Sunday, December 30, 2007

Round-Up: December 30

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). I'll be taking a week off for the New Year to get my classes ready for spring semester (for those of you who don't know, my real job has nothing to do with Latin - I teach online courses in Myth-Folklore, World Literature and Indian Epics at the University of Oklahoma). So, I'll see you back online a week from today. For now: Happy New Year!

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Annus producit, non ager. In English: The year brings the yield, not the field. Listen to the audio, and ponder the meaning of this proverb for the new year to come!

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 14, and it includes a good saying about the role of proverbs in our lives: Verba sapientium sicut stimuli.

Latin Holiday Songs. This is the last holiday song that I'll be posting at the eClassics ning. For the New Year, I've chosen Auld Lang Syne, a Latin translation of the famous Scottish song by Robert Burns.

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR, and here is a Scottish drinking cup or "quaich" featuring the words Auld Lang Syne:



Saturday, December 29, 2007

Round-Up: December 29

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

ReligiousReading.com. In conjunction with the Vulgate Verses book, I've posted about the Latin Bible phrase Num custos fratris mei sum, the words spoken by Cain to God when questioned about Abel's whereabouts. You can read here about some of the extra-Biblical legends about Cain and Abel, including the version of this story found in the Koran.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes a great saying about teaching and learning: Bis discit qui docet. In fact, you could say that this saying explains the main reason why I publish these blogs! :-)

RomanSudoku.com: For your numerical amusement - Roman Sudoku. Yes, it's Sudoku played with Roman numerals: enjoy! You can visit the blog for a larger version, easier to print out and play. Here's a small image of the puzzle:




Friday, December 28, 2007

Round-Up: December 28

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). To keep up with the latest posts, you can use the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm working away on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 158, a group of proverbs including a Latin "early to bed, early to rise" saying: Sanat, sanctificat, ditat te surgere mane.

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes this famous Bible quote from Pontius Pilate: Ecce, homo.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Conditor Alme Siderum, "Bountiful Creator of the Stars," a lovely medieval hymn dating back to the sixth or seventh century.

As an illustration, here is an early medieval mosaic depicting Jesus.



Thursday, December 27, 2007

Round-Up: December 27

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). To keep up with the latest posts, you can use the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

ReligiousReading.com. In conjunction with the Vulgate Verses book, I've posted about the Latin Bible phrase ubi est victima holocausti, the words spoken by Isaac to his father. I wanted to explore the Biblical word "holocaust," as I just finished watching the huge miniseries, War and Remembrance, which contains staggering depictions of the Nazi death camps.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes that great observation from Horace: Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Dormi Jesu, a beautiful little Latin lullaby that was copied by the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge from a print that he saw in a German village, and which he then published in Sibylline Leaves in 1817.

Meanwhile, here is a medieval image of the infant Jesus asleep in the manger.



Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Round-Up: December 26

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). For keeping up with the latest posts, there is the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

I hope everybody has had a nice Christmas!

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Improbe Neptunum accusat qui iterum naufragium facit. In English: The man who shipwrecks a second time unjustly accuses Neptune. Listen to the audio, and see how a form of this proverb surfaces in the old TV show Star Trek. :-)

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes this nice verse for the holiday season: Pax in caelo et gloria in excelsis.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning, and I'll carry on with that until the New Year. Today's holiday song is Sanctus Wenceslaus Rex, a Latin translation of the popular English Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslas." The story of King Wenceslas has become connected with the Christmas holiday season because the feast of Saint Stephen, mentioned in the carol, falls on December 26.

For an image today, I wanted to use this lovely photo of a Neptune statue, taken by my friend Neal Rattican; the statue is located in Virginia Beach, where they hold an annual Neptune Festival! You can find many more views of this wonderful statue with this Google Image Search.



Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Round-Up: December 25

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (plus there is a page listing previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). You can keep up with the latest posts but using the RSS feed in a feedreader (e.g. Bloglines), or you can subscribe by email. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 13, and it includes a good verse about the oxen and their manger, although it's not about the nativity: Ubi non sunt boves, praesepe vacuum est.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes a good saying for Christmas Day and its frenzy of presents: Dare melius est quam accipere.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is O Parve Vice Bethlehem, which is actually three different translations of the carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" into Latin.

And here is a fifteenth-century nativity scene by Antoniazzo Romano:



Monday, December 24, 2007

Round-Up: December 24

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). For the latest posts, there is the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email. Merry Christmas!

