The Essential Latin Authors 2012
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Introduction
This text-book has been specially created for International students who wish to continue their Latin
studies while they attend secondary school in the Burnaby school system. As a result, the booklet
consists of some of the most widely read works or passages from the essential Latin authors. Also
included in this booklet are a few texts which are less well known, but which will round out our
experience of the Latin world. These texts include inscriptions, coin legends and one or two surprises.
Since this is a work in progress, any comments and feedback which the reader cares to offer will be
happily received and, possibly, incorporated in future incarnations.
Gaudete!
Table of Contents
Author Work Pages
Francis Ritchie The Story of Hercules: parts 1-10 1
Anonymous The Early History of Rome 12
Catullus Carmina 1, 13, 32, 37, 45 49, 70, 85, 87, 92 15
Cicero Ad Atticum 1.2 20
anonymous inscription 21
Cicero In Catilinam I (selections) 22
anonymous Inscription/graffito 32
Virgil Aeneid 1.1-123 33
Horace Odes 1.5, 1.11, 1.38, 3.30 38
Ovid Ars Amatoria 1.1-100 40
Pompeiian Graffiti various 44
Martial Select Epigrams 45
Pliny Select Letters 48
Medieval Latin In Taberna Quando Sumus 53
John Aveline – trans The House that Jack Built 55
John Aveline – trans The Three Bears 59
Miscellaneous Milarium Polianum, Fabula Huius et Illius (JCA)
Roman Grave-stone, Testamentum Porcelli
Tattoos, Roman currency, literary terms, scansion 61
The Essential Latin Authors 2012
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The Story of Hercules is a very well-known one and so it makes a good introduction to reading a
full Latin passage. The text was written by Latinists at the University of Victoria to give
students a chance to practice on some connected prose before they started reading ‘genuine’
ancient Latin.
PART 1
Hercules, Alcmenae filius, olim in Graecia habitabat.
Hic dicitur omnium hominum validissimus fuisse. At Iuno, regina
deorum, Alcmenam oderat, et Herculem adhuc infantem
necare voluit. Misit igitur duas serpentes saevissimas; hae
mediâ nocte in cubiculum Alcmenae venerunt, ubi Hercules
cum fratre suo dormiebat. Nec tamen in cunis, sed in scuto
magno cubabant. Serpentes iam appropinquaverant et
scutum movebant; itaque pueri e somno excitati sunt.
Hic dicitur fuisse, this man is said to have been; we'd probably say it's said that Hercules
was. Latin preferred to use a personal construction.
validissimus: Nominative because it agrees with Hic, the subject of the verb dicitur. It's
another example of the dreaded predicate nominative.
oderat: In this verb, the tenses have all been shifted back in time one degree. The perfect
tense is used where we'd expect a present tense, the pluperfect is used where we'd expect a
perfect. So if follows that this pluperfect tense will be translated with a simple past: she
hated.
mediâ nocte: Ablative of time. The adjective medius, -a, -um causes beginning Latin
students some problems because in English we use middle as a noun and then complete its
meaning with a possessive case. So we say in the middle of the night. (Medius may be
thought of as our mid- : midday, midnight, midstream, and so on.)
olim, adv., once upon a time, formerly.
odi, -isse, osurus, defective, tr., hate.
medius, -a, -um, adj., mid, middle,
intervening.
cubiculum, -i, n., bedroom.
cunae, -arum, f. pl., a cradle.
scutum, -i, n., shield.
appropinquo (1), intr., approach, draw near.
cubo, -are, cubui, cubitus, intr., lie down,
recline.
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PART 2
Iphicles, frater Herculis, magnâ voce exclamavit; at Hercules
ipse, puer fortissimus, haudquaquam territus est. Parvis
manibus serpentes statim prehendit et colla earum magnâ
vî compressit. Tali modo serpentes a puero interfectae sunt.
Alcmena autem, mater puerorum, clamorem audiverat et
maritum suum e somno excitaverat. Ille lumen accendit et
gladium suum rapuit; tum ad pueros properabat, sed, ubi
ad locum vênit, rem miram vidit; Hercules enim ridebat et
serpentes mortuas monstrabat.
magnâ voce : Probably best thought of as an ablative of manner.
Tali modo : Another ablative of manner: in such a way.
fortissimus : Absolute use of the superlative degree.
maritum suum e somno excitaverat : This may seem an odd way to say she woke up her
husband, but remember, Latin's a foreign language.
Ille lumen accendit : The first thing to watch out for is agreement. Does ille agree wtih
lumen? Check the gender of lumen to answer this question. Next, obviously this doesn't
mean that he stopped to start a fire in the fire place. He lit a lamp of some sort.
haudquaquam, adv., hardly, not at all, by no
means.
collum, -i, n., neck.
prehendo, -ere, -hendi, -hensus, tr., seize,
grab
comprimo, -ere, -pressi, -pressus, tr., press
together, squeeze; suppress.
talis, -e, adj., such, of such a kind.
maritus, -i, m., husband.
lumen, -inis, n., light, a light.
accendo, -ere, -cendi, -census, tr., to
kindle, light.
propero (1), intr., hasten, hurry, rush.
mirus, -a, -um, adj., wonderful, strange.
rideo, -ere, risi, risus, intr., laugh.
mortuus, -a, -um, adj., dead.
monstro (1), tr., show, display.
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PART 3
Hercules a puero corpus suum diligenter exercebat. Magnam
partem diei in palaestra consumebat; didicit etiam
arcum intendere et tela conicere. His exercitationibus vires
eius confirmatae sunt. In musicâ etiam a Lino Centauro
erudiebatur. (Centauri autem equi erant, sed caput hominis
habebant.) Huic tamen arti minus diligenter studebat. Hic
Linus Herculem olim culpabat, quod parum studiosus erat.
