Certamen Ciceronianum Arpinas

A Latin competition in the homeland of Cicero

The Certamen Ciceronianum Arpinas is Europe's premier international competition for Latin language and culture. It takes place every May in Arpino, a charming town in the Ciociaria region (province of Frosinone, Southern Lazio). It was here in 106 BC that Marcus Tullius Cicero, the greatest orator and prose writer of the Latin world, was born. Open to final-year students from classical high schools across Italy and Europe, the Certamen challenges participants to translate and provide a critical commentary on a passage from the works of Cicero, the Arpinate.

History and prestige

The competition was conceived and founded in 1980 by the Tulliano Classical High School under the guidance of Professor Ugo Quadrini. What began as a regional event quickly expanded to a national and eventually European scale. Today, it is held under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic and is recognized by the Ministry of Education as part of the national program for the promotion of excellence. The event is organized by the Marco Tullio Cicerone Humanistic Studies Center, based on Via Aquila Romana in Arpino.

The competition format

The exam takes place in the classrooms of the Tulliano Institute's Classical Section. Each contestant has several hours to translate a Ciceronian passage into Italian and provide a critical, historical, and stylistic commentary. A qualified jury, composed of university professors and Latin scholars, evaluates the papers and selects the winners. Participation is by selection: each school sends its top students, often winners of local competitions.

More than a contest: a festival of classical culture

Surrounding the competition, the Certamen offers a rich program of side events that bring Arpino and its Ciceronian sites to life over four days: conferences, round tables, and lectures on Latin language and literature, seminars on European themes, as well as concerts, exhibitions, and excursions. The renowned Symposium Ciceronianum brings together internationally acclaimed scholars. It is a unique opportunity for young people from different languages and cultures to meet, united by their passion for the classical world.

Arpino and the Ciociaria region

The event serves as a showcase for Arpino and the Lazio Region: the polygonal walls of the Civitavecchia acropolis, the pointed arch, and the sweeping views of the Liri Valley provide a stunning backdrop for an event that blends study, tourism, and heritage preservation. The awards ceremony, held in Piazza Municipio, is open to the public and serves as the highlight of the festival.