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm working away on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 157, a group of proverbs including one of my favorite proverbs about futile efforts: Qui lavat asinum, perdit aquam et saponem.

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes a great saying about fools and their foolishness: Praecordia fatui quasi rota carri.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is En, Nocte Venit Media, a Latin translation of the English carol, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear."

Meanwhile, here is a Russian icon of the nativity by the great painter Andrei Rublev.



Sunday, December 23, 2007

Round-Up: December 23

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Nulla sine sole umbra. In English: There is no shadow without the sun. Listen to the audio, and read some other Latin sayings about light and shadow found on sundials!

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 12, which contains the lovely verse: Timor non est in caritate.

RomanSudoku.com: For your numerical amusement - Roman Sudoku. Yes, it's Sudoku played with Roman numerals: enjoy! You can visit the blog for a larger version, easier to print out and play. Here's a small image of the puzzle:




Saturday, December 22, 2007

Round-Up: December 22

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Keep up with the latest posts... Get the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

ReligiousReading.com. In conjunction with the Vulgate Verses book, I've posted about the Latin Bible phrase Deus lux est, a simple statement of the light symbolism that is so important in Biblical language.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes this great saying about the wisdom of second thoughts: Sapit qui reputat.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Corde Natus Ex Parentis, a hymn with lyrics from the poet Prudentius.

For the image today, here is the motto of Oxford University, Dominus illuminatio mea, which I use in the post about Deus lux est - but it also seems a good thought to keep in mind on the occasion of the solstice! :-)



Friday, December 21, 2007

Round-Up: December 21

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). To keep up with the latest posts, you can use the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

On a side note, I've revamped my Latin Proverb of the Day widget - it is new and improved, because I've now written over 300 little proverb essays! That means the "random" Latin proverb option is much more random, with about twice as many proverbs in the randomizer. You can add the Latin Proverb of the Day, or a Random Latin Proverb, to your website, blog, etc., using the javascript provided here at SchoolhouseWidgets.com (and you can also see the script in action there). Have fun!

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Endymionis somnum dormit In English: He's sleeping the sleep of Endymion. Listen to the audio, and read a lovely passage from Thoreau in which he refers to the myth of Endymion.

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes this holiday season refrain: Gloria in excelsis.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Silens Nox, not just one but five different translations of "Silent Night" into Latin.

As an illustration, here is a stained glass window showing the nativity at the Grace Episcopal Church in Westwood NJ.



Thursday, December 20, 2007

Round-Up: December 20

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). For keeping up with the latest posts, there is the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm started back to work on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 156, a group of proverbs more third conjugation verbs. This group includes a great saying about falling leaves and, even worse, falling trees: Post folia cadunt in te arbores.

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes the famous declaration of Mary at the annunciation: Ecce, ancilla Domini.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Lapsi Caelo Super Gentes, a Latin version of the English carol "Angels We Have Heard On High."

Meanwhile, here are some lovely angels by Giotto:



Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Round-Up: December 19

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). You can keep up with the latest posts using the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

ReligiousReading.com. In conjunction with the Vulgate Verses book, I've posted about a Latin Bible phrase stella matutina, the "morning star," also known in Latin as lucifer. After the recent dust-up with Mike Huckabee and Mormon traditions about Jesus and Lucifer, I thought it would be interesting to look at the tangle of vocabulary in the Latin Bible itself.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes a famous based on the Bible: Si caecum caecus ducit, ambo in foveam cadunt.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Orientis Reges Tres, a Latin translation of the English carol, "We Three Kings of Orient Are" (a good song to keep in mind with the stella matutina and lucifer material from the Vulgate Bible!).

Meanwhile, here is a medieval image of the adoration of the Magi, also showing the star!



Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Round-Up: December 18

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). For the latest posts, there is the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm working away on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 155, a group of proverbs including the Latin equivalent of "set a thief to catch a thief," as follows: Callidus est latro qui tollit furta latroni.

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes this famous item from the Beatitudes: Beati pacifici..

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Quem Pastores Laudavere, a medieval Latin carol often known by the name "Quempas."

Meanwhile, here is a depiction by Giotto of the nativity, showing the annunciation to the shepherds in the background, with the adoration of the Magi in the foreground.



Monday, December 17, 2007

Round-Up: December 17

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (plus there is a page listing previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). You can keep up with the latest posts but using the RSS feed in a feedreader (e.g. Bloglines), or you can subscribe by email.

