2024 Harvard Certamen

Medea

An ancient play by Seneca depicting the actions of a famous mythological woman.

Manumission

The act of freeing an enslaved person.

Lībertus

A freedman who was formerly enslaved.

Salūtātiō

The daily event where clients visit their patron.

Pecūlium

An enslaved person's property that could be used to buy freedom.

Boreas

The deity who abducted Oreithyia and fathered the Argonauts Zetes and Calais.

Procris

Sister of Oreithyia who fled to Crete and was given the hunting dog Laelaps.

Cato the Elder

Author of 'Orīginēs,' opposing philosophers and glorifying Rome's military.

Lupus

One of Naevius' praetextae dramatizing pivotal moments in Roman history.

Atreus

A king who gave his nephews to his brother Thyestes and perpetuated the curse upon their house.

Fates

Mythological group including Clotho and Atropos, involved in significant events in Greek mythology.

Bithynia

Province where Pliny had troubles with Christians while governing.

Semi-deponents

Verbs that use passive endings for their perfect system but function actively.

Aeolus

The keeper of winds in Greek mythology, father of Boreas.

Syracuse

A city that became a significant ally of Rome under Hiero II.

Cabbage

A medicinal plant praised by Cato for cures.

Calefaciō

To warm or heat (related to the term 'chauffeur').

Eagle

The animal that stole Aphrodite’s sandal and performed significant acts in Greek mythology.

Domna

A woman depicted on coins as a deity, closely associated with Septimius Severus.

Constantine

Roman emperor who intervened in the Council of Nicaea.

Lucan

A poet who wrote an epic focusing on the civil war of Caesar and Pompey.

Urian Oakes

Harvard's interim president who humorously addressed his tenure.

Hypnos

The Greek god of sleep, who lulled Zeus.

Tacitus

Author known for his works reflecting political and social conditions of Rome.

Briareus

A giant who aided the Titans and settled a dispute between Helios and Poseidon.

Isis

An Egyptian goddess associated with magic and motherhood.

Pater Familias

The head of the household in Roman law.

Aulus Cornelius Celsus

1st-century author known for his medical work.

Dē Officiīs

Cicero's work on duties and ethics.

Socius

An ally or partner, often used in military contexts.

Atellan Farce

A comedic theatrical genre originating in Italy.

Nonius Marcellus

An author who provided insights on Atellan Farce.

Quintus Horatius Flaccus

Known for his Odes, providing insights into Roman society.

Marius Priscus

A governor prosecuted for corruption.

Punic Wars

Series of conflicts between Rome and Carthage.

Vespasian

Emperor known for taxing urine.

Pompey

A prominent military leader who played a crucial role in the late Roman Republic.