I M U S
A R S E T A N
ARSETANIMUS
STUDENT POETRY AUTHORS
OLIVIA MORICONI
STEPHEN SENA
EMMANUELLE KRAMER
CHARLOTTE MARLOWE
CELESTE NEWELL
ANTHONY CIVELLO
STUDENT PROSE AUTHORS
OLIVIA MORICONI
STEPHEN SENA
EMMANUELLE KRAMER
CHARLOTTE MARLOWE
CELESTE NEWELL
ANTHONY CIVELLO
HTTPS://SITES.GOOGLE.COM/UDSD.ORG/UDSD-JCL/
EDITOR
TRACI DOUGHERTY
COPY EDITORS
EMMANUELLE KRAMER
LITERARY JUDGES
PROSE
MARY BROWN
JEANNETTE KESHISHIAN
ANNIE ROTTER
PATRICIA WEIDLER
POETRY
TRACI DOUGHERTY
MARY JANE KOONS
Dear Readers,
It is with great pleasure that we present the latest edition of ARS ET ANIMUS, Upper Dublin’s annual celebration of student literary achievement
This volume brings together an exceptional collection of creative works from high school students whose voices reflect both a deep respect for the ancient world and a vibrant, contemporary imagination. Each piece demonstrates how classical languages, literature, and ideas continue to inspire meaningful expression today
Featured here are the winning selections of prose, composed in both English and Latin. These works reveal not only impressive linguistic skill, but also thoughtful engagement with classical themes myth, history, philosophy, and the enduring questions that connect past and present
From evocative storytelling to insightful interpretation, our student authors engage with antiquity, reimagining its stories and ideas in ways that feel both timeless and new Their writing reminds us that the study of the classics is not merely an act of preservation, but one of creative renewal.
FROM THE EDITOR
We are deeply grateful to the students whose dedication and talent make this publication possible Their work affirms the continued relevance and vitality of classical studies
We also extend our sincere thanks to the teachers and mentors who support and inspire these young scholars, fostering curiosity, discipline, and a love of learning
We invite you to explore these pages and engage with the voices within May they inspire reflection, spark curiosity, and strengthen our shared appreciation for the classical tradition.
Enjoy, and gratias vobis agimus
EDITOR
UNDERCLASSMEN UPPERCLASSMEN
HS PROSE
HANNIBAL’S SHORTCUT
OliviaMoriconi,12thGrade,LevelV NJCLCreativeWriting,5thPlace
Thewindraspedthroughthemountainpass,aprimal,icywarningtornfromthe mountain'sthroat.Snowwhippedacrossthefacesofthesoldiersandanimals,stinging theirskinandfreezingtheirbreath.Hannibalstoodattheedgeofanarrowcliff,staring atthegranitemassthatblockedtheirpath.Itwaslikenaturehaddecidedtochallenge him.Behindhim,thousandsofmenwaited,exhaustedandcold.Elephants,oncesymbols ofpowerandfear,nowtrembledinthesnow,theireyesdull.
Theyhadcomesofar.FromCarthagetoHispania,acrossriversanddangerouslands,all tostrikeattheheartofRome.Hannibalpromisedthemglory.HepromisedthemItaly. Butnow,theAlpsstoodintheway,andthiswallofstonewasthefinalbarrier.
GeneralMaharbalapproached,noting,“Wecan'tgoforward.Themenarefreezing.The animalsaredying.We'velosttoomanyalready.”
Hannibaldidn'trespond.Hejuststaredattherock,hisjawclenched.Heneverbacked downfromachallenge,butthiswassomethingelse.Thegranitewallwassmooth,tall, andseemedutterlyimpregnable.Nopatharoundit,nowayoverit.Itwaslikethe mountainitselfwaslaughingathim.
Thatnight,thecampwassilent.Firesburnedslowly,andthemenhuddledtogetherfor warmth.Hannibalsatalone,staringintotheflames.Maharbaljoinedhim,sittingquietly forawhilebeforespeaking.
“WhenIwasaboy,myfathertaughtmehowtosplitlimestone.Notwithhammers.With fireandvinegar.”
Hannibalturnedslowly.“Whatdidyousay?”
Maharballookedup,“We’dheattherockuntilitglowed.Thenpourvinegarintothe cracks.Thestonewouldsteamandsplitapart.” Hannibal'seyeswidened.“Coulditworkhere?” “Ithasto,”Maharbalasserted.“Orwediehere.”
Thenextmorning,Hannibalcalledhisengineers.“Wewillburnthemountain,hesaid. “Andthenmeltitwithvinegar.”
ARS ET ANIMUS
Themenstaredathimlikehewascrazy,butHannibal’svoicewasfirm“GatherwoodEvery branch,everylog.Faciantignem!Heatituntilitglows.Thenpourvinegarintothecracks.”
Itwasacrazyplan.Butcrazinesswasbetterthandeath.
ThesoldiersquicklygottoworkTheychoppeddowntreesfromthelowerslopesanddragged thewooduptheicypaths.Fireswerebuiltalongthebaseofthegranitewall.Flamesroared, lickingthestoneandslowlyheatingit.Thegranitebegantochangecolor,turningdark,thenredhot.
ThencamethevinegarBarrelsofit,originallymeanttopreservefood,werehauledupthe mountain.Thesoldierspoureditontotheglowingrock.Theacidicvaporhissedasitrose,thesour smelloffermentationstingingtheirthroats.Cracksbegantoform.Thestone,blisteredand smoking,utteredalong,fracturinggroan,asifthemountainitselfwereinagony.Whenthe pickaxesstruck,thegranitedidn'tjustbreak itshattered,fallingawayinvolcanic,steaming chunks.Thewallbegantocrumble.
Hourspassed.Then,withonefinalblow,amassivepieceofgranitefellaway,revealinganarrow paththroughthemountain.Themeneruptedincheers.“Vici!”theyshouted.Somecried.Others droppedtotheirkneesinrelief.Eventheelephantsseemedtosensethevictory,eruptinginaloud roar.
HannibalseizedMaharbal'sshoulder.'You’vesavedus!'heproclaimed.“Laboromniavincit”,he thought
Maharbalsmiled.“No,LegatusLegionis.Yousavedusbybelievinginmadness.”
Thearmymovedforward,slowlybutsurely.Thepathwasnarrowanddangerous,butitwasa pathTheyhadbeatenthemountainTheyhaddefiednatureButthejourneywasn’toverThe descentintoItalywasjustastreacherous.Slipperyslopes,hiddencrevices,andfreezingwinds continuedtotesttheirstrength.Yetsomethinghadchanged.Themenhadseentheimpossible becomepossible.Theyhadwatchedfireandvinegardefeatamountain.Thatmemorygavethem strength.
Onesoldier,ayoungIberiannamedLarto,wroteinhisjournal:“Todayweprovedthegodsarejust menwithbettertools.Themountaincracked,notfromthunder,butfromourownunyieldingwill.”
