Introduction to Latin Philology: Master the Study of Latin Texts

Question 1

What is the primary objective of textual criticism in Latin philology?

Accepted Answer

Ascertaining the original wording of an ancient text

Answer

Identifying discrepancies and errors within a text

Answer

Interpreting the intended meaning of a text

Answer

Analyzing the author's stylistic preferences

Question 2

Which Latin author is renowned for their satirical writings?

Accepted Answer

Juvenal

Answer

Cicero

Answer

Vergil

Answer

Seneca

Question 3

What is the key distinction between a manuscript and a codex?

Accepted Answer

Manuscripts are single sheets, while codices are collections of bound sheets

Answer

Manuscripts are written on papyrus, while codices are written on parchment

Answer

Manuscripts are written in cursive script, while codices are written in formal script

Answer

There is no distinction between a manuscript and a codex

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a commonly used method in the study of Latin texts?

Accepted Answer

Radiocarbon dating

Answer

Textual criticism

Answer

Paleography

Answer

Epigraphy

Question 5

In the study of ancient handwriting, what is the term used to describe the examination and interpretation of scripts?

Accepted Answer

Paleography

Answer

Numismatics

Answer

Codicology

Answer

Epigraphy

Question 6

Stemmatics is a technique used in textual criticism primarily for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Reconstructing the history of how a text has been transmitted

Answer

Identifying the original version of a text

Answer

Determining the most accurate reading of a text

Answer

Establishing the authenticity of a text

Question 7

Paleography is primarily concerned with the study of:

Accepted Answer

Ancient handwriting styles

Answer

Ancient inscriptions

Answer

Ancient languages

Answer

Ancient literature

Question 8

The systematic study of manuscripts, including their physical characteristics and history, is termed:

Accepted Answer

Codicology

Answer

Paleography

Answer

Textual criticism

Answer

Epigraphy

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a tool employed in paleography?

Accepted Answer

Numismatics

Answer

Codicology

Answer

Diplomatics

Answer

Spectroscopy

Question 10

Distinguish between a stemma codicum and a contaminated text.

Accepted Answer

A stemma codicum traces the relationships between multiple manuscripts, while a contaminated text is influenced by several sources.

Answer

A contaminated text is influenced by several sources, while a stemma codicum traces the relationships between multiple manuscripts.

Answer

There is no distinction between the two terms.

Answer

Both a stemma codicum and a contaminated text are methods of textual criticism.

Question 11

Which method is not typically used in Latin philology?

Accepted Answer

Comparative linguistics

Answer

Textual criticism

Answer

Paleography

Answer

Epigraphy

Question 12

What is the term for the study of ancient written inscriptions?

Accepted Answer

Epigraphy

Answer

Paleography

Answer

Numismatics

Answer

Codicology

Question 13

Which of the following is a definition of a stemma codicum?

Accepted Answer

A diagram representing the relationships between different manuscripts

Answer

A list of all known copies of a particular text

Answer

A critical edition of a text based on multiple manuscripts

Answer

A translation of a Latin text into modern English

Question 14

Which of the following methods is NOT used in the study of Latin texts?

Accepted Answer

Archaeology

Answer

Textual criticism

Answer

Paleography

Answer

Epigraphy

Question 15

What is the primary goal of textual criticism?

Accepted Answer

To establish the original text of a document

Answer

To analyze the language and style of a text

Answer

To determine the date and provenance of a document

Answer

To identify the author of a text

Question 16

Which type of Latin script is characterized by its use of capital letters and lack of word separation?

Accepted Answer

Uncial

Answer

Cursive

Answer

Minuscule

Answer

Rustica

Question 17

What is the term for the study of inscriptions?

Accepted Answer

Epigraphy

Answer

Paleography

Answer

Numismatics

Answer

Codicology

Question 18

What is the significance of the Codex Sinaiticus?

Accepted Answer

It is the oldest surviving complete manuscript of the Bible in Greek.

Answer

It is the only known manuscript that contains the complete text of Homer's Iliad.

Answer

It was written in the same script as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Answer

It was discovered in the ruins of Pompeii.

Question 19

What is the purpose of a stemma codicum?

Accepted Answer

To represent the relationships between different manuscripts of a text

Answer

To identify the original text of a document

Answer

To determine the date and provenance of a manuscript

Answer

To analyze the language and style of a text

Question 20

What is the name of the comprehensive collection of Latin inscriptions?

Accepted Answer

Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum

Answer

Thesaurus Linguae Latinae

Answer

Patrologia Latina

Answer

Bibliotheca Augustana

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a primary source for the study of Latin philology?

Accepted Answer

A modern translation of a Latin text

Answer

An inscription on a Roman tombstone

Answer

A letter written in Latin during the Roman Empire

Answer

A manuscript of a Latin text

Question 22

What is the primary goal of textual criticism?

Accepted Answer

To establish the most accurate and reliable version of a text.

Answer

To understand the historical context of the text.

Answer

To analyze the author's intentions.

Question 23

Which of the following features would be most helpful in identifying a manuscript's date?

Accepted Answer

The script used in the manuscript.

Answer

The language of the manuscript.

Answer

The content of the manuscript.

Answer

The size of the manuscript.

Question 24

What is the difference between an inscription and an epigraph?

Accepted Answer

An inscription is a text carved on a permanent surface, while an epigraph is a quotation at the beginning of a text.

Answer

An inscription is a short text, while an epigraph is a longer one.

Question 25

You are examining a Latin inscription and notice a word that appears to be spelled differently from how it is usually written. What is the most likely explanation for this discrepancy?

Accepted Answer

The inscription may reflect a dialectal variation or a scribal error.

Answer

The inscription was written by an illiterate person.

Answer

The inscription is likely a forgery.

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a common method used in Latin philology?

Accepted Answer

Astrology

Answer

Historical research

Answer

Linguistic analysis

Answer

Lexicography

Question 27

You are studying a Latin text and come across a word you don't recognize. What is the best approach to determine its meaning?

Accepted Answer

Consult a Latin dictionary and consider the context of the word in the text.

Answer

Ignore the word and continue reading.

Answer

Guess the meaning based on its etymology.

Question 28

How can the study of Latin philology contribute to our understanding of the Roman world?

Accepted Answer

By providing insights into Roman society, culture, and beliefs through the analysis of texts and artifacts.

Answer

By allowing us to translate Latin literature into modern languages.