Classical Literacy Intro, Level I,II, and III
ex post facto
"After the fact," used to refer to a criminal law that applies retroactively, thereby criminalizing conduct that was legal when originally performed.!
Ecce homo
"Behold the Man" - The words used by Pontius Pilate in the Vulgate translation of John 19:5, when he presents Jesus Christ. In art, anything that portrays the Passion of Jesus.!
cf./confer
"Compare". Confer is from Latin conferre, meaning "bring together". Cf./confer is used to refer to other material or ideas which may provide similar or different information or arguments. It is mainly used in scholarly contexts such as in academic articles or legal texts. !
in medias res
"Into the middle of things." A Latin phrase for the narrative technique where a story begins in the middle, rather than at the beginning (ab ovo, "from the egg"). Homer always starts his epics in medias res.
caveat emptor
"Let the buyer beware" - A commercial principle that without a warranty the buyer takes upon himself the risk of quality.
Pater Noster
"Our Father"; Latin title and beginning of The Lord's Prayer.
nos morituri te salutamus
"We who are about to die salute you!" (the gladiator's salute to the emperor).
First Punic War
1st of 3 wars between Rome and Carthage, 264-261 BC, struggle for control and power, features general Hamilcar
ad astra per aspera
A Latin phrase, translates to "To the Stars Through Difficulties", the motto of Kansas, motto of UHS, sometimes written as "Per aspera ad astra",
Io
A young maiden that Zeus loved and who was turned into a white heifer by Hera. She was pursued by a gadfly and finally settled in Egypt.
Demeter/Ceres,
Demeter (Roman equivalent is Ceres) is one of the largest and oldest goddesses of the ancient Greek pantheon.a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships; taught mankind the art of agriculture;
Jason,
Famous as the leader of the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. Medea helped him find the Golden Fleece.
Plato
Greek philosopher, student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle. Wrote many of the Socratic dialogues, including the Apology, and his magnum opus The Republic which is a treatise about the best society. Also studied for his treatises regarding mathematics, logic, and ethics.
Hesiod
Greek poet around 700BC. His on Works and Days is a source of information about early Greek farming as well as a major source, along with Homer, of early Greek mythology. Another oral tradition poet.
Aeschylus
Greek tragedian who wrote in the early 5th century BC. is said to have always placed first at the Dionysian theater festivals. Probably most famous for the Oresteia trilogy (Agamemnon, Libation Beareres, Eumenides)
Hamilcar Barca
Hannibal's father; general in Carthage; made Hannibal swear to hate Rome (hannibals oath), 275 -228 BC
annuit coeptis
He approved the things having been begun. From the Great Seal of the US and found in the poetry of Vergil. it was a phrase used to express the divine sanction that the new country believed it had garnered.
Charon,
He ferried souls of the dead across the river Styx
modus operandī (M.O.)
Latin phrase/abbreviation, approximately translates to "mode of operating", means someone's habits, can refer to specific habits of working, often used in criminal investigations,
nota bene (N.B.)
Latin phrase/abbreviation, translates to 'note well', means "observe carefully", can also mean "take special notice", commonly used in legal documents,
terra firma
Latin phrase/term, translates to 'solid ground', can mean 'the earth beneath our feet', land when compared to the sea,
terra incognita
Latin phrase/term, translates to 'unknown land', means an unknown and unexplored territory,
Catullus
Latin poet 80BC-50BC. Wrote short about interaction with friends, critics, Clodia/Lesbia.
ad nauseam,
Latin term, for argument or a discussion that has continued too long, translates to 'to [the point of] nausea', something that was spoken about extensively, something that was talked about till boredom,
finis/ terminus
Latin word for "end"
metamorphosis
Latin: transform, change shape, Now: change shape
causa belli
an act or event that provokes, causes, or is used to justify war; used to justify war to gain internal support
M.A. / Magister Artium
an advanced post graduate degree, literally it means teacher of arts/skills
codex
an ancient "book" with bound pages of velum as opposed to the scroll format.
Sophocles
an ancient Greek writer, wrote tragedies, wrote over 120 plays in his life, only 7 of his plays have survived, lived in the 5th century BC,
Ionic
an architectural order that is not too simple or ornate. columns are recognizable because they are often fluted and capitals contain scrolls.
Heraclitus
an early Greek philosopher who noted that the universe was constantly changing as was the matter in it. Famously said "no one steps in the same river twice"
Themistocles
an early politician in the Athenian democratic movement, he cultivated a lot of popular support for his initiatives in moving Athens from tyrannical nobles toward governance by elected officials and to giving each man a vote or share in certain decisions. also very important strategic general in Greece's battles against Persia-convinced Xerxes to attack the Greeks despite bad conditions and that led to a Persian defeat at Salamis. early 5th century BC
Croesus
an extremely rich king...his name comes to be a metaphor comparing someone's wealth.
Utopia/Dystopia
an imagined community that is perfect for its citizens, an ideally perfect state of something, the opposite of a dystopia, / a community that is undesirable or frightening, translates to "not-good place"
panem et circenses
bread and circumstances
Eris
goddess of disharmony or strife.
sic semper tyrannis
is a Latin phrase meaning "thus always to tyrants".
semper fidelis
is a Latin phrase that means "always faithful" or "always loyal". It is the motto of the United States Marine Corps
semper paratus
is a Latin phrase, meaning "Always ready". It is used as the official motto of some organizations, such as the United States Coast Guard.
Polis
the name for a city-state in ancient Greece, can also mean a body of citizens, city-states are usually well fortified and but on an acropolis
liberal arts
those studies in education which were considered essential to study by free citizens...grammar, rhetoric, logic. Also called the Trivium.
Graces
three or more minor goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, and fertility
bona fide
translates to "Good faith", a Latin phrase, is a concept used in law and philosophy, which denotes fair and open dealing in human interactions, sincere and without deception,
ipsa scientia potestas est
translates to "Knowledge itself is power", a quote attributed to Francis Bacon, a Latin aphorism, appears in "Meditationes Sacrae", sometimes appears as "scientia potestas est",
P.S./ post scriptum
translates to 'written after', writing after the body of a letter, full phrase is 'post scriptum', a book's afterword, length may very from sentences to multiple paragraphs,
Deo volente
with the god (being) willing.
q.v. / quod vide
written after a word that must be looked up elsewhere within the text. means "look for which"
per diem
(Latin for "per day" or "for each day") is a daily allowance for expenses—a specific amount of money an organization gives an individual, often an employee, per day to cover living expenses when traveling for work.
pontifex maximus
(Latin, literally: "greatest pontiff") was the high priest of the College of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. This was the most important position in the ancient Roman religion
homo sapiens
(Latin: "wise man") known as the scientific name for the human species
Pax Romana
(Roman Peace) was a period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire which lasted for over 200 years, beginning with the reign of Augustus (27 BCE - 14 CE)., lasted 27 BC-AD 180
Claudius
4th emperor of Rome, part of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He was the grandson of Livia, Augustus's wife, he rose to power after the cruel reign of his nephew Caligula. Known for being a historian of his family and being an effective adminisrator
Nero
5th and last Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudia Dynasty, adoptive son of Claudius, he had his controlling mother killed, notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68). He was an early persecutor of Christians; lived 54-68 AD
nolo contendere
A legal term that comes from the Latin for "I do not wish to contend." It is also referred to as a plea of no contest. In criminal trials in certain U.S. jurisdictions, it is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilty or not guilty. A no-contest plea, while not technically a guilty plea, has the same immediate effect as a guilty plea, and is often offered as a part of a plea bargain.
post hoc ergo propter hoc
A logical fallacy of believing that temporal succession implies a causal relation; Assuming that an incident that precedes another is the cause of the second incident. Latin for "after this, therefore because of this".!
Concatenation
A series of things depending on each other, a series of links united, comes from Latin 'concatenatio', can mean a chain or succession, commonly used in programming,
aegis
A shield or a cloak, something protective, It was belived to be carried by Athena. Medusa head was put on it for extra protection. Modernly used as term of protection. literally meaning 'goat skin'.
Augury
A sign of what will happen in the future; an omen.!
Scylla and Charybdis
A six headed, human-eating monster and a whirlpool creator who Odysseus and his crew had to pass to get home. In modern use, two equally dangerous alternatives.!
Circe
A sorceress who detained Odysseus on her island of Aeaea and turned his men into swine.
Flavian Dynasty
A specific Roman imperial dynasty, 69 AD - 96 AD, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, rose to power after the civil war in 69 AD.
lapsus linguae
A speech error, commonly referred to as a slip of the tongue
Tarpeian Rock
A steep cliff of the summit of Capitoline Hill, used as an execution site, 25 m/ 80 ft high, convicts were flung to their death off the cliff.
Triumph
A successful ending of a struggle or contest, victory. In ancient Rome, A victory procession of a victorious
Affidavit
A sworn statement of fact, made in writing, made especially under oath before an authorized magistrate or officer, a type of verified statement, lying in this statement can be penalized with perjury,
Necropolis
A tract of land used for burials, literally "city of the dead", cemetery, likely contained elaborate tomb monuments
Cincinnatus
A Roman dictator who was chosen by the Romans to defend their lands from attack. Later, he willingly gave up power and was thus considered an ideal leader by the Romans.!
Quintilian
A Roman rhetorician from the first century AD, wrote a famous treatise Institutio Oratoria about the art of rhetoric and the value of words.
amphora
A container used for wine, ceramic jar, used for transporting wine or even grain, wax seal to keep fresh
plebiscite
A direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to accept or refuse a proposal
Patroclus
A friend of Achilles who was killed in the Trojan War and kindled his rage against Hector; may have been lovers or friends;
Lotos-eaters
A group of people who eat lotus leaves to stay drugged and oblivious to reality - they ensnare a few of Odysseus's men
Europa
A human maiden that took Zeus interest, ran off with her in the form of a bull. Europe named after her
Ave, Maria
A traditional Roman Catholic prayer, asks for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, sometimes called the "Hail Mary", name is Latin, prayer forms the basis of the Rosary and Angelus prayers,
Pyrrhic victory
A victory that is won by incurring terrible losses. Comes from the Greek general Pyrrhus, whose three victories against the Romans were so devastating, he ended up losing the war.!
Phidippides
A young Greek soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens with a message about the Athenian victory. Legend has it that he died of a heart attack after delivering his message. Today, the marathon race is named after his 26.2 mile run
Horatii
According to Livy, the Horatii were male triplets from Rome. During a war between Rome and Alba Longa during the reign of Tullus Hostilius (approx. 672-642 B.C.), it was agreed that settlement of the war would depend on the outcome of a battle between the Horatii and the Curiatii. The Curiatii were male triplets from Alba Longa and of the same age as the Horatii. In the battle, the three Curiatii were wounded, but two of the Horatii were killed. The last of the Horatii, Publius, turned as if to flee. The Curiatii chased him but, as a result of their wounds, became separated. This enabled Horatius to slay them one by one.!
Palatine Hill
According to Roman mythology, was where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf Lupa that kept them alive. This was also the Hill on which romulus founded his city.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen . . .
According to Shakespeare, the opening quote by Marc Antony as he is giving the eulogy for Caesar's funeral
Actaeon
Actaeon was a famous hunter from Thebes. One day while out hunting he came upon Artemis while she was bathing. As a punishment, Artemis transformed him into a stag and Actaeon was torn apart by his own hunting dogs.
Adonis
Adonis was a youth of remarkable beauty, a favorite of Aphrodite. As a child he was put in the care of Persephone, who refused to allow him to return from the underworld. Zeus ruled that he should spend a third of the year with Persephone, a third with Aphrodite, and a third on his own. He became a hunter and was killed by Ares, Artemis, or Apollo in the shape of a boar. In answer to Aphrodite's pleas, Zeus allowed him to spend half the year with her and half in the underworld. An "Adonis" can also be a term for an attractive young man.
Achates
Aeneas' faithful friend on his journey from Troy to Italy. Accompanied him to the underworld.
Aeolus
Aeolus was the king of the winds in Greek mythology. He was the ruler of the Island of Aeolia. In the Odyssey, he helps Odysseus to almost get home by giving him a bag containing the winds, the divine keeper of the wind
Alps
Are the mountain range between france and Italy, hanniable invaded Italy through the alps with elepants and his army, lost a third of army and most of elephants died
Ares/Mars,
Ares and Mars-God of war. Ares is more ruthless and aggressive/Mars is more gentle and has a high status in Rome and only to Jupiter; represented by a dog and vulture;
Theseus
Athenian prince who killed the Minotaur(as 14 sacrifices);He falls in love with Minotaur's daughter.; son of Aegeus forgot to change his sails from white to black, thereby causing his father to plunge into the sea that is now called the Aegean Sea; vanquished Procrustes, Sinis, Periphetes, and other villains on the way to Athens;
Demosthenes
Athenian statesman and orator (circa 385-322 BC) who tried to warn the Greeks of the threat Macedon posed. He opposed Philip and revolted against Alexander, from whom he met his demise.
