I hope you are all doing well. It has been a pleasure writing for this blog for the last several years since 2013. It has been a wonderful nine years since my first post in July 2013.  I have written on a wide array of topics and would like to highlight my top ten blogs to help anyone diving into Latin:

1. Classical Latin Alphabet: 5 Things You Didn’t Know
2. Back to Basics: Verbs Part I
3. When Latin is Used for Greeking: “Lorem Ipsum”
4. Measurements of Time in Latin
5. 10 Favorite Children’s Book Translated in Latin
6. Latin Profanity: How to Swear in Latin
7. Nouns & Adjectives
8. Is There Any Advantage to Learning Latin?
9. Roman Months
10. Latin Roots for Better Vocabulary

In addition, I would like to highlight some additional resources that I utilize when working on Latin:

• Latin Word Study Tool
  • I recommend this only as a confirmation tool and not something to do your actual translation.
• Latin Library
  • Provides worksheets on basic concepts and texts in English and Latin
• Latinitum
  • Provides lots of resources and options such as flash cards for learners.

Lastly, I wish to acknolwedge my UC Riverside professors who gave me my foundation in Latin – Dr. Wendy Raschke and Dr. Thomas Scanlon. Latin is wonderful language and my years of academic and personal study have aided in my ability to parce English words for meaning. I would like to also state that my knowledge in Ancient Greek has aided in this as well.

Wishing you all the best on your Latin learning journey.

Ancient Roman Serial Killers: The Poison Ring

The main story for this poisoning comes from Livy’s “History of Rome” 8.3-11 and takes place in the year 331 BCE.

WHAT: THE GREAT SICKNESS OR POISONING?

One thing, however, I should be glad to believe had been falsely handed down —and indeed not all the authorities avouch it —namely, that those whose deaths made the year notorious for pestilence were in reality destroyed by poison; still, I must set forth the story as it comes to us, that I may not deprive any writer of his credit. [4] when the leading citizens were falling ill with the same kind of malady, which had, in almost every case the same fatal termination, a certain serving —woman [5] came to Quintus Fabius Maximus, the curule aedile, and declared that she would reveal the cause of the general calamity if he would give her a pledge that she should not suffer for her testimony.

sicut proditur tamen res, ne cui auctorum fidem abrogaverim, exponenda est. Cum primores civitatis similibus morbis eodemque ferme omnes eventu morerentur, ancilla quaedam ad Q. Fabium Maximum aedilem curulem indicaturam se causam publicae pestis professa est, si ab eo fides sibi data esset haud futurum noxae indicium. 

WHAT: THE CULPRITS

Fabius at once referred the matter to the consuls, and the consuls [6] to the senate, and a pledge was given to the witness with the unanimous approval of that body. [7] she then disclosed the fact that the City was afflicted by the criminal practices of the women; that they who prepared these poisons were matrons, whom, if they would instantly attend her, they might take in the very act. [8] they followed the informer and found certain women brewing poisons, and other poisons stored away. These concoctions² were brought into the Forum, and some twenty matrons, in whose houses they had been discovered, were summoned thither by an apparitor.

Fabius confestim rem ad consules, consules ad senatum referunt consensuque ordinis fides indici data. Tum patefactum muliebri fraude civitatem premi matronasque ea venena coquere et, si sequi extemplo velint, manifesto deprehendi posse. Secuti indicem et coquentes quasdam medicamenta et recondita alia invenerunt; quibus in forum delatis et ad viginti matronis, apud quas deprehensa erant, per viatorem accitis duae ex eis, 

WHO AND THEIR ENDING

Two of their number, Cornelia and Sergia, of patrician houses both, asserted that these drugs were salutary. [9] on the informer giving them the lie, and bidding them drink and prove her charges false in the sight of all, they took time to confer, and after the crowd had been dismissed they referred the question to the rest, and finding that they, like themselves, would not refuse the draught, they all drank off the poison and perished by their own wicked practices.

Cornelia ac Sergia, patriciae utraque gentis, cum ea medicamenta salubria esse contenderent, ab confutante indice bibere iussae ut se falsum commentam arguerent, spatio ad conloquendum sumpto, cum submoto populo [in conspectu omnium] rem ad ceteras rettulissent, haud abnuentibus et illis bibere, epoto [in conspectu omnium] medicamento suamet ipsae fraude omnes interierunt

RESULT

[10] their attendants being instantly arrested informed against a large number of matrons, of whom one hundred and seventy were found guilty; [11] yet until that day there had never been a trial for poisoning in Rome. their act was regarded as a prodigy and suggested madness rather than felonious intent.

