Sallust’s Bellum Catilinae is now available in paperback for 10.95 USD. Plato’s Meno is currently being revised and should appear in November in paperback as well.

Teachers have contacted me and offered a number of ways that they use the pdf to enhance instruction. Below are a few worth passing along:

(1) Enlarge the pdf on the screen and connect the computer to a projector to create a quick and easy presentation.

(2) Enlarge the pdf on the screen and take screenshot images of the selected text (Mac: shift-command-4, Windows: Snipping tool) to insert in presentations, quizzes, and tests. (Enlarging the pdf improves the image resolution.) This is a very easy way to maintain formatting between the book, presentations, and tests.

(3) Copy and paste the Greek or Latin text to insert in translation quizzes and tests.

(4) Use the search function in the pdf to find relevant grammar constructions throughout the commentary: e.g. search “subj” to find all labeled subjunctive constructions and “dat” to find labeled dative constructions.

(5) If the students have mastered the core vocabulary, copy and paste selected dictionary entries from the corresponding vocabulary sections as you read to create vocabulary lists for students to review and memorize.

(6) In a secondary school setting, post the pdf (or a link to the pdf) on your class website and ask that students use the paperback in class and pdf at home or vice versa and not carry the book in their book bags. This is an easy way to discourage daily wear-and-tear on your books and yet ensure that students always have access to the commentary.

(7) If you wish to add selected vocabulary to Quizlet or Anki to make flashcards, most programs allow you to copy and paste lists of vocabulary and then ask what punctuation you wish to use to divide up the word from the definition. Choose “:” and within seconds you will convert the vocabulary list copied from the pdf into a functional set of flashcards. Then, simply copy the link to the flashcard set and send it to your students.

If you have any other suggestions to add to this list, please let me know.

What ancillary materials should this site provide that would help you, as an independent reader, student, or teacher, make the most of the commentaries on this website?

What do you recommend?

(Comments will be visible to all)

Update: As a result of the comments to this post, upcoming changes will include:

(1) Translation sheets in .doc and .pdf formats so teachers and readers can more easily copy, paste, and manipulate the Greek and Latin text for presentations, quizzes, tests, and personal use.

(2) Core Vocabulary lists in .doc format.

(3) Links to core vocabulary flashcards on Quizlet

…and a number of changes to the commentaries themselves.