Friday, April 29, 2011

Round-Up: April 29

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is INVENIO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Viam inveniam aut faciam, "I will find a way, or make one."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for TAURUS , the bull, and FORMICA, the ant. Here's a nice one: Formica haud ignara ac non incauta futuri, "The ant is not ignorant nor reckless about the future" (in other words, while we are all lounging on the beach this summer, the ant is going to be gathering up those grains for the proverbial winter to come).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Polus Histrio, a story about method acting from the ancient world!

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Pastor et Lupi Catuli, the story of a shepherd who foolishly raised some wolf cubs.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Canes et Corium, the story of some greedy and foolish dogs. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Aesopus et Lucerna, an Aesopic variation of Diogenes looking for an honest man, and Testudo et Ranae, which tells what the turtle concluded by watching the life of the frogs.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Allen & Allen's Gallic War and Harkness's Select Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Rumpitur innumeris arbos uberrima pomis, / Et subito nimiae praecipitantur opes. (from Camerarius) and Nil recitas et vis, Mamerce, poeta videri: / quidquid vis esto, dummodo nil recites. (from Martial).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Medium certum (English: The middle way is certain).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Pauca sed bona (English: Few things, but good ones).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is In magno magni capiuntur flumine pisces (English: In the big river you can catch big fish).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Festucam in alterius oculo vides, in tuo trabem non vides (English: You see a bit of straw in another's eye, but you do not see the log in your eye).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Ad Graecas calendas (English: On the Greek calends - which is to say, never, as the Greek calendar had no calend days as the Roman calendar did; from Adagia 1.5.84).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἐξ ἴσου δίδου πᾶσιν (English: Give to all equally).

For an image today, here are those foolish dogs, 349. Canes et Corium. Corium depressum in flumine viderunt canes. Quod, ut extrahere celeriter possent, aquam coeperunt lambere. Sic rupti, perierunt priusquam quod petierant contingere valuissent. (source):

Canes et Corium

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Round-Up: April 27

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is MALUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Nullus dies omnino malus, "No day is altogether bad" (so something good better happen between now and midnight to redeem all the foolishness that wasted my time today, ha ha).

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ARANEA, the spider, and SERPENS, the snake. Here's a nice one: Quis miserebitur incantatori a serpente percusso?, "Who will sorry for the snake-charmer who is bitten by his own snake?"

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Hannibal et Antiochus, an anecdote about Hannibal and Antiochus the Great, who waged war against Rome in the Roman-Syrian War.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Feles, Aquila, et Sus, a great story about a treacherous cat and her friends, the eagle and the pig.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Olor et Anseres, the story of a swan who was mistaken for a goose. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Papilio et Formica, a funny debate between an ant and a catepillar who later becomes a butterfly, and Philosophus Atheniensis, the story of a would-be philosopher who cannot keep his mouth shut.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Ferguson's Introductory Latin Delectus‎ and Clement's Latin Selections‎ .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Maior in adversis virtutis gloria vera est: / Uberior ventis Myrrha agitata fluit. (from Camerarius) and Hostem cum fugeret, se Fannius ipse peremit. / Hic, rogo, non furor est, ne moriare, mori? (from Martial).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Cavendo (English: By being cautious).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Longae regum manus (English: Long are the hands of kings)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Est unusquisque faber ipsae suae fortunae (English: Each and every person is the maker of his own luck). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Mori est felicis, antequam mortem invoces (English: You're lucky if you die before you beg for death).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Primum abigendas apes, deinde ac mel subtrahendum (English: 4.9.7; from Adagia You've got to drive the bees away before you can steal the honey).

