Greek and Latin fan?
Latin is an ancient Indo-European language that was first spoken in the days of the Roman Empire. Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean, Central and South America and today is the official language of the Vatican City. The language started to decline in the 1600s, but is preserved in several regional dialects and still used throughout the Roman Catholic Church and in Science, Medicine, Academia and Law. It is a member of the Italic languages and the Romans invented the Latin alphabet which was based on the Ancient Greek alphabet. The Greek language was developed over the centuries from Ancient Greek and takes its place firmly among the Hellenistic languages. It was the spoken form of communication for the great Greek poets, playwrights and philosophers such as Homer and has contributed many words to the English. There is a lack of evidence regarding documenting the Hellenic languages, however, many dialects have been passed down through the years and are still in existence in the Greek language spoken today. The list below gives the top sites on the Internet for finding information, teaching, studying or browsing both languages. For those wishing to advance in the medical, legal or religious professions, the list will be useful since the best sites are all together in one place.
1. The Perseus Digital Library – http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/
The Perseus Digital Library has a collection of works that cover the history, literature and culture of the Greco-Roman world. The library is open source and recognition is given to everyone that has contributed. Texts can be browsed from many topics including Humanist and Renaissance Italian Poetry in Latin, Greek and Roman materials and Arabic materials as well as a browser for viewing art and archaeology artefacts. Further resources can be found in the research section and links are provided for featured sites containing more information.
2. About.com – http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/LatinandGreek/Latin-And-Greek.htm
About.com has a section dedicated to Latin and Greek with over 500 tips, notes, facts and study aids. The site explores dialects, grammar and the Latin and Greek Timelines. Illustrated articles are given on Ancient Greeks and the Roman Empire with special sections for Myths and Legends, The Gods, Ancient History and Warfare. Links are provided for further information, research and studying and there is a free newsletter, which is available after signing-up.
3. The Classics Pages – http://www.classicspage.com/
The Classics Pages has over 1,000 pages of news, information, games and controversy about the life, art, archaeology, philosophy and literature of the ancient world of Greece and Rome. There are guides, articles, photographs and sculptures to view with many sections contained in each category. The categories to choose from are Philosophy, Art, Greek, Latin, Life, Classical Legacy, Travel, Mythology and Archaeology with games and quizzes available in the ‘fun’ section. A special section is dedicated to the origin of the Olympic Games and books are available in the online shop.
4. Ancient Greece.com – http://www.ancientgreece.com
Ancient Greece is exactly what its name suggests and contains essays, articles and glossaries on the subject of Ancient Greece. Information can be found in categories named art and architecture, history, Olympics, wars, geography, mythology and people as well as culture and society. Topics and ideas can be discussed in the forum and the photo gallery contains pictures of sculptures, paintings and artefacts. You can listen to recordings of ancient poets, playwrights and historians online with excavations and tours of Greece being offered as well.
5. The Roman Empire – http://www.roman-empire.net/
The Roman Empire gives an illustrated history of ancient Rome with interactive maps, timelines, articles and photographs of ancient sites. Information can be chosen from categories such as Kings, early and late republic, Emperors, decline, collapse, religion, army, society and Constantinople with a special section for children containing FAQ and pictures. There is a gift shop offering key-rings, roman helmets, maps, coins and military figures and a calendar for re-enactment of Roman events can be viewed.
6. Dr. J. Classics – http://people.hsc.edu/drjclassics/index2.htm
Dr. J has a site entitled ‘Illustrated Guide to the Classical World’. The site is for students of all levels and contains images and texts for educational purposes. Photographs of ancient sites in Greece and Italy can be chosen with further sections for texts, dossier, Mythology, lectures, classic courses syllabi, Latin, teacher workshops and other illustrated sites.
7. Haverford – http://www.haverford.edu/classics/audio/
Haverford College has a page for classics podcasts containing readings of Latin and ancient Greek texts. A section called ‘news and views on Latin’ contains texts and prose by Latin poets such as Vergil, Horace, Cicero, Seneca and Ovid and a further section can be found for Greek. A link is provided to iTunes for listening to the pods and a Latin play that takes place every year at the college is advertised.
8. UCL – http://www.ucl.ac.uk/classics/
University College London has a department for Greek and Latin offering courses which specialise in literature, philosophy, historiography, linguists and papyrology with BA programmes in Classics and Ancient World. The programme requires no previous knowledge of Greek or Latin and gives the chance of studying the subject abroad. The department is conveniently located to some of the finest resources for research in the country with museums, galleries and libraries within easy reach. Full details can be found on the site along with the prospectus.
The University of Bristol offers a BA in Classical Studies at its department of Classics and Ancient History. The course focuses on literature, art, myth and the classical world as well as the reception of the subject in later centuries. Full details about the course and the university are given and the three-year structure of the exam is laid out clearly. A list of typical optional topics and typical special subjects are shown, but this is just a guideline since the research and units change every year.
10. Ohio State University – http://classics.osu.edu/
The Ohio State University has a department of classics, which is devoted to the study of languages, literature, Greek and Roman culture and antiquity. Many courses are available and details are given on each with selections being made from Classics, Greek, Latin or Modern Greek. Students can attend summer workshops and catalogues can be viewed for each section. Full information about the university and the exams can be found on the site.
