Dedication Text
In the dedication Kennett pleads Prince William to study the Roman empire and its culture so he can "appear the Rival of their Glory." Additionally, he points out to Prince William a military section of the book that he might enjoy. According to Caroline Winterer, a professor of history at Stanford University, military service "was a critical prerequisite to service in the upper ranks of [the Roman] government," so it is only natural that Kennett would direct his dedicatee to a military section of the book (Winterer, "From Royal to Republican")
Furthermore, Kennett compares the young prince to Ascanius, a character in Virgil's epic poem Aenid who was fond of military pursuits. He even writes that Ascanius is the Prince's "precedent," declaring that the prince had honoured him with his imitation.