For an image today, here is Raphael's The School of Athens, for the fable of the would-be philosopher: 880. Philosophus Atheniensis. Mos erat apud Athenas quod qui voluit haberi pro philosopho, bene verberaretur et, si patienter se haberet, pro philosopho haberetur. Quidam autem bene verberabatur et, antequam iudicatum esset quod philosophus haberetur, statim post verbera exclamavit dicens, “Bene sum dignus vocari philosophus.” Et respondit ei quidam, “Frater, si tacuisses, philosophus esses.” (source)

Monday, April 25, 2011

Round-Up: April 25

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem septimum Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is SOL - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Nil novi sub sole, "There's nothing new under the sun."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for PORCUS, the pig, and TESTUDO, the turtle. Here's a nice one: Qui prendidistis, iidem edite testudines, "If you caught the turtles, you yourselves better eat them" (an allusion to the Aesop's fable about the god Mercury, the fishermen, and the turtles).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Scipio Africanus Accusatus , when Scipio invokes the gods on his own behalf.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Oves Timidae et Pastor, a funny little story about the shepherd's efforts to boost his flock's self-confidence.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is xxx, xxx. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Testudo et Lacerta, the debate between the lizard and the turtle, and Scarabaeus et Lupus, a funny story about an invasive little beetle.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books contains the latest books with macrons that I've found at GoogleBooks; to see the Latin readers I've found with macrons, take a look at the posts tagged "macrons" here.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Virtutem primam esse puto compescere linguam: / Proximus ille deo est, qui scit ratione tacere. (from Cato's distichs) and Palma velut riguos nunquam pallescit ad amnes, / Sic viret ad Verbi flumina sacra pius. (from Camerarius).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Lege, sapere aude (English: Read, dare to be wise).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Adeunt etiam optima (English: The best things are yet to be).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Si tibi do mannos, numeres ne dentibus annos (English: If I give you some ponies, don't look at their teeth to guess their age - in other words, don't look gift-ponies in the mouth).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Stultorum infinitus est numerus (Ecc. 1:15). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Talpa caecior: Blynder then a mole: A proverbe applied to them that lacke judgement yn thinges that are playne.

Today's image is for the story of the shepherd and his timid flock, 306. Oves Timidae et Pastor. Pastor qui magnum caprarum oviumque gregem habebat, videns gregem suum quotidie lupi escam fieri ac minui, oves et capras congregans, longa eos oratione hortatus est ne vellent lupum formidare, cum essent numero plures, et cornibus, quibus lupus careret, insuper armatae; sed vellent unanimiter et auxilio mutuo sese ab illius impetu et furore defendere, promittens se quoque eis non defuturum. Illae, hac oratione animatae, promittunt iurantque se nequaquam lupo cessuras. Cum autem paulo post lupus adventare nuntiaretur, tanto timore affectae sunt ut nullis pastoris verbis possent a fuga cohiberi. Tunc pastor secum “Impossibile est,” inquit, “mutari posse Naturam.” (source - easy version)

Pastor et Grex

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Round-Up: April 23

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem nonum Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is SI - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Si vis regnare, divide, the Latin equivalent of "Divide and conquer."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ANSER, the goose, and AGNUS, the lamb. Here's a nice one: Vota dei discens lupus est agni reminiscens, "The wolf, learning to pray to God, keeps thinking about the lamb."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Matris Inopinatum Gaudium, the story of an elderly mother and her soldier son.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Asinus et Tympana, the sad story of the donkey and his fate after death.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Apes, Fur, et Mellarius, the story of a man, his bees, and the thief who stole the honey. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Pavo et Miles, the story of a peacock whose feathers ended up on a soldier's helmet, and Draco et Homo, the hilarious story of a how a dragon tested a man's trustworthiness.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Cayzer's Britannia and Valpy's Latin Delectus .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Noli homines blando nimium sermone probare: / Fistula dulce canit, volucrem dum decipit auceps. (from the so-called distichs of Cato) and Tu quoque sic reseces vitiis marcentia multis, / Virtutum ut soboles pullulet uberior. (from Camerarius).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Optimum pati (English: To endure is best).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Fides, spes, caritas (English: Faith, hope, and charity).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Canis sine dentibus vehementius latrat (English: A dog without teeth barks the more fiercely - in other words, his bark is worth than his bark).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Ut pisces hamo, ita homines beneficio capiuntur (English: As fish with the hook, so are men captured by favors).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Stultior Coroebo (English: Stupider than Coroebus; from Adagia 2.9.64 - Coroebus was a notorious fool who tried to count the number of the waves in the sea, although he got confused by numbers greater than five).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Τὸν καπνὸν φεύγων, εἰς τὸ πῦρ ἔπεσον (English: Fleeing the smoke, I fell into the fire).

