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St John's Beaumont, Priest Hill, Old Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 2JN Phone +44(0) 1784 432 428 Fax +44(0) 1784 494 048 eMail admissions@stjohnsbeaumont.co.uk
Ancient Languages
The language of the legionaries, emperors, heroes and villains of the Roman Empire, which dominated Western Civilisation from before 200 BC till 450AD and beyond. Study of this subject starts for some sets in Upper Elements (Year 5) and continues through to Rudiments.
Latin is a complex language to master, and getting to grips with its intricacies offers an unparallelled insight into the grammar of our own language - and others. Thanks to the Domesday invasion of 1066, a mighty half of all English words derive from the language of the Romans. A knowledge of Latin is a knowledge of English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian!
As well as language, the legacy of the Romans has shaped art, architecture, history, politics, law, philosophy, military strategy, literature, entertainment et cetera. Boys gain the opportunity to study many of these aspects in addition to the linguistic components of the curriculum. As Virgil wrote, 'one day it shall help to have remembered these things.'
