Download National Latin Exam Study Guide Latin III/IV Poetry It`s supposed to

National Latin Exam Study Guide Latin III/IV Poetry
It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.
- Coach Jimmy Dugan
Below is a breakup of what will be asked on the NLE along with sample questions. Use this to help you review over
your notes in order to help you prepare for the NLE. The number next to the type of question indicates the number
of questions asked in that category.
Verbs
3 Indirect Statement
The formula for an indirect statement is the main verb followed an accusative-subject followed by an infinitive.
Identifying these three components is the key to figuring out these questions. When you see an infinitive at the end
of the sentence, the first thing you should think is indirect statement. Several examples use a future active infinitive,
while other examples use se for the accusative-subject. Review Wheelock Chapter 25.
Tē esse fidēlem putābam. A) that you are B) for you to be C) that you were D) that you will be
Hic ōrātor saepe spērābat mīrificē sē locūtum esse. A) that he was speaking B) that he would speak C) that he had
spoken D) that he was speaking to himself
Spero vos diu victuros esse. A) had lived B) did live C) are living D) will live
1Independent Subjunctive
This is a subjunctive that stands alone. There are keys to identifying each type: jussive (3rd person, present tense),
hortatory (1st person, present tense), deliberative (asks a should question, present/imperfect tense), or optative
(utinam – If only). Review Wheelock Chapter 28.
Pacem omnibus gentibus petamus. A) We are seeking B) We must seek C) Let us seek D) We shall seek
Nē loquāmur dē temporibus miserīs. A) Let us not speak B) We are not spoken of C) Nowhere shall we speak D)
We do not speak at all
3 Result Clause
This is a dependent subjunctive, and it has two clauses joined by ut or ut…non (that/that…not). Don’t get result
clause mixed up with the purpose clause (ut/ne = so that). There is a greater chance of there being a result clause
than a purpose clause on the NLE. The key to identifying result clauses is finding the little adverb in the first clause:
tam (so), tantus –a –um (so great), tot (so many), talis –e (such), sic (thus, so), adeo (to the extent that, so), and
totiens (so often). Review Wheelock Chapter 29.
Puer tam fessus erat ut nemo excitare eum posset. A) will be able B) was able C) may be able D) had been able
Tot flōrēs in campō erant ut eōs numerāre nōn possēmus. A) we are not able B) we were not able
C) we have not been able D) we had not been able
2 Indirect Question
Indirect Questions are dependent subjunctives in which two clauses are joined by a question word: quis (who), quem
(whom), quid (what), quomodo (how), cur (why), utrum…an (whether…or), ubi (when/where), unde (whence), quo
(whither). The trick to these is spotting the question word and knowing what it means. Review Wheelock Chapter
30.
Nunc scīmus quid sit amor. A) what love was B) what love had been C) what love is D) what love can be
Filius patri narrat quid ipse audiverit. A) heard B) is hearing C) will hear D) would hear
2 Various Dependent Subjunctives
Dependent Subjunctives consist of two clauses. Often what they are joined by distinguishes them. For example,
cum joins the clauses in a cum clause. The only other dependent subjunctives that have appeared on previous NLE’s
are purpose (ut/ne = so that), relative clause of characteristic (qui, quae, quod = who which that… the sort
of…would), fore ut (in place of the future passive infinitive), fear (ut/ne are reversed; verb of fearing: timere, vereri,
metuere, terrere), or cum adversative (cum…tamen). Review Wheelock Chapters 29, 31, 32, 36, 38, 40.
Tempestāte furente, Aenēās timēbat nē tōta classis perīret. A) that the whole fleet might be lost
B) that he might save the whole fleet C) that all the fleet was not in peril D) that all the fleet was not lost
Cum Vergilius bella numquam laudāret, dē bellīs tamen multa scripsit. A) Since B) When C) With D) Although
Mēdēa frātrem suum auxiliō fugae mox fore putābat. Fore is the same as A) futūrum esse B) factum esse C) lātum
esse D) itūrum esse
3 Subjunctive Conditions
There are three subjunctive conditions. The trick to translating them is identifying the tense of the verb. Present
Contrary-to-fact uses imperfect subjunctive (were…would). Past Contrary-to-fact uses pluperfect subjunctive
(had…would have). Future Less Vivid uses present subjunctive (should…would). Review Wheelock Chapter 33.
