CLT
Festina lente
"Make haste slowly" or "more haste, less speed" -classical adage and oxymoron -quickest way to accomplish something is to proceed deliberately and with care and caution -adopted as a motto by Augustus and Titus as well as the Medicis -means to carry things through in a thorough manner
pater noster
"Our Father" - best renown prayer in Christianity
casus belli
"a case of war" -means an act or event that provokes or used to justify war
Mens sana in corpore sano
"a healthy mind in a healthy body" -widely used in sporting and educational contexts to express the theory that physical exercise is important to a mental well being
ca./circa
"approximately" in several European languages including English -from Latin meaning "around" or "about" -widely used in historical writing when the dates of events are not accurately known
ipso facto
"by that very fact" or "by the fact itself" -specific phenomenon is a direct effect of the action in question -used when the very fact that something exists or occurs means that something else is true - often used in legal documents but also in writing and science
P.O./per os
"by way of the opening"/"through the mouth" -used in medicine to describe a treatment that must be taken orally
in situ
"in its original place" - in archaeology used to describe an artifact that has not been moved from its original place
in memoriam
"in memory (of)" - used on gravestones, in obituaries
In absentia
"in the absence" - literal translation -trial in absentia is a criminal proceeding in a court of law in which the person who is subject to it is not physically present at those proceedings -when he/she walks out of trial after it has begun -refers to award, declared death, election, trial, excommunication, graduation
in media res.
"in the middle of things" -describes a narrative that begins in the middle of a story instead of at the beginning (usually at some crucial point in the action)
ibidem (ibid.)
"in the same place" -provides endnote or footnote citation or reference for a source that was cited in the preceding endnote or footnote
Mercurial
"lively, volatile, given to quick changes of mood" -refers to unpredictability of Roman messenger god Mercury -describes someone whose mood is changeable/unpredictability -derived from Latin "Mercuralis" -"relating to god Mercury"
Modus operandi
"mode of operating" -someone's habits of wroking, in context of a business or criminal investigation -used in criminal profiling - addressing methods employed by criminals
ne plus ultra
"not further beyond" the highest, ultimate point of achievement which can be reached
Harpy
"snatcher" - ugly, winged bird woman who would swoop down to snatch food from banquet table (stole food from Phineas so he would not be able to eat) -jason and the argonauts managed to drive them away during their quest -carried evildoers to be punished by the Erinyes
cum grano salis
"take something with a grain of salt" -approach things with common sense and some skepticism
Habeas corpus
"that you have the body" -writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought to a judge -writ-court order to a person or agency holding someone in custody to deliver the imprisoned individual to the court issuing the order and to show a valid reason for that person's detention -protection against illegal imprisonment/ unlawful detention
Alter ego
"the other I" --> secondary or alternate personality -second self -personal close friend -professional trusted aid who knows exactly what the boss wants done
Agenda
"things to be done" -temporarily organized plan -list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting -plural of Latin "agendum" -plan or list to be acted upon
Sic semper tyrranis
"thus always to tyrants" - said by Marcus Brutus during Julius Caesar's assassination - Virginia's state motto - epithet/rally and cry against abuse of power
Ad nauseam
"to the point of disgust" -referring to something that has been done or repeated so often that it has become annoying or tiresome -argument made repeatedly until no one cares to discuss it anymore -informal fallacy -prep + acc. sg (f)
sub rosa
"under the rose" -denotes secrecy or confidentiality
Trojan War
(Greek mythology) a great war fought between Mycenae Greece and Troy after Paris abducted Helen - during Bronze Age - inspired Virgil, Homer
Polis
- "Greek city" - a body of citizens - in ancient Greece it was used to describe city states - later changed to signify "state"
e.g.
- "for the sake of an example" - exempli gratia - used to introduce few examples, not a list - typically set off from the rest of a sentence - barely read as a full Latin phrase
Excelsior!
- "higher!" - state motto for New York - used to name hotels, newspapers, etc. to indicate superior quality
Mea Culpa
- "through my fault" - acknowledgment of having done wrong - prayer of confession of sinners - recited in Catholic Mass - said 3x with beating of the breast
Id
- 1st of the three parts of the psychic apparatus set of uncoordinated instinctual trends - represents desires -part of the mind where inane, instinctive impulses and primarily processes are manifested -one of the three basic elements of human personality -demands for immediate satisfaction for primitive needs
Ego
- 2nd of the three parts of the psychic apparatus organized realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and superego -person's sense of self-esteem -part of the psyche that experiences outside world and reacts to it -latin for "I" -organized conscious mediator between person and reality
Actaeon
- Artemis's hunting companion - saw Artemis naked while bathing and tried to rape her - turned into a stag and hunted down by his own dogs - trained by Chiron - symbolizes human sacrifice to please gods and goddesses
Ge/Gaea
- Greek for Mother Earth - governed the universe before the titans - gave birth to the giants, titans, oceanus, and the whole world - chief antagonist of heavenly gods - born at dawn of creation
Archimedes
- Greek mathematician, engineer, inventor - exclaimed "Eureka!" when he made an important discovery about water displacement - best representative of the Hellenistic Era - used several battle machines (death ray and claw) to defend Syracuse from siege - discovered surface + volume of a sphere
Plutarch
- Greek philosopher/author, biographer/essayist who influenced the evolution of the essay, the biography and historical writing in Europe - wrote the Parallel Lives - recounts noble deeds and Greek/Roman soldiers, orders, etc. - wrote Moralia / Ethica - 60 essays on ethical, religious, political topics
Agora
- Greek public open space that is used for assemblies and markets - "gathering place", "assembly" - center of athletic, artistic, spiritual, political life of the city - chief marketplace of Athens
Pythia
- High Priestess of Apollo's temple at Delphi (oracle of Delphi) -channeled prophecies from Apollo himself - highly respected - held court at Pytho, the sanctuary of the Delphinians - dedicated to Apollo -moral character -had to relinquish all familial duties to fill her role in the temple
Medea
- King Aeetes's (of Colchis) daughter who killed her own sons and fled to Athens in a chariot drawn by dragons - helped Jason find and win the Golden Fleece - wife of Jason - helped him have protection against fire-breathing oxen and take dragon teeth -of divine descent + had gift of prophecy
Homo sapiens
- Latin name for the human species -"wise man" - one of several species grouped into the genus Homo - applied by Carolus Linnaeus
Ecce homo!
- Latin translation: "Behold the man" - Pontius Pilate words when he presents Jesus Christ while being bound and wearing crown of thorns in John 19:5 - scene that is a component of cycles illustrating Passion and Life of Christ in art
Ides of March
- March 15, 44 BC - date of Julius Caesars's assassination at meeting of the senate -Roman deadline for settling debts
Forum
- Roman marketplace/public square - gathering place of great social significance - served as a model of new construction
Pompeii & Herculaneum
- The two ancient Roman towns destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius - located in southwestern Italy -buried under 4-6 meters of volcano + pumice - wooden + other organic-based objects in Herculaneum were preserved
Magnanimous
- comes from Latin for "great-souled" - describes someone who is very generous or forgiving - magnus + animus - opposite of petty - nobility of feeling and generosity of mind
Cassandra
- concubine of Agamemnon - daughter of King Priam and Hecuba who was cursed to speak true prophecies no one would believe --> predicted the fall of Troy and predicted that Agamemnon would be killed --> soul was sent to Elysian Fields - Apollo gave her power of prophecy in effort to seduce her - snakes lick or spur in her ears so she could hear the future - a figure of epic tradition and tragedy
April 21, 753 BCE
- date of the founding of Rome - Rome founded by Romulus and Remus - exact date set by Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro in 1st century BC
Iphigenia
- daughter of Agamemnon who had to be sacrificed in order for Artemis (her father had killed a sacred deer) to allow his ships to sail to Troy -ended up surviving and brought to the city of Tauris where she became a priestess to Artemis
Daphne
- daughter of Peneus who was turned into a laurel tree to escape the advances of Apollo by Gaea (naiad) - then laurels became the symbol for Apollo - nymph who attracted Apollo - asked her father for help and was turned into a laurel tree
Diana/Artemis
- daughter of Zeus and Leto - twin sister of Apollo who was protective of her maidenhood - rejected marriage and love - Hellenistic goddess of hunt, childbirth, virginity
Fortuitous
- derived from Latin for "chance" - means lucky - random occurrence, but no downfall - has favorable result
Jovial
- describes someone who is always merry and joyful - refers to Roman god Jupiter - from Latin jovialis - characterized by a hearty, joyous humor or spirit of a good relationship
Labyrinth
- elaborate structure designed by Daedalus for King Minos -function was to hold the Minotaur -the Minotaur was trapped in complex maze in the labyrinth
Toga
- garment that established Roman citizenship - first developed by the Etruscans - favoured dress of Romulus - national costume - semi-circular cloth draped over shoulders
Orion
- giant huntsman who fell in love with Artemis - Artemis' hunting companion and only person who had won her heart --> shot accidentally by Artemis during archery contest - Zeus put him in the sky as a constellation that Scipio seems to be chasing
Hephaestus/Vulcan
