A charge is made that the traditional classification of the Latin verb system into six tenses in the indicative mood (present, future, future perfect, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect) is incorrect since it unduly stresses application of the term "tense." Ensuing discussion centers around grammatical aspect as signaled by the form of a verb rather than by its content. The author then considers a second variety of aspect--lexical aspect--which is dependent upon the semantic load of a verb. Concluding remarks focus on means by which distinctions between "perfect" and "imperfect" can be made more evident. (RL)