Post on 08-Aug-2020
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teaching Latin Inscriptions with Confidence
LatininscriptionscanbeagreatwayteachaboutRomanlifeandtotryoutLatinskillsusingrealRomanwritingThisguideforteachersintroducesthebasicsofthestudyofLatininscriptions(knownasLatinEpigraphy)ItstartswithanintroductiontosomeofthedifferentreasonsthatRomansmadeinscriptionsThenitgivesaquickguidetoreadinginscriptionsincluding
bull Aguidetothenotationusedinepigraphicpublicationsbull AguidetotheabbreviationsthatRomansusedintheirinscriptionsbull Alistofplacestofindmoreinformationaboutinscriptions
Theguidealsoincludesaseriesofpracticeexercisestotryouttheskillsinvolvedaswellasactivitiesthatyoucanusetointroducetheseconceptstoyourstudents
Typesofinscription
Image Type Examples
Labelling
bull Makersrsquomarks
Honorific
bull Thanksbull Congratulationsbull Commemorationbull Self-promotion
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Votive
bull Thankstodeitybull Promisetodeitybull Requesttodeity
Legal
bull WeightsandMeasuresbull Citizenshipdecreesbull Lawsbull Decrees
Funerary
bull Epitaphsbull Columbariumplaquesbull Propertymarkersbull Ashurns
Graffiti
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
YoucanfindoutmoreaboutsomeofthedifferenttypesofinscriptionsincludingrarerkindslikegoldglassandslingbulletsintheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProjectrsquosFeaturedObjectssectionhttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukfeatured
TointroducestudentstotherangeofdifferentkindsofLatininscriptionsyoucanusetheRomanWritingMatchingActivitycards
EasyEpigraphydecodingbracketsandsymbols
EpigraphicpublicationsuseshorthandtorecordwhatinscriptionssayBecausesmallchangesinthetextofLatincanmakeabigdifferencetowhatitmeansitisimportantforeditorstoshowwhichlettersareclearontheinscriptionandwhichhavebeensuppliedbytheirowninterpretation
BracketsareusedtomarkoffsectionsoftextthathavebeensubjecttoeditorialinterventionThetypeofbracketsshowswhatchangeshavebeenmade
Symbol Usedfor Inscriptionsays Theepigrapherwrites() Anabbreviatedword
whichtheeditorhaswrittenoutinfull
AVG Aug(ustus)
[] Letterslostthroughdamagebutsuppliedbyeditor
VRNIA [Calp]urnia
[[]] Letterserasedinantiquitybutcanstillbereadclearly
GETA [[Geta]]
(VAC) Markingadeliberatelyblankspace
DM
D(vac)M
Correctingamistakemadebytheoriginalinscriber
INSIRVXIT
instruxit
Letterscarvedinerrorwhichtheeditorhasremoved
ltgt
Lettersomittedinerrorwhichtheeditorhasadded
+++
Damagedtracesofletterswhichcannotberecognisedeachcrossrepresentsoneletter
ABC Lettersreadbyapreviouseditorcurrentlyinvisible
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Decipheringaninscription
Thisexampleshowsepigraphicnotationinaction
Text Edition
Translation
TICLAVDIODRVS
CAESARIAVGGERM
PONTMAXTRIBPOT
VIIIIIMPXVICOSIIII
PPCENSORI
VIC
Ti(berio)degClaudiodegDrus[if(ilio)]CaesaridegAug(usto)degGerm(anico)pont(ifici)degmax(imo)degtrib(unicia)degpot(estate)degVIIIIdegimp(eratori)degXVIdegco(n)s(uli)degIIIIdeg5p(atri)degp(atriae)deg(vac)censoridegvic(us)[-]
lsquoToTiberiusClaudiusCaesarAugustusGermanicussonofDrusussupremepontiffholderoftribunicianpowerforthe9thtimehailedvictoriousgeneralforthe16thtimeconsulforthe4thtimefatherofhiscountycensorThe[-]district(setthisup)rsquo
TopracticetheseskillstrytheDIYEdityourownInscriptionactivityinthispack
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readinginscriptions
