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Idioms: the Key to Understanding Latin Better
Similar to English, Latin has many idioms. One example of an English idiom is “going the extra mile.” Latin idioms can be found in most classical texts. While some may have gotten lost in translation, many remain and help the reader to understand the Latin text better. An example is the phrase “Hercle quī.” This …
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Apuleius: Sorcerer, Fortune-hunter, and Cultist?
The sorcerer, Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis, purportedly bewitched a friend’s wealthy mother in 157 AD, and then nearly went to trial for that and murder. Romans and sorcerers are not usually associated, and though there may have been other sorcerers, their stories were likely lost to time. However, the most is known about Apuleius since he …
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Kandake Amanirenas: the Victor of her own Story
It’s safe to assume that most people who study the ancient world have heard of the charismatic and clever Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, but few other African queens, who are just as notable, get the same amount of recognition. One such woman was Kandake Amanirenas, the second queen of the Kush Kingdom. The land of …
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Beginner’s Guide to Speaking Latin and Impressing Your Friends
Have you ever wanted to sound like a master orator and appear sophisticated in front of your friends? Well, never fear — Latin is here. While your friends might be learning one of the common modern languages such as Spanish, French, or Mandarin, they most likely will not know much Latin beyond a few phrases …
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Romans Being Used for Hate
Great paintings, murals, architecture, and statues: the ancient world had all of these and more. We admire and revere the ancients. Even now in the modern world, there are many ties back to the ancient world, affecting the way we see the world and interact with it. Our beliefs and ideals have been derived from …
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Sports in Classical Antiquity
In today’s world, we enjoy making fun of barbaric Roman gladiator battles and laughing at the naked statues of Ancient Greek athletes. In terms of historical accuracy, these two examples are pretty truthful. In terms of self reflection, however, we might find these examples uncomfortably familiar. To better understand this and inflict insecurity in your …
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Comparing the Res Publica (Roman Republic) to the US Government
Everyone learned that in the 1630’s, the Puritans bravely sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in search of freedoms they lacked in England beneath the overbearing rule of King Charles II. We know these patriotic Americans fought and won in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain in 1775, creating a need for a new government to …
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Latin Insults for Everyday Life
What’s the best way to deal with someone you don’t like? You could try throwing them the cold shoulder, but that usually doesn’t work. Most times, they don’t even know that you are avoiding them or simply don’t care in general. If you really want to mess with someone, try insulting them (NOTE: Please don’t …
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The Abduction of Persephone and Its Darker Historical Context
The myth of Hades and Persephone is a popular one that has been developed into many modern adaptations. From the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the webcomic Lore Olympus, to the award-winning Broadway musical Hadestown, it’s clear that this myth has had a large effect on pop culture. But what was the cultural …
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