Featured Podcast

Vocabulary for "Learn to Read Latin" By K. Baratz. W. Lebowitz, A. Smith
Available on iTunes as an audio companion for vocabulary for Keller & Russell's "Learn to Read Latin"

Crosswords

Just found this great set of crossword exercises that can be completed online, and therefore checked, which go with Wheelock's Latin (6th edition) book. They are split by chapter where they appear, a great way to study and revise! 


Take Me to Some Crosswords!


It should be possible even if you don't follow that textbook, but let me know if this isn't the case! 


You can find the link to this and other interactive exercises here

Why Study Latin

A new perspective on why Latin is such a valuable language to learn, despite many people's argument that it is a "dead language" and it should remain that way....

This is by far the question Latin teachers are most frequently asked. Interestingly, however, it is only within the past century that this question has arisen. The fact is that until recent years, most considered Latin a necessary staple of a good education. In the 1700’s the University of Georgia, like many of its contemporaries, required of incoming freshmen, “a correct knowledge of Cicero’s orations, Vergil, John and the Acts in the Greek New Testament, “ (LaFleur, 985, p.341) in addition to English Grammar, Geography, and Arithmetic. This is requiring more than the familiar chanting of amo, amas, amat. This statement indicates a desire for an intimate understanding of the language and more than a passing familiarity with her greatest writers. Thomas Jefferson, himself a great supporter of quality education in America, wrote to J.W. Eppes in 1787, “In general, I am of opinion, that till the age of about sixteen, we are best employed on languages: Latin, Greek, French, Spanish.” As Mr. Jefferson suggested, up until the 1920’s Latin was a common course amongst elementary and secondary schools alike, oftentimes a requirement for graduation. However, the times have changed and it seems necessary to defend the virtues of Latin. Unfortunately, these are far too numerous for me to elaborate on here to my liking. So, I will offer the five most common reasons for the teaching of Latin in classical schools.

- 1. The most commonly regarded benefit is the great improvement in the understanding of the English language. We derive approximately 60% of our English words, and 90% of those words consisting of more than two syllables, from Latin.
- 2. If Latin is so helpful to students’ understanding of English, classified as a Germanic language, it only stands to reason that it would be of even greater help to those languages directly derived from Latin. There are five modern languages that call Latin their parent language. These Romance languages are Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian and Portuguese. 

- 3. Many are not surprised to learn that Latin significantly increases verbal scores on tests such as the SAT and even GRE exams, scrutinized carefully by prestigious colleges and universities everywhere. It may surprise them, however, that the analytical and problem solving scores, often associated closely with math skills, also increase significantly among Latin students.
- 4. Another truly wonderful feature of Latin is that it is not merely a means of communication, but a key to unlock the past. Through the writings of Cicero, Caesar, Livy, and others we learn so much about the world of ancient Rome and Greece; a world which has greatly affected our own.
- 5. Perhaps the greatest benefit that Latin affords is the great door it opens into the world of Literature.


To read the whole argument, you can find it on Classical Academic Press by Karen Moore

Featured Podcast

This weeks featured podcast is another one by the Open University available free on iTunes U from this link. 

The splendidly evocative ruins of ancient Rome have long been a challenge to historians and archaeologists in reconstructing how it looked and functioned. It became the largest city in the western world during the imperial period, so how was the city constructed, and what were the materials used? How was it defended, supplied with food and water, and how were the people housed and entertained, and above all, how did it function? These video tracks use various famous sites such as the Baths of Caracalla and the Pantheon to answer some of these questions. 

Latin Student Guide

Here is a Latin Student Guide which summarises the skills you can expect to gain, and the expectations placed on you when studying the subject. It is not a definitive guide but I think it is a great overview of the subject at GCSE or intermediate level and gives an idea of what the subject includes.

Latin Student Guide Summary

Tunisian Mosaics

More Tunisian Mosaics

This mosaic is called "the 9 muses"

The explanation/description of the mosaic featured today is found in the photo below.

... and an amphitheatre added on for good measure

Roman Life: iPhone and iPad App

For anyone out there who uses an iPhone or iPad, there is an app that can show you the streets of Roman London.

Roman London where you can ‘excavate’ finds, using your fingers to dig and gradually reveal ancient artefacts where they were originally found. iPhone users can remove dirt by blowing into their microphone.Key Roman London sites, such as the amphitheatre and Temple of Mithras, have been brought to life through augmented reality video (iPhone only) – produced by HISTORY™ – showing scenes of Roman London, overlaid onto the view today. A soundscape to the Roman capital is also included, so you can listen to the hustle and bustle of the forum or the clamour of the Boudican rebellion.

Click here to learn more and download this new app
I think that this would be great for any enthusiast visiting London, or who wants to learn about Roman London in an interactive and exciting way.