AP Latin Prose Caesar

AP Latin for the 2012-2013 year includes a prose component focusing on the Gallic War commentaries written by Julius Caesar. Below the following short introduction to the revised AP Latin, with a note on two new resources, you will find the passages for use in the Caesar section.

AP Translation Expectations

From the AP Latin exam information for Fall 2012: "The AP Latin Exam will assess student ability to read, understand, translate, and analyze Latin poetry and prose. The exam will focus not only on translating the required Latin readings with an accuracy that reflects precise understanding of the Latin but also on reading and comprehending new passages at sight. Additionally, students will be expected to describe and analyze Latin grammar, syntax, and style, and to connect the texts that they read with the people, practices, and events that shaped the ancient Roman world."

Short Introduction

The revised AP Latin has a Caesar and a Vergil component. The required syllabus includes passages from Vergil's Aeneid in Latin from Books I, II, IV, and VI, and the English for Books I, II, IV, VI, VIII, XII. In addition to the Caesarean Gallic War passages below to be understood in their Latin prose form, students should read in English: Books I, VI, VII.

Since there will also be a sight component to the exam, students are expected to work on prose material from Nepos, Cicero (not letters), Livy, the younger Pliny, Seneca, as well as the poetry of Ovid, Martial, Tibullus, and Catullus.

The AP exam suggests specific terminology to be familiar with, including terms for grammar and syntax, as well as for figures of speech and rules of scansion. There are also cultural, including mythological, and historical components because students are expected to understand cultural references.

New for 2012 (Print) Resources

An excellent resource for the preparation comes, predictably, from Bolchazy-Carducci (who provided me with a review copy). Their 2012 'A Caesar Workbook,' by veteran college and high school Latin teacher Rose Williams and Debra L. Nousek, should prepare students admirably, especially for the grammar questions on the exam. Preparation includes timed tests to practice translation. The book also covers the essay/comprehension type questions and the figures of speech students are expected to know for the exam. The same publisher sent me a copy of 'Latin for the New Millennium Level 3', which starts with passages from Caesar that are on the exam study list, and includes a wealth of cultural detail students should be able to draw on for the essays.

Latin Prose - AP Latin Caesar

The Latin passages to know, side-by-side with a Public Domain English translation appear below. Note that since the translation is old-fashioned and since the translations for the exam should be more literal, the English should not help you get through the AP course. Its purpose is to provide a way to scan the content of each section quickly.

1. Caesar Book I
   _{Chapters 1-7}
   
   
2. Caesar Book IV
   _{Chapters 24-35+}
   
   
3. Caesar Book V
   _{Chapters 24-48}
   
   
4. Caesar Book VI
   _{Chapters 13-20}
   

AP Latin Prose - Caesar | De Bello Gallico Overview | Caesar E-texts | What Is Gaul? | Gallic Revolt | Caesar's Gallic War - The Battles Winners and Losers