Astheyreachedthefoothills,thelandscapechanged.Snowgavewaytogreenvalleys.Theair warmed Theelephants,thoughfewerinnumber,marchedproudly Hannibalrodeahead,his eyesfixedonthehorizon.
HANNIBAL’S SHORTCUT
Romewasnear.
Theshortcuthadworked!Notjustasaphysicalpath,butasasymbol.Hannibal’sarmy haddonewhatnoonethoughtpossible.TheyhadcrossedtheAlps.Theyhadsurvived. Andnow,theywouldfight.
ButevenastheymarchedintoItaly,thememoryofthegranitewallstayedwiththem.It becameastorypassedfromsoldiertosoldier,ataleofdesperationanddetermination. Somecalleditmadness,butotherscalleditgenius.Eitherway,ithadworked.
Thedaysthatfollowedwerefilledwithtension.Themenweretired,buttheirspirits werehigh.Theyhadfaceddeathandwon.TheyhadseentheirLegatusLegionisturna hopelesssituationintotriumph.Everystepforwardfeltlikeavictory.
Atnight,aroundthecampfires,theyspokeofthemountain.Theydescribedtheheatof theflames,thesourstingofvinegar,andthesoundoftherocksplitting.Theylaughed, argued,andreflected.Itbecamealegendbeforethewarhadevenbegun.
Hannibal,though,remainedfocused.Heknewthemostchallengingpartwasstillahead. Romewouldnotfalleasily.Thebattlestocomewouldtesttheminwaysthemountain nevercould.Buthealsoknewsomethingelse:hismenbelievedinhim.Theyhadfollowed himthroughsnowandstone.Theywouldalsofollowhimintobattle.
Oneevening,asthearmycampedneartheRiverPo,Hannibalstoodalone,watchingthe stars.Maharbaljoinedhim,silentforamomentbeforespeaking.
“Themenareready,”hedeclared.
Hannibalnodded.“They’vealreadywonthehardestfight.”
Maharbal'ssmileheldthecoldknowledgeoftheAlps.“Themountainshowedusthepath toRome,Commander.Now,Vincereautmori!”
Thenextmorning,thearmymovedagain.Theelephantsledtheway,theirmassivefeet thuddingagainsttheearth.Behindthemcamethecavalry,infantry,andtheengineers whohadcrackedthemountain.Theymarchednotonlyassoldiersbutalsoassurvivorsof theAlps.
THE AUTHOR’S WORK explained
MystoryretellsHannibal’scrossingoftheAlpsasbothahistoricalandemotionalmoment The mountainisasymboloffearandendurance,whilethefireandvinegartechniquerepresents transformation Byhighlightingthesoldiers’exhaustion,thetremblingelephants,andthetension betweenHannibalandMaharbal,Iwantedtoshowhowevencouragecanemergeintheharshest conditions
IwasinspiredtowritethisbecauseI’vealwaysbeenfascinatedbymomentswherepeoplepush pastwhatseemsimpossible Writingitmademethinkabouthowdeterminationcanshiftwith one'smindset Iwantedtoimaginewhatitfeltliketostandinthatcoldenvironmentandstill choosetokeepgoing andindoingso Ifoundmyselfreflectingonhowbeliefandcreativityshape
is a dedicated high school Latin student at Upper Dublin High School. the Senior Vice President of the Latin Club and as State Secretary on board. Olivia has earned multiple awards in NJCL Creative Writing Philadelphia Classical Society Annual Art Competition, and the National Outside of her love for Latin, she is the VP of her school's Dance & Clubs and the secretary of Key Club. She also volunteers at a local throughout the community, and enjoys playing tennis on her school team and in her spare time.
THE LIGHTER LEGIONARY
StephenSena,10thGrade,LevelIV
NJCLCreativeWriting,9thPlace
MynameisClaudiusMarthidus.IamablacksmithfortheRomanarmies,andIhave madeadiscovery.
Abouttwoweeksago,myassistantLucius,whopurchasesthemetalsIsmelt,came acrossamerchantclaimingtosellanewmetal.Itwasexpensive,soLuciusbrought backonlyoneingot.WhenIheldit,however,itweighedapproximatelyhalfasmuch asabrassingotofthesamesize.Iimmediatelysoughttomeetthisstrangevendor.
WhenImethim,hewasmuchtallerthanIexpected,withpaleskinandorangehair. Hebroughtmetohisshop,wherehehadabouttwentyoftheselightweightingots. Healsoshowedmehissword,forgedfromthesamemetal.Itwasastonishinglylight, andIwasstruckbyitsingenuity.
Ifarmourcouldbemadefromthismetal,thelegionswouldnolongerbeburdened bytheirequipment.Untilnow,segmentedarmourwasmadeofbrassandwasso heavythatmanysoldiersinsteadchosechainmail,iftheyworearmouratall. Chainmail,however,providedlimitedprotectionagainstthrustingweaponsand causedseverechafingunlesswornoverthickclothing,whichoftenledto overheatingintheMediterraneanclimate.
Withthisnewmetal,moresoldierscouldwearsegmentedarmourthatoffered greaterprotectionwhileremaininglighterandcoolerduetoitsairgaps.
Iaskedtheforeignmerchanttoprocuremoreofthemetalanddraftedaproposalto theSenate,carefullydetailingitspropertiesandmyideaofforgingarmourfromit. Afteraweekofwaiting,theirresponsearrived.
unless
HS PROSE
Theyrefused.TheSenateclaimedtheydidnotknowenoughaboutthemetal andwereunwillingtodependonforeignsourcesforsomethingasvitalas armour.
Thoughdisappointed,Itookhopefromtheirwords.Vincitomniaveritas.
IimmediatelybegantestingtheingotsIhadpurchased.Themetalmeltedata farhighertemperaturethanbrassandcooledmorequickly.Despiteitslighter weight,itprovedstrongerthanbothbrassandsteel. Attheendofthemonth,Iobservedsomethingremarkable.AbrasschestplateI hadkeptinmyworkshophaddevelopedagreenpatinaandweakened.The chestplatemadeofthenewmetalshowednocorrosionatallandremainedas strongasthedayitwasforged. Icontinuedmytests.Whensoakedinrainwaterforaweek,thebrassdented easily,whilethestrangemetalremainedunchanged.Whensubmergedin seawater,thebrassdevelopedacorrosion-inducedhole,yetthenewmetalagain showednodamage Astonishedbyitsstrength-to-weightratioandresistancetocorrosion,Inamed themetaltitanium,themetaloftheTitans. RatherthanwritingtotheSenateagain,Irequestedpermissiontopresentmy findingsinperson.Todaywasthedayofmyspeech. IenteredtheSenatebuildingwithmywagonintow,flankedbytwoguards.I boweddeeply,carefulnottomeettheirsterneyes,andbegantospeak. “GreatSenatorsoftheRepublicofRome!Ithankyouforallowingme—” “Skipthepleasantries.Tellusaboutyourfindings,”oneSenatorinterrupted. Iclearedmythroat.“Ihavefoundametalunlikeanyother.Itisstronger,lighter, andmoredurablethansteel,anditdoesnotoverheatinsunlight.Evenwhenleft inseawater,itdoesnotrustorcorrodeIpresenttoyouthismetal:Titanium, metallumTitanorum!”