Tum puer iratus citharam subito rapuit et summis viribus
caput magistri infelicis percussit. Ille ictu prostratus est, et
paulo post e vitâ excessit, neque quisquam postea id officium
suscipere voluit.
a puero, from (the time he was) a boy.
diligenter : An adverb in the positive degree from a third declension noun ending in -ns.
vires : Careful! This isn't from the word that means man. It's not from vir, -i, m. With a case
ending in -ês what declension do you think it might be? Or, to put it another way, the word
for man is what declension? Can vires belong to the same one?
huic . . . studio : Dative case, after the verb studeo which requires it to complete its meaning.
minus : Adverb, this time in the comparative degree.
summis viribus : As above, viribus is not from vir. This is from the irregular noun that
means strength. The construction it's in is an ablative of manner.
paulo post : Paulo is an adverb, but in origin an ablative of degree of difference; literally,
after by a little.
diligens, -entis, adj., diligent, industrious.
exerceo, -êre, exercui, exercitus, tr., train.
palaestra, -ae, f., wrestling-place, place of
exercise.
consumo, -ere, -sumpsi, -sumptus, tr.,
consume, spend.
disco, -ere, didici, -----, tr., learn.
intendo, -ere, -tendi, -tentus, tr., stretch; bend,
aim.
confirmo (1), tr., strengthen, establish.
erudio, -ire, -ivi, -itus, tr., educate, instruct.
ars, artis, f., skill, technique; art.
studeo, -êre, studui, -----, intr. + dat., be
devote, apply oneself, study.
culpo (1), tr., blame, criticize, rebuke.
parum, adv., too little, insufficiently.
studiosus, -a, -um, adj., studious, eager.
cithara, ae, f., guitar; cithara.
infelix, -icis, adj., unfortunate, unhappy.
percutio, -ere, -cussi, -cussus, tr., pierce,
strike.
prosterno, -ere, -stravi, -stratus, tr., knock
down; spread out.
paulo, adv., by a little.
quisquam, quicquam, pron., any one, any
thing.
officium, -ii, n., job, duty.
suscipio, -ere, -cepi, -ceptus, tr., undertake.
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PART 4
De Hercule haec etiam inter alia narrantur. Olim, dum
iter facit, in fines Aegyptiorum vênit; ibi rex quidam, nomine
Busiris, illo tempore regnabat; hic autem, vir crudelissimus,
homines immolare consueverat. Herculem igitur corripuit et
in vincula coniecit. Tum nuntios dimisit et diem sacrificio
edixit. Mox ea dies appetivit, et omnia rite parata sunt.
Manus Herculis catenis ferreis vinctae sunt, et mola salsa in
caput eius inspersa est. Mos enim erat apud antiquos salem
et far capitibus victimarum imponere. Iam victima ad aram
stabat; iam sacerdos cultrum sumpserat. Subito tamen Hercules
magno conatu vincula perrupit. Tum ictu sacerdotem
prostravit, altero regem ipsum occidit.
iter facit : Iter is the accusative of iter, itineris, road, journey. So this expression means make a journey.
Aegyptiorum : Notice that this is of the Egyptians, not of Egypt. Of course, we may wish to find a way to express
this that's easier on our English ears.
quidam : Not quidem. This is from the pronoun quidam, quaedam, quoddam.
consueverat : Another example of a verb whose time frame seems to have shifted. (See the verb odi in Hercules
1.3.) That's because the verb means to grow accustomed. So you can say that something that you have grown
accustomed to is something that you are accustomed to now. Try translating it as an adverb—customarily and then
promoting the infinitive to a finite verb.
ea dies : An example of the demonstrative is, ea, id used as an adjective: it agrees with dies. Translate it either as
this--when this day approached--or simply as the--when the day approached.
antiquos : Substantival use of the adjective: the ancients.
victimarum : It doesn't mean victim in our generalized sense of a object of a criminal act. It means a sacrificial
victim, some animal, or, in this passage, someone offered to a god.
iam...iam : The repetition of the word already or now is designed to generate excitement in the narrative, as in the
lines: And now the pitcher has the ball/And now he lets it go/And now the air is shattered by the force of
Casey's blow.
altero : Supply ictu.
immolo (1), tr., sacrifice.
consuesco, -ere, -suevi, -suetus, intr., become accustomed; pf., be assustomed, be in the habit of.
corripio, -ere, -ripui, -reptus, tr., seize, take hold of, snatch up.
rite, adv., in a proper manner, duly. catena, -ae, f., chain.
ferreus, -a, -um, adj., of iron. mola, -ae, f., meal, coarse flour.
salsus, -a, -um, adj., salted. inspergo, -ere, -spersi, -spersus, tr., sprinkle over.
antiquus, -a, -um, adj., ancient. sal, salis, m., salt.
far, farris, n., grain, meal.
impono, -ere, -posui, -positus, tr., place upon, impose; put on board.
ara, -ae, f., altar. sacerdos, -otis, m. and f., priest.
culter, -tri, m., knife. sumo, -ere, sumpsi, sumptus, tr., take, take up.
conatus, -us, m., attempt, effort.
perrumpo, -ere, -rupi, -ruptus, tr., burst through, burst assunder.
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PART 5
Hercules, iam adulescens, urbem Thebas incolebat. Rex
Thebarum, vir ignavus, Creon appellabatur. Minyae, gens
bellicosissima, Thebanis finitimi erant. Legati autem a Minyis
ad Thebanos quotannis veniebant et centum boves postula-
bant. Thebani enim olim a Minyis superati erant; tributa
igitur regî Minyarum quotannis pendebant. At Hercules
cives suos hôc stipendiô liberare constituit. Legatos igitur
comprehendit, atque aures eorum abscidit. Legati autem
apud omnes gentes sacri habentur.
Thebanis : Dative, depending on the adjective finitimi, which takes the dative case to
complete it meaning, neighbors to...
veniebant : Imperfect of repeated action: used to come.
tributa : Acc. It's the object of pendebant, with the subject being Thebani.
regî : Dative of a third declension noun.
constituit : He decided. Remember this meaning of constituo. You'll see it often. stipendiô :
An ablative of separation.
sacri : I.e., Hercules should not have done what he did. This act shows that Hercules, despite
his great service to humanity, was not entirely glorified by the Greeks. He often gets himself
into trouble.
habentur : Are thought, are considered.
incolo (1), tr., inhabit, dwell in.
finitimus, -i, m., neighbor.
legatus, -i, m., envoy; ambassador.
quotannis, adv., every year, yearly.
centum, indecl. num. adj., hundred.
bos, bovis, boum, gen. pl., bobus, dat. and
abl. pl., m. and f., cow.
postulo (1), tr., demand.
tributum, -i, n., tribute, payment.
pendo, -ere, pependi, pensus, tr., weigh, pay
out, pay
stipendium, -i, n., payment.
libero (1), tr., set free, liberate (plus ablative
of separation).
comprehendo, -ere, -prehendi, -prensus, tr.,
seize, capture, arrest.
auris, -is, f., ear.
abscido, -ere, abscidi, abscisus, tr., to cut
away.
