Latin word of the month

Lacrimabilis: may be translated as tearful; lamentable; woeful. Our English word ‘lachrymose’ ,meaning showing sorrow, being tearful, or weeping, is derived from lacrimabilis.

Latin quote of the month

Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem - Horace “Remember to keep your mind even when life’s path is steep.”

Latin author of the month

Cicero is considered my many scholars to be the master of Latin prose, especially so in his writings from the last thirty years of his life. He wrote excellent Latin in many genres and across many subjects including epistles (letters), rhetorical works, philosophical works and, orations. His letters give us detailed contemporary accounts of Roman political and historical events as well as a vivid picture of the public and private spheres among the Roman elite. However, many acaddemics claim that it is Cicero's orations that are our most valuable Latin sources; they give the modern reader rewarding insights into Roman theories on education, law and public speaking. His wrting includes political addresses and legal aruments, too. In the Middle Ages, Cicero’s philosophical writings formed the foundations of moral philosophy. His speeches are still studied today by public speakers and by 21st century leaders and politicians.

Latin numerals in dates

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 … I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XII XIV XV XV1 … 2O 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 XX XXX XL L LX LXX LXXX XC C 200 500 1000 3257 CC D M MMMCCLVII How to read Latin numerals in dates on public monuments: • Read from left to right • If a small number comes before a larger one, subract the smaller from the larger: ▪ 40 is represented by XL = 10 less than 50 • If a small number comes after a larger one, add the smaller to the larger. ▪ 70 is represented by LXX - 50 + 10 + 10. • Some examples: o 2016 would be:  MMXVI o 1916 would be: MCMXVI o 1816 would be: MDCCCXVI • Have a go at: MLXVI (Clue: The date King Harold got an arrow  in his eye.)