Caesar,
Gaius Julius Caesar, usually called Julius Caesar, was a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. Led campaigns in Gaul.; versions of what his name have served as titles for Russian and German rulers;
Orpheus and Eurydice
He was a celebrated Greek poet, enchanted with his lyre wild beasts, trees, and even rocks. She was a wood nymph. He charmed her and they were married. When his wife died, he was able, with the charm of his music, to enter Hades and bring her back, only to lose her again when he gazed back.
in loco parentis
Latin phrase, translates for "in the place of a parent", refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent, allows institutions to act in the best interest of students, gives legal rights and responsibilities to a non-biological parent if necessary,
facta non verba
Latin phrase, translates to "Deeds, not words," means actions speak louder than words, frequently used a motto, origin is unknown
iustitia omnibus
Latin phrase, translates to "Justice for all", the Motto of Washington, D.C., featured on the seal of D.C., words always been featured on the seal throughout numerous versions,
errare humanum est
Latin phrase, translates to "To err is human", means everyone make mistakes, credited to Seneca, combined with other proverbs to form many popular phrases,
post mortem
Latin phrase, translates to "after death", can be used as an adjective, can describe an event or thing that happened after death, can be used as an adverb, used to describe a action that happened after death,
onus probandi
Latin phrase, translates to "burden of proof", a law of philosophy, a duty of a party to provide an assertion of fact, used in legal proceedings, includes the burden of production and the burden of persuasion,
mea culpa
Latin phrase, translates to "through my fault", means an acknowledgement of having done wrong, comes from a Catholic prayer, a confession of sinfulness,
per se
Latin phrase, used in common language, used as an adverb, means with respect to its inherent nature, in and of itself, necessarily,
Excelsior!
Latin word, translates to Higher, can mean upwards, can refer to going to the heavens, come across it in mottos and hymns,
mores
Latin: custom, Now: the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a society or community;
nominal
Latin: name, Now: (of a role or status) existing in name only.
N.B./Nota Bene
Latin: note well, Now: it is used, particularly in legal papers, to draw the attention of the reader to a certain (side) aspect or detail of the subject on hand, translating it as "pay attention" or "take notice".
Second Triumvirate
Name given to a specific official political alliance, alliance between Gaius Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, formed November 27, 43 BC.
Helle
Daughter of Athamas and Nephele; sister of Phrixus; was saved from sacrifice by the golden ram; drowned in what is now Hellespont.
Iphigeneia
Daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra, princess of Mycenae, when Artemis is offended by Agamemnon Iphigenia is sacrificed (or saved depending on the version.
Rhea Silvia
Daughter of Numitor, mother of Romulus and Remus
Pliny the Younger
nephew of the historian of the same name (the Elder). his account of the eruption of Vesuvius is the only surviving eye-witness account of the event. Worked as a magistrate during the reign of Trajan.
epic,
noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style. Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.
Romance languages
occasionally called the Latin languages, and even more infrequently the Romanic or Neo-Latin languages—are the group of modern languages that evolved from spoken Latin between the sixth and ninth centuries A.D. and that thus form a branch of the Italic languages within the Indo-European language family.
O tempora, O mores
oh times, oh customs: a quote by Cicero about how unbelievable the situations and actions committed by the Catilinarian conspirators.
Metis
one of the Okeanides and the Titan goddess of good counsel, advise, planning, cunning, craftiness and wisdom. She functioned as the counsellor of Zeus during the Titan War, and devised the plan which forced Kronos to regurgitate his children. However, Zeus, in fear of a prophecy that she would bear a son more powerful than himself, swallowed the pregnant --- whole. Their daughter, Athena, was later born fully grown from the god's head.
Judgement of Paris
one of the events that led to the Trojan War, alluded to in the Iliad, Paris was told to judge a beauty contest between Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena, the apple of discord was the prize, he awarded it to Aphrodite, she gave him Helen of Sparta as a bribe, when he went to claim his bribe that was what began the Trojan War,
Mycenae
one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece. Was said to have been ruled by Agamemnon and is famous for its lion gate
agora/forum,
open spaces/Greek and Roman equivalent of each other
Olympics
originally a festival dedicated to zeus, an ancient series of athletic competitions among representatives from the city-states, the first Olympics were in 776 BC, held every 4 years, only men were allowed to participate, the olympics are still held today
in toto
originated in Latin, translates in total, modern meaning means totally and completely, a Latin term that is used in modern speech, as a whole,
Patron/Client Relationship
otherwise known as clientelism, a relationship that is based on a quid pro quo system, politicians would promise political outcomes in exchange for political support from clients, origins are traced to Ancient Rome, the relationships were always mutual and both parties were intended to benefit,
Thetis and Peleus
parents of Achilles; their marriage was an initial cause of the Trojan War. When Eris/Discord wasn't invited, she threw an apple inscribed for the fairest goddess into the festivities. The squabble between Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena and Paris's subsequent judgment and Helen's abduction
I/V/X/L/C/D/M,
roman numerals for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000
Cato the Elder
rose through the cursus honorum during the late 3rd, early 2nd c. BC. Famous for his adamant belief that Carthage was a dire enemy to Rome. Also hated the Greek influence that he believed was making Italians weak. Promoted Stoic ideals of moderation, shunning luxury. wrote a treatise of farming.
obiter dictum
said in passing; an aside especially in judicial settings. For example, a judge can render this if he or she decides not to rule on a case or regarding the decisions of other courts
Hephaestus/Vulcan,
the god of the fire. Born to Hera, he was hated by Zeus and cast from Mt. Olympus resulting in deformities. He thought Lemnos was sacred and walked with a limp. Roman born to Jupiter and Juno.
Uranus
the god of the sky; created the Titans with Gaia, Mother Earth
Hera/Juno,
the goddess of marriage, childbirth, family. She is the wife and sister of Zeus and famously suffered his many infidelities badly.
Heracles/Hercules,
the greatest hero in mythology. Hated by Hera, offspring of Zeus and Alcmene. Performed a series of 12 labors to serve King Eurystheus. Eventually deified. Mythical hero who defeated the Hydra; brought cerberus up from the underworld;
Marcus Aurelius
Roman Emperor in Nervan-Antonine Dynasty, successor to adoptive father Antonius, ruled with his adoptive brother, a practitioner of stoicism, succeeded by his biological son Commodus, lived 121-180 AD
Antonius Pious
Roman Emperor in Nervan-Antonine Dynasty, successor to adoptive father Hadrian, known for his peaceful rule, expanded free access to drinking water, adopted his own heirs Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, lived 86-161 AD
Trajan
Roman Emperor in Nervan-Antonine Dynasty, successor to adoptive father Nerva, called the best ruler by the senate, successful soldier emperor because of the large military expansion, adopted his own heir Hadrian, lived 53-117 AD
Hadrian
Roman Emperor in Nervan-Antonine Dynasty, successor to cousin and adoptive father Trajan, invested in stable and unified borders, built Hadrian's Wall, adopted his own heir Antonius, lived 76-138 AD
Horace
Roman Satirist and poet in the late Republic (65BC-8AD) not only wrote about friendship and nature, but also followed tradition of writing love poetry. Friend of Maecenas, the cultural ambassador for Augustus, and friend of Vergil.
Pompeii
Roman city near Naples, Italy, which was buried during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.
Plautus
Roman comic playwright from late 200s to 100s BC. wrote a type of farcical comedy often with disguises, misidentifications, witty slaves and slow-witted masters, with some type of resolution outcome in the end.
Diocletian
Roman emperor of 284 C.E. Attempted to deal with fall of Roman Empire by splitting the empire into two regions run by co-emperors and appointed 2 junior co-emperors. He formed a a tetrarchy. Also brought armies back under imperial control, and attempted to deal with the economic problems by strengthening the imperial currency .Civil war erupted upon his retirement. Last major persecution of Christians. Lived 244-311 AD.
Sulla
Roman general and dictator (138-78 BC), who marches on Rome, takes control of the senate, and kills all who oppose him. He tries to reestablish the Senate as the Roman body of control. He is a rival of Marius and a friend of Pompey.
Marius
Roman general during the first century B.C.; introduced the use of paid volunteers in the army rather than citizen conscripts; elected 7 times as consul.
Scipio Africanus
Roman general who commanded the invasion of Carthage in the second Punic War and defeated Hannibal at Zama. (circa 237-183 BC)
Tacitus
Roman historian of the late 1st/2nd century BC. Wrote the Annales and Histories ranging in topic from the early emperors, the conquest of Britain, and Roman wars of the 1st century AD. Wrote in a style called "elliptical" for its highly stylized omission of words and its compact eloquence.
Terence
Roman playwright of the second century BC. a freed slave who had worked the Greek style of comedy into Latin for a Roman audience.
Cato the Elder
Roman senator and historian, first to write history in Latin, 234-149 BC, Marcus Porcius Cato, serves as consul
Cicero
Roman statesman and lawyer 106BC-43BC. prosecuted Catilinarian conspiracy, wrote Philippics against Marc Antony by whose henchmen he was assassinated. Considered a staunch supporter of Republic and its ideals during its decline.
Aeneas/Aeneid
is the protagonist, or main character, of the Aeneid. He is the son of Anchises, a Trojan prince, and Venus, the goddess of love. Virgil portrays him as a Trojan hero; a warrior who will lead his people to safety, found a new Trojan state, and establish order in his and his countryman's lives; the epic begins "I sing of arms and a man";
Penelope
is the wife of the main character, the king of Ithaca, Odysseus (Ulysses in Roman mythology), and daughter of Icarius and his wife Periboea. She only has one son by Odysseus, Telemachus, who was born just before Odysseus was called to fight in the Trojan War; symbol of faithfulness;
viz. / videlicet
it is permitted to see. used to say "namely" or "as follows" and gives more specific details about something mentioned before it
dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
it is sweet and right to die for one's country: written by Horace in his odes
Troy
kingdom in Asia Minor that fought against Greece in Homer's Iliad
veto
latin for "I forbid", the power to stop an official action, some may be permanent, some may be overridden in certain circumstances, allows the holder of this power to maintain the status quo,
suum cuique
latin phrase, translates to 'To each his own', also translates to 'may all get their due', used in philosophy, a common motto
via
latin word, translates to 'Road', can mean 'way', means literally 'by way of', can also mean 'by means of',
alibi
legally someone who testifies that you are in a different place, an excuse used to avoid responsibility and blame.
Cadmus
legendary mythic founder of Thebes in Greece. Father of Semele and grandfather of Dionysus.
Silver Age
less noble than the golden age, the creation of the seasons, Pandora's evils were released, fighting among men
arma togae cedant
let weapons yield to the toga. a quote from Cicero in which he advocates that military power should yield to civilian politics as possible.
Ostia
lies 15 km from the city of Rome for which it served as the city's principal port and harbour throughout antiquity. The name derives from --- which means 'mouth' and refers to the city's location at the mouth of the river Tiber.
de gustibus non disputandum est
literally it must not be disputed regarding tastes. It comes to mean that when it comes down to personal preference, it is impossible to argue what is best as each person has their own ideas.
metropolis
literally means 'mother city', a large city, traditionally it was the origin city of other nearby colonies,
Pindar
lyric poet from Thebes, Greece in the 400sBC. Wrote complex but admired poetry about the art of poetry and the ability of man to excel in all fields.
festina lente
meaning "make haste slowly", an oxymoron, adopted by Augustus and Titus, a Latin translation of the original greek.
posthumous
means arising, occurring, or continuing after one's death.
id
means it, part of Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche,
Chimerical
means produced by a wildly fanciful imagination, something described as absurd, comes from the mythological Latin Chimaera, term entered English in the 16th century, can also mean something with the characteristics of a Chimera,
M.D./Medicinae Doctor,
medicinae doctor, The degree earned by someone who completes medical school, doctor of medicine, latin phrase/ abbreviation, different from a PhD,
modus vivendi
method of living; equivalent to the saying "agree to disagree" where things are chalked up to how one chooses to live
M.O. / modus operandi
method of working; it is the way a person or group tends to function
multum in parvo
much in little. equivalent to the idea of less is more or good things come in small packages.
sic transit Gloria mundi
a Latin phrase, means "Thus passes the glory of the world.", a reminder that all things are fleeting, said during Papal coronations, often paired with the holding of a burning paper to illustrate the passing nature of earthly glories,
status quo
a Latin phrase, the existing state of affairs, especially regarding current social or political issues, often referred to in politics, a Latin phrase that is used modernly,
ne plus ultra
a Latin phrase, translate to "Nothing more beyond," the state of being without a flaw or defect, the highest point of achievement, can sometimes mean a limiting condition,
non compos mentis
a Latin phrase, translates to "of unsound mind", opposite of "compos mentis", means not of sound mind and hence not legally responsible, first used in English law,
rara avis
a Latin phrase, translates to "rare bird", a rare person or thing, a rarity, used to describe an individual as a "rare bird",
sine die
a Latin phrase, translates to "without day", typically included in the whole phrase 'Adjournment sine die', refers to adjourning a meeting without a date set for a further meeting, can also mean to adjourn a meeting indefinitely,
sui generis
a Latin phrase, translates to 'of its own kind', means constituting a class of its own, unique, can sometimes mean by itself, the phrase is often used an adjective,
Livy
a Roman historian (59 BC - 17 AD) who wrote Ab Urbe Condita which chronicled the history of Rome from the early part of the monarchy onward. He wasn't the most fair in his assessments, but he is considered well researched. Only about 1/4 of his work has survived.