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 11.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes this great little saying about sleeping cats: Dum stertit cattus, numquam sibi currit in os mus.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Gaudete, "Rejoice," a 16th-century Latin carol that became a hit single in the 1970s for the band Steeleye Span.

Meanwhile, here is a medieval image of the Madonna and Child.



Sunday, December 16, 2007

Round-Up: December 16

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Keep up with the latest posts... Get the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Quasi nix tabescit dies. In English: Like snow, the day melts away.Listen to the audio, and read some other Latin sayings about the melting of snow and ice.

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 10.

RomanSudoku.com: For your numerical amusement - Roman Sudoku. Yes, it's Sudoku played with Roman numerals: enjoy! You can visit the blog for a larger version, easier to print out and play. Here's a small image of the puzzle:




Saturday, December 15, 2007

Round-Up: December 15

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Keep up with the latest posts... Get the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

ReligiousReading.com. In conjunction with the Vulgate Verses book, I've posted about the Latin Bible phrase Alpha et Omega, a famous symbol in Christian art derived from the Book of Revelation.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes this great saying about quality versus quantity: Sola apis excellit muscarum milia quinque.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'm posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is XII (Duodecim) Dies Natalis, a Latin translation of the 12 days of Christmas song!

Here is a lovely image of the 12 Days of Christmas done by "Paula" at the ukexpert website.



Friday, December 14, 2007

Round-Up: December 14

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm started back to work on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 154, a group of proverbs more third conjugation verbs. This group includes a great saying about the wisdom of the mouse: Mus non uni fidit antro.

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes the lamb of God: Ecce, agnus Dei.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is In Dulci Iubilo, a 14th century as a macaronic song, mixing German together with Latin. The composition is attributed to the German mysic Heinrich Suso who is supposed to have had a vision of angels and to have heard them singing. He joined in the dance of the angels and then recorded the experience in this mixed German and Latin song.

Meanwhile, here is a Russian icon of an angel:



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Thursday, December 13, 2007

Round-Up: December 13

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

On a side note, I had a little article about teaching mythology online appear in Bolchazy-Carducci's eLitterae newsletter. There's not a direct URL I can link to, but here's a screenshot. You can sign up for this monthly newsletter at the Bolchazy-Carducci site.

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Nulla dies sine linea. In English: No day without a line. Listen to the audio, and see both the positive and negative variations on this famous Latin saying.

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 9.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Primum Noel Cecinit Angelus, a Latin translation of the popular English carol "The First Noel."

Meanwhile, here is another image by Giotto, this time showing the annunciation to the shepherds in the right-hand portion of the image, with a large flock of sheep.



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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Round-Up: December 12

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

ReligiousReading.com. In conjunction with the Vulgate Verses book, I've posted about a Latin Bible phrase sanctus sanctus sanctus, a powerful element in Christian prayer. Find out just what this Bible saying has in common with the Beach Boys! (Hint: epizeuxis!)

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes this "zero-sum" saying: Nemo ditescit nisi malo alterius.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Dum Servant Pecus Pastores, a Latin translation (actually, two Latin translations) of the popular English carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night."

Mere is a medieval image, this time showing the annunciation to the shepherd in the right-hand portion of the image, with the angel's words displayed on a banner.



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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Round-Up: December 11

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm started back to work on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 153, a group of proverbs more third conjugation verbs. This group includes a saying worth pondering vis-a-vis the so-called war on terror, Bellum se ipsum alit.

AudioLatin.com: Verses: Here is some more audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes the thrice-holy, or trisagion: Sanctus sanctus sanctus Dominus Deus.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Christe, Redemptor Omnium, "Christ, Redeemer of All." This is an ancient Latin hymn, dating back to the 6th century and sometimes attributed to Saint Ambrose.

Here is a painting by Giotto of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem:



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Monday, December 10, 2007

Round-Up: December 10

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

AudioLatin.com: Verses: I've decided to start posting audio for the Vulgate Verses book also - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English notes and commentary on these verses also. Today's group includes Jesus's famous rebuke to Martha: Martha, Martha, sollicita es.

AudioLatin.com: Proverbs: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes this very intriguing proverb: Lacrima nihil citius arescit (clue: lacrima is in the ablative case).

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Adeste Fideles, "O Come All Ye Faithful" - a carol that often circulates under its Latin title even when it is sung in English.