SpacewasoftenatapremiumoninscriptionssoRomanshadtheirownshorthandforwritingthemSometimeswordsrunintoeachotherwithoutspacessothefirsttaskistoidentifytheindividualwordsSmalldots(calledinterpuncts)oftenappearbetweenwordsNotallinscriptionshavetheseandsometimestheyareusedinconsistentlybuttheycanbehelpfulinpickingoutindividualwords
CommonlyusednameswordsandphraseswereoftenabbreviatedEpigraphicpublications(liketheexampleabove)willoftenexpandabbreviationsforyouHoweveritishelpfultoknowthemostcommonabbreviations
Firstnames(Praenomina)
Abbreviation NameL LuciusP PubliusC GaiusM MarcusTi TiberiusA AulusMrsquo ManiusCN GnaeusD DecimusQ Quintus
Commontitles
Abbreviation TitlePONTMAX PontifexMaximusChiefpontiff
TRIBPOT tribuniciapotestaswithtribunicianpower
IMP
Imperator
COS
consulthehighestpoliticaloffice
PP paterpatriaelsquoFatherofthecountryrsquo
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Funeraryformulae
Abbreviation Fullphrase TranslationDM DisManibus Tothegodsbelow
F FiliusFilia Sondaughter
VixAnnMD
VixitAnnosMensesDies
livedforhellipyearshellipmonthshellipdays
STTL SitTibiTerraLevis Maytheearthlielightlyonyou
BM
BeneMerenti Welldeserving
F
Fecit Madethis
HSE
HicSitusSitaEst isburiedhere
VAPM
vixitannosplusminus Livedmoreorlesshellipyears
TheldquoCrackingCodesrdquoPowerPointandworksheetaredesignedtointroducetheseabbreviationsandpracticereadingrealfuneraryinscriptionswithLatinlearnersThepresentationnotesincludefulltranslationsandpointoutinterestingfactsabouttheseobjects
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readingatombstone
Romantombstonesareoftenhighlyformulaicand(withabitofpractice)easytoread
Toreadatypicaltombstone
1 Lookforname(s)inthedativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)forwhomthegravestonewaserectedIntheexampleabovethenameisDecimusAemiliusVitalis
2 Lookforname(s)inthenominativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)whosetupthegravestoneSometimestheverbFecitFeceruntisincludedtomakethisclearIntheexampleabovethisphraseisClodiaHeliceMaterFecit
3 LookforanyfamiliarformulaeandabbreviationsInthiscase
=Vixitannos
=dies(youcantellthedifferencebetweenthisandtheDthatstandsforDecimusinthefirstlinebycontext)
4 Translateanyphrasesthatremainandputitalltogether
ThefulltranslationfortheexampleaboveisldquoForDecimusAemiliusVitalisHelivedfor25years48daysClodiaHelicehismothersetthisuprdquo
TheTombstonesandtheDativeCaseworksheetandCrackingCodespresentationcanbeusedtointroduceyourstudentstoreadingfuneraryinscriptions
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Votive
bull Thankstodeitybull Promisetodeitybull Requesttodeity
Legal
bull WeightsandMeasuresbull Citizenshipdecreesbull Lawsbull Decrees
Funerary
bull Epitaphsbull Columbariumplaquesbull Propertymarkersbull Ashurns
Graffiti
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
YoucanfindoutmoreaboutsomeofthedifferenttypesofinscriptionsincludingrarerkindslikegoldglassandslingbulletsintheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProjectrsquosFeaturedObjectssectionhttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukfeatured
TointroducestudentstotherangeofdifferentkindsofLatininscriptionsyoucanusetheRomanWritingMatchingActivitycards
EasyEpigraphydecodingbracketsandsymbols
EpigraphicpublicationsuseshorthandtorecordwhatinscriptionssayBecausesmallchangesinthetextofLatincanmakeabigdifferencetowhatitmeansitisimportantforeditorstoshowwhichlettersareclearontheinscriptionandwhichhavebeensuppliedbytheirowninterpretation
BracketsareusedtomarkoffsectionsoftextthathavebeensubjecttoeditorialinterventionThetypeofbracketsshowswhatchangeshavebeenmade
Symbol Usedfor Inscriptionsays Theepigrapherwrites() Anabbreviatedword