Suetonius (historian)
a Roman historian, wrote during the early Imperial era of the Roman Empire, most important works are 12 biographies of Roman rulers, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, lived 69-122 AD
Lucretia
a Roman matron who was raped by the son of Tarquinius Superbus when he was jealous of her modesty. Rather than bring shame upon her husband Collatinus, she told her tale and committed suicide. The heinousness of this crime led to Brutus and Collatinus expelling the king and setting up the Republic in 509 BC
Ovid
a Roman poet of the late Republic/early empire. Although known for his epic Metamorphoses which deals with the myths of changed form, he also wrote numerous love poems and found himself exiled by Augustus to Tomis, possibly for his scandalous affairs or writings. From there he wrote more poetry, but was never recalled by Augustus from exile.
Argonauts
a band of Greek heroes, they accompanied Jason to retrieve to Golden Fleece, traveled in the Argo,
Attila (spelled Atilla on the list)
a barbaric conquerer of Roman lands during the 5th c. AD. rushed into Italy causing much devastation but failed to take Rome. died in 453 from a massive internal bleed.
Epicureanism
a branch of philosophy originating in Greece but popular in the late Roman Republic and Empire. Formed by Epicurus, a student of the atomist Democritus. Often associated with hedonism as a central tenant is that pleasure (in moderation) is an ideal.
consul,
the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic, and the consulship was considered the highest level of the cursus honorum (an ascending sequence of public offices to which politicians aspired). Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. A magistrate who provided over the deliberations of the senate
Arachne,
a weaver who boasted to be better than Athena, Athena was her in the form of an old woman, she doesn't listen and Athena accepts her weaving challenge, Athena loses, she beats her, and then turns her into a spider,
Sinecure
a word that has Latin origins, comes from the Latin words 'sine" and 'cure', an office that involves minimal duties, a position requiring little or no work, term originated in Medical church,
verbum sat. / verbum satis sapienti
a word to the wise is enough.
hapax legomenon
a word which only appears once, especially in the work of an author.
Referendum
a word with Latin origins, comes from Latin word "refero", is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal, an open general voting session, an expression of direct democracy,
Saturnine
a word with Latin origins, from the word 'Saturnius', can mean born under the influence of Saturn, showing a brooding ill humor, gloomy or depressed,
Chimera
according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of more than one animal. Usually depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat arising from his back, and a tail that might end with a snake's head, the --- was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. To kill monstered need an air attack. In Modern times refereed to as something that is mythical doesn't actually exist.
Vademecum
also found as 'vade mecum', Latin word/phrase, translates to "go with me"; refers to a reference book, can mean a handbook or manual, also can mean a useful or constantly carried object,
Colosseum,
also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and sand, it is the largest amphitheatre ever built.
exordium
the introduction of a passage, especially in rhetoric.
Zeus/Jupiter
the king of the gods; god of thunder and lightning; represented by an eagle and an oak tree; extremely unfaithful husband
Hermes/Mercury,
the messenger god; god of thieves and travelers; son of Zeus; invented the lyre; escorted people to the Underworld when they died(Eng:merchant). Hermes (not Mercury) was the Greek god who carried a snake-entwined staff called the caduceus.; stole the cattle of Apollo on the first day of his life;
sub poenā
also written as 'subpoena', translates to 'under penalty/punishment', comes from common English law, an order by a court that compels a testimony, can force a witness to speak or the production of evidence,
Euripides
an Ancient Greek writer, wrote tragedies, wrote approximately 95 plays, more of his plays survived compared to other play writes of the time,
hamartia
an Aristotelian word meaning mistake, as in of omission, error, or ignorance.
Echo
an Oread who resided on Mount Kithairon. Zeus loved consorting with beautiful nymphs and visited them on Earth often. In Metamorpheses, Hera found out about --- and Zeus's relationship and cursed her to only speak when repeating what other people say. She then fell in love with Narcissus but shamed herself in what she said back to him.
De Rerum Natura
an epic poem written by Lucretius about the Epicurean philosophical understanding about the formation of the universe.
Philomela and Procne
myth in which the sisters, separated by a marriage, ask to have a visit. Tereus the husband lusts after his wife's sister, rapes her, and then cuts out her tongue to silence her, leaving her in a hut in the woods near his home. She weaves a tapestry to tell her sister the story, both of whom then kill their son/nephew and feed him to Tereus as revenge. Tereus chases the women to kill them but they pray for rescue and are changed into the nightingale and swallow. Tereus is changed into the hoopoe to end his suffering as well.
four causes (Aristotle)
how Aristotle explained change. the form of the object, it's material composition, the agent bringing about the change, and the purpose of the change (formal, material, efficient, and final causes).
Crete
is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, and the fifth-largest island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Home of the Minoan people, one of the first recorded civilizations.
Peloponnesus
is the largest southern part of the Greek peninsula
Etruscans
is the modern English name given to a civilization of ancient Italy. Its homeland was in the area of central Italy, just north of Rome, which is today called Tuscany. Ancient people who lived north of Rome first kings of rome.
Delphic Oracle,
the most prestigious and authoritative oracle among the Greeks. The oracle is one of the best-documented religious institutions of the classical Greeks. An oracle was a person or agency considered to provide wise and insightful counsel or prophetic predictions or precognition of the future, inspired by the gods
Oedipus Rex
the name of a play by Sophocles, a tragedy that features incest and patricide, the main character is Oedipus,
Antigone
the name of another play by Sophocles, it is the third of a trilogy, it is a tragedy, has been many adaptations of the play,
Lyceum
the name of the "school" associated with Aristotle. They were called peripatetics because they walked around the city during their lessons.
curia
the name of the senate house in the Forum Romanum
mutatis mutandis
the necessary changes having been made
iota
the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet, derived from the Phoenician alphabet, uppercase Ι, lowercase ι, used in a common English phrase (not one iota), meaning 'not the slightest amount',
Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres
the opening line of Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic Wars. All of Gaul is divided into three parts.
Ge/Gaea
the personification of the Earth and one of the Greek primordial deities. --- was the great mother of all: the primal Greek Mother Goddess; creator and giver of birth to the Earth and all the Universe; the heavenly gods, the Titans, and the Giants were born to her. The gods reigning over their classical pantheon were born from her union with Uranus (the sky), while the sea-gods were born from her union with Pontus (the sea). Her equivalent in the Roman pantheon was Terra
Iris
the personification of the rainbow; and messenger of the gods; one of the goddess of the sea, sky, rainbow, and colors; has a twin sister Arke; links the gods to humanity;
Marcus Aurelius
the philosopher emperor from 161-180 AD. He was a Stoic adherent who wrote The Meditations which talked about how one effectively balances duty and morals, especially when in conflict.
encomium
the praise of a person or idea
Lesbia
the pseudonym given by Catullus to his love interest in his poems. Many scholars believe Lesbia was the patrician woman, Clodia.
Livia
the second wife of Augustus. She was originally married to Drusus Claudius Nero but divorced him to marry Augustus. Although she never had children with Augustus, she was the mother of the second emperor Tiberius.
Narcissus
the son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Liriope. He was distinguished for his beauty. According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book III, ---'s mother was told by the blind seer Tiresias that he would have a long life, provided he never recognized himself. His rejection, however, of the love of the nymph Echo or (in an earlier version) of the young man Ameinias drew upon him the vengeance of the gods. He fell in love with his own reflection in the waters of a spring and pined away (or killed himself); the flower that bears his name sprang up where he died.
felicity
the state of being happy or joyous
metonymy
the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the track for horse racing.
mentor
the word for an adviser derives from the name of the elder, who Athena sometimes impersonated, who advised Telemachus and Odysseus. In his old age ---- was a friend of Odysseus who placed Mentor and Odysseus' foster-brother Eumaeus in charge of his son Telemachus, and of Odysseus' palace, when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.
papyrus
thick paper made from the papyrus plant by cutting it in strips and pressing it flat, first used in Egypt, fragile, susceptible to moisture and dryness
t.i.d. / ter in die
three times in a day. prescriptions instructions which necessitate how many times the medicine must be taken.
esse quam videri
to be rather than to seem. from Cicero's De Amicitia. it is better to walk the walk than merely talk the talk, as they say.
ad valorem
to value (of something); often used in expressions about taxes where a tax is levied on something such as a value added tax.
furies,
to what group Megaera, Allecto and Tisiphone belong. Chtonic goddesses of vengeance; described as horrifying crones;
persona non grata
translates to "a person not appreciated", literally meaning "an unwelcome person," refers to a foreign person whose entering or remaining in a particular country is prohibited by that country's government, given this title is the most censure a country can give a foreign diplomat,
Q.E.D./quod erat demonstrandum
translates to "what was to be proven", means "thus it has been demonstrated", a term used in logic and mathematics, the abbreviated form is Q.E.D., the abbreviation is typically placed at the end of a mathematical proof,
verbatim
translates to "word for word", derives from Latin word 'verbium', using something in the exact same way as used originally, typically a phrase in writing, can lead to plagiarism,
et al./et alii
translates to 'and the rest', used when you don't want to list everyone or everything, Latin phrase/abbreviation, is in the neutral plural form, removes fastidiousness,
per os (p. o.)
translates to 'by mouth', means "by way of opening", used in medicine to specify how to take medication, also known as oral administration, medicines taken this way are liquids or pills,
ex libris,
translates to 'from the books of...', an inscription in or on a book, to indicate the owner; bookplate, were first used in Egypt,
magnum opus
translates to 'great work'; a large and important work of art, music, or literature; especially one regarded as the most important work of an artist or writer; also known as a 'masterpiece'; once an apprentice makes one they are considered a master in their field,
magna cum laude
translates to 'with great honor', an honorific, used by Harvard,
b.i.d. / bis in die
twice in a day. prescriptions instructions which necessitate how many times the medicine must be taken.
pro bono publico
usually shortened to "pro bono", a Latin phrase, translates to "for the public good", refers to professional work done voluntarily and without payment, something done to provide services for those unable to afford them,
magnanimous
very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself, word with Latin origins, derives from "magnanimitas", first used by Aristotle,
Spartacus
was a Thracian gladiator who, along with the Gauls Crixus, Gannicus, Castus, and Oenomaus, was one of the escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic
Punic Wars
was a complex series of battles and shifting political alliances among the Greeks, the Italian peoples and the Carthaginians. Most historical treatments of the conflict concentrate on the conflicts between Pyrrhus of Epirus and Rome. Carthage and Rome were allies in this conflict. is this enough info?
Nike
was a goddess who personified victory. Her Roman equivalent was Victoria. She was variously described as the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, and the sister of Kratos (Strength), Bia (Force), and Zelus (Zeal).
Sisyphus
was a king of Ephyra. He was punished for chronic deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever.
rostrum/rostra
was a large platform built in the city of Rome that stood during the republican and imperial periods. Speakers would stand on the rostra and face the north side of the comitium towards the senate house and deliver orations to those assembled in between
Odysseus/Ulysses
was a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. He also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in that same epic cycle; came up with the idea of the Trojan Horse;
Pompey
was a military and political leader of the late Roman Republic. His immense success as a general while still very young enabled him to advance directly to his first consulship without meeting the normal requirements for office. Military success in Sulla's Second Civil War led him to adopt the nickname Magnus, "the Great". He was consul three times and celebrated three triumphs.
Sparta
was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the Eurotas River in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. Around 650 BC, it rose to become the dominant military land-power in ancient Greece.
Saturnalia
was an ancient Roman festival in honor of the deity Saturn, held on the 17th of December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to the 23rd of December. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves. The poet Catullus called it "the best of days."
Vergil
was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues, the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid.
Hydra
was an ancient serpent-like water monster with reptilian traits. It possessed many heads - the poets mention more heads than the vase-painters could paint - and for each head cut off it grew two more 'Cut off one head, Two more shall take its place'. It had poisonous breath and blood so virulent that even its tracks were deadly.