Here is a painting by Giotto of the adoration of the Magi:



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Sunday, December 9, 2007

Round-Up: December 9

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is In idem flumen bis non descendimus. In English: We do not go down into the same river twice. Listen to the audio, and learn about this famous saying from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, via the Roman philosopher Seneca.

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 8.

RomanSudoku.com: For your numerical amusement - Roman Sudoku. Yes, it's Sudoku played with Roman numerals: enjoy! You can visit the blog for a larger version, easier to print out and play. Here's a small image of the puzzle:



Keep up with the latest posts... Get the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Round-Up: December 8

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

ReligiousReading.com. In conjunction with the Vulgate Verses book, I've posted about a Latin Bible phrase gloria in excelsis Deo which you might find yourself singing at this time of year as part of the Christmas carol, "Angels We Have Heard On High."

AudioLatin.com: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes one of my favorite self-reliance sayings in Latin: Sapiens fingit fortunam sibi.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Resonet in laudibus, a 14th-century hymn, widely popular in Germany and throughout Europe, in both Catholic and Protestant circles. I've provided the lyrics to two distinctly different Latin versions of the hymn.

Here is a painting by Giotto of the annuncitation to the shepherds.



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Friday, December 7, 2007

Round-Up: December 7

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guide I've added today is for Group 7.

AudioLatin.com: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes this great saying about the "razor's edge" in Latin: In acie novaculae consistit.

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Angeli Canunt Praecones, a Latin translation (actually, two different Latin translations!) of the English carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

Here is a medieval illustration of the annuncitation to the shepherds.



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Thursday, December 6, 2007

Round-Up: December 6

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guides I've added today are for Group 5 and Group 6.

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm started back to work on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 152, a group of proverbs featuring fifth declension nouns and third conjugation verbs. This group includes that great saying, Curae canitiem inducunt (I do indeed have not a few grey hairs myself!).

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Somnio Candidum Diem, a Latin translation of the English song, "White Christmas," made famous by Bing Crosby (although many other artists, too, have recorded the song).

Here is a movie poster for the film, "White Christmas," starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye:



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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Round-Up: December 5

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Semper Saturnalia agunt. In English: They are always celebrating Saturnalia. Listen to the audio, and learn about the Roman winter holiday festival of Saturnalia which, like Christmas, "comes but once a year."

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is O Viri, Este Hilares, a Latin translation of the English carol, "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen."

Meanwhile, since this carol is famously cited by Charles Dickens in his novel A Christmas Carol, I thought I would post an image from an early illustrated edition of Dickens.



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Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Round-Up: December 4

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). I've also published a piece today on "The Good Thief" at the ReligiousReading.com blog, if you are interested.

AudioLatin.com: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes this fine rhyming proverb: Doctrinae cultus nemo spernit nisi stultus..

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is A Solis Ortus Cardine, a beautiful medieval carol based on an alphabetic hymn by the fifth-century Christian poet Sedulius.

Meanwhile, here is a medieval depiction of the nativity.



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Monday, December 3, 2007

Round-Up: December 3

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). As you can see, I'm bringing back some blogs that have been on hiatus while I was finishing the Vulgate Verses book.

In addition to the blog postings below, I also commented on the Harry Mount editorial about Latin in the New York Times today. The online discussion there is quite lively!

ReligiousReading.com: Drawing on material from the Vulgate Verses book, I'll be posting brief essays on some verses with a special relevance to religious literacy (the topic of the ReligiousReading.com blog). The verse I have commented on today is Luke 10:41: Martha Martha sollicita es et turbaris erga plurima.

LatinViaProverbs.com: I'm started back to work on the online guide to the Latin Via Proverbs book, with grammar notes and English translations, working through the book group by group. Today I've posted notes for Group 151, a group of proverbs featuring fifth declension nouns and third conjugation verbs. This group includes that great saying, Spes alit et fallit.

AudioLatin.com: Here is the audio for 10 more Latin proverbs - just the audio, but there is a link to a page where you can get English translations and commentary on the proverbs, too. Today's group includes the rhyming proverb: Ad primos ictus non corruit ardua quercus. I've also posted a statement about Why I Read Latin Out Loud. :-)

Latin Holiday Songs. For the holiday season, instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Aquifolia Ornate, a Latin translation (in fact, two Latin translations!) of the holiday favorite, "Deck the Halls."

Meanwhile, here is some pretty winter holly to get you in the holiday spirit!



