The benefits of training in the classics are many. The study of classical authors in the original affords students the means to appreciate more fully the foundation and development of English and European literature. Similarly, the study of the Latin language is an excellent, and perhaps essential, basis for understanding English and the modern romance languages. Equally important, the intellectual discipline of classical studies is an aim and reward in its own right. The study of Latin and Greek teaches precision and flexibility of mind as well as regular and thorough study habits. After mastering the basics of grammar, vocabulary and syntax, students learn to translate and interpret important works of literature. Because students develop the skills of close textual analysis with works that have been hotly debated for centuries, they begin to understand both the scholarly value of their own interpretations and how the lenses of different eras affect the way a work is viewed. The diploma requirement is met by successful completion of a Milton Academy level 3 or 2/3 course.

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Latin 1
This introduction to the Latin language presents the basics of grammar and vocabulary, as well as background in Roman history, culture and mythology. Because students enter Class IV with different backgrounds in English grammar, considerable time is devoted to examining the way English works. In addition, students learn to look for English cognates of the Latin words they study, thus strengthening their vocabulary in both languages.

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Latin 2
Following a systematic review of Latin morphology and sentence structure, students in Latin 2 complete their study of forms and syntax while developing reading skills using adapted selections, primarily from Cicero. Some original Latin texts also serve as a starting point for exploring important periods of Latin history. This course prepares students to read Latin prose.

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Latin 3
A reading course with some grammar and composition, Latin 3 continues to focus on developing the students’ reading skills. Students build vocabulary through using learned roots, prefixes and English derivatives. Prose works include selections from Caesar’s commentaries and the speeches of Cicero, which we examine for rhetorical style as well as for content and political implications. Excerpts from Ovid’s Metamorphoses introduce meter and familiarize students with mytho-logical stories.

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Latin 2/3 (Accelerated)
This course combines all the grammar and authors studied in Latin 2 and 3. The class meets five times a week and assumes a solid foundation in level 1 Latin. Suc-cessful completion of this course qualifies students for Latin 4. (Enrollment by permission of the department.)

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Latin 4 (AP)
This reading course in Vergil’s Aeneid emphasizes the major themes of the work within both their literary and historical contexts. Designed for highly motivated students, this rigorous course presents elements of Roman history, politics, mythology and the classical literary tradition. Through close textual study, students encounter literary criticism as a tool for understanding classical poetry. (Prepares students for the AP Latin: Vergil Examination.)

Advanced Latin
Roman History and Lyric Poetry are half courses. Each meets twice a week throughout the year and may be taken independently or concurrently as a full course. Philosophy and Selected Readings are semester courses, meeting four times a week for half the year.

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Advanced Latin: Roman History
(Half Course)
This course provides a look at Roman history through the eyes of some of Rome’s better-known historians. A close reading of selected texts in Latin serves as a basis for examining questions of historiography and prose style. Principal selections are drawn from Livy, Tacitus and Sallust.

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Advanced Latin: Lyric Poetry (AP)
(Half Course)
The focus of this course is on understanding the lyric genre through the selected poems of Catullus and Horace. We consider the history, meter and beauty of lyric poetry as well as the particular styles and accomplishments of these two poets. We give special attention to critical interpretation of the poems. (Prepares students for the AP Latin Literature Examination.)

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Advanced Latin: Philosophy of Lucretius (Semester 1)
This course explores Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura. Lucretius’ philosophical insight and poetic craft are presented in their historical context. Attention is given to the Greek and Latin antecedents of Lucretius’ poetry and to the place of De Rerum Natura in the development of Latin verse.

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Advanced Latin: Selected Readings (Semester 2)
This course permits students to do advanced reading in authors to be decided on by the class and the department. (Prerequisite: One other Advanced Latin course or permission of the department.) (Note: When there is a need, and staffing permits, this may be offered as a half course.)

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Greek 1
This course covers basic grammar and readings. It leads to Greek 2 or Greek 2A. (Class I and II; Class III with permission of the department.)

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Greek 2
Students complete the study of Greek grammar and then proceed to careful reading of selections from Xenophon or Lysias. This course leads to Greek 3 or Greek 3A.

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Greek 2A (Half Course)
In this course students continue the study of Greek grammar and syntax while reviewing the foundation built in the previous year. Practice in making literal translations supports the learning of grammar and developing reading skills. This course leads to Greek 2B.

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Greek 2B (Half Course)
This course provides a continuation of Greek 2A, including a complete review
of Greek grammar and readings from Xenophon or Lysias. This course leads to Greek 3.

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Greek 3
This course covers selected readings in classical Greek authors including Plato, Xenophon and Euripides.

Intensive Language Courses

These are accelerated courses designed for Class I students (and students in Class II with special permission). Each is the equivalent in difficulty and pace to a first-year college language course and is open only to students who have completed the language requirement through study of another language. (Offered subject to sufficient demand.)

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Intensive Chinese

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Intensive French

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Intensive Classical Greek

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Intensive Latin

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Intensive Spanish