THE LIGHTER LEGIONARY continued
Iremovedtheclothfrommydisplay,revealingafullsetoftitaniumarmouranda sword.Themetalglimmeredinthelight,buttherewerenogaspsofsurprise. Icontinued.“Integratingtitaniumintoourarmourandweaponswouldallowthe legionstomarchfartherandreplaceequipmentlessfrequently.”
OneSenatorspoke“Wheredoesthismetalcomefrom?”
Iswallowed.“Itcomesfrombeyondourlands.Iobtaineditfromanorthern merchant.However,heclaimsitmayalsobefoundinRomeorGreece.”
Themurmursdidnotcease.
“Withthismetal,ourarmieswouldbestrongerthananyother ” “Areyousuggestingtheyarenotalready?”anotherSenatordemanded. “No,ofcoursenot.Imerelymeantunstoppable.”
Iwasrunningoutofwords.“ThismetalcouldbenefitRomansocietybeyondthe military”
TheChancellorstood,andsilencefell.
DespiteallIhadshownthem,theSenatefocusedonlyonthemetal’sforeign origin.Theydismantledmyproposalpiecebypieceandrejectedit.
Ihavesincelearnedthatthemerchanthasreturnedwithmoretitanium,which nowservesnopurpose.Tomorrow,Imusttellhimthebadnews.
THE AUTHOR’S WORK explained
TheLighterLegionaryisastoryofablacksmithwhohasabrilliantidea,butevenafter provingitssuccess,heisdenied.Despitethis,hecontinueshisproject,andmanagesto getittothearmy.However,attheendofthestory,hisworkshopalongwithallofhis research,isdestroyed,andhegivesupentirelyandflees.Thisshowshowclosesomeone cangettosuccess,evenachievingsomeofit,andultimatelygiveup,allbecauseofthe repeatedstressandrejectionseventuallybecametoomuchtohandle.
Stephen Sena is a passionate and curious high school Latin student at Upper Dublin High School. They are officers in their school's Latin Club, and are active participants in Oreland Troop 1 Scouts. They have won multiple awards from various Latin groups, including NJCL, NLE, and PLUMA.
HS PROSE
CIRCE’S SPA RETREAT
EmmanuelleKramer,12thGrade,LevelV
NJCLCreativeWriting,7thPlace
Circe’seyesglazedoverthesightofthepearlywhitewallsofhervilla.A yawnescapedherlips;hermindfoldedbetweentheeventsoftheday.She spentherafternoonturningwickedmenintopigsandgoats.Shequickly whippedupanherbalconcoctiontocureanailmentinasmallGreekvillage. Shesighed,thestressfromeverythingclingingtoherforehead.
“IwishIcouldjustrest.Thereissomuchworktobedone,andIdon’thave nearlyenoughtimeorenergytoworkthroughitall.”Shewavedherhands backandforth,littlewispsofmagicthreadingthroughherhairstrands. Herbsandspicecontainersfloatedaroundherchair,thespinofherhands andflexedfingersmaneuveringthem.
“IwishIcouldjustrelax…”Suddenly,Circecaughtaglimpseofawoman feedingherfarmanimalsoutsideofhervilla.Sheworkedherarmsbackand forthtotendtothelands.Mudsatscatteredandsplatacrosstheedgeof hertunic,andshewipedthesweatcleanlyoffherface.Circe’seyeswidened.
“She’sworkingsohard,too.Wemusthaveawaytoresttogether.Hm… whatshouldIdo?”Circe’seyeswanderedaroundtotheviewfromtheother endofherhouse.Shenoticedthegentletreadoftheoceanwavesslinking backandforthuptheshore.
Hereyeswidened.“Iknowwhattodo.”Shesmiled,nowgrabbingher floatingspices.Circelefthervillaandwalkedovertotheworkingwoman acrosstheway,preparingathin,sinceresmile.
“Howareyoudoingtoday?”Circechirped.Thewomanlookedupfromher tending.“Whoareyouandwhatdoyouwant?”thewomanasked,narrowing aneyebrow.Circesmiled.
“Oh,notmuch.Ijustliveacrossthestreet.Inoticedthatyouwereworking veryhard.Iwantedtoshowyouawaytoreduceyourstress.Ifeelthatsame frustrationfromworking.It’squiteawful,really.Theworstpainisinthe joints.”Circechirped,fiddlingwithhairstrands.
ARS ET ANIMUS
“HowdidyouevenknowthatIwas-”thewomanasked,bewildered.
“Oh,nothing.Icanjustsenseit.Now,comehere,letmeshowyouwhatIneedyoutodo.”Circe said,motioningforthewomantofollowherandsetup.Circewhiskedherhandsthroughtheair, separatingthespicesandherbsintovariousrows.Shepointedthewomantostandinthecenter ofacirclewhereivy,hydrangeas,thyme,andotherspicessurroundedherinthick,bushyrowsof neatlythreadedplants.
ThroughCirce’smagicaldirection,eachspiceknitteditselfinseveralsurroundingcirclesaround thewoman.
“Wonderful!Thespellisturningoutnicely.Soonerorlater,you’llbeevenmorerelaxed.”Circe smiled.Panicsettledinonthewoman’sporcelainface,likecracksclimbinguphercheeks. “Whatareyoudoingtome?!”thewomancried.“AmIsomesortofwitchcrafttoyou?”she shouted,hervoiceechoingbetweenthickwinds.
“I’mtryingtohelpyou.Relax,please.”Circesighed,tossingherlong,goldenbrownhairoverher shoulders.Circeraisedherhandsandguidedthestitchedspiceslikeaconductordirectingan orchestra.Theherbsspunaroundthewoman,levitatingherpigsandcows.Thespicesclimbedand grewallovertheanimals.Allofasudden,agiantwhitecloudgrewoutofthem.Inplacewasa door.ItwasthesamepearlywhiteasCirce’shouse.Thespicescontinuedtospinandcirculatein rapidsuccession,theforceofthemotionspinningthewomanintodizziness.Afterafewminutes ofcooling,thespicesstoppedspinningandlandedflatontheground.Thedoorfloateddownto earth,andalowsoundemanatedfromit.
PHOEBUS BLESSED MY SIGHT BUT
CIRCE’S SPA
“Whathappenedtomycattle?Whatdidyoudowiththem?Thisismylivelihood!Icannotsurvivewithout them!Givethembacktome!”thewomancried,preparingtolungeatCirce.