Si Hannibal Romam oppugnavisset, urbs cecidisset. A) fell B) had fallen C) would fall D) would have fallen
Nisi puella fuisset perfida, Catullus carmina nōn scrīpsisset. A) had been…would not have written B) was…did not
write C) were…would not be writing D) should be…would not write
3 Deponent Verb: Command
A deponent verb uses passive endings but is translated actively. Their imperative forms look strange, however. The
singular imperatives resemble present active infinitive endings (are, ere, ire), while their plural forms end in –mini.
It helps to know which verbs are deponent. Often deponent verbs on the NLE come from the third conjugation.
Review Wheelock Chapter 34.
Nōlīte hiemem longam patī sine amīcīs librīsque! A) He did not endure B) Not to be endured C) Do not endure D)
Don’t let him endure
Iuppiter Mercurium adloquitur, “Lābere et dēfer mea dicta!” A) Gliding and carrying down B) Glide and carry down
C) About to glide and carry down D) To glide and to carry down
2 Supine
A Supine is the perfect active participle ending in either um or ū. It is translated like an infinitive (to verb). Review
Wheelock Chapter 38.
Multī agricolae Rōmam rogātum pecūniam ībant. A) to ask for money B) while asking for money C) after asking for
money D) about to ask for money
Ulixēs comitibus dīxit, “Fugere nōn est facile factū.” A) gentle in force B) a simple fact C) a rebellious act D) easy
to do
2 Passive Periphrastics
Passive Periphrastics have the formula gerundive followed by a form of esse. They are paired with datives of agents
as the doers of the action. They are translated must be verbed or in a way that shows obligation. Review Wheelock
Chapter 24.
Graves iniuriae civibus ferendae erant. A) were bearable B) were borne C) had to be borne D) were bearing
“Fīliī Rheae Silviae in Tiberim iaciendī sunt!” clāmāvit Amūlius. A) must be thrown B) have been thrown
C) would be thrown D) are able to be thrown
1 Impersonal Verbs
Impersonal verbs are translated with an it as their subject. They often take the dative or the ablative. There are
several examples: licet +dat (It is permitted), oportet (It is necessary, It is correct), opus est +abl (There is need of),
and placet +dat (It is pleasing). These are items that simply have to be memorized.
Liceat poētīs in Forō recitāre. A) It will be permitted for the poets B) The poets have allowed
C) Let it be permitted for the poets D) The poets will allow
In omnibus rēbus opus est veritate. A) truth is difficult B) there is need of truth C) it might be true D) there is a true
choice
1 Tenses of the Infinitive
In these sentences an infinitive that is not part of an indirect statement is used. The infinitive has a tense that is not
present active. Present Passive (ari, eri, i, iri – to be verbed), Perfect Active (isse – to have verbed), Perfect Passive
(Perfect Passive Participle + esse – to have been verbed), Future Active (ūr + esse) about to verb/going to verb. The
future passive is not quizzed over unless it is connected to a question on fore ut. Review Wheelock Chapter 25.
Leō ferōx Thisbēn occīdisse dīcitur. A) to kill B) to be killed C) to have killed D) to have been killed
Caesar dīcitur in Theātrō Pompeī necātus esse. A) to have killed B) to be killed C) to be about to kill
D) to have been killed
Nouns
2 Gerunds
A gerund is a verbal noun. In English, gerunds end in –ing. An example would be Playing is fun. Playing is the
gerund. In Latin, the gerund looks like the gerundive (future passive participle) except that it is only in the neuter,
and it has no nominative. Its nominative is, in fact, the present active infinitive. The way to distinguish gerunds
from gerundives is to determine if there is a noun in agreement with the gerund/gerundive. If there is a noun, it is a
gerundive; if it stands alone, it is a gerund. Review Wheelock Chapters 24, 39.
