INTRODUCTION

...in the same place as his earlier works (Cic. Phil., ii, 40): at his villa at Casinum, in the "Museum" he mentions in book III, located near the famous aviary he describes at length (iii, 5, 9, etc.). Remains of the villa still stretch along the bank of the Rapido river for over a quarter of a mile, and the residents of Cassino point to a piece of gray, crumbling masonry facing a small island in the Rapido as lo studio di Marco Varrone original: "The study of Marcus Varro.". He likely died there as well, for according to Valerius Maximus (viii, 7), "the same couch witnessed at once the death of M. Varro and the conclusion of his noble works."

The work was practical in its aim, but great care was taken with its literary presentation. The time had long passed when a disorganized collection of unrelated facts, such as Cato's treatise on the same subject, could hope to be widely read. Varro, therefore, adopted the popular style established by Cicero in his rhetorical and philosophical writings, developing his arguments through imaginary conversations between real people. Like Cicero, he took care to avoid historical inconsistencies or unlikely scenarios. Each book’s dialogue is provided with an appropriate setting, a separate introduction, a dedication, and its own unique dramatic structure. The...