whichtheeditorhaswrittenoutinfull
AVG Aug(ustus)
[] Letterslostthroughdamagebutsuppliedbyeditor
VRNIA [Calp]urnia
[[]] Letterserasedinantiquitybutcanstillbereadclearly
GETA [[Geta]]
(VAC) Markingadeliberatelyblankspace
DM
D(vac)M
Correctingamistakemadebytheoriginalinscriber
INSIRVXIT
instruxit
Letterscarvedinerrorwhichtheeditorhasremoved
ltgt
Lettersomittedinerrorwhichtheeditorhasadded
+++
Damagedtracesofletterswhichcannotberecognisedeachcrossrepresentsoneletter
ABC Lettersreadbyapreviouseditorcurrentlyinvisible
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Decipheringaninscription
Thisexampleshowsepigraphicnotationinaction
Text Edition
Translation
TICLAVDIODRVS
CAESARIAVGGERM
PONTMAXTRIBPOT
VIIIIIMPXVICOSIIII
PPCENSORI
VIC
Ti(berio)degClaudiodegDrus[if(ilio)]CaesaridegAug(usto)degGerm(anico)pont(ifici)degmax(imo)degtrib(unicia)degpot(estate)degVIIIIdegimp(eratori)degXVIdegco(n)s(uli)degIIIIdeg5p(atri)degp(atriae)deg(vac)censoridegvic(us)[-]
lsquoToTiberiusClaudiusCaesarAugustusGermanicussonofDrusussupremepontiffholderoftribunicianpowerforthe9thtimehailedvictoriousgeneralforthe16thtimeconsulforthe4thtimefatherofhiscountycensorThe[-]district(setthisup)rsquo
TopracticetheseskillstrytheDIYEdityourownInscriptionactivityinthispack
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readinginscriptions
SpacewasoftenatapremiumoninscriptionssoRomanshadtheirownshorthandforwritingthemSometimeswordsrunintoeachotherwithoutspacessothefirsttaskistoidentifytheindividualwordsSmalldots(calledinterpuncts)oftenappearbetweenwordsNotallinscriptionshavetheseandsometimestheyareusedinconsistentlybuttheycanbehelpfulinpickingoutindividualwords
CommonlyusednameswordsandphraseswereoftenabbreviatedEpigraphicpublications(liketheexampleabove)willoftenexpandabbreviationsforyouHoweveritishelpfultoknowthemostcommonabbreviations
Firstnames(Praenomina)
Abbreviation NameL LuciusP PubliusC GaiusM MarcusTi TiberiusA AulusMrsquo ManiusCN GnaeusD DecimusQ Quintus
Commontitles
Abbreviation TitlePONTMAX PontifexMaximusChiefpontiff
TRIBPOT tribuniciapotestaswithtribunicianpower
IMP
Imperator
COS
consulthehighestpoliticaloffice
PP paterpatriaelsquoFatherofthecountryrsquo
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Funeraryformulae
Abbreviation Fullphrase TranslationDM DisManibus Tothegodsbelow
F FiliusFilia Sondaughter
VixAnnMD
VixitAnnosMensesDies
livedforhellipyearshellipmonthshellipdays
STTL SitTibiTerraLevis Maytheearthlielightlyonyou
BM
BeneMerenti Welldeserving
F
Fecit Madethis
HSE
HicSitusSitaEst isburiedhere
VAPM
vixitannosplusminus Livedmoreorlesshellipyears
TheldquoCrackingCodesrdquoPowerPointandworksheetaredesignedtointroducetheseabbreviationsandpracticereadingrealfuneraryinscriptionswithLatinlearnersThepresentationnotesincludefulltranslationsandpointoutinterestingfactsabouttheseobjects
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readingatombstone
Romantombstonesareoftenhighlyformulaicand(withabitofpractice)easytoread
Toreadatypicaltombstone
1 Lookforname(s)inthedativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)forwhomthegravestonewaserectedIntheexampleabovethenameisDecimusAemiliusVitalis
2 Lookforname(s)inthenominativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)whosetupthegravestoneSometimestheverbFecitFeceruntisincludedtomakethisclearIntheexampleabovethisphraseisClodiaHeliceMaterFecit
3 LookforanyfamiliarformulaeandabbreviationsInthiscase
=Vixitannos
=dies(youcantellthedifferencebetweenthisandtheDthatstandsforDecimusinthefirstlinebycontext)
