Hi, I have always had an interest in history but did a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology at college first time around in London. Then whilst living in South Africa I decided, for fun, to do a correspdence degree, a BA, in History and Ancient History. This was in order to give me a direction rather than my haphazard approach. Whilst studying I became much more interested in the ancient history part of the course.
That was around 25 years ago. I only did the BA, not the Hons as you needed to do both ancient greek and latin modules. As I was moving back to the UK I put it on the back burner. That proved to be quite an extended one - 23 years since I returned to Blighty! However, the events over the last 18 months or so made me think about things and my interests. Some went by the wayside when my kids came along (Eg Scuba diving) but my interest in ancient history has remained, albeit rudderless. I finally enrolled on an online beginners Latin course at City lit who are based in London. Currently in week 6 of an 11 week introductory course so basically I am just dipping my toe in. I’m enjoying the course but feel like a bit of a numpty at times as most of the group are linguists. They ask questions about grammar which go over my head. We’re using Reading Latin by Peter Jones and Keith Sidwell. I have got a little carried away on ebay and have bought Wheelock plus the first 3 books of the Cambridge Latin course as extras. I’ve even bought the Reading Greek books but they’re packed away until I develop some linguistic skills. I chose my ‘stage name’ after a scene from the greatest film ever made - The Life of Brian. Anyway, salvete omnes.
Welcome to Textkit!
Hello Nautius,
I just read your intro post and saw that you are using both sets of texts I am using - Peter Jones and Keith Sidwell and the JACT Reading Greek series. If you have any questions or would like to reach out on either of these texts please feel free as I am not sure if many folks are using the Cambridge Latin course here ( would love to be proven wrong so if any others are please let me know).
My nom de plume is from Killing Eve, but more because Villanelle is a polyglot with her many languages!
Cheers.
Hi Villanelle,
( I knew your name was from Killing Eve 
) Many thanks for the post. We’ve just finished section 1B in Reading Latin. I feel a bit punch drunk having just met 1st/2nd declension adjectives. This combined with remembering the declension endings we’ve met so far have my brain swimming. How far along in the book are you? How are you finding it? Are you doing it alone or through a course? I need direction so it was worth enrolling on a course for me. That way I have to be disciplined for the zoom lesson and for homework. Just finished my homework reading translation of page 24 and will attempt the English into Latin section tomorrow. I am only on book 1 of the Cambridge Latin series but it seems much much easier so far than Jones and Sidwell. I will definitely be in touch with Latin questions, however I am not attempting the Reading Greek yet as I’m confused enough. Keep well.
Hello Nautius,
I figured you might knew who I took my name from when I saw you were from the UK
I am exactly where you are in the Jones and Sidwell book right now, about to do the p24 English into Latin pieces before 1C. I am doing it alone, and finding it ok. Full disclosure though I used the older version of this text in first year uni and we completed that version in first year but first year uni was a while ago for me. So whilst it is familiar it is also different. What e learning course are you doing it through as I would be interested, although my timezone in Australia would mean ungodly hours even if I could enrol.
I hear you on the Greek. I am finding it quite hard also and tend to take longer breaks from it before progressing. If and when you begin the JACT Greek text give me a shout as it will be good to have someone to talk to about it.
Bona Fortuna and take care.
Hi Villanelle,
I am doing the Latin 1 module 1 at City lit who are based in London. It costs £160 if I remember correctly but for 10/11 weeks seems good value for money. If I can keep up I’d like to do module 2 after Christmas but I will have to see how it goes. It is at about the right pace for me but if you’ve done some before it might be too slow for you. I chose this class as it was a 7.30pm start which goes on until 9pm. Most other courses start around 6 pm I think. The later one gives me time to get home, feed the kids, wash up and then say a quick hello to my wife, who gets home as I go to the study to do my course. I did look at a few Yank ones but they had strange time zones(Eastern time etc) which was too much for my small brain to cope with. Mind you I discovered this new fangled time thing called UTC which seems to be replacing GMT on the Internet. Good luck with the translation, we can show each other if I work out how to email etc on this site. All the best.
Hi Villanelle,
How’s it going with Reading Latin? Currently on section 1D. Just translated to line 203 on pg 28 of the Text & Vocabulary book.
Uale.
Hi Villanelle,
Just finished a lesson on my translation of 1D. I was ok apart from the ‘children memorials’ bit. I made a bit of a hash of it. How did you find that bit?
I have just been introduced to the quizlet app ( Look in playstore, etc) or on your computer. Just type in Reading Latin and there’s loads of vocab cards, etc. I also did it for Reading Greek ( JACT) and there’s loads for that as well - some from teachers!
Anyway, keep fighting the good fight. Last week of my introductory module next week but I’ve already signed up for the next one.
Hi Nautius,
I had actually responded to your previous post via PM but not sure if you had a chance to read it yet?
I am currently in the middle of the 1C exercises and have slowed down a bit due to a few other things that have been on my plate with the school year coming to an end soon and Christmas being on the way . I will let you know when I get to the 1D translation though if it was a tricky one.
I have looked at Quizlet and it’s really good! Enosh from here on the Forum pointed it out to me and I have been making use of his fantastic JACT Greek cards 
. I didn’t realise that there were some official ones there for Reading Latin and JACT Greek so I will definitely check them out. Will get back to you on how I find them.
I’m absolutely keeping up the good fight with the Classics. My son starts Latin next year for school so that’s one of the many reasons I took it up again.
So you have signed up for another 10 week course using still using the Reading Latin texts? Does that continue from section 1D onwards? Still one night a week as usual. If it weren’t for the 11 hour time diff between Sydney and the UK I’d be up for doing that course as it sounds good.
Bona Fortuna!
Hi Nautius,
I just finished the 1D translation but not sure what you are referring to with the ‘children memorials’? I’m using the 2016 edition of the 3 texts and in mine 1D consists of a conversation between Megadorus the neighbour of Euclio and his sister Eunomia in regards to Megadorus marrying Euclio’s daughter Phaedra.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers.
PS: Another distraction from my classical studies at the moment is the cricket …!
Hi Villanelle,
I meant the “children are like memorials of wives husbands” bit (or something like that.) which I made a total hash of. I have the same edition that you’re using. Sorry for the late reply, I pm’ed you. Good luck with your translations.
Ps
Don’t enjoy the cricket too much.