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Saturday, December 1, 2007

Round-Up: December 1

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: Audio Latin Proverbs.

Vulgate Verses. The Vulgate Verses book is now available (from Lulu Publishers), and I'm adding Study Guides at the Vulgate Verses blog. The Study Guides I've added today are for Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4.

Latin Holiday Songs. I've started again with the "holiday songs" for 2007, and instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Tinnitus, Tinnitus, a Latin translation (in fact, two Latin translations!) of the holiday favorite, "Jingle Bells."

Meanwhile, here is a picture of a one-horse open sleigh ride in Winter Park, Colorado:



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Friday, November 30, 2007

Round-Up: November 30

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Dum stertit cattus, numquam sibi currit in os mus. In English: When the cat is snoring, a mouse never runs into its mouth. Listen to the audio, and read some other Latin proverbs in praise of hard work, not just about cats and mice, but also foxes and wolves.

Latin Holiday Songs. I've started again with the "holiday songs" for 2007, and instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Veni Veni Emmanuel, a Latin Christmas hymn built on the ancient antiphons of the Roman breviary - which in turn contains a hidden anagram!

Meanwhile, here is a 17th-century icon of the Madonna and child:



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Vulgate Verses available now!

Here is a special announcement: I've finally finished the Vulgate Verses book and it is now available from Lulu.com:
Vulgate Verses: 4000 Sayings from the Bible for Teachers and Students of Latin

Yes, yes, I know I had said the book would be done in September... and it's November. Let's just say that life got in the way. Or, to modify a famous John Lennon quote, "Life is what happens to you while you're trying to finish a book!"

Like the Latin Via Proverbs book (which I published last year), the Vulgate Verses book is organized by grammatical categories, starting with nouns (first, second, third, fourth and fifth declensions, followed by pronouns, etc.), and then the verbs (present active system, present passive system, perfect system, participles).

In order to get a better sense of the contents of the book, take a look at the Vulgate Verses wiki, which provides a way to search the verses. You'll still need a copy of the book for a full sense of how the grammatical categories work, but the wiki is a way to see just what I found when I went looking for 4000 memorable verses from the Latin Bible!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Round-Up: November 29

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: Audio Latin Proverbs.

Latin Holiday Songs. I've started again with the "holiday songs" for 2007, and instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Procul in Praesaepi, a Latin translation of "Away in a Manger." This is another one of those songs where the tune is very familiar, and the Latin is very sing-able!

Meanwhile, here is a lovely detail from a nativity scene by Giotto:



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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Round-Up: November 28

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: Audio Latin Proverbs.

Latin Holiday Songs. I've started again with the "holiday songs" for 2007, and instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Gaudium Mundo, a Latin rendering of the first verse of the hymn "Joy to the World." What it lacks in length, it makes up for in sing-ability, since this is probably one of the best known holiday tunes.

Meanwhile, here is a lovely Russian icon of the Madonna and Jesus:



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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Round-Up: November 27

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: Audio Latin Proverbs.

Latin Holiday Songs. As I explained in yesterday's "Angelus ad Virginem" post, I've started again with the "holiday songs" for 2007, and instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Regis Olim Urbe David, which is a 19th-century English carol especially for children, translated into Latin.

Here is an image of Jesus as a child by the great Italian Renaissance painter, Botticelli:



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Monday, November 26, 2007

Round-Up: November 26

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: Audio Latin Proverbs.

Latin Holiday Songs. As I explained in yesterday's "Rudolphus" post, I've started again with the "holiday songs" for 2007, and instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Angelus ad Virginem, which is a medieval Latin carol dating back to the late 13th century. It is even mentioned by Chaucer in his Miller's Tale: "Playing so sweetly that the chamber rang; / And Angelus ad virginem he sang..."

For an image to accompany this hymn of the annunciation, I'll let the Annunciation Scene widget supply us with a random Annunciation image! (just press "refresh" in your browser to see more images)

(If you are reading this via email, you will need to visit the blog to see the image in action.)

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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Round-Up: November 25

I hope everybody had a good Thanksgiving week! Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Post triduum hospitis satietas est. In English: Three days is enough of a guest. Listen to the audio, and read some other Latin and English proverbs about having houseguests!

Latin Holiday Songs. I've started again with the "holiday songs" for 2007, and instead of a Latin Fable of the Day, I'll be posting a "holiday song of the day" at the eClassics ning. Today's holiday song is Rudolphus - read not one, not two, but FIVE versions of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in Latin!



