Lectiones Antiquae
Ἐν γράμμασι καλόν
Why to learn Latin and Greek?
Many have regarded Western civilization as being founded upon three principal pillars—Greek philosophy, Roman law, and Christianity. To grasp more profoundly the roots of our political, moral, philosophical, and theological ideas—which mold not only our society but even our most ordinary thoughts and feelings—we must return to their sources in their original form.
How many ideas do you have that you do not know where they come from? We've all absorbed many of them from our cultural backgrounds, but shouldn't we look for their origins and learn what the great minds of history have said about them?
What better way would there be of developing the mental acuity to judge what we've been absorbing without any discrimation for years since our childhood? Today's Western societies are established in a certain way and certain ideas circulate in it. Were things always as they are now? Where and when did it all started? What great souls have lived and what examples have they left to us throughout the centuries? In how many ways did other people describe the beauties and horrors of life and death? How did the great poets of the past sing them? These are the questions that inflammed me when I was younger and because of which I started this journey.
As a teacher, I help others acquire the tools they need to inquire into the same things and to enjoy our cultural heritage in a more conscious, vivid, and pleasant way.
Arthur Schopenhauer states in his book The Art of Literature: "Latin is not only a key to the knowledge of Roman antiquity; it also directly opens up to us the Middle Age in every country in Europe, and modern times as well, down to about the year 1750. Erigena, for example, in the ninth century, John of Salisbury in the twelfth, Raimond Lully in the thirteenth, with a hundred others, speak straight to us in the very language that they naturally adopted in thinking of learned matters."
Although Latin has historically had more influence than Greek in many European countries, Greek gives us direct access to Homeric poetry, the Athenian democracy, the Hellenistic period, and the Roman Empire up until the Fall of Constantinople.
Services
Latin for beginners
The lessons for beginners are based on the first volume of the series Lingua Latīna Per Sē Illūstrāta, the Familia Rōmāna. In it, we follow along the daily life of Julius, a Roman master, and his family.
In each chapter, new words and more complex structures are presented to the student, while the I explain grammatical elements and stimulate a conversation in Latin.
I use both classical and ecclesiastical pronunciations, according to the students needs and preferences.
Latin for intermediate students
The lessons for intermediate students are based on the second volume of the same series, the Rōma Aeterna.
In it, we read about Rome's history from its origin until the days of Julius Caesar.
We shall also use other books, such as Epitome Historiae Sacrae, Fabulae Syrae, Ad Alpes, and Fabulae Faciles.
At this point, I make my students start writing paraphrases of simple texts, such as the Vulgate, so that they may start noticing – with their own hands! – differences and nuances of style.
Latin for advanced students
The lessons for advanced students are based on passages drawn from authors who are of special interest to the student.
We may read classical authors, such as Cicero, Julius Caesar and Seneca; christian authors, such as St. Augustin, St. Ambrose, and Boethius; medieval philosophers, such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure; renaissance or modern authors such as Erasmus, Martin Luther, the Jesuits, Descartes, Calvin, Galileo, Isaac Newton, among so many others who wrote their works in Latin!
Ancient Greek for beginners
Greek lessons for beginners are based primarily on the first volume of the Athenaze series, where we follow the daily life of Diceopolis, an Athenian farmer, and his family.
Its structure is similar to that of LLPSI, with each chapter introducing new vocabulary and new grammatical elements, along with insights into Greek culture of the period.
In these lessons, I follow the approach used by the majority of Greek teachers for centuries in Greece, employing the living pronunciation of Ancient Greek. This method makes it easier to trace the origins of today’s language and appreciate its connection to the past.
Latest video:
Values and Disponibility
The trial lesson is free.
It lasts 30 minutes. In it, we get to know each other (feel free to ask any question you want). Also, I give a demonstration of my method and get to know your needs and expectations! At last, I furnish the details about payment
N. B.: Please cancel the lesson previously in case you cannot attend it. After waiting for 10 minutes, I shall leave the lesson and shall consider the lesson as given.
If the student wishes to proceed, here are the options:
1. One lesson for $20.
2. Four lessons: $75.
3. Eight lessons: $128.
Schedule a free trial lesson selecting one of the slots available on my Google Agenda.
Please, present yourself in one of the languages I understand (English, Latin, Portuguese, Italian, French, Modern Greek) and tell me what language you would like to learn (Latin or Ancient Greek).
When our meeting is scheduled, I will send an email to you confirming it.
What do students think?
Jacob D., from Norway: Grātissimum mihi est gaudium testārī inquīrentibus quam nōn modo frūgiferentēs, efficācēs ac commodae ad īnstitūtiōnem linguae Latīnae impetrandam, vērum etiam omnigenā suāvitāte plēnae mihi fuerint scholae cum praeceptōre cārō Jōhanne, quibus ferē jam biennium (mīrum dictū!) libentissimē frūctus sum. Ipse scīlicet doctus, benignus, facilis, et—quod quidem saepenumerō perīclitātus sum—summā patientiā imbūtus; semper ad tempus, numquam nōn parātus. Tōtō corde eum commendō omnibus linguae Latīnae studiōsīs, praesertim iīs quī cordī habeant Latīnē expedītē atque ēmendātē loquī.
It is a very great joy for me to bear witness, to all who inquire, how the lessons with my dear teacher Giovani have been to me not only fruitful, effective, and advantageous for acquiring proficiency in the Latin language, but also full of every kind of charm — lessons from which I have now, for almost two years (marvelous to say!), most gladly reaped the benefit. He himself, to be sure, is learned, kind, approachable, and—something I have often put to the test—endowed with the highest patience; always punctual, never unprepared. With all my heart I commend him to all students of the Latin language, especially to those who have at heart the ability to speak Latin fluently and correctly. — Translated from Latin
Júlio S., from Brazil: Durante as aulas de latim, o professor Giovani sempre se adapta ao meu ritmo e forma de aprendizagem, sem deixar, entretanto, de prosseguir com o aprendizado dessa linda língua. Ele é um conhecedor profundo, contínuo pesquisador e elaborador de novos conteúdos. Estou sempre motivado para as aulas, já aprendo com ele por mais de 2 anos.
During the Latin lessons, Professor Giovani always adapts to my pace and learning style, without, however, failing to move forward with the study of this beautiful language. He is a profound connoisseur, a constant researcher, and a creator of new materials. I am always motivated for the classes, and I have been learning with him for more than two years. — Translated from Portuguese.
