Latin: What is it?

Latin was originally only the language of the city of Rome, but because of Roman expansion, became the dominant language of most of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It remained the official language of most of Europe throughout the entire Middle Ages and until a few hundred years ago. While spoken Latin developed many local varieties, the written language remained virtually the same, giving the people of Europe and Europe’s colonies around the world a standard language for literature, science, philosophy, religion, law and so forth.

Why Learn Latin? 10 Reasons Why!

1. Your language, the English language is over 70% Latin. (You probably didn’t know that, right???) However, intellectual, scientific and medical English words are closer to 100% Latin. This means that Latin is necessary to TRULY MASTER THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. After studying Latin, you will notice that you almost never in your life will need to use a dictionary again! You will find studying medicine, science, and any kind of subject with special technical vocabulary an enormous amount EASIER!!! All L a tin words in this first paragraph are underlined to show how much of our language is actually Latin!

Even words like ‘because’ and ‘enter’ are Latin. Here is an example of how knowing Latin will make you master English: What does “irredentism” mean???

Ir- “not”Re-“back”De- “give”Nt-“ing”Ism-“an idea”

So, if you know Latin, you can easily figure out that the word means “the idea of not giving something back.”

2. Latin is spoken today by over 1,000,000,000 people around the world in its several modern forms:

Spanish ~ 500,000,000French ~ 250,000,000Portuguese ~ 240,000,000Italian ~ 70,000,000Romanian ~ 28,000,000Catalan ~ 13,500,000

Among numerous other Romance languages are Corsican, Emiliano-Romagnolo, Lombard, Occitan, Gascon, Piedmontese, Aromanian, Sardinian, Sicilian, Venetian, Galician, Asturian, Neapolitan and Friulian.

Latin is the older, traditional form of these languages and until recently, Latin was used for writing and reading, whereas these languages were used mainly for speaking. These languages use almost

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100% Latin vocabulary. The main difference between these languages and Latin lies in some grammatical aspects and changes in spelling to accommodate changes in accent. However, all of these languages ARE STILL LATIN! The difference is about as much as between Shakespearian English and today’s English. By learning Latin, you are also learning these languages in their original form. In particular, their more intellectual, medical and scientific words tend to preserve a more exact Latin spelling than everyday household words, but in almost every case the modern word IS A LATIN WORD! By learning Latin, you are opening yourself up to 1,000,000,000 new potential friends and business contacts! Of course, you will find learning to read these languages much easier than learning to speak them…

Interestingly, German grammar is based on Latin grammar. Due to the heavy influence of the Roman Empire, which many Germans resided inside of, and then of the Roman Catholic Church on the Germans, which all Germans eventually belonged to, they standardized their language according to Latin grammatical principles. Therefore, learning Latin will also help you learn German later too, if you wish to pursue German studies.

Besides other European languages, learning any other language, for instance Korean or Arabic will be easier for you. Learning any other language is easier if you have already learned a second language first. Your memory and understanding of grammar patterns becomes so good that you can apply your language learning skills to master other languages very quickly.

3. Studying Latin improves your mastery of English grammar. Since Latin’s grammar is just about the opposite of English grammar, you improve your English grammar to perfection in order to translate Latin right.

4. Studying Latin, like studying any language improves your memory!

5. Studying Latin, like studying any language, improves your ability to speak clearly, thoughtfully and precisely in English, since you develop these skills while translating Latin to English.

6. Knowing Latin proves your are intelligent, hardworking, and tends to indicate that you are interested in culture, scholarship, history, philosophy, literature, science, medicine, law and so on. It says a lot about your character to employers, clients, coworkers, friends, and associates.

7. Knowing Latin creates a bond of shared interest with other Latinists around the world, opening up doors for friendships and cooperation.

8. Latin is necessary for an in-depth study of most of Western history, since virtually all important documents and works of literature from Roman times until the past few hundred years or so were written in Latin.

9. Latin study includes the reading of great works of literature in the Latin language, in part and in full. These works of literature, from philosophical, historical and poetical works of the Romans to accounts of the Crusades and Medieval theological treatises, et cetera, are chock full of wisdom and insight into how people act and think, and how they can be persuaded through clever writing and speaking.

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10. Learning Latin makes you a member of a tradition going back thousands of years, which can be a source of pride and identity for you, and can give you a special connection with the past and future.

There are four qualities of Latin no longer widely held to be true:

1. Latin has magical powers to control nature, people and the universe.2. Speaking Latin gives you direct contact with angels and God.3. Latin heals the sick.4. Latin raises the dead.

But, believe them if you want!

Study tips for learning languages:

1. Copy out the language WITH UNDERSTANDING as much as possible until you are fluent with grammar and spelling. Burning the new language into your mind is the key thing to do. This is most easily done by copying out the language, and by writing out things in the language. In effect, this is “note taking” but it is more than that, it is “memory burning.” Bach copied out hundreds of musical works WITH UNDERSTANDING, in order to steal them for his private collection, without getting into trouble. He thereby learned how to compose his own and he became a world-famous composer. Once you have a solid handle on the basic grammar and vocabulary, you can stop copying, and focus instead on reading, speaking and writing.

2. Read OUT LOUD with understanding as much as possible. Reading out loud burns the language into your memory better than reading silently. In fact, reading any book out loud will make your memory of it three times stronger. The reason is that when you read silently, you are only using your eyes, but when reading out loud you are using your eyes, your ears, and the muscles in your mouth and tongue! Reading out loud is a powerful memory tool, and it also turns ink and paper into real speaking! LANGUAGES ARE MEANT TO BE SPOKEN! We as humans have a natural ability to learn spoken languages. Reading text out loud makes what you are doing into a spoken language!

3. FORGETTING THINGS IS OKAY! It is perfectly natural to forget things as you move along. Don’t feel embarrassed about looking up old words that you used to know, or old grammatical constructions. This is perfectly natural. Actually, you did not forget those old things completely, so when you look them up a second or tenth time, you are really just strengthening your memory even more!

4. PUZZLING over one sentence or phrase for a long time IS GOOD TO DO! You learn a thousand things from every sentence you decipher! In order to figure out the correct meaning of something you will have to consider and reject thousands of others! Your brain is doing more than you are aware of when you puzzle over short passages! YOU ARE NOT WASTING TIME EVEN IF IT TAKES YOU AN HOUR TO DECODE SOMETHING!

5. The verb TO BE is the most important verb and word in every language. It is the first thing you should learn. Once you learn it, you are basically half of the way there to learning the whole language. And, you will be able to speak the language already at a basic level, believe it or not! Virtually every sentence in every language contains the verb TO BE.

6. The most important part of any language is its grammar. Grammar is easy and quick to learn, so focus on it first!

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TO BE – ESSE

INDICATIVE MOOD

Present TenseSingular Plural

1 Sum I am Sumus We are2 Es You are Estis You are3 Est He (or She) is Sunt They are

Imperfect TenseSingular Plural

1 Eram I was Eramus We were2 Eras You were Eratis You were3 Erat He was Errant They were

Future TenseSingular Plural

1 Ero I will be Erimus We will be2 Eris You will be Eritis You will be3 Erit He will be Erunt They will be

Perfect TenseSingular Plural

1 Fui I have been Fuimus We have been2 Fuisti You have been Fuistis You have been3 Fuit He has been Fuerunt They have been

Pluperfect TenseSingular Plural

1 Fueram I had been Fueramus We had been2 Fueras You had been Fueratis You had been3 Fuerat He had been Fuerant They had been

Future Perfect TenseSingular Plural

1 Fuero I will have been Fuerimus We will have been2 Fueris You will have been Fueritis You will have been3 Fuerit He will have been Fuerint They will have been

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SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD (Usually means: “If…”)

Present TenseSingular Plural

1 Sim I might be Simus We might be2 Sis You might be Sitis You might be3 Sit He might be Sint They might be

Imperfect TenseSingular Plural

1 Essem I maybe was Essemus We maybe were2 Esses You maybe were Essetis You maybe were3 Esset He maybe was Essent They maybe were

Perfect TenseSingular Plural

1 Fuerim I have maybe been Fuerimus We have maybe been2 Fueris You have maybe been Fueritis You have maybe been3 Fuerit He has maybe been Fuerint They have maybe been

Pluperfect TenseSingular Plural

1 Fuissem I had maybe been Fuissemus We had maybe been2 Fuisses You had maybe been Fuissetis You had maybe been3 Fuisset He had maybe been Fuissent They had maybe been

You can replace the “maybe” with “perhaps” or any other word or construction that means mostly the same thing. Thus, “sim” can mean: I may be, I might be, I could be, If I were, If I be, etc… The point is that what you are taking about IS NOT A FACT. The SUBJUNCTINVE means that IT IS NOT A FACT you are talking about. It’s either an “if” or a “might be.”

Dictionary Entry:Sum (I AM) esse (TO BE) fui (I HAVE BEEN) futurus (THAT WILL BE)

Secret Tricks to Remembering this Stuff:“FU” starts off all the PERFECT TENSES – meaning “Have, had, or has been” So, if you see “fu-“ then you know it means he/she/I/we (etc…) HAVE/HAD BEEN something!!!

HE ends in “-t” ALWAYSWE ends is “-mus” ALWAYSYOU (plural) ends in “-tis” almost ALWAYS

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THEY ends in “-nt” ALWAYSI in most cases ends in “-m”YOU (singular) in most cases ends in “-s”

Because “ESSE” (to be) was used more than any other verb in Latin, it ended up being a little weird compared to other verbs, as you will see later when we learn other verbs, but really all Latin verbs are very similar, so once you learn ESSE, you’ll find it very easy to learn the other ones.

Doing the following translations will help make you familiar with ESSE. Translate English into Latin (assume “boy/boys” unless otherwise specified, or it is YOU!:)

Key: Bonus = Good (boy/guy); Bona = Good (girl); Boni = Good (boys); Bonae = Good (Girls)

1. I was good.2. We were good.3. You are good.4. You guys (i.e. You plural!) are good.5. You girls are good.6. They are BAD!7. They were bad.8. They will be good.9. I have been good!10. I will be good.11. He might have been good.12. She might have been good.

13. I am ______ (insert your name: if male put a “-us” at the end; if female put an “-a” at the end)

14. They were good, perhaps...15. We had been good, maybe…16. You were a good girl.17. They were good girls.18. They WILL BE good girls.19. They were good boys.20. He was a good boy.21. It is good to be good!22. It is good to be a good girl!23. It will be good to be good!

DECLENSIONS!!!

Latin isn’t like English, which uses lots of little words called PREPOSITIONS to convey meaning. Instead of putting words like TO, FOR, OF etc in front of the word, the Latins put ENDINGS ON THE WORDS to mean the same thing. (Actually, they still used some prepositions and English uses some declensions (like ‘s, -s) so you won’t really find it ALL THAT HARD to get the idea of declensions!) Many languages around the world depend on declensions for meaning, so if you plan on learning any other languages, then Latin is a good start for you! Korean, for instance depends almost entirely on declensions to convey meaning.

NOMINATIVE CASE – This is for the thing that is the DOER in the sentence. So, BOB slaps the fish. Here, BOB would be the nominative word.

ACCUSATIVE CASE – This is for the thing that has something done to it. So, Bob slaps the FISH. Here, the FISH would be the accusative word.

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GENETIVE CASE – This is for something that owns something else. So, BOB’S hand slapped the fish. Here, BOB’S is the genetive word. And, the ‘S is the English genetive declension. So, see!!! You already know about declensions!

DATIVE CASE – This is for something that is getting something else. So, Bob is giving the FISH a slap. Here, the FISH is the dative word.

ABLATIVE CASE – This is for what you are using. So, Bob is slapping the fish with his HAND. Here, HAND is the ablative word.

LOCATIVE CASE – This is for where something is. So, Bob slaps the fish at SEA. Here, SEA is the locative word, because it is telling you WHERE the thing (in this case the slapping) is happening.

VOCATIVE CASE – This is for shouting out to get someone’s attention. So, yo, BOB, slap that fish! Here, BOB is the vocative word. You could also write: Hey BOB, slap that fish! Or even: BOB, slap that fish!

The nice thing is that in spite of all these handy declensions, the Latins still used lots of prepositions (like AD, INTER, CUM etc) so you can often still read Latin without having mastered all the declensions. DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT! And, they normally only use the first (female) and second (male and neuter) declensions, and within these, normally only the nominative, genetive, dative and accusative cases!

In Latin there are two main types of declensions and three less common ones. 1st is for female things. 2nd is for male and neuter things. 3rd is for things they couldn’t figure out if they were female, male or neither. 4th and 5th are for weirdo words left over from prehistoric times, before people knew how to spell.

Basic endings of the declensions: Copy the chart and highlight the most used ones!SingularCase 1 f. 2 m. 2 n. 3 mf 3 n. 4 m. 4 n. 5 f.Nominative -a -us -um -us -u -esGenitive -ae -i -i -is -is -us -us -eiDative -ae -o -o -i -i -ui -u -eiAccusative -am -um -um -em -um -u -emAblative -a -o -o -e -e, -i -u -u -eLocative -ae -i -i -i, -e -i, -e -i ? ?Vocative -a -e -um -us -u -esPluralCase 1 f. 2 m. 2 n. 3 mf 3 n. 4 m. 4 n. 5 f.Nom/Voc -ae -i -a -es -a -us -ua -esGenitive -arum -orum -orum -um -um -uum -uum -erum

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Dat/Abl/Loc -is -is -is -ibus -ibus -ibus, -ubus -ibus -ebusAccusative -as -os -a -es -a -us -ua -es

Lesson 1: Marcus has to wait (http://www.learnlangs.com/latin/, January, 2011)

TextHic est Marcus, ibi est Titus.Titus in Colosseo sedet et gaudet, nam Aemilia iam adest.Marcus dolet, nam Cornelia cessat.Iam Aemilia rogat: "Ubi est Cornelia?"Et Titus: "Cornelia cessat."Subito Marcus vocat: "Ibi Cornelia est, ibi stat!"Ridet et gaudet.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:in Colosseo: in the Colosseumcessat: (she) has people wait for her

Vocabularyest he/she/it is F: estadest he/she/it is there  

rogat he/she/it asks interrogatestat he/she/it stands (there) static

vocat he/she/it shouts, calls vocationdolet he/she/it feels pain, regrets dole, condolence

gaudet he/she/it is happy D: Gaudiridet he/she/it laughs deride, risible

sedet he/she/it sits seat, sedentaryet and; also F: et

hic here  iam already; now EO: jam

ibi there  nam because; namely  

subito suddenly I: subitoubi where ubiquitious

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Lesson 2: Acquaintances everywhere

Text

Nunc Marcus et Cornelia, Aemilia et Titus sedent et gaudent, namLucius et Gaius appropinquant; rident et salutant. Cornelia narrat:"Hodie etiam Tullia et Claudia adsunt. Ecce! Ibi sedent."Gaius rogat: "Cur Quintus non adest?"Tum Marcus: "Quintus aegrotat, sed ibi sunt Titus et Aemilia!Ludus non solum me delectat, sed etiam..."Subito Aemilia vocat: "Ecce elephantus, ecce simia!"Claudia et Cornelia et Aemilia gaudent et rident.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:aegrotat: (he) is illsimia: monkey

Vocabularyappropinquat he/she/it approaches approximate

delectat he/she/it pleases, delights delectationnarrat he/she/it tells, reports narrator

salutat he/she/it greets salutesunt they are  

ludus game, show; school interludeelephantus elephant elephant

me me mecur why?  

ecce! See! There! Voilà!  etiam also, even  

hodie today, nowadays EO: hodiauhnon not I, F: non

nunc now D: nun

sed but EO: sed

solum just, only, merely I: solo; F: seul

tum then, afterwards, at that time  

non solum... sed etiam not only..., but also  

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Lesson 3: The gladiators arrive

Text

Marcus non ridet, sed murmurat: "Elephantus! Simia!Ubi sunt Syrus et Barbatus? Cur tuba non sonat?"Tum amica: "Fortasse adversarii hodie non pugnant."Etiam populus murmurat, quod Syrus et Barbatus nondum adsunt;subito autem tubae sonant, populus tacet,adversarii intrant, stant, salutant.Nunc populus gaudet et clamat, et Marcus vocat:"Me neque elephanti neque simiae,sed ludi et gladii et tubae delectant."Amici et amicae rident.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:murmurat: (he) grumblessimia: monkey

Vocabulary

clamat he/she/it screams, shouts claim, ac-clamation

intrat he/she/it enters  pugnat he/she/it fights pugnacious

sonat he/she/it sounds sonatatacet he/she/it is silent tacit

amica (female) friend, girlfriend

amicable; I: amica; E: amiga

amicus (male) friend, boyfriend I: amico; EO: amiko; E: amigo

tuba tuba, trumpet tubaadversarius opponent adversary

gladius sword gladiatorpopulus people, audience popular

autem but, however  fortasse perhaps  

neque / nec and not, also not; but not EO: nek

nondum not yet  quod because, that  

neque... neque neither... nor  

nec... nec neither... nor (short for "neque neque") EO: nek... nek

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Lesson 4: The fight

Text

Iam Barbatus Syrum temptat.Gladii crepant, populus adversarios incitat,nam pugnae turbam valde delectant.Etiam Marcus gaudet et clamat,nam ludos et pugnas libenter spectat;Corneliam autem ludi non delectant: itaque sedet et tacet.Marcus amicam rogat: "Cur pugna te non delectat?"Cornelia non respondet.Subito Syrus adversarium temptat, vulnerat.Turba clamat, sed Cornelia lacrimas non iam tenet.Neque Marcum nunc ludus delectat.

