Why choose Latin?
Latin gives students the key to a rich and influential literature and to a range of modern languages. Historical context and Roman ideas and values are studied as part of the background to literature and language. You will learn to think logically and analytically about language and literature and you will develop a critical approach to ideas of Roman society and compare them with those current today. There are also opportunities for developing research and presentation skills. There are trips to conferences and plays and, in some years, to Rome. The work is challenging but rewarding and many students have gone on to study classics at universities including Oxford. Latin AS and A level are now offered by few state schools and colleges; it is a relatively rare qualification valued by universities and employers alike.
Latin - Unit 1
Latin language: you will translate into English a passage of Latin prose you have not seen before. A set vocabulary list is provided.
Latin - Unit 2
Latin verse and prose literature: two texts are studied. From 2014 they will be Ovid, Metamorphoses III. 511-733 ed. A Henderson (Bloomsbury Academic) ISBN 9780906515020 and Cicero, De Imperio Sections 27-45, ed. C MacDonald (Bloomsbury Academic) ISBN 9780862921828, a powerful speech in support of one of the most famous Roman generals. Questions will test knowledge, comprehension and literary appreciation. There is no coursework.
Latin - Unit 3
Latin verse: you will study a verse set text and will answer questions testing knowledge, comprehension and literary appreciation. For 2014-5 the text will be Virgil, Aeneid IV 1–299. The rest of the book should be read in English translation. You will also read some of Ovid’s poetry in preparation for an Ovid unseen translation.
Latin - Unit 4
Latin prose: this paper is very similar to Unit 3 but focuses on prose authors. There is no coursework.