Circewasheadedforthedoor.Shestoppedinhertracks,holdingahandouttostopthewoman.“Don’t worry,thisspellisonlytemporaryInafewhours,everythingwillgobacktonormalYousee,I’mdoingyou afavorComeon,let’sheadinside”Circesmiledandofferedthewomanahand
Thewomanstoppedinhertracks.Shelookedoverthehand.Herownshook,herfingersgentlysettling overthepalm.ShenervouslytookCirce’shand.Thetwowomensteadilyheadedforthedoor.Circe’smagic openedthebroad,pearlywhitedoors.
InsidewasthemostbeautifulspathatexistedTherewerebathsandpoolsfilledwiththefinestwaterin alloftheMediterranean.Thewhitest,purestsandclungtocrystalclearbeaches.Tall,archingcolumns surroundedthebaths.Muralsandmosaicspatternedtheceilings.Thespachairshadthemostcomfortable sheetsandcushionstohosttiredpeople.Therewerelongtablescontainingthemostlusciousfoods,the tasteofsaltandsweettranscendingtheeater’sexperience.
“Whatisallofthis?Howwereyouabletoconjuresuchagorgeousspace?”thewomanasked,hereyes wideandhermouthagapeCircesmiledbackinreturn
“Oh,youknow,justmagicandadesire.Don’tworry,youranimalswillturnbacktonormalinalittlewhile. Fornow,howaboutthetwoofusenjoythisspaceuntilthen?”Circegrinned,extendingherhandforthe womantotake.
“Absolutely.”
THE AUTHOR’S WORK explained
IwroteCirce'sSpaRetreataboutthemesofrelaxationandtheclevernessofherworkasan enchantress.Aspeople,weareallincrediblybusyandworkalot.Weaccumulatestress, whichcantakeaturnonourhealth.IwantedtohighlightthestressofRoman/Greek citizens,andprovideahumorousandlightheartedstoryaboutCirce'seffortstoimprovelives. Iwantedtocapturethetransitionofstresstorelaxationthatweallneed,regardlessofifwe arehumanorgod.
Kramer is a senior at Upper Dublin High School. She served as Editor-in-Chief of the PA Junior Classical League's state publication. She also serves as Co-President of the Club. She has received multiple awards for creative writing and is a 2x NSLI-Y recipient. Additionally, she enjoys filmmaking, penpalling, and studying Russian and
HS PROSE
THE MARINER’S SHADOW
Everythingwasreadyforthesailortosetsail.Hehadcheckedthattheboatwasinorderandwasaboutto setofffromtheharborwhenherealizedthathehadforgottenacrucialtool.Hequicklylefthisboatto retrievehisastrolabe.Thenavigationtoolwaslikeapieceofhismentorleftbehind atokenthatwould bringhimgoodluckatseaandalsoguidehimintherightdirection.Satisfied,thesailorletthesailsloose andbeganhisdauntingjourneyacrosstheocean.
Thesunbarreditsraysdownontothesmallvesselfloatingthroughthesaltysea.Thewoodoftheshipwas dryandseemedtocrackunderthefearsomerageofthesun.Thecoolwaterwouldlapuponthesidesof theboat,quenchingthethirstofthewoodonlyforamomentbeforeitwasshriveledbackintoflakypieces bythetorridityoftheday.Theairwasthinandstale,andnotawhisperofwindcouldbeheardacrossthe flatocean,sotheheatsatonthesurfaceandsimmered.Theboatreekedofboiledseawaterandrotting fishastheheatcontinuedtobaketheshipanditspassengers
Thesailorlaylazilyonthemassoftheship.Hisarmsdroppedflatathisside,beckoninganytypeofgustto blowsoftlythroughhistunic.Hisskinglintedinthesunassweatsliddownhisarmsandneck.Heglanced overattherowofamphorasthatlayinthebackoftheship.Theirpale,claybodiesheldthesmoothliquid ofoliveoilwithin.Theirlong,narrownecks,whichledintoanelongatedbody,allowedtheoiltoswishup anddownwiththeship'sswayAsoftgarglingnoisecouldbeheardwhentheoilsplashedinthebodiesof theamphoras.Thesailor’sjobwastodeliverthemtoItalyforthetradeofsweetgrainfromthefieldsof TuscanythroughtheMediterraneanSeacomplex.However,thedaywashotandrelentless,andthemore thatthesunbeatdownonthesailor,themorehefoundhimselflostatsea.
Intherighthandofthesailor,heheldanastrolabe.Theweightofthetoolfeltfamiliarinhishands,the smoothbrasswarmfromthesunThecircularbrassinstrumentwasfulloflayeredplatesandarotating framework.Themater,ormother,isthemainbodyoftheastrolabe.Itismarkedwithdegreesontheraised outerrim.
“Thatwas thegods’ punishment — notsilence, butecho.”
Sittingonthetopofthemateristhetympanum.It isaflareplateengravedwithagridrepresenting altitudeandazimuth,whichmeasuresthedirection ofthehorizontallinetoacelestialbody.Following thetympanistherete,arotatingframeworkwith pointersthatindicatethepositionsofbrightstars andthepathofthesun.
Afterthereteisthealidade,astraightbarthat rotatesonthefrontandbackoftheface,allowing theusertosightcelestialbodiesandreadthe altitudeAllofthesefunctionscombinedhelp sailorskeeptime,navigate,andlocatecelestial bodieswhileatsea.
Thesunwasnowdirectlyabovetheboat,atthefull climaxofitsascent.Thewaterglimmeredunderits raysasitrippledbackandforthThesailorsnapped outofhisfogandturnedtheastrolabeovertofind thealidade.Hethenrotatesthealidadeuntilits pinpricksareaimedatthesun.Rememberingwhat hismentortaughthim,heavoidedlookingdirectly atthesunandinsteadalignedthealidadesothat thesun’sshadowpassedthroughthesightsThe sailorthenreadsthesun’saltitudebylookingatthe degreesengravedontherimofthemeter.After performingafewmorecalculations,thesailorwas nowconfidentheknewwherehewasandthe directionhehadtosailin.Withanewfoundsenseof purpose,hegotbacktoworktogetthevesselback onroute.Thesunwasevenangrier,makingthetask ofthesailoralmostimpossible.Hischestheavedas sweatsteadilydrippeddownhisface,stinginghis dryeyes.
HS PROSE
Suddenly,abreezeflewthroughthesailsoftheshipThewoodofthevesselletoutalowcreakasthegust whippedviolentlyaroundit.Thesailcaughtthewindandheldittight.Theamphorasclinkedandgargled loudlyasthevessellurchedforwardwiththesuddenpushofthegale.Thesailortookadvantageofthe suddenwindandjumpedintoactiontokeeptheboatmovingintherightdirectionasthebowcutsharply throughthewater'stension.
Theicysprayoftheseaofferedrelieftothesailor’sfaceasitspiraledupthefrontandsidesofthevessel Theairnowsmelledoffreshsaltandawarmbreeze.
Asthesailorstoodatthefrontoftheboat,hefelthisskinchillasthewindmadehissweatslickandcoolon hisbody.HesaidaquickthankstotheAnemioforthesuddengale.Hesoonrelaxedasthewindbegan flowingthroughhishairandtunicHewasnowconfidentinhimselfandfeltcomfortableagainsailingon theseathankstohisastrolabeNow,hewouldbeabletomakeittoItaly,completethetrade,andstartthe travelalloveragain.
HS PROSE
THE AUTHOR’S WORK
explained
Thisstoryisaboutfeelinglostandthenregainingdirection.Thesailor’sjourneyacross theoceanreflectsmomentswhenthingsfeeloverwhelminganduncertain,butalso showshowguidanceandexperiencecanhelpyouregaincontrol.
Theastrolabe,thenavigationdevicethatthesailoruses,isanimportantsymbolinthe story.Thistoolismorethanjustnavigation;thedeviceservesasthesailor’smentor. Thementionof“Anemio,”theGreekwindgod,personalizesthewind,makingitfeel powerfulandalmostspiritual.
Iusedtheharshsunandstilloceantoshowstruggleandexhaustion,whilethesudden windrepresentschangeandrelief.Emotionally,thestorymovesfromfrustrationand doubttoconfidenceandcalm.
Iwasinspiredbytheideathatpeoplecanfeellostattimesbutthenfindtheirway againthroughwhatthey’velearnedandwhohasinfluencedthemalongtheirjourney. Whenwritingthis,Ifocusedmainlyondescriptionandonmakingthereaderfeel stuck,whichispartofthehumanexperience.
Charlotte Marlowe is a high school Latin student at Upper Dublin High School. She serves as the treasurer of the Latin Club and has received Best of Show in the PJCL Art Contest. Outside of Latin, she is active on the school's varsity track team, plays piano, and enjoys volunteering.
W I T H P R O F O U N D T H A N K S
RUDOLPH MASCIANTONIO
2 8 S E P T E M B E R , 1 9 4 0 - 2 2 S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 1 6
Dr Rudolph Masciantonio dedicated his life to the belief that classical studies should be accessible to all and especially to the youngest of learners A lifelong educator in the Philadelphia Public Schools, he taught Latin, Spanish, French, and social studies before becoming the city’s head of foreign languages and a visionary curriculum specialist
In the 1970s, Dr Masciantonio led one of the most ambitious Foreign Language in Elementary Schools (FLES) initiatives in the country Under his guidance, students in grades four through six received daily Latin instruction from itinerant teachers The results were profound: after just one year, students demonstrated measurable academic gains in reading and English vocabulary evidence of the far-reaching impact Latin can have when introduced early
In his will, Dr Masciantonio established a trust fund of the Philadelphia Classical Society to encourage the study of Latin and Greek among students of all ages The PCS Competition and today’s luncheon has been partially funded by this bequest
PAMPHILUS AND EUPOMPUS
CelesteNewell,12thGrade,LevelII
NJCLCreativeWriting,1stPlace HS PROSE
Pamphilusarosefromhisbed,castingasidehisthin,raggedblanketandtyingworn sandalsontohisfeet.Thepaintwasnowdryonhislatestwork,andhestarednervously atitforafewsecondsbeforehelefttobuybreadforhisbreakfast.Almostfranticallyhis gauntfigurestrodedownthealleywhilehisbright,sulleneyesflittedaboutasif followingthecontoursofsomeinvisiblescene.Hereturnedwithapieceofblackbread, whichhewasalreadyeatingashecrossedthenarrowthresholdofhishouse.Hewrapped hispaintinginalinensheetand,settingitunderhisarm,leftforSicyon.Therehewould showhisworktothemasterpainterEupompus,andseekhiscounsel.
Thedustyroadpoundedathisfeet,andthesummersunbeatdownonhissweatingback. Theairwassostickythathefearedthewaxpaintofhispicturehadbeguntomelt,andhe pausedtounwrapit.Foranunnervingmoment,thelinenseemedtoclingtothepanel. Breathlesslyheliftedit.Theclothrosecleanly.FrombehinditthedarkeyesofArtemis staredbackathim.Thedeep,waterygreensofthepictureforamomentrelievedhimof thedeafeningheat.Ashefoldedthesheetoverhispaintingagain,hecasthisgaze,eyes swimming,upontheblisteringhorizon.HecouldnotseeSicyon.
Whenhefinallyarrivedatthecity,theskyglowedafebrilevermilionandhisshadow stretchedthricehislengthacrosstheochreearth.Hetrudgeddownthenoisyalleys, hopinghehadn’tmisheardthedirectionsthatimpatientmerchanthadgivenhim.Asthe wallsdarkenedaroundhim,hisexhaustionmingledwithfranticworries.Wouldhefind thehouseofEupompus,orwanderuntilhefellpreytobanditslurkinginthenight?Ifhe didfindthehouse,wouldanyoneanswer?Wouldthemaster,awokenfromhissleep, stormdownandopenthedoorirate—yellatthispresumptuousyoungbuckforcalling uponhimatsuchanhour,expectinganaudiencewiththegreatEupompus? Asthesemorosemusingsfilledhisbrainandthelastmiserablesliceofsunretreated belowthehorizon,herealizedhehadcometoajunctionintheroad.
Afountain,spewingwaterfromastoneMedusa’sgruesomemouth,bubbledathimfrom thefacingwall.AstoneMedusa herecalledthemerchant’sraspingvoice.“…turnleft, thenwalkuntilyouaretwentypacesawayfromthefountainwithastoneMedusa.To yourrightwillbethehouseofEupompus.”Rememberingthis,theexcitedPamphilus turnedandranbackdownthequietstreet,clutchingatthewhitelinencoveringhis preciouspanel.Hecouldnotcounthispaces,forheflunghimselfdowntheroadinfrantic strides,butheneedn’thave:hekepthiseyesfacingleft,andhaltedattheonlynameplate hehadseenontheentirestreet.Itread,ofcourse,ΕΥΠΟΜΠΟΣ.
“Whatisyourname,youngman?”
Sosaidthedignified,ruddy-facedmasterwhoansweredthedoorinalargewhitetunic.
“IamPamphilus.AmIcorrecttoassumeyouarethegreatandesteemedEupompus?” “EupompusIindeedam,althoughperhapsnotesteemedandcertainlynotgreat.What bringsyoutomydoor?”
“Iamapooryoungpainterwhowishesyouradviceuponhiswork.ThoughIapologizefor comingatsolateanhour ifyoucouldkindlyspareafewminutestoviewthe ”
“Nonsense,youngman.Itisdark,andIdonotwishtoviewyourworkbylamplight.How couldImakeanysenseofthecolours,evenofthefainterforms?”