- god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges, and art of sculpture - made the weapons of Olympus - acted as blacksmith for gods - married to Aphrodite - taunted by the gods for being ugly - chained his mother Hera to her throne and would only release her after he was allowed to marry Aphrodite
Apollo
- god of music, prophecy, healing, and sun - symbol: laurels --> had a twin named Artemis - often playing a golden lyre - prophetic deity associated with the Delphic Oracle in Mount Parnassus - sought Daphne to be his wife - slayed Python the dragon who protected navel of the earth - beardless, athletic, youthful appearance - patron of Delphi
Cupid/Eros
- god of sexual attraction - son of Aphrodite - winged love god - fell in love with Psyche (mortal), whose beauty Aphrodite was jealous of - blindfolded male with bow and arrow to make people fall in love with the first person they see
Poseidon/Neptune
- god of the sea - caused earthquakes with the trident he held - brother of Zeus + Hades - held control of earthquakes and horses
Zeus/Jupiter/Jove
- god of the sky/ruler of Olympian gods - overthrew Cronus (Titan father) - associated w/ planet Jupiter - carefree god who would always laugh - fair, just, merciful, prudent - had LOTS of wives and love affairs
Mars/Ares
- god of war and second only to Jupiter in the Roman Pantheon - represents violent and physical untamed aspect of war - symbol: spear/helmet , bird: vulture - inspiration for martial ("pertaining to war") and the month of March - long love affair with Aphrodite, which lasted throughout her marriage with Hephaestus and beyond
Aphrodite/Venus
- goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation - identified with planet Venus - cheated on Hephaestus (mainly with Ares) - made magic girdle to help her Olympians fall in love with mortals
Athena/Minerva
- goddess of wisdom, war and arts - born from Zeus's head - fierce and brave in battle but only took part in wars and defended the state from enemies - voice of reason - olive tree/owl - Zeus' favorite
Daedalus
- great inventor/craftsman/artist who created the Labyrinth - father to Icarus - was imprisoned in Cretian tower to keep labyrinth a secret - makes wings from bird feathers and escapes which melted and dissolved - son Icarus falls into the sea and drowns because he flies too close to the son
Argonauts
- heroes who accompanied Jason in his quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece - set sail for Colchis - went on the ship "Argo" - ordered to death by Aeetes, saved by Medea
rostra
- large platform in Rome where speakers delivered speeches - derives name from six rams captured during victory at Antium - stood during Republican and Imperial periods - magistrates, politicians, advocates, and other orators stood on this highly elevated spot - speaker's platform in the forum of the Romans
Jason
- leader of the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece - son of the king Aeson (king of Iolcus) - siblings were all killed by his half-uncle (Pelias) but he survived - "man of one sandal" - had to bring back the Golden Fleece to dethrone Pelias - obtained Golden Fleece with Medea's help - had ship named Argo
corrigenda
- list of errors in a book along with corrections - from corrigere, "to correct" - subtracts from the book - discovered after printing
Arma togae cedant
- literal translation: let arms yield to the toga "let military power be subject to civil authority" - Cicero's De Officiis Book I - Wyoming's state motto
Pegasus
- magical horse-like creature who sprang from Medusa when she was beheaded - attempted to fly to heaven, but Zeus disgracefully threw it down - became thunderbolt-bearer of Zeus
Arachne
- maiden who was turned into a spider after she boasted of beating Athena in a weaving contest - Athena was jealous of her skill - condemned to weave for eternity - explains why spiders constantly spin their webs to live in + trap prey
Mellifluous
- means "flowing like honey" from mel - honey and fluere- to flow - can refer to an odor or writing that is sweet or pleasing - sound that is pleasing to hear - can also apply to flavor
Gregarious
- means "sociable" - from Latin noun "grex, greg" meaning a flock - reflects social nature of the flock - fond of a person's company
Sibyl
- one of many female prophets who had prophecies emerged as riddles for priests to decipher (inspired by Apollo) -women whom ancient Greeks believed were oracles -prophesized at holy sites -prophecies influenced by divine inspiration
per annum
- per year - amount of payment per year - used in business to refer to an amount produced, sold, spent each year
Circus Maximus
- race track = ancient Roman chariot racing stadium in Rome -rome's oldest and largest public space -gladiator fights--> built in 6th century BCE--> valley between the Palatine and Aventine Hills = can seat 250,000 people
Magnum opus
- refers to greatest achievement/masterpiece of an artist or writer - literally translates to "GREAT WORK" - creation given much praise
Icarus
- son of Daedalus - flew too close to the sun - wings melted + dissolved - fell into the sea and drowned
Columns
- structural elements that transfer weight above to other structural elements below - transmits through compression - large round support with capital/pedestal upright pillar (cylindrical) supporting a structure - developed by Greeks and expanded to Romans - used in temples - Doric, Ionian, Corinthian, and Tuscan (Greek styles)
Livy
- supervised literary activities of Claudius - outspoken and independent - wrote Pompeian - Roman historian who wrote Ab Urbe Condita Libri from the founding of Rome - monumental history of Rome and Roman people in Latin
i.e.
- that is; in other words; in essence - id est - used when explaining or rephrasing a sentence - merely states what was previously said with different words - rewording or clarification of a statement
Golden Fleece
- the fleece of gold haired winged ram (Helle and Phrixus) held in a tree in Colchis - given to Aeetes by Phrixus as a token of thanks - symbol of authority and kingship - of the god Zeus - obtained by Jason with the protection of Medea
Etymology
- the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history - from ethimolegia "facts of the origin and development of a word" - look at root of word
Oceanus
- titan god of earth-encircling river Okeanos (source of all freshwater in the world) - son of Gaea and Uranus - married sister Tethys who then gave birth to Oceanids - personification of the sea - so fertile = floods
Marathon
- used both literally and figuratively for a long and tiring race - length of 26 miles -came about when Pheidippides ran 26 miles to Athens to announce the Greeks' victory against the Persian army in the Battle of Marathon
Aqueduct
- used to bring water into cities and towns of the empire from surrounding mountains -water supplied public baths, latrines, fountains, private households -water for mining, milling, farms, gardens -moved water from gravity along a slight overall downward gradient
basilica
- usually a Christian church typically rectangular with central nave and isles - originally used as public building where courts were held - usually adjacent to main forum - meeting place for administration, law courts, and marketplace (like Greek stoa) - became a church meetingplace during Roman Empire when Christianity became a dominant religion - What is the Latin word for a courthouse, whose design was used later for the building of churches?
Mt Vesuvius
- volcano north of Pompeii - served as hiding place for Spartacus - exploded and destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD - only surviving eyewitness accounts of eruption: 2 letters from Pliny the Younger and historian Tacitus
Patron-client relationship
- where a person (client) asks another person (patron) for help or guidance - hierarchical relationship, but mutual obligations - client usually of lower-class - not allowed to sue each other and had to abstain from injuring each other - patron: protector, sponsor, benefactor of client
Clytemnestra
- wife of Agamemnon/queen of Mycenae -famed for her suitors -had a love affair with Aegisthus -Agamemnon's cousin - convinced to murder Agamemnon, his comrades, and Cassandra -already angry at Agamemnon for the sacrifice of her daughter and he had killed her first husband -killed by son Orestes as revenge after ruling Mycenae for 7 years
Mentor
- word for "wise advisor" - derived from Mentor (often Athena in disguise) who was a friend to Odysseus and advised Telemachus in the Odyssey - used today to refer to someone who helps guide another person - coach, counselor, protector to Telemachus during Trojan War
Suetonius
- wrote De Viris Illustribus "Concerning Illustrious Men" - wrote De Vita Caesarum "About the Life oF Caesar" - friend of Pliny the Younger - Roman historian of the equestrian order - wrote during the early Imperial era of the Roman empire - most famous work = 12 Caesars
cave canem
-"beware the dog" -warning signs found in ancient Roman buildings -house of the tragic poet in Pompeii contains mosaic with this caption -placing a sign that says this does not relieve the owner of responsibility for any harm that may come to people attacked by the dog
per diem
-"for each day" -daily allowance -specific amount of money organization pays employee to cover living expenses when traveling for work -for an employer or student athlete
per capita
-"for each head" -usually used in statistics - each of named beneficiaries should receive equal shares of the estate
ex libris
-"from the library" -"book of" -used as inscription on a book's front cover to show the name of the book's owner -also called a bookplate
caveat emptor
-"let the buyer beware" -contract law principle that controls the sale of real property after the date of closing -buyer cannot recover damages from the seller for defects on property
stentorian
-"of powerful voice" -derived from Stentor, legendary Greek herald in the Trojan war whose voice was as loud as 50 men
E pluribus unum
-"out of many, one" -traditional motto of the USA -appears on the Great Seal -originates from the concept that out of the union of the original 13 colonies emerged a single nation
Ph.D.
-"philosophiae doctor" -doctor of philosophy -highest academic degree awarded by universities in most countries -requirement for employment as a university professor
quid pro quo
-"something for something" -"this for that" -means an exchange of goods or services in English -one transfer is contingent upon the other
Cerberus
-"the hound of Hades" -three-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving Hades -captured by Hercules
tempus fugit
-"time flies" -comes from line 284 of book 3 of Virgil's Georgics -typically employed as an admonition against procrastination
Errare humanum est.
