CLASSICS

Why Study Latin?

Famous Classicists - Here is a list of some well-known people who have valued their study of classical languages and cultures. Many, such as Lindsey Davis, Terry Pratchett, and JK Rowling, continue to draw inspiration from the Classics.

Richard Adams (Author); Maeve Binchey (Author); Jo Brand (Comedian); Lindsey Davis (Author); Colin Dexter (Author); Peter Ebdon (Snooker); Stephen Fry (Comedian); Alan Hansen (Football); Seamus Heaney (Author); Denis Healey (Politician); Ian Hislop (Journalist); Joanna Lumley (Actress); Terry Pratchett (Author); Steven Pressfield (Author); JK Rowling (Author); Ann Widdecomde (Politician).

So, what was it about the Classics which might have appealed to all these famous people?

You gain a greater awareness of how languages work - A surprising number of computer-programmers have studied Latin, and find the sense of linguistic logic they have gained from this very helpful. The study of Latin has also been shown to alleviate dyslexia because of the way it encourages people to focus on how words are constructed.

Latin is helpful in the study of any modern language - French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, and of course Italian have all evolved from Latin and so they share a similar vocabulary to it. Other languages, such as German, do not have many words in common, but do have a similar grammatical structure.

Over half of the words in English are derived from Latin. The study of Latin boosts your vocabulary. For example, the Latin word for hand is “manus”. From this one word, we have “manipulate”, “manual”, “manicure”, “manufacture” and “manacle”. The study of Latin also explains the origins of abbreviations such as AD, e.g., i.e., a.m., p.m., NB, PS, etc.

In Latin we also study some of the most influential literature the western world has ever seen. The work of poets, historians and lawyers such as Virgil, Catullus, Ovid, Horace, Cicero, Caesar, Tacitus, and Livy. The Times includes 6 Classical Works in their list of the 50 greatest works of literature (17.02.03). Paul McCartney is one of the many people who has said that it was the study of Latin which gave him a real feel for literature. Steven Fry is another.

As well as studying language and literature, we also study history. Throughout the course, we regularly read about the Romans and study the evidence we have for their lifestyles. A lot of work covers the history of the Romans in Britain, and we visit local sites to learn more about this. In addition to this, some pupils will visit Rome and the Bay of Naples.

Latin does not simply teach you knowledge, but also a way of thinking. The Chief Executive of Westland Helicopters is just one employer who has said that he prefers his workers to have studied Latin because it teaches them to be analytical and increases their problem-solving skills.

Some knowledge of Latin helps you to stand out from the crowd. It is not a common skill. Even Alan Hansen has said that his study of Latin gave him a head start in life! In December 2004, the Independent suggested that anyone wishing to get ahead in life should study the Cambridge Latin Course (which it listed among its top 50 Christmas presents).

Ignore the myths about Latin! The way that the subject is taught has changed a lot over the years. It no longer involves memorising long lists of words such as “mensa, mensam, etc”. The teachers do not wear mortar boards and they do not throw chalk at you if you make a mistake. And you don’t spend the whole time translating the “Gallic Wars” by Julius Caesar.

If you want to know more, please talk to Mr. Hayes (Head of Classics)




Learning Latin Vocabulary

It is obvious that to make progress in learning any foreign language, you need to know what words mean. To make sure you stay on top of the subject, there are certain key words you must know, and every so often you will be given a vocabulary test. You are expected to do well, so take these tests seriously and learn words carefully. Here are some tips to help you:

1. Look for derivations. e.g. a “dominus” is someone who “dominates” his slaves (dominus = master).

2. Even silly connections will help. e.g. “He’s very loud at praising” (laudat = praises).

3. Test yourself by using the “look and cover” technique, or by making cards.

4. Ask a friend or relative to test you – especially if they know some Latin too!

5. Test yourself by using an online vocabulary tester. Click here and then follow the instructions in the box with the title: “The Vocabulary Tester”.




What does a GCSE in Latin involve?

You can only start the GCSE Latin course if you have studied Latin in Year 9.

In Year 10, you will continue to study the Cambridge Latin Course, which should provide you with a good command of the language.

In the middle of Year 10 you will start a piece of coursework on the topic of “Roman Women.” You will investigate a specific area of this topic by researching and discussing primary evidence from the Roman period. This will count for 20% of the GCSE assessment.

Towards the end of Year 10, you will be ready to start study the work of Roman authors – poems, letters, law-court speeches, stories, etc. This work will continue into Year 11, and will eventually account for 50% of your GCSE marks.

At the end of Year 11, your understanding of both the literature and the language will be assessed in three GCSE exams. The department has a good record for success, and you should achieve a grade you are proud of.

Here are details of coursework for GCSE Latin ' Women and Marriage' followed by some useful links:

Choice of Titles
1. How similar were weddings in Ancient Rome to Christian weddings today?
2. What was life like for a Roman matrona in the first century BC?
3. How reasonable is it to describe Roman women of the first century BC as "oppressed"?

Primary Sources
1. PLINY Letters 7.5, 4.19
2. CICERO ad Atticum 5.1
3. JUVENAL Satire 6
4. CATULLUS 61 and 62.