4 Translateanyphrasesthatremainandputitalltogether
ThefulltranslationfortheexampleaboveisldquoForDecimusAemiliusVitalisHelivedfor25years48daysClodiaHelicehismothersetthisuprdquo
TheTombstonesandtheDativeCaseworksheetandCrackingCodespresentationcanbeusedtointroduceyourstudentstoreadingfuneraryinscriptions
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
YoucanfindoutmoreaboutsomeofthedifferenttypesofinscriptionsincludingrarerkindslikegoldglassandslingbulletsintheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProjectrsquosFeaturedObjectssectionhttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukfeatured
TointroducestudentstotherangeofdifferentkindsofLatininscriptionsyoucanusetheRomanWritingMatchingActivitycards
EasyEpigraphydecodingbracketsandsymbols
EpigraphicpublicationsuseshorthandtorecordwhatinscriptionssayBecausesmallchangesinthetextofLatincanmakeabigdifferencetowhatitmeansitisimportantforeditorstoshowwhichlettersareclearontheinscriptionandwhichhavebeensuppliedbytheirowninterpretation
BracketsareusedtomarkoffsectionsoftextthathavebeensubjecttoeditorialinterventionThetypeofbracketsshowswhatchangeshavebeenmade
Symbol Usedfor Inscriptionsays Theepigrapherwrites() Anabbreviatedword
whichtheeditorhaswrittenoutinfull
AVG Aug(ustus)
[] Letterslostthroughdamagebutsuppliedbyeditor
VRNIA [Calp]urnia
[[]] Letterserasedinantiquitybutcanstillbereadclearly
GETA [[Geta]]
(VAC) Markingadeliberatelyblankspace
DM
D(vac)M
Correctingamistakemadebytheoriginalinscriber
INSIRVXIT
instruxit
Letterscarvedinerrorwhichtheeditorhasremoved
ltgt
Lettersomittedinerrorwhichtheeditorhasadded
+++
Damagedtracesofletterswhichcannotberecognisedeachcrossrepresentsoneletter
ABC Lettersreadbyapreviouseditorcurrentlyinvisible
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Decipheringaninscription
Thisexampleshowsepigraphicnotationinaction
Text Edition
Translation
TICLAVDIODRVS
CAESARIAVGGERM
PONTMAXTRIBPOT
VIIIIIMPXVICOSIIII
PPCENSORI
VIC
Ti(berio)degClaudiodegDrus[if(ilio)]CaesaridegAug(usto)degGerm(anico)pont(ifici)degmax(imo)degtrib(unicia)degpot(estate)degVIIIIdegimp(eratori)degXVIdegco(n)s(uli)degIIIIdeg5p(atri)degp(atriae)deg(vac)censoridegvic(us)[-]
lsquoToTiberiusClaudiusCaesarAugustusGermanicussonofDrusussupremepontiffholderoftribunicianpowerforthe9thtimehailedvictoriousgeneralforthe16thtimeconsulforthe4thtimefatherofhiscountycensorThe[-]district(setthisup)rsquo
TopracticetheseskillstrytheDIYEdityourownInscriptionactivityinthispack
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readinginscriptions
SpacewasoftenatapremiumoninscriptionssoRomanshadtheirownshorthandforwritingthemSometimeswordsrunintoeachotherwithoutspacessothefirsttaskistoidentifytheindividualwordsSmalldots(calledinterpuncts)oftenappearbetweenwordsNotallinscriptionshavetheseandsometimestheyareusedinconsistentlybuttheycanbehelpfulinpickingoutindividualwords
CommonlyusednameswordsandphraseswereoftenabbreviatedEpigraphicpublications(liketheexampleabove)willoftenexpandabbreviationsforyouHoweveritishelpfultoknowthemostcommonabbreviations
Firstnames(Praenomina)
Abbreviation NameL LuciusP PubliusC GaiusM MarcusTi TiberiusA AulusMrsquo ManiusCN GnaeusD DecimusQ Quintus
Commontitles
Abbreviation TitlePONTMAX PontifexMaximusChiefpontiff
TRIBPOT tribuniciapotestaswithtribunicianpower
IMP
Imperator
COS
consulthehighestpoliticaloffice
PP paterpatriaelsquoFatherofthecountryrsquo
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Funeraryformulae
Abbreviation Fullphrase TranslationDM DisManibus Tothegodsbelow
