Introduction for Beginning Students of Latin

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How long have you been studying Latin? Have you just started? Or have you not even begun yet, but that spark of interest within you is growing? No matter what kind of "beginner" you are, I hope that this section of my site will provide a good reference point for any information you may need.

Depending on what type of course you're taking (or going to take), you probably already know the basic outline of Latin grammar, which is roughly that nouns are divided into five declensions, with five cases (really seven including the vocative and locative) within each declension that determine the inflection, or ending, of the Latin noun depending on its meaning in context. Verbs are divided into four conjugations (some are irregular) and conjugated. Latin verbs are conjugated depending on voice, mood, tense, person, and number.

If you have already been studying the language for a little while and you believe that you know a considerable or at least moderate amount of grammar, you may want to try reading Martial. Martial's short epigrams are probably the easiest of all Classical Latin literature to read. If they still give you trouble you will find my notes and translations as well.