Vir sapiēns metuendō malum vītat. A) to fear B) by fearing C) after fearing D) of fearing
Explorator, cupidus videndi latius, montem ascendit. A) to be seen B) of seeing C) having been seen D) by seeing
2 Ablative Absolute
An ablative absolute is two or more words in the ablative in which one of the words is often a participle (usually
perfect passive) and requires a special way to translate it. The ways to translate an ablative absolute are With the
_______ having been _______ed; Since the _______ was _____ed; When the _______ was _____ed; Although the
_______ was _____ed; After the _______ was _____ed. Often ablatives of means or manner are inserted into the
ablative absolute. Review Wheelock Chapters 23, 24.
Rēge servātō, cīvēs gaudēbant. A) Since I saved the king B) After the king had been saved C) The king was about to
save D) Saved by the king
Metū depositō, Thisbē rediit iuvenemque requīrit. A) About to put her fear aside B) Needing to put her fear aside C)
Before putting aside her fear D) After her fear had been put aside
2 Unique Case Function: Genitive and Dative
In Latin I, you distinguished simple case functions – the genitive showed possession, the dative indirect object, etc.
Now you know there are many functions for the cases. On the Latin III/IV NLE, you will be quizzed over the
unique functions of cases, not the basic functions. Usually for the genitive, it asks about a Genitive of Description.
For the dative, the most common one appearing on the exam is the Dative of Agent (used with passive periphrastics).
Other Datives include Dative of Possession and the Double Dative (Reference + Purpose). Review Wheelock
Chapters 24, 38; pg. 443.
Salūs reī pūblicae senātōribus cūrae semper erat. A) for the caring senators B) to the concerned senators
C) a concern for the senators D) with the senators care
Dīligō fēminam magnae sapientiae. A) by great wisdom B) from great wisdom C) for the sake of great wisdom D)
of great wisdom
Pāx ducibus nostrīs petenda erat. A) in our leaders B) of our leaders C) by our leaders D) with our leaders
1 Unique Case Function: Accusative and Ablative
In Latin I, you distinguished simple case functions – the genitive showed possession, the dative indirect object, etc.
Now you know there are many functions for the cases. On the Latin III/IV NLE, you will be quizzed over the
unique functions of cases, not the basic functions. Usually for the accusative, it asks about the Accusative of Extent
of Time. For the ablative, it asks about the Ablative of Comparison, Ablative of Time When/Within, Ablative of
Cause, and Ablative of Description, with the first two showing up the most. Review Wheelock Chapters 22, 37; pg.
444.
Permultī mīlitēs timōre mortis in castrīs mānserant. A) dying of fear B) in deathly fear C) by a fearful death D)
because of a fear of death
Thisbe magno timore leonis in speluncam fugit. A) without great fear B) because of great fear C) of great fear D)
according to great fear
2 Locative
This is a special case that applies to the names of towns, cities, small islands, domus, humus, and rus. Questions
also include Accusative of Place to Which and Ablative Place From Which responses. Review Wheelock Chapter
37.
Mater, domo egrediens, liberos convocavit. A) homeward B) from home C) at home D) into the home
Multī poētae rūrī habitāre māluērunt. A) in the country B) of the country C) from the country D) for the country
Adjectives/Adverbs
4 Present Active Participle
The Present Active Participle ends in –ing in English and is identified in Latin by the –ns/ntis ending. On the NLE
this participle usually is in its –nt form having a third declension ending after the –nt and is part of a phrase that
includes an object to the participle. Review Wheelock Chapter 23.
Clamores captivarum lacrimantium per urbem auditi sunt. A) wept B) to weep C) about to weep D) weeping
Iason cum Argonautīs in lītore iacentibus quiēscēbat. A) about to lie on the beach B) lie on the beach
C) lying on the beach D) to lie on the beach
4 Future Active Participle
The Future Active Participle is identified in Latin by the –ur before the ending. Future Active Participles use 1/2
endings. This type of participle is translated about to verb or going to verb. Sometimes, you will see a periphrastic
construction combining the Future Active Participle with a form of esse behind it. It should be translated like a
future tense verb. Review Wheelock Chapter 23.
