Why study Latin? Because it's a beautiful, rich language. Because it's the gateway to the marvels of Roman literature and history: epic heroes! dastardly villains! true love! glorious victory! heart-breaking defeat! pirates! Because Latin is the root of all the Romance languages — Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Romanian — and has had a profound influence on English as well. Because studying Latin will make you a better, more astute user of language in general.

In Elementary Latin you will learn the basics of the language essential to all studies in the liberal arts, Latin, in the context of Roman cultural history. From the age of Julius Caesar until the early 20th century Latin language and literature were routinely required of all western students, and Latin continues to represent the foundation of learning and erudition. The object of the course is for you to learn the fundamentals of Latin, its grammar and syntax, in order to read Latin poetry and prose, some of the most eloquent expressions of the human condition. At the same time, you will study various aspects of Roman culture and learn to read texts within the context of their cultural settings.