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PART 6
Erginus, rex Minyarum, ob haec vehementer iratus erat, et
cum omnibus copiis in fines Thebanorum contendit. Creon
adventum eius per exploratores cognovit; ipse tamen pugnare
noluit; nam magno timore affectus est; Thebani igitur Herculem
imperatorem creaverunt. Ille nuntios in omnes partes
dimisit et copias coegit. Tum proximo die cum magno
exercitu profectus est. Locum idoneum delegit et aciem
instruxit. Tum Thebani e superiore loco impetum in hostes
fecerunt. Illi autem impetum sustinere non potuerunt, itaque
acies hostium pulsa est atque in fugam conversa.
cum omnibus copiis : The word copia, -ae, f., in the plural means troops, fighting force.
ipse : The force of this demonstrative is to add extra emphasis to whatever it's modifying.
You can think of it as Latin italics marks. In this sentence, ipse contrasts Creon, who doesn't
want to fight, with Hercules, who does.
profectus est : Your first deponent verb.
in hostes : The word in the plural carries in English a singular sense. Hence we say against
the enemy, even though the form in Latin is plural.
conversa : Supply an est. It happens often that a form of the verb sum is omitted when it's
being used with a perfect participle, particularly if the context makes it unnecessary.
vehementer, adv., violently, very much, greatly.
explorator, -oris, m., scout.
nolo, nolle, nolui, -----, intr., be unwilling, not to
want.
cogo, -ere, coegi, coactus, tr., drive together,
bring together, collect; force.
proximus, -a, -um, adj., nearest, next.
exercitus, -us, m., army.
proficiscor, -i, profectus sum, intr., set out.
idoneus, -a, -um, adj., suitable.
superior, -ius, adj., higher; previous,
preceding; superior.
sustineo, -êre, -tinui, -tentus, tr., hold
up, sustain, withstand.
acies, aciei, f., battle line.
pello, -ere, pepuli, pulsus, tr., beat, drive
out, drive away, rout.
converto, -ere, verti, versus, tr., turn
around, turn.
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PART 7
Post hoc proelium Hercules copias suas ad urbem reduxit.
Omnes Thebani propter victoriam maxime gaudebant. Creon
autem magnis honoribus Herculem decoravit, atque filiam
suam ei in matrimonium dedit. Hercules cum uxore suâ
vitam beatam agebat; sed post paucos annos subito in furorem
incidit, atque liberos suos ipse suâ manû occidit. Post
breve tempus ad sanitatem reductus est, et propter hoc
facinus magno dolore affectus est; mox ex urbe effugit et in
silvas se recepit. Nolebant enim cives sermonem cum eo
habere.
in furorem incidit : It means became insane, but what is it saying literally?
facinus : What case is it? Check the context and the dictionary entry below. Don't be
deceived by its -us ending.
se recepit : Another idiom, similar to se conferre you've seen before. Literally it means he
took himself back, but we can't say that. We'd probably say he went away.
reduco, -ere, -duxi, -ductus tr., lead back.
maxime, superl. adv. in the highest degree, most ,
especially, exceedingly.
decoro (1), tr., adorn, honor.
furor, -oris, m., madness, fury.
incido, -ere, -cidi, -----, tr., fall in, fall into.
sanitas, -tatis, f., health, sanity.
facinus, facinoris, n., deed; crime.
effugio, -ere, -fugi, -----, intr.,
escape.
sermo, -onis, m., talk, conversation.
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PART 8
Hercules magnopere cupiebat tantum scelus expiare. Con-
stituit igitur ad oraculum Delphicum ire; hoc enim oraculum
erat omnium celeberrimum. Ibi templum erat Apollinis,
plurimis donis ornatum. Hôc in templô sedebat femina quae-
dam, nomine Pythia, et consilium dabat iis qui ad oraculum
veniebant. Haec autem femina ab ipso Apolline docebatur,
et voluntatem dei hominibus enuntiabat. Hercules igitur,
qui Apollinem praecipue colebat, hûc vênit. Tum rem totam
exposuit, neque scelus celavit.
expiare: Pay close attention to the voice of the infinitive. Hint: tantum scelus is not the
subject of expiare.
omnium celeberrimum : Despite their appearance, these two words do not agree.
ornatum : This gives students unnecessary problems. Ornatum is the perfect passive
participle agreeing with templum. Further, the participle is in the nominative case. Cany you
explain why? Plurimis donis is the ablative of means.
hoc in templo : A monosyllabic preposition may stand between a noun and an adjective.
iis qui : You'll see this construction, and variations on it, quite a lot. It's the pronoun is, ea, id
set next to the relative pronoun, to produce expressions he who, those who, that which and
so forth. Iis (an alternate form for eis) is dative because it's the indirect object of the verb
dabat.
scelus, -eris, n., wickedness, crime.
expio (1), tr., atone for, appease, expiate.
celeber, -bris, -bre, adj., famous, renowned.
plurimus, -a, -um, adj., [superl. of multus],
very many, very much.
orno (1), tr., decorate.
sedeo, -êre, sedi, sessus, intr., sit.
doceo, -êre, -ui, doctus, tr., instruct,
teach; show, explain.
enuntio (1), tr., announce, proclaim.
praecipue, adv., especially.
colo, -ere, colui, cultus, tr., cultivate, till;
worship.
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PART 9
Ubi Hercules finem fecit, Pythia diû tacebat. Tandem
tamen iussit eum ad urbem Tiryntha ire, et Eurysthei regis
omnia imperata facere. Hercules, ubi haec audivit, ad urbem
illam contendit, et Eurystheo regi se in servitutem tradidit.
Duodecim annos in servitute Eurysthei tenebatur, et duodecim
labores, quos ille imperaverat, confecit. Hôc enim unô
modô tantum scelus expiari potuit. De his laboribus plurima
a poetis scripta sunt. Multa tamen quae poetae narrant vix
credibilia sunt.
Tiryntha : This is in the accusative case. It's a Greek name, so it retains its Greek case
endings. You've seen this happen before in the word aera at Perseus 4.33.
Duodecim annos : The number 12 doesn't decline, so it may not be apparent to you that it's
agreeing with annos, but it is. What kind of accusative is this? Click here for the answer.
expiari : Pay very close attention to the voice of the infinitive. It's not active, it's passive. So
what's its subject in this sentence?
taceo, -êre, -ui, -itus, tr. and intr., be silent, be still, be
silent about.
servitus, -tutis, f., servitude, slavery.
duodecim, indecl. num. adj., twelve.
labor, -oris, m., labor, toil.
impero (1), tr. and intr., command;
control.
credibilis, -e, adj., believable.
