Cave Canem - A Miscellany of Latin Words & Phrases

by Lorna Robinson

Latin is alive and well!

Latin may be called a dead language, but it is currently experiencing a renaissance. In this spirit, Oxford-trained classicist Lorna Robinson introduces readers to the wonderful, chimeric world of the Latin language—and what better forum for this than the world of ancient Rome, where Latin flowered and expanded with the Roman Empire to become Europe’s dominant language. Each chapter of Cave Canem explores the richness of Latin words and concepts through a different aspect of Roman life: from the language of home and garden, family and gods, to the classical Latin of the upper classes and of business, law, medicine, and the church; from the theater, literature, and the storytelling tradition to the everyday “vulgar Latin” of the street. A final chapter presents a miscellany of Latin phrases still very much in use around the world today. Beautifully illustrated with photos of Roman mosaics, Cave Canem brings to life the history and humor behind this world-shaping language.

Genres: History, Language, Nonfiction, Reference

Paperback

First published November 11, 2008

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should use 'hic sunt dracones' more in my code...

[R. S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically this book comprises of a list of random Latin words and phrases organized by subject matter (home, art, public affairs, etc). Phrases such as omina noctis (omens of the night), vestis virum reddit (the clothes make the man), and panem et circenses (bread and circuses) are included. After each word or phrase, there are a few paragraphs about the origins of the phrase and some related aspect of Roman culture.
It was very interesting, but it won't help you learn how to read or write Latin.
It's a fun little reference book to keep around, though.

[Sacosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and charismatic dive into phrases and clues to the history of Latin through its Roman citizens. Not only gives timelines, maps, pronunciation guides and easy to find references, but shows the passion the author has put into the work. My only wish is that the book had been longer, I would have happily read so much more of it. Perfect for travel-sized endeavours, though.

[Thomas Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Romans were wild.

[Murphy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short little volume is a perfect reference for anyone interested in ancient Rome, the Latin language, or Classical history. Plenty of photos, illustrations, a timeline, and a nice map of the Eternal City, circa 200 CE.

[Richelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of Latin words and phrases combined with colorful information about Roman life and culture. Aesthetically, the book itself is beautiful. The pages are of high quality, there are color illustrations, and the type is bold, so this would be a good book to own. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to see the nouns in the Nominative singular with the beginning of the declension (puella, puellae, f.) followed. For those who are really interested in the classics, check out the author's website, The Iris Project, at www.irismagazine.org.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An explanation of the origins and meanings of many Latin words and phrases. Unfortunately, they are not arranged alphabetically and my favor Latin phrase [Semper Fedelis] is not included. Pronunciation of each word or phrase is given. I think that this is a useful tol for someone not trained in Latin but is interested in the language.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Latin in your soul; or put a little Latin in your vocabulary repertoire

I'm afraid the only Latin that I ever really learned was out of the Missal, and Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis. However, this book helps you grasp those Latin quickies in other books and newspapers.

When I get time I was going to try Rosetta Stone Latin - Lingua Latina.

There are maps to show where Latin crept into our world, a timeline of the city of Rome, and a good index if you know what you are looking for. Too bad it does not go the other way and show you the English translation in the index.

While not quite an encyclopedia, it is more than just a dictionary of translations and gives you the background and meaning of each Latin phrase.

[Julia Kinion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww! This was really cute! It was a lovely little look into Roman culture to keep me tided over on Latin content over Winter Break! I think it was designed for the casual enjoyer in mind, which is not a bad thing in any capacity, but I would have appreciated a text that went a little bit deeper into either Roman culture or Latin language! However, I think the introductory combination of both provides a charming introduction for the reader that is not intimately familiar with either! :)

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light-hearted look at important Latin words and phrases. Illustrations are from beautiful mosaics found in Roman ruins such as Pompeii.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun airplane ride book, and I learned some new things about Latin, and about Roman culture.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly illuminating mini-tour of ancient Roman life.

[cam_omile · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was quite fun

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the the way it was organized, good pictures included. Use some of it for my Latin class. A useful little book of Latin phrases with some solid information about Roman life/culture/etc.

[Adriane Devries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sesquipedalians everywhere agree, a long and strange-sounding word or phrase is vastly preferable when a short one would suffice. Therefore, lexicons of obscure words and phrases from Latin such as Cave Canem by Lorna Robinson will always be a popular tool for refining one’s linguistic repertoire. Though commonly used in medical or legal professions, Latin phrases deserve to be repurposed into diurnal colloquialism, if for no other reason than to fool people into thinking you are intelligent. After all, quisque faber suae fortunae, which means each is the architect of his own fortune, sounds so much more portentious when no one knows what you’re talking about. Fortunately, Robinson’s research reveals the histories, etymologies, and sometimes dirty pictures, of ancient phrases that may bring insight at least to the philologists who inflict them on others.

Some personal favorites:
Panem et circenses: Juvenal, “bread and circuses” that are required to keep the populace sated enough to not revolt against tyrannical government

Sesquipedalian verba: words a foot and a half long

Non scholae sed vitae discimus: we learn not for school, but for life (perhaps a new motto for Kings Cross Academy?)

Per ardua ad astra: to the stars through difficulty, the motto of the Royal Air Force, similar to the NASA’s per aspera ad astra

[Bernie4444 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Latin in your soul; or put a little Latin in your vocabulary repertoire

I'm afraid the only Latin that I ever really learned was out of the Missal, and Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis. However, this book helps you grasp those Latin quickies in other books and newspapers.

When I got time, I was going to try Rosetta Stone Latin - Lingua Latina.

There are maps to show where Latin crept into our world, a timeline of the city of Rome, and a good index if you know what you are looking for. Too bad it does not go the other way and show you the English translation in the index.

While not quite an encyclopedia, it is more than just a dictionary of translations and gives you the background and meaning of each Latin phrase.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

This wasn't exactly what I expected. There just wasn't much emphasis on the language - she did sometimes make reference to English words related to something in each phrase.
Mostly, though, the book was about the life and times of the people in Rome back in the day. And I thought it a rather broad brush at that, so if I had been looking to learn about the Romans, this still would have disappointed a bit, since it didn't go very deep.
Still, a quick and interesting read.

I will probably give this book away. It came off a bargain table at B&N.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latin words and phrases organized by situation: the home, public space, art, etc. There is a section on street Latin from graffiti and slang. The text defines the word and explains the Roman context. The book is enjoyable and might be of special interest to those who read books set in ancient Rome.

If Latin isn't your thing, caveat emptor.

[Rena Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This will suffice as an interesting view into life in Roman times. Many Latin phrases I thought I understood, I learned the true meaning, and where they came from. It goes in the library as a reference book.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. The history and meaning of Latin words and phrases, some well known, some not. But, I would have liked it better if there were less obscure choices. Some more common Latin words would have been nice.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book - -

[Jacquita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting! Informative!

[Mary Jo Miuccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Breezy discussion of Latin phrases and Roman life.