Werewolves of the Ancient World

The werewolf has captured human imagination for centuries. "Werewolf" literally means "man wolf". Werewolves practice lycanthropy. Lycanthropy is the magical ability to assume the form and characteristics of a wolf.

The story began that a Greek king (King Lycaeon) decided to sacrifice his son to Zeus. The gods were angered as it was the last straw and Zeus turned Lycaeon into a wolf. Afterwards a cult formed about this event. It was called the Zeus Lycaeus cult.

Werewolves were highly believed in in Europe during the Middle Ages. They were taken so seriously that they were burned alive with supposed witches. They were thought to be servants of the devil, like witches. Werewolves were thought to have made pacts with the devil and sold their souls.

Ghosts in the Ancient World

The ghosts of the ancient Romans are referred to as shades of the dead, who were honored or propitiated by means of festivals throughout the year. There were several types of Roman ghosts, particularly Manes (Di manes), Lares, and Lemures. The ghosts were also known as umbrae (which translates as 'shades', as in "umbrella"), imagines, and species. There were two main festivals to celebrate the ghosts of the dead, which were the Parentalia and the Lemuria. During the 10 day Parentlia most business, etc. was shut down. This took place in cemeteries. The Lemuria was 3 days long and took place in the home. Romans often performed rituals for the dead, which sometimes included offerings. There is no definite fact that says that Romans belived in ghosts, but they definitely celebrated them.

Chapter 8 Test (Part II-S.A. Odd)

1. My brother always leads his life in peace.
3. Oh friend, we destroy liberty.
5. We never conquer danger without danger.
7. Catullus thanks the great Marco Tullio Ciceroni.
9. Agamemnon will lead the great abundance from the land Graeca up to Troiam, where many will kill men.

Chapter 8 Test (Part I-paradigms)

agere-to lead
Present, Future, Imperfect

Present Indicative Active
ago
agis
agit
agimus
agitis
agunt

Future Indicative Active
agam
ages
aget
agemus
agetis
agent

Imperfect Indicative Active
agebam
agebas
agebat
agebamus
agebatis
agebant

Cleobus and Biton Research

Cleobus and Biton were of the Argive race. On the day of the festival of Juno, they wished to take their mother to Juno's temple, becuase she visited yearly. The oxen were away so they pulled their mother over 5 miles in the heat of the day to the temple. Becuase of their loving act, they achieved "the highest blessing to which mortals can attain." They brothers fell asleep in the temple and never woke up. They died without pain.

Cleobis and Biton Translation

Cleobis and Biton were the sons of Cydippe. Cydippe was the priestess of the goddess Juno. Cydippe was desiring to see a great statue of Juno. But the statue was far away, and Cydippe was not able to walk; the boys were not considering oxen. Cleobis and Biton were loving Cydippe; therefore, they themselves were pulling a wagon. The labor was difficult, but the sons of Cydippe were strong. Now Cydippe was able to see the statue; wherefore, she prayed to Juno: "Oh, beautiful goddess! Cleobis and Biton were having good morals and virtue. Therefore, give my sons the best reward." Because of the prayer of Cydippe, Juno, without delay, gave the boys death without pain. Cleobis and Biton now are happy in perpetual peace.

S.A. Chapter 8 evens

2. Come, come! Help me! Lead me to my second son.
4. New danger set forth without delay on the Roman population.
6. I am able to demonstrate from my human mistake right road.
8. You attract extraordinary form of human maiden eyes.

Vocab Chapter 8 Quiz

1. copia-abundance
2. laus-praise
3. ratio-reckoning
4. soror-sister
5. disco-to learn
6. doceo-to teach
7. duco-to lead
8. gero-to carry
9. scribo-to write
10. traho-to draw

bonus
1. vinco-to overcome

Roman Engineering

The Romans have been known for their remarkable skill at building and engineering, even since the earliest times. They made bridges across the Tiber River. They constucted a great system of water distribution with aqueducts. The Romans built hundreds of mile of aqueducts that supplied Rome with a fresh water supply. They were also of the few to have sewers to drain the Forum so that the cities were cleaner and healthier. As Rome grew, developed, and conquered, they created roadways across the Empire, which were an amazing feat at the time.
The military engineers and Rome were skilled surveyors that designed numerous expansive projects in the areas that the troops aided in building. A great network of roads, bridges, and canals were built. Also fortified camps, frontier walls, arches, baths, and temples were built.