Mora ōrātōris senātōrēs audītūros vexat. A) the senators having been heard B) the senators must be heard C) the
senators listening D) the senators about to listen
Sacerdōs cīvēs dē perīculō monitūrus erat. A) had warned B) should warn C) was warning D) was about to warn
2 Gerundive
A gerundive is another name for the Future Passive Participle, and is translated about to be verbed or going to be
verbed. Since they are part adjective, they must agree with a nearby noun in gender, number, and case. Often they
are employed in a construction called the Gerundive of Purpose, using causā + genitive or ad + accusative,
translated for the sake of ________ing _________ or for the purpose of ________ing _________. The way to
distinguish gerunds from gerundives is to determine if there is a noun in agreement with the gerund/gerundive. If
there is a noun, it is a gerundive; if it stands alone, it is a gerund. Review Wheelock Chapters 23, 24, 39.
Capiendīs piscibus vītam dūcimus. A) About to catch fish B) With fish having been caught C) Fish were caught D)
By catching fish
Trēs puellae in campō carpendōrum flōrum causā errābant. A) without picking flowers B) by means of picking
flowers C) for the sake of picking flowers D) although there were flowers to be picked
1 Deponent Verbs: Participle
Deponent Verbs are verbs that look passive but are translated actively. They have three principle parts instead of
four. Their third principal part gives us their version of the Perfect Passive Participle. The difference is in
translation. Normally, a Perfect Passive Participle is translated having been verbed. Since these participles come
from deponent verbs, however, they are translated having verbed. Review Wheelock Chapter 34.
Aenēās Sibyllam in Tartarum secūtus patrem vīdit. A) having followed B) about to follow C) having been followed
D) to be followed
Agrippīna, patrem in ātrium secūta, omnēs amīcōs salūtāvit. A) following B) having followed C) about to follow D)
to be followed
1 Comparative Degree Adverb
This emphasizes the use of potius (rather), magis (more), or multō (by much) with quam and can be called an
Ablative of Degree of Difference. Review Wheelock Chapter 32; pg. 444.
Iāsōn per maria omnia diūtius errāvit. A) strayed very far B) had roamed for so long C) missed by far
D) wandered for a rather long time
Augustus erat prīnceps praeclārus factīs potius quam verbīs. A) as well as B) rather than C) considering which D)
moreover
Tē magis quam oculōs meōs amō. A) as much as possible B) the most C) more than D) very much
Timor poenae saepe peior est poenā ipsā. A) better B) smaller C) larger D) worse
1 Quam of Comparison vs. Ablative of Comparison
The Quam of Comparison contains three components: quam translated as than, a comparative degree adjective, and
both items being compared go into the same case. The Ablative of Comparison drops the quam and puts the second
item being compared into the ablative case, but the translation remains the same. Review Wheelock Chapter 26, 27.
Eratne Hannibal ferocior Fabio? A) to Fabius B) than Fabius C) with Fabius D) of Fabius
1 Quam + Superlative
When quam precedes a superlative degree adjective, it is translated as ________ as can be or as __________ as
possible. Review Wheelock Chapter 26, 27.
Pater benignus dōna līberīs suīs quam saepissimē dabat. A) as often as possible B) very often C) more often D)
rather often
Gaius Octavianus quam plurimos dies Athenis manserat. A) for very many days B) for many days C) for as many
days as possible D) for many more days
Pronouns
1 Forms of quidam quaedam quoddam
These pronouns follow the qui quae quod chart of relative pronouns, but they have the suffix –dam added to them.
They are translated a certain, or, if in the plural, they can be translated as some. Quidam would be translated a
certain man since it is masculine singular, while quaedam would be translated a certain woman. Review Wheelock
Chapter 17.