Horatius
was an officer in the army of the ancient Roman Republic who famously defended the Pons Sublicius from the invading army of Lars Porsena, king of Clusium in the late 6th century BC, during the war between Rome and Clusium
Via appia
was one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. It connected Rome to Brindisi, Apulia, in southeast Italy; built 312-264 BC, named after Appius Claudius Caecus, first used as a military road
Medea
was the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, niece of Circe, granddaughter of the sun god Helios, and later wife to the hero Jason, with whom she had two children, Mermeros and Pheres
Persephone/Proserpina
was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter; and the queen of the underworld; She was abducted by Hades; Pluto's wife; vegetation goddess;
Odium
word with Latin origins, borrowed from word 'Odium', a noun, means hatred, contempt, means disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct,
Interregnum
word with Latin origins, comes from 'inter' meaning between and 'regnum' mean reigns, refers to the gap in a ruling/governing body, a period time between two reigns, a failed state is usually in this period,
fortuitous
word with Latin origins, comes from Latin word "fortuitus", means happening by accident, something happening by chance rather than design, lucky thing,
Otiose
word with Latin origins, comes from Latin word 'Otiosus', an adjective, serving no useful purpose, useless, having no effect,
Nepotism
word with Latin origins, comes from Latin word 'nepos', originated with the assignment of nephews to important positions, a form of political corruption, favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power by giving them jobs,
Defenestration
word with Latin origins, comes from New Latin word "defenestratio", means the act of throwing someone or something out of a window, used in the 17th century, can also mean the high-profile removal of someone from an organization,
pulchritude
word with Latin origins, comes from word 'pulcher', 'pulcher' means beautiful, means physical beauty, a noun,
sedentary
word with Latin origins, comes from word 'sedentarius', tending to spend much time seated, somewhat inactive, characterized by little physical activity,
Quorum
word with Latin origins, originates from Latin word "quorum" meaning of whom, the minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action, protects against misrepresentation, is used in government settings,
agenda,
word with Latin roots, derives from Latin word 'agere', 'agere' means 'to do', translates to "things to be done," plural of agendum,
exit/exeunt
words borrowed from Latin, translates to "He goes out/they go out", used in theatrical contexts, indicates when and where for stage actors to leave the stage, can also refer to a way or path to leave,
ambrosia and nectar,
Food and drink of the Gods; related to immortality and longevity;
pax vobiscum
"peace with you", are Latin salutations in the Catholic Mass and the Lutheran Divine Service.
Priam
In Greek mythology, was the king of Troy during the Trojan War and youngest son of Laomedon.
Jocasta and Laius
Parents of Oedipus
Hispania
Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula
Lycurgus
Spartan leader who the city focus on military
Hecuba
Wife of Priam; queen of Troy; mother of Hector, Paris, Deiphobus, and Cassandra.
B.A. / Baccalaureus Artium
an undergraduate collegiate degree in the Liberal Arts or Sciences.
arma virumque cano
the opening words of Vergil's Aeneid. I sing of arms and a man.
cum grano salis
"With a grain of salt," an idiom which means to view something lightly. The phrase comes from Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia, regarding the discovery of a recipe for an antidote to a poison. In the antidote, one of the ingredients was a grain of salt. Threats involving the poison were thus to be taken "with a grain of salt," and therefore less seriously. The Latin word salis means both "salt" and "wit," so that the Latin phrase "cum grano salis" could be translated as both "with a grain of salt" and "with a grain of wit." The phrase "cum grano salis" is not what Pliny wrote. It is constructed according to the grammar of modern European languages rather than Classical Latin. Pliny's actual words were "addito salis grano" (the addition of a grain of salt).
sc. / scilicet
"it is permitted to know" is written when something is provided to clear up an ambiguity in a text or when a word is provided that would help the understanding of a text but that didn't appear in the original.
stet
"let it stand" is a editorial remark that says that a word/phrase that was previously flagged to be changed should be allowed to stay in the form in which it appears.
quid pro quo
"something for something" or "this for that" in Latin) is a phrase used in English to mean an exchange of goods or services, in which one transfer is contingent upon the other; "a favour for a favour".
Koine Greek
"the common dialect" also known as Alexandrian dialect, common Attic or Hellenistic Greek (Modern Greek)
valedictorian
"the one who says farewell" - the student with the highest grade point average, who is chosen to give a speech at the end of graduation, is used in the US, called the 'dux' in Australia,
res gestae
"things having been done" the name of the auto-biographical work of Emperor Augustus. Famously says that he found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.
Quo vadis?
"where are you going" attributed to the story of Jesus meeting Peter along a road, and when Peter who is afraid for his life has this question asked of him, it gives him the courage to continue to his ministry in Rome although he will be persecuted for his teachings. also the name of a book about the life under the reign of Nero by a 20th century Polish author.
Claudius
4th Roman emperor, first emperor to be born outside of Italy, had a limp and poor hearing, Caligula was his nephew, able and efficient leader, lived 10 BC-54 AD
Mark Antony
(January 14, 83 BC - August 1, 30 BC) A Roman politician and general. As a military commander and administrator, he was the right hand man of Julius Caesar. After Caesar's assassination, Antony formed an official political alliance with Octavian and Lepidus, the Second Triumvirate. The triumvirate broke up in 33 BC. Disagreement between Octavian and Antony erupted into civil war in 31 BC. Antony was defeated by Octavian at the naval Battle of Actium, and in a brief land battle at Alexandria. He and his lover Cleopatra committed suicide shortly thereafter. His career and defeat are significant in Rome's transformation from Republic to Empire.
Archimedes
--- of Syracuse was an Ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer. Although few details of his life are known, he is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity
zephyr
--- was the gentle wind of the west and the interceder between the World of the living and the Underworld. Zephyr was the fresh wind who brought the spring rains that were so valuable for awakening the nature. --- was the son of Astraeus and Eos, the goddess of the dawn and he was the father of the spring flowers. His mate was Podarge and together they created the two immortal horses of Achilles, Xanthus and Balius ---us was the wind that guided Aphrodite to the sea of Paphos when she was born and the only wind Odysseus allowed helping him find his way to Ithaca.
Caligula
3rd Roman emperor, Caligula was his nickname, Tiberius was his adoptive grandfather, known to be an insane tyrant, lived 12 AD-41 AD, was assented
i.e./id est,
."that is" - used for further explanation: 'in other words...'
Domitian (. . . Flavius Caesar Domitianus. . .)
3rd emperor of Flavian dynasty, younger biological son of Vespasian and brother of Titus, had an authoritarian ruling style, expanded border defenses of the empire, assassinated by court officials, lived 51-96 AD
Pantheon
12 Olympian Gods
Ides of March,
15th of March. day Caesar was assassinated. Now it means a day of reckoning.
Titus
2nd emperor of Flavian dynasty, biological son of Vespasian, renowned military leader, completed the Colosseum, relieved the suffering caused by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius, lived 39-81 AD
Second Punic War
2nd of 3 wars between Rome and Carthage, 218-201 BC, one of the deadliest human conflicts, features Hannibal
Gorgons,
3 monstrous sisters with snakes for hair and eyes that turned all to stone. Stheno, Euryale and Medusa
Marcus Valerius Corvus
370-270 BC, important Roman military commander and politician, general through the Samnite Wars
Third Punic war
3nd of 3 wars between Rome and Carthage, 149-146 BC, Rome conquers Carthage, much smaller war
laurels
A --- wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay ---. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a --- wreath on his head. In ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to victors, both in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics and in poetic meets; in Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph. Whereas ancient --- wreaths are most often depicted as a horseshoe shape, modern versions are usually complete rings.
Attica
A 1,000 square mile promontory in southeast central Greece, the location of Athens. It is a rugged terrain that yielded high-quality marble and potter's clay as well as silver and lead.
Democritus
A Greek philosopher (approx 400BC) who is credited for articulating the first "atomic theory"
curriculum vitae
A Latin expression, translates to "the course of my life", it is a summary of your academic and work history, similar to a resume, abbreviated to C.V.,
ad lib./ad libitum
A Latin phrase that means "at one's pleasure". In music and drama it refers to improvisation.
ars longa, vita brevis
A Latin phrase that says "Art is long, Life is short", meaning "There is so much art to learn and so little time to learn it". This phrase is a Latin translation of a Greek aphorism by Hippocrates; "Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience deceptive, judgment difficult."!
ars gratia artis
A Latin phrase, means "Art for the sake of Art", the motto of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, better word is 'ars artis gratia', originally translated into Latin from French,
in situ
A Latin phrase, translates to "in place.", means 'in its original place', Used in many different contexts, from aerospace to vacuum technology, to indicate something in its natural environment.
Et tu, Brute?,
A Latin sentence meaning "Even you, Brutus?" from the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare. Caesar utters these words as he is being stabbed to death, having recognized his friend Brutus among the assassins. Note : "Et tu, Brute?" is used to express surprise and dismay at the treachery of a supposed friend.
Cupid and Psyche
A myth found in Lucius Apuleius' "The Golden Ass". Aphrodite sends Eros to curse Psyche because of her jealousy. Eros falls in love with her instead. Aphrodite curses Psyche herself, declaring that she will never find a husband. Eros gets upset and goes on strike until Aphrodite lets him have Psyche for himself. Psyche is whisked away to a great palace where she is well-treated, but is never allowed to see the face of her lover. Her sisters convince her that he must be a monster, so she breaks the rule and looks on his face to find out. Eros is angered and abandons her. Heartbroken, Psyche appeals to Aphrodite, who sets her all manners of impossible tasks to complete. In the final task, her curiosity again gets the better of her and she is sent into a deep sleep as a result. Eros, no longer harboring any ill will, cures her, marries her and makes her a goddess.
Mnemonic
A name applied to devices for aiding the memory, connects a series of dissociated ideas, cultivated by Plato and Aristotle, emphasised by Cicero.
Censor
A person who supervises conduct and morals or who examines materials for objectionable matter. In ancient Rome, one of two magistrates, assessors, and inspectors of morals and conduct. They conducted the census.!
First Triumvirate
A political alliance between Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey, 59 BC-53 BC.
Philemon and Baucis
A poor rural couple who accepted a disguised Zeus and Hermes when they were testing the hospitality of the locals. Despite their desperate poverty, they treated their guests so well that when the gods revealed themselves, the old couple was spared when the rest of the people were killed. As a reward, the gods offered them any gift. They only asked to not live without one another, so when the time came for the man to die, his wife also died and they were turned into trees with interlocked branches.
Cassandra
A prophetess in Troy during the Trojan War whose predictions were true but were never believed. The daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, her beauty caused Apollo to grant her the gift of prophecy. When she refused Apollo, he placed a curse on her so that she would never be believed.!
Peloponnesian War
A protracted (431-404 B.C.) and costly conflict between the Athenian and Spartan alliance systems that convulsed most of the Greek world. In the end, Sparta prevailed because of Athenian errors and Persian financial support.
Leda
A queen of Sparta who was raped by Zeus who had taken the form of a swan, mother of Helen of Sparta, Clytemnestra, Castor, and Pollux.
Gallic Wars
A series of military campaigns against Gallic tribes led by Julius Caesar, lasted from 58 BC to 50 BC, ended with a Roman victory which increased the size of the Roman Republic
Briseis
Also known as Hippodameia, a mythical queen in the Asian minor during the Trojan War, featured character in Homer's Illiad, her character is in the middle of a dispute between Achilles and Agamemnon.
ex officio
An --- member is a member of a body (a board, committee, council, etc.) who is part of it by virtue of holding another office. it translates literally "from the office", and the sense intended is "by right of office" latin phrase means "by virtue of ones office"
e.g./exempli gratia,
An abbreviation meaning "for example."/Latin phrase for the , "for the sake of example." You should know both.
Herculaneum
An ancient Roman city that was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. It was better preserved than Pompeii.
Alba Longa
An ancient city in central Italy, southeast of Rome. It was destroyed by Rome around the middle of the 7th century BC. Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome, had come from Alba Longa.
Hippocratic Oath
An oath taken by a doctor, oath to observe a code of medical ethics, code supposedly derived from that of Hippocrates (c. 460 - c. 337), establishes medical confidentiality and non-maleficence, orginally written in Greek,
Homer,
Ancient Greek epic poet who is believed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey (circa 850 BC)
Battle of Cannae
Another major battle of the 2nd Punic War, worst defeat of the Romans
Battle of Lake Traisemene
Another major battle of the 2nd Punic war, largest ambush attack in military history
alias
Another name you are known by, originated from Latin word 'alias', originated in the post-Augustan period,
alter ego
Another self, latin phrase meaning another, a different identity,
Apollo and Daphne
Apollo angers Eros, he makes him fall in love with Daphne, he makes Daphne never want to love, Apollo pursues Daphne, before catching Daphne she is turned into a Laurel tree by her father, Apollo makes the Laurel tree sacred to him,
Turnus
As told by the Aeneid, he is a Rutulian prince of central Italy, about to marry Lavinia daughter of king Latinus. He becomes angry when Latinus instead promises her to Aeneas, and with Aeneas he engages the tribes of Italy into war. He killed Aeneas's ally, Pallas, and upon realizing that he is beaten by Aeneas, be begs for his life. Aeneas sees Pallas' belt on him and kills him.
paterfamilias
At the head of Roman family life was the oldest living male, called the "___," or "father of the family." He looked after the family's business affairs and property and could perform religious rites on their behalf.
Athens/Acropolis,
Athen was a Greek city state. The acropolis is the hill where the Parthenon was built. Democracy
Pericles
Athenian general and statesman during the 400s BC. Led Greece with Athens at the helm during the Persian wars and brought Athens to a state of pre-eminence among all of the states. Eventually leading to the Pelopenessian wars. Built much of the Acropolis to reflect Athens's importance.
