Using Forum Romanum Videos to Enrich Ecce Romani

Prepared by Caroline Kelly of Charolotte, North Carolina

Forum Romanum presents news from the ancient world as it happens—IN LATIN! Each show takes place on a particular date in Roman history. Forum opens with the Quaestio Hodierna, designed to cue the audience to that show's theme. Following this question comes the Quid Novi segment announcing the day's top story. The next segment features a related topic, either an editorial or an interview with a persona notanda.

After the news comes the weather (Tempestas Hodierna). This segment is actually meant to be a geography lesson, emphasizing locations around the Mediterranean relevant to the show's top story. The answer to the Quaestio Hodierna is then given, followed by the Dictum Hodiernum (also based on the feature story). The show closes with a quick review of the top story and a brief valediction by the host of Forum Romanum.  (Quoted from their website.)

There are 24 videos to date, with three episodes on each video. Each episode is about 10 minutes long. They  can be purchased from the TMRC, ACL Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056.  For more information, visit http://www.nle.org/forum.html#anchor231480

Ecce Romani Chapter                                 Forum Romanum Episode

3          Roman Life II                                                         12. Gēns Togāta

OR   10 & 51   Departure (describes packing clothing);  Marcus Comes of Age (toga virilis etc.)           

5          Myth I: Aeneas                                                      3. Aedēs Apollinis (Cumean Sybil)

OR    52        Roman Life XXXIII:  Roman Religion; also 38, 39: deal with the Aeneid     

6.         Early in the Day                                                    13. Dē Arte Coquināriā

also  29, 32, 33: Going to the Market, Dinner Preparations, At Dinner

11        Myth III: The Founding of Rome                         7. Nātālis Urbis

16        Why is Sextus a Pest?                                           4. Vesuvius Eripuit

also  68:       The Death of Pliny the Elder

23        Roman Life XII                                                       23. Dē Aquīs Urbis Rōmae

24        History II: The First and Second Punic Wars       2. Hannibal ad Portās

also   26        History III

26        History III: Rome Becomes a World Leader          1. Graecia Capta

27        A Visit to the Races                                                10. Pānem et Circēnsēs

30        Fire!                                                                             8. Incendium Rōmae

37-39   School                                                                      22. Dē Discipulinā Puerilī AND 11. Aeneīs Vergilī

43, 44  At the Baths;  Stop Thief!                                     23. Dē Aquīs Urbis Rōmae

45        Pyramus and Thisbe                                              17. Carmen et Error (Ovid)

47-49   The Games/Colosseum 18. Moritūrī Tē Salutant  AND 15. Circum Mare Nostrum

50        Nothing Ever Happens                                          14. Fortūna Muliēbris

also: 52,53   Papirius Praetextatus; Cornelia’s Wedding; also from Pliny’s Letter III:16 re Arria

52        Roman Life XXXIII: Roman Religion                   16. Dē Artibus Magicīs

53        Cornelia’s Wedding                                               20. Ōdī et Amō (Catullus)

54        A Sad Occasion                                                      24. Prīmīs Suprēmīsque Diēbus

55        The Late Republic                                                  19. Commentāriī Caesaris        

55 D.   The Death of Caesar                                                5. Caesar Caesus

56 B.    Anthony vs Octavian                                             6. Cleopatra, Nōn Hūmilis Mulier

59        A Political Murder (Cicero’s Account)                 9. Noster Tullius

also  60:       Four Letters

61        The Battle of Pharsalus (Caesar’s account)       19. Commentāriī Caesaris

67:       A Noble Woman                                                     14. Fortūna Muliēbris

68:       The Death of Pliny the Elder                                   4. Vesuvius Ēripuit