Quaedam carmina sunt bona, plūra mala. A) Whichever poems B) Certain poems C) Any poems D) Such poems
1 Forms of quisque quidque
These pronouns follow the quis quid chart of interrogative pronouns, but they have the suffix –que added to them.
They are translated as each. Review Wheelock Chapter 19.
Quodque folium suō tempore cadet. A) Each leaf B) A certain leaf C) Whatever leaf D) Which leaf
Varia
2 Diminutives
Diminutives are suffixes that are added to words to “lessen” or “to make words smaller.” These suffixes include –
ulus –a–um and olus–a–um. For example, to make filius a diminutive, one would change it to filiolus. Its new
translation, therefore, would be little son.
Habē tibi quidquid hoc libellī. A) of a big book B) of a little book C) of a book D) of such a book
Ūnam Septimius misellus Acmēn māvult quam Syriās Britanniāsque. A) poor little B) mean old C) great big D) very
greedy
1 Velut
Velut is a conjunction translated as like or just like when or as. It is often used to introduce similes.
Amor meus cecidit velut flōs arātrō tactus. A) or a flower B) after a flower C) a flower in truth
D) just as a flower
Ventī, velut agmine factō, flūctūs ad lītora volvunt. A) after B) because C) just as if D) and therefore
5 Syncopated Forms
Syncopated forms for verbs exist especially in poetry. They function something like a contraction does in English
(does not = doesn’t). In Latin, the common syncopated forms are re for ris in present tense passive voice (parāris =
parāre – you are prepared), re for ērunt in perfect tense active voice (habuērunt = habuēre – they have had), and
dropping the av or iv from the third principle part of some first or fourth conjugation verbs (speravisti = sperasti –
you have hoped).
Hecuba nescīvit cūr Graecī Astyanactem necāssent. A) kill B) were killing C) have killed D) had killed
Multa sīdera orta sunt; multa occidēre. A) will set B) had set C) have set D) to have set
Tūne spērāstī mē relinquere? A) Did you hope? B) Are you hoping? C) Listening D) Listen
Vir magnae pietātis vī superum āctus erat. A) the god B) of the gods C) the gods D) of the god
2 Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions that are pairs, such as both…and, either…or, and neither… nor. These are
the common correlative conjunctions in Latin: et…et – both…and; aut…aut – either ...or; ve…ve – either…or; non
solum…sed etiam – not only…but also; nec…nec – neither…nor.
Legatus rogabit sive exercitus urbem oppugnet sive ad castra redeat. A) whether…or B) not only…but also C)
both…and D) if…then
Nōn modo ventī aliās nāvēs ēruērunt, sed etiam aliās ad lītus Āfricae ēgērunt. A) In no way…but just so
B) Not only…but also C) Not in the way…but freely D) Not even…but yet
1 Prepositions
These are rare prepositions that you don’t normally encounter, such as iuxtā (next to, beside). You simply have to
know them and what case they take. Review your prepositions handout in your binder’s appendix.
Multi senators apud imperatorem cenabant. A) in the absence of the general B) at the command of the general C)
at the home of the general D) in honor of the general
Narcissus iuxta suam imaginem recumbens mortuus est. A) beneath B) above C) next to D) around
5 Latin Phrase/Motto/Abrreviation
These are popular Latin phrases or state/school mottoes.
After graduation, Lisa received a pro forma interview at the office where she had interned. The phrase pro forma
suggests that Lisa’s interview was for the sake of A) research B) review C) appearance D) practice
When doctors in a hospital hear the abbreviated Latin word stat. over the loudspeaker, they should A) write
prescriptions B) check patients’ charts C) consult a nurse D) come immediately
If the Senate adjourns sine die, it means that A) a treaty has just been signed B) a bill has failed to pass C) a new
ambassador has been appointed D) a date has not been set to meet again
2 Conversational Latin
These are phrases that are well known in conversational Latin.
To show frustration with current behaviors, one might exclaim
Possunt quia posse videntur! D) Nosce te ipsum!