Emperor Augustus boasted that he found a city of stone and left it a city of marble. At the end of his reign, a good amount of Rome's buildings were of marble. Romans made a great use of concrete, and eventually used waterproof concrete.

The Romans made many advancements in engineering and were the head of the breakthroughs in engineering at the time.

The Coliseum and it's Architecture

The Coliseum is the largest and most widely known Roman amphitheater. It was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater. The Coliseum was started by Emperor Vespasian and was dedicated by his son, Titus. Vespasian's younger son succeeded Titus and under his rule the Coliseum was completed. The Coliseum was elliptical and had 4 stories. The Coliseum utilized over 240 arches, travertine posts, and columns. The seating capacity was believed to be over 50,000. The area inside the Coliseum was a pit surrounded by high walls, which were used to protect the crowd from the wild animals that were often used in the arena. The pit had a sand covered floor, which rested above substructures where animal dens, elevators, and other mechanisms have been found. Gladiators and animals fought in the arena (for more information on gladiators, see Roman Gladiator post). Combat between gladiators was abolished in 404 A.D. and the last recorded fight betwen animals was held in 523 A.D.

Over the years natural disasters affected the Coliseum and it had been restored by the Romans a few times. In 1995 a major restoration occurred so the structure would hold and more of the Coliseum would be open to the public.

Chapter 7 Test

S.A. Ch. 7 #1-10
1. I am a human being.
2. Nothing under the sun is new.
3. I sing the new song about the youth to the maidens and the boys now.
4. You praise fortune and the morals of the ancient people.
5. They hate to sin becuase good men have a love of virtue.
6. Under the chief you dare harsh evil times are good.
7. The foolish population often gives unworthy men office.
8. We always see foolish names on the wall of a building and gate.
9. Death is peace without words.
10. Many nations are able to tolerate servitude; our state is not able to. Remarkable is liberty recovery.

The Rape of Lucretia
Tarquinius Superbus was the king of Rome, and Tarquinius Sextus was the son of the evil tyrant. Sextus raped Lucretia, wife of Collatini, and the good woman, on account of her great love of virtue, she killed herself. The ancient Romans always praised the virtue and spirit of Lucretia and they blame the Tarquins.

Catullus Dedicates his Poetry Book
Cornelius, great wisdom man, I shall give a new beautiful book. Cornelius, my friend, you were always praising my books, and are the scholarly teacher of the letter! Therefore, regard my new labor; the book's fame (and your fame) will be perpetual.

Latin Help-verbs from IO

Amabat-he, she, it loves
Metuebat-he, she, it was fearing
Mutavit-he changed
Videbit-he, she, it shall see
Cogitabat-he, she, it, was thinking
Erat-he, she, it, was
Habesne-you possess
Dabisne-you ought to
Amas-you love
Dedit-he gave
Remanebat-it was remaining
Habebat-he, she, it was having
Superavit-he conquered
Erat-he, she, it was
Manebat-he, she, it, was remaining
Errabat-he, she, it was wandering
Videbat-he, she, it, was seeing
Habebat-he, she, it was having
Habebisne-you shall have?

Chapter 7 Vocab

1. amore- love
2. civitas-state
3. homo-human being
4. littera- letter of the alphabet
5. nomen-name
6. regina-queen
7. tempus-time
8. uxor-wife
9. virtus-courage
10. novus-new
Bonus
1. audeo-to dare
2. neco-to kill, murder

The Curse of Atreus

Atreus and Thyeste are the sons of Pelopis. Thyestes seduces Atreus's wife; at the time, he was not able to truly tolerate the discovery. Plot, therefore, against a brother, he thought; "You are abundantly angry. Becuase of you my few sons cut up and killed their brother. Then I ought to cook he and Thyestes for dinner. He killed the boys; Thyestes saw his own dead boys on the table. Oh, unfortunate Thyestes! He did not have anything. But, Oh Atreus, becuase of your great and true sons you ought to have great penalty. In our evil sons remains your ancient blame; it was perpetual. You ought to think of an ambush, oh Atreus? Your anger is not able to overcome; evil, therefore, is always your reputation. You are turly praised, but have many faults.

