Learn Latin! Sampler

Question 1

What does this mean in English?

magnus, magna, magnum

Answer 1

Large, great

Adjective, first/second declension

E.g. magnate, magnificent

Question 2

What is the word for the highlighted part of this name?

Gaius Iulius Caesar

Answer 2

Cognomen

The cognomen was like a nickname, given to many Romans. Often times, they were given as an honor, such as Pompeius Magnus, “Pompey The Great”. (Caesar actually means hairy!)

Question 3

What does this mean in English?

ad

Answer 3

To, towards

E.g. advance

Question 4

What does this mean in English?

eo, ire, ii, itus

Answer 4

Go

Irregular verb, fourth conjugation

I go, to go, I went, gone

E.g. transitive, ambient

Question 5

What does this mean in English?

Italia paene insulam est.

Answer 5

Italy is almost an island.

(Or: Italy is a peninsula.)

Question 6

What does this mean in English?

agricola

agricola
agricolae
agricolae
agricolam
agricola

Answer 6

Farmer

Noun, masculine, first declension

E.g. agriculture

Question 7

What does this mean in English?

levis, leve

Answer 7

Light

Adjective, third declension

E.g. levitation

Question 8

What are these?

–, -is, -i, -em, -e

-es, -um, -ibus, -es, -ibus

Answer 8

Third conjugation verb endings

Singular: Nominative, Genative, Dative, Accusative, Ablative

Plural: Nominative, Genative, Dative, Accusative, Ablative

Question 9

What does this mean in English?

iter, itineris

Answer 9

Journey

Noun, neuter, third declension

E.g. itinerary

Question 10

What does this abbreviation stand for?

N.B.

Answer 10

Nota Bene

“This is important” (literally, “Note [this] well”)

Question 11

What does this Roman Numeral equal?

DLXIV

Answer 11

564

D: 500
LX: 50+10 = 60
IV: 5-1 = 4

Question 12

What calendar date does this refer to?

Ides

Answer 12

The 13th day of:
January, February, April, June, August, September, November, December

BUT

The 15th day of:
March, May, July, October

“In July, October, March and May, the Ides are on the 15th day.”

Question 13

What is this office in the Roman Senate?

Consul

Answer 13

One of two elected co-leaders, both of whom held the power of “veto” – the right to stop the Senate from passing an action.

Question 14

What does this mean in English?

E Pluribus Unum

Answer 14

Out of many, one

• e, ex* – out of, from
• pluribus –* dative plural of plus, pluris (many)
• unum* – demonstrative of unus (one)

Question 15

What does this mean in English?

Veni, vidi, vici.

Answer 15

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Perfect tense, first person singular

• venio, venire, veni, ventus* – come
• video, videre, vidi, visus* – see
• vinco, vincere, vici, victus* – conquer