A syllabus for certamen members to study is posted below. Materials to help members study and prepare in Latin Grammar, Mythology, Roman History, and Roman Life are attached below.
2011-12 NOVICE CERTAMEN SYLLABUS
OCTOBER 29 - TOM C. CLARK HIGH SCHOOL
Language Skills: Cambridge Latin Course (CLC) – Stages 1-5.
(Nominative Singular/Plural & Accusative Singular, Declensions 1-3;
Simple Prepositional Phrases; Present Tense Conjugations 1-4 & sum; all vocabulary.)
Amsco I – Lessons 79 & 80 (Latin Words & Phrases and Abbreviations Used in English).
NJCL Novice Vocabulary List – Core Novice Animals.
Mythology: Greek & Roman pantheon; myths of major gods/goddesses; creations myths.
(Listings of the 14 major deities in Tripp's Meridian Handbook of Classical Mythology or Grant and Hazel's Who's Who in Classical Mythology; Morford and Lenardon's Classical Mythology, Chapters 1-3 in 4th-6th editions, or Chapters 3-4 in 7th or later editions).
Life: CLC Stages 1-5; geography of Italy and the City of Pompeii.
Roman Life Topics: house, food and dining, furniture, clothing, names, family.[1]
History: 753-450 bce: Emphasis on Founding of Rome, Monarchy, and Early Republic.
DECEMBER ?? – CHURCHILL (Includes all previous material.)
Language Skills: CLC Stages 6-9.
(Imperfect and Perfect Tenses for Conjugations 1-4; Imperfect of sum;
Accusative and Dative singular and plural, Declensions 1-3; Superlative Adjectives.)
Amsco I – Lessons 68 (Related Words), 69 (Synonyms), 70 (Antonyms).
NJCL Novice Vocabulary List – Core Novice Body Parts.
Mythology: Major Heroes: Perseus, Hercules, Theseus, Jason, Bellerophon, Meleager.
Life: CLC Stages 6-9.
Roman Life Topics: gladiators, baths, slaves, death and funeral customs.1
History: 449-202 bce: Emphasis on Conquest of Italy, Samnite Wars, Pyrrhic War,
1st & 2nd Punic Wars; Provinces and Geography.
JANUARY 21 – JOHNSON (Includes all previous material.)
Language Skills: CLC Stages 10-12
(Comparative Adjectives; Dative w/ Special Verbs; 1st & 2nd person pronouns; Present,
Imperfect, and Perfect Tenses of Conjugations 1-4; Present Active Infinitive.)
Amsco I – Lessons 65, 66, 67, 81, 82 (Prefixes and Verb Families, Latin Roots Used in English Words, Suffixes, College Mottoes, State Mottoes).
Mythology: Emphasis on the Trojan War – from the causes through the returns..
Life: CLC Stages 10-12.
Roman Life Topics: education, elections, chariot racing, jobs, occupations.1
History: 202-78 bce: Emphasis on Macedonian Wars, Antiochus, 3rd Punic War, Gracchi,
Jugurtha, Marius, Sulla, Social War; Provinces and Geography.
FEBRUARY 17-18 – AREA – REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL (Includes all previous material.)
Language Skills: CLC Stages 13-14
(Present tense of possum, volo, nolo; Complementary Infinitives; Noun-Adj Agreement; Prep. Phrases.)
Future & Pluperfect Tenses of Verbs; Genitive Case of Nouns.
Amsco I – Lessons 53, 85, 86 (Verbal and Other Idioms; Latin Mastery List; Classified Vocabulary)
Mythology: Comprehensive coverage: major gods, heroes, and their myths.
Classical Mythology by Morford & Lenardon is the prime source.
Life: CLC Stages 13-14. Roman Life Topics: farming, roads and transportation, calendar,
festivals & holidays, medicine, and architecture.1
History: 77-31 bce: Emphasis on Spartacus, Crassus, Pompey, Cicero, Caesar, 1st & 2nd Triumvirates, Cleopatra, Octavian, Battle of Actium; Provinces and Geography.
[1] Howard Johnston's Private Life of the Romans is free on-line and is a good source for Roman Life Topics.