Cambridge Latin Course!

Caecilius 

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100065457/latin-to-be-included-in-the-english-baccalaureate/

I took Latin classes in high school because someone told me it would be useful for working in the medical field. Back then, I wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to help people.

This past summer I worked with a librarian who also took Latin in high school and through university. He told me he was in the last class to learn the Classics at his school. As we talked more, he mentioned that they learned from the Cambridge Latin Course books and as he started quoting phrases from the books ("Caecilius est in horto") and listing off names of characters, it all came flooding back to me: Caecilius, Quintus, Matella, Grumio, Clemens, Cerberus, Pompeii, my high school Latin teacher (holding her baby!), my classmates, the fact that Allan won the Latin award... Pieces of my history coming together.

We learned from the Cambridge Latin Course as well. The stories took place in Pompeii and taught us basic Latin phrases as well as Roman history through a fictional cast of characters. Although the stories could be quite silly, as our young-looking simply-dressed teacher repeatedly admitted and apologized for, learning Latin was a lot of fun. I felt like I belonged to an exclusive club (by OAC, there were about 6 of us left), learning a language that no one spoke, and a door had opened to the fascinating world of Roman history - everyday life, slavery, coliseums, Spartacus, military tactics and weaponry, and, of course, Alexander. The story of Mount Vesuvius' eruption was particularly fascinating (all those petrified bodies!). For the longest time heading off to Italy to see the ruins at Pompeii was at the top of my international travel list. In University I took a first year Classics course, but that was it for me. Latin and Pompeii eventually became a memory.

I'm so glad that librarian reminded me that the books were from the Cambridge Latin Course. In an effort to potentially obtain copies of the books, I had a look at the website. I checked out Explore the story for unit 1 and to my delight I could easily figure out the story! I'll admit it was a pretty simple story. The Stage 1 vocabulary and Meanings activities were fun too! I think I'll check out more units. After looking at the Wikipedia page for the Cambridge Latin Course, it appears that we only learned from Book 1 in high school (none of the other characters or stories ring any bells for me). The only Latin phrase I truly remember is atque et vale (I used it in my grad quote). If I remember correctly it means "so long and farewell", or something to that effect.


I think Latin was an introduction to what would become a love of history and historical fiction. It probably lead me to Jack Whyte's A Dream of Eagles series (The Skystone was awesome!), and after reading this Telegraph article by Toby Young, I think it probably has helped me with my reading comprehension and vocabulary. It would be a treat for more young people to be exposed to Latin. It opens up a whole other world to the learner.