The Colloquia are manuals written to help ancient Greeks and Romans get around in each other's languages; they contain examples of how to conduct activities like shopping, banking, visiting friends, hosting parties, taking oaths, winning lawsuits, using the public baths, having fights, making excuses and going to school. They thus offer a unique glimpse of daily life in the early Roman Empire and are an important resource for understanding ancient culture. They have, however, been unjustly neglected because until now there were no modern editions of the texts, no translations into any modern language, and little understanding of what the Colloquia are and where they come from.

This two-volume set makes the Colloquia accessible for the first time by combining a new edition, translation and commentary with a groundbreaking, comprehensive study of their origins. It is clearly written and will interest students, non-specialists and professional scholars alike.