Cicero's Philippics: History Rhetoric Ideology

edited by Tom Stevenson and Marcus Wilson

Price: NZ$80.00

ISBN 978 1 877332 56 2

About the Book:

After the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44BC, Mark Antony took control of Rome. Before the end of the year Cicero had taken on the leadership of the opposition in the Senate to Antony and his policies. The speeches made by Cicero against Antony, later published under the title Philippics, mounted a sustained attack on the way Antony exercised and abused his position of power.

As historical sources the Philippics were often neglected and disparaged during the 20th century, but they have recently attracted renewed scholarly interest for their political significance and as models of Roman and especially senatorial oratory.

The time when the speeches were delivered coincided with the early public career of the future emperor Augustus. Many of the ideas and much of the political vocabulary of the Philippics continued to resonate in the cultural life and imperial ideology of the Augustan principate.

This volume collects papers by a series of specialists in the field of Ciceronian studies who have set out to reconsider the historical impact of the Philippic speeches and their later significance in Roman culture.

Delivered at a crucial point in the painful political transition from the Roman Republic to the imperial system, the Philippics are the final speeches of Rome’s greatest orator at the peak of his powers. He paid the price for the political stance he took in the speeches with his life.  

For further information, and/or to buy the book online

Please follow this link to Cicero's Philippics page

Beneath the Cherry Tree, a novel by David Bates, 2009

Price: $39.00

ISBN 978-1-877332-71-5

About the Book:

Julian Paul is a Wellington barrister with a gambling problem.  Anthony Samuels is a remand prisoner and Julian’s client.  He faces serious drug charges and is desperate for bail.  Julian undertakes to arrange this – for an exorbitant fee - by blackmailing a Judge who had a homosexual relationship many years previously.

Will Julian succeed?  Will he ruin his future and destroy his family in the process?  Can same sex relationships be an expression of true love?

The author is a former police Inspector and now a practising barrister.  He has an intimate knowledge of criminal law and the workings of the justice and prison systems in New Zealand.  The story is consistent with the realities of the law and makes for a fascinating and exciting read.  The characters are well drawn and their machinations reveal their true nature.  The author explores issues of honesty, family responsibilities and same sex relationships in a thoughtful and gripping sequence of events as the story unfolds to its inevitable conclusion.

For further information and/or to buy this book online

Please follow this link to 'Beneath the Cherry Tree'.

Sacraments, Sacramental Life, Sacramental Ministry, Second Edition 2009, by Calum Gilmour

Price: $30.00

ISBN 978-1-877332-64-7

About the Book:

This book provides an introduction to the meaning of 'sacrament' within its wider context. Then there are chapters on all 7 Christian Sacraments. There is a particular emphasis on the relationship between sacraments and ethics. Questions for discussion and study are provided throughout.

This new edition contains some new material and there has been a particular effort to explain aspects that have puzzled some readers. The text layout has been completely renewed into a form which is easier to handle. The bibliography has been updated.

Those training for Local Shared Ministry will find essential material here. The book is also suitable for private study and/or group studies. The discussion and study sections throughout will provide a good basis for discussion and will help participants to apply the theology and practice of the Sacraments in their own context.

For further information, and/or to buy the book online, please follow this link to the Sacrament Book.

Aeneas Son of the Goddess: A Companion to the Aeneid by Raewyn Gilmour.

Price: NZ$40.00 retail. A discounted price is offered to schools and trade - please contact us by email or phone - 09 416 1437

ISBN 978 1 877332 61 6

About the Book:

The Aeneid is Virgil’s masterpiece. It is an intricate and complex epic which is to be read on several levels. This book is designed to assist students to read the whole work. It will help them to appreciate the way in which Virgil has structured his epic poem and how the repeating motifs add colour and interest for the reader.

The book will also assist students to extend their own study of the strengths and weaknesses of both the humans in the story and the gods on Mt Olympus and to form their own opinions and conclusions. They will gain an appreciation of Virgil’s version of the foundation story of Rome.

The geographic emphasis in the photographs and illustrations has been planned to encourage students to visualise the locations of the events and thus be assisted in their understanding of the material in Virgil’s story of ‘Aeneas, son of the goddess’ as he moves from east to west.

Raewyn Gilmour is an experienced teacher of Classical Studies in New Zealand schools.

For further information and/or to buy the book, please follow this link to Aeneas, Son of the Goddess.

Qaravi Na'i Tavi, They Did Their Duty: Soldiers from Fiji in the Great War, by Christine Liava'a

Price: NZ$120.00
ISBN 978 1 877332 62 3

At the beginning of the Great War 1914-1918, Lord Kitchener put out a call to arms to the British Empire. Fiji, a small colony in the South Pacific, responded disproportionately to its size, with over 1100 of the European population of approximately 4000 serving overseas and in home service. Some were born and bred in Fiji, others from Britain, Australia and New Zealand, were living and working there. The indigenous Fijians were also involved; the Fiji Labour Corps served in Europe in 1917 and 1918. This book provides a full listing of all these people, with genealogical and military details, and historical information concerning the war service of the Fiji Platoon of the King’s Royal Rifles Corps, which many joined. Others enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and a few in the French, South African, Canadian, and American forces.

All awards received by the soldiers and nurses, documents such as letters from the soldiers, and many photographs are included in this volume.

Christine Liava’a has produced a valuable source of information about individuals and families in Fiji, which will be of great interest both to genealogists and military historians, as well as others with connections to the people of Fiji.

For more information about the book, and/or to buy the book, please follow this link to to see Soldiers from Fiji.

Competence and Commitment is a new book in a new series, 4 Life 4 Business. The book is now available from the Publisher, Polygraphia Ltd, or from the authors.

Competence and Commitment clearly defines the types of people you will find in most team environments and then shows you how to maximise their performance.

‘Effective management of people is the hallmark of all great leaders. This book creates a point of reflection and a chance to work on how you manage your most vital asset, your people - the face of your brand and organisation’.
Annah Stretton - Designer, Publisher, Entrepreneur

‘This short book is an easy worthwhile read that uncovers some profound truths. I commend it to managers who know they must utilise all the talents of their organisation to do better. It’s a good read as well as a useful tool for success’.
Mike Moore - Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Former Director of the World Trade Organisation.

Price: NZ$27.00 plus pack and post

For full details of the book and the authors, and/or to buy the book using our secure facility, please click on this link to Competence and Commitment.

The City of Athens - 103 slides on CD with book explaining each slide.
Rome - 123 slides on CD with explanatory book.
Greek Sculpture - 75 frames.
Pompeii and Herculaneum, 60 frames

For a detailed description and directions for purchase, please click this link to see Polygraphia Power Point Series and Polygraphia Visual Series.

Large Format Posters: 

Greece and Rome Series

A series of A1 and A2 posters are available with scenes from Greece and Rome. These beautiful and durable posters are designed for classroom use or for display on special occasions such as Parents' Night.

For examples and detail of subjects, please click this link to Posters.

Pompeii and Herculaneum Series, please follow this link to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Laminated A3 Posters - This series has been completely revised and reissued for 2008. The posters under this heading are also available in large format.

To view, please follow this link to view A3 Posters.

Large Format Prints

High quality prints of New Zealand scenes are available. These are best printed on canvas in A2 or A1 size; however they also look lovely as posters printed on 230gsm matte poster paper.

To view a selection of images from various parts of NZ, please follow this link.