AP Latin

Advanced Placement Latin studying classical Latin literature and Roman culture.

Introduction to Classical LatinRoman History and CultureReading and Translating Latin Texts
Virgil's Aeneid: Epic Poetry and Roman ValuesCicero and Rhetoric in Latin ProsePoetic Devices and Scansion
Latin in Modern VocabularyLatin and Critical ThinkingLatin and Cultural Literacy
Approaching Unseen PassagesTime Management for the AP ExamAnnotation and Note-Taking Techniques
Introduction to Clas...Roman History and Cu...Reading and Translat...Virgil's Aeneid: Epi...Cicero and Rhetoric ...Poetic Devices and S...Latin in Modern Voca...Latin and Critical T...Latin and Cultural L...Approaching Unseen P...Time Management for ...Annotation and Note-...
Advanced Topics

Poetic Devices and Scansion

How Latin Poetry Works

Latin poetry isn't just about rhyme—it's about rhythm and sound. Poets used meter, wordplay, and vivid imagery to create memorable verses.

Key Poetic Devices

  • Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds.
  • Metaphor: Comparing two unlike things.
  • Anaphora: Repeating words at the start of lines or clauses.

Scansion

Scansion is marking the rhythm of a poem. Latin poetry often uses dactylic hexameter, where each line has six feet (combinations of long and short syllables).

Example of Dactylic Hexameter

  • "Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris..." (Aeneid 1.1)

Why It Matters

  • Understanding meter and devices helps you read poetry aloud and appreciate its artistry.
  • These tools are used in modern lyrics and poetry, too!

Examples

  • Scanning a line from the Aeneid to find the meter.

  • Spotting alliteration and metaphor in a Latin poem.

In a Nutshell

Latin poetry comes alive through rhythm, sound, and creative language.

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Latin in Modern Vocabulary