For an image today, here is the story of those ungrateful bees: 679. Apes, Fur, et Mellarius. Cum forte abesset apium dominus, ingressus apiarium fur exsecuit favos et alvearia compilavit. Reversus mellarius, alvearibus inanibus repertis, ad illa constitit, dolens damno suo et quaerens secum quid ageret. Interea redeunt apiculae de pastu et in illum infestae involant, pungentesque aculeis suis pessime accipiunt hominem qui, iratus, “Sceleratae,” inquit, “animantes! Furem dimisistis intactum; me vero curatorem vestrum affligitis.” (source)

Apes et Apiarius

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Round-Up: April 21

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem undecimum Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is TANTUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Quantum potes, tantum aude, "Dare to do as much as you are able."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for TURTUR, the turtle-dove, and PAVO, the peacock - as in Pulchrior quam pavo, "Prettier than a peacock" (with nice alliteration in both the Latin and the English!).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Pyrrhus et Consules Romani, a story about a plot to kill King Pyrrhus, a plot thwarted by the Roman consuls.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Haedus Saltans et Lupus , the story of how the wise little goat managed to escape from the wolf.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Cornicula et Ovis, a story about a sheep and a mean old crow. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Apelles et Alexander Rex, the story of Apelles, Alexander, and Alexander's horse, and Formicae Duae, a story about a modest ant and another ant who loves luxury.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Church's Latin Prose Lessons and Allen's Latin Primer.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Das numquam, semper promittis, Galla, roganti: / si semper fallis, iam rogo, Galla, nega. (from Martial) and Qui laurum et palmam victricem carpere gaudes, / Montis, si nescis, ardua scande prius. (from Camerarius).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Paulatim (English: Little by little).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Eventus stultorum magister (English: The outcome is the teacher of fools - in other words, a wise man can anticipate problems and take measures to prevent them... but fools are wise only after the fact)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Inter pygmaeos regnat nanus (English: Among the pygmies, the dwarf is king). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Male vivunt, qui se semper victuros putant (English: People who think they are going to live forever do a bad job of living).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Caudae pilos equinae paulatim vellere (English: Plucking the hairs of a horse's tail, one by one - as opposed to trying to tugging on the whole tail all at once; from Adagia 1.8.95).

For an image today, here is a painting of Apelles and Alexander, 872. Apelles et Alexander. Rex Alexander, contemplatus imaginem suam quam Apelles, celeberrimus pictor, pinxerat, minus laudavit picturam quam ille exspectaverat. Cum autem introductus equus adhinniret equo picto, quasi etiam hic verus esset equus, tum Apelles, “O rex,” inquit, “equus tuus artis pingendi peritior esse videtur quam tu.” (source)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Round-Up: April 19

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is INVITO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Veterem ferendo iniuriam, invitas novam, "By putting up with an old wrong, you invite a new one."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for PULEX, the flea, and AQUILA, the eagle. Here's a nice one: Ne ad pugnam vocet aquilam luscinia, "The nightingale shouldn't challenge the eagle to a fight."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Libri Sibyllini, the marvelous story of King Tarquin the Proud and the Sibyl's books.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Asinus et Canis, a fable about the dog and a thistle-eating donkey.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Apes, Fuci, et Vespa, the dispute between the hard-working bees and the lazy drones. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Diogenes et Poculum Eius, the famous story of Diogenes and his drinking cup, and Imago Picta in Camera Alta, a fable about an optical illusion.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Gardiner's A Latin Anthology for Beginners and Sykes' First Readings in Latin‎.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Si faveat caelum, bene surculus arbore crescet: / Si faveat Numen, tu quoque magnus eris. (from Camerarius, with an emblematic illustration) and Carmina Paulus emit, recitat sua carmina Paulus. / Nam quod emas possis iure vocare tuum. (from Martial - you could call it an epigram for students who buy their term papers from paper mills!).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Nitor donec supero (English: I strive until I triumph).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Litteris absentes videmus (English: We see people who are absent through letters).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Pomum compunctum cito corrumpit sibi iunctum (English: A bruised fruit quickly spoils the fruit next to it).

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Summum ius, summa iniuria: Extreme lawe is extreme wrong. This is to say, then most of all men swarve from right and equitie whan they most supersticiouslye sticke to the letters of lawes, not regarding th'intent of the makers. For this is called, Summum ius, that is to say, the extremitie or rigoure of the lawe, whan all the strife and contencion is upon the wordes of the law without any respecte to the meaning and purpose of the lawe makers.