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PART 10
Primum ab Eurystheo iussus est Hercules leonem occidere,
qui illo tempore vallem Nemaeam reddebat infestam. In
silvas igitur quas leo incolebat statim se contulit. Mox
feram vidit, et arcum quem secum attulerat intendit; eius
tamen pellem, quae densissima erat, traicere non potuit. Tum
clavâ magnâ, quam semper gerebat, leonem percussit. Frustra
tamen, neque enim hôc modô eum occidere potuit. Tum
demum collum monstri bracchis suis complexus est, et fauces
eius summis viribus compressit. Hôc modô leo brevi tempore
exanimatus est; nulla enim respirandi facultas ei dabatur.
Tum Hercules cadaver ad oppidum in umeris rettulit et
pellem quam detraxerat postea pro veste gerebat. Omnes
autem qui eam regionem incolebant, ubi famam de morte
leonis acceperunt, vehementer gaudebant, et Herculem magno
in honore habebant.
Hercules : This is the subject of the verb iussus est.
arcum . . . intendit : Arcum is the direct object of intendit. Try translating them before your translate the
relative clause quem attulerat.
secum : Equals cum se. Latin liked to attach the preposition cum to the end of a pronoun, as in the
expressions pax vobiscum (peace [be] with you) and vade mecum (come with me). It's just something
you're going to have to get used to.
fauces : You'll notice in the dictionary listing below that there is no singular form of this noun. (The entry
starts with the nominative plural, instead of the nominative singular.) Even though our translation is
singular, the word is grammatically plural in Latin.
respirandi facultas : Facultas isn't accusative plural, as you'll be able to deduce from the dictionary entry
below. Secondly, respirandi is the genitive singular of the gerund of respiro (1). The literal translation is a
little peculiar, no means of breathing was being given. Find a more idiomatic translation.
iubeo, -ere, iussi, iussus, tr., to order.
leo, -onis, m., lion.
infestus, -a, -um, adj., unsafe, hostile.
fera, -ae, f., wild beast, wild animal.
affero, afferre, attuli, allatus, tr., bring to, bring.
pellis, -is, f., skin, hide, pelt.
densus, -a, -um, adj., close, thick.
traicio, -ere, -ieci, -iectus,, hurl across, pierce.
clava, -ae, f., staff, club.
demum, adv., finally, at last.
bracchium, -i, n., the forearm, arm.
complector, -plecti, -plexus sum,
tr., [deponent] embrace, clasp.
fauces, -ium, f. pl., throat.
respiro (1), intr., breathe out, breathe.
facultas, -tatis, f., means, opportunity, chance.
cadaver, -eris, n., a dead body, corpse.
umerus, -i, m., upper arm, shoulder.
detraho, -ere, -traxi, -tractus, draw off, strip off.
vestis, -is, f., garment, clothing.
fama, -ae, f., report, rumor, talk.
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The following descriptions of the earliest Roman history are based on the Roman historian Livy
(Livio) and were also produced by the University of Victoria for intermediate Latin students.
They are similar to the previous passages, but do not include notes or vocabulary. They will give
you the chance to try reading Latin ‘without a net’.
1. AENEAS SETTLES IN ITALY
Olim in Asiâ erat urbs antiqua, quae Troia appellata est. Eam urbem Graeci decem annos
obsedêrunt tandemque cepêrunt. Priamo rege filiisque eius interfectis, urbem deleverunt. Sed
Aeneas, qui inter clarissimos defensores urbis fuerat, cum paucis comitibus ex urbe effugit; cum
profugos ex omnibus partibus coegisset, in Italiam migrare constituit. Post septem annos vênit in
eam partem Italiae ubi erat urbs Laurentum. Ibi cum Troiani praedam ex agris agerent, Latinus
rex Aboriginesque, qui tum ea loca tenebant, agros defendere paraverunt. Sed Latinus, postquam
in colloquio originem multitudinis ducisque cognovit, pacem cum Aeneâ fecit atque postea ei
Laviniam filiam in matrimonium dedit. Troiani urbem condiderunt, quam Aeneas ab nomine
uxoris Lavinium appellavit.
Deinde Turnus, rex Rutulorum, cui Lavinia ante adventum Aeneae deponsa erat, bello
Latinum Troianosque aggressus est. Victi sunt Rutuli, sed victores ducem Latinum amiserunt.
Inde Turnus auxilium petiit ab Etruscis, qui totam Italiam famâ nominis sui impleverant; illi
metuentes novam urbem multitudine opibusque crescentem laeti auxilium tulerunt. Aeneas in
tanto discrimine, ut Aborigines Troianosque sub eodem iure atque nomine haberet, Latinos
utramque gentem appellavit. Cum adversus Etruscos se moenibus defendere posset, tamen in
aciem copias eduxit. Etrusci victi sunt; victores tamen ducem ut antea amiserunt; post pugnam
enim Aeneam reperire non potuerunt; multi igitur eum ad deos transisse crediderunt.
2. FOUNDING OF ALBA LONGA
Lavinia inde regnavit, quoad Ascanius, Aeneae filius, adolevit. Tum ille propter abundantem
Lavini multitudinem matri urbem reliquit; ipse novam aliam urbem sub Albano monte condidit,
quae Alba Longa appellata est. Multi reges post Ascanium imperium Albanum gesserunt.
Quidam ex his, cui nomen Proca erat, duos filios, Numitorem atque Amulium, habuit. Numitori,
qui maior erat, regnum reliquit. Pulso tamen fratre, Amulius regnavit. Filium fratris necavit;
filiam Rheam Silviam per speciem honoris sacerdotem Vestae legit.
Pompeiian Graffiti I
Urna aenea pereit de taberna. Si quis rettulerit, dabuntur sestertium LXV. Si furem dabit
unde rem servare possimus, sestertium XX.
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3. ROMULUS AND REMUS
Ex hâc filiâ nati sunt duo filii, Romulus et Remus. Pater eorum, ut fama est, Mars deus erat.
Sed nec dei nec homines matrem et pueros a crudelitate regiâ defenderunt. Sacerdos in
custodiam data est; pueros rex in Tiberim inicibat sed adire ad altam aquam non poterant. Itaque
pueros in alveo posuerunt atque in tenui aquâ reliquerunt. Sed alveus in sicco sedit. Deinde lupa
sitiens -- sic enim est traditum -- ex montibus qui circa sunt ad puerorum vagitum cursum
flexit. Faustulus, pastor regius, eam invênit pueros nutrientem. Ab eo atque Larentiâ uxore
pueri educati sunt. Cum primum adoleverunt, venari coeperunt et in latrones praedâ onustos
impetus facere pastoribusque praedam dividere.