Solon
Athenian politician from late 6th early 5th century BC who is considered the father of Greek democracy in his attempt to reduce tyranny among nobles and to ward against the decline of the Greek moral and political base.
antebellum
Before the war
Cardinal
Cardinal number: Being or denoting a numerical quantity/size, but not order; Cardinal rule: can also mean most important; something upon which other matters hinge,
Carthago delenda est
Carthage must be destroyed. The famous line delivered at the end of every speech by the Stoic hard-line statesman Cato the Elder.
Carthage,
Carthage was the Phoenician city-state of Carthage and during the 7th to 3rd centuries BC, included its sphere of influence, the Carthaginian Empire. A series of wars, known as the Punic Wars,were fought between Roman and Carthage.
Hannibal,
Carthaginian general who attacked Italy by crossing the Italian Alps in the 2nd Punic War; he was eventually defeated by Scipio at the Battle of Zama
Castor and Pollux
Castor and Pollux or Polydeuces were twin brothers, together known as the Dioscuri. Their mother was Leda, but Castor was the mortal son of Tyndareus, king of Sparta, and Pollux the divine son of Zeus. Though accounts of their birth are varied, they are sometimes said to have been born from an egg, along with their twin sisters Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. In Latin the twins are also known as the Gemini. When Castor was killed, Pollux asked Zeus to let him share his own immortality with his twin to keep them together, and they were transformed into the constellation Gemini. The pair was regarded as the patrons of sailors and were also associated with horsemanship.
ca./circa
Circa (from Latin, meaning "around or about"), usually abbreviated c. or ca., means "approximately," usually referring to a date when not precisely known.
cogito ergo sum
Cogito ergo sum (English: "I think, therefore I am") is a philosophical Latin statement proposed by René Descartes, a French philosopher. The simple meaning of the phrase is that something, an "I", exists to do the thinking. However, this "I" is not the permanent person we call "I". It may be that the something that thinks is purely momentary, and not the same as the something which has a different thought the next moment. The phrase was perceived to form a foundation for all knowledge. While other knowledge could be a figment of imagination, deception or mistake, the very act of doubting one's own existence serves as proof of the reality of one's own existence, or at least that of one's thought. The statement is sometimes given as Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (English: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am").
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
Do not trust enemies who bring you gifts - they could very well be playing a trick. The saying is from the words of Laocoon from the story of the Trojan Horse in the Aeneid; "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes"!
Draco
Draco was the first democratic legislator, inasmuch as he was requested by the Athenian citizens to be a lawgiver for the city-state, established harsh laws
Constantine
Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337). He also moved the capital of Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople, lived 272-337 AD
Athena/Minerva,
Equivalent of each other. Athena was the goddess of war and wisdom/Minerva more associated with arts and crafts not much with war
Cronus/Saturn,
Equivalent of each other/King of the Titans and time. Cronus ate his children.; father of the Olympian gods; son of Uranus and Gaea;
Artemis/Diana,
Equivalent of each other/goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature being associated with wild animals and woodland, and having the power to talk to and control animals/twin bro Apollo/turned Actaeon into a stag who was then hunted by his own dogs
Eros/Cupid,
Eros/Cupid was the mischievous god of love, a minion and constant companion of the goddess Aphrodite. The equivalent of each other.; said to be the son of Aphrodite; mischievous forms love bonds;
etc./et cetera,
Et cetera, abbreviated to etc., etc, &c., or &c, is a Latin expression that is used in English to mean "and other similar things", or "and so forth". Et means 'and'; cētera means 'the rest'.
Lars Porsenna
Etruscan king, came into conflict against Rome. Horatius stood against him.
alpha and omega
First and last letters of the Greek alphabet, to indicate the whole thing from beginning to end, Α and Ω, from the phrase 'I am Alpha and Omega' an appellation of Jesus, commonly used in Christianity,
Battle of Trebia
First major battle of the 2nd Punic war, 218 BC, Romans were defeated
fresco/mosaic,
Frescos are paintings made on fresh plaster, must be done quickly/Mosaics are designs created using small pieces of tile or glass, beans, pebbles, etc. that are held together using a variety of materials such as glues and plasters, type of an interior decoration
Vercingetorix
Gallic commander defeated by Caesar in the Gallic war (Battle of Alesia) of the late 50sBC. He managed to unite the Gauls in one last effort to defeat Caesar because he realized that Gaul's best hope rested with a Gaul united against Caesar as opposed to the status quo of tribe after tribe fighting the Romans.
Apollo/Apollo,
God of music, poetry, oracles/established oracle on Mt. Parnassus; represented by laurel leaves
Aristophanes
Greek comedian during the mid 5th c. to early 4th c. BC. Wrote scathing comedies that were well received about prominent politicians, philosophers, and famous men.
Alcibiades
Greek general and statesman. Well known for Greek expansion into Sicily and west Mediterranean lands. was exiled but later reinstated. lived in the latter half of the 5th century BC.
Aphrodite/Venus,
Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation/equivalent of each other, symbols include roses and doves, considered to be extremely promiscuous
Cyclops,
Greek mythology and later Roman mythology, is a member of a primordial race of giants, each with a single eye in the center of his forehead; the workmen who provided Zeus with his thunderbolts;
Aristotle
Greek philosopher and tutor to young Alexander the Great. student of Plato. lived during the mid 4th c BC. known for many philosophical treatises and scientific discussions about a variety of social and natural sciences. Influenced orators and philosophers from Cicero to well into the Renaissance.
Zeno's paradoxes
Greek philosopher of the early to mid 5th century BC. his paradoxes (Achilles and tortoise, the dichotomy, and arrow) each work on the principal that either space or time is unable to be traversed because there are within any segment an infinite number of spaces (example 1/2 can be divided 1/4, to 1/8, to 1/16, 1/32 etc. therefore, since there are an infinite number of spaces to travel, reaching the finish line is theoretically impossible.
Sappho
Greek poetess from around the 600s BC. many works about love and other lyric topics. eventually exiled to Sicily from her home of Lesbos.
Euripides
Greek tragedian (480-406 BC) famous for his telling of women in mythology like Medea, the Trojan Women, and Iphegenia.
Sophocles
Greek tragedian of the 5th century BC most of whose works have been lost, but whose Theban saga (Oedipus cycle) is considered the height of Greek tragedy.
veni, vidi, vici
I came, I saw, I conquered
Cerberus,
In Greek mythology, Cerberus, often called the "hound of Hades", is the monstrous multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving, was took from Hades as Heracles's 12th Labor,
satyr
In Greek mythology, is one of a troop of ithyphallic male companions of Dionysus with goat/horse-like features, including tail, ears but with a human torso.
Minotaur
In Greek mythology, it was a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man or, as described by Roman poet Ovid, a being "part man and part bull"
Basilica
In Roman architecture a courtroom, rectangular in plan with an entrance usually on a long side. In Christian architecture, a church somewhat resembling the Roman Basilica usually entered from one end and with an apse at the other.!
plebeian
In ancient Rome, were the general body of free Roman citizens who were not patricians, as determined by the census. Shopkeepers, crafts people, and skilled or unskilled workers might be ---
Cosmos
In the general sense, a cosmos is an orderly or harmonious system. It originates from the Greek termκόσμος (kosmos), meaning "order" or "ornament" and is antithetical to the idea of chaos. Today, the word is generally used as a synonym of "Universe."
A.D./anno Domini,
In the year of our lord (calendars)
Adriatic Sea
Is one of the oceans around Greece, is between Greece and Italy one of the major trade routes; directly east of the Italian Peninsula;
in absentia
Latin phrase, translates for "in absence", a term used in law, means while not present, also means while absent,
Ithaca
a Greek island located in the Ionian Sea, off the northeast coast of Kefalonia and to the west of continental Greece. where Odysseus was king
gnothi seauton
Know thyself; supposedly carved in the pediment of Apollo's sanctuary at Delphi.
logos
a Greek word meaning speech, word, argument. Many philosophers saw it as fundamental in every aspect of thought and inquiry.
A.M./ante meridiem,
Latin Phrase, (AM)/before midday
prima facie
Latin expression, translates to "at first face", means 'on the face of it', refers to something that seems at first sight to be sufficient, used in legal proceedings,
summum bonum
Latin expression, translates to "the highest good", introduced by Cicero, the supreme good in which all moral values are included or from which they are derived, the greatest good,
de facto - de jure
Latin expressions that mean "concerning fact" and "concerning the law." De facto means existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not. It is commonly used in contrast to de jure. When discussing a legal situation, de jure designates what the law says, while de facto designates action of what happens in practice.!
in hoc signo vinces
Latin for "by this sign you will conquer". The emperor Constantine saw this in the sky before the battle of the Milvian Bridge, and won the battle after putting the symbol of the cross on all his soldiers' shields.
in vitro
Latin for "in glass," referring to biological tests not taken naturally, the opposite 'in situ', "test tube experiments.", biological experiments not taking place in a living organism,
non sequitur
Latin for "it does not follow", In formal logic, an argument in which its conclusion does not follow from its premises, a conversational or literary device used for comedic purposes, can be an abrupt change in plot or dialogue with no explanation,
Fiat
Latin for "let it be done" - a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge). In policy debate, a concept that allows an affirmative team to avoid the probability of an action being enforced.!
ex tempore
Latin for "out of the moment" - without preparation, on the spur of the moment (extemporaneous).!
gladiator,
Latin for swordsman. an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals.
mellifluous
Latin origins, comes from 'mellifluous', means (of a voice or words) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear, can mean flowing like honey,
carpe diem,
Latin phrase for "seize the day", from Horace's Odes,
ad infinitum,
Latin phrase meaning "to infinity" or "forevermore".
labor omnia vincit
Latin phrase, meaning "Hard work conquers all", popular as a motto, said by Vergil, found in Vergil's Eclogue,
ibid./ibidem
Latin phrase, meaning "the same place", the term used to provide an endnote or footnote citation, or reference for a source that was cited in the preceding endnote or footnote, can also mean 'in the same source',
tempus fugit
Latin phrase, meaning time flies, said by Vergil, found in Vergil's Georgics, a common sundial motto,
mens sana in corpore sano
Latin phrase, means "A sound mind in a sound body.", can also mean "A sensible mind in a healthy body", from the Roman poet Juvenal, from Satire X,
dum spiro, spero
Latin phrase, means "While I breath, I hope.", said by Cicero, the motto of South Carolina, motto of a Scottish clan,
cave canem,
Latin phrase, means "beware of the dog", 1st century AD,
vice versa
Latin phrase, means "the other way around", also means "the same but with the two things/people mentioned reversed",
e pluribus unum,
Latin phrase, translates for "Out of many, one"; seen on the American seal; traditional motto of the US, is the motto because out of the many states/colonies there is one country,
cedant arma togae
Let the arms yield to the toga
amor omnia vincit
Love conquers all, latin phrase, said by Vergil, from Vergil's Eclogues, the full phrase includes 'love conquers all: let us too surrender to love'
Plutarch
Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus, Greek biographer, classified as a Middle Platonist, known for 'Parallel Lives' and 'Moralia', lived 46-120 AD
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher, came from a wealthy family, serves as consul, 106-43 BC
alma mater
Meaning "Nourishing mother", an institusion that has givin you a start has put you were you are now, refers to the college which one graduated from, the anthem of a school, associated with Roman goddesses,
in memoriam
a Latin phrase, directly translates as "into memory", an article written in memory of a dead person, reference to an obituary, has been in use since the Roman Empire,
novus ordo seclorum
a new cycle of generations; attributed to Vergil and is another part of the great seal of the US and is featured on the back of the dollar bill.
Quirinal Hill
One of Rome's 7 hills, location of the temple to Mars
Esquiline Hill
One of Rome's 7 hills, location of the temple to Minerva
Polyphemus
One of the Cyclopes (uncivilized one-eyed giants) whose island Odysseus comes to soon after leaving Troy. He imprisons Odysseus and his crew and tries to eat them, but Odysseus blinds him through a clever ruse and manages to escape.
Aventine Hill
One of the seven hills of Rome, temple to Diana is located there
p.o./per os
Oral administration, is a route of administration where a substance is taken through the mouth
Pietas
Practice of pagan worship which sought the placation of the gods through sacrifice in an effort to secure protection for the Roman state; loyalty, dutiful conduct, devotion.!
per annum
Per year
Xerxes
Persian king who led a huge naval force against Greece. Famously battled King Leonidas of Sparta at Thermopylae, and despite being held off, ultimately won when he learned of a way around the narrow path. Even though he subdued a lot of Greece, he was unable to hold it because he had to fight an uprising in Persia and the small contingent he left was defeated at the Battles of Salamis and then Palaetea in 480 BC.
Philosophiae Doctor
Ph. D., doctor of philosophy, highest academic degree in most countries, a common requirement of University professors, to receive this degree you must submit a journal worthy project,
the divided line
Plato's analogy that knowledge is similar to a segmented line. The line represents the things we can know by interaction, progressing to thought, to belief, to imagination.
