Monthly Archives: February 2016

Leap Day Harmony

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Peter Kruschwitz

Vergil‘s eighth Eclogue is a remarkable text. It presents a ‘song battle’ between Damon and Alphesiboeus, two pastoral poets, whose poetry is described in supernatural terms (Verg. ecl. 8.1-5, transl. H. R. Fairclough): Pastorum musam Damonis et Alphesiboei, immemor herbarum … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Prose | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A is for … the Ancient Roman Alphabet!

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Peter Kruschwitz

Ever wondered what Latin sounded like? Here is how Martianus Capella, a writer of the early fifth century A. D., describes the phonetics of the Latin alphabet  (De Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii 3.261; cf. Gramm. VIII 307-8 K.): A sub … Continue reading →

Posted in Prose | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Sweet Talk for Latin Lovers

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Peter Kruschwitz

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, any respectable Latin lover will, of course, be keen to brush up on their relevant sweet talking skills. Here are are some lines you may wish to rehearse for your Latin wooing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Pancake Day, Roman Style

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Peter Kruschwitz

It’s Pancake Day! Would you like to celebrate it, Roman style? Here is a quick and easy recipe from the late antique Roman cook book De re coquinaria, ascribed to one Apicius (7.11.8, transl. W. M. Hill, adapted): Ova spongia … Continue reading →

Posted in Prose | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments