Bringing Ancient Latin to Life in Virtual Reality

This summer, Dr. Robert Conn collaborated with Professor Rhodora Vennarucci (Denison University) and Research Assistant Nguyen Nguyen at Vassar College Libraries to expand Caveat Emptor, an innovative virtual reality (VR) project designed to improve Latin language acquisition for K-12 students. Combining Dr. Conn’s living Latin pedagogy with Professor Vennarucci’s expertise in Roman archaeology, the app creates a "choose-your-own-adventure" simulation where students step onto the streets of Pompeii.

Initially developed in late 2024, Caveat Emptor first cast novice Latin students as shoppers negotiating prices with and trying to purchase goods from a Roman shopkeeper. After early testing showed significant gains in language retention and student enjoyment, the team was selected to attend the Institute for Liberal Arts Digital Scholarship (ILiADS) this July at Vassar College. There, they drafted a considerably longer "second episode" for advanced learners—this time placing the student in the role of the shopkeeper with specific objectives as they interact with a variety of customers.

Drs. Conn and Vennarucci have presented their initial findings to enthusiastic educators at several academic conferences, backed by strong feedback from student testers. “The VR experience granted me an interactive form to communicate in Latin,” one student reflected. “It allows students to learn new vocabulary by having a conversation in an ancient Roman setting.

With further field testing planned for the upcoming school year, the Caveat Emptor team continues to explore how modern technology can deepen student engagement with ancient languages.