Latin Fifth Experience = Readings in Latin:
Metamorphoses by Ovid
In Person only: 11 – 22 August 2025, weekdays
Jonathan Day
The Metamorphoses is widely hailed as Ovid’s greatest work, and from its composition in roughly 8 CE to the present day, it has exerted an unparalleled influence on art, music, and culture. Its 15 books cover over 250 mythic narratives.
Our goal will be to read selections from the Metamorphoses slowly and carefully, seeking a deep understanding of the language and an appreciation of Ovid’s poetic rhythms.
We will work in seminar format, teaching and learning from one another. Texts will be provided. Ovid’s Latin is fairly advanced, so participants should have at least completed the Intermediate (Third Experience: LA611) program before joining this seminar. It can be taken in conjunction with the Advanced (Fourth Experience: L711) program.
We’ll meet for two hours daily, including a short break.
This reading course is intended to be taken concurrently with LA711 Advanced Latin or L711 Proficient Latin for Liturgists (and Canonists).
Cost: £200 (discount available if paying for Adanced / Proficient Latin course)
Not for credit – no exams.
Enrol. To enrol or enquire please contact Clare Cogswell at at this linked email address or by using the contact information at the bottom of this page.
Books:
♦ OVID, Metamorphoses, for example the edition available in the Loeb Classical Library (link).
♦ LEWIS, C.T. – C. SHORT, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford UP, Oxford – New York 1879, or any later reprint.
♦ FOSTER, R.T., – D.P. MCCARTHY, Ossa Latinitatis Sola ad mentem Reginaldi rationemque: The Mere Bones of Latin according to the thought and system of Reginald, (Latinitatis Corpus 1), Catholic University of America Press, Washington DC 2016. Available in print and digital form from the publisher; and in print form from Amazon.co.uk or from Amazon.com.
♦ GILDERSLEEVE, B.L, – G. LODGE, Gildersleeve’s Latin Grammar, Bolchazy-Carducci, Wauconda IL 2003, reprint of 31895 (GL).
Contact:
Clare Cogswell, Registrar
Benedictine Institute
74 Castlebar Road, Ealing, London W5 2DD, UK
enquiries: +44 (0)20 8194 2320
E-mail Clare, the Registrar at this linked E-mail address.
Location on Google Maps is found here.
Travel – Accommodation:
Limited accommodation is available in Ealing Abbey house for guests for students enrolled for both weeks.