A) Cave canem! B) O tempora! O mores! C)
A Roman might use the expression cura ut valeas as a(n) A) curse on an enemy B) invitation to a party C)
complaint about the weather D) closing of a letter
6 Derivatives
A derivative is an English word that comes from a Latin word. Examples include apiary fr. apis meaning bee and
refers to a place where bees live and are raised.
The risable actions of the boys distracted the other students. A) laughable B) contentious C) irrational D)
enthusiastic
Sequence, consequence, and second all derive from the Latin verb meaning A) spread B) count C) denounce D)
follow
Recognize, cognition, and notice all derive from the Latin verb meaning A) know B) find C) tell D) take
2 Figures of Speech
Figures of speech include any of those we have gone over in class, such as alliteration, anaphora, chiasmus,
metonymy, synchesis, litotes, and tricolon.
What figure of speech occurs in the underlined words: Castrorum imperatorem et ducem hostium in senatu videtis.
A) litotes B) anaphora C) chiasmus D) metonymy
Nōnne deōs, nōnne domum, nōnne patriam respexit Aenēās? The repetition of nōnne is an example of:
A) anastrophe B) synecdoche C) polysyndeton D) anaphora
Myth
3 Myth: Lovers
One type of myth question deals with lovers, usually either Orpheus and Eurydice or Baucis and Philemon.
Because he had rejected the love of all around him, what self-absorbed young man was forced to fall in love with
himself and waste away staring at his own reflection? A) Actaeon B) Narcissus C) Pygmalion D) Epimetheus
In mythology, the couples Baucis and Philemon as well as Deucalion and Pyrrha might be said to represent the
Roman concept of A) auctoritas B) celeritas C) pietas D) ferocitas
3 Myth: Trojan War
Another type of myth question deals with heroes of the Trojan War. It focuses on Achilles, Odysseus, Agamemnon,
and Iphigenia. Achilles is the greatest of the Greek forces. Odysseus is the wiliest of the Greeks and then takes ten
years to get back home to Ithaca where his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus, wait for him. He goes on a
series of adventures including blinding the Cyclops, Polyphemus, being held captive by the sea nymph Calypso, and
overpowering the witch Circe. Agamemnon is the Greek commander and chief who upsets Achilles by stealing
Briseus and who is axed to death by his wife Clytemnestra for sacrificing their daughter, Iphigenia. Menelaus,
brother of Agamemnon, is married to Helen whom Paris the Trojan kidnaps to start the Trojan War.
Which Greek leader sacrificed his daughter at Aulis in order to appease the goddess Artemis and obtain favorable
winds for sailing to Troy? A) Menelaus B) Agamemnon C) Nestor D) Ulysses
The goddess Discordia threw a golden apple into a wedding feast which ultimately led to A) one of Hercules‟ labors
B) a deadly foot race C) Theseus‟ greatest adventure D) the Trojan War
What Greek hero in the Trojan War quarreled with Agamemnon, slew Penthesilea, and killed the Trojan hero
Hector? A) Ajax B) Achilles C) Menelaus D) Odysseus
3 Myth: Apollo, Muses, and Oracles
Another type of myth question deals with Apollo and the Muses. Recall that Apollo is the god of medicine, reason,
music and poetry, and prophecy. Mt. Parnassus is sacred to him and the Muses who inspire creativity. Every poet
invokes a muse at the beginning of each poem. As Apollo is the god of prophecies, there are many oracles that are
governed by him and his priesthood, such as Delphi and the Sybil at Cumae. Apollo is unlucky with women as with
Daphne (tree) and Cassandra (unheeded prophetess).
Which mountain is sacred to Apollo and the Muses? A) Mt. Parnassus B) Mt. Olympus C) Mt. Aetna D) Mt. Ida
With what deity was the oracle at Cumae associated? A) Apollo B) Mercury C) Neptune D) Jupiter
History, Society, and Culture
3 Roman Emperors
There are questions that cover the Roman emperors. Most of the questions center on Augustus. Occasionally, there
are questions over other emperors.