-"to err is human" -said by Seneca (Roman philosopher/adviser to Nero) -meaning making mistakes is part of human nature
Ad infinitum
-"to infinity" or "forevermore" - used to describe a seemingly endless process - repeated again and again in the same way - may also be used in similar manner as et cetera
Nos morituri te salutamus
-"we, who are about to die, salute you" -Latin phrase quoted in Suetonius's De Vita Caesarum "The Life of the Caesars" -became most cited Roman customs -customary salute of gladiators to emperor used during event where captives and criminals were fated to die fighting
Magna cum laude
-"with great honor/praise" -awarded to graduates in top 10% of class -"with great distinction"
Summa cum laude
-"with highest honor" -awarded to graduates in top 1-5% of class -highest of 3 special honors
Graces
-3 goddesses of grace, beauty, adornment, joy, mirth, festivity, dance, and song -attendants of goddesses Aphrodite and Hera -Aglaia (Brightness), Euphrosyne (Joyfulness), and Thalia (Bloom) -daughters of Zeus and Eurynome
Danaids
-50 daughters of Danaos -all but one of them killed their husbands on their wedding day -punished by being forced to carrying water -represents futility of repetitive task that can never be completed
Muses
-9 goddesses of inspiration in literature, science, and the arts -music, science, geography, math -daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne
Alps
-Europe's highest mountain range -separates Italian peninsula from the rest of the continent -protected Rome from invasion -Hannibal Barca crossed this mountain range in the Second Punic War
Hades
-Greek god of death, riches, and the Underworld -oldest son of Cronus and Rhea -last son regurgitated by his father -often portrayed with his three-headed guard dog Cerberus -name also came to describe the home of the dead -known as the violent abductor of Persephone
carpe diem
-Latin aphorism meaning "seize the day" -from book 1 of the Odes by Horace -means that the future is unseen so one should do all one can today to make one's future better
Campus Martius
-Latin for "Field of Mars" -most populous area of Rome during the Middle Ages -floodplain of the Tiber River -used for training soldiers and for foot and horse races
Veni, Vidi, Vici
-Latin for "I came, I saw, I conquered" -said by Julius Caesar -used the phrase in a letter to the Roman Senate in 47 BC after he won a quick victory in the Battle of Zela against Pharnaces II of Pontus -refers to a swift, conclusive victory
veto
-Latin for "I forbid" -either absolute or limited power to unilaterally stop an official action, especially the enactment of legislation -power of the President to refuse to approve a bill or joint resolution and thus prevent its enactment into law
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
-Latin for "after this therefore because of this" -logical fallacy that states "since event Y followed event X, event Y must have been caused by event X"
non sequitur
-Latin for "it does not follow" -invalid argument -conclusion is either true or false but the argument nonetheless asserts the conclusion to be true and is thus fallacious -refers to unnamed logical fallacy
Pax Romana
-Latin for "peace in Rome" -long period of relative peacefulness and minimal expansion by the Roman military experienced by the Roman Empire -happened after the end of the Final war of the Republic and before the crisis of the 3rd century -lasted 200 years -began with the reign of Augustus
rara avis
-Latin for "rare bird" -used to refer to a rare or unique person or thing
terra incognita
-Latin for "unknown land" -used in cartography for regions that have not been mapped or documented -first seen in Ptolemy's Geography
sine die
-Latin for "without day" -without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing ex: adjourning an assembly sine die is to adjourn it for an indefinite period
veritas
-Latin for truth -goddess of truth in Roman mythology -3rd feminine noun -motto for Harvard University
fiat
-Latin meaning "let it be done" -an arbitrary or authoritative command or order to do something
via
-Latin meaning "road" -main road or highway in ancient Rome -English preposition meaning "by way of" or "through"
Odium
-Latin neuter noun meaning "hatred" -general or widespread hatred or disgust directed toward someone as a result of their actions
cogito ergo sum
-Latin philosophical proposition by Rene Descartes usually translated into English as "I think, therefore I am" -formed a secure foundation for knowledge in the face of radical doubt
Per se
-Latin phrase meaning "by itself" or "in itself" -refers to a particular thing on its own -without consideration of extraneous factors
in hoc signo vinces
-Latin phrase meaning "in this sign you will conquer" -Constantine had a dream about a Christian symbol (Ohi-Rho) -was told to put this symbol on his army shields to win his battle against Licinius
vice versa
-Latin phrase meaning "the other way around" -the same but with the two things mentioned or people mentioned reversed -in reverse order
ad astra per aspera
-Latin phrase meaning "through hardships to the stars" -state motto of Kansas
suum cuique
-Latin phrase meaning "to each his own" or "may all get their due" -significant in philosophy and as a motto -to each what rightfully belongs to him
Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum)
-Latin phrase meaning "what was to be demonstrated" -placed at the end of a math proof or philosophical argument as the conclusion of the demonstration
vademecum
-Latin phrase meaning literally "go with me!" -a handbook or guide that is kept constantly at hand for consultation -manuals or guidebooks sufficiently compact to be carried in a deep pocket
status quo
-Latin phrase meaning the existing state of affairs, particularly with regard to social or political issues -literally "in the state of which" -applies to maintain or change existing social structure
ipsa scientia potestas est
-Latin phrase that means "knowledge itself is power" -attributed to Sir Francis bacon -implies that with knowledge or education one's potential or abilities in life will certainly increase
sinecure
-Latin sine "without" cura "care" -an office that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service -generally not a "figurehead"
Pro bono publico
-Latin term meaning "for the public good" -professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment -service that uses the specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them
Placebo
-Latin translation: "I shall please" -substance or treatment with no active therapeutic effect -given to a person in order to deceive the recipient into thinking that it is an active treatment -prevent the recipient(s) and/or others from knowing (with their consent) whether a treatment is active or inactive, as expectations about efficacy can influence results
V.S./versus
-Latin word meaning "against" -past participle of vertere "to turn, change, overthrow, destroy" -used to link two or more opposing or contrasting elements
Hispania
-Roman and Greek name for Iberian peninsula -used as a training ground for Romans against Carthaginians -Carthage put an increased emphasis on this location after the First Punic War
Pluto
-Roman equivalent of Greek god Hades -represents more positive concept of the god who presides in the underworld -venerated as stern ruler but loving husband to Persephone
Bacchanalia
-Roman festivals of Bacchus -frenzied rites, sexually violent initiations of both sexes, all ages and all social classes -7000 cult leaders and followers arrested and most executed
Mark Antony
-Roman general and statesman who played an integral role in Roman politics during its transition from a republic to empire -friend of Julius Caesar, lover of Cleopatra -rival of Octavian needing Egyptian support
Janus
-Roman god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings -has two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past -january named after him
Gallia
-Roman=Gaul -taken over by Julius Caesar who defeated the Celtic tribes in the Roman Republic Gallic Wars -modern-day France
Spartacus
-Thracian gladiator who may have served in the Roman Army -escaped slave who led major slave uprising against Roman Republic -provided inspiration for many political thinkers -one of the escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile war
Atlas
-Zeus condemned this Titan to eternally stand on the earth, holding the sky on his shoulders -associated with the Atlas mountains -father to Calypso -tried to trick Hercules into holding the sky for him but failed -Titan god of astronomy and navigation
summum bonum
-a Latin expression meaning "the highest good" -introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero -generally thought of as being an end in itself, and at the same time containing all other goods
Prima facie
-a Latin expression meaning on its first encounter or at first sight -literal translation: "at first face" -used in legal English to signify that upon initial examination, sufficient corroborating evidence appears to exist to support a case
sui generis
-a Latin phrase, meaning "of its (his, her, or their) own kind; in a class by itself; unique" -used in biology for species that do not fit into a genus which includes other species -used in creative arts, law, philosophy and politics
corrigenda; errata
-a list of author's errors in a book along with their corrections - derived from "corrigere" which means "to correct" - discovered after printing -derived from erratum "mistaken thing, mistake"- list of publisher's errors and corrections - published in subsequent issues in a journal - does not subtract from the text but adds on to it - short and minor revisions
Ave, Maria
-a prayer to the Virgin Mary used in Catholic worship -means "Hail Mary" -based on salutation of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary
Pyrrhic victory
-a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat -named after king Pyrrhus of Epirus, whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties in defeating the Romans at the Battle of Heraclea in 280 BC and the Battle of Asculum in 279 BC, during the Pyrrhic War -Someone who wins a Pyrrhic victory has been victorious in some way, though the heavy toll negates a true sense of achievement or profit
Otiose
-adj defined as serving no useful purpose or producing no result or effect -derived from Latin neuter noun "otium, ii" meaning leisure
Posthumous
-adj that means "occurring, awarded, or appearing after the death of the originator" -superlative form of Latin "posterus" meaning "coming after" and associated with "humus" meaning "ground, earth" (referring to burial) -can refer to a child born after the death of his/her father -refers to something taking place after one's death including a work published after an author's death
Utopia
-an imagined community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its citizens -perfect place with no problems -places emphasis on economics, gov't, and justice -coined from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island society in the south Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South America
Alba Longa
-ancient city of Latium in central Italy -southeast of Rome -homeland of Romulus and Remus -founded by Aeneas after the fall of Troy
gladiators
-armed combatants who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals -mostly fought in the Coliseum -most were despised as slaves -some were volunteers
rhetoric
-art of discourse where a writer of speaker strives to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations -derived from Greek "rhetor" meaning "public speaker"
nepotism
-based on favor granted to relatives in various fields -originated with the assignment of nephews to important positions by Catholic priests and bishops -based on Latin root "nepos" meaning "nephew"
Adriatic Sea
-body of water separating the Italian peninsula from the Balkan peninsula -named for Adria, a flourishing port during ancient Roman times -part of the Mediterranean Sea -extremely low in nutrients -used by the ancient Romans to transport goods, including animals and slaves, to Ostia, the Roman port
Palatine Hill
-centremost of the seven hills of Rome -holds the most ancient parts of the city -hill where Romulus founded the city of Rome -stands 40 meters above the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus on the other -imperial palaces were built here from the time of Augustus
Deucalion and Pyrrha
-couple that survived for 9 days in a Bronze-age ending flood that Zeus sent to punish mankind for its wickedness -produced offspring and repopulated earth by throwing rocks
Persephone
-daughter of Zeus and Demeter -queen of the Underworld -personification of vegetation -abducted by Hades (through a cleft in the earth) while gathering flowers -had to spend half of each year in the underworld because she had eaten pomegranate seeds (the food of the dead)
Tartarus
-deep abyss used as a dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked -prison for Titans -where souls are judged after death and wicked receive divine punishment
Titans
-deities in Greek mythology that preceded the Olympians -children of Uranus and Gaea -their age was ended by Zeus
nominal
-derived from Latin "nomen" meaning "name" -means "existing in name only" -"very small; far below real value or cost"
quorum
-derived from Latin quorum meaning "of whom" -the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly (a body that uses parliamentary procedure, such as a legislature) necessary to conduct the business of that group
verbatim
-derived from Latin word "verbum" meaning "word" -means "in exactly the same words as were used" -"word for word"
referendum
-direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal -some define it as a vote to change the constitution while "plebiscite" is a vote that does not affect the constitution -the gerundive form of the Latin verb refero, literally "to carry back" -referenda', meaning 'things to be referred
Nectar
-divine drink of the Olympian gods -conferred immortality on anyone who drank it -severe punishment for anyone who tried to steal nectar or ambrosia
Etc.
-et cetera -"and other similar things" -"so forth" -"so on" -denotes the logical continuation of some sort of series of descriptions
Ichor
-ethereal fluid in the Greek gods' blood -retains the qualities of ambrosia and nectar -toxic to mortals -golden fluid
Charon
-ferryman of Hades who carries souls of newly deceased across river Styx and Acheron which divided the living world and dead world -paid with coin obulus or danake (placed on the mouth of the dead person)
Constantine
-first Roman emperor to profess Christianity -initiated the evolution of the Roman Empire into a Christian state -initiated the Edict of Milan
Pandora
-first human woman in Greek mythology -created by Hephaestus and Athena by words of Zeus to punish Prometheus for stealing the gods' fire and giving it to humans -gods endowed her with gifts that would plague humanity -she opened the jar with numerous evils and diseases - trapped hope inside the jar -how evil came into the world
"Friends, Romans, Countrymen..."