Amphitrite
Poseidon's wife; goddess of the sea. Her counterpart in Roman mythology is Salacia, the goddess of saltwater.
Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso, Roman poet, one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature, lived 43 BC-17/18 AD
Pyramis and Thisbe
Pyramus and Thisbe is the story of two lovers in the city of Babylon who are forbidden by their parents to be wed because of their parents' rivalry. Through a crack in one of the walls, they whisper their love for each other. They arrange to meet near Ninus' tomb under a mulberry tree. Thisbe arrives first, but upon seeing a lioness with a mouth bloody from a recent kill, she flees, leaving behind her veil. The lioness drinks from a nearby fountain, then by chance mutilates the veil Thisbe had left behind. When Pyramus arrives, he is horrified at the sight of Thisbe's veil, assuming that a fierce beast had killed her. Pyramus kills himself. Pyramus' blood stains the white mulberry fruits, turning them dark. Thisbe returns, but finding Pyramus' dead body under the shade of the mulberry tree, stabs herself with the same sword. The gods change the color of the mulberry fruits into the stained color to honor the forbidden love. Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Nights Dream includes a comedic version of this story.!
Cleopatra
Queen of Egypt (51--30 BC), renowned for her beauty: the mistress of Julius Caesar and later of Mark Antony. She killed herself with an asp to avoid capture by Octavian.
Horace
Quintus Horatius Flaccus, a Roman lyric poet, he was the first autobiography, used hexameter, lived 65 BC-8 BC
Styx
River in the Underworld by which the gods swore binding oaths;
Lethe
River of oblivion and forgetfulness in Hades.
Nerva
Roman Emperor in Nervan-Antonine Dynasty, loyally served under Nero and the Flavian dynasty, elected as emperor by the senate, briefly reigned because of unassertiveness and finical issues, adopted his own heir Trajan, lived 30-98 AD
Aegean Sea,
Sea near Greece/said to be named after the father of Theseus
Sicily
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Phrixus
Son of Athamas who was nearly sacrificed by his father; was taken to Colchis on the Black Sea by a golden ram that appeared at the last moment. The brother of Helle.!
Agamemnon
Son of Atreus, brother of Menelaus, husband of Clytemnestra, and king of Mycenae. Elected commander in chief of the Greeks in the Trojan War. When the war was over, he sailed home where he was murdered by Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Odysseus speaks to his spirit in Hades.
Paris
Son of Priam, king of Troy. Probably the best-known was his elopement with Helen, queen of Sparta. This caused the Trojan War; brother of Hector shot the arrow that killed Achilles;
Tiberius
Son-in-law of Augustus who became a suspicious tyrannical Emperor of Rome after a brilliant military career (42 BC to AD 37); was the second Roman emperor and ruled during the time of Jesus' death.!
Numa Pompilius
The second legendary king of Rome, successor to Romulus, he was Sabine originally, (753-673 BC), many of Rome's religious and political institutions are credited to him.
aqueduct,
Structure Romans built to bring water to Rome and the surrounding mountains
Pan and Syrinx
Syrinx was a nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Pursued by the amorous Greek god Pan, she ran to a river's edge and asked for assistance from the river nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds that made a haunting sound when the god's frustrated breath blew across them. Pan cut the reeds to fashion the first set of pan pipes, which were thenceforth known as syrinx.
ego,
The "I" or self of any person (ego is Latin for "I") and in Latin first persson singular personal pronoun., part of Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche,
Apology (Plato's)
The Apology is Plato's version of the speech given by Socrates as he defended himself in 399 BC against the charges of "corrupting the young, and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel"
sub rosa
The Latin phrase means "under the rose" and is used in English to denote secrecy or confidentiality, similar to the Chatham House Rule. The rose as a symbol of secrecy has an ancient history.
Janus
The Roman god of doorways and passages. He is depicted as having two faces on opposite sides of his head; looks to the future and the past;
Riddle of the Sphinx sarcophagus
The Sphinx is said to have guarded the entrance to the Greek city of Thebes, and to have asked a riddle of travelers to allow them passage. What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon and three legs in the evening? Answer: Man. Oedipus finally answered the riddle successfully.!
Mnemosyne
The Titaness who was the goddess of memory and the mother of the muses
Augustus,
The adopted son of Caesar, known as Octavian (magistic). He became the first Roman emperor; avenged the assassination of Caesar; 63 BC-14 AD
Herodotus
The ancient Greek known as 'the father of history', his accounts of the wars between the Greeks and Persians are the first known examples of historical writing, lived 484-425 BC, given his title by Cicero, his notable work was "The Histories",
Macedonia
The ancient kingdom of Philip II and Alexander the Great in the southeastern Balkans that is now divided among modern Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria.
Rhetoric
The art of using language effectively and persuasively
Calypso
The beautiful nymph who falls in love with Odysseus when he lands on her island-home of Ogygia. She holds Odysseus prisoner there for seven years until Hermes persuades her to let him go.
corpus delicti
The body of evidence that constitute the offense, facts proving that a crime has been committed (e.g. the dead body in a murder). There must be corpus delicti in order for someone to be convicted of crime.
Pythia/Sibyl
The priestesses of Apollo in Delphi are Sybils; the oracle of Delphi was Pythia
causa belli
The reason of war. It can also be used to refer to justification for fighting.!
habeas corpus
The right not to be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime, Latin phrase, translates for "that you have the body.", a recourse in law, protects against unlawful detention or imprisonment,
Andromeda
The daughter of King Cepheus of Ethiopia. As a punishment for a boast her mother made, Andromeda was given as a sacrifice to be eaten by the sea monster Cetus. Fortunately, Perseus was returning from slaying Medusa. He saved Andromeda and then married her. Andromeda is also the name of a galaxy.
Chaos,
The entity from which sprang various living beings-such as Gaea, Uranus...
alumna/alumnae
The femine form, means 'former students',
Campus Martius
The field of mars, used to train soldiers and young boys, the big area that was open for games to played on primary use for soldiers to be lined up for war.
Augean Stables
The fifth Labour of Heracles was to clean the Augean stables . These stables had not been cleaned in over 30 years, and over 1,000 cattle lived there. However, Heracles succeeded by rerouting the rivers Alpheus and Peneus to wash out the filth.!
Danaids
The fifty daughters of Danaus, all were engaged to fifty brothers. Their father was upset, so told them to murder all their husbands on the wedding night. All but one did, so the forty nine who did were sentenced to an eternal never-ending punishment in the underworld were they spend eternity carrying water in a sieve or perforated device to fill a caldron that had holes in the bottom. In the classical tradition, they come to represent the futility of a repetitive task that can never be completed.
Julio-Claudian Dynasty
The first Roman imperial dynasty, had five emperors, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero, 27 BC-68 AD.
Golden Fleece,
The fleece of the gold-haired winged ram. Jason and his band of Argonauts must get the fleece in order for Jason to be king.
Nemesis
The goddess of divine retribution and vengeance.
Menelaus
The king of Sparta at the time of the Trojan War, the husband of Helen of Troy
Atlantis
The lost underwater city, mythical even to the greeks, renound for knowledge, Atlantis attacked Athens at one point, submerged into the Atlantic Ocean,
Telemachus;
The loyal son of Odysseus, helped Odysseus reclaim Ithaca, featured in the Odyssey,
alumnus/alumni
The masculine form, means 'former students', alumni is seen as gender neutral, a graduate or former student of a school or university,
Apennines
The mountain range that runs down the spine of Italy
Calliope
The muse of epic poetry. She is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and the mother of Orpheus. She was the lead muse. She is always seen with a writing tablet, and sometimes with a scroll, book, or gold crown. A calliope is also the name of a steam powered musical instrument.!
Deucalion and Pyrrha
The only two survivors of the flood caused by Zeus. The flood of Deucalion was caused by the cannibalism of Lycaon, king of Arcadia. Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha were the only virtuous people, so Prometheus told them to make an ark. This tale closely relates to the Biblical story of Noah.
Socratic wisdom
The philosopher employed a question/answer system to show that no one can be a true expert in a field, in part to show the audacity of those who were haughty, also to prove that knowledge is so wide no one can be in total control of all facts for a discipline. Famously, the philosopher is reported to have said that "he knows that he does not know" in that the more you learn about a subject should bring you to the realization that there is still so much more to learn.
Caduceus
The staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology. The same staff was also borne by heralds in general. It is a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings. The caduceus is often mistakenly used as a symbol of medicine and medical practice, due to historical confusion with the traditional medical symbol, the rod of Asclepius. The Rod of Asclepius has only a single snake and no wings, so is similar in form to the caduceus with its two snakes and often with wings.!
Etymology
The study of the origin of words, the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history, part of linguistics, can compare words using this, word's historic development,
patrician
The term originally referred to a group of ruling class families in ancient Rome.
Atlas,
The titan condemned to have his shoulders keep the heavens arched over the land.
Andromache
The wife of Hector and mother of Astyanax. After the Trojan War, she was made the concubine of Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles.
Gracchi brothers
Tiberius and Gaius were Roman plebeian nobiles who both served as tribunes. They attempted to pass land reform legislation that would redistribute the major patrician landholdings among the plebeians and give free grain to the poor. Generally considered to be among the most significant of the populares, the Gracchi have been considered the founding fathers of both socialism and populism. After achieving some early success, both were assassinated for their efforts.!
Livy
Titus Livius Patavinus, a Roman historian, wrote about the history of Rome and Roman people, he covered a period from before Rome's traditional foundation through the reign of Augustus, familiar with the rulers of Julio-Claudia Dynasty, lived 64/59 BC-12/17 AD,
Syrinx
a nymph, was pursued by Pan, tried to hide from him as water reeds, Pan cut the reeds and created pan pipes, they were called syrinx
Hector,
Trojan, supreme commander of Trojan forces, eldest son of Priam and Hecuba, husband of Andromache, father of Astyanax and killed by Achilles.
Nisus and Euryalus
Trojans who fled from Troy to Italy with Aeneas. Once reaching Italy, Aeneas sought help and left them at the camp, but they left at night. Ultimately, they were seen by Italians because the helmets they took as spoils glinted in the moonlight and gave away their hiding spot. Though one gets away, he comes back to save his friend who couldn't and both are killed. Considered a noble story of friendship and sacrifice.
Toga
a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient Rome; signified Roman citizenship;
Thermae
Usually refers to a large imperial bathing complex, Roman, can be public or private.
messianic eclogue
Vergil's 4th eclogue. It speaks of a young man born who would change the world for the better. Now it is believed to be Marcellus, the nephew of Augustus, but Christians read it as a prophetic poem of the life and influence of Jesus Christ.
psyche
a personification of the soul, which in the form of a beautiful girl was loved by Eros.
Mt. Vesuvius
Volcano erupted in southern Italy, devastating the prosperous Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; 79 AD; crater of the volcanic mountain near Pompeii served as a hiding place for Spartacus;
Golden age
Was from the transformation of the republic into the empire around the time of the birth of Christ, until the end of the 2nd century AD. These roughly 200 years are known as the Pax Romania, or the Roman Peace. Most of Europe was under roman control, and did not experience a single major war. The emperors in these times were wise and prudent. They built innumerable Roman cities throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Roman roads were safe from robbers and brigands - some said a young woman could walk naked from Spain to Greece without being disturbed. Trade reached a historically high level, and there was no other civilization capable of challenging Roman military and economic might.
Helvetia
Was the original ancient name for Switzerland, the tribe that lived there called Helvetii.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Who will watch the watchmen themselves? often attributed to Roman satirist Juvenal or possibly to Plato, it suggests that even those in charge of safeguarding the public good must be watched as well to avoid corruption.
Helen,
Wife of Menelaus, Queen of Sparta. The beauty of her face luanched a thousand ships. Her "abduction" by Paris is said to have started the Trojan War.
Maenad
Wild women worshippers of Dionysus that performed rituals and carried thyrsus.
Martial
a 1st c AD poet and satirist from Rome. wrote the Epigrams which were short witting musings about life, love, and friendship in the city.
marathon,
a 26 mile running event. Named for the city of Marathon in Greece. Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over Persia which happened in that city. Legend has it that he dropped dead upon giving the news. Term for a long exhausting race.
Vulgate
a 4th century Latin translation of the Bible commissioned by St. Jerome.
Parmenides
a 5th century Greek pre-socratic philosopher who influenced Plato. He investigated the idea of how things can change in a seemingly fixed universe. thought all change and motion were illusionary. "Being is, not being is not."
Odyssey
a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) describing the journey of Odysseus after the fall of Troy; Athena served as the hero's guide and protector;
Iliad,
a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) describing the siege of Troy. Begins with the song "Sing, O goddess, of the wrath of Achilles."; ends with the funeral of the Trojan hero, Hector;
Achilles
a Greek hero, participated in the Trojan War, central character of the Illiad, was immortal except for his one weakness, his heal was his one weakness, died from an arrow in his heal,
Plutarch
a Greek historian, biographer and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist.
labyrinth,
a complicated network of winding passages; a maze
Eureka
a cry of joy, an exclamatory phrase, said when someone finds or discovers something, created by Archimedes,
Maecenas
a cultural minister for Augustus. He was a friend of many artists and poets, and commissioned the writing of the Aeneid for Augustus.
philippic
a fierce tirade against someone, usually a politician. The term was coined after Demosthenes's denouncement of King Philip of Macedon, and later used by Cicero in his condemnation of Marc Antony.
litotes
a figure of speech where either double negatives, or the expression of an opposite suggests special emphasis. Example: not ugly-pretty. not not leaving-is leaving.
