Learning Latin

• Wheelock Latin Exercises: Wonderfully detailed set of easy-to-use, self-scoring morphology, vocabulary, and translation drills for Wheelock, from the University of Victoria.

• Latin Praxis: These pages, from St. Louis University, feature excellent explanations of Latin grammar and forms, designed for students using Wheelock. If you're confused about something, check here; you might find the answer.

• The Wheelock Page: Self-correcting quizzes on each chapter of Wheelock, from Ohio State. The grading is somewhat erratic, but the questions are very good, and the answers come with explanations.

• Latin Verb Drills and Latin Noun Drills: Elizabeth Sutherland from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has provided two sets of simple Latin drills: one for verb paradigms, the other for noun paradigms. These are a quick, easy way to quiz yourself on noun and verb endings.

• Random Vocabulary Drill: Another quick, easy-to-use, self-scoring drill site. The vocabulary seems to be drawn from Wheelock and most of it is fairly basic, so although you won't know all the words it tests you on, most should soon be familiar.

• St. Paul Catholic High School Latin Drills: More self-scoring drills on noun and verb forms, somewhat more advanced than the Tennessee site; you can start using these after Wheelock chapter 7. The directions are a flashback to high school, but the drills are useful.

• Diagramming Latin Sentences: Help! Latin sentences make no sense! This site, designed by Barbara McManus of Hamilton College, drawing on an approach to reading Latin developed at the University of Michigan, walks you step-by-step through breaking down a Latin sentence. No drills, but good, solid reading strategies.

• Latin Poetry Podcast: Chris Francese, of Dickinson College (and a former professor of mine), reads and translates excerpts of Latin poems. Most are short, only a minute or two long, and he reads beautifully, so this is a great way to hear what Latin is supposed to sound like. At last check (1/20) he hasn't updated in a while, but with encouragement he might be motivated to resume. He takes requests; anything you'd like to hear?

• Latin to English Dictionary: Yes, there are more complete and more thorough Latin dictionaries on the web, but for simplicity's sake this one is the best. The dictionary was written by Tze-wan Kwan and Chong-fuk Lau at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, based on a word list by Lynn H. Nelson of the University of Kansas.

Roman History & Culture

• Livius.org: Accessible, reliable articles on people, places, and institutions (e.g. Roman magistracies), often complete with detailed maps and photographs.

• Encyclopedia Romana: Good, short articles on Roman architecture and a rather eclectic set of other topics (e.g. gladiators, the Severan Emperors, dogs).

• Virtual Roma: A great site for Latin language and Roman culture. The searchable image collection is especially useful — try searching on "dining."

 

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