Guardians of Language : The Grammarian and Society in Late Antiquity

The grammarian was a pivotal figure in the lives of the educated upper classes of late antiquity. Introducing his students to correct language and to the literature esteemed by long tradition, the grammarian began the education that confirmed his students' standing within a narrowly-defined elite. In this book, Robert A. Kaster provides the first thorough study of the place and function of these important but ambiguous figures.