-first line of a speech by Mark Antony in the play Julius Caesar by Shakespeare -one of the most famous lines in all of Shakespeare's works -speech portrays Antony's respect for Caesar although his words outwardly bash him
Ambrosia
-food of the Greek gods -confers longevity or immortality upon whoever consumed it -brought to the gods in Olympus by doves
Chaos
-formless or void state preceding the creation of the universe or cosmos in the Greek creation myths
Perseus
-founder of Mycenae and Danaans -beheaded Medusa and protected mom Danae from Polydectes - saved andromeda from sea monster
exit; exeunt
-from Latin "exeo" meaning "I go out, depart, exit" -means "a way out" -used in a stage direction in a printed play to indicate that a group of characters leave the stage -from "exire" meaning "to go out"
sedentary
-from Latin "sedere" meaning "to sit" -means "tending to spend much time seated" -"somewhat inactive"
triumph
-from Latin triumphus -celebration for a victorious military commander in ancient Rome -today, means a great victory or achievement
Hermes/Mercury
-god of herds, flocks, travelers, roads, thievery, heralds, and astrology -herald/personal messenger of Zeus -guide of the dead who led souls into the Underworld -known for being mercurial (given to quick changes of mood)
Dionysus/Bacchus
-god of the grape harvest, wine, ritual madness, fertility, theatre, and religious ecstasy -thyrsus wand and weapon associated with rebirth after death
Demeter/Ceres
-goddess of the harvest and agriculture -presided over cycle of life and death -covered the world with snow and would only make the world fertile again if her daughter was returned to her, causing Zeus to order Hades to return her daughter -during the 6 months Persephone would have to stay in the Underworld, Demeter would make the world cold and infertile (winter/fall seasons)
Hera/Juno
-goddess of women and marriage -daughter of titans Cronus and Rhea -known for vengeful nature against Zeus's other lovers and offspring -wife of Zeus
Furies
-goddesses of vengeance -Alecto = "unceasing in anger" -Tisiphone = "avenger of murder" -Megaera = "Jealous" -lived in the underworld and ascended to earth to pursue the wicked
Minotaur
-half bull-half human living in the labyrinth -King Minos did not sacrifice the bull from Poseidon with angered Zeus -Zeus made Pasiphae fall in love with the bull - slayed by Theseus
Ostia
-harbor city/seaport of ancient Rome -derived from Latin os meaning "mouth" -may have been Rome's first colonia -scene of civil fighting between Gaius Marius and Sulla
Esquiline Hill
-highest and largest of the seven hills of Rome -includes three prominent spurs called the Cispian (north), Oppian (southern), and Fagutal (western) -fashionable residential district
Capitoline Hill
-hill between the Forum and the Campus Martius -originally known as Mons Saturnius, dedicated to the god Saturn -regarded as a symbol of eternity and symbolizes heart of Rome -smallest and yet the most important of the seven hills of Rome -temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus built on this hill -location of Tarpeian Rock
Quirinal Hill
-hill northeast of the city center -location of the official residence of the Italian head of state -Roman legend says it was the site of a small village of the Sabines
Pyramus and Thisbe
-ill-fated lovers whose story forms part of Ovid's Metamorphoses -live in the city of Babylon and are forbidden to be wed bc of their parents' rivalry -Pyramus kills himself bc he thinks a lioness ate his lover and Thisbe kills herself
Pheidippides
-inspired a modern sporting event, the marathon race -said to have run from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of a military victory against the Persians at the Battle of Marathon
Metropolis
-large city or conurbation that acts as a significant political, economic, social center for country or region -the "mother city" of the colony -center of specified activity - any large/important city for a nation
thermae
-large imperial bath complexes public or private, that existed in great numbers throughout Rome -centers for bathing and socializing -from Greek thermos, "hot" -supplied with water from aqueduct
Necropolis
-large, elaborate cemetery of an ancient city ("city of the dead") - with elaborate tomb monuments -comes from Greek "nekropolis" which means "city of the dead" - separate burial site at a distance from the city
Crete
-largest island in Greece -attacked by a giant lizard but Zeus defended the island and turned the creature into stone -Theseus was brought here to kill the minotaur -ruled by King Minos
Sicily
-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea -located beneath Italy -where Persephone was abducted by Hades
Cleopatra
-last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt -after her reign, Egypt became a province of the recently established Roman Empire -aligned with Mark Antony in opposition to Caesar's legal heir
Hamilcar Barca
-last of the 4 generals who was blamed for Carthaginian loss (died 228 BC) -commanded Carthaginian forces at the end of the First Punic War in Sicily, hated treaty with the Roman Empire, father of Hannibal - led Carthaginian forces to Spain (238 BCE) -used guerrilla warfare at Mount Ercte and Mount Eryx
Atlantis
-legendary city found in Plato's Timaeus -race was the most populous, technologically advanced, powerful and prosperous -defeated by Athenians in war -swept into the sea by earthquakes and floods
Numa Pompilius
-legendary second king of Rome -disbanded personal guard established by Romulus -cunning and calculating -authored several sacred books -had direct relationship with nymph Egeria
terra firma
-literal trans: "firm land" -used in literary/formal English -meaning dry land or the land beneath our feet
M.D.
-literally "medicinae doctor" -meaning "doctor of medicine" -medical degree -in some countries, it denotes a first professional graduate degree upon initial graduation from med school -denotes academic research doctorate or any other higher doctorate restricted to medical graduates
onus probandi
-literally means "Burden of proof" -obligation on a party in a dispute to provide sufficient warrant for their position
errata
-literally means "an error" -used today as a list of corrected errors in a book -an ADDED page to a book where errors + their corrections are listed -necessary for printing and publication
sarcophagus
-literally means "flesh-eating" -box-like funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved in stone, and usually displayed above ground, though it may also be buried -also refers to particular kind of limestone that was thought to rapidly facilitate the decomposition of the flesh of corpses contained within it
de facto
-literally means "in fact" -describes practices that exist in reality, even if not legally recognized by official laws
de jure
-literally means "in law" -describes practices that are legally recognized, whether or not they exist in reality
Pietas
-literally translated as "duty", "religiosity" or "religious behavior", "loyalty", "devotion", or "filial piety" -one of the chief virtues among the ancient Romans -"the virtue which admonishes us to do our duty to our country or our parents or other blood relations." - Cicero -the distinguishing virtue of the founding hero Aeneas
Mycenae
-located southwest of Athens -fortified Bronze Age city in Peloponnese -founded by Perseus (named after his sword scabbard) -kingdom ruled by Agamemnon during the Trojan War -main entrance was the Lion Gate
Black Sea
-marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean between eastern Europe and western Asia -connected to the World ocean (Mediterranean)by the Dardanelles and Bosphorous -in Greek myths, the sea - then on the fringe of the Mediterranean world- was named Pontus Axeinus, meaning "inhospitable sea" before Greek colonization because it was difficult to navigate, and because its shores were inhabited by savage tribes - then replaced as Graeco-Roman tradition refers to the Black Sea as the "Hospitable sea"
cv (curriculum vitae)
-marketing document in which you market yourself - selling your skills, abilities, qualifications to employers - used to make multiple applications to employers -applicants to postsecondary programs, scholarships, grants -brief account of a person's education, qualifications, and previous experience -only about 2-3 pages (no longer than a resume) -"the [course] of [my] life"
Post mortem
-means "after death" -examination of dead body to determine the cause of death -also a process performed at the conclusion of a project to analyze elements that were either successful or unsuccessful
semper fidelis (semper fi)
-means "always faithful" or "always loyal" -motto of the US marine corps -motto for towns, schools, and military units
semper paratus
-means "always ready" -motto of US Coast Guard -also 1928 song used in Coast Guard's official march
P.S./postscript
-means "written after" -"that which comes after the writing" -afterthought of a letter that has been written or signed
mnemonic
-memory device --> any learning technique that aids in information retention in the human memory -derived from Greek word for memory -derived from Mnemosyne "goddess of memory"
Helvetia
-modern-day Switzerland -people attempted to move south to southern France but Julius Caesar stopped them -became under ancient Roman administration
Tantalus
-mortal who stole ambrosia and nectar/revealed secrets of the gods -offered his son Pelops as sacrifice and served him to gods at a banquet -punished by being forced to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches which would recede when he tried to eat or drink them
Mt. Parnassus
-mountain of limestone in ancient Greece -sacred to Apollo -home of the Delphic Oracle -home of the muses
Apennine Mountains
-mountain range that forms the backbone of Italy -name derives from "Penn" meaning "mountain" or "summit" -surrounded and protected Rome
Rhea Silvia
-mythical mother of the twins who founded Rome (Romulus and Remus) -descendant of Aeneas -daughter of Numitor (king of Alba Longa) -declared Mars to be the father of these twins -imprisoned --> forced to become a Vestal Virgin
pulchritude
-noun meaning "beauty -from Latin adj "pulcher, -a, -um" meaning "beautiful"
Hippocratic Oath
-oath taken by physicians developed by Hippocrates -most widely known Greek medical text -requires physician to swear to uphold specific ethical standards
Horatius
-officer in the army of the ancient Roman Republic who famously defended the Pons Sublicius from the invading army of Lars Porscina during the war between rome and Clusium
Philemon and Baucis
-old couple in Greek mythology that lived in Tyana -Zeus and Hermes were disguised as peasants and asked for a place to stay but they were rejected by everyone except this couple -were the only ones saved when Zeus destroyed their town with a flood -became guardians of the temple of Zeus(which was built from their old cottage) -when they died, Zeus transformed them into an oak and linden tree
amphitheater
-open-air venue for entertainment purposes, performance, and sports --> "on both sides/place for viewing" - gladiatorial contests, mock naval battles - usually oval - surviving example of ancient Roman architecture
Delphic Oracle
-oracle on Mt. Parnassus that Greeks traveled to hear Apollo's prophecies - established after Apollo slayed Python - independence was respected by the Greeks - people came here to have questions about future answered by Pythia -showcase of art treasures and high up the slopes of Mt. parnassus in the temple of apollo
Etruscans
-people who flourished in Etruria, Po Valley, Latium, and Compania during Rome's foundational period -people who controlled Roman territory from 610-510 BC -started many Roman traditions including wearing togas
mosaic
-piece made from assembling glass, stone, or other materials -made of tesserae -became widespread in ancient Greece, Rome and in Christian basilicas
Elysian Fields/Elysium
-plane of existence for the souls of the most heroic or virtuous individuals -including those chosen by the gods -located on the western edge of the Earth by the stream of Okeanos -souls would live a blessed and happy life
Sisyphus
-punished for craftiness/deceitfulness -outwitted death twice -deceived Thanatos (entrapped him in heavy chains) and Persephone (convinced her to let him return to the living world as he was an unburied pauper) -forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill (which would fall to prevent him from reaching the top)
Pyrenees Mts.