Books
1. Balsdon, JPVD: Roman Civilisation (Penguin 1969)
2. Balsdon, JPVD: Roman Women (Bodley Head 1974)
3. Cambridge Latin Course: Stage 38 and Stage 43 background chapters
4. Carcopino, J: Daily Life in Ancient Rome (Penguin 1970)
5. Haward, Anna: Penelope to Poppaea (BCP 1990)
6. Lefkowitz & Frant: Women’s Life in Greece and Rome (Duckworth 1982)
7. Lewis & Reinhold: Roman Civilisation Sourcebook II (Harper Torchbooks)
8. Massey, Michael: Women in Ancient Greece and Rome (CUP 1988)
9. Paoli, UE: Rome, its People, Life and Customs (Longman 1963)
10. Shelton, Jo-Ann: As The Romans Did (OUP)
11. Taylor, D: Roman Society (Duckworth/BCP)
12. Tingay and Badcock: These were the Romans (Hulton Educational Publications)

Roman Weddings and Marriage
Marriage in Ancient Rome
The Role of Roman Mothers
Famous Roman mothers
Famous Roman Women
Women of the Ruling Classes
Index of Primary Sources
Summary of Pomeroy & Various Primary Sources
Description of the Stola
Various Other Relevant Links




What does an A-level in Latin involve?

You have to gain a grade B or above in GCSE Latin to follow this course.

We follow the OCR specifications. There are six modules to study – three literature, and three language. Each module is worth between 15-20% of the overall mark you achieve at A2.

In the literature modules you will study two or three different authors. These change every year, but are likely to include people such as Pliny, Tacitus, Livy, Virgil, Ovid, Catullus, Martial and Horace.

In the Language modules you will continue to improve your command of Latin, learning more vocabulary and meeting new language features. You will sit two exams containing unseen passages for translation, and one where you can either answer comprehension questions on a Latin passage, or translate an English passage into Latin.

The main differences between GCSE and A-level Latin are that in the A-level there is no separate study of Roman culture and there is no coursework.




What does an A-Level in Classical Civilisation involve?

Classical Civilisation is offered as an A-level at Loreto. The subject appeals to people who enjoy studying history and literature. We learn about some of the main events in Greek and Roman history so that we will be able to better understand the plays and poems produced at the time.

We follow the OCR specifications and offer three topics, which are studied at both AS and A2 level:

Greek Tragedy
Learn about the origins of the theatre and take on the parts of Greek heroes such as Theseus, Agamemnon, Oedipus and Medea as we read the oldest known plays in the western world. There may also be opportunities to perform some scenes yourself, or to attend modern productions of the plays.

Greek Comedy
Discuss your favourite comedies and ask what makes them funny, then compare them to the plays of Aristophanes, whose work could be described as a cross between Rory Bremner and Jackass TV. His work has had a great influence on western comedy and still appeals today.

Greek and Roman Epic
The Times recently compiled a list of the greatest 50 works of western literature (Feb 2003). The list features both Homer and Virgil, respectively the greatest Greek and the greatest Roman poet. Find out why as you read their mythological stories about the Trojan War, the Cyclops, the Sirens, the Underworld, etc.

Here are some great links to related websites, and a list of Classical Civilisation resources:

A Quiz on Euripides’ Medea
Roman Life
Latin phrases, abbreviations and mottoes
Roman Britain
The Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius
Search Engine for Primary Source Images
The Roman Army
Roman Religion
Greek Theatre Tour
Ancient Athens
The sounds of Ancient Greece
Latin Dictionary and grammar aid
Cambridge Latin Course Revision Activities

Comedy:
Arnott, W.G. New Surveys in The Classics no 9: Menander, Plautus, Terence. OUP, 1975.
Cartledge P. Aristophanes and his Theatre of The Absurd. BCP, 1980.
Davidson, J. Courtesans and Fishcakes. Fontana Press, 1998.
Dover, K.J. Aristophanic Comedy. Batsford, 1972.
Easterling, P.E. and Knox, B.M.W., Greek Drama. CUP, 1989.
Hunter R.L. The New Comedy of Greece and Rome. CUP, 1985.
JACT, The World of Athens. CUP, 1984.
MacDowell, D.M. Aristophanes and Athens. OUP, 1995.
Taylor, D.W. The Greek and Roman Stage, BCP/Duckworth, 1999.

Tragedy:
Baldock M. Greek Tragedy: An introduction. BCP, 1989.
Clark, G. New Surveys in The Classics 21: Women in the Ancient World. OUP, 1989.
Cropp, M.J. Euripides’ Electra. Aris & Phillips, 1988.
Easterling, P.E. and Knox, B.M.W., Greek Drama. CUP, 1989.
Ferguson, J. Euripides, Medea and Electra, a Companion to the Penguin Translation. BCP, 1988.
Hogan, J.C. A Commentary on the Complete Greek Tragedies: Aeschylus. CUP, 1984.
JACT, The World of Athens. CUP, 1984.
Kitto, H.D.F. Greek Tragedy. Methuen 1939/Routledge 1993.
Taplin, O. Greek Tragedy in Action. Routledge, 1978.
Taylor, D.W. The Greek and Roman Stage, BCP/Duckworth, 1999.
Winnington-Ingram, R.P. Sophocles – An Interpretation. CUP, 1980.

Epic:

Camps, W.A. An Introduction to Virgil’s Aeneid. OUP, 1969.
Edwards, M.W. Homer: Poet of The Iliad. John Hopkins, 1987.
Finley, M.I. The World of Odysseus (2nd Edition). Penguin, 1979.
Gransden, K.W. The Aeneid. CUP, 1990.
Griffin, J. Virgil. OUP, 1987.
Jenkyns, R. Classical Epic: Homer and Virgil. BCP/Duckworth, 1992.
Silk, M. Homer: The Iliad. CUP, 1987.
Willcock, M.M. A Companion to the Iliad. University of Chicago Press, 1976.
Williams, R.D. Aeneas and the Roman Hero. Macmillan, 1973.
Williams, R.D. The Aeneid. Unwin Hyman, 1987.
Williams, R.D. Virgil. JACT New Surveys in the Classics, 1987.