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Friday, November 16, 2007

Round-Up: November 16

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). I'll be taking Thanksgiving week off, so I'll see you back here online after the holidays! Updated earlier this week:LatinViaFables.com: I'm now starting to go through Barlow's Aesop again, preparing the materials for a forthcoming book with Bolchazy-Carducci! So, as I republish the fables at LatinViaFables.com, they will have accompanying vocabulary and grammar notes, something I had not included in my previous recitation of these fables. Here is the fable I published today: De vitula et bove: The Heifer and The Ox. This is a great Aesop's fable about how someone can be oblivious to their fate. Take a close look at the image, and you will see the poor heifer being sacrificed there in the background. (It was common in book illustrations to 'condense' two scenes from the same story into a single picture, with one scene in the foreground and another scene in the background.)



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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Round-Up: November 15

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week:AudioLatinProverbs.com: Today's proverb is Gratia gratiam parit. In English: One favor gives birth to another. Listen to the audio, and learn something about this Latin word for "thanks," gratia, in preparation for Thanksgiving!

For an image today, I'll let the Greek God of the Week widget supply us with a portrait of this week's divinity!

(If you are reading this via email, you will need to visit the blog to see the image in action.)

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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Round-Up: November 14

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: RomanSudoku.com.

LatinViaFables.com: I'm now starting to go through Barlow's Aesop again, preparing the materials for a forthcoming book with Bolchazy-Carducci! So, as I republish the fables at LatinViaFables.com, they will have accompanying vocabulary and grammar notes, something I had not included in my previous recitation of these fables. Here is the fable I published today: De cicada et formica: The Cricket and The Ant. This is one of the most famous of Aesop's fables, where the ant teaches the cricket a hard lesson about what summer is really for!



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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Round-Up: November 13

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: LatinViaFables.com

RomanSudoku.com: For your numerical amusement - Roman Sudoku. Yes, it's Sudoku played with Roman numerals: enjoy! You can visit the blog for a larger version, easier to print out and play. Here's a small image of the puzzle:



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Monday, November 12, 2007

Round-Up: November 12

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). I hope everybody had a good weekend!

LatinViaFables.com: I'm now starting to go through Barlow's Aesop again, preparing the materials for a forthcoming book with Bolchazy-Carducci! So, as I republish the fables at LatinViaFables.com, they will have accompanying vocabulary and grammar notes, something I had not included in my previous recitation of these fables. Here is the fable I published today: De leone, asino et gallo: The Lion, The Donkey and The Rooster. The idea that lions are scared of a cockcrow is an ancient one (read more at aesopica.net), although the poor donkey does not make the connection!



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Friday, November 9, 2007

Round-Up: November 9

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: LatinViaFables.com: I'm now starting to go through Barlow's Aesop again, preparing the materials for a forthcoming book with Bolchazy-Carducci! So, as I republish the fables at LatinViaFables.com, they will have accompanying vocabulary and grammar notes, something I had not included in my previous recitation of these fables. Here is the fable I published today: De cornice et urna: The Crow and The Pitcher, which is one of the ancient tales of animal sollertia, animal "wisdom," which made its way into the Aesopic corpus. Instead of being about a foolish animal, as is usually the case, this is a story about a very wise creature!



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Thursday, November 8, 2007

Round-Up: November 8

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives). Updated earlier this week: RomanSudoku.com: For your numerical amusement - Roman Sudoku. Yes, it's Sudoku played with Roman numerals: enjoy! You can visit the blog for a larger version, easier to print out and play. Here's a small image of the puzzle:



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Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Round-Up: November 7

Here is a round-up of today's Bestiaria Latina blog posts (you can browse through previous round-ups at the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives).

2Gether: Desire2Learn Newsletter. This is not actually one of my blogs; rather, it is an article that I wrote for the 2Gether newsletter of Desire2Learn, the course management system which is used by my university. The article (which you can read online) describes the use of "widgets" in the Desire2Learn course management system. Of course, widgets are also something you can use in blogs and in other kinds of websites! I've created a variety of widgets with classical content at my SchoolhouseWidgets.com website, and for an image today, I'll let the Greek Beast of the Week widget supply us a portrait of this week's mythological creature!

(If you are reading this via email, you will need to visit the blog to see the image in action.)

Updated earlier this week: Keep up with the latest posts... Get the RSS feed, or you can subscribe by email.