F FiliusFilia Sondaughter
VixAnnMD
VixitAnnosMensesDies
livedforhellipyearshellipmonthshellipdays
STTL SitTibiTerraLevis Maytheearthlielightlyonyou
BM
BeneMerenti Welldeserving
F
Fecit Madethis
HSE
HicSitusSitaEst isburiedhere
VAPM
vixitannosplusminus Livedmoreorlesshellipyears
TheldquoCrackingCodesrdquoPowerPointandworksheetaredesignedtointroducetheseabbreviationsandpracticereadingrealfuneraryinscriptionswithLatinlearnersThepresentationnotesincludefulltranslationsandpointoutinterestingfactsabouttheseobjects
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readingatombstone
Romantombstonesareoftenhighlyformulaicand(withabitofpractice)easytoread
Toreadatypicaltombstone
1 Lookforname(s)inthedativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)forwhomthegravestonewaserectedIntheexampleabovethenameisDecimusAemiliusVitalis
2 Lookforname(s)inthenominativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)whosetupthegravestoneSometimestheverbFecitFeceruntisincludedtomakethisclearIntheexampleabovethisphraseisClodiaHeliceMaterFecit
3 LookforanyfamiliarformulaeandabbreviationsInthiscase
=Vixitannos
=dies(youcantellthedifferencebetweenthisandtheDthatstandsforDecimusinthefirstlinebycontext)
4 Translateanyphrasesthatremainandputitalltogether
ThefulltranslationfortheexampleaboveisldquoForDecimusAemiliusVitalisHelivedfor25years48daysClodiaHelicehismothersetthisuprdquo
TheTombstonesandtheDativeCaseworksheetandCrackingCodespresentationcanbeusedtointroduceyourstudentstoreadingfuneraryinscriptions
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Decipheringaninscription
Thisexampleshowsepigraphicnotationinaction
Text Edition
Translation
TICLAVDIODRVS
CAESARIAVGGERM
PONTMAXTRIBPOT
VIIIIIMPXVICOSIIII
PPCENSORI
VIC
Ti(berio)degClaudiodegDrus[if(ilio)]CaesaridegAug(usto)degGerm(anico)pont(ifici)degmax(imo)degtrib(unicia)degpot(estate)degVIIIIdegimp(eratori)degXVIdegco(n)s(uli)degIIIIdeg5p(atri)degp(atriae)deg(vac)censoridegvic(us)[-]
lsquoToTiberiusClaudiusCaesarAugustusGermanicussonofDrusussupremepontiffholderoftribunicianpowerforthe9thtimehailedvictoriousgeneralforthe16thtimeconsulforthe4thtimefatherofhiscountycensorThe[-]district(setthisup)rsquo
TopracticetheseskillstrytheDIYEdityourownInscriptionactivityinthispack
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readinginscriptions
SpacewasoftenatapremiumoninscriptionssoRomanshadtheirownshorthandforwritingthemSometimeswordsrunintoeachotherwithoutspacessothefirsttaskistoidentifytheindividualwordsSmalldots(calledinterpuncts)oftenappearbetweenwordsNotallinscriptionshavetheseandsometimestheyareusedinconsistentlybuttheycanbehelpfulinpickingoutindividualwords
CommonlyusednameswordsandphraseswereoftenabbreviatedEpigraphicpublications(liketheexampleabove)willoftenexpandabbreviationsforyouHoweveritishelpfultoknowthemostcommonabbreviations
Firstnames(Praenomina)
Abbreviation NameL LuciusP PubliusC GaiusM MarcusTi TiberiusA AulusMrsquo ManiusCN GnaeusD DecimusQ Quintus
Commontitles
Abbreviation TitlePONTMAX PontifexMaximusChiefpontiff
TRIBPOT tribuniciapotestaswithtribunicianpower
IMP
Imperator
COS
consulthehighestpoliticaloffice
PP paterpatriaelsquoFatherofthecountryrsquo
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Funeraryformulae
Abbreviation Fullphrase TranslationDM DisManibus Tothegodsbelow
F FiliusFilia Sondaughter
VixAnnMD
VixitAnnosMensesDies
livedforhellipyearshellipmonthshellipdays
STTL SitTibiTerraLevis Maytheearthlielightlyonyou
BM
BeneMerenti Welldeserving
F
Fecit Madethis
HSE
HicSitusSitaEst isburiedhere