Parthenon
a former temple, on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the peak of its power.
lacuna
a gap or missing portion of a written text
apple of discord,
a golden apple inscribed "For the fairest," thrown by Eris, goddess of discord, among the gods. Its award by Paris to Aphrodite caused events that led to the Trojan War
mirabile dictu
a grammatical supine meaning "amazing to say"
Aesop
a greek fabulist and storyteller, came up with stories to do with humans with animal characteristics, his stories often featured talking animals, wrote Aesop's Fables, existence is unclear and no original writings of his exist, lived approximately 620-564 BC
Orion
a handsome giant gifted with the ability to walk on water by his father Poseidon. He served King Oinopion of Khios (Chios) as huntsman for a time, but was blinded and exiled from the island after raping the king's daughter Merope. --- then travelled across the sea to Lemnos and petitioned the god Hephaistos for help in recovering his sight. Lending him his assistant Kedalion, the god directed the giant travel to the rising place of the sun, where the sun-god would restore his vision; then he befriends Artemis, they go hunting a lot, he angers Gaea, Gaea sends a scorpion that kills him, Artemis makes him a constellation to honor him;
Animus sanus in corpore sano
a healthy mind in a healthy body
Sallust
a historian of the late Republic and politician. wrote histories of the Roman wars with Jugurtha and the conspiracy of Catiline. notable that he sought to explains reasons and connections for events rather than merely recounting them.
lapsus memoriae
a lapse of memory
Trojan Horse
a large hollow wooden figure of a horse (filled with Greek soldiers) left by the Greeks outside Troy during the Trojan War
atrium,
a large open air or skylight covered space surrounded by a building/reception room in a Roman house
ipso facto
a latin phrase, translates to 'By the fact itself', means by the nature of the deed, refers to a specific event that is a direct consequence, compared to the phrase 'in and of itself',
Tetrarchy
a leadership of 4 people, in Roman Imperial it was 2 co-emperors and 2 junior co-emperors, each one rule a quarter of the empire,
Edict of Milan
a letter signed by Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius that proclaimed religious tolerance, issue in 313 AD
Daphne
a minor figure in Greek mythology known as a naiad—a type of female nymph associated with fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks and other bodies of freshwater. There are several versions of the myth, but the general narrative is that because of her beauty, --- attracted the attention and ardor of the god Apollo (Phoebus). Apollo pursued her and just before being overtaken, --- pleaded to her father, the rivergod Ladon for help. So he then transformed Daphne into a laurel tree.
stoicism
a philosophy started in Greece by Zeno in the 200s BC that stated that emotions and by consequence physical excess led men away from true understanding into a world clouded by emotional and physical concerns. This philosophical movement was popular during the Roman Republic for its detached pragmatism and adherence to personal responsibility for one's circumstances.
Medea (play)
a play by Euripides, a tragedy, based on the myth of Jason and Medea, centers on Medea, produced in 431 BC,
Laocoon
a priest of Neptune in Troy who warned the Trojans not to accept the Trojan horse into the city. He said "dont' trust the horse, I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts."
ovation
a processional entrance into Rome by a victorious commander, lesser of an honor than a triumph.
Harpy
a rapacious monster described as having a woman's head and body and a bird's wings and claws or depicted as a bird of prey with a woman's face, in modern language is used to describe a women who is grasping or unpleasant
Gallia
a region of Western Europe encompassing present day France, Luxembourg, Belgium, most of Switzerland, parts of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine. According to the testimony of Julius Caesar, --- was divided into three parts: --- Celtica, Belgica and Aquitania. In modern day it is referred to as Gaul
reductio ad absurdum
a rhetorical technique meaning "reduction to absurdity" in which the refusal to believe a statement would lead to the necessary upholding of a ridiculous thought, thereby proving the validity of the original statement.
Tiber
a river west of Rome
The Academy
a school founded in Athens by Plato in the late 400s BC to teach philosophy
Platonic ideas
a sense that there is for each object an "ideal" form and that examples that exist are each imitations, sometimes flawed, of that ideal.
Wars with Parthia
a series of conflicts between the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire, and the Parthian Empire; first conflict that led to the Roman-Persian Wars; lasted 66 BC-217 AD;the conflict began in the Republic and continued into the Empire; this war resulted in a stalemate
lapsus calami
a slip of the pen; an error made in writing; a calamus was a reed used in a pen
palladium
a statute of Pallas Athena found in her temple.
Placebo
a treatment with no physical effects, the treatment has psychological effects, Medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition, intended to deceive the recipient, Latin for "I shall please",
Laocoon
a trojan priest that tried to expose the ruse of the Trojan horse, coined the phrase "Beware Greeks bearing gifts"
Platonic love
a type of non-sexual affection in which an association with someone brings about feelings of divine understanding and happiness not just sexual gratification. It comes to mean a relationship, often between a man and woman, that is friendship only and not one of sexual attraction, even if unfulfilled.
Stoicism
a type of philosophy, philosophy of personal ethics informed by a system of logic.
libation
a type of sacrifice where a liquid (wine, blood, etc) is poured on the ground as an offering.
Ajax
a very adept Greek warrior from the Iliad. Fought Hector to a stalemate while Achilles was boycotting the fight. One of the few characters not to receive divine intervention. is often called the Greater or ___ of Telemon so as not to confuse him with a character by the same name called the Lesser or son of Oileus.
The Trojan War
a war waged against the city of Troy by Sparta, narrated in the Iliad, the war began when Paris took Helen of Sparta, the Greeks overtake Troy sack it, the Trojan horse is the key play that the Greeks used to win the war,
Achilles' heel
a weakness or vulnerable point which can lead to downfall, originated from the story of Achillles
halcyon
an idea of an idyllic or peaceful time. Originates from the story of Ceyx and Alcyone who referred to each other as Zeus and Hera. As a punishment Ceyx was killed in at sea and Alcyone threw herself into the sea to drown, but the gods took mercy on them and changed them into Halcyone birds. The idea is that the Halcyon days of winter are the few days when it never storms and that is the time that this bird lays its eggs on the shore.
amphitheater
an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from the ancient Greek amphitheatron, meaning "on both sides" or "around"and théātron, meaning "place for viewing". Ancient Greek theatres were built in a semicircle, with tiered seating above a performance area. Ancient Roman amphitheaters were oval or circular in plan, with seating tiers that surrounded the central performance area.
Doric
an order of architecture feature un-ornamented capitals and large blockish columns without fluting. a very simple but massive order.
Corinthian
an order of columns in which it is very elaborated decorated with fluted columns and capitals set with acanthus leaves and scrolls
Thebes
ancient Greek city state in central Greece. founded by the legendary King Cadmus, it was the site of the story of Oedipus and his offspring.
Pythagoras
ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician from the 500s BC. known for the theorem of right triangles that bears his name, he was a great influence to many mathematical and philosophical thinkers.
A.D.
anno domini, translates to "in the year of our lord", refers to the years after the birth of Jesus Christ, devised by Dionysius Exiguus, was devised in 525 AD,
column
architectural pillars used to distribute compression
ultima thule
areas on maps that represent the farthest reach of knowledge. (often depicted on the northern end of maps near what is modern Scandinavia)
Lucretius
author of De Rerum Natura. poet and Epicurean philosopher.
Stentorian
greek origins, means extremely loud and powerful (esp. of a voice), based on Stentor the herald from the Iliad with a loud voice, can also mean stern and authoritarian,
Jove/jovial,
happy name that came from Jupiter (married, cheery). Referes to someone with a happy disposition.
omniscient
has Latin origins, base from word "omnis", means having total knowledge, knowing everything, all knowing, can be used to describe a form of narration,
fl. / floruit
he flourished: it is a term used to describe someone's active period as opposed to their entire life span.
ipse dixit
he himself said (it); a statement that is taken as fact not because of its merit but because of the reputation or status of the speaker.
Perseus and Medusa
he legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty of Danaans, was, alongside Cadmus and Bellerophon, the greatest Greek hero and slayer of monsters before the days of Heracles. He beheaded the Gorgon "_____" for Polydectes and saved Andromeda
cornucopia,
horn of plenty was a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers or nuts.
bellicose
demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight warlike
penultimate
derivative meaning "next to last"
Suetonius
historian of the 1st/2nd century AD. Wrote the lives of the Caesars which stand as biographies of the emperors from Caesar to Domitian. He also wrote biographies of many other famous Romans such as Vergil, rhetoricians, and some of his contemporary Romans.
Hades/Pluto,
god of the Underworld/Tartarus, brother of Zeus and Poseidon, husband of Persephone, was forced to rule over the underworld, dissatisfied with his realm of ruling,
Poseidon/Neptune
god of the sea; favors seafaring peoples; helped build the walls of Troy; associated with horses, volcanoes, earthquakes; husband of Amphitrite and the father of Triton;
Dionysus/Bacchus,
god of wine, vegetation, pleasure, festivity, madness and wild frenzy. Rescued Ariadne who had been abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos; represented by a thyrsus and the grapes from which wine was made; maenads were the enthusiastic women who were his followers;
Hestia/Vesta,
goddess of the hearth. Vesta (only) the small round temple in the forum that housed the sacred fire of the city was dedicated to her; considered guardian of the Roman people
antebellum
before the war
infra dignitatem
below one's dignity.
pro tempore
best translates to "for the time being" in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person who acts as a locum tenens (placeholder) in the absence of a superior, such as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate, who acts in place of the President of the Senate, the Vice President of the United States.
Capitoline Hill
between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. It was the citadel (equivalent of the ancient Greek acropolis) of the earliest Romans. Where the most important hills were built. Modern society considered the center of religion, reference to washington. Was the hill on which the temple of Jupiter stood.
Tiresias
blind prophet of mythology. famously changed by Hera into a woman for years, he was changed back and but subsequently blinded by her. He lived for numerous life spans and was an advisor to Cadmus of Thebes and he revealed Oedipus's role in the death of his father Laius. Upon his death from an arrow of Apollo, he becomes a source of information for Odysseus in Hades.
Tantalus
chef of the gods. Tricked them into eating human flesh by killing and cooking his son Pelops. Only demeter ate it, distracted by her grief over Persephone. Was punished with eternal hunger and thirst in Hades.
puerile
childishly silly and immature. derives from the latin word for "boy" and means childish
cohort
comes from latin word 'Cohors'; a standard unit of the Roman army; composed of 360-800 soldiers; considered the modern battalion; replaced the Maniple
Maniple
comes from latin word 'Manipulus' meaning a handful; a tactical unit of the Roman army; name was adapted during the Samnite Wars; members of a Maniple were called commanipulares; also the name of the military insignia carried by the unit
Mercurial
comes from latin word 'mercurialis', characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood, volatile and lively in character, attributed to the god Mercury,
Corrigenda
comes from the Latin phrase "errata corrige", a list of printing errors in a book along with their corrections, things to be corrected, a mistake, similar to errata,
super ego
critical and moralizing, part of Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche
Ariadne,
daughter of King Minos of Krete (Crete), assisted Theseus in his quest to slay the Minotauros (Minotaur)
Antigone
daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. After the exile of Oedipus, she watches her brothers fight over who would rule Thebes and both are killed. Although Eteocles was allowed to be buried in the city, Polynices was not and she refused to have his body left to rot without a burial. She buried him alone, but the plot was found by Creon the new leader and he sentenced her to prison where she killed herself. Creon's son, her lover, also killed himself upon learning of her death.
Leto
daughter of titans, mother of Apollo and Artemis
dies irae
day of wrath: the day of Judgment in Christian belief.
Vespasian (. . . Flavius Caesar Vespasianus)
emperor A.D. 69-79 after civil war ending Julio-Claudian dynasty (after Nero's death); first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty, renown for military success, his own natural son Titus was his successor, lived 9-79 AD
Hadrian
emperor in Rome from 117 to 138 AD. a Hellenophile, he not only rebuilt parts of Athens but favored Greek architectural and cultural ideas in Rome. Rebuilt the Pantheon with a dome, invaded Britain and north Europe, was considered a very capable and efficient emperor though was dogged by stories of his "Greek decadence" by his detractors.
elegiac
expressing sorrow or lamentation
citius, altius, fortius
faster, higher, stronger--motto of the Olympics
Icarus and Daedalus,
father and son held prisoner, icarus is son of Daedalus; escaped using feathered wings built by Daedalus; icarus doesn't listen; and dies flying to close to the sun
Anchises
father of Aeneas, one of Venus' many lovers.
primus inter pares
first among equals. The idea that despite being equal there is someone who stands out as being a leader or exceptional in some way. Often used to refer to the Roman emperors.
