Latin

Competencies

C1: Translation

C2: Comprehension

C3: Understanding of the Roman World

Course Overview

We are excited to be introducing a new course this year, using the textbook Suburani. Suburani is a new Latin course that looks at the ancient world with fresh eyes. Beginning in AD 64, it follows the stories of a diverse cast of characters from the Subura in Rome and their travels through the Empire. 

We will cover Chapters 1-6, which follow the lives of a core cast of characters: Sabina, a teenage girl who lives with her father Faustus and her aunt Rufina (a landlord in an apartment block and the owner of a bar, respectively) and the people enslaved in their household (Lucrio, Quartilla, and Quartilla's young son Currax). 

Alongside learning Latin, we will explore the world of Rome in the 1st Century AD, finding out about life in an apartment block, chariot racing and baths amongst other background topics. 

Assessments

Students' written classwork and homework will be assessed informally throughout the year, and there will be multiple opportunities to practise each of the competencies. In addition to this, there are six key assessments which are marked against the competency descriptors and awarded levels. These assess a variety of different skills and will be a combination of homework tasks, timed tests and open book assignments focussing on accuracy of translation. The six assessments are as follows:

1. Chapter 1 Comprehension Assessment (C2)

2. Chapter 2 Translation (C1)

3. Circus Maximus Project (C3)

4. Chapter 3 Comprehension Assessment (C2)

5. Chapter 4 Translation (C1)

6. Chapter 5 Comprehension Assessment (C2)

Recommended Reading

Fiction

Lawrence, C. The Roman Mysteries: The Secret of Vesuvius (2002)

Non Fiction

Lawrence, C. Amarantus and his Neighbourhood (2021)

Staff Contact

Ms Liz Meehan (Head of Classics)