“Sir,I’mverysorry.IleftAmphipolisinthemorning;butittookmealldaytowalkto Sicyon,andthesunwasalreadysettingasIbegantosearchforyourhouse.”
“Worrynot,youngman.Stayforanight,andIwillexamineyourworkinthemorning.”
“Excuseme,sir?”
“Doyoumind?”
“No well didyousayImightlodgeinyourhousetonight?”
“Weremywordsunclear,youngman?”
“Notatall,master.”
SoEupompusbeckonedthedizzyladtohisdinnertable,wherehisfamilysateatingsoup, lentils,andbread.Pamphiluswishedthelampswerebrightersohecouldseethemurals coveringthewalls,buthedidn’tdaretoaskformorelight.
Pamphilus and Eupompus
ARS ET ANIMUS
Hesatattheedgeofthetableandshoveledsoupintohismouthwithhandfulsofbread,tryingto drinkintheenlightenedconversationofEupompus buthewassotiredanddeliriouslyhappy thatthewordsseemedlikehoney-sweettorrentsofnonsenselullinghimtosleep.Hehadno recollectionofbeingputinbed.
“Pamphilus,haveyousleptenough?”
Pamphilusopenedhiseyes.Hecouldseenothingexceptthewhitelightstreamingthroughthe window,butherecognizedthevoiceandrealizedwherehewas.Heboltedupright.
“MasterEupompus!Ofcourse,Iamreadytoenactyourwishes”
“ThereisnothingIwishofyou,Pamphilus,exceptpermissiontounwrapyourpainting” “Sir?Youneedn’thaveasked;itismyhonortohaveyouviewmyhumblework.”
Hesaidthis,buthismindfilledwithterror.Whatifhedoesn’tlikeit?Whatifhelaughs?Whatifhe tellseveryone?Pamphilusdidnothavetimetofinishthesethoughtsbeforeheheardthemaster’s voicefromthefrontroom,crying:
“Godsinheaven!WhathaveIseen?Thesefiguresseemtoreachoutandbreatheontomyface— thespaceseemssodeepImightclimbintoit!Isthisnottheworkofasorcerer?”
Pamphilusgrewfrantic.Eupompusthoughthimasorcerer?Nowhisreputationwassurelyruined. Herushedintothefrontroom,barefootandinhisnightshirt,andthrewhimselfuponhisknees “Sir,IswearbeforeAthenaherself oranydeityyoumightname Iamonlyapainterwhocreates hisartbytheweakprinciplesofhisstudies.Surelymyworklackssuchmeritastobesuspected thatdarkartsarecomplicitinitsproduction?”
Eupompusguffawed.“Youngman,doyouhavenoliterarybreeding?IdidnotmeantosaythatI trulysuspectedanyweirdsublunarypowerstohaveassistedyou Iwouldnevermake, unsubstantiated,suchanaffronttoabrotherofthebrush”
Pamphilusstoodstarstruck.Eupompus thegreatEupompus wasimpressed.Hemustbe dreaming.Pamphilusbegantosmackhisarms.
“Areyoudelirious,lad?Whydoyoustrikeyourselfso?!” “Istrikemyself,master,becauseIwishtoescapemydelirium!”
HS LATIN PROSE
“Hoho!ButIamnotadelusion itisyouwhoisimaginingyourselftohavereasontohurtyourselfso.”
Overbreakfast,asPamphilusadmiredthevividfrescosthatcoveredthewalls,Eupompuscasthima resoluteglance.Theyoungmanshivered.
“Pamphilus,”themasterbegan,“doyounotthinkitwouldbewiseifyousubmittedthatpanelasyour applicationtopainttheDionysiantemplemural?Iexpecttheadjudicatorswouldberatherimpressed.”
Pamphilusnearlydroppedhiscup.Amural atemple themostpublicwallinSicyon.Heprotested(asany pooryoungmanmust,whenofferedamiracle):hehadneverpaintedonawall,notevenhisown;hecould makesmallillusionsonapanel,buttopaintamuralwouldbetocursehimselftofailure.
“Youcanneverfailundermyguidance,”Eupompussaidsimply,asifitwerethemostnaturalthinginthe world.
AndsoPamphilussubmittedhisArtemis.
Theattendants,blesstheirsenselesshearts,didwhatattendantssometimesdo:theybecameintoxicated onbeautyandcertainty.BeforeMenasterhimselfhadevendeignedtolook,therumorhadspreadthrough servantsandmarket-stallsalikethatayoungpainterhadwon hadalreadywon thecommissionforthe Dionysiantemple.
Menaster,meanwhile,washavingagoodday
Hesauntereddowntheroad,shouldersthrownback,browsscowlingatthesunrise.“TodayIwillputthose drunkenlittleattendantsintheirplace!
Apparentlytheyhaven’tlearnedthattrueworshipofDionysusliesinreservingallthewineforthegods,as wemortalsareunfittopartakeinanyofit.”SuchthoughtsranthroughMenaster’ssquarishheadwhilehe strutted,andhispathwasalwaysclear:passersbykeptoutofhisway,thoughtheynoddedinsullen deference.Asheflungopenthetempledoors,hebellowed:
“Hippias!Showmetheworkofthecontestantsfromthisweek!Iwillchoosewhichshallgetthe commission!”
Hippiasreplied,tooeagerly:“VenerableMenaster,itwouldbequickerifIshowedyouonlytheworkofthe winner,forhiswassosuperior ”
ARS ET ANIMUS
“Hmph,”saidMenaster,andmarchedtothecloset.Hippiasproducedapaintingcoveredinlinen. Menastersnatchedit,toretheclothaway andfellintoviolentcoughing.
“IDIOT!”hescreamedwhenhecouldbreathe“YouanimalsreallyareblinddrunkThisisthemost gruesomepaintingIhaveeverseen:ithasnoexaltedbeautyofanysort,itseemsdankanddeep andhorrificallyreal.Anyonewhoseesitwouldbeterrified,andneversuspectthecountenances depictedtobethoseofgods thisoneseemslikeacommonwenchstaringoutofadark doorway!”
Hippias,pale,offeredtobringtheotherpaintingsMenasterexaminedthemonebyoneand hatedthemall,andwhenheheardthatEupompushaddeclinedtosubmit,thebloodroseinhis headlikeaboil.HewouldgotoEupompus,hedecided,andtalksenseintothatageingpainter whohadgrowntooindulgentofyouthfultricks.
“PriestMenaster,”Eupompusaskedwhenthemanarrived,“doyoutrulywishtoupholdsucha judgmentofthisyoungman’swork?”
