Dr. John McMahon, associate professor of classics, department of foreign languages and literatures, was the invited keynote speaker for the 18th annual Latinalia festival held at Syracuse University on May 14.

Sponsored by the Association of Teachers of Latin Around Syracuse (ATLAS), the Latinalia hosts Latin students from regional secondary schools to celebrate the Latin language and ancient Roman history and culture.

In keeping with this year's theme, Ad astra per aspera ("To the stars through difficulties"), Dr. McMahon's illustrated lecture, "Ancient Skies for Modern Eyes," featured an overview of Greek and Roman astronomy and of the constellations and their mythology. McMahon also offered the students simple instructions for recognizing from their own backyards several prominent star patterns now visible in the night sky that were also well known to the ancients.