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An Introduction to Classical Latin

Benedict Atchley

Learn the basics of Classical Latin in this first of two introductory courses.  Students who take this course will learn basic Latin grammar and syntax, as well as a comprehensive vocabulary, which expands with each lesson.

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Learn the basics of Classical Latin in this first of two introductory courses.  Students who take this course will learn basic Latin grammar and syntax, as well as a comprehensive vocabulary, which expands with each lesson.

Benefits of taking this class include:

- Learning the father language of all Romantic languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French).  This is an excellent gateway language to learning many new languages in the future.

- Learning  the etymology of thousands of English words which derive their meaning from Latin.

- Learning the mechanics of a new language will help students come to a better understanding of grammar in their own language.

Materials Included:

- Short 3-7 minute lectures for each lesson

- Document accompanying each lesson subject, which includes 10-15 vocabulary word list

- Sentences to translate from Latin to English and English to Latin

- Self-test exams every five chapters

- Answer key for exams and translation exercises

- Bonus vocabulary list (which I will continue to add to)

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What's inside

Learning objective

Learn to read and write latin, as well as memorize a large vocabulary of latin words.

Syllabus

Students will learn the basics of Latin Grammar, and they will have the ability to translate basic Latin sentences.

After completing this lesson students should have a basic understanding of classical Latin pronunciation.  With practice they will be able to pronounce Latin as it was spoken over two thousand years ago.

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After completing this lesson students should have a basic understanding of Latin nouns and the various noun cases.

Lesson II Quiz - First Declension and the Noun Cases

After completing this lesson students will have a basic understanding of Latin verbs in the present indicative active tense, and they should be able to construct basic sentences in Latin.

Lesson III Quiz: First Conjugation Verbs, Present Indicative Active, and Syntax

After completing this lesson students will have know the second declension of Latin nouns in the masculine gender.  They will understand the grammatical concept of apposition.  Finally they will be introduced to prepositions in the Latin language.

The lesson IV Quiz focuses on additional, important grammatical details concerning Latin nouns and the use of prepositions.

After completing this lesson students will know the second declension of nouns.  They will also learn how to use adjectives, as well as the importance of gender in Latin nouns.  Finally, they will be introduced to the second conjugation of verbs in the present indicative active.

Lesson V Quiz - 2nd Declension Neuter, Adjectives, and 2nd Conjugation

Students will be introduced to the irregular verbs esse - to be - and posse - to be able to - in this lesson.  They will also learn to use a complementary infinitive in conjunction with posse.  Finally, they will be introduced to the concept of intransitive verbs in Latin.

Students will be introduced to personal pronouns, possessive adjectives, and finally the third conjugation of Latin verbs in this lesson.

Students will be introduced to fourth conjugation verbs in this lesson, as well as the irregular category of third conjugation -iō verbs.  They will also learn the imperative mood, the second of three moods in the Latin language (the first being the indicative).

Students will be introduced to a new tense in this lesson, the imperfect
tense, which is the second of the six tenses in Latin.  They will learn
this tense in all four conjugations.  They will also be introduce the
grammatical concept, enclitics.

Students will learn the third declension of nouns in this lesson. They will also learn the imperfect tense for the irregular verbs esse and posse.

Students will learn a new pronoun use in this lesson, the reflexive pronoun.  They will also learn the concept of reflexive possessive adjectives.

Students will learn the future tense for all conjugations in this lesson, including the irregular verbs esse and posse.  This lesson will also begin to take a deeper look at the ablative case of nouns and its various uses; specifically they will learn the ablative of means, the ablative of manner, and the ablative of accompaniment.

Students will be introduced to Latin demonstratives in this lesson, which function essentially the same as adjectives.  Along with this they will also learn an irregular group of 1st and 2nd declension adjectives, know as the -ius adjectives.  Finally, they will also learn the intensive pronoun - ipse, ipsa, ipsud.

Students learn relative pronouns in this lesson, and the concept of subordinate clauses.  They will also learn the ablative of place from which, a new ablative case use.

Students will learn the final three Latin tenses in this lesson - the imperfect, pluperfect, and future perfect - and these tenses make up what is called the perfect system of verbs in Latin.  They will learn these tense conjugations in the indicative active for all four conjugations as well as the irregular verbs esse and posse.

Students will learn the Latin cardinal and ordinal numerals in Latin and their various uses in conjunction with the ablative and genitive cases.  They will also learn a new ablative case use, the ablative of time when or within which.

Students will learn an irregular category of third declension nouns in this lesson, the third declension i-stem nouns.  They will also learn about interrogative adjectives and interrogative pronouns, and the difference between the two.