VAPM
vixitannosplusminus Livedmoreorlesshellipyears
TheldquoCrackingCodesrdquoPowerPointandworksheetaredesignedtointroducetheseabbreviationsandpracticereadingrealfuneraryinscriptionswithLatinlearnersThepresentationnotesincludefulltranslationsandpointoutinterestingfactsabouttheseobjects
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readingatombstone
Romantombstonesareoftenhighlyformulaicand(withabitofpractice)easytoread
Toreadatypicaltombstone
1 Lookforname(s)inthedativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)forwhomthegravestonewaserectedIntheexampleabovethenameisDecimusAemiliusVitalis
2 Lookforname(s)inthenominativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)whosetupthegravestoneSometimestheverbFecitFeceruntisincludedtomakethisclearIntheexampleabovethisphraseisClodiaHeliceMaterFecit
3 LookforanyfamiliarformulaeandabbreviationsInthiscase
=Vixitannos
=dies(youcantellthedifferencebetweenthisandtheDthatstandsforDecimusinthefirstlinebycontext)
4 Translateanyphrasesthatremainandputitalltogether
ThefulltranslationfortheexampleaboveisldquoForDecimusAemiliusVitalisHelivedfor25years48daysClodiaHelicehismothersetthisuprdquo
TheTombstonesandtheDativeCaseworksheetandCrackingCodespresentationcanbeusedtointroduceyourstudentstoreadingfuneraryinscriptions
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readinginscriptions
SpacewasoftenatapremiumoninscriptionssoRomanshadtheirownshorthandforwritingthemSometimeswordsrunintoeachotherwithoutspacessothefirsttaskistoidentifytheindividualwordsSmalldots(calledinterpuncts)oftenappearbetweenwordsNotallinscriptionshavetheseandsometimestheyareusedinconsistentlybuttheycanbehelpfulinpickingoutindividualwords
CommonlyusednameswordsandphraseswereoftenabbreviatedEpigraphicpublications(liketheexampleabove)willoftenexpandabbreviationsforyouHoweveritishelpfultoknowthemostcommonabbreviations
Firstnames(Praenomina)
Abbreviation NameL LuciusP PubliusC GaiusM MarcusTi TiberiusA AulusMrsquo ManiusCN GnaeusD DecimusQ Quintus
Commontitles
Abbreviation TitlePONTMAX PontifexMaximusChiefpontiff
TRIBPOT tribuniciapotestaswithtribunicianpower
IMP
Imperator
COS
consulthehighestpoliticaloffice
PP paterpatriaelsquoFatherofthecountryrsquo
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Funeraryformulae
Abbreviation Fullphrase TranslationDM DisManibus Tothegodsbelow
F FiliusFilia Sondaughter
VixAnnMD
VixitAnnosMensesDies
livedforhellipyearshellipmonthshellipdays
STTL SitTibiTerraLevis Maytheearthlielightlyonyou
BM
BeneMerenti Welldeserving
F
Fecit Madethis
HSE
HicSitusSitaEst isburiedhere
VAPM
vixitannosplusminus Livedmoreorlesshellipyears
TheldquoCrackingCodesrdquoPowerPointandworksheetaredesignedtointroducetheseabbreviationsandpracticereadingrealfuneraryinscriptionswithLatinlearnersThepresentationnotesincludefulltranslationsandpointoutinterestingfactsabouttheseobjects
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readingatombstone
Romantombstonesareoftenhighlyformulaicand(withabitofpractice)easytoread
Toreadatypicaltombstone
1 Lookforname(s)inthedativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)forwhomthegravestonewaserectedIntheexampleabovethenameisDecimusAemiliusVitalis
2 Lookforname(s)inthenominativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)whosetupthegravestoneSometimestheverbFecitFeceruntisincludedtomakethisclearIntheexampleabovethisphraseisClodiaHeliceMaterFecit
3 LookforanyfamiliarformulaeandabbreviationsInthiscase
=Vixitannos
=dies(youcantellthedifferencebetweenthisandtheDthatstandsforDecimusinthefirstlinebycontext)