Dum quoddam ludicrum celebratur, latrones irati ob praedam amissam impetum in Romulum
et Remum fecerunt; captum Remum regi Amulio tradiderunt. Pueros praedam ex agris Numitoris
egisse incusabant. Sic ad supplicium Numitori Remus deditur.
Ab initio Faustulus crediderat pueros iussu regis expositos apud se educari. Tum periculo
Remi motus rem Romulo aperit. Forte Numitor quoque audiverat fratres geminos esse; tum
comparans et aetatem eorum et nobilem animum Remi nepotem agnovit. Romulus cum manu
pastorum in regem Amulium impetum facit; Remus aliâ paratâ manu adiuvat. Ita rex interfectus
est. Imperium Albanum Numitori avo ab iuvenibus restitutum est. Deinde Romulus et Remus in
iis locis ubi expositi ubique educati erant urbem condere constituerunt.
4. FOUNDING OF ROME
Uterque iuvenis nomen novae urbae dare eamque regere cupiebat. Sed quod gemini erant, nec
res aetate decerni poterat, auguriis usi sunt. A Remo prius visi sunt sex vultures. Romulo postea
duodecim sese ostenderunt. Uterque ab amicis rex appellatus est atque regnum postulabat. Cum
irati arma rapuissent, in pugnâ Remus cecidit. Ex aliâ famâ Remus illudens fratem novos muros
urbis transiluit, inde interfectus est ab irato Romulo, qui haec verba quoque addidit: "Sic deinde
pereat quicumque alius transiliet moenia mea." Ita solus potitus est imperio Romulus; conditam
urbem a suo nomine Romam appellavit.
Palatium primum, in quo ipse erat educatus, munivit. Vocatâ ad concilium multitudine, iura
dedit. Insignia quoque imperii, sellam curulem togamque praetextam, et duodecim lictores
sumpsit. Asylum aperuit in monte Capitolino, quo multi ex finitimis populis profugerunt. Creavit
etiam centum senatores, qui honoris causâ patres appellati sunt.
5. SABINE WOMEN
Iam res Romana firma et finitimis civitatibus bello par erat. Sed Romani neque uxores neque
cum finitimis ius conubii habebant. Tum Romulus quosdam ex patribus legatos in vicinas gentes
misit qui societatem conubiumque novo populo peterent. Nusquam benigne legati auditi sunt;
nam finitimi non solum Romanos spernabant, sed etiam tantam in medio crescentem urbem
metuebant. Itaque irati Romani vi uti statuerunt.
Ad eam rem Romulus, ludis paratis, finitimos ad spectaculum invitavit. Multi convênerunt, ut
et ludos spectarent et novam urbem viderunt. Sabinorum omnis multitudo cum liberis ac
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coniugibus vênit. Ubi spectaculi tempus vênit omnesque intenti in ludos erant, tum, signo dato,
Romani rapere virgines coeperunt. Parentes virginum profugerunt clamantes Romanos hospitium
violavisse. Nec raptae virgines aut spem de se meliorem aut indignationem minorem habebant.
Se ipse Romulus circumibat ostendebatque id partum superbiâ factum esse. "Quamquam vi
captae estis," inquit, "omnia iura Romanorum habebitis."
Iam multo minus pertubati animi raptarum erant. At parentes earum civitates finitimas, ad
quas eius iniuriae pars pertinebat, ad arma concitabant. Hae civitates omnes a Romulo victae
sunt. Novissimum bellum ab Sabinis ortum est, quod multo maximum fuit. Sabini arcem
Romanam in monte Capitolino dolo ceperunt. Romani postero die arcem reciperare conati sunt.
Ubi Hostius Hostilius, dux exercitûs Romani, cecidit, confestim acies Romana pulsa est. At
Romulus templum vovit Iovi Statori oravitque auxillium. Tum credens preces suas auditas esse
"hinc," inquit, "Romani, Iuppiter optimus maximus nos resistere ac renovare pugnam iubet."
Restiterunt Romani tamquam caelesti voce iussi.
Tum Sabinae mulieres ausae sunt se inter tela volantia inferre, ut pacem a patribus virisque
implorarent. Duces eâ re moti non modo pacem sed etiam civitatem unam ex duabus faciunt;
regnum quoque consociant atque Romam faciunt sedem imperii. Multitudo ita aucta novo
nominee Quirites appellata est ex Curibus, quae urbes caput Sabinorum erat. Deinde Romulus,
populo in curias triginta diviso, nomina mulierum raptarum curiis dedit.
Post aliquot annos Tatius, rex Sabinorum, ab Laurentibus interfectus est. Romulus postea
solus regnavit. Annis sequentibus bella secunda cum Fidenatibus Veientibusque, populis
Etruscis, gesta sunt.
Dum Romulus, quodam tempore exercitum in campo Martio recenset, tempestas subito coörta
eum nimbo operuit. Patres qui proximi steterant dixerunt regem sublimem raptum esse. Deinde
universi clamant: "Salve, deus deo nate." Romulus dicitur postea cuidam civi se ostendisse et
eum his verbis allocutus esse: "Nuntiâ Romanis deos velle meam Romam caput orbis terrarum
esse; proinde res militaris colenda est; nam nullae opes humanae armis Romanis resistere
possunt." Postea nomen Quirinus Romulo additum est. Regnavit septem et triginta annos.
Aureus issued by Claudius 41/42
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Catullus (Gaius Valerius Catullus; 84 BC – 54 BC)
Most of what we know about Catullus comes from his poetry. He came from
northern Italy, was well educated and was on friendly terms with many impotant political figures
of his time, including Cicero and Julius Caesar. Catullus was famous for knowledge of poetry,
especially Alexandrian and was infamous for his love affair with Clodia, the sister of Clodius
Pulcher, ally of Julius Caesar. Clodia, whose alias in Catullus’ poems was Lesbia, was famous
for her various lover affairs, despite her marriage to Metellus Celer. Catullus wrote poems on
wide variety of topics, including a marriage hymn and an epyllion (mini epic), but he is best
known for his ‘personal poems’. Catullus wrote to and about the people around him; his enemies
as well as his friends. As a result, many historical figures from 1st century BC Rome become
more alive when Catullus introduced them. Finally, Catullus wrote at a time when the Latin
language was still relatively young. Catullus was one of those early writers who helped Latin
develop into a language which could produce great literature. When you read Catullus, be very
careful to be guided by endings (and NOT word order). Also, notice how he plays with and
seems to be almost experimenting with the language.
1:- dedication of his book of poetry to the biographer & historian Cornelius Nepos
Cui dono lepidum novum libellum,
arida modo pumice expolitum?