Vocabulary

crepat he/she/it clanks, creaks, clashes crepitation

incitat he/she/it incites, provokes incite

spectat he/she/it watches spectatortemptat he/she/it tries, attacks attempt, temptation

vulnerat he/she/it wounds, hurts vulnerablerespondet he/she/it answers respond

tenet he/she/it holds, holds back tenant; F: tenir

lacrima tear lachrymose; I: lacrima

pugna fight pugnatious; L3: pugnat

turba crowd turbulent

te you (singular, Accusative) F, I: teitaque therefore

libenter with pleasure, willingly, gladly D: liebend gern

valde very, very much, a lotnon iam not anymore

quod because, thatVisiting ClaudiusHodie Marcus et Cornelia amicum visitant. Iam hortum intrant.Claudius amicos salutat. Rogat: "Ubi sunt Titus et Aemilia?" Marcus respondet: "In Colosseo sunt, ubi pugnae turbam delectant.Sed Corneliam ludi non delectant. Itaque in Colosseo lacrimas nontenet; nam ibi adversarii pugnant." Claudius ridet: "Ecce, hicadversarii neque temptant neque vulnerant! Sed hortus te fortassedelectat!"Reading vocabulary:

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visitant - they visithortus - gardenIn Colosseo - in the Colosseum

Lesson 5: Different interests

Text

Marcus forum amat;nam ibi tot aedificia, templa, monumenta sunt.Monumenta et templa et aedificia Marcus libenter spectat;imprimis autem rostra Marcum invitant.Ibi diu stat et auscultat.Et Corneliam forum delectat, nam ibi tot tabernae sunt.Corneliam tabernae invitant.Gaudet, cum aurum et argentum videt.Marcus autem cogitat: "Cur Cornelia gaudet et ridet,cum aurum et argentum spectat? Certe aurum et argentum Corneliam delectant, certe dona exspectat!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:rostrum: beak, rammer of a ship; rostra (Plural): rostrum, platform (on the forum in Rome, itswalls were ornamented with captured rammers)auscultat: he/she/it listens (to the speakers who talked to the crowd)taberna: shop

Vocabularyamat he/she/it loves I: amare; EO: ami

cogitat he/she/it thinks, intends cogitate

exspectat he/she/it waits, waits for sb. expect; L4: spectat

invitat he/she/it invites invitevidet he/she/it sees video

aedificium building edificeargentum silver Argentina

aurum goldauriferous [derived from aurum + ferre ("carry")];

F: ordonum present, donation F: donner

forum Forum, marketplace forum

monumentum monument monumenttemplum temple, holy site temple

tot so manycerte certainly, surely certain

cum (always) whendiu long, for a long

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time

imprimis especially, mainly  

Lesson 6: A foolish prejudice

Text

Marcus magnas divitias non possidet,itaque neque multa neque magna dona dare potest.Marcus non est Croesus; sed Cornelia puella est,et "cunctae puellae diu et libenter tabernas spectant, aurum et argentum valde amant saepeque multa dona exspectant".Sic Marcus cogitat, sed stultus est;nam Cornelia neque magna neque multa dona exspectat.Grata et contenta est, quod Marcus amicus bonus et fidus est,

quod non solum ludos, sed etiam theatra amat.Nam theatra Corneliam imprimis delectant:Gaudet et ridet, cum fabulas spectat,et cum populus clamat, clamat et Cornelia.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:dare: to giveCroesus: legendary rich king of Lydiataberna: shop

Vocabularypossidet he/she/it possessespotest he/she/it can potency

divitiae (always plural)

treasures, riches, wealth

fabula story, theatre play fable; fabulouspuella girl

theatrum theatre theatrebonus, -a, -um good, efficient bonus; F: bon

bonum the good, possession

contentus, -a, -um content, satisfied content

cunctus, -a, -um complete, whole; Plural: all

fidus, -a, -um loyal, reliable fidelity

gratus, -a, -umgrateful; comfortable, dear, welcome

grateful

magnus, -a, -um big, important

magnify; magnanimous

[magnus + animus (soul, spirit)]

multus, -a, -um much, many, abundant multitude

stultus, -a, -um stupid, foolish stultify-que (attached to a word) and

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saepe often  

sic (with verbs) so, this way sic

Lesson 7: Good friends?

Text

(Cornelia waits in front of the Marcellus theatre for Marcus. Suddenly her friends Tullia and Aemilia appear...)T: Cur hic sedes, Cornelia? Num Marcum exspectas?C: Non erras, amica. Marcum exspecto, sed iam timeo, quod cessat.(Tullia et Aemilia rident)C: Cur ridetis, amicae? Cur vos tam laetae estis?A: Ridemus, quod tam stulta es, quod hic sedes et amicum exspectas.T: Nos numquam amicos exspectamus, nos non tam stultae sumus. Amici nos exspectant.C: Libenter Marcum exspecto, quod amicus fidus et bonus est.A: Amici fidi et boni rari sunt. Fortasse Marcus iam aliam amicam amat; nam non solum ludi clari et forum antiquum et theatra Marcum invitant, sed etiam formosae puellae! (Cornelia tacet)T: Cur taces, Cornelia? Num erro?C: Certe erras, pessima, nam ibi Marcus stat, me exspectat! Oh, quam laeta sum! - Hic sum, Marce, hic te exspecto! ---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:cessat: he/she/it has people waitformosae: pretty, beautifulpessima: "you snake" (pessimus: the worst)

Vocabularyerrat he/she/it errs, is wrong err

timet he/she/it is afraid timidalius, alia, aliud a different one alias

antiquus, -a, -um old, venerable antiqueclarus, -a, -um light, clear, famous clarity; D: klar

laetus, -a, -um happyrarus, -a, -um rare, isolated rare

nos we; us (Accusative) F: nous, I: noi

vos you (Plural); you (Plural Accusative) F: vous, I: voi

num?by chance? Hopefully not? (question particle that suggests the answer "No")

numquam nevertam (with adjectives and adverbs)

so, to such degree, in such manner

tantamount; F: tant

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quam (with adjectives and adverbs)

how

Invitation to the theatreAemilia: "Hodie te invito, Tite! Fabula bona est!" - "Oh, quam gratus etlaetus sum, Aemilia! Amica bona es, et amicae bonae rarae sunt." (later)Iam Titus et Aemilia theatrum clarum intrant. Subito Titus vocat: "Ecce,ibi est Quintus." Aemilia autem Quintum rogat: "Salve, Quinte! CertePaulam exspectas?" - "Erras! Paulam non iam exspecto; iam adest; ibistat. Hodie non nos amicas invitamus, sed amicae nos (invitant)."Reading vocabulary:Salve - Hello (literally: be well!)

Lesson 8: Marcus as tourist guide

Text

Epicharmus et Demaratus amici Corneliae et Marci sunt.Patria Epicharmi et Demarati Graecia est, sed cunctos Graecos iuvatterras alienas videre, diu ibi esse, templa dearum et deorum spectare,monumenta clara oppidorum antiquorum visitare.Itaque libenter antiqua aedificia populi Romani spectare solent -et Marcus cuncta templa deorum, cuncta monumenta Romanorummonstrare properat.Marcum iuvat fabulas antiquas narrare;neque amici dubitant miram Marci scientiam laudare.

Vocabularydubitare to doubt, hesitate dubious

iuvare to please, delightiuvat it pleases, it is fun

laudare to praise laudmonstrare to show de-monstrate

properare to hurryvisitare to visit visit

solere to be used to, be in the habit

esse to be I: esseredea goddess deity

patria native country, home, home town patriot

scientia knowledge, science science

terra land, earth terrestrial

deus god deityoppidum town, fortress

alienus, -a, -um strange, alien; disinclined alien

mirus, -a, -um wonderful, strange, amazing miracle

Graecia GreeceGraeci the Greek people  

Graecus Greek (adjective), a Greek man Graecum

Roma Rome RomeRomani Romans Romans

Romanus Roman (adjective), a Roman man Roman

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Lesson 9: On the Capitol

Text

Marcus Epicharmo et Demarato hodie Capitolium monstrare studet."Ecce, hic populus Romanus summo deo immolare solet, ibi Minervaereginaeque deorum."Tum Epicharmus: "Capitolio igitur unus deus et duae deae praesident."Et Marcus: "Non erras, amice; hic feminae multum valent. ItaqueMarcus Porcius 'Romani', inquit, 'cunctis populis imperant, Romanisautem feminae imperant - et Romani feminis parent.' "Tum Demaratus: "Igitur Marco quoque Cornelia imperat, et MarcusCorneliae parere debet ut servulus."Amici Graeci diu et valde rident. Tandem et Marcus ridet.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:duae (Nominative Plural Feminine): twopraesidere: to give shelterMarcus Porcius: famous Roman politician, also known as Catoservulus: (small) slave

Vocabularyimmolare to sacrifice

imperare to order, command; rule Imperative; emperor

debere must, to have to; to owe debt, debenture

parere to obey

studere to endeavour, exert oneself, take pains study

valere be healthy; have influence, be of value value, F: valoir

inquit (inserted in speech) he/she says; he/she said

femina woman feminineregina queen

summus the uppermost, supreme sum, summitunus one, a single one union

igitur therefore, and so, accordinglymultum much, very L6: multus

quoque also, tootandem finally

ut like, asmultum valere have a lot of influence

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Lesson 10: Sacrifices and festivals

Text

Postea amici cum Marco in foro Romano magnam pompam exspectant. In Via Sacra stant, aedificia clara fori spectant, multa rogant.Iam pompa praeclara ex templo Vestae appropinquat, etMarcus amicis de deis et templis et sacrificiis Romanorumnarrat.Epicharmus autem: "Romani", inquit, "deos deasque magnacum diligentia curant, in aris deorum multas hostias immolant.Certe Romani iram deorum dearumque non minus timent quamservi iram dominorum."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:pompa: processionVia Sacra: the Holy Street (from the Forum to the Capitolium)hostias: (animal) sacrifice

Vocabularycurare to care for; worship; nurse, cure cureara altar

diligentia care, diligence, conscientousness diligence

ira anger, rage irate, ire via road, street via

dominus mister, master dominant

servus slave serve, servant

sacrificium sacrifice sacrifice

praeclarus shining, wonderful, excellent L7: clarus minus less minus

postea afterwards, latercum with, together with magna cum laude

de from, about F: de

ex (also: e) from, out of..., since deus ex machina,ex-patriate

in in, on in

magna cum diligentia with a lot of diligence

non minus... quam not less... than

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Lesson 11: "Just to the Gods"

Text

(The conversation from last lesson is continued)Sed Marcus: "Sine dubio templa deorum summa diligentia curamus,deos sacrificiis praeclaris placamus.Certe nos ceteros populos iustitia superamus.Nam nos iusti sumus in deos.Vos Graeci autem deos fabulis irridetis.Pro veris deis scurras habetis."Tum Demaratus: "Cur nos vituperas, Marce, quod deos interdumfabulis irridemus?Sine dubio veri dei ira vacant, et certe bonis iocis gaudent et rident."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:in (with Accusative): to, towardsscurra: clown

Vocabularyplacare to calm, appease; reconcile placate

superare to excel, outdo, beat superior

vacare lack, to be free of vacant, vacuum

vituperare to blame, criticise vituperate

habere to have, hold, possess D: haben

irridere to laugh at, deride L1: ridere

iustitia justice justice

iocus jest, joke, fun jokedubium doubt dubious

vinum wine I: vino, F: vinceteri (Plural) the rest, all others et cetera = etc.

iustus just, legal justverus true F: verité

interdum sometimespro for; instead of; pro pro

sine without EO: sen sine dubio without doubt, doubtlessly

iustitia superare to excel in justice  

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Connoisseurs of wineClaudius vina e Graecia importat; sine dubio vina bona sunt.Itaque interdum amicos invitat; hodie quoque amici Claudium visitant.Deos sacrificio placant; tum vino bono et multis iocis gaudent.Claudius Epicharmo et Demarato narrat: "Magna diligentia vinaGraeca curo, quod bona sunt. Sed etiam vina Romana amo;imprimis Falernum (vinum) cetera vina elegantia superat. Ecce!Hodie vos Falerno delecto!" Cuncti scientiam Claudii laudant,vino bono gaudent.

.Reading vocabulary:importare - to importFalernum - Falernian wine (wine sort from Northern Campagna)elegantia - taste, "bouquet"

Lesson 12: Gods on stage

Text

(The conversation from last lesson is continued)Tum Epicharmus: "Et Cornelia et tu, Marce, in theatro libenter fabulasspectatis. Itaque tibi certe Amphitruo Plauti notus est: Iuppiter cumMercurio Alcmenae appropinquat..."Et Marcus: "Mihi cunctae fabulae Plauti notae sunt cunctaeque medelectant, imprimis autem Amphitruo.Nihil magis rideo, quam cum Mercurius scalas portare debet."Epicharmus autem: "Gaudemus igitur et ego et tu in theatro, et te et meiuvat fabulas Plauti spectare."Nunc Marcus ridet et "Vos Graeci", inquit, "nos Romanos eloquentiasuperatis. Non ignoro. Ecce, a vobis victus neque tamen maestus sum.Vos non iam vitupero, sed vobiscum rideo."Et Demaratus: "Gaudeo, quod nobiscum rides, Marce; nam iuvat ridere."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Amphitruo: name of a play (Nominative!) scala: step; Plural: the laddervictus: defeated

Vocabularyignorare not know ignore

portare to carry, bring portable

eloquentia eloquence eloquence

maestus sad, grieved

notus well-known noted

ego I egoism

tu you F, I: tu

nihil nothing nihilism

a / ab from, sinceabduct: ab (away from) + ducere

(lead)

magis more, in higher degree magistrate

tamenin spite of that, nevertheless, still, yet

EO: tamen

non ignorare to know very

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well

et...et as well as,

both... and...