-range of mountains in southwest Europe that form a natural border between France and Spain -formidable land barrier between Spain and Portugal -named after a princess named Pyrene who was raped by Hercules and gives birth to snakes and wild beasts tear her to pieces
Styx
-river that forms the boundary between Earth and Underworld -named after a goddess Styx who was the daughter of Tethys -Achilles was dipped into this river -deities of the Greek pantheon swore all their oaths upon this river during the Titan War because Styx sided with Zeus
horticulture
-science and art of growing plants, fruits, vegetables, and other cultivar -from Latin word hortus meaning "garden" and cultura meaning "cultivation
12 Labors
-slay Nemean lion -slay the nine-headed Lernaean Hydra -capture the Ceryneian hind -capture Erymanthian Boar -clean Aegean stables in a single day -slay Stymphalian birds -Cretan bull -steal mares of Diomedes -obtain girdle of Hippolyta -obtain cattle of Geryon -steal the apples of the Hesperides -capture and bring back Cerberus
Theseus
-son of Aegeus who was the king of Athens - strong, courageous, intelligent Greek hero - political maneuvering benefitted Athens - founder of democracy - helped the poor and oppressed - saved Heracles with wisdom - Aethra sent him to Athens - called Pine Bender because he killed his victims by tearing them apart between two pine trees (killed Procrustes) -went to Crete and defeats the Minotaur using a sword and ball of string given to him by Daedalus son of pasiphae and bull (half man, half bull) --> hidden in the Labyrinth - forgot to change the sails to let his father know that he was alive so Aegeus jumped into the Aegean sea
Prometheus
-son of Iapetus and Clymene -name derives from Greek word meaning "forethought" -sided with Zeus -avoided being punished with the rest of the Titans and was not sent to Tartarus -gave fire to humans and was chained to a rock -eagle would eat his liver every day -saved by Hercules
Phaethon
-son of Oceanid Clymene and Helios -begged Helios to let him drive the chariot of the sun and he scorched the plains of Africa and the men were charred black -Zeus killed him with a thunderbolt -placed as the charioteer constellation or god of the star
Aventine Hill
-southernmost of the seven hills of Rome -where Remus attempted to build the city of Rome -location of Remuria (Remus's tomb) -associated with the plebs throughout the Roman Republic -later, many upper-class residences were built here
Caduceus
-staff carried by Hermes -borne by heralds in general -short staff entwined by two serpents -represents Hermes and by extension trades, occupations, or undertakings associated with the god
Tarpeian Rock
-steep cliff of the southern summit of the Capitoline Hill, overlooking the Roman Forum in Ancient Rome -used as an execution site -notable victim is Sextus Marius -reserved for the most notorious traitors and as a place of unofficial, extra-legal executions -to be hurled off of this rock was considered a fate worse than mere death, because it carried with it the stigma of shame
Hercules/Heracles
-strongest of all mortals (even stronger than many gods) -last mortal son of Zeus / had a lack of intelligence -great appetite -pride easily offended -held many grudges -during punishments, he had patience, fortitude, and endurance -Romans' ideal hero --> Hera hated him -accomplished over 12 years of service to King Eurystheus -he had killed his wife and children and Apollo told him to serve the king
Valedictorian
-student who delivers closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony (called a valediction) -usually highest ranking in class -derived from vale dicere meaning "to say farewell"
cornucopia
-symbol of plenty -from Latin copiae (horn of plenty) -large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, or nuts
fresco
-technique of mural painting executed upon freshly-laid plaster -water used to have pigment merge w/ plaster -derived from Italian adj "fresco" meaning "fresh"
nolo contendere
-the Latin phrase for "I do not wish to contend" -plea of no contest -plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilty or not guilty
Tiber River
-third longest river in Italy -rising in the Apennine mountains -main watercourse of the city of Rome -Rome was founded on the banks of this river
Horatii
-triplet brothers whose story was fashioned to explain existing legal or ritual practices -settlement of war between Rome and Alba Longa depended on the out outcome of combat between the two groups of triplets -fought against the Curiatii -one of them (Horatius) killed his own sister
Phrixus
-twin brother of Helle who fell off the golden ram -he survived the way to Colchis where he met King Aeetes and married his daughter Chalciope -sacrificed the ram to Zeus and gave the king the fleece -his four sons joined forces with the Argonauts
Romulus and Reumus
-twin brothers who founded the city of Rome -from Alba Longa -nursed by a she-wolf -Romulus wanted Rome to be on Palatine Hill, Remus = Aventine Hill - had a contest through augury = Romulus saw 12 birds while Remus saw 6 -Romulus killed Remus and founded Rome and established government, military, and religious traditions
Cosmos
-universe regarded as a complex and orderly system - ancient Greek
cf./confer
-used to refer to other material or ideas which may provide similar or different information or arguments -means compare -refers reader to other material to make a comparison regarding topic to be discussed -used in biology to describe a specimen that is difficult to identify because of practical difficulties
Hestia/Vesta
-virgin goddess of the hearth and home -received first offering at every sacrifice in the household -Vestal Virgins dedicated to her
First Punic War
-war between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire from (264-241 BCE) - fought in Sicily, north Africa, and in the seas -fought to establish control over Sicily and Corsica - STRICTLY naval warfare which the Romans adapted to and used to their advantage -Rome ended up taking control of Sicily (1st roman overseas province)
Fates
-white-robed incarnations of destiny -Clothos, Lachesis, Atropos -controlled metaphorical thread of life of every mortal from birth to death
Nile River
-world's longest river -acted as the source of life for the ancient Egyptians -flooded seasonally provide life-giving fertile soils and irrigation for Egypt's people -played important role in Egyptian religion and cosmology -integral part of the lives of the gods
affidavit
-written sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law -literally "he has stated an oath"
Roman Army - cohort system
10 Tactical units of Roman legion overall composed of 5120 soldiers -equivalent to today's battalion (Gaius Marius changed it to 10 cohorts 107 BC) - structure influenced by Marian reforms -experienced and inexperienced would be mixed -consisted of auxiliary, infantry, reserves, and commanders -no permanent commander (most senior centurion would lead)
Emperor Hadrian
14th emperor of Rome and 3rd of the Five Good Emps -created substantial building projects throughout Rome (constantly on the move around empire) and Hadrian's wall in North Britain -adopted Antonitus Pious 76 AD - 138 AD
Battle of Trasimene
2nd major battle of 2nd Punic War (217 BC) -Carthage defeated Rome in central Italy -infantry drowned or massacred -inspired Roman Fabian strategy of nonengagement "the greatest ambush in history" (Hannibal hid troops behind bushes then surrounded the Romans) - caused Rome to be gripped by panic
Emperor Caligula
3rd Roman emperor but the 1st to be assassinated (12 - 41AD) -Caligula means "little boots" -assassinated by Praetorian Guard Reigned for 4 years of waste and carnage (37-41 AD) -"remember I have the right to do anything to anybody" Uncle of Emp. Nero -believed himself to be immortal after surviving a deadly illness -fought the ocean (stole seashells) - "I don't care if they love me so long as they fear me" -deified his sister Drusilla
Emperor Claudius
4th Roman emperor (41-54 AD) -excluded from public office because of his limp and slight deafness (possible mental retardation) -extended Roman rule in North Africa and made Britain a province -enlarges bay and ostia and builds aqueducts -What scholarly Julio-Claudian emperor wrote a lost treatise on Etruscan civilization?
Third Slave Revolt
73-71 BC -last of series of slave revolts in the Roman Republic -slaves raided estates and towns --> started with escape of 70 slave-gladiators from gladiator school in Capua
Superego
= 3rd of the three parts of the psychic apparatus relates to attitudes about what is right and wrong and to feelings of guilt = plays critical and moralizing role of the id (psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud) -reflects internalization of cultural rules -aims for perfection -strives to work in socially appropriate manner -different from id, which wants self-gratification
Pantheon
= former Roman temple in Rome that was dedicated to all the gods - completed during reign of Hadrian - commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during reign of Augustus - circular with a portico of large granite, Corinthian columns - one of the best preserved of all ancient Roman buildings
Parthenon
= former temple on Athenian Acropolis in Greece for Athena - symbol of ancient Greece, Athenian democracy, and western civilization - considered zenith of Doric order - most important temple of Classical Greek era - built during the height of Athenian empire
Atrium
= large open-air/skylight-covered space surrounded by a building - provided light and ventilation - most lavishly furnished room - Roman open central court from which enclosed rooms led off in Roman domus -shallow pool to catch rainwater -provided feeling of space and light
Et tu Brute?
= last words of Julius Caesar while he was being stabbed by brutus --> his friend - used to express surprise and dismay at the treachery of a supposed friend = "and you, brutus?" -from Julius Caesar by Shakespeare -recognizes Brutus among assassins
Coliseum
= oval Flavian Amphitheatre in the center of Rome -built of concrete and sand -east of the Roman Forum -construction began under Vespasian -construction completed by Emp. Titus -modified by Domitian = could seat 50,000 people - built for easy evacuation
Gaius Marius
A consul who encouraged the poor people to join the army. -initially had an obscure role in the army until he married Julius Caesar's aunt and voted consul by old army veterans -multiple consulships (6 in a row) 157 BC-86 BC -led a 5 day massacre against those who sided with Sulla (civil war) - defeats Jugurtha - reforms army (volunteer->professional) -Julius Caesar's uncle
Epic
A long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts
AKA "Timeo Danaos et Dona ferentes" -words of the priest Laocoon who warned the Trojans about the Trojan horse, later killed by Athena's serpents
Second Punic War
AKA the Hannibalic War (218-201 BC) - Rome declared war after Hannibal captured Saguntum on the east coast of Iberian peninsula and refused to recall it (Rome helped this city and forms an alliance and Hannibal got pissed) -resulted in Roman hegemony over the Western Mediterranean -involved confrontations in Italy, Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, and North Africa
Leda
Aetorian princess who became a Spartan queen ; married to King Tyndareus -raped by Zeus who was disguised as a swan
AD
Anno Domini (In the year of our Lord) -number of years since birth of Christ
AM
Ante meridiem; before midday
Ars longa, vita brevis.