Corneli, tibi: namque tu solebas
meas esse aliquid putare nugas.
Iam tum, cum ausus es unus Italorum
omne aevum tribus explicare cartis,
doctis, Iuppiter, et laboriosis!
Quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelli –
qualecumque quidem est. Patroni et ergo,
plus uno maneat perenne saeclo!
NOTES and QUESTIONS
What case is Corneli?
soleo, solere = to be in the habit of
does Italorum go with unus or omne?
laboriosis is both a compliment and a criticism
quare = and so (it is really qua + re combined as a single
word)
qualecumque = whatever kind
patroni goes with saeclo
What do we know about Cornelius Nepos ?
______________________________________________________________________________
CIL 14.4123 / CIL 1.3 / ILS 8561
Praeneste Fibula 7th
century BC / 1870 AD
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13:- an invitation to dinner
Cenabis bene, mi Fabulle, apud me
paucis, si tibi di favent, diebus,
si tecum attuleris bonam atque magnam
cenam, non sine candida puella
et vino et sale et omnibus cachinnis.
haec si, inquam, attuleris, venuste noster,
cenabis bene; nam tui Catulli
plenus sacculus est aranearum.
sed contra accipies meros amores
seu quid suavius elegantiusve est:
nam unguentum dabo, quod meae puellae
donarunt Veneres Cupidinesque,
quod tu cum olfacies, deos rogabis,
totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, nasum.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
What case is mi?
What tense is attuleris?
aranearum = cobwebs
meros = pure, undiluted (usually used to describe wine)
unguentum = perfume, cologne, scent
quare = and so (it is really qua + re combined as a single
word)
qualecumque = whatever kind
patroni goes with saeclo
What do we know about Fabullus?
32:- To Ipsitilla
Amabo, mea dulcis Ipsitilla,
meae deliciae, mei lepores,
iube ad te ueniam meridiatum.
et si iusseris, illud adiuvato,
ne quis liminis obseret tabellam,
neu tibi lubeat foras abire,
sed domi maneas paresque nobis
novem continuas fututiones.
uerum si quid ages, statim iubeto:
nam pransus iaceo et satur supinus
pertundo tunicamque palliumque.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
lepos, leporis = charm, wit
iube: understand ut with the subjunctive
what form of the verb adiuvare is adiuvato?
lubeat = libeat (what mood?)
foras = outside, out (locative)
is novem an allusion to the 9 muses?
Fututio, fututionis = a fancy way of saying ‘fuck’
iubeto :- see the note on adiuvato
pransus = perfect passive participle
satur, saturi (adj) = filled, sated
pertundo, pertundere = perforate, break through
What do we know about Ipsitilla ?
1 denarius
Furius Purpureo 169-158 BC
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39:- To Egnatius
Egnatius, quod candidos habet dentes,
renidet usque quaque. si ad rei ventum est
subsellium, cum orator excitat fletum,
renidet ille; si ad pii rogum fili
lugetur, orba cum flet unicum mater,
renidet ille. quidquid est, ubicumque est,
quodcumque agit, renidet: hunc habet morbum,
neque elegantem, ut arbitror, neque urbanum.
quare monendum est te mihi, bone Egnati.
si urbanus esses aut Sabinus aut Tiburs
aut pinguis Umber aut obesus Etruscus
aut Lanuvinus ater atque dentatus
aut Transpadanus, ut meos quoque attingam,
aut quilubet, qui puriter lavit dentes,
tamen renidere usque quaque te nollem:
nam risu inepto res ineptior nulla est.
nunc Celtiber es: Celtiberia in terra,
quod quisque minxit, hoc sibi solet mane
dentem atque russam defricare gingiuam,
ut quo iste uester expolitior dens est,
hoc te amplius bibisse praedicet loti.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
candidus, a, um = gleaming white
renideo, ere = grin
usque quaque = on every occasion
reus, i (m) = defendant
ventum est = people have come
subsellium, i (n) = bench
fletus, i (m) = tears, weeping
rogus, i (m) = funeral pyre
lugeo, ere = mourn
orbus, a, um = bereaved
unicum = unicum filium
quidquid/quodcumque = whatever
ubicumque = wherever
quare = for this reason
dentatus = toothy
attingo, attingere = mention
quilubet (quilibet) = anyone at all
risu inepto (ablative of comparison)
quisque = someone
defrico, defricare = brush
expolitior = more polished
45:- To Septimius
Acmen Septimius suos amores
tenens in gremio 'mea' inquit 'Acme,
ni te perdite amo atque amare porro
omnes sum assidue paratus annos,
quantum qui pote plurimum perire,
solus in Libya Indiaque tosta
caesio veniam obvius leoni.'
hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante
dextra sternuit approbationem.
at Acme leviter caput reflectens
et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos
illo purpureo ore suaviata,
NOTES and QUESTIONS
Acmen = Greek accusative (Acme)
amores where English uses the singular
perdite = damn it (main verb)
porro = in future
pote = potest
plurimum = maxime
caesius = blue-eyed
reflectens = leaning back
savior, -ari, -atus = kiss
ut (note that it is NOT followed by a subjunctive)
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'sic' inquit 'mea vita Septimille,
huic uni domino usque serviamus,
ut multo mihi maior acriorque
ignis mollibus ardet in medullis.'
hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistra ut ante
dextra sternuit approbationem.
nunc ab auspicio bono profecti
mutuis animis amant amantur.
unam Septimius misellus Acmen
mavult quam Syrias Britanniasque:
uno in Septimio fidelis Acme
facit delicias libidinisque.
quis ullos homines beatiores
vidit, quis Venerem auspicatiorem?
medullis = marrow, core
proficiscor = set out, start
misellus = poor little
Syrias Britanniasque: note the plurals and the range
facit = here, creates
vidit: tense?
49:- a thank you note to Cicero
Disertissime Romuli nepotum,
quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli,
quotque post aliis erunt in annis,
gratias tibi maximas Catullus
agit pessimus omnium poeta,
tanto pessimus omnium poeta,
quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
Is this sincere thanks and praise, or is Catullus being
ironic and back-handed?
70:- To Lesbia
Nulli se dicit mulier mea nubere malle
quam mihi, non si se Iuppiter ipse petat.
dicit: sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti,
in vento et rapida scribere oportet aqua.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
nubere = marry
quod = relative pronoun
mulier . . . amanti: relative clause!
