What is "certamen"

n. a team competition in which contestants answer questions about classical history, culture, and mythology, and the Latin language.

Certamen , Latin for "competition", is a quiz bowl-style competition with classics-themed questions. The reference invokes the brief ancient Greek account of the Contest of Homer and Hesiod, Certamen Homeri et Hesiodi. The questions are on topics ranging from the minutiae of Latin grammar and vocabulary, Latin-based etymology, Roman history and culture, and classical mythology. Certamen competitions are organized by classics organizations, usually chapters of the Junior Classical League and are held at local high schools, state forums or conventions, and the National Junior Classical League national convention.

Certamen, Latin for competition, may refer to:

• Certamen Homeri et Hesiodi, a Greek narrative of an imagined poetical agon between Homer and Hesiod
• Certamen (quiz bowl), a competition with classics-themed questions