 

Lesson 13: An unfriendly inn

Text

(Tired of walking and discussing, Marcus and his Greek friendsenter an inn, where there seems to be lively talking going on:)In caupona iam multi viri sedent valdeque clamant:"Vita Romanorum liberorum nunc misera est!""Graeculi villas pulchras, multos agros, magnas divitias possident! Nosnihil habemus nisi vitam miseram!""Vir bonus et integer hodie nihil valet. Itaque neque ego neque tu valemus.""Et cur vos nihil valetis? Quod maesti et fessi hic sedetis, quod invitilaboratis, quod scientia vacatis! Ecce Graeculi nos eloquentia et scientiasuperant. Graeculi medici sunt et magi et funambuli. Graeculi soli nihil ignorant...""Cur non taces de medicis Graecis: Romanos laeti necare solent!""Nos non pueri sumus, sed viri. Quin cunctos Graecos fugamus?"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:caupona: innGraeculi: "small Greeks" (derogative, compared to Graeci) magus: magicianfunambulus: rope-dancerquin: why not?

Vocabulary

fugare to drive away, chase away

laborare to work, endeavour; suffer labour

necare to kill necropolis

villa, -ae villa, country house village

vita, -ae life vital

medicus, -i doctor, physician medicine

ager, agri field, land; region agriculture

puer, pueri boy F: puérile

vir, viri man virilefessus tired, exhausted

invitus unwillingly, reluctantly

solus alone, just, solely solointeger, -gra, -grum integer, untouched integer

liber, -ra, -rum free, independent liberal

miser, -ra, -rum

miserable, unhappy miserable

pulcher, -chra, -chrum nice, beautiful pulchritude

nisi if not; except

nihil ignorare to know everything

nihil valere to have no influence

nihil nisi nothing but; just

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Lesson 14: Always trouble with the Greeks

Text

(The Romans get angrier:)"Cur superbiam Graecorum sustinemus?""Nos Romanos barbaros vocant, se tantum humanos et doctos putant.""Multi Graeci servi Romanorum sunt - servi?Sine dubio multi servi Graeci dominis suis imperant,et domini servis parent, inviti quidem, sed parent -nam servi dominis eloquentia et industria sua cari sunt.""Quis liberos Romanorum docet? Graeci!Cuius fabulas spectamus? Graecorum fabulas!Cui ut pueri paremus? Graecis!Quem doctum et humanum putamus? Graecos!De quo semper disputamus? De Graecis!Et quid nobis restat? Emigrare e patria! Iam enim GraeciRomam occupant, iam nos fugare parant."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:restare: to remainemigrare: emigrate

Vocabularydisputare to discuss disputeoccupare to occupy occupy

parare to prepare, intend D: parat

putare to believe, consider com-puter

docere to teach D: Dozent

sustinere to sustain, endure sustain

industria, -ae diligence, industry industry

superbia, -aehaughtiness, arrogance, proudness

Old French: superbe

liberi, -orum children L13: liber

barbarus, -i

barbarian, foreigner; adjective: uneducated

barbarian; F: barbare

carus, -a, -um dear, expensive, valuable

I: caro, EO: kara

doctus, -a, -um educated, learned doctor

humanus, -a, -um

human, humane, humanophile, learned

human

quis? who?quid? what?

suus  his, her I: suo

seoneself (Accusative Singular / Plural)

I, F: se

sibi oneself (Dative Singular / Plural)

enim namely, that is to say

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quidem in truth, certainly, indeed, at least

semper always I: sempre

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tantum only

Lesson 15: Silence is golden

Text

Iam Epicharmus Marcum rogat: "Cur isti viri tantopere clamant?Cur nos Graecos contumeliis violant?"Sed Marcus: "Tace, Epicharme! Tace et tu, Demarate!Ecce, isti viri iam quieti sunt. Vitate igitur rixam, amici!"Sed unus e viris Romanis Graecos rogat:"Num patria vestra Graecia est, pueri?"Graeci nihil respondent, sed Marcus: "Graeci sunt, non nego,sed amici mei! Es igitur quietus et abstine contumeliis et iniuriis!"Ceteri autem viri clamant: "Cur vos iuvat in Italia nostra esse?Cur non in parvis oppidis vestris manetis? Cur Romam nostramintrare audetis? Properate abire, nisi...""Este quieti" Marcus clamat, "este humani!"Viri autem "Move te cum amicis tuis! Nos neque Graecos nequeamicos Graecorum amamus!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:isti: those thererixa: quarrelabire: go awayse movere: here: vanish

Vocabularynegare to deny, refuse negative

violare to injur, violate violate

vitare to avoid, shun F: éviter

abstinere to hold off, abstain abstinence

audere to dare audacious, audacity

manere to remain, stay, endure, abide by per-manent

contumelia, -ae insult, blow 

iniuria, -ae injustice

Italia Italy I: Italiaparvus, -a, -um small, little

quietus, -a, -um quiet, calm quiet; F: inquietmeus, -a, -um my

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tuus, -a, -um your (singular)

noster, -tra, -trum our F: notre; I: nostrovester, -tra, -trum your (plural) F: votre; I: vostro

tantopere  so much, to such degree

non negare to admit openly, claim (double negative -> positive)

Lesson 16: The situation becomes critical

Text

Marcus autem: "Ego manebo et amicos meos adiuvabo!"Tum Romani: "Si tu Graecos adiuvabis, et tibi et amicis tuis malumdabimus!""Tum vos non iam iuvabit hic esse! Immo vero timebitis et horrebitis.""Gaudebimus, si maesti vos movebitis!""Nos cunctos Graecos fugabimus, Romam nostram liberabimus, nobisdivitias parabimus. Tum demum laeti et contenti erimus.""Cuncti Romani nobis grati erunt et gaudebunt!""Neque ego tum maestus et miser sedebo, sed opulentus ero. NuncGraeci multas villas, multos agros possident: mox erunt Romanorum.Nunc nobis nihil est nisi vita misera, mox autem et tibi et mihi magnaedivitiae erunt! Tum nos vino bono et cibis iucundis implebimus!"Subito magnus Molossus in caupona stat, valde latrat, cunctosRomanos fugat.Et Marcus: "Ecce! Nunc unus Graecus - nam Molossus sine dubioGraecus est - multos Romanos terret!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:malum: here: beatingse movere: to vanishMolossus: bulldog (huge race of dogs from Epirus, North-West Greece)caupona: innlatrare: to bark

Vocabulary

adiuvare to help, aid, assist L8: iuvare

dare to give L5: donum

liberare to liberate liberate

horrere to shudder at, be horrified at horror

implere to fill implement; F: plein

terrereto frighten, terrify, scare away, deter

terror

cibus, -i food I: cibo

iucundus, -a, -um

agreeable, pleasant

L8: iuvare, F: Joconde

opulentus, -a, -um

wealthy, splendid opulence

demum finally

immo by all means; to the contrary

mox soon, then

si if F: si

vero in truth, indeed F: verité

immo vero however, to the contrary

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tum demum then finally, only at that time

Lesson 17: The good old days

Text

(Marcus and his friends remain at the inn. The bulldog is rather friendly to his "compatriots" and Demaratus talks about the time when his country wasn't occupied by the Romans:)"Multa saecula Athenae, patria mea, liberae erant. Nos Graeci liberi eramuscuncti, dum in nostris oppidis liberi habitabamus.Interdum tyranni in nonnullis oppidis regnare studebant, sed Graeci vitamliberam valde amabant et tyrannos ut adversarios fugare solebant."Tum Epicharmus: "Pisistratus quidem multos annos imperium Athenarumobtinebat, quod bonus et iustus erat..."Sed Marcus: "Dionysius autem Syracusanis totidem fere annos imperabat, quamquam neque bonus neque iustus, sed iniustus et malus erat: Populum enim iniuriis terrebat, multos viros integros necabat. Dionysio quidem magnum regnum, magnae divitiae erant; neque tamen beatus, immo vero miser erat, quod semper insidias timebat."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Athenae (plural): AthensAthenarum: (here:) over AthensSyracusani: (plural) citizens of the antique city Syracus on Sicilytotidem: as many

Vocabularyhabitare to live F: habiter

regnare to reign, rule reign

obtinere to hold, keep, maintain; obtain obtain

insidiae, -arum (pl) treachery, ambushes, conspiracy insidious

annus, -i year annals; Anno Domini

tyrannus, -i tyrant tyrant

imperium, -i sovereignity, realm, command imperialism

regnum, -i kingdom, rule reign; I: regnosaeculum, -i century, era F: siècle

beatus, -a, -um happy beatificationiniustus, -a, -um unjust L11: iustus;

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injustice; F: injuste

malus, -a, -um bad, wicked, evil malevolent; F: malnonnulli, -ae, -a (pl) some, several "not-zero"

dum as long as, while EO: dumfere about, almost; generally

quamquam  although EO: kvankam

Lesson 18: Damocles' sword

Text

"Ego", inquit Epicharmus, "cunctos tyrannos miseros esse video. Quis enimignorat tyrannis semper insidias imminere? Itaque ne tyranni quidem putantvitam suam beatam esse. Si placebit, vobis parvam fabulam de Dionysionarrabo..."Tum Marcus: "Placet, nam constat te semper pulchras fabulas narrare."Et Epicharmus: "Damocles, unus ex amicis Dionysii, divitias tyranni semperlaudabat, Dionysium fortunae filium esse praedicabat.Aliquando tyrannus: 'Quid, si demonstrabo te errare meque non tambeatum esse, quam tu putas? Te hodie ad cenam invito.'Iam Damocles laetus triclinium intrat. Videt mensas bonis cibis abundare,gaudet servos verbis suis parere - subito autem horret: Desuper gladiusimminet, et apparet gladium saeta equina pendere!Et Dionysius: 'Ecce fortuna tyrannorum! Num me esse beatum adhuc putas?'"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:ad cenam: to a mealtriclinium: dining-halldesuper: from abovesaeta equina (Ablative): on a horse's hair

Vocabulary

abundare to overflow, abound abound

constat it is certain constant

demonstrare to show, prove demonstration

praedicareto warn, admonish, foretell

predicate, prédire

servare to save, preserve re-servation

apparereto appear, to become obvious

appear

apparet it is obvious, it is clear

apparent; F: il appert

imminere to be imminent,

imminent

threaten

placere to please, be agreeable to I: piacere

placet it is agreed, it seems good I: piacet, F: plait

pendereto hang, depend, be suspended

pendant; pending

cena, -ae food, meal I: cenare, E: cena; F: la Cène

fortuna, -ae fate, luck; fortune fortune

mensa, -ae table (with food)

D: Mensa; F: com-mensal

filius, -i son filial; I: figlio

verbum, -i word verbal; verb

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adhuctill then, till now, still, besides, yet

 

aliquando at any time,  

sometimes

ne... quidem not even...  

tam... quam as... as possible  

Lesson 19: Roaming Davus

Text

(While Marcus talks with his friends, he sees Davus, the slave of one ofhis friends, passing by the inn. Since that one likes to roam in the city, Marcus calls him:)M: Heus tu, quo is?D: Eo, ehem, immo vero ibam, nam nunc tu me tenes et rogas...M: Quo ibas, furcifer?D: Ibamus, Marce, nam Gallus mecum it...M: Si Gallus tecum ibit, tutus ibis. Constat enim cunctos Gallos viros firmos esse.D: Sed meus Gallus vir firmus non est. Ecce, ante templum stat neque in templum ire audet propter te; timidus enim est.M: Apparet nonnullos Gallos timidos esse. Sed satis de Gallis! Quo nunc ibitis?D: (tacet)M: Respondebo pro te: "Per cunctas vias ibimus, cuncta templa preateribimus, postremo ad circum adibimus, quo cuncti otiosi eunt."D: (ridet)M: Quid rides? Vos non in circum ibitis, sed statim ad dominos vestros redibitis neque per cunctas vias errabitis. Quid exspectatis? I, Dave! Abi, Galle! Properate! Abite!---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:heus: hey, hallo!ehem: hmm, ahem...furcifer: rascalotiosus: do-nothing, idler

Vocabularyire to go EO: iri

abire to go away D: Abitur

adire to approach; attack

praeterire to pass (by), omit

redire to go back, return

circus, -i circus, circle circus

firmus, -a, -um strong, firm, solid firm

timidus, -a, -um fearful, timid timid

tutus, -a, -um safe tutor

postremo finally

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quo?where? Whither? To which place?

quo vadissatis enough satisfaction

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statim immediately

ad (+ Acc.) to

ante (+ Acc.)  in front of

in into, toward; against  

perthrough; throughout; because of

 

propter near, on account of, because of  

Lesson 20: Davus lies

Text

(Having returned home, Davus now has to explain to his master where hehad been all the time - and he tells an amazing tale:)Modo Via Lata ibam, sed ecce: Gallus, vir firmus, me capessit et clamat:"Quo vadis, furcifer?"Ego trepido et: "Va-vado", inquam, "vadebam..."Gallus autem: "Nunc vade mecum! Nisi vades, te traham!"Ego a nonnullis viris auxilium peto, virique e Gallo quaerunt: "Quo puerumducere paras?"Tum Gallus: "Fugitivus est, dominusque puerum suum repetit. Officia quidemspernit, sed mox in agris laborabit!"Statim viri rident et: "Pete ab aliis auxilium, et tu, Galle, trahe puerum! Vadite!"Cedebam igitur cum Gallo, diuque me trahebat; ego autem a deis auxiliumpetebam - et ecce: Evado, ad dominum meum propero, cunctisque deisgratus sum!---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Via Lata (Ablative): on the Via Lata (a street in Rome)furcifer: rascalfugitivus: slave who fled

Vocabularytrepidare to tremble trepidation

capessere to catch

cedere to go, give way, yield cede

ducere to lead; draw; consider  con-duct; I: Duce

petere to ask; to strive; to demand petition

repetere to request back; to repeat repetition

quaerere to seek; examine; ask; obtain question

spernere to reject spurn

trahere  to drag tractor

vadere to go, walk e-vade

evadere to go out, escape evade

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inquam I say; I said L9: inquit

auxilium, -i help, support auxiliaryexemplum, -i example example

officium, -i office; obligation; duty office

modo  only; now; just now  

auxilium petere to request support  

Lesson 21: Tyrants, enemies, foreign rulers

Text

(While few people believe in Davus' story, Demaratus tells Marcusmore about Greek history:)"Tandem Syracusani filium Dionysii tyranni fugaverunt, et Athenis viriintrepidi filiis Pisistrati insidias paraverunt. Hipparchum necaverunt,Hippias fugam capessivit. Mox autem patria mea in summo periculofuit; iam Persae cum magnis copiis adibant, oppida et templa delebant.Sed nos e patria exiimus, feminas liberosque in insulam propinquamtransportavimus. Tum a deis auxilium petivimus, arma capessivimusPersasque superavimus, quamquam copiae nostrae parvae, Persarumcopiae magnae fuerunt."Tum Marcus: "Vobis summam gloriam paravistis, quod tot adversariostanta victoria superavistis."Et Demaratus: "Tum concordia Graecorum magna erat, neque Graecicum Graecis pugnabant. Mox autem alii alios lacessiverunt, multis bellisdebilitaverunt, postrema praeda Philippi, Alexandri, Romanorum fuerunt.Fuimus viri liberi!"Marcus autem: "Multa narravisti, amice, ego quoque iam multam narravi.Iuvat narrare, sed etiam ambulare iuvat. Itaque nunc ambulabimus."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Syracusani: citizens of SyracusAthenis: in Athensintrepidus, -a, -um: unshaken, undaunteddebilitare: to weaken, exhaustambulare: to walk

Vocabularytransportare (transportavi)

to carry across, send across transport

delêre (delevi) to destroy, wipe out delete

lacessere (lacessivi)

to incite, challenge

ex-ire to go out L19: ire

concordia, -ae harmony, agreement concord

copia, -ae supply; possibility; plural: troops

copy

fuga, -ae flight, exile L13: fugare

gloria, -ae glory glory

insula, -ae island; block of apartments

praeda, -ae booty, prey, spoils of war I: preda

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victoria, -ae victory victory

arma, -orum (plural) weapons army

bellum, -i war I: bellopericulum, -i danger I: pericolo

propinquus, -a, -um 

near, adjacent; related

tantus, -a, -um so big, so important  

insidias parareto prepare an ambush, lie in wait

 

alius alium (iuvat)

one (supports) the other  

alii... alii... some... others...  