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85:- I hate and love
Odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris.
nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
quare = how (by what thing)
note how many verbs are in 2 lines
87:- To Lesbia
Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam
vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea est.
nulla fides ullo fuit umquam foedere tanta,
quanta in amore tuo ex parte reperta mea est.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
amatam: esse understood
mea :- the ‘a’ here is long (which cannot be
worked out from the metre)
92:- To Lesbia
Lesbia mi dicit semper male nec tacet umquam
de me: Lesbia me dispeream nisi amat.
quo signo? quia sunt totidem mea: deprecor illam
assidue, verum dispeream nisi amo.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
mi = mihi
Lesbia me dispeream nisi amat = dispeream nisi
Lesbia me amat
verum = but
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Cicero (Marcus Tullius Cicero; 106 BC – 43 BC) Cicero was one of the most prolific writers, not just from the Roman world, but
from any time period. Although he was a ‘new man’ (no member of his family
had ever reached the consulship, he not only became consul , but also the greatest
forensic orator of his day. In the political and then military battle between Julius Caesar and
Pompey the Great, Cicero was on Pompey’s side. When Pompey lost, Cicero was proscribed by
Mark Antony (the two were extremely bitter enemies) and assassinated in 43 BC. If Sallust
circulated among the history makers, Cicero was a history maker, and he wrote a great deal about
his times, not only speeches, but also a large volume of letters. Cicero was also a philosopher
and wrote extensively on philosophical topics. He was less successful as a poet as the following
line attests: “O fortunatam natam me consule Romam”.
Ad Atticum 1.2 (65 BC)
L. Iulio Caesare, C. Marcio Figulo
consulibus filiolo me auctum scito salva Terentia.
Abs te tam diu nihil litterarum! Ego de meis ad te
rationibus scripsi antea diligenter. hoc tempore
Catilinam, competitorem nostrum, defendere
cogitamus. Iudices habemus, quos volumus,
summa accusatoris voluntate. Spero, si absolutus
erit, coniunctiorem illum nobis fore in ratione
petitionis; sin aliter acciderit, humaniter feremus.
Tuo adventu nobis opus est maturo; nam prorsus
summa hominum est opinio tuos familiares
nobiles homines adversarios honori nostro fore.
Ad eorum voluntatem mihi conciliandam maximo
te mihi usui fore video. Quare Ianuario mense, ut
constituisti, cura ut Romae sis.
NOTES and QUESTIONS
auctum = esse understood
salva Terentia = ablative absolute
rationibus = affairs, business
competitorem = rival (candidate for consul)
accusatoris = prosecutor
absolutes erit = found not guily
coniunctorem = ally, fellow candidate
ratione petitonis = election campaign
maturo = in time, timely
prorsus = in short
summa = ultimate
honori = poltical office
maximo = (adverb)
quare = so
cura = take care, be sure
Gold 60-as, Mars / eagle on thunderbolt -
Anonymous Gold 60-as. 211-207 BC. Bearded,
helmeted head of Mars right, (VI monogram)X
behind / eagle, ROMA below.
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Oratio in L. Catilinam I (in senatu habita a.d. VI Ides Nov)
1 [1] Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra? quam diu etiam
2 furor iste tuus nos eludet? quem ad finem sese effrenata iactabit audacia?
3 Nihilne te nocturnum praesidium Palati, nihil urbis vigiliae, nihil timor
4 populi, nihil concursus bonorum omnium, nihil hic munitissimus
habendi senatus locus, nihil horum ora voltusque moverunt? Patere tua
6 consilia non sentis, constrictam iam horum omnium scientia teneri
7 coniurationem tuam non vides? Quid proxima, quid superiore nocte
8 egeris, ubi fueris, quos convocaveris, quid consilii ceperis, quem nostrum
9 ignorare arbitraris?
10 [2] O tempora, o mores! Senatus haec intellegit. Consul videt; hic tamen
11 vivit. Vivit? immo vero etiam in senatum venit, fit publici consilii
12 particeps, notat et designat oculis ad caedem unum quemque nostrum.
13 Nos autem fortes viri satis facere rei publicae videmur, si istius furorem ac
14 tela vitemus. Ad mortem te, Catilina, duci iussu consulis iam pridem
oportebat, in te conferri pestem, quam tu in nos [omnes iam diu] 16 machinaris.
17 [3] An vero vir amplissumus, P. Scipio, pontifex maximus, Ti. Gracchum
18 mediocriter labefactantem statum rei publicae privatus interfecit;
19 Catilinam orbem terrae caede atque incendiis vastare cupientem nos
20 consules perferemus? Nam illa nimis antiqua praetereo, quod C. Servilius
21 Ahala Sp. Maelium novis rebus studentem manu sua occidit. Fuit, fuit ista
22 quondam in hac re publica virtus, ut viri fortes acrioribus suppliciis civem
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NOTES
1 quö üsque, up until what point, how long. abütor, ütï, -üsus sum + abl. to use up, misuse, abuse. A
deponent verb (or any verb in the passive voice) often changes -ris to -re in the 2nd person singular
future tense. patientia, -ae, patience, endurance. quam diü, how long.
2 furör, -öris m. rage, fury. iste, ista, istud, that. ëlüdö, -ere, -lüsï, -lüsum, to mock. quem ad fïnem, to
what end. sësë = së. effrënätus, -a, -um, unbridled, unrestrained. iactö (1) to throw, brandish; flaunt
(here with the reflexive sësë). audäcia, -ae, daring, boldness.
3 nihilne: used adverbially six times with six separate subjects for added effect (anaphora). Translate as
“not”. The verb, as often, is found at the end of the sentence. nocturnus, -a, -um, nocturnal, by night.
praesidium, -ï, guard. Palätium, ï, the Palatine Hill. vigilia, -ae, standing guard. timor, -öris m. fear,
alarm.
4 concursus, -üs m. assembly, coming together. bonörum omnium: “of all of the good (elements of
society)”. münïtus, -a, -um, fortified.
5 hic . . . habendï senätüs locus: “this . . . place of the senate being held” (a gerundive). hörum: “of
these men”. ös, öris n. mouth; voice; expression. vultus, -üs m. countenance, face. pateö, -ëre, -uï, to
be open, lie exposed.
6 consilium, ï, plan, intention. sentiö, -ïre, sensï, sensum, to sense, perceive. cönstringö, -ere, -strïnxï,
-strictum, to restrain, control, inhibit. scientia, -ae, knowledge. An ablative of means with constrictam.
teneö, -ëre, tenuï, tentum, to hold, hold tight.
7 coniürätiö, -iönis f. plot, conspiracy. proximus, -a, -um, last, nearest, most recent. superiore nocte:
“the night before last.”
