My recent Italian trip made me want to learn Latin

Latin in the Wild

I took art history and Italian in college and have been to Italy before. But on this trip I was constantly drawn to Latin wherever I encountered it.

During the trip I read Oxford's Short Introduction to Roman Empire. It mentions the anecdote that Seneca mocks Claudius that instead of deification (apotheosis) the emperor will get pumpkin-ification (apocolocyntosis). Hahahaha so savage and funny.

At Saint Ignatius of Loyola church in Rome I saw the words: "Ego vobis Romae propitius ero" (I will be good to you in Rome).

At the entrance of Florence cathedral there writes: "Ecce ancilla Domini" (Behold the handmaid of the Lord). On the dome there writes: "Ecce homo" (Behold the man).

The signs are very clear. I need to learn Latin.

Posted Feb 26, 2026, 7:52 AM UTC

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