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Solem suum oriri facit super bonos et malos et pluit super iustos et iniustos (Matt. 5:45). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

For an image today, here is Diogenes and his cup: 877. Diogenes et Poculum Eius. Diogenes Cynicus ubique secum ferre solebat poculum ligneum, quo aquam sibi e fonte hauriret. Sed cum aliquando videret puerum manibus aquam haurientem, poculum abiecit. “Apage,” inquit, “quid mihi te opus est? Carere poculo possum; manus idem mihi officium praestabunt.” (source)

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Round-Up: April 17

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum decimum Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is CORPUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Nemo liber est qui corpori servit, "No one is free who is a slave to the body."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for TIGRIS, the tiger, and GRACULUS , the jackdaw. Here's a nice one: Alius est clamor graculi, alius lusciniae cantus, "The squawking of the jackdaw is one thing, and the singing of the nightingale is another."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Socrates et Xanthippe, a hilarious little story about Socrates and his much maligned wife Xanthippe.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Canes et Agricola Penuria Laborans, the story of what the dogs learned by watching the farmer in a time of famine.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Ursae Catuli et Leaena, a story about a mama bear trying to lick her cubs into shape. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Psittacus et Turtur, a story about birds domestic and imported, and Sapiens, Rex et Barba Eius, a funny little story about the king and a wise-guy.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Hodges' Supplement to Smith's Latin Lessons and Scott's First Latin Lessons‎.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Ostia cur claudis, si vocem pauperis audis? / Fac, quae Christus amat, dum pauper ad ostia clamat. (from Wegeler) and Scribere me quereris, Velox, epigrammata longa. / Ipse nihil scribis: tu breviora facis. (from Martial).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Patientia vinces (English: By means of patience, you will triumph).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ratione, non ira (English: With thought, not anger).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Perdimus anguillam dum manibus stringimus illam (English: We lose the eel when we squeeze it with our hands).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Qui ambulat in tenebris, nescit quo vadat (English: He who walks in the shadows knows not where he goes).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Κακὸν δῶρον ἴσον ζημία (English: An evil gift is like a harm done).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Daedali alae (English: The wings of Daedalus; from Adagia 3.1.65). Erasmus explains that this is said when someone comes up with a new invention under the pressure of dire necessity. Here's a Greek stamp in honor of Daedalus and Icarus:

Friday, April 15, 2011

Special Edition: Online Sources for Texts with Macrons





Although I am not a fan of macrons myself (except in elementary Latin textbooks and reference works like dictionaries and grammars), there are many people who put a premium on the use of macrons. Because macrons are not widely found in earlier printed Latin texts which are now in the public domain, most Latin texts you find on the Internet do not have macrons. This is an unfortunate situation: even though I do not advocate the use of macrons, I think people should be able to choose what works best for them, and the lack of texts with macrons online represents a real barrier. If you want a text already with macrons, you have to buy that text from a commercial publisher or you may just be out of luck, as most Latin texts have never been printed with macrons at all. Luckily, though, this is a situation easy to remedy: people just need to share their own texts marked with macrons online!

The debate about macrons flares up at LatinTeach once a year or so, and this year I asked if people had sources for Latin texts with macrons online that they wanted to share. Even though I don't like macrons, I did a year-long project of publishing texts with macrons online, and I also keep an eye out for texts marked with macrons at GoogleBooks. John Whelpton responded to my query at LatinTeach with some additional suggestions for finding texts with macrons online, so below you will find above a list of what we have so far. IF YOU KNOW OF TEXTS WITH MACRONS ONLINE - either texts you have put there (it's easy to do with a blog or wiki or even just public GoogleDocs) or texts someone else has published online - please add a comment to this blog post with a link to the online text and a title/description, and I'll keep the list updated based on those additional contributions. I am really counting on people to help me with this, since I am not especially interested in macrons and am not likely to seek out and find these resources on my own... but I am glad to share the links here!

