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Learn Latin
and Ancient Greek

Helpful Websites; Latin and Greek textbooks

Perseus
Digital library of Greek and Latin texts, morphological tools, virtual tours of the classical world, and more. Absolutely the best website for primary sources from the classical world.
Latin-to-English Dictionary
Happened across an inscription or another slice of Latin you'd like to decipher? This online dictionary will help you translate even the most obscure forms.
National Latin Exam
The National Latin Exam is taken once a year by many high school Latin students. In fact, more than 100,000 Latin students across the U.S.A. and many other countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Niger, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe, take the National Latin Exam every year. It's also a great way to see how much Latin you already know or remember, and quiz your knowledge of classical mythology, history, etc. Try the Introduction to Latin Test, or the Latin I Test.
Nuntii Latini (News in Latin)
Read weekly summaries of world news in one of the old languages of international scholarship!
Letter from c.112 AD (Fun!)
Pliny and Trajan discuss what to do with those pesky Christians.
Latin Flash Movie (Fun!)
A cosmologically profound must see for all.

Recommended Latin Textbooks

Lingua Latina per se Illustrata, Hans H. Ørberg (ISBN: 1585102016)
This unassuming gem provides an excellent grounding in Latin language and Roman culture. The text, written entirely in Latin, is designed for you to demonstrate comprehension in Latin (translation is optional). Vocabulary is introduced in a memorable context or via a clear, iconic image.
Wheelock's Latin Grammar, Wheelock and Lafleur (ISBN: 0061997226)
Probably the most widely used first-year Latin text, and with good reason. It's a 40-chapter cornucopia of readings and exercises, many culled from ancient authors. Starts easy, and is well-paced, but doesn't cover the subjunctive until very late in the book. Longer excerpts from classical texts and optional self-tutorial exercises (and answers) in the back. The accompanying workbook can also be a helpful motivator.
Latin Grammar, Moreland and Fleischer (ISBN: 9780520031838)
Often used in intensive summer immersion programs, pace is more rigorous than Wheelock's, more thorough grammar coverage and drills, though the examples can be a bit plonking. A more serious and deliberate approach, it covers a few uses of the subjunctive and some other tough cookies early on. Low on cultural context, high on systematic presentation of grammar.
Thirty-Eight Latin Stories, Groton and May (ISBN: 0865162891)
Fun stories, half a page each, good for sight translations. Designed to accompany Wheelock's Latin but also useful on its own.
New Latin Grammar, Bennett (ISBN: 0865162611)
A very clear, user-friendly Latin grammar, often used in second year college courses. First published in 1894, but still fresh as a daisy.
New Latin Grammar, Allen and Greenough (ISBN: 0486448061)
The classic authoritative Latin grammar, often required in advanced Latin courses. Comprehensive coverage for that obscure grammatical quandary that's been keeping you up at night. Gerund or gerundive?

Recommended Greek Textbooks

Athenaze, Balme and Lawall (ISBN: 0195149564)
Reading approach. Each chapter begins with a new installment in the story of Dikaiopolis, an Athenian farmer, and his family. Woven in are stories from myth (Theseus and the Minotaur), literature (Odysseus and the Cyclops) and history (the battle of Thermopylae). New grammar is first encountered in context; exposition of the grammar and a variety of drills and exercises follow. Includes brief cultural background readings in English, and lots of useful maps. Engaging, evenly paced, and thorough.
An Introduction to Greek, Crosby and Schaeffer (ISBN: 0486470563)
Grammar-first approach. Succinct and charming. Written for early-twentieth-century schoolboys. Wide variety of lightly adapted readings from primary texts, both poetry and prose. Well-organized grammar at the back will continue to be your reference of first resort long after you have finished the introductory course.
Selections from Homer's Iliad, Pharr (ISBN: 9780806112756)
Read the father of Western literature in the original. Takes you through the entire first book of the Iliad, starting with around 5 lines per lesson and working up to 10-20 lines. If you want to start with Homeric rather than Attic Greek, this is the text to use. It also works as an introduction to Homer after a standard Attic course. Extensive notes, historical and cultural background, short Homeric grammar, and glossary.
Selections from Herodotus, Barbour (ISBN: 0806114274)
Read the chatty, colorful father of history in the original. Notes and vocabulary at the back.
Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon, Liddell and Scott (ISBN: 0199102066)
Covers the major dialects and irregular forms, cites occurrences, and even tells you how particular authors use particular words. Indispensable!
Greek Grammar, Smyth (ISBN: 0674362500)
From the Editor's Preface: "Its merits are obvious: Smyth's is by far the most complete reference grammar of ancient Greek to appear in English." 784 pages, over 3000 grammatical topics.