“Yes,Eupompus.Ihavesomerespectforyouasaman,andIamgratefultoyourworkforhaving raisedthereputationofSicyon butIcannotstomachtheimagesofthisyoungsteryoupromote. Infact,Istillfeelillfromhavingseenthem.Givemesomeofyourwine;itwillsoothemystomach.” Eupompuspoured.Menasterdrank,thendemandedtoseethepainter,mutteringofbanishment. Pamphiluswasfetched,ignorantofthestormhehadwanderedintoHeenteredwiththestiff politenessofsomeonewhohasonlyeverbowedtopower
“Oh,veneratedpriest,”Pamphilussaid,“itisanhonourtomeetyou.”
Menaster’sfacetightenedintodisgust.
“YoungPamphilus,”hebegan,“Ihaveseentheworkyousubmitted,andIcannotacceptitItisa totalaffronttothecultivatedsensibilityofreligion,andwilldoubtlesslyenragethepublicwho mighthavethemisfortuneofbeholdingit.”
AtthosewordsPamphilusfaintedintoEupompus’sarms.
Here,inajustworld,thestorywouldendinashes
HS LATIN PROSE
ButSicyon,asithappened,wasacitythatlovedpaintingmorethanitlovedpriests.
Thenextday,Pamphilus’sArtemisstoodinacorneroftheDionysiantemple setthereunderthepretense of“publicjudgment,”aschemeEupompushadcontrivedwithavisitingAthenianpriestwhohadseenthe paneland unlikeMenaster possessedeyes.Althoughnoserviceswereheld,asignwaspostedoutside thedoors:
PLEASEENTERPRONAOSTOVIEWPAINTINGBYDISPUTEDWINNEROFMURALCONTEST,ANDREPORT YOUROPINIONTOTHEATTENDANT
Asurprisinglylargenumberofpeoplecame menwhodidnotevenworshipthere,womenwhodidnot attendtemplesatall,boyswhocameonlytoscoffandremained,strangelyquiet,beforeArtemis’sstare. Hippiaskeptatallyoffavorableanddisfavorablevotes,thoughhesuspecteditwoulddolittletoconvince Menaster.Thepriesthimselfstayedshutupinhisbackroom,buthecouldnotblockoutthesoundsof praisecomingthroughthewall
Aroundtwoo’clockheranoutofwine,buthewastooembarrassedtoleaveandgetmore. Bytheendoftheday,thepraisetalliesoutnumberedthevetoesbyaroundfivetimes.
Hippiasworeaquizzicalsmile.Aristionchuckledinacorner.Togethertheywenttoreporttheresult. TheyfoundMenastercrumpledonthefloor,eyesshutbutpainfullyawake
“Hippias…”hegroaned.“Youdon’tneedtotellme.Isuppose…thoseswine…chosePolyphemus’s painting.”
“Yes,Iamafraidso,”Hippiassaid,notsoundingverysorry. Menaster’sfacetwitched,asifitpainedhimtoswallowhisownpride
“Well…damnit,then.Lethimpreparethewalls…”hecroaked.“Whenheisready,Iwillexaminehis sketchestosee…thattheydonotcontainanything…tooheinous.”
Andthusthecity,notthepriest,madethedecision.
Somewherebeyondthetempledoors,Pamphilus—stillpale,stillfaint-prone,stillunbelieving—stoodwith Eupompusbesidehim,clutchingnothingnowbuttheknowledgethathispaintinghadsurvivedthegazeof theworld.
THE AUTHOR’S WORK explained
Myshortstory"PamphilusandEupompus"conjecturesthelivesofthe eponymousEupompusandhispupilPamphilus,bothpaintersrecordedtohave liveinancientGreece.(Pamphilus'spaintingofArtemisisalsoarealobject, thoughpaintedbymyselfandnotPamphilus.)Throughekphrasisanddialogue Ipresenttheartisticandreligiouslifeoftheera,andusethedescriptionof characterstointroducepsychologicalinsightontheeffectsofartinsociety andworship.Somepassagesalsodelineatethekindheartedguidancethat Eupompusprovides;honest,encouraging,anddevoidofmeddlingandthe genericizedplagiarismthatwecallconvention.Thisiscontrastedwiththe hypocriticalorthodoxyofthecrankMenaster--andtheoutcomesarising respectivelyfromeachmaydrawparallelstosocialphenomenainourlives today.Questionsmayariseherefromregardingthenatureofart,itsvaluein societyandreligion,anditsconflictingrolesaspersonalexpressionand culturalcurrency.
Celeste Newell is a questionable creature who scrounges around in obscure corners of libraries and the internet. She has been studying Latin as of last summer, in order to learn to read the classics in their original form. Outside of writing, she paints, and plays musical instruments.
HS POETRY
THE SPY’S WAX TABLET
AnthonyCivello,10thGrade,LevelIII
NJCLCreativeWriting,2ndPlace
ThemarketplaceofRomewasalivewithnoise;vendorsshoutingpricesforwine,bakers hawkingloavesofbread,andchildrendartingbetweenstallswithfigsclutchedintheir hands.Thesmellofroastedmeatsmingledwithincensedriftingfromnearbytemples, whiletheclatterofsandalsechoedagainstmarblecolumns.Amidthechaos,amanina plaintunicmovedwithdeliberatecalm.Hecarriedawaxtablettuckedunderhisarm,its surfacescratchedwithasimplelist:bread,olives,oil,wine.Toanyonewatching,hewas justanotherRomancitizenrunningerrands.Butbeneaththewaxlayamessagethat couldtoppleagovernorandsavetheempire.
ThismanwasamemberoftheFrumentarii,Rome’sshadowyintelligencecorps.Originally courierstaskedwithtransportinggrainacrosstheempire,theFrumentariihadevolved intotheemperor’s“eyesandears.”Theymonitoredgovernors,reportedonmilitary loyalty,andsuppresseddissent.Theirnamecamefromfrumentum,meaninggrain,but theiractualcargowasinformation.Andtonight,theircouriercarriedmorethanjust groceries.
Theinventionofthe“doubletablet”wasbornofnecessity.Waxtabletswereeverywhere inRomanlife:usedbymerchantstorecorddebts,byteacherstodrillstudents,andby senators to draft speeches. They were practical, reusable, and ordinary. But spies discoveredthatbeneaththewaxlayopportunity.Bycarvingasecondmessageintothe wooditself,thenpouringwaxoverit,theycreatedahiddenlayerofcommunication.The visible wax bore a trivial list, while the accurate intelligence: military movements, conspiracies,orcodedinstructionswasetchedintothewood.Onlythosewhoknewhow toscrapeawaythewaxcoulduncoverthetruth.
Thecourier’shiddenmessagetonightwasurgent.InGaul,whispersofrebellionhad reachedRome.Aprovincialgovernorwasplottingwithlocalchieftains,promising freedomfromRomantaxesinexchangeforloyalty.Thespy’scarvedwordsnamed conspirators,troopnumbers,anddatesofplanneduprisings.Ifintercepted,thetablet wouldappearharmlessButintrustedhands,thewaxwouldbescrapedaway,revealing theconspiracybeneath.