Comprehensae extemplo earum comites magnum numerum matronarum indicaverunt; ex quibus ad centum septuaginta damnatae; neque de veneficiis ante eam diem Romae quaesitum est. Prodigii ea res loco habita captisque magis mentibus quam consceleratis similis visa.

HOW

It is uncertain how these women poisoned the several men they did and high ranking men as indicated in the

translation “leading citizens.” Was this a political mass murder? An organized stance against men or husbands? Is Livy correct to say all these women were “mad” and not acting from malicious intent?

Probably not – a group of women would not be so organized if they were truly mad – but at least that would hush up the idea of rebellion or chaos among women.

The type of poison is not disclosed – but it is assumed it would be have been some sort of vegetation.

CONCLUSION

This group of women is often referred to as the poison ring – probably a double meaning. A ring or group of women could be meant BUT also, the fashionable item is known as a vessel ring which was popular in ancient Asia, India, and eventually the Meditteranean.

NEXT MONTH

I received a request for a blog post on the “evil eye” and ancient spells.  In particular about how people of the ancient world had ways to cast spells or hire someone to do it for them. It should be an illuminating post – looking forward to sharing next month!

Ancient Roman Serial Killers: The Poisoner

Photo by Mahdi Bafande on Unsplash

WHO

Locusta was a notorious maker of poisons in the 1st-century Roman Empire, active in the final two reigns of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. She supposedly took part in the assassinations of emperor Claudius and his son, Britannicus. She was a favorite of emperor Nero for several years, and Nero had her provide training to other poisoners in his service.

The part that is uncertain is if she enjoyed poisoning or if it was her profession as a contract killer. It should be noted in the translation below, that she is regarded as an acclaimed poisoner BEFORE she poisons Claudius or Brittanicus.

WHAT: DEATH OF CLAUDIUS

Tacitus’ Annals 12.66:
Under this great burden of anxiety, he had an attack of illness and went to Sinuessa to recruit his strength with its balmy climate and salubrious waters. Thereupon, Agrippina, who had long decided on the crime and eagerly grasped at the opportunity thus offered and did not lack instruments, deliberated on the nature of the poison to be used. The deed would be betrayed by one that was sudden and instantaneous, while if she chose a slow and lingering poison, there was a fear that Claudius, when near his end, might, on detecting the treachery, return to his love for his son. She decided on some rare compound that might derange his mind and delay death. A person skilled in such matters was selected, Locusta by name, who had lately been condemned for poisoning, and had long been retained as one of the tools of despotism. By this woman’s art, the poison was prepared, and it was to be administered by a eunuch, Halotus, who was accustomed to bringing in and tasting the dishes.

In tanta mole curarum valetudine adversa corripitur, refovendisque viribus mollitia caeli et salubritate aquarum Sinuessam pergit. tum Agrippina, sceleris olim certa et oblatae occasionis propera nec ministrorum egens, de genere veneni consultavit, ne repentino et praecipiti facinus proderetur; si lentum et tabidum delegisset, ne admotus supremis Claudius et dolo intellecto ad amorem filii rediret. exquisitum aliquid placebat, quod turbaret mentem et mortem differret. deligitur artifex talium vocabulo Locusta, nuper veneficii damnata et diu inter instrumenta regni habita. eius mulieris ingenio paratum virus, cuius minister e spadonibus fuit Halotus, inferre epulas et explorare gustu solitus.