Chapter 6 Paradigm Test

1. Sum Present Act. Ind.
sum-to be
sum
es
estis
sumus
e
sunt

2. Sum Imperfect Active Ind.
sum-to be
ero
eris
erit
erimus
eritis
erunt
3. Sum Future Act. Ind.
sum-to be
eram
eras
erat
eramus
eratis
erant
1. Possum Present Act. Ind.
possum- to be able
Possum
potes
potest
possumus
potestis
possunt
2. Possum Imperfect Active Indicative
possum-to be able
Potero
poteris
poterit
poterimus
poterunt
3. Possum Future Act. Ind.
possum-to be ablhe
poteram
poteras
poterat
poteramus
poteratis
poterant

Chapter 6 Optional Exercises

#'s 6-24
6. Your country was free.
7. I was able to be a tyrant.
8. Your friend will be a tyrant.
9. Where there is a tyrant, there are men that are not able to be free.
10. He could not remain in our contry yesterday.
11. Tyrants will always have many faults.
12. We were not able to overcome the tyrants.
13. We ought to overcome our tyrant.
14. The tyrant was able to overcome good men; but he willl not be able to remain there.
15. You will be able to see the dangers of a tyrant.
16. We cannot tolerate the fualts of tyrants.
17. You were not tolerating the treachery of the tyrant.
18. The pleasure in your fatherland cannot be perpetual.
19. You ought to warn free men about tyrants.
20. Your teacher schoolmaster always used to like fine books.
21. Good and true books were able to save the country.
22. You willl be able to preserve your country with good books.
23. Tyrants will not be able to be above the wisdom of good books.
24. Bad men cannot tolerate good books.

Chapter 6 Vocab

1. dea-goddess
2. discipula-student
3. insidiae-ambush
4. liber-book
5. tyrannus-tyrant
6. vitium-crime
7. Graecus- Greek
8. perpetuus-perpetual
9. plenus-abundant
10. salvus-safe

Bonus;
1. secundus-second
2. possum-to be able

Roman Gladiators

Gladiator is from the Latin "gladius" which means "sword". Gladiators were professional fighters who battled for the enjoyment of the audience in the ampitheathers they performed in. The Coliseum was the most famous amphitheater that gladiators fought in (see The Coliseum and it's Architecture post). Gladiators were mostly males and were mostly slaves, condemned criminals, prisoners of war, and sometimes Christians. The largest amount of gladiators in one event was 5000 pairs of fighters. They were forced to become swordsmen and trained in schools called ludi. Special measures were taken to prevent them from commiting suicide. A successful gladiator received great acclaim. He was pampered and sometimes portrayed on art. Some gladiators who survived were let free. Occasionally, freedmen and Roman citizens fought, and once the mad Emperor Commodus entered the arena. The classes of fighters were light armored or heavy armored. The retiarius (net man) tried to entangle the fully armed secutor (pursuer) with a net and then kill him with a trident. Other classes fought with different weapons, and sometimes used horses or chariots. According to tradition, when a gladiator overpowered his opponent, he looked to the crowd to decide wether he should live or die. The crowd waved handkercheifs if they wanted the felled gladiator to be spared and turned down their thumbs if they wished for his death. Gladiator matched continued until A.D. 500.

Roman Architecture

Roman architecture was varied, and different attributes of architecture were unique to certain areas. Monuments and buildings were made for the need of the patron and did not reflect the temperament of the architect, so few names are known of Roman architects. In the beginning, cities were not planned, but in the later Roman Republic the idea of city planning was adopted and cities became uniform. Cities were rectangular and had two main streets. In the center of the city was normally the forum, the Senate house, records office, and the basilica.

Quarried stone, timber beams, terra-cotta tiles, and plaques were the esential building materials of the time. The stone used varied from travertine to marble. The invention of concrete revolutionized the history of architecture and made it possible to construct a wider variety of buildings than the older method(post-and-lintel system) allowed. One of the most famous concrete made temple is the Pantheon. Bricks then became a favorite for building large constructs. Architects were encouraged to use irregular styles to lend visual excitement to the buildings. Public buildings were often the grandest and costliest strcutures in the city, becuase of their architecture.