Art is long, life short - Latin translation of Greek aphorism - quotes first two lines of Aphorismi by Hippocrates - learning one's craft may take more than a lifetime -example of chiasmus
Aegis
Athena's terror inducing shield made of goatskin -seen in the iliad -"under someone's aegis" - doing something under a benevolent or powerful source
Calypso
Beautiful nymph who lived on the island of Ogygia who longed to have Odysseus as her husband (kept him on the island for seven years) - even offered to make him immortal
Achilles and Briseis
Briseis became Achilles' sex slave after he sacked Hypoplacian Thebe (located near modern-day Turkey) - princess of lyrenessus -later regarded her as his wife -delivered to Agamemnon for compensation of the loss of his wife Chryseis, but Briseis is later returned to Achilles after he fights -remains with Achilles until his death then she is given to one of his comrades
Gallic Wars
Campaigns in which Julius Caesar conquered Gaul (58 BC- 51BC) -defeats Gallic tribe Helvetii and Arverni chieftain Vercingetorix
Queen Boudica
Celtic queen of the Iceni tribe (modern-day Britain) who led a revolt against Rome in (60-61AD) after King Nero had taken their lands and her two daughters were raped, later committing suicide -sometimes considered British folk hero, universal symbol for the desire of justice and freedom -first struck city of Camulodunum - takes 3 legions to defeat her
Patroclus
Comforted Briseis that she would eventually become the wife of Achilles -disguised himself as Achilles to intimidate the Trojans and ended up getting killed by Hector - Achilles' best friend - king of Opus
Wars with Parthia
Conflict between Roman and Parthian Empires (BEGAN IN 66BC) -formed the first of what would be Roman-Persian Wars - fought over Pontus, Mesopotamia, Armenia - Sulla, Pompey, Caesar, Vespasian, Titus, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius (a few) fought there
Cato the Elder
Conservative Roman statesman, censor and orator who opposed Greek influences on Roman standards (234-149 BC) -broke the political influence of Scipio Africanus and Lucius Scipio -"Carthage must be destroyed" -wrote Origines: first history of Rome in Latin -wrote De agri cultura (oldest remaining complete prose work in Latin) first to write literature about agriculture -banished a man for hugging his wife in public
Emperors Nerva (96-98AD)and Trajan(98-117AD)
Emperors who helped establish and develop Golden Era with public projects that benefitted the population N: appointed by Senate -merit, maturity, military support -adopts Trajan before he dies (childless) T: waged wars in the East -Jewish rebellion while majority of troops were fighting in the east (Kitos War) -gold -Trajan's column: portrays his victorious Dacian Wars -waged war with Parthians, Asia Minor -adopts Hadrian -built aqueducts and extended port of Ostia -1st and 2nd of 5 Good Emperors
Patrician
English word derived from the Latin word for "father" equivalent of "aristocrat" - provided political, religious, and military leadership for wealthy landowners -group of ruling class families
Charybdis
Enormous whirlpool that could swallow an entire ship
Odysseus
Epic Iliad hero of The Trojan War who is trying to return home to Ithaca to see his wife and son -believed to be dead after the fall of Troy
Iliad
Epic poem by Ancient Greek poet Homer written in dactylic hexameter -records significant events of the final weeks of Trojan War and Greek siege of Troy -begins with Homer asking Muse to sing of the "Wrath of Achilles" -tells of the story of the Greek struggle to rescue Helen
Octavian Augustus
First Roman emperor (27 BC to 14 AD rule)- transformed Rome from republic to empire - part of 2nd triumvirate (63 BC- 14AD) -Pax Romana lasted during his reign (200 years) - created the west's first standing army - philosophy was to defend not conquer
Emperor Constantine
First Roman emperor to profess Christianity -turned empire into Christian state and introduced Christian culture - initiated Edict of Milan which allowed Christians to worship freely - battle of Milvian Bridge - in nue signo vinces - Council of Nian -influenced growth of Byzantine Empire and western medieval culture -274 AD-337 AD
Battle of Trebia
First major battle of 2nd Punic War (218 BC) -Carthaginian victory - Romans under Tiberius Sempronius Longus -Hannibal's first major victory in Italy -Carthaginian army used nature, environment, and knowledge of opponent to win
Cicero
Greatest orator of the Roman Republic and political figure (106-43BC) - PRO republic, Catalina conspiracy -classical rhetoric and philosophy discovered through his writing - Greek philosophy moved into his writing -influenced Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Thomas Jefferson - was exiled and eventually murdered
Aesop
Greek fabulist (one who composes fables) and story teller who wrote a number of fables called Aesop's Fables fable=story of aesop -a slave who was freed because of his literacy and storytelling -wrote Aesop Romance (highly fictional story of his life) -escaped punishments many times because he stood up to accusers and told them stories
Iris
Greek goddess of the rainbow and messenger to the gods (originally a virgin but ended up marrying Zephrus, the west wind)
Iota
Greek letter in the alphabet that means "a little bit of something" in English
Homer
Greek poet who is most famous for being the first to write down the epic stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey - provided basis for Greek culture and education -very little is known about his life
Lethe
Greek spirit of forgetfulness and oblivion --> associated w/ Lethe River/Wharf in Hades that caused forgetfulness - caused drinkers to forget their past -Classical Greek means "forgetfulness" and "concealment"
Vestal virgins
Group of women who tended Rome's sacred fire and state cult of Vesta in the Roman forum - between 4-6 served at a time -chosen by Pontifex Maximus -tended state cult of Vesta, goddess of the hearth
Pontifex Maximus
High priest who looked after the vestal virgins Title of chief priest in ancient Rome; title of the priest that governed the activities of the Vestal Virgins; a title that the Pope still uses today;
Consul
Highest elected political office of Roman Republic (cursus honorum) - one year term -two consuls rule at once - joint heads of Roman state and commander in chief of army
Mt Olympus
Highest mountain in Greece -dwelling of the Greek gods and Zeus' throne
Romance languages
Indo-European languages evolved from Latin including Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese -started from "vulgar Latin" or "common Latin" - spoken by Romans
Menelaus
King of Sparta, brother of Agamemnon, husband of Helen
Battle of Zama
Last battle of the 2nd Punic War (202 BC) -ended Hannibal's command of Carthaginian forces -roman victory under Scipio Africanus
Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Last of the Five Good/Adopted Emperors (one of the most respected) CE 161-180 -interested in Stoicism=fate, reason, and self-restraint - persecutes Christians - philosopher king - wars with Parthia and Germania -fought alongside his brother against Parthian empire and Germanic tribes -collection of his thoughts in the book The Meditations
Aeneas/Aeneid
Latin epic poem written by Virgil that tells the story of how Aeneas the Trojan prince traveled to Italy after surviving the Trojan War, eventually becoming the ancestor of the Romans
Persona non grata
Latin expression that identifies a person not welcome
Ars gratia artis
Latin for "art for art's sake" -motto for Metro-Goldwyn Mayer to designate art that is independent of political and social requirements
ad lib (ad libitum)
Latin for "at one's desire" or "as you please" -used in music, sciences, drama
Horace
Latin lyric poet and satirist under emperor Augustus who wrote The Odes and The Satires and Ars Poetica - was given a second chance himself, "Carpe Diem" (65 bc-8bc) -had themes of love, friendship, and philosophy
et alia
Latin phrase that means "and others" - used to shorten lists of authors' names
in loco parentis
Latin phrase that means "in place of the parent" -used today in legal doctrines when an individual assumes parental rights over a child
sic transit gloria mundi
Latin phrase that means "thus passes the glory of the world" -interpreted as "worldly things are fleeting"
pax vobiscum
Latin phrase=peace be with you
Nota bene
Latin that means "note well" - observe carefully or take special notice
Emperor Nero
Most infamous of Roman emperors who had a passion for music, committed political murders, debauchery, and persecuted of Christians (37 AD- 68 AD) - under Senecca -rumor is that he fiddled while Rome burned in the great fire of 64 AD -last of Julio-Claudian emperors - matricide - "oh what an artist the world loses in me" -made the Golden Palace, human torches, and a pleasure garden
Laws of the Twelve Tables
Name given to the first laws to be written down in ancient Rome
Orpheus and Eurydice
O: son of Apollo and Calliope (muse) -very good at playing the lyre E: woman of unique beauty who married Orpheus -bitten by a snake in the forest after being harassed by Aristaeus -Orpheus sang and played his lyre in grief and was able to move the humans and the gods. He went to the Underworld and played for Hades who was also moved. Hades allowed him to return w/ Eurydice if he did not look back at her until they reached the living world, but Orpheus lost faith and turned back, resulting in Eurydice being returned to the Underworld.
