Auricula Meretricula

Book excerpt: Auricula Meretricula is a unique play for students in their first semester of Latin. Each scene uses new forms and vocabulary, thus reinforcing the students’ grasp of grammar by placing it in a living context. At the same time it provides an enticing introduction to Roman comedy and elegy. First published in 1981, Auricula Meretricula was greeted with enthusiasm by students and teachers, and is currently used in many classics departments in the US and elsewhere. This substantially revised edition includes new scenes and characters while reducing the overall quantity of unfamiliar vocabulary. Originally Auricula Meretricula was written as a companion to Wheelock but can be used in conjunction with any introductory Latin textbook. This text provides a dramatic addition to a Latin course, allowing students to read, speak and act out Latin comedy, with a vocabulary found in the second half of many first year Latin textbooks.