Parallel Lives: An Illustrated Latin Course for All. Book 2. - Softcover

Gilbert, Nevena D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0995761310 ISBN 13: 9780995761315

Publisher: Klavisol Linguistica, 2016

Synopsis

This is the second book of the course ‘Parallel Lives: An Illustrated Latin Course for All.’ The philosophy of the course is adhered to as laid out in the preface to the first book. Students become familiar and engaged with the Roman World through the unfolding story of Marcus (young Cicero) and his family. In Part One the themes of the Roman family, daily routine and patronage are viewed through the lens of the hopes and pre-occupations of sympathetic characters. Roman houses and dinner parties come alive through a farcical story about a much-fretted over visit by a much-expected honourable guest. Magna Graecia and the tradition of peregrinatio are central to Part Two and are presented through a series of entertaining letters: Via Appia (and its founder), the Cumaean Sibyl (and the Sibylline Books), the Baths at Baiae (and Forum Vulcani) are all but a foil for deliberations on the power of dreams, prophecies and sulphurous vapours. A treacherous murder and a spooky descent into the Underworld keep the tension escalating. Historical events, such as the invasions by the Cimbri and Teutones and their defeat by Marius (and his subsequent triumph) are made accessible through art and reception in art. The stories of the seven kings of Rome (anchored in Livy) are presented within the wider scope of their contemporary cultures and their achievements: from the Greeks, through the Etruscans, to Assyria and Babylonia. Translation as a skill is introduced more firmly within a set of more traditional texts on the beginnings of Rome: the stories of Romulus and Remus, and Rome’s early struggles with her Italian neighbours, are explored. Four additional sections finish off the themes presented in the book: clothing and Mundus Muliebris, the Baths, Journeys to the Underworld and the Roman House (repeat from Book 1). Snippets of ‘real’ Latin are dispersed throughout the book, including Vergil, Ovid, Livy, Pliny, Seneca, Martial and Cicero himself. Grammar continues to be presented through ‘Language Focus’ rubrics, keeping formalised terminology as sparse as possible. The Accusative (termed ‘object’ form) is introduced through its inherent function of completing the meaning of (transitive) verbs, both in English and in Latin. (This completes the paradigm for the 1st and 2nd declensions.) The imperfect tense is explored situationally, highlighting its diverse ways of translation into English. The perfect tense occupies much of Part Two, exploring the patterns underpinning its formation. esse and velle in the present, imperfect and perfect are more or less dealt with. The locative forms of towns such as Roma, Capua, Cumae and Baiae are a natural part of the stories about peregrinatio. 3rd declension nouns and the pluperfect start seeping through, especially towards the end of the book. Adjectives (2-1-2) have been summarised in the additional section ‘Journeys into the Underworld’ through the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Numerals, both cardinal and ordinal come to play in dates and times of the day. Many pronominal forms (e.g. of qui(s), hic/haec/hoc and is/ea/id) are learnt as vocabulary items. Most common prepositions are learnt as vocabulary items. Summaries of the grammar covered in books 1 and 2 appear at the end of the book. In terms of vocabulary: ‘Learning vocabulary’ sections appear at the end of each part of the book, building up towards the GCSE requirements (and more). As the stories become increasingly longer in Part Two, the running vocabulary has been taken out to the end of the book and presented by page number for ease of use. A combined running vocabulary for the whole book comes at the very end. All vocabulary lists are available for free download from the website. Workbook II enhances and develops both the themes and grammatical structures introduced in the textbook, and gives a wider scope for English into Latin translation. The lavish, historically correct illustrations continue to bring Ancient Rome to life.

About this title

About the Author

Nevena Gilbert is Head of Classics at Ipswich High School for Girls (GDST). Her background is in Classical Philology (University of Sofia) and Archaeology (University of London).

Edition details

• Publisher: Klavisol Linguistica
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0995761310
• ISBN 13: 9780995761315
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 48