(Marcus tells Cornelia a story:)Ibam forte in Via Appia; quaerebam Titum amicum. Subito adit me garrulus Licinius. Me quaerit: "Quo vadis, Marce? Iam diu te quaerebam; cogito enim nonnulla tecum disputare. Certe non ignoras me doctum esse neque scientia vacare." Insidias garruli evadere non possum; itaque "Quid", inquam, "petis? Officia me tenent. Nunc a te cedam, sed mox te videbo!"

Reading vocabulary:forte - by chance, accidentallygarrulus – chatterbox

Mucius Scaevola, a hero I(This is a handed-down legend set in the time when Rome was buta small state threatened by the Etruscans:)Porsinna cum copiis Etruscorum Romam diu obsidebat. Periculummagnum erat; itaque cuncti Romani arma capessiverunt, cuncti magnacum concordia adierunt. Neque tamen copias Etruscorum fugaverunt.Tum Mucius Scaevola summam sibi gloriam paravit. Nam sine auxiliosolus ad propinqua castra Etruscorum exiit et Porsinnam gladio petivit.Armati autem Porsinnae Mucium capessiverunt. Porsinna "Quid",inquit, "in castris meis quaesivisti; cur mihi insidias paravisti?". Muciusautem clamavit: "Adversarius adversarium petivit; nam te necare studeo.Me quidem capessivisti, sed alii Romani te armis adibunt." (continued further down)Reading vocabulary:obsidere - to besiegecastra, -orum (plural) - encampmentarmatus - armed person

Mucius Scaevola, a hero IIIam Porsinna, dominus severus et superbus, videt sibi magnum periculumimminere, iam ira eum incitat, iam servis imperat: "Trahite Mucium ad foculum!". Sed is: "Id quidem", inquit, "tibi dico, tu autem crede mihi: Eae flammae me non terrent. Fortasse amici tui eas timent; me autem iis non franges.". Iam Porsinna, iam amici eius horrent: Quamquam enim Mucius dexteram in foculum porrigit, neque lacrimas in oculis eius vident apparetque eum non dolere. Postremo Porsinna "Bene!" inquit. "Liberate Mucium, amici! Date ei gladium!Tu autem, Romane, abi!" Iam Porsinna non ignoravit se Romanos superare non posse, et statim Roma abiit.Romani autem Mucium 'Scaevolam' vocabant, quod ei scaeva tantum erat.Reading vocabulary:foculus - basin of fireflamma - flame

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dextera - the right (hand)porrigere - to put inRoma - here: from Rome scaeva - the left (hand)

Lesson 22: Poor Delia

Text

(Since Marcus has left with his friends, Cornelia visits her richfriend Atia, who proudly shows her her numerous slaves:)A: Ecce lecticarii mei! Firmi sunt, nam eos servos imprimis curo.

Interdum eis etiam vinum do!Ibi Diodotus stat, magister liberorum meorum. Is eos linguamGraecam bene docet, quamquam Syrus est. Pueri autem clamanteum severum esse. Itaque eum non amant semperque mala de eonarrant.Servas multas habeo easque laudo, si bene laboraverunt. Nequetamen industria earum magna est frustraque eas moneo.Ecce Delia! Serva nova est et semper maesta. Eam servamnumquam laetam videbis.

C: Lacrimas in oculis eius esse apparet. Fortasse dolet se a patriasua abesse, sibi in terra aliena amicas non esse?

A: Ego eam superbam esse credo: Dicit se ingenuam esse! Ego autemsuperbiam eius brevi frangam! Modo eam verberavi!

C: Id non laudo...A: Quid ei nocebit? Serva est!C: Immo vero femina est ut tu!---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:lecticarius: slave whose job is to carry sedansserva: female slave, servantingenuus, -a, -um: nobleverberare: to beat

Vocabulary

monêreto warn, admonish; remind

nocêre to harm, inflict an injury

credere to believe, trust credo; credit

dicere to say, speak, call I: dire (lui dice)

frangere to break (in pieces), shatter

fracture, infringement

ab-esseto be absent, be away, be missing

L7: esse

lingua, -ae language, tongue

linguistics; I: lingua

oculus, -i eye ocularmagister, magistri teacher, master

novus, -a, -um new, unusual I: nuovo

severus, -a, - stern, harsh severe

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um

superbus, -a, -um

arrogant, haughty, proud L14: superbia

is, ea, id he, she, it; this one

bene well I: bene

brevi  in short time, soon

frustrain vain, mistakenly, wantonly

frustrating

Lesson 23: How to become a slave

Text

(Later Cornelia has the opportunity to ask Delia something; however the girl can't speak much Latin yet:)C: Cur tam maesta es, Delia?D: Delia non vocor.C: Quomodo nominaris?D: Melissa dicor; in parvo oppido Asiae habitavi: Assus vocatur.

Inde cum necessariis Pyrrham navigabam - sed subito pirataevidentur; temptamur, captamur, in servitium acerbum ducimur... (Melissa tacet et Cornelia lacrimas in oculis eius videt.)

C: Certe piratae vos Delum transportaverunt, ubi multi serviveneunt. Itaque hic Delia diceris.

D: Sic est; nunc serva Atiae sum. Ea domina dura est, servasservosque urgere et coercere et caedere solet.

C: Num saepe a domina caedimini?D: Saepe caedimur, saepe ab ea torquemur.C: Et cur vos coerceri et caedi iubet?D: Quod cuncti Romani duri sunt. Gaudent se a servis timeri...C: Erras, Melissa; non cuncti duri sunt. Fortasse mox bonam

dominam habebis!---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:ven-ire (ven-eo): "to go to sale", to be soldserva: female slave, servant

Vocabulary

captare to catch, strive after, hunt capture

navigare to sail, navigate navigate

nominare to call nomination

coercêre to restrain, confine, punish

iubêre to order, command, let

torquêre to twist; torture, torment torture

urgêre to drive, urge urge

caedere to fell; to beat; to kill

domina, -ae lady, mistress L10: dominuspirata, -ae (masculine) pirate pirate

servitium, -i slavery L10: servus

acerbus, -a, -um bitter, rigorous D: herb

durus, -a, -um hard, harsh, tough

music: Dur; I: duro

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necessarius, -a, -um necessary; close, related necessary necessarii, -orum  relatives

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inde thence, from there quomodo how? in what

manner?  

Lesson 24: Some hope remained

Text

Ac profecto non cuncti Romani duri et asperi erant, non cuncti servi a dominis caedebantur, torquebantur, contumeliis violabantur.Multis servis a dominis humanis pecunia dabatur, interdum etiamsic monebatur: "Laborate magna cum diligentia, servi; nam servidominorum contentorum aliquando servitio liberabuntur. Tu, Afer,officia semper bene explevisti. Itaque primus a me mitteris. Vosquoque, Lyde et Dace, testamento meo mittemini. Semper enimfidi et impigri fuistis."Tum Afer et Lydus et Dacus laeti clamaverunt: "Aliquando fortuna nostra mutabitur, aliquando negotiis molestissolvemur et liberabimur!""Tum ego", inquit Afer, "libertus dicar; tu quoque, Lyde, libertusdiceris, et tu, Dace!Fortasse in patriam redibimus - aut hic manebimus et inter Romanosliberos liberi vivemus!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:libertus: freed man (a rank in Roman society)

Vocabulary

mutare to change, alter, exchange mutate

explêre (explevi) to fill, fulfill L16: implere

mittere to send; let go; free

solvere to solve; release, free; pay solve

vivere to liveI: vivere, F: vivre, EO:

vivi

pecunia, -ae money, wealth

negotium, -i business, task

testamentum, -i testament testament

vinculum, -i band, chain;

Plural: prison

molestus, -a, -umtroublesome, bothersome, annoying

D: lästig

primus, -a, -um the first prime

asper, aspera, asperum rough, strict

impiger, impigra, impigrum

indefatiguable, assiduous, diligent, hard-working

I: pigro

ac / atque and, and also (very strong relation)

aut  or

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inter between; during; under inter-national

profecto

really, in fact, indeed, at all events, by any means

 

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vel or; even math: v

officium explere to fulfill duty  

ac profecto and indeed, and in fact  

aut... aut either... or  

(Romans accuse the Greeks of imperialism and provide thisexample of the violence against the inhabitants of the island Melosin the year 415BC: )"Etiam a Graecis antiquis feminae et liberi in servitium dabantur, etiam abeis imperium gladio et iniuria obtinebatur. Nam Melii ab Atheniensibusmonebantur: "Parete imperio nostro! Alioquin fortuna vestra mutabitur;aut caedemini aut in servitium ducemini."Ac profecto Melii, quod parere dubitant, iniuriis violantur et caeduntur, feminae eorum cum liberis in servitium mittuntur."Reading vocabulary:ab Atheniensibus - by the Atheniansalioquin – otherwise

Lesson 25: Beaten winners

(We already know that simple Romans were often hostile to Greeks. This is what an important Roman politician of the 2nd century BC thought about the Greeks:)Marcus Porcius Cato, vir severus et asper, Graecos cunctis Romanisperniciosos putabat."Graecia expugnata", inquit, "Romam expugnabit, nisi cavebimus.Litterae Romam importatae, philosophi e Graecia huc arcessiti puerisnostris nocebunt.Iam disciplina antiqua a cunctis populis laudata interdum labat; moxfilii vestri non iam parati erunt pro patria pugnare. Tum adversarii anobis saepe superati exsultabunt, arma capessent, Romam et Capitoliumnumquam expugnatum, numquam deletum petent. A quo tum adiuvabimur?Ubi erunt copiae Romanae vix umquam superatae? Ubi (erunt) viri nesummis quidem periculis perturbati?Cavete, Romani! Nos semper disciplina, constantia, modestia clari fuimus,non litteris et eloquentia!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:labare: to staggerVocabulary

expugnare to capture; to take by assault L3: pugnare

exsultare to revel, rejoice, exult exult

importare to import import

perturbareto confuse completely, trouble, perturb

perturb; L4: turba

cavêre to be on guard against, beware,

"cave canem"

avoidarcessere (arcessivi, arcessitum)

to bring, fetch, summon

constantia, -aeconstancy, solidity, firmness

constant

disciplina, -aediscipline; education; lessons

discipline

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littera, -ae letter; science literature modestia, -ae moderation modest

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philosophus, -i philosoph philosoph

paratus, -a, -um ready, readied L14: parare

perniciosus, -a, -um pernicious, destructive pernicious

huc to here

umquam  ever L7: numquam

vix hardly

Etruscans and RomansOlim Etrusci ex Asia fugati huc in Italiam navigaverunt; litteras Graecase Graecia importabant. Mox multa oppida armis expugnata magnamqueterram imperio suo obtinebant. Romam quoque occupare studebant.Nam Tarquinius Superbus, invisus tyrannus Etruscus, a Romanis fugatusregnum repetivit; itaque ab Etruscis auxilium petivit. Tum Porsinna cumcopiis Etruscorum convocatis agro Romano appropinquavit Romanosad pugnam lacessivit. Sed Romani multis iniuriis Tarquinii diu violati virosad pugnam paratos arcessiverunt, arma capessiverunt, cum Etruscis benepugnaverunt, Romam periculo liberaverunt. Postea autem augures epopulo Etruscorum vocati Romanos adiuvabant, cum in summo periculoerant. Hodie quoque in Italia multa oppida ab Etruscis nominata visitaripossunt.

Reading vocabulary:olim - once (upon a time)invisus, -a, -um - hatedaugures (Nom. Pl.) - augurshodie quoque - even today, today stillab - here: according to

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Lesson 26: Against the arch-enemy

(Cato continues his speech:)

"Postquam copiae nostrae secundo bello Punico ad Cannas superataesunt, populus Romanus non desperavit. Paucis annis non solum novaecopiae a nobis paratae, sed etiam Poeni ex Italia fugati et in Africasuperati sunt. Carthago nondum deleta est, sed delebitur sine dubiobrevique interibit. Quis enim ignorat socios nostros a Poenis lacessi,quem fallit eos a nobis auxilium petere?Apparet divitias Poenorum rursus crescere, quamquam a nobis tantaepecuniae requisitae sunt. Et Hannibal non solum Carthagine, sed totaAfrica multum valet. Suo loco de eo dicam; numquam quietus ero,dum vivet! Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Carthagine: (here:) in CarthagoCarthaginem esse delendam (AcI): that Carthago has to be destroyedVocabulary

desperareto despair, be without hope, give up

despair

censêre to suggest, advise, argue

crescere (crevi, cretum)

to grow, increase crescent

fallere to deceive, dupe

fallit it escapes (a person's notice)

requirere (requisivi, requisitum)

to seek, ask; demand require

interire to perish, go to ruin, decay L19: ire

locus, -i place, location, situation, spot local

socius, -i partner, ally, associate social

pauci, -ae, -a few

secundus, -a, -um the second, the following second

totus, -a, -um whole total

ceterumbesides, otherwise, moreover

postquam after, when

rursus  again

suo locoat a fitting place, at its proper place

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Lesson 27: Maintain, don't annihilate

Text

Constat non cunctos Romanos verba Marci Porcii laudavisse imprimisque Nasicamsententiam eius sprevisse."Non nego", inquit, "me quoque copias Poenorum reformidavisse; sed apparet easad Zamam stratas et deletas esse. Itaque credo Poenos bellum cogitare desi(i)sse.Tu, Cato, dicis divitias eorum crevisse, Carthaginem cunctis bonis impletam esse -et ego gaudeo Carthaginem divitiis abundare.Neque ignoro a Poenis divitias amari; itaque pericula belli vitabunt, amicitiamnostram colent, frumentum exportabunt. Constat ab eis pacta adhuc servata esse;oportet ea pacta etiam a nobis servari.Proinde desine nobis bellum iniustum suadere, desine odium et inimicitias serere,desine Poenos timere!Equidem non sinam Carthaginem vastari."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Nasica: Publius Scipio Nasica, a Roman politician who favoured the Greek influence, in contrast to CatoPoeni, -orum: Punians, Carthaginians reformidare: to fearCarthaginem: (Accusative of) Carthago

Vocabularyexportare to export export

vastare to lay waste, ravage

suadêre to advise, recommend per-suade

oportetit is necessary, it is proper; one should, one ought

colere to cultivate; cherish; care for culture

serere (sevi, satum) to sow, plant D: Saat

sinere (sivi, situm) to let, allow, permit

desinere (desii, desitum)

to cease, stop, leave off, desist

sternere (stravi, stratum)

to throw to the ground street

amicitia, -ae friendship L3: amicus; I: amicizia

inimicitae, -arum hostilities

sententia, -ae sentiment, opinion; decision; saying

sentence

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bona, -orum goods L6: bonus

frumentum, -i grain

odium, -i  hatred

pactum, -i pact, treaty,

contract

equidem indeed, truly, for my part L14: quidem

proinde consequently, therefore  

The twins Romulus and Remus were exposed on the order of the kingAmulius. A wolf fed them at first.)Fabula est pastorem Romulum et Remum in Palatio spectavisse et ad setransportavisse. Non ignoramus geminos ibi educatos esse. Gemini eum locum postea rursus quaesiverunt ibique a Romulo muros oppidi novi aedificatos viasque stratas esse. Remus autem parvos muros spernit et transilit. Romulus a Remo irridetus eum necavit.