WHAT: DEATH OF BRITTANNICUS

Suetonius’ Life of Nero [33.2]
He attempted the life of Britannicus by poison, not less from jealousy of his voice (for it was more agreeable than his own) than from fear that he might sometime win a higher place than himself in the people’s regard because of the memory of his father. He procured the potion from an archpoisoner, one Locusta, and when the effect was slower than he anticipated, merely physicing Britannicus, he called the woman to him and flogged her with his own hand, charging that she had administered a medicine instead of poison; and when she said in excuse that she had given a smaller dose to shield him from the odium of the crime, he replied: “It’s likely that I am afraid of the Julian law;”​and he forced her to mix as swift and instant a potion as she knew how in his own room before his very eyes. Then he tried it on a kid, and as the animal lingered for five hours, had the mixture steeped again and again and threw some of it before a pig. The beast instantly fell dead, whereupon he ordered that the poison be taken to the dining room and given to Britannicus. The boy dropped dead at the very first taste, but Nero lied to his guests and declared that he was seized with the falling sickness, to which he was subject, and the next day had him hastily and unceremoniously buried in pouring rain. He rewarded Locusta for her eminent services with a full pardon​ and large estates in the country, and actually sent her pupils

Britannicum non minus aemulatione vocis, quae illi iucundior suppetebat, quam metu ne quandoque apud hominum gratiam paterna memoria praevaleret, veneno adgressus est. Quod acceptum a quadam Lucusta, venenariorum indice, cum opinione tardius cederet ventre modo Britannici moto, accersitam mulierem sua manu verberavit arguens pro veneno remedium dedisse; excusantique minus datum ad occultandam facinoris invidiam: “Sane,” inquit, “legem Iuliam timeo,” coegitque se coram in cubiculo quam posset velocissimum ac praesentaneum coquere. Deinde in haedo expertus, postquam is quinque horas protraxit, iterum ac saepius recoctum porcello obiecit; quo statim exanimato inferri in triclinium darique cenanti secum Britannico imperavit. Et cum ille ad primum gustum concidisset, comitiali morbo ex consuetudine correptum apud convivas ementitus postero die raptim inter maximos imbres tralaticio extulit funere. Lucustae pro navata opera impunitatem praediaque ampla, sed et discipulos dedit.

Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash

HOW

She reportedly advised Agrippina to use Atropa belladonna as a poison. Extracts of Atropa have been used for poisoning since antiquity, as the plant and its fruits contain tropane alkaloids. Atropa-derived poisons were commonly used in ancient Roman murders [hint to more entries for this series], and the previous empress Livia reportedly used them to murder her contemporaries.

HER ENDING

All good things must come to an end, so, following Nero’s death, Locusta was executed by his successor, Galba.

According to Cassius Dio’s History [64.3], “In the case, however, of Helius, Narcissus, Patrobius, Locusta, the sorceress, and others of the scum that had come to the surface in Nero’s day, he ordered them to be led in chains throughout the whole city and then to be executed.”

However, this year I wanted to do something a little different. Sometimes during Christmas, my family would watch Monty Python’s The Life of Brian.

Monty Python

The Monty Python is a British surreal comedy group that created the sketch comedy television show Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which first aired on the BBC in 1969. The Python fandom developed from the television series into something larger in the scope of influence, including touring stage shows, films (The Meaning of Life, The Life of Brian, Monty Python and the Holy Grail), albums, books, and musicals (Spamalot!).

The group consists of the members: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

The Life of Brian

Monty Python’s Life of Brian sometimes referred to as Life of Brian, is a 1979 comedy film starring and written by the group Monty Python. The film tells the story of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish-Roman man who is born on the same day as and next door to Jesus, and is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah through his life and the film.

The film was a box office success, the fourth-highest-grossing film in the United Kingdom in 1979, and the highest-grossing of any British film in the United States that year. It has remained popular and has been named as the greatest comedy film of all time by several magazines and television networks and even deemed a cult classic.

It has received a 95% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus, “One of the more cutting-edge films of the 1970s, this religious farce from the classic comedy troupe is as poignant as it is funny and satirical.”

However, during the time it was not popular with everyone. The film’s themes of religious satire were very controversial, drawing accusations of blasphemy and protests from some religious groups. Supposedly, thirty-nine local authorities in the United Kingdom either imposed an outright ban or imposed an X (18 years) certificate.

The Latin Scene

Photo by antonio filigno on Unsplash

I would recommend watching the 4-minute scene and then we can get to the business of breaking down what is happening in this very humorous Latin teacher vs. student type of scene.

Romanes eunt domus

Romanes is not a word. The ending looks like that of a 3rd declension ending, but Romanus is the nominative and Romani (2nd declension) is the plural form of this adjective being used as a noun.

Eunt is from the verb “to go” ire or eo “I go.”

So eunt is3rd person plural present indicative (as Brian says) – meaning “they go.” However, commands are given in Latin by using the imperative mood.