Telemachus
Odysseus and Penelope's son -goes in search of his father when he reaches manhood
Penelope
Odysseus' loyal wife who refuses to marry any of the suitors who beg for her hand during Odysseus's absence
Censor
Officer responsible for maintaining census, supervising public morality, and overseeing aspects of gov't finance
Pompey
One of the great statesmen and generals of the late Roman Republic - became consul with Crassus (dealt with the growing piracy in the Mediterranean) -SUPPORTER OF SULLA -BUILT ROMES FIRST STONE THEATER -m. Julia Caesar - assassinated after battle of Pharsalus -part of the First Triumvirate (POLITICAL ALLIANCE) and eventual opponent of Caesar who died in Egypt (46 BC)
I, V, X, L, C, D, M
One, five, ten, fifty, 100, 500, 1000
Cyclops
One-eyed giants (the sons of Poseidon) -Odysseus and his men come upon their land
Troy
Paris was from this ancient city (Now known as Anatolia in modern-day Turkey)who fought against the Greeks
King Midas
Phrygian king who was given the power of turning whatever he touched into gold by Dionysus because he guided his teacher Silenus the satyr back to Lydia
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
Populist tribunes who sought to introduce land/agrarian reforms to Rome and improve life quality of average citizens (Populares) -both were assassinated - after that, violence towards politicians became the norm (not sacrosanct) -they were patricians but were able to become tribunes -took veto power from senate to tribune -took power from optimates to the populares (these factions started to form and influence the romans)
Cupid and Psyche
Psyche is a very beautiful girl and people begin to worship her beauty. Venus gets mad and sends her son Cupid to shoot her with an arrow and make her fall in love with the ugliest man alive. However, Cupid ends up shooting himself Later, Apollo sends her to go to the top of a hill where she falls asleep then wakes up to a mansion where she meets and falls in love with her husband (whom she never sees). Her sisters deduce her to look at her husband and Cupid has to separate from her (no trust). Psyche searches for Cupid; Venus takes revenge on her with multiple trials; but eventually marries cupid; Zeus makes her a goddess of the soul psyche: Greek term for soul, spirit
Achilles' heel
Refers to a weak or vulnerable point (of a powerful person) -Achilles' mother dipped him into the River Styx by the ankles which made every part of him immortal except his heel -Achilles was eventually killed by Paris after an arrow was shot into his heel
Emperor Vespasian
Roman emperor who founded Flavian dynasty (which would rule for 27 years) after civil wars following Nero's death (9-79 AD) -allowed Rome to have political stability and vast Roman building program - was a military leader in Palestine - father of Titus and Domitian - one of the people - builds colosseum on site of Nero's Golden Palace
Emperor Diocletian
Roman emperor who stabilized empire and marked the end of the Crisis of the Third Century - established tetrarchy (4-part division of empire with co-emperors two Caesars, Constantius, and Galerius) - divided lands into east (Greek) west (celtic) -laid foundation for Byzantine empire - established imperial executive team (strict) - dioceses, vicar derived from his reign -last great persecution of Christians -lived from 244 AD-311 AD -ruled from 284 AD-305 CE
Scipio Africanus
Roman general/statesmen who defeated Hannibal in the final battle of the Second Punic War - received nickname Africanus after he won the battle of Zama -invades Carthage with his troops -accused of bribery in the campaign against Antiochus III by Cato the Elder - received multiple senatorial persecutions -grandfather of Gracchi brothers (236-183 BCE)
Cincinnatus
Roman patrician, statesman, and military leader of the Roman Republic - figure of Roman manliness and civic virtue - one of the most famous roman dictators -famous for selfless devotion to republic and each time he was called to Roman dictatorship, he retired to his farm, giving up the reins of power -rescued consular army surrounded by Aequi
Catullus
Roman poet who expressed love and hatred in his lyrical poetry (FIRST TO WRITE ABOUT FEELINGS) - loved Lesbia -created finest lyric poetry of Ancient Rome -anthology (collection of works) of around 116 poems -wrote in neoteric style (personal life rather than heroic stories)
Ovid
Roman poet who wrote Ars amatoria (teaches basic male and female romantic techniques) and Metamorphoses (displayed passion) -imaginative interpretations of classical myth -adapted the intractable Latin language to dactylic Greek meters -banished to the Black Sea by Augustus (probably because of his promiscuous wife Julia)
Gaius Gracchus
Roman politician elected in 123 BC who wanted to control the Price of grain, build public works - introduced tax on the cities of Asia minor "Tax Farming" - replaced senators and governors with rich citizens called "equestrians" -founded colonies in Italy and Carthage -no conscription of Romans under 17 -state would pay for military equipment
Emperor Titus
Roman soldier-emperor who conquered Jerusalem (39 AD-81 AD) -first to succeed his biological father (Vespasian) -finished the construction of the Colosseum -co-rules with his dad like a pro-consul -tears down Jewish temple but then leads to explosion of Vesuvius, great fire, plague (gods' angers) -performed public ceremonies to appease gods' anger
Josephus
Romano-Jewish scholar and historian whose manuscripts included references to Jesus and insight into the lives of Jews - circa Vespasian era - general for Judea - predicts Vespasian as Emperor "psychic vision" -wrote the "Jewish War", the Antiquities of the Jews, and the Life of Josephus (autobiography) (37-100AD)
Gorgons
Stheno, Euryale (both were immortal), Medusa -monsters with live snakes as hair -daughters of Echidna and Typhon (except Medusa) -female creatures -had wings, claws, brazen skin -Stheno ---> strength -Euryale ---> wide leaping -Medusa ---> ruler/queen
Roman Army - maniple system
Tactical unit of Roman legion developed during Samnite Wars (about 315 BCE) -four lines of soldiers: experienced in the back, younger in the front -three fighting types: Hastati, Principes, and Triarii (Velites were the weakest) -more flexible because it was isolated from other units
Apple of Discord
The golden apple that Eris sent to the wedding - the prize to the fairest
Leto
Titan goddess; bride of Zeus; mother of Apollo and Artemis - goddess of motherhood
Hector
Trojan prince and greatest warrior for Troy; Killed Patroclus; Achilles killed him
Laurels
Wreaths awarded to victors in athletic competitions and poetic meets in Ancient Greece - symbol of apollo when daphne was turned into a laurel tree
Emperor Domitian
Younger brother of Titus and son of Vespasian -lost wars on Dalmatia - burned vestal virgin alive - castrated senators accused of homosexuality - Dominus et Deus -murder marked end of Flavian dynasty -people tried to erase memory of him
Circe
a goddess and enchantress who lives on the island of Aeaea -turns Odysseus' men into pigs -Odysseus eats moly to overpower her and force her to change his men back -becomes Odysseus' lover - men lived in luxury with her for a year -directs them to Hades to speak to the spirit of the prophet Tiresias in the underworld -daughter of helios
Battle of Cannae
a major battle in the 2nd Punic War fought near ancient village of Cannae in southeast Italy in the plains (216 BC) -Romans crushed by African, Gallic, France, Spaniards and Celtiberian troops - Romans had two commanders: Paulos and Verus - considered bloodiest battle of the ancient world - alerted Rome of the Carthaginian army's power -example of victorious double envelopment (attacking both sides of military flank)(50,000-70,000) - Rome used checkerboard formation for maximum flexibility but was trapped by Hannibal's crescent formation - worst Roman defeat/carthage greatest victory -made Rome's resistance stronger - Carthage is established as an archerival of Rome- Rome would always be terrified of an invasion from another Hannibal after that
lapsus linguae
a slip of the tongue -describes an inadvertent remark
Helen of Troy
abducted by Paris ; wife of Menelaus
facta non verba
acts, not words
omniscient
all knowing
Tribune
an official in ancient Rome chosen by the plebeians to protect their interests. -the elected official who represented the plebs in ancient Rome; Roman official that had the power to veto legislation;
Via Appia
ancient Roman road that connected Rome to Brindisi in southeast Italy (built in 312 BC by Appius Claudius Caecus) -nicknamed "Regina Viarum" - Queen of the Roads
Ex tempore
at the time - judge who hands down a decision in a case straight after hearing (___________ decision)
Andromache
became Hector's wife after her homeland of Cilician Thebe (which her father Eetion had ruled) was sacked; all her relations died after the Trojan War; later became the concubine of Neoptolemus (son of Achilles) then wife of Helenus (Hector's brother) and became queen of Epirus
antebellum
before the war -used to refer to a country's status before a war
Saturnine
belief that someone was born under the influence of the planet Saturn "slow and gloomy" - refers to god of agriculture, liberation and time
polytheism
believing in multiple gods
monotheism
believing in one god
Niobe
boasted that she was superior to Leto and her children were killed by Artemis and Apollo; wept so much that she was turned into a fountain
amphora
ceramic jar used by Greeks for the transport and storage of oil, figs, wine, and other commodities
puerile
childishly silly and trivial -derived from puer, pueri meaning boy
Paris
chose Aphrodite as the Fairest and was given Helen of Troy Son of Priam and Hecuba -stole Helen from Menelaus
Judgment of Paris
contest between Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena concerning who was "the Fairest" which would be decided by Paris -initiated by the goddess of discord Eris
Centaur
creature with the head, arms, and torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse
plebiscite
direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question -assemblies of plebs -name based on the Latin for "the common people," refers to a direct vote of the populace
Chimerical
existing only as the product of unchecked imagination (fantastically visionary or improbable) -derived from chimera=monster w/ lion head, goat body, and dragon tail
Trojan horse
fake peace-offering the Greeks created to trick the Trojans and end the Trojan war - Greeks hid inside this and ambushed the Trojans -Odysseus' idea
alias
false or assumed identity - Latin meaning "at another time, otherwise"
Maenad
female followers of Dionysus -most significant members of Thiasus -ecstatic frenzy, dancing/intoxication -dressed in fawn skins and carried a thyrsus
alpha and omega
first and last letters of the Greek alphabet that signify the beginning and the end - also used to describe God
Silver Age
followed the Golden Age (second age of man) - These people lived for one hundred years as children without growing up, then suddenly aged and died. - Zeus believed to be the god of all gods (killed all of the people when they didn't pay tribute to the gods)
concatenation
from latin verb concatenare meaning "to link/bring together" -adjective that means "linked together" -describe a series of connected events -taking two or more separately located things and placing them side by side -also used in computer programming, joining character strings from end to end
Saturn Cronus
god of agriculture, liberation and time S: Roman C: Greek symbol=sickle youngest of the 1st generation Titans who overthrew Uranus and ruled during Golden Age - then overthrown by Zeus and put into Tartarus
Pan
god whose name means "all" had the form of a satyr - nature god who made an instrument from reeds
Virgil
greatest Roman poet of the Augustan Period who wrote the Aeneid which told the story of Aeneas who travelled to Rome and became ancestor of the Romans - foundation myth; similar to Odyssey -"I sing of arms and a man" -also wrote Eclodes and Georgics (Pro-Rome)
Demosthenes
greatest of the ancient Greek orators -Athenian statesman -roused Athens to oppose Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great -studied legal rhetoric -built underground study where he exercised his voice -shaved half of his head so he could not go out in public -had inarticulate and stammering pronunciation which he overcame by speaking with pebbles in his mouth -9 orations "Philippics" -master of rhetorical form
Indo-European
group of languages including Ger, Spanish, Greek, and Russian (445 living languages) - predominant in Asian parts of Turkey and parts of Syria
cardinal (etymology)
high church official derived from Latin cardinalis "principal, most important"
Attica
historical region that encompasses the city of Athens - centered on Attic peninsula -home to the Athenians -encompassed Athens -historically linked to Athens
First Triumvirate
informal political alliance among Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Licinius Crassus (60 - 53 BCE) in the midst of a dying republic -dominated politics of Roman Republic
Agamemnon
king of Mycenae/Argos who was called to fight against the Trojans when Helen was taken from his brother Menelaus - killed by lover of his own wife -commanded Greek forces in ensuing trojan wor -had exiled his cousin Aegisthus after he took possession of the throne of Mycenae but was later killed by him after Aegisthus had an affair with his wife
labor omnia vincit
labor conquers all - from Virgil's writing
pelopennesus (peloponnesian war)
largest southern part of the Greek peninsula (including Sparta, Mycenae, and Arcadia) -war fought between Delian league (athens) and Peloponnesian league (sparta) - weakened all of the Greek city states for 50 years
Julius Caesar
leader of Roman Republic, expanded its geographic reach, and established imperial system -killed one year after he became dictator of Rome by the Senate which led to the fall of the Roman Republic (March 15, 44 BC)
Olympics
leading int'l sporting events where athletes from around the world come to compete in summer and winter events today -Part of Ancient Greek religious festival thought to have begun in 276 BC in honor of Zeus every four years at Olympia
Hannibal Barca
led Carthaginian Army and elephants across Southern Europe and the Alps against Rome during 2nd Punic War (247 BC- ?) -first and last guy to invade the Italian peninsula (laid waste to it for 14 years) - never marched on Rome -swore to "never be a friend to Rome" -had mercenary army that was paid
Amor omnia vincit
love conquers all -said by virgil
bona fide
made, done, presented in good faith; without deception or fraud (genuine or real) -someone who has 100% authentic credentials
Europa
maiden carried away by Zeus as a white bull to the island of Crete -became the mother of King Minos
Via Sacra
main road through the Roman forum from the top of Capitoline to the Colosseum (through most important religious sites of the forum) part of the traditional route of the Roman Triumph place for solemn religious festivals, triumphs of victorious generals, and throng assembling
Papyrus
material used in the ancient times as paper
Ex officio
means "by virtue of one's office" - used to designate a person whose membership on a committee derives from his or her position of authority or superior office -describe a position someone automatically gains because of another job or position she already holds.