Reading vocabulary:pastorem (Accusative) - shepherdPalatio - Palatium, one of Rome's hillsgeminus, -i - twin brothereducare- educatemurus, -i - wallaedificare - to buildtranssilit - he jumped over

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Lesson 28: Dido and Aeneas

De antiquis Poenorum et Romanorum inimicitiis et de earum causis poetae Romanorum

varia scribunt. Apud Vergilium legimus Aeneam, postquam Troia a Graecis expugnataet deleta est, paucis cum amicis fugam capessivisse ventisque adversis in Africamagitatum esse. Ibi Dido regina ante nonnullos annos Carthaginem aedificaverat; nam etipsa e patria fugata erat. Ubi Sychaeus, vir eius, dolo et insidiis necatus est, ipsius quoque vita in periculo fuerat; ipsi enim insidiae paratae erant.Itaque Dido cum paucis sociis e patria exierat, per multas terras ignotas erraverat,novam patriam quaesiverat.Vix Aeneas Carthaginem intraverat, cum Dido eum virum pulchrum et probum adamavit;amabat et Aeneas ipse reginam; iamque Dido nuptias cogitabat, cum Aeneas a deis adofficium revocatus est: Clam abiit Italiamque petivit! Id ipsum Dido valde dolebat.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Carthaginem: (Accusative of) Carthagoad-amare: to grow fond of nuptiae, -arum: marriage; nuptias cogitare: to consider marriage revocare (ad): here: to remind (of)

Vocabulary

aedificare to build, construct L5: aedificium

agitare to rouse, put into motion, hunt agitation

legere to read, collect; select

lectern; I: legere, D: Lektüre

scribere to write, compose

script, EO: skribi

causa, -ae

cause, reason, motive; case, lawsuit; situation

cause

poeta, -ae poet (male) poet, D: Poet

dolus, -i fraud, deceit, trap, treachery

ventus, -i wind, storm vent, EO: vento

adversus, -a, -um

adverse, opposite, opposing

adverse

ignotus, -a, -um unknown L12: notus

probus, -a, -um upright, liberal, generous, good probity

varius, -a, -um various, varied, colourful various

ipse, ipsa, ipsum

himself, herself, itself

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apud among, at EO: apud clam  secretly, in secret, stealthily

D: klammheimlich

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cum (with perfect tense) when suddenly ubi (with

perfect tense)as soon as, wherein

The theft of Sabinian women I(This is a well-known legend set right after the foundation of Rome:)Remus necatus erat, Romulus nonnullus annos regnaverat et rex bonusfuerat, Roma ipsa creverat. Iam aedificia varia et templa aedificata, iamviae stratae erant. Romani autem, quamquam ipsi vitam bonam vivebant,contenti non erant, quod feminas non habebant. Iam nonnulli clam Romulum ipsum adierant eumque rogaverant: "Feminas non habemus; unde nobis parabimus?" Romulus autem "Id mihi", inquit, "ignotum nonest!", et curas ipsorum (eorum) dolebat. Ac profecto ipse brevi eisfeminas paravit dolo.(continued further down)Reading vocabulary:rex (Nom.) - kingunde - from where?cura, -ae - sorrow

The theft of Sabinian women IIMox Romani Sabinos, qui finitimi eorum erant, ad ludos invitaverunt.Sabini libenter (ad) eos ludos adierunt feminasque et filias, quas (quarum)multas habebant, secum Romam transportaverunt. Iam Sabini, qui necopini et sine armis ad ludos ierant, iis gaudebant, cum Romani, quibusRomulus id imperaverat, filias pulchras captaverunt et in casas suasportaverunt. Sabini, quibus arma non erant, neque filias adiuvabant nequefacta impia vindicabant, sed Romulum, cuius dolo fraudati erant, verbisduris accusaverunt. Postea autem magnis cum copiis Romam redieruntfiliasque, quae captatae erant, repetiverunt. At feminae ipsae eos arcebantet clamaverunt: "Abstinete a viris nostris, quos nunc amamus!" Ex eo annodiuturna inter Romanos et Sabinos amicitia fuit.Reading vocabulary:finitimus, -a, -um - neighbouring; neighbournecopinus, -a, -um - unsuspectingcasa, -ae - hut, housefraudare - to defraud, cheat

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Lesson 29: Dido's curse

Dido regina, quae Aeneam valde amaverat, fugam eius vehementerdolebat. Ea, postquam frustra deos, frustra fortunam accusavit, seeo gladio, quem Aeneas ei donaverat, necare paravit. Dum ei rogusstruitur: "En", inquit, "vir pius, qui simulacra e Troia servata secumportat!En pius Aeneas, cui dei ipsi imperant, cuius facta deis ipsis placent!At ego te, Hecate, voco, a qua vindicantur facta impia: Tu eum ipsumsociosque, quos secum ducit, Italia arcebis! Sin autem fata non sinent,eum bello quidem et armis vexabis: Mortuos videbit eos, quos amavit,neque diu regnabit in eis terris, quas nunc petit! Numquam amicitiainter eius populum et meum erit, et oppida, quae condet, aliquando acopiis Poenorum vastabuntur. Bellum diuturnum erit, ipsique pugnabunt et posteri cuncti!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:vehementer: violently, strongly, exceedinglyrogus, -i: funeral pileen: there's that... ! condere: to foundposteri, -orum: offspring, following generations

Vocabularyaccusare to accuse, blame accuse

donare to donate donate, L5: donum

vexare to vex, annoy, irritate vex

vindicare to claim; punish; liberate vindictive

arcêreto shut up, enclose, keep from, keep away

struere to devise, fit out, construct

con-struct, con-strue

factum, -i action, deed, achievement fact, factor

fatum, -i fate, destiny, doom fate

simulacrum, -i icon, image of Goddiuturnus, -a, -um

lasting a long time, long duration L5: diu

mortuus, -a, -um dead mortal

pius, -a, -um pious, dutiful, compassionate pious

impius, -a, -um ungodly, without respect, irreverent im-pius

qui, quae, quod who, which F: qui, I: chi

at  but, however

sin if however

sin autem if however

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mortuus est he has died  

Lesson 30: A second Odysseus

Text

Haud raro Aeneas cum Ulixe comparatur; nam et hic et ille diu perundas, per terras periculosas errabat, et huius et illius facta magna etclara sunt, et huic et illi dea aderat: hunc enim Minerva adiuvarestudebat, illum autem Venus ipsa.Et de hoc et de illo poetae clari narraverunt: Vergilius de Aenea,de Ulixe autem ipse Homerus.Sed hoc interest inter hunc et illum:Ulixes callidus erat et pugnabat dolis insidiisque, quibus Troia tandemperiit; Aeneam autem pium fuisse et modestia, constantia, disciplinacuncta mala superavisse constat.Haec in eo imprimis laudantur, hic factis summa gloria dignus est, quodet patrem et filium e Troia servavit, quod populo suo novam patriamquaesivit, quod non dubitavit deorum iussis fatoque parere et ad locatacita ipsius Orci descendere, quod ne in extremis quidem periculisdesperavit.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Ulixes (Abl.: Ulixe): Odysseus, Ulyssespatrem (Acc. of pater): father

Vocabulary

comparare to compare; buy, make available

compare; L14: parare

descendere to descend descend

per-ire to pass away, be destroyed, perish L19: ire

inter-est there is a difference

unda, -ae billow, water, wave undulate

iussum, -i command, order L23: iubêre

loca, -orum places, region L26: locus

malum, -i evil, misfortune, L17: malus

misdeed

callidus, -a, -um clever, cunning, sly

extremus, -a, -um the extreme, the last extreme

periculosus, -a, -um dangerousL21:

periculum; Welsh: pergyl

tacitus, -a, -um tacit, still L3: tacêre

hic, haec, hoc this, the latter, he, she, it

ille, illa, illud that, the former, he, she, it

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haud  not (mostly for single words)

raro rarely, uncommonly rare; L7: rarus

haud raro not rarely, not uncommonly

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(Clodia, a rich Roman lady, once invited Cornelia, the well-known motherof Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, and her sons. Clodia then bragged about her treasures... )Aliquando illi Corneliae Clodia ornamenta sua, quae maritus ei donaverat,monstravit. "Ecce", inquit, quam pretiosa sunt hoc poculum, hae gemmae, haecanula!" Cornelia, postquam cuncta tacita spectavit, illa laudare non studebat.Itaque illa rogavit: "Nunc tu, Cornelia, monstra mihi ea ornamenta, quae tibi sunt!"At haec filios suos vocavit et hoc respondit: "Haec sunt ornamenta mea!" etmonstravit eos.Reading vocabulary:ornamentum, -i - ornament, article of valuemaritus, -i - husbandpretiosus, -a, -um - valuablepoculum, -i - gobletgemma, -ae- gemanulum, -i – ring

Lesson 31: Something has to be done

(The Greek had been trying to conquer Troy for 10 years already when Odysseus had an idea:)"Exstruite mecum magnum equum ligneum! Quem cum aedificaverimus impleverimusque armis eisque viris, quorumaudacia summa est, ante muros Troiae statuemus; ipsi autemnos in patriam redire simulabimus.Troiani cum putaverint copias nostras abisse neque se diutiusvexari, ex oppido laeti exibunt, equum videbunt eumque sine

dubio simulacrum putabunt. Quod ipsum unus e nobis eispersuadebit. Qui si existimaverint eum vera dicere, equumcerte summo (cum) studio in oppidum trahent.Eo cum equus transportatus erit, victoria nostra erit: Exspectabimus, donec Troiani vino et somno superati erunt. Tum ex equo exibimus et viros vini plenos prosternemus, Troiam, oppidum tam diu oppugnatum, delebimus. Quis tumvivus evadet?"

---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:ligneus, -a, -um: woodenVocabulary

existimare to estimate, judge, mean

oppugnare to storm, war with L3: pugnare

simulare to pretend, sham simulate

persuadêre to persuade, convince persuade

exstruere to pile up, create L29: struere

prosternere (prostravi, prostratum)

to knock down, cast down, destroy, ruin

L27: sternere

statuere

to cause to stand, place, set up; decide, give a ruling

statue

audacia, -ae courage, temerity

audacious; L15: audêre

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equus, -i horse murus, -i wall

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somnus, -i sleep

studium, -i eagerness, zeal; (scientific) pass-time

L9: studêre

plenus, -a, -um full L16: implêre

vivus, -a, -um living, during one's lifetime L24: vivere

diutius  longer, too long, quite long L5: diu

eo to that place L19: quo?

donecas long as, until, while, up to the time when

Lesson 32: In the giant's cave

(During his journey home, Odysseus had to undergomany adventures, for example the one with the one-eyedgiant Polyphem:)Ulixes, postquam dolo eius Troia expugnata est, patriampetivit, sed ventis adversis diu per undas iactatus est multaquemala sustinuit.Quis ignorat ab eo etiam Polyphemum illum domitum esse,cuius speluncam inscius intraverat? Frustra Ulixes eum dehospitio admonuerat, frustra eum impiis factis arcere studuerat:Polyphemus enim clamaverat: "Ego deos numquam colui!" Iamnonnullos Graecos necaverat, cum Ulixes dolum adhibuit: Vinum ei praebuit, Polyphemum vino impletum docuit se Neminem vocari. "Nemo", inquit ille, "mihi placet; nam magnogaudio me implevit. Itaque Nemini donum pulchrum tribuam:Neminem ultimum necabo!"

Tum Polyphemus somno se dat. Ulixes autem socios haec iussit,haec eis suasit: "Satis diu ille nos ursit et torsit, satis diu superbiaeeius cessimus. Ecce flammae, ecce palus: Si hic palus ardebit,Polyphemum oculo spoliabimus. Id nobis certe continget, nisitimidi erimus!"Quibus verbis postquam animos eorum auxit, eos secum duxit, una cum eis Polyphemum temptavit. Iam palus in oculo eius haesit,iam Polyphemus clamavit, iam amicos vocavit: "Nemo me oculospoliavit, nemo me necare studet!" At frustra clamat, nam a nulloadiuvatur. Ceteri enim Cyclopes: "Si nemo te spoliat, si a nullonecaris, nullius auxilio eges!"

---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:spelunca, -ae: caveinscius, -a, -um: unsuspectinghospitium, -i: right of hospitality, the host's dutypalus, -i: pole, stakeuna (Adv.): togetherCyclopes: Cyclopes (huge one-eyed monsters of Greek mythology)Vocabularydomare (domui) to break, tame D: Dompteur

iactare to throw, cast Alea iacta est

spoliare to plunder; rob, loot spoil

adhibêre (adhibui) to apply, use L11: habêre

admonêre (admonui)

to admonish, warn admonish

egêre (egui) to need (something)

praebere (praebui)

to offer, hold out, supply; show

ardêre (arsi) to burn ardent

augêre (auxi) to increase, enrich, strengthen

auction

haerêre (haesi) to be brought to a standstill, keep at, hesitate

co-herent

contingere to reach, touch D: Kontingent

contingit it succeeds

tribuere to give out, allot, assign tribute

flamma, -ae flame, fire flame

animus, -i 

soul, spirit, intellect; courage; vivacity

gaudium, -i happiness, pleasure L1: gaudere

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nemo (nullius, nemini, neminem, a nullo)

nobodynullus, -a, -um no, nobody D: null

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ultimus, -a, -um

the last, the extreme ultimate

somno se dare to lie down to sleep, start sleeping

 

("devote oneself to sleep")

admonêre de to admonish of, remind of  

The magician Circe(Another episode of Odysseus' journey home:)Ulixes, postquam magna cum audacia diu per undas navigavit, insulam Circae intravit. Ibi ille vir callidus nonnullos socios in villam Circae misit. Quibus illa dea vinum veneno mixtum praebuit; veneno domitos in sues mutavit. Unus ex iis, qui venenum negaverat, evasit docuitque Ulixem. Quem Mercurius

quoque de dolis Circae docuerat remediumque praebuerat et ei suaserat: "Hoc remedio a me dato periculum dolosquedeae vitabis!" Quibus verbis monitus Ulixes illo remedio tutus villam Circae intravit, Circam ipsam gladio ursit, dolos perniciosos eius arcuit. Iussit eam illos socios iam in sues mutatos rursus in viros mutare. Sic una cum sociis vivus ex illa insula evasit.

Reading vocabulary:venenum, -i - (here:) magic potionmixtus, -a, -um - mixedsues - pigs

remedium, -i - remedyuna (Adv.) - together

Lesson 33: The siren's song

(During his journey home, Odysseus also passes the islandof the sirens, who lure sailors to the shore with their songsand then kill them. In order to be able to listen to the singingwithout danger, Odysseus has his men tie him to the mast and orders them to obstruct their ears. He himself listens:)"Salve, Ulixes, imperator et rex! Te, victorem magni belli Ithacaeque regem, salutamus; et victori et regi iustum honoremtribuimus. Tu militibus Graecis bene suasisti, tu multos labores sustinuisti. Tu es summus cunctorum ducum et imperatorum, et

beatus est ille senex, Laertes pater tuus. Magnum erit gaudiumpatrisque matrisque, si te integrum salutabunt, si Ithaca regeservato gaudebit! Proinde appropinqua et ausculta, nam nobisnihil ignotum est: Narrabimus tibi de viris claris, quos superavisti;non ignoramus te magnam multitudinem hominum prostravisse.Cunctae regiones sunt plenae tuae laudis."Dum virgines sic cantant, Ulixes comites vocat; nam diutius auscultare studet. Illi autem remos ducere pergunt.

