Archive for April, 2010
The Ablative Continued Posted by kunthra on Apr 28, 2010
For today’s lesson, we’ll learn how to say “with” or “without”. Both will be in the ablative. Ad īnsulam nāvigat cum scaphā = He is sailing to the island with a boat “Cum” means “with” and the word it modifies will be in the ablative. Ad casam sine aquā ambulant = They are walking to the house without…
The Ablative Case : From Posted by kunthra on Apr 25, 2010
ā or ab can mean “from”. Can you tell when to use which from the two examples below? (1) Fēmina ā casā ad castrum aquam portat = The woman is carrying water from the house to the castle. (2) Puella ab īnsulā ad actam natat = The girl is swimming from the island to the seashore. In…
The Founding of Rome Posted by kunthra on Apr 22, 2010
Supposedly the traditional date for the founding of Rome was April 21st, 753 B.C. The tale begins with two twin brothers named Romulus and Remus. Depending on the version of the story, Hercules or Aries impregnates a Vestal Virgin. When the uncle of the Vestal Virgin finds out, he orders them to be killed. The…
To, Toward Posted by kunthra on Apr 19, 2010
The prepostition “ad” can mean “to” or “toward”. When using “ad”, the word it refers to will be in the accusative form. Ad silvam ambulō. (silva = forest) The answer to the Latin phrase above is, “I am walking to the forest”. Silva ends in -am because it’s in the accusative form. Try translating these sentences…
Direct Object of the Second Declension Posted by kunthra on Apr 16, 2010
The direct object of the second declension will have a different ending from the direct object of the first declension. That’s why Latin can be so challenging. The singular accusative (direct object) of the second declension will have a -um ending Cervus campum dēlet. (dēlēre = to destroy. campus = camp, field) Since “campum” ends…
Ancient Roman Computer Games Posted by kunthra on Apr 13, 2010
Rome : Pathway to Power is a computer strategy game based on ancient Rome. The player starts off as a slave, and the object of the game is to become an emperor. There are several stages you have to go through to become emperor. For the first stage, you have to become a citizen and escape the…
Latin Adverbs Posted by kunthra on Apr 10, 2010
Saepe means “often” in Latin. Now that you know this, try translating this sentence : Betulās saepe necō. (betula = birch tree) The answer is : I often kill birch trees. Let’s look at another adverb : semper. Semper = always. Try translating this sentence : Pīrāta semper pugnat nautam. The answer is : The…