What is a Certamen? That is the Question.

by mike pojman

Mr. Reid: “Gentlemen, here is your first question: When Paris shot Achilles, where did the arrow land?” Four trigger-happy sixies press their buzzers simultaneously.

Mr. Reid: “Andrew, you were first.” Andrew: “In his right eye.” Mr. Reid: “That’s incorrect. In his heel. Achilles’ heel.” Collective disbelief. Redfaced Andrew: “I can’t believe I missed that.” His teammates glance his way, but then refocus. Mr. Reid is about to read the next question.

Mr. Reid: “What are the names of Achilles’ parents?” Multiple buzzing.

Mr. Reid: “Andrew, you were first again.” Andrew: “Thetis and Peleus.”

Mr. Reid: “That is correct. You are redeemed.” A much-relieved Andrew high-fives his teammates.

I take my camera and move on to the next room, three teams of four sophomores each.

Mr. Randall: “Which month is dedicated to the Roman god Janus?” Hey, that’s a giveaway, I think to myself. And sure enough, every hand slaps the table. (With the limited Certamen budget, there aren’t enough buzzers to go around.)

Mr. Randall, arbiter of the first slap: “Declan, what’s the answer?” Declan: “February.” Audible groans. Mr. Randall frowns: “January.”

I move on, this time to the Refectory, where a room full of fifthies are going at it, high pitched. Ms. MorrisKliment is firmly in charge. Ms. M-K: “Identify this figure of speech: non dicam duo bella esse confecta.” The room is slapless, and for the first time, silent. Ms. M-K: “Oh, come on, guys! Praeteritio.”

And so it goes, room by room, for another 45 minutes until, finally, the Umpteenth Annual Roxbury Latin Intramural Certamen wraps up in time for boys to catch the commuter rail to the city or their carpools to the ’burbs. However, judging by the energy and enthusiasm that pervade each match-up, it could go on for another 45.

Of all the proud RL traditions, the Certamen is among the proudest, as boys of all six grades display their command of classical esoterica for no reward other than the pride of knowing—and perhaps a piece of greasy pizza. Presented with the question, Which Roman senator consistently ended speeches with the statement “Carthago delenda est?” one might be inclined to answer, “Who cares?” But the certa-men (or, more accurately, the certaboys) clearly do, and that’s a credit to their intellectual curiosity, their love of all things Roman, and, of course, their competitive nature. Given a forum for verbal sparring, Roxbury Latin boys are all-in. May it ever be so. And as long as Roxbury Latin is Roxbury Latin, it shall ever be, of that I have no doubt.

And now, at last, I have a question for you: What is the meaning of “Certamen”? Answer: It’s Latin for “Contest.” Who knew? They did, and now you do, too. //

Each year, teams of RL boys at various levels— Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced—compete in interscholastic Certamens as well, faring admirably against teams from around Boston and across the country. In this school year, RL’s Novice and Intermediate teams each earned second place at the Yale Certamen, and last summer a team of now-rising Class III boys were named National Certamen Champs at the 69th Annual National Junior Classical League Convention.