---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:auscultare: to listencantare: to singremos ducere: to row

Vocabulary

salve!Be greeted! Hello! (to one person)

L2: salutare

salvete!Be greeted! Hello! (to several people)

pergere (perrexi) to continue, proceed, go on

consul, consulis m consul consul

dictator, -oris m dictator dictator

imperator, -oris m

commander in chief, emperor L9: imperare

labor, -oris m hardship, exertion, work labour

victor, -oris m winner victory

honor, -oris m honour, esteem, public office honour

mater, matris f mother alma mater

pater, patris m father; (plural:) fathers, senators L9: patria

comes, comitis m companion, friend, comrade comrade

miles, militis m soldier, warrior military

laus, laudis f praise, glory, fame L8: laudare

regio, -onis f region; direction region

homo, hominis m human human

multitudo, -dinis f

amount, multitude multitude

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virgo, virginis f girl, (young) woman virgin dux, ducis m

leader, commander in chief

I: duce; L20: ducere

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rex, regis m king L17: regnum

senex, senis m old man senile

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Lesson 34: Scipio's triumph

(Scipio had managed to beat Rome's most dangerous enemy,the Carthaginian Hannibal, in Africa. This is a descriptionof his arrival in Rome afterwards:)Iam nonnullas horas magna multitudo hominum victorem legionesqueeius exspectat. Subito unus ex multitudine:"Videtisne agmen primum? Iam tubae, iam carmina militum sonant!""Africane! Africane!""Quid clamant homines? Num Scipioni novum nomen datum est?""Certe! Victor Africani belli a senatoribus nomine Africani honoratusest, quod Poenos foedere coercuit.""Specta corpora elephantorum! Quanta quamque firma sunt! Nonnetu quoque terreris?""Utrum milites nostri magis robore eorum an stridore territi sunt?""Ignoro: Equidem et magnitudine corporum et stridore terreor.""Ecce! Scipio ipse adest! Macte, Africane! E summo discrimineRomam servavisti! Lumen et decus populi Romani es!""Bonis cum ominibus Romam intras!""Nunc tempora laeta erunt, nunc bello et operibus Martis liberatierimus!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Scipio, -onis: Scipiohonorare: to honourstridor, -oris: the trumpeting (of the elephants)macte: Live long! Mars, Martis: Roman god of war

Manliana Imperia I(This is a true story reported by Livius about the consul Manlius:)Bellum erat inter Romanos et Tusculanos. Iusserat Manlius consulneminem extra ordinem cum Tusculanis pugnare. Tamen Titus Manlius, consulis filius, parvo cum agmine stationi eorum appropinquavit. Dux Tusculanorum, vir nomine Maecius, Titum Manlium adiit eumque irrisit: "Tam parvo agmine nobiscum pugnabis? Utrum haec est multitudo copiarum Romanarum, decusimperii vestri, an (sunt) copiolae desperatae?"Titus "Aderunt", inquit, "in tempore consules militesque, et cum illisaderit Iuppiter, foederum a vobis violatorum testis." Ad ea autem Maecius: "Tibi nomen clarum est; nonne mecum armis pugnabis? Num in corpore tam firmo timidus animus est?" His verbis incitatusManlius cum Maecio pugnavit brevique eum superavit.(continued further down)Reading vocabulary:extra ordinem - outside of the troop's battle orderstatio, -onis - guardcopiolae desperatae - a desperate bunchtestis, -is - witness

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Manliana Imperia IIPost victoriam Titus Manlius statim patrem, qui non solum consul,sed etiam vir summae auctoritatis erat, adiit eique de pugna nuntiavit:"Provocatus", inquit, "a Maecio Tusculano cum eo pugnavi eumquevirtute et armis superavi; victor ad te redeo." Statim pater cunctosmilites advocari iussit, filium in ius vocavit, facti rationem postulavit.Neque iuventutis neque virtutis rationem habuit. "Quod", inquit,"imperatoris imperium et auctoritatem patris non curavisti nequedisciplinae rationem habuisti, qua adhuc cunctas calamitatessuperavit civitas Romana, supplicio poenas solves." Iam ipselictorem iussit filium caedere. Tam duro animo fuit ille vir. Cunctiautem horrebant haec Manliana Imperia.Reading vocabulary:provocare - challenge (to a duell)advocare - to callrationem habere (with Genitive) - to have regard (to sth.)supplicum, -ii - death penaltypoena, -ae - punishment; poenas solvere - to expiate, do penance lictor, -oris - (court) usher

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Lesson 35: "Don't bury me in Rome!"

Scipio, cuius iuventus victoriis et thriumphis clara erat, in senectuteacerbo dolore vexatus est. Multi enim huic viro magnae virtutisinvidebant, quod in civitate tanta erat auctoritate. Imprimis MarcusPorcius Cato non desiit eum accusare, quamquam civitatem e summis calamitatibus et difficultatibus et paene e servitute servaverat Romanisque post bella periculosa pacem paraverat.Nonnulli tribuni, homines summae audaciae, non dubitaveruntScipionem in ius vocare et rationem postulare earum pecuniarum,quas e bello reportaverat. Quibus Scipio respondet, ut est dignumviro tanti animi.Postea maestus Roma abiit et vetuit se in patria ingrata humari.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:reportare: to gain, bring along (as booty)Roma: (here:) from Romehumare: to buryVocabularypostulare to demand, require postulatevetare (vetui, vetitum) to forbid veto

invidêre (+ Dative)

to envy (somebody) L5: vidêre

tribunus, -i tribune (job in Ancient Rome) tribune

triumphus, -i triumph, triumphal procession triumph

dolor, -oris m pain, grief, misery L1: dolêre

ratio, -onis freason, judgement; account; manner, method

rational

ius, iuris n justice, lawjurisdiction (ius

+ dicere); D: Jura

pax, pacis f peace pacifist; EO: paco; I: pace

auctoritas, -atis f authority, power authority

calamitas, -atis f calamity, misfortune, disaster

calamity

difficultas, - atis f difficulty difficultyiuventus, -utis f youth Iuventus Turin

senectus, -utis f (old) age, dotage L33: senex

servitus, -utis f slavery L10: servus

virtus, -utis f

manliness, excellence, bravery, courage, moral virtue, virtuousness, power

virtue; L13: vir

ingratus, -a, -umungrateful, unpleasant; not welcome

L6: gratus

paene almost

in ius vocare to bring to court, accuse

rationem postulare

to demand account (for sth.)

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Cicero about PompeiusCicero saepe magnam auctoritatem Pompei imperatoris laudat; de eiusvirtute multa narrat. Propter eam virtutem senatores Pompeiumimperatorem belli Mithridatici nominaverunt. Cicero apud senatores"Pompeius", inquit, "civitatem e calamitatibus servabit et superbia Mithridatis liberabit. Virtute et scientia adversarios superabit. Asianon iam in summo periculo erit; nam Pompeius iam saepe in summodiscrime imperatorem bonum se praebuit. Sociis nostris non iam servitus aspera imminebit."

Lesson 36: The flood

(The story of the Flood is not unique to the Bible, many culturestell a similar story. The Romans say that Jupiter (Iove) decided toeradicated humanity because of its wickedness and unbelief:)Tum Iovi, quod hominibus impiis irascebatur, placuit omne genusmortalium ingenti imbre perdere. Et brevi tempore ingens imberex omni caelo missus est, mare facta est.Omnia flumina vires suas per vias et agros effundebant. Ingenti videlebantur omnis arbor, omnis homo, omne animal.Turres altae sub mari latebant: Brevi terra non iam videbatur.Hic homo frustra tumulum ascendebat: Vim vehementem undarumnon evadit. Ibi alii in arboribus sedentes ab animalibus mariumnecati sunt.Sic mortales impii morti sunt. Fere omnes perierunt, nisi duo, quiIovis iram evadere potuerant: Deucalion, vir pius ac innocens, etPyrrha, eius fida ac pia uxor.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:irascebatur: he was angered imber, imbris: raineffundere: to pour out, shedtumulus: heap of earthascendere: to ascend, climbsedentes: sitting; (here:) who are sittingVocabulary

latêre (latui) to lie hidden

perdere to destroy, ruin, lose

F: perdre; EO: perdi

caelum, -i sky, heaven celestial

arbor, -oris tree arboreous; F: arbre

uxor, -oris f wife

flumen, -minis n river flume

genus, -eris n kind, class, category, race general

mare, maris n sea I: mare; F: mer

animal, animalis n

animal, living being animal

turris, turris f tower D: Turm

vis (Singular is incomplete: Acc. vim; Abl. vi; Plural goes vires, virium...) f

force, power, strength, might

duo two duo; I: duo

altus, -a, -umhigh, deep (long-stretched in a vertical direction)

I: alto

omnis, omne all, every D: (Omni)bus

mortalis, mortale mortal mortal

brevis, breve short, small, brief

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ingens (Gen.: ingentis)

vast, huge, monstrous, remarkable, prodigious

vehemens (Gen.: vehementis)

vehement, violent, furious, impetous vehement

innocens (Gen.: innocentis)

innocent, blameless innocent

factum est it is created fact

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Lesson 37: Hercules

(A Roman narrator speaks about Hercules:)"Hercules erat summa virtute summisque viribus. Qui iuvenis umquamtoto fere orbe terrarum factis suis tam clarus fuit? Quibus adversariisille umquam cessit? Quae pericula umquam vitavit?Neque vim Centauorum, hostium periculosorum, Hercules timuitneque illas aves, quae pennas ut sagittas mittebant. Moenia magnarumurbium et arces firmas ipsamque Troiam delevit, extremos fines orbisterrarum peragravit neque dubitavit ad sedem Mortis Noctisque tacitamque gentem mortuorum descendere. Ibi Cerberum, canem illum,cui tria capita sunt, superavit et ad regem Eurystheum portavit. Qui ubiiuvenem canemque videt, fugam capessit seque in magno dolio abdit.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:penna, -ae: feathersagitta, -ae: arrowperagrare: to wander throughdolium, -i: barrelVocabulary

abdere to put away, hide, conceal

avis, avis f bird

finis, finis m

end, limit, boundary, purpose; Plural: area

final

hostis, hostis m enemy; stranger hostile

orbis, orbis m world, circle orbit

arx, arcis f castle L29: arcêre

gens, gentis f race, nation, people, tribe

mors, mortis f death mortal; F: mort

nox, noctis f night noctual; I:

notte

urbs, urbis f big town; Rome urban

canis, canis m/f dog I: cane

iuvenis, iuvenis m young man L35: iuventus

rupes, rupis f cliff, rock

sedes, sedis f seat, residence L1: sedêre

caput, capitis n head, top, chief; capital capital

moenia, moenium n (plural)

city wall

qui? quae? quod? which one?

orbis terrarum the world, the earth

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Lesson 38: Orpheus I

Text

(The Roman narrator now speaks about Orpheus:)"Non solum Hercules vivus illa loca atrocia petivit, ubiPluto et Proserpina gentes mortuorum regunt. Quis ignoratOrpheum quoque acri dolore vexatum deos crudeles adisse,postquam anguis Eurydicam, uxorem eius, necavit? Qui postquam eam viam praecipitem carpsit, qua paulo anteEurydica invita ierat, maestus et supplex Plutonem Proserpinamque adiit: "Vos, quibus omnes mortales parent,postquam vitam brevem vixerunt, vos, qui hoc regnum ingens,hanc sedem ultimam omnium hominum tenetis: Reddite mihiEurydicam, uxorem fidelem, quam morte celeri amisi, sinitenos per breve tempus felices esse! Sin autem mihi uxoreminnocentem negaveritis, ego ex his sedibus atrocibus non iamredibo. Gaudete morte duorum!""---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:anguis, -is f: snake

Vocabularyamittere (amisi, amissum)

to lose; let slip away L24: mittere

carpere (carpsi, carptum)

to pluck, seize, grab

reddere to give back, return; render

regere (rexi, rectum)

to guide, govern, rule L33: rex

acer, acris, acre sharp, keen, severe, fierce

celer, celeris, celere quick, swift, rapid, fast

crudelis, crudele cruel cruel

fidelis, fidele loyal, faithful, true L6: fidus

atrox (Gen: atrocis) terrible, cruel, horrible, harsh

felix (Gen: felicis) happy, lucky, fortunate EO: felicxa

praeceps (Gen: praecipitis) precipis precipis

supplex (Gen: supplicis)

suppliant, kneeling, entreating

suppliant

paulum a little

ante before, in front of, previously

post after, behind L10: postea

paulo ante shortly before

paulo post shortly after

viam carpere to cover a distance, travel

Extra reading after lessons 38 / 39

If you want to practise what you have learned in lesson 38 or 39, you can translate this text, which does not introduce new grammar. It's not a test and can be skipped completely. The first part of this story can be read with theknowledge from lesson 38, for the second part you'll need knowledge fromlesson 39.

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Icarus I(This is a well-known Greek/Roman legend:)Daedalus, vir magnae virtutis operibusque immortalibus clarus, apudAthenienses in summo honore erat. Sed postquam Talum comitem, cui invidebat, de Acropoli arce praecipitavit, e civitate fugatus est, quamquam verbis supplicibus Athenienses adierat. Itaque navigiumcelere in Cretam insulam rexit ibique una cum Icaro filio apud Minoem,regem atrocem, habitabat. Cui multa aedificia clara aedificavit ut labyrinthum ingentem. Tamen innocens ab illo homine crudeli in servitute apera tenebatur. Itaque dolore acri agitatus patriam valdedesiderabat. In eo discrime haec fere secum cogitabat: "Terra mariqueMinos nos a patria arcet; itaque alia via ibimus." Iam alas sibi filioqueclam construxit.(continued further down)Reading vocabulary:praecipitare - cast down headlongnavigium, -i - shipuna (Adv.) - togetherdesiderare - to desire, long forala, -ae - wing

Icarus IIDaedalus, postquam Icaro alas a se constructas accomodavit, filiumvolare docuit. Ac profecto ille primus omnium mortalium alas celeresut avis movens volavit. Iam pater voce acri filium ante se volantem admonet; iam ille audacia perniciosa tractus verbis (patris) monentisnon paret; iam pericula itineris non ignorans soli ardenti appropinquat.Tum demum pericula imminentia ante oculos habet; tum demum seservare studet. Sed frustra clamat sortemque non mutat: iam iter flectitur, iam Icarus in mare praecipitat. Frustra pater nomen Icarivocans filium adiuvare studet. Corpus tantum videt undis fluentibusagitatum.Reading vocabulary:ala, -ae - wingaccomodare - to accomodatevolare - to flysol, solis m - suniter flectitur - the direction (of flight) changes praecipitare - cast down headlong

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Lesson 39: Orpheus II

(Continuation of the story of lesson 38:)"Orpheus voce dulci cantans animum Proserpinae movet; et regemmortuorum movent verba cantantis. Flentes stabant animae exsangues, neque Tantalus undam ef-fluentem captavit, neque avesTityum vexaverunt iecur eius carpentes. Tum primum lacrimae erantin oculis Furiarum sortem tristem Orphei dolentium!Cui oranti datur uxor fidelis hac condicione: "Si rediens oculos flexeris, priusquam his sedibus exieris, eam amittes!"Iam Orpheus viam carpit cum uxore propter vulnus tardius incedente,iam margini terrae appropinquant, cum Orpheus amore ardens oculos flectit - et statim Eurydica, uxor amata, recedit!Redeuntem Orpheum Charon arcuit neque iterum transportavit.Tamen illum per septem noctes flentem et dolentem in eis sedibusatrocibus mansisse poetae narrant."---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:exsanguis, -e: without blood, paleiecur, -oris n: livertardius (Adv.): quite slowlymargo, -inis m/f: rim, border