Augustus (Octavian): first emperor, pax Romana, defeated Parthians, revised laws, avenged Julius Caesar; built an
altar to peace (Ara Pacis), was called by many titles, such as princeps (first citizen)
Caligula: third emperor, called Little Boots, went crazy, made his horse a senator
Nero: fifth emperor, fiddled while Rome burnt, blamed Christians, very sinister, Domus Aurea (Golden House)
5 Good Emperors: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius
Trajan: known for his column that depicts his battle against the Dacians
Hadrian: Known for his villa in Tivoli
Marcus Aurelius: wrote Stoic philosophy in Greek
Constantine: defeated Maxentius at Miluvian Bridge after revelation by Christian God, legalized Christianity in 313
Romulus Augstulus: last emperor of Rome in 476
What Roman general was named emperor in AD 69, began work on the Colosseum, and established the Flavian
dynasty? A) Claudius B) Vespasian C) Marcus Aurelius D) Trajan
Which of the Five Good Emperors of Rome not only built an elaborate villa at Tivoli, but also restored the Pantheon
in Rome? A) Constantine B) Nero C) Hadrian D) Augustus
Augustus took the title prīnceps which means A) victorious general B) first citizen C) consul-elect D) chief priest
3 Roman Poets
These questions cover the lives and works of several Roman poets: Vergil, Catullus, Horace, and Ovid. Catullus,
Horace, and Ovid are the poets most commonly assessed. Review the introduction to Wheelock xxxii-xxxvii.
What Roman poet, who wrote the Ars Amatoria, Amores, and Metamorphoses, was later exiled to a region of the
Black Sea? A) Vergil B) Catullus C) Horace D) Ovid
When Horace proclaimed that his work was a monumentum aere perennius, he meant that A) it was the work of
his youth B) it was a new construction C) it would last a long time D) it was written on wax tablets
What philosophy is reflected in the “Carpe diem” theme of many poems by Horace? A) mysticism B) epicureanism
C) nihilism D) atheism
Delia, Corinna, and Lesbia are the names of A) priestesses B) girlfriends of Roman poets C) wives of Mark Antony
D) mothers of Greek heroes
Complete the following analogy: Vergil was to epic as Plautus was to _____ A) comedy B) history C) lyric D)
epigram
Authors and Genres
Catullus Carmina (plethora, mainly elegy) songs about love, life, and gf Lesbia
Horace Odes, Epodes, Ars Poetica, Carmen Saeculare (satire) songs making fun of life and teaching about poetry
Lucretius De Rerum Natura (didactic, epic) songs teaching about Epicurean philosophy and science
Vergil Aeneid, Georgics, Eclogues (epic and pastoral) songs about Aeneas’ adventures and the life of shepherds
Propertius Elegiae (elegy) songs of love and his gf Cynthia
Tibullus Carmina (elegy) songs of love and his gf Delia
Sulpicia Epistulae (elegy) only female Roman poet, songs of love-letters
Ovid Amores, Ars Amatoria, Tristia, Metamorphoses, Fasti, Epistulae Ex Ponto (mainly elegist, but epic too) songs
about love, his gf Corinna, his exile, deities, and the calendar
Martial Carmina (plethora) witty and humorous songs on many topics
Juvenal Saturae (satire) songs making fun of Roman life
Plautus Miles Gloriosus, Pseudolus, Asinaria, Captivi, Mostellaria, Aulularia (comedy) plays about Roman couples
Terence Eunuchus, Phormio, Adelphoi (comedy) plays about Roman couples
Seneca the Younger Medea, Oedipus, Phaedra (tragedies) philosopher writes tragic plays about mythological
characters
3 Geography
Instead of giving you a map and identifying places, they expect you to know about places without the use of a map.
Often the question concerns the land of the Pontus where Ovid was exiled, but other questions ask about rivers,
mountains, and other countries.