For those of you with texts you would like to share, Google's Blogger.com is one great ad-free option, and so is GoogleDocs, where you can import existing Word documents and publish them as webpages, all for free. You can also use wiki software, like PBWorks.com for educators or WikiSpaces.com. :-)

From Nubifera: Throcmorton, Equus quī canis esse vellet:


Round-Up: April 15

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for NOCTUA, the owl, and VACCA, the cow. Here's a nice one: Vicini vacca distentius uber gerit, "The neighbor's cow has bigger udders" (kind of a bovine version of "the grass is always greener).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Lucretia, the sad story of Lucretia and the overthrow of King Tarquin.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Bos Fimum Evehens, a hilarious little story about barnyard karma.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Canis et Fur, the story of a thief who tried to bribe the watchdog. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Mercurius, Homo, et Formica, a marvelous story about human hypocrisy exposed by the gods, and Coclea et Canis, the story of the dog who mistook an oyster for an egg.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Weld's Latin Lessons and Reader and Jones's First Lessons in Latin.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Omnia sunt mundi, quasi bulla caduca, rotundi /
In pratis ut flos, sic cadit omnis honos.
(from Wegeler) and Plena boni est mulier bona res pretiosaque, Cosme: / rara sed esse nimis res pretiosa solet. (from Campion).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Scienter utor (English: I enjoy things wisely).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Omnium rerum vicissitudo (English: There is change in all things)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae (English: There is no great talent without an admixture of madness). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Gravissimum est imperium consuetudinis (English: The rule of habit is most tyrannical).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Simia simia est, etiam si aurea gestet insignia (English: A monkey is a monkey, even if it's wearing gold medals; from Adagia 1.7.11).

For an image today, here is the story of the loyal watchdog, 385. Canis et Fur. Nocturnus fur, cum panem misisset cani, canis ait, “Linguam meam vis praecludere, pro re domini mei ne latrem. Quaeris ut facias per meam culpam lucrum.” Repentina liberalitas stultis grata esse videtur, peritis irrita. (source)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Round-Up: April 13

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: Idus Apriles, the "Ides of April" (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is DOCEO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Bis discit qui docet, "He who teaches learns twice" (I guess that's the main reason why I love my job as a teacher).

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for VULTUR, the vulture, and VIPERA, the viper. Here's a nice one: Ne lupum ovibus, agnis viperam adiungas, "Don't yoke the wolf to the sheep, nor the viper to the lambs."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Tarquinius Superbus, the story of cruel King Tarquinius and the coded message of the flowers in the meadow.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Catus et Gallus, the story of a cat determined to find an excuse for killing the rooster.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Cornix et Urna, the famous story of the thirsty crow. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Papilio et Vespa, the story of the wasp's rebuke of the mournful butterfly, and Aesopus et Petulans, the story about how Aesop got his revenge on a hooligan.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Leighton's First Steps in Latin and Evans' First Lessons in Latin.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Nescio quid sit amor: nec amo, nec amor, nec amavi / Sed scio, si quis amat, uritur igne gravi. (from Wegeler) and Qui sapit in multis, vix desipuisse videri / ulla in re poterit: tam bona fama bona est. (from Campion).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Gaudet tentamine virtus (English: Excellence rejoices in effort).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Surge, qui dormis (English: Rise up, you who sleep).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Asinus ad lapidem non bis offendit eundum (English: A donkey does not stumble twice over the same stone).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Nemo est qui semper vivat (Ecc. 9:4). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Ad vivum resecare: To touche it to the quicke. A proverbe taken of parynge of nayles until the bloude doth appeare, which signifieth to touche a thinge nearer than nede requireth.

Today's image is for the story of the cat and the rooster, 394. Catus et Gallus. Catus, cum gallum cepisset, criminare coepit quod esset animal turbulentum, qui noctu clamitando non permitteret homines quiescere. Gallus se excusabat quod id ageret ad eorum voluptatem, cum ad opera facienda illos excitaret. Rursum catus ait, “Impius es, qui nec a matre nec a sororibus te abstineas, sed per incontinentiam illis te commisceas.” Gallus se defendebat dixitque quod, ex huiusmodi coitu, gallinae pariunt ova. Tunc inquit catus, “Quamvis excusationibus abundes, ego tamen te missum facere non intendo.” (source - easy version).