4 Translateanyphrasesthatremainandputitalltogether
ThefulltranslationfortheexampleaboveisldquoForDecimusAemiliusVitalisHelivedfor25years48daysClodiaHelicehismothersetthisuprdquo
TheTombstonesandtheDativeCaseworksheetandCrackingCodespresentationcanbeusedtointroduceyourstudentstoreadingfuneraryinscriptions
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Funeraryformulae
Abbreviation Fullphrase TranslationDM DisManibus Tothegodsbelow
F FiliusFilia Sondaughter
VixAnnMD
VixitAnnosMensesDies
livedforhellipyearshellipmonthshellipdays
STTL SitTibiTerraLevis Maytheearthlielightlyonyou
BM
BeneMerenti Welldeserving
F
Fecit Madethis
HSE
HicSitusSitaEst isburiedhere
VAPM
vixitannosplusminus Livedmoreorlesshellipyears
TheldquoCrackingCodesrdquoPowerPointandworksheetaredesignedtointroducetheseabbreviationsandpracticereadingrealfuneraryinscriptionswithLatinlearnersThepresentationnotesincludefulltranslationsandpointoutinterestingfactsabouttheseobjects
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readingatombstone
Romantombstonesareoftenhighlyformulaicand(withabitofpractice)easytoread
Toreadatypicaltombstone
1 Lookforname(s)inthedativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)forwhomthegravestonewaserectedIntheexampleabovethenameisDecimusAemiliusVitalis
2 Lookforname(s)inthenominativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)whosetupthegravestoneSometimestheverbFecitFeceruntisincludedtomakethisclearIntheexampleabovethisphraseisClodiaHeliceMaterFecit
3 LookforanyfamiliarformulaeandabbreviationsInthiscase
=Vixitannos
=dies(youcantellthedifferencebetweenthisandtheDthatstandsforDecimusinthefirstlinebycontext)
4 Translateanyphrasesthatremainandputitalltogether
ThefulltranslationfortheexampleaboveisldquoForDecimusAemiliusVitalisHelivedfor25years48daysClodiaHelicehismothersetthisuprdquo
TheTombstonesandtheDativeCaseworksheetandCrackingCodespresentationcanbeusedtointroduceyourstudentstoreadingfuneraryinscriptions
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Readingatombstone
Romantombstonesareoftenhighlyformulaicand(withabitofpractice)easytoread
Toreadatypicaltombstone
1 Lookforname(s)inthedativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)forwhomthegravestonewaserectedIntheexampleabovethenameisDecimusAemiliusVitalis
2 Lookforname(s)inthenominativecaseThisisusuallytheperson(orpeople)whosetupthegravestoneSometimestheverbFecitFeceruntisincludedtomakethisclearIntheexampleabovethisphraseisClodiaHeliceMaterFecit
3 LookforanyfamiliarformulaeandabbreviationsInthiscase
=Vixitannos
=dies(youcantellthedifferencebetweenthisandtheDthatstandsforDecimusinthefirstlinebycontext)
4 Translateanyphrasesthatremainandputitalltogether
ThefulltranslationfortheexampleaboveisldquoForDecimusAemiliusVitalisHelivedfor25years48daysClodiaHelicehismothersetthisuprdquo
TheTombstonesandtheDativeCaseworksheetandCrackingCodespresentationcanbeusedtointroduceyourstudentstoreadingfuneraryinscriptions
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
Teachingwithobjects
LatininscriptionsareasimportantforwhattheytellusasobjectsasforthewritingonthemTeachingwithobjectsismosteffectivewhenitencourageslearnerstolookcloselyattheobjectsandthinkthroughwhattheycantellus
DrawingactivitiescanbegreatforgettingstudentstolookcloselyatobjectsandaskmoredetailedquestionsTry
bull SketchingtheobjectandannotatingthesketchwiththingslikesizecolourandpersonalimpressionsDescribewhatisbeingdepictedinanyimagesandmakeacleartranscriptionofthewords
