Level 1 Latin WJEC

Stage 1-Caecilius

Concept Overview

• "Stage 1-Caecilius" is the opening unit of the Cambridge Latin Course Book 1.
• It introduces readers to the daily life and surroundings of a wealthy Pompeian, Caecilius, before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
• The section focuses on familiarising you with basic Latin vocabulary and grammar.

Key Vocabulary

• Caecilius - The main character of the story
• Metella - Caecilius's wife
• Clemens - A slave belonging to Caecilius
• Hortus - A garden
• Canis - Dog, referring to Cerberus, the household pet
• Villa - House or villa, representing Caecilius's residence

Key Characters

• Caecilius - A wealthy banker living in Pompeii
• Metella - The wife of Caecilius who manages the household affairs
• Grumio - The cook in Caecilius's household
• Clemens - A clever and trusted slave of Caecilius

Main Themes

• Introduction to Roman Family: The unit introduces a Roman family and its household, providing insights on Roman social hierarchy
• Daily Life: The depiction of daily activities in a Roman household and the use of objects commonly found in a house like papyrus, stylus, food, etc.

Grammar

• In this stage, you will encounter the nominative singular form of first and second declension nouns.
• You will also be introduced to the present tense of the verb 'to be' and 'to have'.

Cultural Context

• The stage aims to take you back to Pompeii's society and way of life before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
• Specific insight into how a rich Roman household operates and the roles of different members of the family and their slaves.

Question Styles

• Be prepared for translation exercises using new vocabulary and basic grammatical structures.
• Additionally, comprehension questions about the cultural, historical, and social information introduced in Stage 1 can also be expected. Be ready to discuss the specifics of Caecilius's house, the family members, and servants.