Feles et Gallus

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Mark Walker: VATES, Issues 3

Visit Mark Walker's website to download the latest issue of VATES: The Journal of New Latin Poetry, along with the two previous issues (or click here to download the PDF of the new issue directly). I've embedded the latest issue below so you can get a sense of what a nice publication it is, with some delightful Latin poetry, all with English translations as well, along with interesting commentary by the authors. I've got a piece in this issue on Uken's Steganometrographia, a system of writing your own Latin verses that contain secret encoded messages!


Monday, April 11, 2011

Round-Up: April 11

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

I've got a new project going, as you'll see below: Disticha Latina, a collection of two-line poems in Latin, with a Latin-English vocabulary list for each one. I'm posting in there every day now, so I'll have two little poems for each round-up; see below.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Idus Apriles (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is NULLUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Nullus dies omnino malus, "No day is altogether bad."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for HIRCUS, the billy-goat, and MUS, the mouse. Here's a nice one about mice: Qui cum felibus venatur mures capiet, "He who hunts with cats will catch mice."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Sacerdos Callidus, a funny little story about a sacrifice at the temple of Diana in Rome.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Graculus et Avarus, a wonderful little story about a greedy man and a thieving jackdaw.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Cancer et Filius Eius, a story of "do as I say, not as I do." (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Scarabaeus et Fur, an outrageous little story about a man who got a beetle in his butt, and Formica Alata, the story of what happened to the ant who wanted wings.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Adams' Lectiones Selectae and Sanford & Scott's A Junior Latin Reader .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Taurus, Olor, Satyrusque ob amorem, et Iupiter Aurum est / Europes, Ledes, Antiopes, Danaes (source) and O dives, dives! non omni tempore vives! / Fac bene, dum vivis, post mortem vivere si vis (source).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Occasio premenda (English: Opportunity should be pursued).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Multum, non multa (English: Much, not many - in other words: focus! don't multitask!).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Si cantes asino, crepitus tibi reddet ab ano (English: If you sing to a donkey, he'll return you a fart from his rump).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Vivorum memento (English: Remember the living).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Expertes invidentiae Musarum fores (English: Let the doors of the Muses be free from envy; from Adagia 1.2.85 - note the word expers here, which means "having no part in").

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἀνδρὸς μείζονος μὴ κοινώνει (English: Don't get involved with a person more powerful than yourself).

For an image today, here is a mosaic that depicts Jupiter as a satyr with Antiope, as in one of today's little poems: Taurus, Olor, Satyrusque ob amorem, et Iupiter Aurum est / Europes, Ledes, Antiopes, Danaes (source).

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Round-Up: April 9

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum Idus Apriles (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is QUIDAM - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Inter verba et actus magnus quidam mons est, "Between the words and the deed there is a certain big mountain" (in other words: easier said than done).

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for PICA, the magpie, and LYNX, the lynx. Here's a nice one: Foris lynx, domi Tiresias, "A lynx abroad, Tiresias at home" (which is to say, keen-sighted when it comes to other people's faults, and blind to your own).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Servius Tullius Rex, the righteous rule of King Servius Tullius.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Ranae et Taurorum Proelia, the story of what the battle of the bulls meant for the frogs.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Galli Inter Se Pugnantes, the story of the paradoxical outcome of the cock fight. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Testudo et Aquila, Certantes, the race between the turtle and the eagle, and Servus Profugiens et Aesopus, which shows Aesop advising a runaway slave... and the advice he gives might surprise you.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Greenough & D'Ooge & Daniell's Second Year Latin and Bingham & McCabe's Latin Reader.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Fortitudine vinco (English: Through bravery, I am victorious).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Fames optimus coquus (English: Hunger is the best cook)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Est avis in dextra melior quam quattuor extra (English: A bird in the right hand is better than four outside). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Quemcumque quaerit calamitas, facile invenit (English: When disaster seeks someone, she finds him easily).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Qui canem alit peregrinum, huic praeter funiculum nihil fit reliqui (English: He who feeds a stray dog is left with nothing but the leash; from Adagia 3.3.46).

