Knowledge of the material

Always have a strong grasp of the historical and cultural context of the texts studied in the Latin literature syllabus.
Submerge yourself in the Roman mindset, appreciating their worldview, social norms, and traditions.
Pay attention to the relationship between myth and history, since many texts feature figures and events from Roman mythology and history.
Understand the political structure of the Roman Republic and Empire to illuminate the actions and motivations of characters.

Accurately translate Latin text into English, comprehending both basic and complex sentence structures.
Look for underlying themes – such as love, heroism, duty, and fate – and how they develop over the course of the text.
Pay attention to the use of literary devices such as metaphor, simile, irony, foreshadowing and personification by Roman authors.
Make sure to spot motifs and recurring symbols woven into the fabric of the narratives, as these often convey deeper meanings.

Unpick the individual motivations and personal journeys of characters, how they evolve, and how these developments contribute to the text’s overall themes.
Apply context to make text-to-world connections, linking themes and ideas in the texts to events and trends in Roman society.
Engage in comparative analysis between texts, identifying common themes or contrasting attitudes to similar situations.
Gain an understanding of authorial intent, trying to discern why the author chose to present characters, events or themes in a certain way.

Make a revision checklist, including key themes, characters and literary devices to look out for in each text.
Practice close reading of select passages, deepening your understanding of themes and devices as much as possible.
Utilise Latin literature revision guides available online or from your teacher, to consolidate your knowledge and understanding.
Practice past examination papers to get a sense of the types of questions asked around themes in Latin literature.