Vocabulary

cantare to sing F: chanter; I: cantare

orare to speak, plead, orate, beg, pray orate

flêre (flevi, fletum)

to weep, cry, shed tears, sob

movêre (moti, motum)

to move, arouse, affect, influence, impress

move, motion

flectere (flexi, flexum)

to overcome, bend

flection, re-flect, de-flect

fluere (fluxi) to flow, pour, stream fluctuation

incedere (incessi, incessum)

to march, go, enter into, go along

L20: cedere

recedere (recessi, recessum)

to go back, retire, withdraw, recede

recede

anima, -ae soul; life L32: animus

amor, -oris m love L5: amare

condicio, -onis f condition, situation condition

sors, sortis f lot, share, fortune

vox, vocis f voice, sound voice; L1: vocare

dulcis, -e delightful, sweet, pleasant

I: "dolce vita", "dolce

farniente"

tristis, -e sad, mournful F: triste; D: trist

septem 7 F: sept; I: sette

iterum once again, for the second time

primum at first, for the first time L24: primus

priusquam before prior

Lesson 40: Bias

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Text

(An anecdote told about the Greek philosopher Bias:)Dum Bias philosophus aliquando in mari navigat, tempestaspericulosa navem atrociter et vehementer agitavit. Iam nonnulli adulescentes, qui cum eo in illa nave erant, misereclamaverunt: "Dei nos severe multabunt, quod tanta audaciaper mare navigamus. Mox praeda animalium maris erimus."Alii autem deos misere imploraverunt: "O dei, servate nosclementer ex hoc periculo pernicioso!" Bias autem, iratus, quod non ignoravit illos homines turpeset impios esse, mordaciter eos monuit: "Satius erit, si illisprecibus abstinebitis. Quid, si dei vos tam acriter clamantesprofecto auscultaverint?"Illi his verbis territi celeriter orare et clamare desierunt.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:multare: to punishmordaciter: cuttinglysatius est: it is betterauscultare: to hear, listen

Vocabulary

implorare to implore implore

indulgêre (indulsi, indultum)

to pardon, forgive, excuse indulgent

cadere to fall cadence

adulescens, -ntis m young man, youth, lad F: adolescent

tempestas, -atis storm, weather

preces, precum (f, plural) pleading, prayer

navis, navis f ship naval; L23: navigare

iratus, -a, -um angry, wrathful L10: ira

obscurus, -a, -um obscure, dark obscure

humilis, -e humble, lowly humiliate

turpis, -efoul, ugly, disgraceful, dishonorable

clemens (Gen. clementis)

merciful, indulgent, compassionate

prudens (Gen. prudentis) prudent; wise prudent

quodsi if however L16: si

magister navis captain

The effect of wineNon ignoramus istos homines, qui celeriter se vino bono implent,cum gaudent vel maesti sunt. Tum haud raro atrociter clamantesvillas suas vastant. Cum amici eos monent, nihilominus vehementeret turpiter clamare pergunt. Saepe vigiles hos homines vituperant:"Cur tantopere clamatis? Nisi desieritis turpiter clamare et villasvastare, mox in carcere eritis." Brevi autem illi adulescentes tacebunt et misere prostrati erunt. Nam vis vini magna est.Reading vocabulary:nihilominus - neverthelessvigil, -is m - policemancarcer, carceris m - prison

Lesson 41: The Lycian farmers

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(This is a famous Roman legend, which was retold byOvid, amongst others. The last sentence is actuallyOvid's writing. I placed accents on the syllables thatshould be stressed, so that you can see how Ovid wanted you to read the sentence - try reading it aloud!)Latona dea, mater Apollinis et Dianae, siti acri vexata cum liberis per Lyciam errat. Diu quaerit, ubi sitim suamliberorumque sedare possit; tandem parvas aquas videtaquamque potare parat. Sed Lyciorum agros ibi colentium alii "Abeat illa!" clamant, alii "Desinat aquamnostram potare!", alii "Fugemus eam ex hac regione!".Latona autem "Rogo", inquit, "cur aquam nobis negetis;ego nihil studeo, nisi ut sitim sedem. Dei aquam omnibushominibus bonum commune praebuerunt: Date igitur etvos (aquam) nobis miseris!" Quae verba illos non movent: Iterum homines duri aquam negant. Latona autem: "Cum siti liberorum non moveamini, formammutantes statim poenas dabitis." Et profecto Lycii inranas mutati sunt, quae clamantes per aquas nataverunt.Sic apud Ovidium legimus: "Quámquam súnt sub aquá, sub aquá maledícere témptant." ---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:potare: to drinkrana, -ae: frognatare: to swimOvidium: Ovid, a famous Roman poetmaledicere: to swear, curse

Vocabulary

concurrere to concur concur; D: Konkurrenz

consulere (consului, consultum)

to consult, ask advice; take care of

L33: consul; consult

minuere to less, diminish, decrease minus

sedareto settle, smooth, calm, allay

sedate

forma, -ae shape, beauty, appearance form

aqua, -ae water aquarium

poena, -ae punishment, penalty

sitis, -isthirst, dryness, drought, eager desire

communis, -e common, general

common; commune

fortis, -estrong, brave, powerful, courageous

fort

gravis, -eheavy, weighty, serious, important

grave

ne

(negation of a wish) that not, in order that not, in order not to

undiquefrom everywhere, from all sides

utinam!

(particle for wish sentences) if only! Wish that would!

poenas dare to pay the penalty  

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Lesson 42: Superstitious slaves

Text

Atia Claudiae amicae de superstitione servarum suarum narrat:"Superstitio imprimis earum, quae ex Asia huc in servitium ductaesunt, ingens et mira est. Hodie quoque multa iram meam movent:Mane Delia officia explere non potest, cum 'omina tam mala fuerint'. Paulo post Syra e villa non exit donumque ad amicamnon portat, cum araneam, animal 'fatale', spectaverit. Sin autemridens rogo, qui furor eas invaserit, qualia monstra terribilia eisapparuerint, statim clamant: 'Ne riseris! Ne rogaveris! Moxintelleges, cur ita territae simus. Mox non iam ignorabis, quaepericula nobis immineant.' Sic illae puellae vitam miseramvivunt et vivent." Tum Claudia: "Deis gratae simus, quodRomanae feminae sumus, quod non tanta superstitione terremur!"---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:aranea, -ae: spider

Vocabularyintellegere (intellexi, intellectum)

to understand, comprehend, see intelligence, intellect

invadere (invasi, invadum) to attack, seize, go in, undertake invade, invasion

ponere (posui, positum) to lay, place, put positionprotegere (protexi, protectum) to protect protect

furor, -oris fury, madness, rage fury

superstitio, -onis superstition superstitionmonstrum, -i monster, portent, omen monster

fatalis, -e deadly, fated fatal

qualis, -e of the kind that, of what kind

quality; I: quale; F: quel

terribilis, -e dreadful, terrible terrible

antea before, previously, formerly

L38: ante; L10: postea

mane in the morning  praesertim especially, chiefly  

cum (with Conjunctive) since, because  ne (negation of an order) do not!  

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Lesson 43: Tantalus

TextDei immortales Tantalum, quem prudentiorem putabant quam ceteroshomines, saepe in Olympum invitaverunt. Tantalus autem certe ceterismortalibus non sapientior, sed callidior et audacior et turpior erat.Hominibus enim, qui ei libenter aures praebebant, de sermonibussecretioribus deorum narravit; ipse a deis multa discens mortalescuncta docebat. Ne terribiliora quidem horrebat: ipse filium suumnecavit eumque deis a se invitatis cibum atrocem paravit. Quis taliviro saevior et crudelior esse potest, qui ipse filium suum deis cibumparavit? Quod hoc flagitium omnibus flagitiis terribilius commiserat,dei ab eo poenas graviores petiverunt quam a ceteris hominibus.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:poenas petere ab...: punish

Vocabulary

discere to learn, become acquainted with discourse

committere (commisi, commissum)

to place, intrust, join, commit commit

cura, -ae concern, care L10: curareflagitium, -i disgraceful act, crime  

auris, auris f ear  mons, montis m mountain, mount mountain, F: mont

sermo, -onis m discussion, speech sermon

certus, -a, -um certain, sure, determined, decided certain; L5: certe

longus, -a, -um long long

saevus, -a, -um furious, wild, terrible F: sauvagesecretus, -a, -um secret, confidential secret

audax (Gen.: audacis) bold, rash, foolhardy, audacious audacious

sapiens (Gen.: sapientis) wise, judicious homo sapiens; F: sapient

talis, -e of such a kind, such F: telquam (with Comparative:) than L7: quam

aures praebere lend an ear, listen  

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Lesson 44: Polycrates...

Polycrates postquam regnum Samiorum occupavit, navibus celerrimismilitibusque fortissimis brevi insulas illius regionis opulentissimasexpugnavit. Gazae eius divitiis ingentissimis abundabant; plerique servifidelissimi ibi in cellis altissimis incredibilem copiam ornamentorum servare consueverant. Itaque omnes homines Polycratem beatissimum putabant. Aliquandoab Amasi, rege Aegyptiorum, qui amicus eius erat, his fere verbis monitus est: "Ne incitaveris iram deorum opulentissimis invidentium,ne mortem certissimam obeas!" Quorum animos placare facillimumerit, si ornamentum tibi gratissimum in mare miseris. Proinde ne desperaveris de salute tua!"Polycrates his verbis monitus anulum pulcherrimum in mare iactareparavit. (to be continued in the next lesson)---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:gaza, -ae: treasure roomcella, -ae: cell, small roomanulus, -i: ringVocabularyiacêre (iacui) to lie, to lie dead  

ob-ire to face, visit; die L19: irecognoscere (cognovi, cognitum) to examine, inquire; notice cognitive

consuescere (consuevi, consuetum)

to accustom oneself, inure, habituate  

consumere (consumpsi, consumptum) to consume, use; waste consume

demittere (demisi, demissum) to let down, set down, lower L24: mittere

ornamentum, -i ornament, decoration, distinction ornament

fames, famis f hunger famine

salus, salutis f health, safety, well-being I: salute, F: salutplerique, pleraeque, pleraque most, most of them  

facilis, -e easy; effortless; agreeable facile; F / I: facile

incredibilis, -e incredible incredible; I: incredibile

similis, -e similar similar; I: simile

unde where from, whence, from whom L41: undique

animum demittere to lose courage  

de salute desperare to despair of salvation  mortem obire to die  

Lesson 45: ...and his ring

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(continued from lesson 44)Polycrates navem maiorem nautis quam optimis impleri iussit. Qua nave postquamcelerrime in mare altum navigavit, illum anulum ante omnium oculos in mare misit.Mox autem piscator regi notus plurima cum praeda ab mari alto rediens piscemmaximum et optimum ad regem portavit hisque verbis ei donavit: "Numquam maiorem et meliorem piscem captavi, rex; quem tibi dono te solum dignum putans."Quibus verbis delectatus rex piscem servis dat, ut eum ad cenam parent. Quipiscem celerrime ad cenam parantes anulum regis in eo vident, quod statim reginarrant. Tum demum Polycrates valde territus sortem suam pessimam esse cognovit. Ac profecto mox ab hostibus dolo captatus miserrime interiit.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:nauta, -ae: marineanulus, -i: ringpiscator, -oris: fisherpiscis, -is: fish

Vocabularyretinêre (retinui, retentum) to retain, hold back, restrain L4: tenêre

considere to sit down, settle sitcurrere to run curriculum

frons, frontis f forehead, brow, front front

pes, pedis m foot (as a measure: approximately 30cm) F: pied

maior, maius bigger, more important major

maximus, -a, -um the biggest, most important maximummelior, melius better F: meilleur

optimus, -a, -um the best optimal, optimism

minor, minus smaller, less, slighter minus

minimus, -a, -um the smallest, least, slightest minimum

peior, peius worse  

pessimus, -a, -um the worst pessimismplus (Gen: pluris) more (adj.) plus

plures, plura more people/things (noun) pluralplurimi, -ae, -a (the) most, very many  

minime in the least degree, very little; not at all, by no means minimal

procul far, from a distance  quam (with Superlative) as ... as possible  

Dangerous travelling(A Roman tells this story to his friends:)

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"De multis itineribus vobis iam narravi. Hoc autem iter, de quo nunc narrabo, periculosius et longius erat quam cetera itinera. Saepe tempestatibus atrocibus, vehementibus, ingentibus navis mea iactataest, sed illo tempore tempestas vehementissima omnium nos ad Montem Magnetem iactavit. Numquam in terribiliore periculo fui. Timore maximo implevi, cum numquam homines per maria ad illum montem iactati

saevam sortem vitaverint. Brevissimo tempore comites mei siti fameque atrocissima consumpti mortem obierant, et ego solus mortuo simillimus in nave iacebam.Iam de salute desperaveram. Subito autem avis maxima apparuit, quae mortuos secum portare consueverat. Ea avis me mortuum putans celerrime in nidum suum portavit. Inde facillissime evasi."

Reading vocabulary:iter, itineris n - road, route, journeynidum, -i - nestLesson 46: Justice or vengeance?(As told by Tacitus, Ann. XIV 42f)(An important civil servant was murdered. Now, according to ancient law,hundreds of slaves shall die.)Praefectum Urbis Pedanium Secundum servus ipsius necavit, sive ira motuspropter negatam libertatem, sive inflammatus amore in uxorem domini etdominum aemulum non tolerans. Tum vetere iure oportuit omnes servos in eavilla habitantes necari; populi autem misericordia incitata est, quod tantaemultitudini integrae et scelere vacanti sors crudelis imminebat.Nonnulli ex patribus alios urgent misericordiam suadentes; plurimi autem patresaliis misericordiam petentibus resistunt. Nero ubi multitudinem clamantem etmisericordia motam videt, populum edicto graviter vituperat.Tum populus milites videt omnes urbis vias implentes. Ac profecto omnesservi necati sunt.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:Praefectus Urbis: City administratorPedanius Secundus: name of a personsive... sive: be it that ... or that

aemulus, -i: rival (here: "as a rival")edictum, -i: edict, rule, egulation

Vocabulary

ornareto equip, furnish, decorate, ornate

ornate

praecipitare to precipitate precipitate

tolerare to tolerate tolerate

licet (licuit) it is allowed, it is ok license

figere (fixi, fixum) to fasten, attach, fix fix

resistere (restiti) to resist, offer resistance resist

tollere (sustuli, sublatum)

to pick up, lift up; cancel, remove

 

misericordia, -ae compassion, pity, mercy, L13: miser

charity

amor, -oris m loveF: amour; I: amore; EO: amo

genus, generis n gender, kind, species, race F: genre

scelus, sceleris n crime, outrage  

vestis, vestis f (always singular)

clothing, dress, robe, garment vest; I: vestiti

reliquus, -a, -um remaining, left over, rest; future relic

vetus (Gen: veteris) old, former veterannimis too much  

quia because, since  

velut like, as, for example  

Lesson 47: Spring in Rome

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(As told by Ovid in the Fasti)(This is how simple Roman people celebrate the beginning of spring)Cum ver init, est dies festus Annae Perennae. Haud procul a ripis Tiberis plebs adest, et cum sua quisque amica, cum suo quaeque amico considit.Agunt, quod quemque iuvat: pars de variis rebus narrat, pauci tentoriaponunt, nonnulli cantant, et notissima quaeque carmina maxime placent.Videbis ubique laetas facies, videbis pulcherrimam quamque puellamlascive saltantem. Multi acriter bibunt, nam haec sibi persuaserunt, huicspei unusquisque indulget: "Quot quisque pocula hoc die sumpserit, totannos vivet!"Rerum seriarum im-memores diem agunt omnes, et cum redeunt, eosobvia turba felices vocat.---------------------------Reading vocabulary you needn't learn:festus, -a, -um: festivetentorium, -i: tentlascivus, -a, -um: jolly, frolicpoculum, -i: cupserius, -a, -um: seriousobvius, -a, -um: coming the other way, confrontingVocabularysaltare to jump, dance saltomerêre (merui) to merit, deserve merit

in-ire to enter, go into; start L19: ire

agere (egi, actum) to spend time, live, manage; negotiate action

sumere (sumpsi, sumptum) to take, choose consume

ripa, -ae shore  pars, partis f part; direction part

plebs, plebis f common people, mob  ver, veris n spring I: primavera

dies, diei m day  

facies, -ei f figure, appearance, face face

res, rei f thing; issue; event real; in re

spes, spei f hope, expectation de-sperate; I: sperare

memor (memoris) mindful, remembering memory(unus)quisque, (unus)quidque (noun) everybody; all  

(unus)quisque, (unus)quaeque, (unus)quodque (adjective)

everybody  

ubique everywhere L1: ubidiem agere spend the day  

quot... tot how many... as many

Historia Apollonii regis Tyri

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A strange father and his beautiful daughter

