Archive for August, 2011
Latin Shorthand Posted by kunthra on Aug 31, 2011
The ancient Romans used shorthand or abbreviations just like we do today. Here is a list of Latin shorthand that you might not have realized were Latin in origin! (1) Vs. (2) t.i.d. (3) stat (4) RIP (5) m.o. (6) m.p. (7) MA (8) i.e. (9) et al. (10) ca. (11) ad lib (12) sig…
Black Sabbath and Latin? Posted by kunthra on Aug 30, 2011
What do you think of when you hear the lines, “Generals gathered in their masses Just like witches at black masses…” That’s right, this is the lyrics to a Black Sabbath song called ‘War Pigs’. It’s nothing new when it comes to combining Latin with metal music, but the band Rondellus takes it further by…
Books on Ecclesiastical Latin Posted by kunthra on Aug 29, 2011
One of the reasons why people want to learn Latin is because of ecclesiastical reasons. The Vatican still uses Latin and has been doing so for centuries. Here are a couple of books that are specifically geared for ecclesiastical or ‘church’ Latin: A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin by John F. Collins is ideal for learners…
Latin Software and Online Resources Posted by kunthra on Aug 28, 2011
One of the trendiest ways to learn Latin these days is through various online resources and software programs. Linguata Language Learning Program is a software that allows you to learn Latin phrases and words quickly. The Linguata Language Learning Program software includes quizzes and games that test reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills. If you…
Horace’s Odes Posted by kunthra on Aug 26, 2011
Horace’s Carmina is a four volume book of odes. Book 1 Poem 11 contains the most famous line attributed to Horace: “carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero” (1) Many of Horace’s poems are personal letters written to his friends. In Book 1 Poem 33, Horace comforts the heartbroken poet Tibullus: “Albi, ne doleas plus nimio…
Persius Posted by kunthra on Aug 15, 2011
Aulus Persius Flaccus was an ancient Roman satirist who did not hold back when it came to criticizing philosophers, rulers and even the poor. Perhaps it was due to the fact that his father and stepfather died when he was young that led him to develop a cynical view towards people, but his satires were…
Political Sites of Ancient Rome Posted by kunthra on Aug 11, 2011
Even after all these years you can still see remnants of places that had political significance to ancient Roman Empire. One place that is widely visited by tourists is the Tullianum. The tullianum was a prison for political prisoners. The prisoners incarcerated in the tullianum were often important foreign leaders that were defeated by the…