For an image today, here is a fabulous illustration for the story of the two roosters fighting, 563. Galli Inter Se Pugnantes. Galli duo, ut eorum mos est, inter se de ducatu gallinarum acerrime certabant. Qui superior in pugna fuerat, alarum plausu vocisque cantu se victorem fuisse significans, Venere et otio emarcuit. Victus autem, a conspectu gallinarum profugiens, cum cornicibus et pavonibus sese quotidie pugnando exercebat; inferendi vitandique ictus artem ediscebat. Qui, ubi se satis instructum vidit, rediens, adversarium ad pugnam provocatum nullo negotio superavit. (source):

Galli Pugnantes

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Round-Up: April 7

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem septimum Idus Apriles (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is POPULUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Salus populi suprema lex esto, "Let the well-being of the people be the highest law" (which you can see on the Seal of the State of Missouri).

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for GRUS, the crane, and MULUS, the mule. Here's a nice one: Mulus clarum collo iactans tintinnabulum, "The mule, shaking the shiny bell on his neck" (something you would say to make fun of a ridiculous person who is boasting about something, like a mule who seems to think he is some fine kind of horse; the saying is derived from one of the fables of Phaedrus).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Tarquinius Priscus, including the omen of Tarquin and the eagle.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Aquila et Vulpes, the story of the eagle who stole the fox's pups.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Camelus Primo Conspicatus, the story of what happened when people saw a camel for the first time. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Eruca et Vipera, the story of the viper with no feet and the caterpillar with many feet, and Socrates et Meretrix, in which Socrates rebukes a boastful prostitute.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Bryce's First Latin Book and Andrews' First Lessons in Latin.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Per ardua surgo (English: I rise up through difficulties).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Dii facientes adiuvant (English: The gods help those who are doers).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Vultus fortunae mutatur imagine lunae (English: The face of fortune changes like the moon's appearance).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Novos caelos et novam terram expectamus, in quibus iustitia habitat (II Peter 3:13). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Dulcia non meruit, qui non gustavit amara: That is to say, he hath not deserved the swete, whiche hath not taste the sowre. Also an other Proverbe saith, The catte woulde fishe eate, but she will not her feets weate.

Today's image is that Seal of the State of Missouri, which features Salus populi suprema lex esto:

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Round-Up: April 5

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: Nonae Apriles, the Nones of April (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is ARMA - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Arma non servant modum, "Weapons know no limit" (it's the arms race, in Latin!).

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ANGUIS, the snake, and RANA, the frog. Here's a nice one: Linque coax ranis, cras corvis, vanaque vanis, "Leave croaking to the frogs, cawing to the crows, and foolishness to the fools" (find out more about this verse at Wikipedia).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Mors Numae, the accomplishments of Numa in life and his death.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Vulpes in Puteum Delapsa et Lupus, a funny little story about the fox who fell in a well and asked a wolf for help.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Sus per Venerem Iurans et Canis, a story about the enmity between the pig and the goddess Aphrodite. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Demades Orator et Fabella, the story Demades tells about Ceres, a swallow and an eel, and Apes et Vipera, in which the bees and the viper make very different use of the same meadow.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Allen's Latin Selections and McClintock's Second Book in Latin.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Nolens, volens (English: Willy-nilly).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Audacter et aperte (English: Boldly and openly).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Cochlea consiliis, in factis esto volucris (English: Be a snail in your planning and swift as a bird in your deeds).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Dignus es, qui in tenebris mices (English: He's a trustworthy man, the kind you can play "Rock-Paper-Scissors" with in the dark).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Evitata Charybdi in Scyllam incidi (English: Having avoided Charybdis, I've fallen into Scylla; from Adagia 1.5.4).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἐκ τῶν ὀνύχων τὸν λέοντα (English: From the claws [you know] the lion).

For an image today, here is the story of the fox in the well and the wolf: 64. Vulpes in Puteum Delapsa et Lupus. Vulpes, cum in puteum fortuito incidisset, lupum in ripa praetereuntem vidit rogavitque ut funem sibi compararet opemque daret ad se ipsam a tanto periculo extrahendam. Cui lupus, “Miserrima vulpes, condoleo tuum infortunium. Dic, precor, quomodo in hunc puteum incidisti?” Respondebat vulpes, “Non opus est ambagibus. Quin tu funem comparato, et deinde omnia tibi in ordine expediam.” (source - easy version)

Vulpes in Puteo et Lupus