Volume 4A of the Cambridge Latin Course is the climax of the narrative section of the course, as we follow life in Rome under the dictatorial rule of Domitian, and Salvius finally faces his Waterloo. The story is now intertwined with excerpts from Ovid and a variety of fascinating stories about new characters, keeping the students engaged.

Grammatical concepts in volume 4A include the supine, further use of the subjunctive, complex word order and indirect statements, clauses of fearing, the gerund, "fio" clauses, and the use of historical present. The focus on poetic word order allows students to begin sampling real Latin texts of greater complexity. Cultural material includes farming life, Roman poetry recitations, Roman marriage, the Emperor's council, and the legal system. Highly recommended with the accompanying Teacher's Handbook ( )