Thus, we are looking for ite!

The last word is domus which is the nominative singular form (use when the subject of the sentence) and does not comply with the idea that sentence is giving this place a “motion towards.” So Brian needs a different inflected form. However, domus is a difficult noun as it can be a 2nd or 4th declension depending on the meaning. The dative case is often used for the idea of “to/for” something which Brian offers as a solution and you see how the Centurion reacts. The dative case would be used more like an indirect object such as giving something to the house or home.  Then we have the answer that it is the accusative case for “motion towards”

Brian offers the answer ad domum which is not proper Latin. Domum takes the locative. Just like we say in English “I go home” instead of “I go to the home.” Home is a locative where we don’t always use a preposition or even an article. This is true in Latin as well.

So….

Romani ite domum

is the correct sentence.

Conclusion

This scene is so funny to many people I think because it reminds us of our loving and yet humiliating Latin teachers of yore. We have all been there Brian. It gets better.

League of Legends Mobile Game depicting Jinx. Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

As the series Arcane: League of Legends sweeps the views of Netflix, I cannot help but jump on board. As a previous casual player and fan of the show, I needed to do a post about Latin in this world.

League of Legends

Photo by ELLA DON on Unsplash

So, what is League of Legends? League of Legends is a competitive, fast-paced action-strategy game in which you play a “character” or champion in a team of 5 to defeat another team of 5 by destroying their base’s nexus before they destroy theirs. I am a visual learner – so I would recommend checking out their official video.

Arcane

The 2021 animated series is set in the past relative to the League of Legends universe and serves as a prequel to the game and retells the origin stories of several characters from Piltover and Zaun. I don’t want to give away anything so I recommend checking out the official trailer.

League of Legend Champion Names with Latin Roots and Roman Culture

Image by Vinson Tan ( 楊 祖 武 ) from Pixabay

1. Aatrox: from the Latin atrox meaning fierce, savage, bloody. heinous, cruel, severe
2. Lux: the Latin word, lux, for light.
   1. Lucian: The meaning of Lucian is ‘light’, which comes from the Latin name Lucianus. It is a male-given name that is taken from the word ‘lux‘, meaning ‘to light’ in Latin.
3. Nocturne: derived from Nox for the night, nocturnus is an adjective for nightly or nocturnal.
4. Anivia: originally a word of Latin origin “niveus / nivea / niveum” for snow white.
5. Leona: the word comes from Latin and means “lioness”.
6. Sona: the Latin means “sound.
7. Varus: Varus means “bent outwards, bow-legged” in Latin,  a cognomen to describe persons with the anatomical deformity that bent their legs outwards like bows.
8. Diana: Diana is the goddess’ Roma name for the Greek Artemis. Goddess of the hunt and moon.
9. Pantheon:  the name of the famous building located in Rome. The place was once the center of the city, to make offerings to the Gods.
10. Vi: While her name is actually Violet, her nickname Vi and a corresponding tattoo of VI relate back to her days in prison as inmate 516. V is Roman Numeral 5 and I is Roman Numeral 1 and together – VI they are 6.
11. Jinx: the Latin word iynx, also spelled jynx, as ‘j’ and ‘i’ are the same letter in Latin (learn more about this in this blog). The Latin iynx came from the Greek name of the wryneck bird, iunx, associated with sorcery; not only was the bird used in the casting of spells and in divination but the Ancient Romans and Greeks traced the bird’s mythological origins to a sorceress named Iynx, who was transformed into this bird to punish her for a spell cast on the god Zeus.
12. Aurelian Sol: sol is the Latin word for sun and aureus is golden. So their name means Golden Sun.
13. Karthus: The name Karthus resembles Medieval Latin Carthusianus, from toponym Cart(h)usia, ultimate Proto-Celtic *katus “battle” and *rīxs “king”

Until Next Time

Well, I am sure there are plenty of other nooks and crannies where Latin and Roman culture lie within League of Legends – and honestly, there were quite a few Greek and Hebrew references.  However, this was really fun and I hope you all learned something new or at least something to chat about at the next family gathering with a “did you know…”

So, by closest equivalence – I meant that it is the day(s) of the year that Roman believed ghosts could/would affect their family and needed to be appeased. This is the root of Halloween and similar holidays celebrated around Halloween – ghosts visiting people (whether friendly or mean is the question).

