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Autumn 2026 

MTW F 11:30-12:20

Fresco fragment from the ‘Villa of Catullus’ at Sirmione on Lake Garda,
photo Gareth Harney via . 

Instructor

Jonathan Clark: jclark5@uw.edu

Description

This course introduces students to translating Latin through study of two authors of the late ������ Republic. These authors—the poet Catullus and the dictator Julius Caesar—write about unrequited love, fierce rivalries, and the “barbarian” peoples encountered during the volatile period when the ������ Republic was falling and a new political order—the empire—was emerging. Classes will focus on translation and review of grammar, although thematic and stylistic issues will also be addressed.

Course Goals

Through your work in the course this term you will demonstrate that you can:

• Gain familiarity with translating Latin literature.
• Review key grammatical concepts.
• Discuss literary and cultural aspects of Latin literature.
• Begin to explore scholarship on Latin literature.

LAT 305 begins the second-year or intermediate sequence of Latin courses: you must have basic reading knowledge of Latin (equivalent to the first year of college study) to take the course.

The LAT 305, 306, 307 sequence presumes that you have completed Latin 103 at  UW or an equivalent course. In winter and spring, students read selections of Cicero and Ovid (306), and Virgil (307).   If you did not complete Latin 103 at UW you should contact the ������ Department Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Professor Catherine Connors (cconnors@uw.edu)  to discuss whether this is a suitable course for you. She is also happy to speak with students any time about majors, minors, or coursework in the Department.

Required Texts

Garrison, ed. The Student’s Catullus. Oklahoma Univ. Press, fourth edition 2012. ISBN-13: 9780806142326

Kelsey and Stem, ed. Julius Caesar: Commentaries on the Gallic War. Michigan Classical Press, 2017. ISBN-13: 9780979971389

Allen and Greenough. New Latin Grammar (any edition is fine). Link to online edition