bull ObservationaldrawingndashlookingcloselyandtryingtorepresenttheinscriptionasaccuratelyaspossibleToreallyfocusontheobjectyoucantrydrawingwithoutlookingatthepaper
bull Drawingandfillinginmissingorbrokenparts(thiscanincludeimaginingcolourssincemanyancientstonesculpturesandinscriptionswerebrightlypainted)
DrawingisoftenbestdonewhilelookingattheobjectsthemselvesinthemuseumHoweveryoucanexperimentwithworkingfromimagesontheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscatalogue
SomeobjectsintheAshLIcataloguehavebeenphotographedusingaprocesscalledRTI(youcanfindthemathttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukcollectionsrti)ThisallowsyoutodragthelightsourcearoundandviewthetextureoftheinscriptionToviewanRTIimageclickontheldquoRTI
imagerdquolinkfortheobjectThenclickthe icontoviewfullscreenandthe icontomovethelightsourcebyclickingontheimageanddraggingthemouseThisshouldgiveaclearsenseofthetextureoftheobjectrsquossurface
ResearchactivitiesareanothergoodwaytoencouragedetailedthinkingaboutobjectsTry
bull AskingstudentstodoresearchfromaninformationsourcewithastricttimelimitWhatweretheyabletolearninthetimeandwhatquestionsdotheystillhaveabouttheobject
bull DebatingtheobjectsimagineyouareamuseumcuratorandyoucanaddoneoftheseobjectstoyourcollectionWhichoneshoulditbeandwhyThinkaboutwhatismoreimportantinamuseumobjectbeautyconnectionstofamouspeopleshowingthelivesofordinarypeoplehowmuchmoneyitisworthorsomethingelseentirelyHaveaclassdebatetodecidebetweenthemostpopularobjects
bull LookatthepeoplebehindtheobjectsandwriteastoryfromtheirperspectiveWhatdidtheobjectmeantothemWorkinsomefactsfromyourresearchandfeelfreetoinventdetails
bull OrimaginethelifeoftheobjectitselfWhatwoulditsayifitcouldtalkWhatkindsofthingshasitexperienced
bull TwotruthsandaliendashGoroundtheclassaskingstudentstopickoutsomefactsabouttheobjectandtrytofooleveryoneelsebyslippinginoneplausiblelieGettheclasstovoteonwhichisthefib
bull Writetheirownmuseumlabelfortheobjectndashdecidewhatfactsaremostimportantabouttheobjectandhowtocapturepeoplersquosimaginationinasmallspace
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)
The Ashmolean Latin Inscriptions Project latininscriptionsashmusoxacuk
bull Makeaposteraboutyourfavouriteobjectusingeye-catchingimagesandclearexplanatorytexttohelppeopleunderstandit
bull MakeconnectionsbetweenobjectsTakeagroupofobjectsandsortthembythethingstheyhaveincommon
bull ArrangetheobjectsonatimelineoronamapThinkabouthowlargetheRomanempirewasandhowlongitlasted
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionscataloguepagesofferdetailedinformationabouttheobjectsCataloguepagesaredesignedtobedetailedenoughforexpertsandprofessionalstouseintheirresearchbutmightbeusefulforpractisingtheskillsofskimreadingandpickingoutthemostrelevantinformation
ForslightlyeasierresearchmaterialthereisasetoffactsheetsaboutselectedAshmoleanLatininscriptionsincludedaspartofthispack
Findingoutmore
TheAshmoleanLatinInscriptionsProject(AshLI)
bull Webcatalogueandteacherresourceshttplatininscriptionsashmusoxacukbull BloghttpwwwashmoleanorgashwpresslatininscriptionsorsearchlsquoReadingWriting
Romansrsquobull TwitterAshmoleanLatin
WarwickEpigraphy
bull LinkstoInscriptionCollectionsandResourceshttpwww2warwickacukfacartsclassicspostgradsmodulesepigraphybibliogonline
bull TwitterW_Epigraphy
RomanInscriptionsofBritain(RIB)
bull httpromaninscriptionsofbritainorg
CurseTabletsofRomanBritain
bull httpcursescsadoxacuk
LettersfromHadrianrsquosWall(Vindolanda)
bull httpvindolandacsadoxacuk
AlisonCooleyTheCambridgeManualofLatinEpigraphy(CUP2012)