Terms Connected to Greco-Roman Literature and Poetry

Virgil

Which poet created a foundation story for Rome that linked Romulus to the Greeks?

Sophocles

Antigone was written by this Greek author.

Sophocles

Oedipus Rex was written by this Greek author.

cave cane

Found engraved outside of a house in the ruins of Pompeii.

cave cane

"Beware of the dog!"

Euripedes

Medea was written by this Greek author.

Dum spiro, spero.

In Latina lingua, this phrase was written by Cicero indicating that there is hope for the future.

Dum spiro, spero.

"As long as I breathe, I hope."

Sit transit Gloria Mundi.

In Latina lingua, this phrase means that all things must fade away.

Sit transit Gloria Mundi.

In Latina lingua, "thus passes Glory of the world."

Suetonius

This Roman historian famously wrote biographies of the first 12 emperors of Rome.

Ars longa, vita brevis.

In Latina lingua, this phrase means that art will outlive the artist.

Caeveat emptor.

Because of its return policy, Forever 21 has its customers initial their receipts. This is an example of the Latin phrase.

Caeveat emptor.

"Buyer beware!"

Horace

"Carpe Diem" was written in his Odes.

tempus fugit

In Latina lingua, this phrase indicates that should value every minute because time can slip away quickly.

facta non verba

In Latina lingua, this phrase indicates "a lot less talk, a lot more action."

facta non verba

In Latina lingua, "words not deeds."

cum grano salis

In Latina lingua, this phrase indicates that one should view something with skepticism.

Mens sana is corpore sano.

"A healthy mind in a healthy body."

Catullus

Which poet infamously wrote about his affair with a married Roman matron?

Catullus

Lesbia was the Roman woman whom this poet loved... and hated.

epic poetry

What does the muse, Calliope, inspire?

Livy

This Roman historian wrote about this history of Rome, "Ab Urbe Condita Libri" - BOOKS FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE CITY.

Cyclops

These creatures forge thunderbolts for Zeus.

Ovid

Which poet wrote the Metamorphosis?

Ovid

Which poet was banished to the Black Sea, punished for "a poem and a mistake"?

Herodotus

Which historian began his history by expressing a desire to investigate the reasons behind the antagonism between the Greeks and the Persians.

Herodotus

Who is the Father of History?

Plutarch

This Greco-Roman historian wrote many things, but famously published a biography of a notable Roman alongside that of a notable Greek.

ars gratia artis

In Latina lingua, this phrase indicates that art is created by the artist not for glory or fame or money, but done rather for the sheer importance of the art itself.