Roman Entertainment

Roman citizens had much free time becuase the slaves did most of the work. Events could be held during the day or night. Most were free so even the poor could attend. There were 3 main types of entertainment: theatrical performances, chariot races, and gladiator fights. Men competed in many activities. The baths were an important part of everyday life. There men could socialize, exercise, and more. Many games were played in ancient Rome including dice, marbles, and knucklebones(jacks made from animal bones). Roman children had many toys we still use today like scooters, jumpropes, kites, yo-yos, dolls, noisemakers, piggybanks, etc. Romans played ball games and games similar to checkers. Romans were a very active people.

Roman Art

Roman art is divided into two major periods: art of the Roman Republic and art of the Roman Empire. At first, Roman art was mainly affected by its Etruscan past. Then, as Rome expanded, Romans were exposed to many varying forms of art. As a result, a different form of building, sculpting, and painting emerged. As the Roman civilization grew, they encountered many different artistic cultures, and so Roman art also varied by what region of Rome you were in. Roman art was not just the art of the upper class. It was also the art of the business men, freedmen, slaves, and more. Although much Roman art has survived, not many names of Roman artists are known.

The picture is an example to Roman art. This picture depicts Zeus on his throne.

Chapter 5 Test rest of test

5 S.A. questions

3. Narrow minds love money.

5. The blame is mine, oh friend.
8. Please, take care of my duaghter.
9. Human life is punishment.
10. Is healthy enough for you?

A Soldier's Humor
"Our army is great, " a Persian says, "and becuase of the number of our arrows you will not see heaven!" Then a Spartan answered: "In shadow, therefore, we fight!" And Leonidas, king of the Spartans, shouts: "Fight with spirit, Spartans; Today, perhaps we shall dine among the dead!"

Chapter 5 Test

Future Ind. Act. for luadare
luadare-to praise
Sing.
luadabo
luadabis
luadabit
Plural
luadabimus
luadabitis
luadabunt


Future Ind. Act. for monere
monere-to advise, warn
Sing.
monebo
monebis
monebit
Plural
monebimus
monebitis
monebunt


Imperfect Ind. Act. for luadare
luadare-to praise
Sing.
luadabam
laudabas
luadabat
Plural
luadabamus
luadabatis
luadabant


Imperfect Ind. Act. for monere
monere-to advise, warn
Sing.
monebam
monebas
monebat
Plural
monebamus
monebatis
monebant

Present Ind. Act.
luadare-to praise
Sing.
luado
laudas
luadat
Plural
luadamus
luadatis
luadant

Jupiter

Jupiter is the king of the gods, sky, and weather.
He is also god of fate of men and nations, law, justice, and moral conduct.
He was widely worshipped across all of Rome.
He is praised in many sanctuaries and shrines.
Jupiter is normally portrayed as a regal, bearded man.
Jupiter's signature weapon was a lightning bolt and he usually had a royal scepter and eagle.

Little poem I just made up...

Jupiter, king of the sky,

Jupiter, ever so high,

was a god of moral conduct,

but why had he never had much moral conduct?

We do not know why,

that the king of the sky,

was never a truely good guy.

The Adventures of Io

Jupiter, king of the gods, was loving pretty Io, but was fearing Juno's anger. Therefore, he changed Io's form. "Juno will not see a woman, but a cow", Jupiter was thinking. Juno was not foolish. "You possess a gift, my man? You ought to give the pretty cow to Juno? Give it, if you do love me!" Therefore, Jupiter gave the cow to Juno. The cow was remaining with the great watchmen, Argus. Argus was having 100 eyes. Mercury overcame Argus, but Io was not yet free. a wicked gadfly was remaining with the cow. Io was wandering through the land. Many people were seeing, but Io was not having her own true form. Unfortunate woman! Will you always have the form of a cow? Is your penalty enough?
Juno's anger was not perpetual. Jupiter gave Io a human form; then Io gave birth to a son. The 100 eyes of Argus you will see on a peacock's tail.