alibi
means "elsewhere" is used as a noun in English as "excuse"
iustitia omnibus
means "justice for all" -nom sg (f) -iustitia -omnibus - dat pl (n) --> substantive adj -motto of the District of Columbia
alma mater
means "nourishing mother" - refer to the college from which one graduated
bellicose
means aggressively hostile, belligerent; pugnacious (derived from Latin word bellum, belli)
Helle
mortal who was the daughter of Athamas and Nephele -consort of Poseidon - had a twin named Phrixus -saved from being killed by stepmother Ino (planned on roasting all of town's crop seeds to prevent growth)- fell off flying golden ram and fell into the sea (goddess of the Hellespont - body of water connecting Aegean and Black Seas) either drowned or turned into a sea goddess by Poseidon --> Phrixus reached Colchis and gave golden fleece of the ram to King Aeestes
Corvus
movable bridge connected to a ship with a spike that could be attached to another ship -turned a naval battle into a land battle
zephyr
name for a gentle wind or breeze commonly from the west - also may refer to Zephyrus god of the west wind
fasces
name for the bundle of sticks and ax that represented the authority of a Roman magistrate/signified governmental authority
chimera
name for the tripartite (lion-goat-snake) monster slain by the Bellerophon
Golden Age
name of the first period of history when the human race lived in an ideal state - ruled by kronos -peace, harmony, stability
Non compos mentis
not sane or in one's right mind "of unsound mind" -a religious or mysterious phenomena -mental illness, insanity, madness -English law: describes person's action as not motivated by reason
Syrinx
nymph who followed Artemis -pan tried to seduce her and turned her into a bunch of reeds , used these reeds to make pan pipes
Metis
oceanid -first wife of Zeus -prophesized that she would bear children that would eventually overthrow Zeus -turned into a fly and swallowed by Zeus
Second Triumvirate
official political alliance of Caesar Augustus, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (Nov 27, 43 BC) - officially ended Rome's days as a republic
Medusa
only mortal of the three gorgons - killed by Perseus - cursed by Athena for falling in love with Poseidon (originally priestess of Athena) with snakes for hair - whoever looked into her face would be turned into stone -winged woman with living venomous snakes growing in place of hair -on the shield of Athena
Plebs
ordinary person
Satyr
part human, part goat noted for riotousness - attendant on Bacchus
Lotus Eaters
people who feed Odysseus's men lotus plants to make them forget Ithaca
interregnum
period of time during which a throne is vacant between two successive reigns or regimes -period during which normal functions of government or control are suspended (how it is used today) -"inter"-between + "regnum" - reign
Mores
plural nominative Latin noun that is used to refer to the customs and values of a society/cultural period ; habits, characters, morals
PM
post meridiem; past midday
Augury
practice from ancient Romans of interpretting omens from the observed flight of birds -individual who interpreted signs called auges "taking the auspices" -gods can be favorable or unfavorable which is where we get "auspicious" or "inauspicious" -remus sees 6 vultures while romulus sees 12
Io
princess of Argos whom Zeus turned into a white heifer in order to protect her from Hera's wrath -first priestess of Hera - Zeus fell in love with her -Oceanid
Ex post facto
prohibited by Constitution -contrary to a free government -law that makes illegal an act that was legal when committed (increasing penalties and chance of conviction) "from a thing done afterward" "out of the aftermath"
Andromeda
ravaged by Cetus because her mom boasted of her beauty - example of hubris - saved from death by Perseus - represented by constellation - married Perseus and had nine children
alumna
refers to female graduate or former student
alumnus
refers to male graduate or former student
in vitro
refers to studies performed in a controlled environment outside of a living organism "within the glass"
Macedonia
region in Northern Greece - ancient kingdom led by King Philip II who conquered Greece - southeast Europe
Julio-Claudian Dynasty
reign of the first five roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero (14 AD-68 AD)
Hecuba
second wife of Priam -when pregnant with Paris, she had a dream that she gave birth to a fiery torch with snakes (bad omen that her son would be responsible for the fall of Troy) - sent Paris to be killed but he ended up being raised by a shepherd -became a slave to Odysseus after the Trojan war -after finding out her son Polydorus was killed by king polymestor, she ripped out his eyes and was turned into a dog
Odyssey
sequel to the Iliad, takes place 10 years after the fall of Troy -tells the story of Odysseus journeying home after fighting in the battle of Troy
Hydra
serpent like wetland monster with 9 heads (1 immortal head) that was defeated by Hercules as part of his 12 labors- burned them - when one head was cut off, two more would grow - in english, hydra or hydra-headed can describe a difficult or multifarious situation.
Tarquin Superbus
seventh/final king of Rome before it became a republic (tyrannical reign) - exiled after his son Sextus raped Lucretia -took the throne when his wife Tullia killed her father Servius Tullius (6th king of Rome)
SPQR
signifies "the Senate and the Roman people" - emblem of modern day commune of Rome
in toto
signifies that a city was destroyed totally
Scylla
six-headed monster who would swallow one person per head -haunted rocks of narrow strait across from Charybdis - Odysseus' men go through this monster instead of Charybdis
pro tempore
temporarily; high ranking senator who presides over the senate in the absence of the VP
corpus delicti
term from western jurisprudence that refers to principle that a crime must be proven to have occurred before a person can be convicted of committing that crime - "body of the crime"
Polyphemus
the Cyclops who imprisoned Odysseus -son of Poseidon - pastured sheep -devours two of Odysseus's men -blinded when Odysseus thrusts a sharp stick lit by fire into his eye causing him to open the door to his cave, allowing the men to escape
Saturnalia
the Roman festival that gives us many of our Christmas customs - held in honor of the god Saturn held on dec 17-23 (public banquet, private gift-giving)
defenestration
the act of throwing someone or something out of a window (incident in prague castle that sparked the 30 years war) "de" + "fenestra" = out of/away from the window/opening
Priam
the last king of Troy (during Trojan War); father of Hector and Paris
Furies
three goddesses of vengeance: Tisiphone, Megaera, Alecto -female spirits of justice and vengeance - personified curses
Tiberius Gracchus
tribune elected in 133 B.C.; called on the state to distribute land to poor farmers - aimed to increase the amount of small farmers -assassinated by senatorial opponents (including his cousin Scipio Nasica) -tribunate marked the beginning of the "Roman revolution" (straying from mos maiorum)
Castor and Pollux
twin brothers worshipped as gods -who helped shipwrecked sailors and who brought favorable winds for those who made sacrifices to them -saved those in trouble at sea or those in war -associated with horses and sports -patron gods of horses and of the Roman social order of mounted knights and the equites (mounted knights) -sons of the leda and zeus
Sulla
victor in civil war (1st in Roman history) and subsequently dictator of Rome (brings back dictatorship) -fought in the Social War against the Mithradates (king of Pontus) -administrative reforms reestablished the Senate's supremacy-increased courts, new treason law -1st general to march on Rome -had no limit on duration of term -UNDOES GRACCHI BROS LAND REFORMS 139 - 78 BC
dum spiro, spero
while i breathe, i hope -state motto of South Carolina -modern paraphrase of ideas that survive in two ancient writers, Theocritus and cICERO
Nike
winged goddess of victory (in war and in peaceful competition) -closely identified with Athena -shown holding a palm branch
sine qua non
without which not -means something that is indispensable or something that is essential
metamorphosis
word that refers to "change of shape" as when Arachne changed her shape into that of a spider - also a poem written by Ovid
Sphinx (and riddle)
wridding creature, with the body of a lion, wings of an eagle, and the head of a woman that Oedipus defeated -sent to city of Thebes by the gods because they had committed some ancient crime - riddle = "what is the creature that walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three in the evening" answer: man
Adonis
youth of remarkable beauty -son of Myrrha who was transformed into a myrrh tree -died when he was attacked by a boar of Artemis -Persephone and Aphrodite fought over him -resided in the underworld w/ persephone for part of a year, then with Aphrodite for the rest of the year -male counterpart to Aphrodite -Aphrodite let nectar flow over his blood causing the anemone flower to bloom