Students will learn the fourth declension of nouns in this lesson, as well as a new ablative case use, the ablative of separation.

Students will learn the third declension adjectives in this lesson.  These follow all the same rules as 1st and 2nd declension adjectives, but they are declined similar to third declension i-stem nouns.

Students will learn the fifth and final declension of nouns in this final lesson.  They will also learn a new ablative case use, the ablative of place wherewhich is similar to the ablative of place from which, but with one minor and subtle difference.

Additional Course Materials

This lecture will contain various exercises that can be used for practicing Latin, in addition to the material provided in the previous lectures.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops foundational Latin vocabulary and grammar, which is a must-have for beginners in the study of Latin languages
Provides learners a foundation for the etymology of many English words
Provides a comprehensive vocabulary, which expands with each lesson
Covers material in bite-sized lessons, which can be helpful for retention
Offers a bonus vocabulary list that learners can continually benefit from
Includes self-test exams every five chapters for assessment and feedback

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Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction to Classical Latin will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Etymologist
As an Etymologist, you would study the origin and history of words. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language. Understanding the Latin language can benefit English speakers to understand the etymology of thousands of English words.
Linguist
As a Linguist, you would study the structure and development of language. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language. Understanding the Latin language can benefit English speakers to understand the roots of thousands of English words and how they have evolved over time.
Philologist
As a Philologist, you would study the history and development of languages. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language. Understanding the Latin language can benefit English speakers to understand the historical evolution of the English language itself and its relation to other languages.
Lexicographer
As a Lexicographer, you would compile dictionaries or work on the vocabulary of a specific language. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in Latin, the root of many modern languages. This could be beneficial for understanding the origins and meanings of words.
Translator
As a Translator, you would translate written or spoken content from one language to another. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in Latin, which is the root of many modern languages. This could be beneficial for understanding the nuances of language and improving translation accuracy.
Computational Linguist
As a Computational Linguist, you would use computational methods to analyze and process language. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in Latin, which is the root of many modern languages. This could be beneficial for understanding the structure of language and improving the accuracy of computational language processing.
Teacher
As a Teacher, you would educate students of varying ages through lesson planning, instruction, assessment, and other methods. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language. Understanding the Latin language can benefit English speakers to understand the roots of thousands of English words.
Speech Pathologist
As a Speech Pathologist, you would help people with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in Latin, which is the root of many modern languages. This could be beneficial for understanding the structure and function of language, which can inform therapeutic approaches.
Editor
As an Editor, you would work with written content to improve its clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it helps build a foundation in Latin, the root of many English words. This could be beneficial for identifying inconsistencies and improving clarity in written content.
Language Acquisition Specialist
As a Language Acquisition Specialist, you would help people learn new languages. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language. Understanding the Latin language can benefit language learners to understand the roots of words and grammatical structures.
Archivist
As an Archivist, you would preserve and manage historical documents and artifacts. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language, which can be helpful for understanding historical documents written in Latin.
Interpreter
As an Interpreter, you would facilitate communication between people who speak different languages. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in Latin, which is the root of many modern languages. This could be beneficial for understanding the nuances of language and improving communication accuracy.
Historian
As a Historian, you would research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language, which can be helpful for understanding historical documents written in Latin.
Writer
As a Writer, you would create written content for a variety of purposes. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it helps build a foundation in Latin, the root of many English words. This could be beneficial for expanding vocabulary and improving writing skills.
Library Science
As a Library Science professional, you would assist library patrons with research and information retrieval, as well as manage library resources. An Introduction to Classical Latin may be useful because it provides a foundation in one of the roots of the English language. Understanding the Latin language can benefit English speakers to understand the roots of thousands of English words commonly found in books and other written works.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in An Introduction to Classical Latin.
This comprehensive Latin dictionary that is essential for any serious student of the language. It valuable reference tool for both beginners and advanced students.
This comprehensive Latin grammar that is suitable for both beginners and advanced students. It valuable reference tool for anyone who wants to learn more about Latin grammar.
This unique Latin textbook that teaches the language through immersion. It challenging but rewarding resource for students who want to learn Latin in an authentic way.
This website provides access to a large collection of Latin texts, including works of literature, history, and philosophy. It valuable resource for students who want to read Latin texts in their original language.
This is another popular introductory Latin textbook that is known for its clear and concise explanations. It good choice for students who want a more accessible introduction to Latin.
Provides a gentle introduction to Latin for beginners. It good choice for students who want to learn the basics of the language in a clear and concise way.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Latin language. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the origins and development of Latin.

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