Certamen Flashcards
What is the Latin motto of Virginia, which translates into English as “thus always to
tyrants”?
SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS
What is the Latin motto of South Carolina, which translates as “while I breathe, I hope”?
DUM SPIRO SPERO
What is the Latin motto of Arkansas, which translates as “the populace rules”?
REGNAT POPULUS
Give the Latin name of the tunic traditionally worn by Roman brides.
TUNICA RECTA
What was the Latin name of the bright orange veils that Roman brides wore over the
upper portion of their faces?
FLAMMEUM
Which of the three forms of Roman marriage involved a fictitious sale of the bride?
COEMPTIO
What is the Latin phrase represented by the abbreviation “e.g.”?
EXEMPLI GRATIA
What is the Latin phrase represented by the abbreviation “i.e.”?
ID EST
What is the Latin phrase represented by the abbreviation “q.v.”?
QUOD VIDE
What type of Roman building, subdivided into cenacula, is analogous to our modern-day
apartment building?
INSULA
In nicer insulae, the ground floor was rented out to one tenant, similar to a modern-day
penthouse. What is the term for the collection of shops in humbler insulae?
TABERNAE
Insulae often caught on fire. What was the name of Roman firemen, who also served as
watchmen and policemen?
VIGILES
Which of a Roman’s three names indicated his gens?
NOMEN
Which of his names was equivalent to a first name?
PRAENOMEN
What sort of name did Romans receive for performing a great deed?
AGNOMEN
“Citius, Altius, Fortius,” which is translated as “Higher, Faster, Stronger,” is the Latin
motto of what organization?
THE OLYMPIC GAMES
In the Latin motto for Paris, “fluctuat nec mergitur,” what does “fluctuat” mean?
IT FLOATS / SURGES / FLUCTUATES
What is the translation of London’s motto, “Domine dirige nos”?
LORD DIRECT US
On what day did the Ides fall in October?
15th
On what day did the Nones fall in October?
7th
On what day did the Kalends fall in October?
1st
The letters “a.m.” abbreviate what full Latin phrase?
ANTE MERIDIEM
The letters “A.D.” abbreviate what full Latin phrase?
ANNO DOMINI
The letters “N.B.” abbreviate what full Latin phrase?
NOTA BENE