Ashewalked,thecourierpassedtheForumRomanum,wheremarbletemplesgleamedin torchlight.TheTempleofSaturnloomedabove,itscolumnsareminderofRome’s immensewealthandpower.Priestsmovedthroughthecrowd,theirrobesbrushing againstmerchantssellingamphoraeofwineandbasketsofolives.Yetbeneaththat grandeur,corruptionfestered.Governorsenrichedthemselves,soldiersgrewrestless, andenemieswaitedattheborders.Theempire’sstrengthdependednotonlyonlegions andlawsbutonsecretscarriedinsilence,liketheverymessagetransportedtonight
Thecourier’spathtookhimalongtheViaAppia,Rome’sgreatroadstretchingsouthward Romanroadswerethemselvesofimmenseimportance;symbolsoforder,engineering, andcontrol.
THE SPY’S WAX TABLET continued
Theyallowedlegionstomarchswiftly,merchantstotrade,andspiestomoveunseen. Tonight,theroadwashislifeline.Eachstepcarriedhimclosertotheimperialpalace, wheretheemperor’sadvisorsawaitednews.HepassedmilestonesinscribedwithLatin, remindersthatRome’sreachextendedfarbeyondthephysicalcitywalls.
Butdangerlurked.ThecourierknewthatRome’sstreetswerefilledwithinformants.A rivalspycouldseizethetablet,scrapeawaythewax,andexposethemessage.Torture wasthepriceoffailure,sohemustnotfail.
Toprotecthimself,herehearsedhiscoverstory:asimplemansenttofetchgroceriesfor hishousehold Thewaxtablet,withitslistofbreadandwine,washisshield Heeven mutteredthelistunderhisbreath,asifremindinghimselfoferrands,blendingintothe rhythmofordinarylife.
Thebrillianceofthedoubletabletlayinitssimplicity.Unlikecomplexciphers,itrequired nomathematicsorelaboratedecoding.Itwasaphysicaltrick,hidinginformationinplain sight.Romanspiesunderstoodthatdeceptionwasnotaboutdazzlingcomplexitybut aboutinvisibility.Agrocerylistwasbelievable,ordinary,forgettable.Thatordinariness wasitsgreateststrength.
AsthecourierapproachedtheColosseum,itsmassivearchescastshadowsacrossthe street TheamphitheaterwasaproductofRome’sobsessionwithspectacle;gladiators fought,animalswereslaughtered,andcrowdsroared.Torchesflickeredagainststone walls,illuminatingcarvedreliefsofvictoriesandgods.Yetevenhere,spiesmovedamong thespectators,listeningforwhispersofdissent.Theempire’sentertainmentmaskedits fragility, using bread and circuses as its cover. Just as the Colosseum’s grandeur concealedthebloodbeneath,thewaxtabletconcealedrebellionbeneathagrocerylist.
Hecontinuedpastshrinesdedicatedtohouseholdgods,wherefamiliesleftofferingsof breadandwine.ReligionwaswovenintoeverycornerofRomanlife,andspiesknewhow touseit.Atabletcarriedintoatemplelookedlikenothingmorethanarecordof sacrifices.Butintruth,itcouldcarryintelligenceacrossprovinces,hiddenbeneathwax andprayer
Finally,thecourierreachedthePalatineHill,wheretheemperor’spalaceroseabovethe city.Guardsinspectedhim,glancedatthetablet,andwavedhimthrough.Tothem,itwas nothingmorethanalistofhouseholdgoods.Butinside,inaquietchamberlitbyoil lamps,thewaxwasscrapedaway.Thecarvedwordsemerged,starkandurgent: RebellioninGaul.Troopsgathering.Conspiratorsnamed.
Theemperor’sadvisorsleanedoverthetablet,theirfacesgrim.Thedoubletablethad doneitswork.AmundanegrocerylisthadcarriedamessagethatmightsaveRomefrom chaos.
THE AUTHOR’S WORK explained HS PROSE
Thepieceexplorestheideaofhiddentruthbeneathordinarylife,usingancient Romeasthesetting.Thedoubletabletactsasthemainsymbol,showinghow somethingsimplecanconcealinformationpowerfulenoughtochangehistory. Thebusystreets,temples,andmarketsrepresentthesurfaceofRoman society,whilethesecretmessagecarvedbeneaththewaxreflectsthedanger andcorruptionunderneath.Iwrotethistoshowhowfear,duty,and responsibilitycanexistquietlyinsideeverydayroutines,andhowasingle personcancarryaburdenthatnoonearoundthemnotices.
Anthony Civello is a determined high school Latin III student at Upper Dublin High School. He has earned nominations and awards for PCS and PLUMA in the past and has been a member of the National Latin Honors Society for multiple consecutive years. Outside of Latin, he is an active member of clubs, works as a cashier, and volunteers at his church.
PCS & UPENN MUSEUM PARTNERSHIP
Bring the Ancient World to Life with 3D Printing!
WHAT’S THE PROJECT?
The Penn Museum is enhancing its Touch Tour, designed for students with low vision and other challenges, allowing them to experience history through touch
While the museum holds incredible artifacts from vases and glassware to statues and tools most are displayed behind glass and are not accessible for hands-on learning
Were calling on Latin students and teachers along with their school’s computer and digital art departments to design and 3D print replicas of ancient Greek and Roman structures and everyday objects
These printed models will be gifted to the Penn Museum, helping make the ancient world more accessible to all!
How to get involved in 2026: Start Designing in September Submit Your 3D Models in February at the Competition Judging
Entries will be showcased during the Latin Week Competition before being donated to the museum
BERNICE L. FOX CONTEST AD
OFFICERS
EDITORS
EMMANUELLE KRAMER
LAYA SUBRAMANIAN
SENIOR EDITOR
SONJA MANKOPF
JUNIOR EDITOR
AVA MORICONI
EDITOR
EDEN JOSEPF
EDITOR
ARSET ANIMUS
ARS ET ANIMUS is the annual literary magazine of the Upper Dublin High School
Dedicated to showcasing the finest creative and scholarly works from middle and high school students Featuring award-winning pieces in prose, both in English and Latin, our publication celebrates excellence in classical literature, language, and imagination, connecting the ancient world with the voices of today’s young scholars.
NOMINEES
ARLO DALGARNO-PLATT
ELISE BRASCH
HAZEL CHABALLA
ANTHONY CIVELLO
SAMUEL CRUZ
JACEN GLASSMAN
VIOLET GORMAN
JULIA GREGG
EMMANUELLE KRAMER
MORGAN KEATON
CHARLOTTE MARLOWE
AVA MORICONI
OLIVIA MORICONI
MOLLY PERMAR
STEPHEN SENA
LAYA SUBRAMANIAN
SOPHIA VITELLA
MERIAH WILSON
A R S E T A N I M U S NO.2