she explains. “And make no mistake — what the Romans had to say then definitely has relevance in our world today!”

For instance, there’s latter-day validity to the witticism offered by Horace in SATIRAE when he said, “Qui ne tuberibus offendat amicum postulat, ignoscet verrucis illius” — or, “If you expect your friend to be unoffended by your warts, you’d better pardon his pimples.”

In a section on love, Williams cites Catullus’ jewel, “Mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua” or, “What a woman says to a panting lover should be written on the wind and running water.”

Quintilian is celebrated through his saying, “Mendacem memorem esse oportere” or, “A liar better have a good memory.” And Cicero comments on learning with his quote, “Ingenita levitas et erudita vanitas” — “Shallowness is natural; conceit comes with education.”

Like most of the books Williams has done, including last year’s entertaining Which Way to the Vomitorium?: Vernacular Latin for all Occasions, she was approached to do Going to Hades is Easy. Her London publisher, Lesley O’Mara, had enjoyed a quip by Horace that Williams casually quoted to her.

O’Mara then got to thinking about such quotes — and subsequently suggested there might be a quick and easy book if Williams could find more witticisms from the ancient world. Fortunately, Williams had long reveled in Latin wit and was happy to oblige.

Williams admits the wit displayed in her book mirrors her own literary passions. Much of it, for instance, matches that of English humorist P.G. Wodehouse, best known as the droll creator of the bumbling Bertie Wooster and his all-knowing valet Jeeves.

“I just love Wodehouse and his zany way of putting things,” she says. “Somebody once said Wodehouse stands at an angle when viewing the universe.”

Williams, who also speaks Spanish, French and Italian and who taught at Abilene High during her long career as well as McMurry University, says she really hasn’t sought out any of the writing projects that have consumed her time in recent years.

Because of the joy she finds in discussing Latin and the teaching of that most pivotal of all languages, Williams often serves as a mentor for other Latin scholars via the Internet. And that’s unwittingly drawn her into the publishing realm.

“They’ve all seen me on these Latin (Internet) lists,” she says. “The publishers lurk on these things, and when they see me giving advice to a teacher or student, sometimes they’ll spring. That’s why I’ve got eight books by four different publishers and another on the way.”

Although her last mainstream book, Which Way to the Vomitorium?, was picked up from its British publisher and republished in America by St. Martin’s Press, Going to Hades is Easy remains solely under a British imprint. Barnes & Noble may soon distribute throughout the U.S.

Williams, who will autograph copies of this hard-to-find book during her Thursday evening Artwalk appearance at Abilene Bookstore downtown, says she is currently working on yet another title, this one a whimsical, English-language look at Roman history, Once Upon the Tiber.

Williams wryly notes that for Roman writers to look upon their nation’s turbulent history without humor might have instead brought “suicide, homicide and general crabbiness.” All of this is firm proof that, for Williams, her publishers and a certain segment of scholars and readers, Latin is very much alive.

“I’m having a ball,” she says. “All of this is a whole new way of applying something I love anyway.”

Contact associate editor Bill Whitaker at 676-6732 or whitakerb@abinews.com.