A Smattering of Latin: Get classical with trivia, quizzes and fun

by Simon R.H. James

Think Latin is an unnecessary, long-dead language? Think again! This fun, absorbing book, packed with quirky bite-sized lists, quizzes and trivia, proves that Latin is as vibrant and relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago. Find out how Latin appears surprisingly often in today’s movies, and how the language has left its mark on our place names. Discover the beauty of Latin poetry with choice snippets from Catullus, Horace and Virgil, and find out what the most notorious Roman emperors got up to. Learn the basics of the language itself, and test your new-found skills by guessing the names of famous books, songs and James Bond films that we’ve cunningly translated into Latin. From the spells in Harry Potter to the use of Latin in Asterix, to the Latin terms that litter law and medicine, this book is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to brush up their Latin, whether they studied it at school or not.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2016

About the author

Simon R.H. James is a Latin teacher and the author of a number of texts on Latin. He also conducted ten years of research to write a comprehensive film and street index covering over 750 films and 1,500 London streets.

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative. A lot of movies have snuck in Latin I didn't even realize! This is revealed and explained, as well as common terms, historical tidbits, etc. Good book to have in the car while you have to wait. Easily picked up and put back down. (I love not having to remember)