LEMURIA

Photo by Kevin Escate on Unsplash

The Lemuria (sometimes seen as Lemuralia) was a feast in Ancient Rome in which Romans performed rites to banish ghosts from their home. This festival dates back to the 6th-century B.C.E until about the 3rd century C.E. 

THE DATES

Lemuria was held on May 9, 11, and 13. In ancient Rome, where even-numbered days were considered unlucky – this festival of the dead was held on odd-numbered days. 

THE ORIGIN 

The term lemures or larvae is associated with the notion of unwholesome specters of the restless dead. However, according to Ovid, the term Lemuria is a derivative from Remuria relating to Remus. Ovid in Fasti says this particular rite was established by Romulus to appease the spirit of this brother, Remus, whom he had killed. 

THE RITES 

Ovid notes that at this festival it was the custom to appease or expel the evil spirits by walking barefoot and throwing black beans over the shoulder at night. Other accounts mention the beans being spit out of the mouth. The beans were symbols of offering so – the shoulder makes more sense.  

Photo by Vino Li on Unsplash

It is important to remember that this festival was private and domestic rather than civic or public.

So, it was the head of the household (which may vary depending on the household) who was responsible for getting up at night and walking around the house throwing black beans and repeating the following incantation nine times.  

“I send these; with these beans, I redeem me and mine”  

Haec ego mitto; his redimo meque meosque fabis  

SUPERSTITION AND MAGIC 

It is important to remember that magic and superstition were part of daily Roman life.  

Because of this annual exorcism of the noxious spirits of the dead, the whole month of May was rendered unlucky for marriages, whence the proverb Mense Maio malae nubunt  or”Bad girls wed in May”. 

Temples were closed and marriages were prohibited during the three days of the Lemuralia. On the third day, a merchants’ festival was held to ensure a prosperous year for business.

Photo by Chad Greater on Unsplash

During the month of September, two literary events are celebrated. They are National Library Card Sign Up Month and Banned Books Week. Both celebrations are meant to bring awareness to the resources of libraries as well as current censorship. This month’s blog will be reviewing Ancient Roman libraries as well as banned books (or censored books) during antiquity.

Ancient Roman Libraries

The benefit of public libraries allows citizens (perhaps even non-citizens) to enrich and ameliorate their life and position (in life) through free resources. For a society, community, or civilization to truly thrive – all persons should have the ability to thrive. The first public Library, The Library of Ashurbanipal, was established in the seventh century BCE in Assyria.

Rome’s public libraries did not open until the late first century BCE. During the reign of Augustus, the Temple of Apollo, the Atrium of Liberty and the Porticus of Octavia served as public libraries in Rome. However, the emperor still maintained control over the libraries’ contents.

Roman libraries came to be the place where an author first released their work to the public, reading out loud to a small audience. I think back to a famous scene from I, Claudius where Claudius debuts his History of Carthage, I believe.

As with other elements of their culture, the Romans spread the idea of public libraries across their empire with famous ones being established at Ephesos (the Library of Celsus) Athens (the Library of Hadrian), and Herculaneum (Villa of the Papyri).

Ancient Roman Banned Books

Photo by Fred Kearney on Unsplash

The question often comes up, why ban a book?

People ban books that they believe are unfit for consumption due to themes, plots, ideas that are opposite of what their ideals are. Often time, in modern-day, books for children and teens are challenged and banned because parents, teachers, or other adults feel topics are too mature for their age. There are, of course, other reasons that are a bit more political which are similar to ancient Roman reasons:

In 8 CE, Augustus sent the poet Ovid to exile and removed his unsavory Ars Amatoria (“The Art of Love”) from public libraries. This banning and exile occurred because Augustus’ reign was centered around the morales of the Roman family; while the Ars Amatoria was a bit more risque about love and romance than emphasizing the Roman family. Ovid died in exile in Greece eight years later.

The emperor Caligula opposed the reading of The Odyssey, written more than 300 years before. He thought the epic poem was dangerous because it expressed Greek ideals of freedom.

Under the emperor Diocletian, the texts of the followers of Mani, the Manichaeans, were ordered to be burned as well as their leaders.

Conclusion

Well, I hope that I have given you some things to ponder and think about in regards to Libraries and Banned Books. Looking forward to your comments and thoughts in the comments.