Code of Justinian
first codified book of laws and jurisprudence from the ancient world (530s AD)
gregarious
fond of the company of others; sociable. living in flocks or herds. Latin translation: belonging to a flock
the golden mean
for Aristotle is the center (goal) that one should try to maintain between 2 extremes
per capita
for each person; in relation to people taken individually. used to mean an average person.
Romulus and Remus
founders of rome;753 BC
polemic
from the Greek word that means "hostile" it is a type of fiery debate in which one stance is contentiously upheld in order to show the false nature of the opposing stance.
fasces
from the Latin word fascis, meaning "bundle", is a bound bundle of wooden rods, sometimes including an axe with its blade emerging. The fasces had its origin in the Etruscan civilization, and was passed on to ancient Rome, where it symbolized a magistrate's power and jurisdiction. Symbol of power, official symbol of power in rome
a priori
from the earlier. a term used to describe philosophical arguments or knowledge about something and which doesn't require experience. like saying dogs are mammals.
a.u.c ab urbe condita
from the founding of the city
a posteriori
from the latter. a term used to describe philosophical arguments or knowledge for which experience is necessary. Some dogs won't howl.
ex cathedra
from the throne: in particular an edict set from the Pope's throne. It suggests papal infallibility as his words are inspired from God.
Pan
god of all things wild, gives up the word panic, as when you saw him you got so frightened. he was a good person. did not reside on Mt. Olympus, instead rommed wild. had the legs and horns of a goat
ostracism
in Athenian democracy, a punishment where a person is exiled from the city for 10 years often to defuse major conflicts such as a civil war or mutiny.
Elysian Fields/Elysium,
in Greek mythology, originally the paradise to which heroes on whom the gods conferred immortality were sent. In Virgil's Aeneid it was referred to as Hades.
flagrante delicto
in the blazing crime; it is the Latin equivalent of saying that someone was caught "red-handed"
Arch of Titus
is a 1st-century A.D. honorific arch, located on the Via Sacra, Rome, just to the south-east of the Roman Forum. It was constructed in c. A.D. 82 by the Emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his older brother, who gives it its name, to commemorate his victories. Including the Siege of Jerusalem (70 AD).
Hecate
is a goddess in Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding two torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She was variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, dogs, light, the moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, necromancy, and sorcery.
Mt. Parnassus
is a mountain of lcentral Greece that towers above Delphi. Was sacred to the Dorians, Apollo, and the Corycian nymphs. location of the Delphic Oracle
Sphinx
is a mythical creature with, as a minimum, the body of a lion and a human head. In Greek tradition, it has the haunches of a lion, sometimes with the wings of a great bird, and the face of a human.
centaur
is a mythological creature. Its head, arms, and chest are those of a human and the rest of its body, including four legs, hindquarters, and a tail is like that of a horse. In classical mythology - wild violent, some centaur considered wise and good at fighting.
Rubicon
is a shallow river in northeastern Italy just south of Ravenna, about 80 kilometres long, running from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea through the southern Emilia-Romagna region, between the towns of Rimini and Cesena. The Latin word rubico comes from the adjective rubeus, meaning "red". The river was so named because its waters are colored red by mud deposits.
stilus
is a writing utensil, or a small tool for some other form of marking or shaping, for example writting on a tablet.
SPQR
is an acronym from a Latin phrase, Senātus Populusque Rōmānus ("The Senate and People of Rome"), referring to the government of the ancient Roman Republic, and used as an official emblem of the modern-day comune (municipality) of Rome. It appears on coins, at the end of documents made public by inscription in stone or metal, in dedications of monuments and public works, and was emblazoned on the standards of the Roman legions.
Circus Maximus,
is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment venue located in Rome, Italy
Pegasus
is one of the best known creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion usually depicted as pure white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa; used by Perseus;
Euclid
philosopher/mathematician from Alexandria (around 300 BC) considered the inventor of geometry.
Errata
plural of 'erratum', a correction of published text, or a list of printing errors in a book along with their corrections, translates to "mistakes",
The Metamorphoses
poem by Ovid, Ovid's magnum opus, hard to place it in a genre, related to an epic type,
Midas
popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched with his hand into gold. This came to be called the Golden touch, or the --- touch. Was bestowed upon him by Bacchus/Dionysus
P.M./post meridiem
post Meriden, after noon, appears on a 12 hour clock,
Edict of Milan
proclamation by Constantine provided for religious toleration throughout the empire
Dido
queen of Carthage with whom Aeneas stayed on his travels to Italy. Her love, his rejection, and her ultimate suicide feature prominently in book 4 of the Aeneid.
Queen Boudicca
queen of the British Celtic Tribe Iceni, led uprisings against the Romans, she went against the will of her dead husband because of injustice against her, considered a British folk hero, died in 60/61 AD from suicide or illness
sine qua non
refers to an indispensable, necessary, and essential action, condition, or ingredient. It was originally a Latin legal term for a condition without which it could not be", or "but for..." or "without which [there is] nothing".
polytheism
refers to the worship of or belief in multiple deities usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own religions and rituals
Thales
regarded as the first Greek philosopher, he developed the first cosmogonical ideals not relating to a purely mythological base. born in Miletus lived late 7th early 6th century BC
Indo-European
relating to the family of languages spoken over the greater part of Europe and Asia as far as northern India.
memento mori
remember to die; during triumphs or other grand spectactles, victorious generals and emperors had a person who whispered this phrase in their ears to try to preserver their humility
mimesis
repetition and mimicking, a philosophical idea of art modeled after beauty, truth, and other ultimate forms of "the good"
Phaethon
son of Helios who was killed when he attempted to drive his father's chariot too close to earth; endangered earth of burning up; was struck down by Zeus to protect Earth; lover/ friend of king Cycnus
Prometheus
steals fire from the Gods to give to humans. Zeus becomes angry and has him chained to a rock, where an eagle ate his liver during the day, and the liver was regenerated during the night due to Prometheus' immortality. He was later saved by the demigod Hercules.
sophist/sophistry
teachers who claimed that they could, for a fee, teach young men what was true excellence and understanding of philosophical thought. Esp. during Socrates' time this was considered a type of corruption of the youth, for money, and he was charged with practicing this art. Nevertheless, it did become popular and many men led successful schools of this discipline in Greece and Rome.
vs./versus
term and abbreviation modernly used, comes from the Latin word 'versus', means against, used to link to opposing parties,
four elements
the 4 constitutional elements that make up all objects. It is the majority of the balance resulting that gives each item its particular qualities as the ancients believed: air, fire, earth, water.
Julian-Claudian dynasty
the first familial dynasty of Roman emperors. In order, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero. From 27 BC to 69 AD.
Titans
the first gods; children of Gaea (12 of them)
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.
the first line said in a speech by Mark Anthony in a Shakespearean Play
arete
the Greek word for excellence or virtue in any area of life or craft
Veritas
the Roman goddess of truth, means "Truth", the motto of many schools, a Roman virtue, goddess shown as a young virgin dressed in white,
Oceanus
the Titan god or Protogenos (primeval deity) of the great earth-encircling river ---, the font of all the earth's fresh-water: including rivers, wells, springs and rain-clouds.
Tartarus
the Underworld; in early mythology, everyone went to Tartarus after they died; in later mythology, only bad people went to Tartarus after they died
Laws of the 12 Tables
the ancient legislation that stood at the foundation of Roman law. The Tables consolidated earlier traditions into an enduring set of laws.
augury
the ancient practice of interpreting omens from the observed flight of birds, an augur is someone who practices augury, by observing the birds flight patterns you can see if the gods are or aren't in your favor, sometimes augurs were bribed to fabricate omens to delay certain events, took place in the 14th century BC and onwards
horticulture
the art or practice of garden cultivation and management, the science of growing plants, includes plant conservation and land restoration, does not include large scale crop production, derives from Latin words 'hortus' and 'cultra',
Delian League
the association of Greek City-states led by Athens to repel the Persian invasion. Eventually it disintegrated when the league perceived Athens had too much power and influence after the Persian threat was nullified.
monotheism
the belief in the existence of only one god, Christianity is an example of that,
Niobe
the daughter of Tantalus (king of Sipylus in Lydia) and wife of King Amphion of Thebes. She was the prototype of the bereaved mother, weeping for the loss of her children. According to Homer's Iliad, she had six sons and six daughters and boasted of her progenitive superiority to the Titan Leto, who had only two children, the twin deities Apollo and Artemis. As punishment for her pride, Apollo killed all ---'s sons, and Artemis killed all her daughters.
Mt. Olympus
the dwelling of the Olympian Gods and it was created after the Titanomachy, the battle during which the Olympians defeated their predecessors, the Titans. The peak Mytikas was then called Pantheon and was the venue where all the fiery discussions among the deities took place.
ichor
the ethereal golden fluid that is the blood of the gods and/or immortals; holds the qualities of ambrosia and nectar; watery discharge, comes from a wound or ulcer, unpleasant smell, blood tinged discharge, typically worse than blood,
gates of horn and ivory
the exit of the underworld from which visions exit. Horn is the exit of true visions, and ivory is of false visions. A source of great discussion has been the fact that Aeneas left Hades through the ivory gate at the end of book VI of the Aeneid.
preterition
the figure of speech in which a speaker says that he won't bring up a topic, but by making that statement, he does bring the topic to the mind of the audience.
peroration
the finale of a speech; served to summarize the speech and to direct the audience to think or act in some way
Pandora
was the first human woman created by the gods, specifically by Hephaestus and Athena on the instructions of Zeus. As Hesiod related it, each god helped create her by giving her unique gifts. She opened a box with all the evll in the world but quickly closed it; whose name means "all gifts,"; the wife of Epimetheus; Prometheus refused her as a wife because he could foresee the trouble she would bring;
Tarquinius Superbus
was the legendary seventh and final king of Rome, reigning from 535 BC until the popular uprising in 509 that led to the establishment of the Roman Republic. He is commonly known as Tarquin the Proud, from his cognomen Superbus, a Latin word meaning "proud, arrogant, lofty".
Via sacra
was the main street of ancient Rome, leading from the top of the Capitoline Hill, led through some of the most important religious sites of the Forum, led to the Colosseum, part of Rome's route of Triumph
tribune
was the title of various elected officials in Ancient Rome. The two most important were the tribunes of the plebs and the military tribunes.
bacchanalia
were Roman festivals of Bacchus, based on various ecstatic elements of the Greek Dionysia. They seem to have been popular, and well-organised, throughout the central and southern Italian peninsula. Wild festivals, sacrifices. Modern wild drunk party
Eleusinian mysteries
were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at Eleusis in ancient Greece. They are the "most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece".
Vestal virgins
were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The College of the Vestals and its well-being was regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome. They cultivated the sacred fire that was not allowed to go out. The Vestals were freed of the usual social obligations to marry and bear children, and took a vow of chastity in order to devote themselves to the study and correct observance of state rituals that were off-limits to the male colleges of priests.
muses
were the Greek goddesses (9) of inspiration in literature, science and the arts. They were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (the personification of memory), and they were also considered water nymphs. Some scholars believed that the Muses were primordial goddesses, daughters of the Titans Uranus and Gaea.
fates,
were the three sisters (goddesses) that controlled the destinies of all mortal mankind from birth to death. Their father was the dark element of Tartarus, named Erebus; their mother was Night. Each of the three sisters was given a task that represented the lives of men and women, spinning a thread of gold, silver, or wool; now tightening, now slacking and at last cutting it off. One sister, named Clotho, the youngest, put the wool around the spindle and spun the thread of life. This determined a person's life. The second sister, named Lachesis, measured the thread once it was spun. She determined how long a person should live. The third sister, Atropos, cut the thread. Once she cut the thread, the person was dead.
Cleobis and Biton
when these brothers were traveling with their mother to a festival for Hera, the oxen couldn't pull their cart, so the boys did. The mother asked that the goddess give them the best gift possible, and Hera did: to die peacefully in their sleep together. They died and the people dedicated statues in their honor.
April 21, 753 BC
when was rome founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus descended from the Trojan prince Aeneas.
Clytemnestra
wife of Agamemnon, Queen of Mycenae, murdered her husband after he returned from the Trojan War, she is unfaithful, murdered her husband to marry another man,
ceteris paribus
with all things (being) equal: a philosophical or scientific idea that suggests one can find a relationship between factors by changing one variable and leaving the rest unchanged.
summa cum laude
with highest praise, used as honorifics, sometimes used to describe GPA
vae victis!
woe to the conquered! Comes from the story of Gallic Brennus who besieged Rome in 390 BC. Rome offered to ransom their remaining land on the Capitoline Hill for a large sum of money, but complained when they realized Brennus was using rigged scales. He said this phrases allegedly but it has come to mean that those having been beaten have little say in their outcomes. He threw his sword on the scale only making even greater Rome's ransom.
Sarcophagus
word originated from Greek word 'sarkophagos', a stone coffin, is usually bearing sculpture or inscriptions, often intended to be above ground,