Ostia is located A) in northern Africa B) in Cisalpine Gaul C) in eastern Sicily D) in western Italy
Which body of water is located outside of the Italian peninsula? A) Rhine River B) Tiber River C) Lake Trasimene
D) Lake Avernus
Ubinam gentium sunt Bīthȳnia, Pontus, et Phrygia? A) in Eurōpā B) in Galliā C) in Germāniā D) in Asiā
Bithynia, Pontus, and Cilicia were Roman provinces located in A) Hispania B) Africa C) Asia D) Gallia
2 Culture
There is no consistency with these questions. They ask about a particular aspect of Roman life, such as the names of
Roman priests(flamen diales, sacerdotes, augures, haruspices), governmental positions (senator, princeps, tribunus,
quaestor, consul) . They also ask about history, usually centering on the life and times of Julius Caesar and
Augustus.
What military commander was a member of the second triumvirate, had a love affair with Cleopatra, and was
defeated at Actium? A) Pompey B) Marius C) Scipio D) Anthony
The office of tribunus plebis was first established A) to collect taxes from the citizens B) to protect the common
people’s interest C) to oversee religious institutions D) to keep and publish public records
What Roman office, filled in times of extreme need or danger, was held for only a maximum of six months and
allowed the officer to operate outside the authority of the other magistrates and senate? A) dictator B) praetor C)
aedile D) censor
In Roman religious practice, taking the auspices involved A) sacrificing an enemy B) purifying a temple
C) mapping the stars D) observing the flight of birds
Marcus Agrippa, who commanded Octavian’s victorious fleet at Actium, commissioned the building of a temple in
Rome to all the gods called the A) Odeon B) Ara Pacis C) Pantheon D) Colosseum
Positions in the Government
The consul was the highest elected official during the Republic, and two of them managed the senate.
The censor oversaw the counting of citizens, was responsible for public morality, and revised the roster of the
Roman senate.
The aedile was in charge of the streets, traffic, market, and public games.
A praetor governed provinces, aided the consuls in judging disputes and administering judgments, and commanded
armies.
The quaestor served as treasurer during the Republic.
A tribune was an elected official who acted on behalf of the plebeians and had the power to promote and veto
legislation.
The pontifex maximus served as high priest and ensured rituals were performed correctly.
Roman Virtue
The virtus (manliness/courage/virtue) et disciplina (training/education) have been handed down by the mos maiorum
(the custom of the ancestors). This is a brief list of them:
pietas (devotion and respect given to the gods, homeland, and family)
cultus (active and correct observance of religious ritual)
religio (carrying out traditional religious practices to preserve the pax deorum)
dignitas (worth, honor, respect)
frugalitas (thriftiness, resourcefulness)
constantia (perseverance, consistency)
auctoritas (prestige, respect)
gravitas (seriousness, dignified self-control)
Buildings/Structures
Curia – Roman Senate House
Aqueduct – system that leads or carries water from one place to another
Basilica – court house
Pons – bridge
Ara Pacis – Altar of Peace, dedicated to the peace Augustus brought when he controlled the empire
Arch – monument dedicated to a victory over an enemy
Forum – marketplace, often at the center of the city
Cloaca Maxima – very large sewer in Rome
Colosseum – also called Flavian Amphitheater, gladiatorial games and naumachiae
Circus Maximus – chariot races, Reds, Blues, Greens, Whites; mappa – napkin, metae – turning posts/goal posts
Pantheon – temple to all (pan) the gods (theon)
Thermae – baths; apodyterium (locker room) caldarium (hot bath), tepidarium (warm bath), frigidarium (cold bath)
Villa – house; cubiculum (room), triclinium (dining room), culina (kitchen), piscina/impluvium (pool), ianua (door),
atrium/vestibulum (entrance hall), peristylium (colonnaded garden), tablinum (shop, office)
Meals
Breakfast (ientaculum)
Lunch (prandium)
Dinner (cena)
Names
Praenomen (first name)
Nomen (gens family name)
Cognomen (gens nickname, often referring to a physical attribute)
Gaius (praenomen) Iulius (nomen) Caesar (cognmen)
Go to the National Latin Exam website and practice by taking exams from previous years: nle.org/