In civitate Antiochia rex fuit quidam nomine Antiochus, a quoipsa civitas nomen accepit Antiochia. Is habuit unam filiam,virginem speciosissimam, in qua nihil rerum natura exerraverat,nisi quod mortalem statuerat.Quae dum ad nubilem pervenisset aetatem et species etformositas cresceret, multi eam in matrimonium petebant et cummagna dotis pollicitatione currebant. Et cum pater deliberaret,cui potissimum filiam suam in matrimonium daret, incidit inamorem filiae suae et coepit eam aliter diligere, quam patremoportebat.---------------------------Reading vocabulary:speciosus: beautifulexerrare: to commit a mistakenisi quod: except thatstatuere, statuo, statui: to createnubilis: marriageableformositas: beautyin matrimonium petere: to want to marry (a woman)dos, dotis: dowry

pollicitatio, -onis: promisecurrere: to run for a betdeliberare: considerpotissimum: bestin matrimonium dare: to give the daughter's hand in marriageoportet: it is proper / fit

The "examination" of the prospective husbands

Antiochus ad expellendos nuptiarum petitores quaestionesproponebat dicens: "Quicumque vestrum quaestionis meaepropositae solutionem invenerit, accipiet filiam meam inmatrimonium; qui autem non invenerit, decollabitur." Etsi quis forte prudentia litterarum quaestionis solutioneminvenisset, quasi nihil dixisset, decollabatur et caput eiussuper portae fastigium suspendebatur. Atqui plurimi undiquereges, undique patriae principes propter incredibilempuellae speciem contempta morte properabant.---------------------------Reading vocabulary:nuptiarum petitor: suitor, wooerquaestio, -onis: question, riddlesolution, -onis: solutionin matrimonium accipere: to be married todecollare: to decapitate

prudentia litterarum: knowledge of literature, educationfastigium: gablesuspendere: to hangatqui: and yet

Smart Apollonius

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Et quidam adulescens locuples valde, genere Tyrius, nomineApollonius, navigans attingit Antiochiam; ingressusque adregem ita eum salutavit: "Ave, domine rex Antioche!" et ait:"Quod pater pius es, ad vota tua festinus perveni; regiogenere ortus peto filiam tuam in matrimonium." Rex, utaudivit, quod audire nolebat, irato vultu respiciens iuvenemsic ait ad eum: "Iuvenis, nosti nuptiarum condicionem?" Atille ait: "Novi et ad portae fastigium vidi."Apollonius receives the riddle and directly finds the rightsolution. At the same time, he sees the father's unusualrelationship to his daughter.Rex, ut vidit iuvenem quaestionis solutionem invenisse, sic aitad eum: "Erras, iuvenis, nihil verum dicis. Decollari quidemmereberis, sed habes triginta dierum spatium: recogita tecum.Et dum reversus fueris et quaestionis meae propositaesolutionem inveneris, accipies filiam meam in matrimonium."Iuvenis conturbatum habeat animum paratamque navemascendit ad patriam suam Tyrum.---------------------------Reading vocabulary:locuples: richnavigare: to sail, go by shipattingere Antiochiam: to arrive in Antiochiaave: be greeted! Hello!pius: pious, dutiful, honestvotum: promise festinus: hasty, quicklyin matrimonium petere: to ask for the hand (of a woman)iratus: angryrespicere: to look back, turn one's attention to

nosti = novistinuptiarum condicio: condition of marriagefastigium: gablequaestio, -onis: question, riddlesolution, -onis: solutiondecollare: to decapitatetriginta: 30recogitare: to think againdum: as soon as, whenin matrimonium accipere: to marry (a woman)conturbatum animum habere: to be confused / dismayed

The king's plot

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Et post discessum adulescentis Antiochus rex vocat ad sedispensatorem suum fidelissimum nomine Taliarchum et dicit ei:"Taliarche, secretorum meorum fidelissime minister, scias, quiaTyrius Apollonius invenit quaestionis meae solutionem. Ascendeergo navem confestim ad persequendum iuvenem, et dumveneris Tyrum, in patriam eius, inquires inimicum eius, qui eumaut ferro aut veneno interimat. Postquam reversus fueris, libertatemaccipies."Taliarchus vero hoc audito assumens pecuniam simulque venenum,navem ascendens petiit patriam Apollonii. Pervenit innocens tamenApollonius prior ad patriam suam et introivit domum et apertoscrinio codicum suorum inquisivit quaestiones omnium philosophorumomniumque Chaldaeorum. Et dum aliud non invenisset nisi quodcogitaverat, ad semet ipsum locutus est dicens: "Quid agis, Apolloni?Quaestionem regis solvisti, filiam eius non accepisti: ideo dilatuses, ut neceris."Atque ita onerari praecepit naves frumento. Ipse quoque Apolloniuscum paucis comitantibus fidelissimis servis navem occulte ascenditdeferens secum multum pondus auri atque argenti, sed et vestemcopiosissimam. Et hora noctis silentissima tertia tradidit se alto pelago.---------------------------Reading vocabulary:discessus: departuredispensator: treasurerfidelis: loyal, trustworthysecretum: secretminister: servant, helperquia: thatconfestim: at once, immediatelydum: as soon as, wheninquirere: to searchinterimere: to remove, do away withassumere: to take, provideinnocens: innocentintroire: to enterscrinium: container for paper, archivecodex, -dicis: bookinquirere: to research, check thoroughfully

quaestio, -onis: here: research, report; normally: question, riddleChaldaei: Chaldians name for wise priestsad semet ipsum: to himselfideo: thereforedifferre, -fero, distuli, dilatus: to put off, delayonerare: to load, embarkpraecipere, -cipio, -cepi: to ordercomitari: to accompanyoccultus: secretly, in stealthdeferre secum: to carry with oneselfpondus: weight, amountcopiosus: rich, abundant, copiousvestis: clothingsilens: silentpelago se tradere: to start sailing

A day in the life of a Roman pupil

Ante lucem vigilavi de somno. Surrexi de lecto,accepi a servo caligas, calciavi me. Poposci aquamad faciem, primo manus, deinde faciem lavi, extersi,deposui albam paenulam. Accepi tunicam, praecinxi me. Unxi caput meum et pectinavi.Processi de cubiculo cum paedagogo salutare patrem et matrem. Ambos salutavi et oscula dedi, sic descendi de domo.

Eo in scholam, dico: "Ave, magister!" Magister resalutat: "Avete, discipuli!" Ego in prima classedictatum excipio, pertranseo commentaria, interrogatus respondeo, declino genera nominum.Ut haec egimus, magister nos dimisit ad prandium.Deinde venio domum. Muto, accipio panemcandidum, olivas, caseum, nuces. Bibo aquam frigidam. Post prandium redeo in scholam.

Anecdote about Alexander

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Milites Alexandri Macedonum regis clarialiquando piratam ceperunt et eum Alexandro adduxerunt.Alexander piratam interrogavit: "Qui potesnautas terrere eorumque bona diripere?"Pirata respondit: "Sicut tu orbem terrarumvexas. Sed quia id ergo parvo navigio facio,latro sum; te autem, quia multis cum militibus facis, imperatorem clarum vocant!"

Anecdote about Bias

Hostes patriam Biantis - unius de septemsapientibus - ceperunt. Incolae fugiebante casis et opes suas secum ferebant. Biassolus nihil secum tulit. Dixit: "Omnia meamecum porto."

Anecdotes about Diogenes

1)Aliquando servus vetustus contra iussum e casa Diogenis philosophi excessit nequerecessit. Tum amici philosophi dixerunt:"Servus tuus effugit. Quaere eum! Certepropinquo loco constitit; annis enim iamconfectus est!" Sed philosophus respondit:"Quid dixistis? Servus miser sine me vivere potest et ego, philosophus clarus,non sine servo meo vivere possum?"

2)Diogenes philosophus semper poculumsecum ferebat et eo aquam hauriebat, cumsitiebat. Aliquando puerum vidit, is ore suoaquam e fonte hausit. Tum philosophuspoculum abiecit et dixit: "Semper poculumsupervacuum mecum tuli. Id puer mihi modo demonstravit."

Augustus and the talking ravens

Before becoming the sole Roman emperor in 31BC, Augustus had to fight against his political enemiesfor a long time. His last battle was against Antonius,his biggest enemy, at Actium. At that time, Augustuswas still called "Octavianus". After that battle, hereturned to one of the Greek villages near Actium.Many people greeted and congratulated him for hissuccess...

Octavianum amicosque Octaviani vir ignotus salutat et corvum magnum monstrat: "Videte corvum! Auditecorvum! Emite corvum!" clamat.Octavianus spectat et audit - et iam corvus clamat:"Ave Octaviane! Victor! Imperator!" Octavianus

corvum emit.

Tum puella advolat, Octavianum amicosque Octavianisalutat et clamat: "Attenti este! Vir fraudulentus est!Habet alterum corvum! Audite et spectate alterumcorvum!"

Octavianus imperat: "Apporta alterum corvum!"Vir corvum apportat. Octavianus et amici spectantet audiunt; corvus alter clamat: "Ave Antoni! Victor!Imperator!"

Tum Octavianus ridet et dicit: "Vir et corvi - doctisunt!"

Camillus and the children of Falerii

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M. Furius Camillus is one of the famous people ofearly Roman history. Lots of legends are told abouthim, but most have more than a grain of truth inthem. The following story is said to have happenedduring the conflict with the town Falerii in 394 BC.

Fortuna belli diu varia erat. Dum Romani urbem Faleriosoppugnant, servus Graecus nonnullos pueros, quorumpatres apud Faliscos principes erant, cottidie ex urbe incampos ducebat - erat enim eorum magister -, ut semperin pace fecerat.

Aliquando autem eos non in campos, sed in Romanorumcastra ad Camillum duxit atque ei tradidit. "Falerios urbem", inquit, "tibi una cum liberis principum Faliscorumtrado."

Camillus autem, ubi eius verba audivit, respondit: "Nec ad

ducem nec ad populum scelestum cum scelesto munerevenisti, serve sceleste! Quamquam Falisci nobis hostes sunt,tamen natura inter nos atque eos societas humana est, quaecunctos homines iungit: Sunt enim et belli et paci iura. Armanon contra pueros inermos, sed contra armatos viros cepimus. Tu Falerios scelere et perfidia vincere cupis, egourbem hostium Romanis artibus atque armis vincere volo, sicut et Veios vici."

Camillus, postquam verba dixit, magistrum pueris tradidit.Ii autem perfidum virum virgis, quas Camillus dederat, verberaverunt et Falerios reduxerunt.

Hannibal's end

During the second Punic war, the Carthaginian generalHannibal was a dangerous enemy of Rome. After crossingthe Alps and marching up to Rome, the Romans were closeto defeat. The main reason for Rome's survival was notthe strength of the Roman army but Hannibal's politicalopponents in Carthago. Later, the Roman general Scipiothe Elder managed to beat Hannibal on African soil in202 BC. Ever since then, Hannibal was fleeing from theRomans.

Quondam cum legati Prusiae, regis Bithyniae, Romae erantet forte apud T. Quinctium Flaminium cenabant, unus ex iismentionem fecit de Hannibale - is enim vivebat tum in regno Prusiae. Postridie Flaminius senatoribus id detulit; dixit: "Dum Hannibal vivit, nos Romani numquam sine insidiis eius vivimus."

Tum patres legatos in Bithyniam ad Prusiam regem miserunt et deditionem Hannibalis, hostis maximi, poposcerunt. Rex Romanis postulatum recusare non potuit, quod erat populo Romano amicus, tamen legatis dixit: "Equidem Hannibalem vobis dedere non possum, quod hospes meus est atque ius hospitii violare nego. Sed receptaculum eius vobis indicare licet."

Carthaginiensis dono regis castellum habebat atque ibi setenebat. Non ignorabat et Romanorum odium permagnum et regis perfidiam. Itaque cunctis in partibus castelli fores ad effugiendum paratas habebat.

Mox legati Romanorum multis cum militibus castellum circumdabant, cunctas fores obsidebant. Id servus fidusHannibali nuntiavit. Tum Hannibal: "Iam diu", inquit, "milites Romanorum exspectavi. Nimis diu enim mortemmeam exspectaverunt, nullo tempore autem eos timui."Deinde poculum veneni plenum - id enim semper secumhabebat - sumpsit.

Sic vir praeclarus anno septuagesimo post multos et varios labores mortem obiit.

(Hannibal died in 183 BC)

"Vae victis"

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In the 4th century BC, Celtic tribes entered Northern Italyand endangered the young Roman empire. One of these Celtic tribes, led by Brennus, had asked Clusium, a townthat was allied with Rome, to give them some land.Instead of negotiating, the Clusians immediately calledthe Roman military for help. The Romans sent delegatesto the Celts in order to avoid a conflict, however thosedelegates joined the Clusians in an attack on the Celts.Brennus demanded their punishment in vain...

Itaque Brennus bellum Romanis paravit, Italiam oppugnavit,legiones Romanas ad Alliam vicit, petivit Romam. IncolaeRomae timidi casas reliquerunt et in Capitolium se receperunt.

Paulo post cibus atque aqua eos defecerunt. Magnis in angustiis fuerunt Romani, non iam habuerunt salutis rationem. Itaque Sulpicium, tribunum militum, legatum ad Brennum miserunt. Rex autem ei dixit:

"Nos Galli legiones vestras ad flumen Alliam vicimus, nunc vos pacem petitis, Romani. Proinde aurum et argentum e

templis casisque in forum conferte et mille pondo auri argentique solvite!"

Romani regi paruerunt et aurum argentumque in forum contulerunt. Brennus ea pependit et tribuno: "Parum", inquit, "solvistis, Romani!"

Tum tribunus Gallorum pondera probavit atque respondit: "Pondera probavi et fraudem tuam intellexi. Iniqua pondera adhibuisti, Brenne!"

Tum rex saevus Romanis "Vae victis!" acclamavit et gladium ponderibus insuper adiecit.

News from the Middle Ages

Quomodo XVI calices fuerunt raptiItem temporibus domini Vullingi abbatis sicut relatione seniorum nostrorum audiuimus, quidam sacrilegi raptores et fures maligni, habentes noticiam monasterii et disposicionem, sun noctis silentio ecclesiam monasterii per fenestram ascendentes armata manu intrauerunt. Quorum quidam ad ianuas versus dormitorium et claustrum ducentes cum gladiis et arcubus se locauerunt, ut si forte aliquis superueniret ab ipsis trucidaretur. Alii vero interim capsam in qua calices repositi et clausi fuerunt a posteriori parte circa altare sancti Stephani murum transfodientes confregerunt, et sedecim calices quorum unus aureus fuisseaffirmatur, rapientes aufugerunt. Cuius sacrilegi confractionis vestigia usque hodie sc. 1482 apus altare sancti Stephani in aquilonari parte ecclesie situatum in muro reparato adhuc manifeste apparent.

De quodam incendio (1463)Anno domini MCCCLXIII in media nocte subsequente festum sancti Felicis in pincis (= January 14th) exortum fuit domus quedam, a latere domus Camere, in opposito refectorii hyemalis situata, in qua preter alia aliqui libri, cum multo pergameno nouo ad valorem centum et XX florenorum Renensium incendio perierunt. Et cum magnis laboribus alia edificia ab incendio seruata fuerunt. Item abisto tempore et continenter libri monasterii tam in scriptura, quam etiam correctura, et ligatura fuerunt studiose emendati, precipue in missalibus et cantualibus.

De quodam incendio (1483)Anno domini 1483 in festo sancti Roberti (= March 27th) infra cenam ortum fuit incendium in quadam domo inter capellam ante portam et horreum militare. Quod adiuuante domino per labores fratrum et familie ac quorundam hospitum tunc presentium fuit auffocatum et absque magno dampno extinctum.

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