8 agö, -ere, ëgï, actum, to do. convocö (1) to call together. nostrum: “of us” (partitive gentive).
9 ignörö (1) to not know. arbitror, -ärï, -ätus sum, to judge, think, consider, deem.
10 morës: “customs, morals” (from mös, möris m.). Note the accusatives of exclamation.
11 immö, nay, on the contrary. etiam, even.
12 particeps, -ipis + gen. taking part in; a participent. nötö (1) to note. dësignö (1) to indicate, mark out.
caedës, -is f. slaughter, massacre. ünum quemque nostrum: “each one of us”.
13 satis indecl. noun or adj. enough. reï püblicae, dative of reference. vidëmur: vidëre in the passive voice
translates as “to seem”. istïus: genitive singular of iste.
14 telum, -ï, missile, weapon. vïtö (1) to avoid. iussum, -ï, order, command. consul, -ulis m. consul. iam
prïdem, long since, long ago.
15 oportet, -ere + acc. and infinitive, it is right, it is proper. cönferö, -ferre, -tulï, collätum, to bring
together; apply. pestis, petis f. plague, ruin, destruction. iam diü: now for a long time.
16 mächinor, -ärï, -ätus sum, to engineer, design, contrive.
17 an, or, or whether. amplus, -a -um, large, spacious, distinguished.
18 mediocriter adv. moderately, slightly. labefactö (1) to weaken, undermine. status, -üs m. postion, state
of affairs, condition. prïvätus, ï, a private individual (i.e., not holding office). Here modifying P.
Scipio. interficiö, -ere, -fëcï, -fectum, to kill, slay.
19 orbis terrae, the world (lit. the circle of the land). incendium, ï, fire. västö (1) to devastate, destroy.
20 perferö, -ferre, -tulï, -lätum, to tolerate, put up with. nimis, too (much). antïquus, -a, -um, ancient.
praetereö, -ïre, -iï, -itum, to pass by, pass beyond. quod = “the fact that”.
21 novae rës, revolution. studeö, -ëre, -uï + dat. to be eager for. occïdö, -ere, -cïdï, -cïsum, to kill.
22 quondam adv. formerly. acer, acris, acre, harsh, stern. supplicium, ï, punishment. civis, civis c. fellow-
citizen.
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23 perniciosum quam acerbissimum hostem coercerent. Habemus senatus
24 consultum in te, Catilina, vehemens et grave, non deest rei publicae
consilium neque auctoritas huius ordinis; nos, nos, dico aperte, consules
26 desumus.
27 [5] Castra sunt in Italia contra populum Romanum in Etruriae faucibus
28 conlocata, crescit in dies singulos hostium numerus; eorum autem
29 castrorum imperatorem ducemque hostium intra moenia atque adeo in
30 senatu videmus, intestinam aliquam cotidie perniciem rei publicae
31 molientem. Si te iam, Catilina, comprehendi, si interfici iussero, credo, erit
32 verendum mihi, ne non potius hoc omnes boni serius a me quam
33 quisquam crudelius factum esse dicat. Verum ego hoc, quod iam pridem
34 factum esse oportuit, certa de causa nondum adducor ut faciam. Tum
35 denique interficiere, cum iam nemo tam inprobus, tam perditus, tam tui
36 similis inveniri poterit, qui id non iure factum esse fateatur.
37 [6] Quamdiu quisquam erit, qui te defendere audeat, vives, et vives ita, ut
38 [nunc] vivis, multis meis et firmis praesidiis obsessus, ne commovere te
39 contra rem publicam possis. Multorum te etiam oculi et aures non
40 sentientem, sicut adhuc fecerunt, speculabuntur atque custodient. Etenim
41 quid est, Catilina, quod iam amplius exspectes, si neque nox tenebris
42 obscurare coeptus nefarios nec privata domus parietibus continere voces
43 coniurationis tuae potest, si illustrantur, si erumpunt omnia? Muta iam
44 istam mentem, mihi crede, obliviscere caedis atque incendiorum. Teneris
45 undique; luce sunt clariora nobis tua consilia omnia; quae iam mecum
46 licet recognoscas.
NOTES
23 perniciösus, -a, -um, pernicious, ruinous. quam: “than” (comparitive with acrioribus suppliciïs).
acerbus, -a, -um, bitter, harsh. coerceö, -ëre, -uï, -itum, to check, suppress, restrain.
24 senätüs cönsultum: a decree of the senate. in te: “against you”. vehemëns, -entis, intense, strong,
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powerful (a neuter agreeing with consultum). gravis, -e, heavy, grave, weighty, serious. dësum, -esse,
-fuï, to be lacking, fail.
25 auctöritäs, -ätis f. authority. ördö, -inis f. order, rank (here, the senate). apertë adv. openly.
27 faucës, -ium f.pl. throat; channel; pass, gorge.
28 conlöcö (1) to place, put in order, arrange, station. crescö, -ere, crëvï, crëtum, to grow. in diës
singulös, day by day, every day.
29 imperätor, -öris m. commander, general. dux, ducis m. leader. moenia, -örum n.pl. walls,
fortifications. adeö, even, in fact, actually.
30 intestïnus, -a, -um, internal. aliquï, aliqua, aliquod adj. some. cotïdië adv. daily. perniciës, -ëï f.
destruction, ruin, disaster.
31 mölior, -ïrï, to build, erect, work at, contrive. molientem agrees with imperatörem ducemque and
governs intestïnam aliquam perniciem as its object. comprehendö, -ere, -dï, -sum, to take, seize,
capture, arrest. interficiö, -ere, -fëcï, -fectum, to kill, slay. iussero: from iubeö, -ëre, iussï, iussum.
32 erit verendum mihi: “I will have to fear”. Recall that the future passive periphrastic uses a dative to
express the agent of the verb. ne non: “not that” (in a fear clause). potius adv. rather (with quam =
“rather than”). serius adv. too late.
33 quisquam, quaequam, quidquam, anyone, someone. crudëlius: “rather cruelly” (comparitive adverbs
often have this meaning). iam pridem: “long ago”.
34 oportet imper. + acc. and infinitive, it is right, it is proper. certa de causa: “for a certain reason”.
nondum, not yet. addücö, -ere, -düxï, -ductum, to bring (to a certain state of mind); influence; induce;
persuade. tum, then, at that time.
35 dënique adv. at last, finally. interficiëre = interficiëris. tam, so. improbus, -a, -um, wicked, perverse.
perditus, -a, -um, lost, hopeless, ruined. tui: read with simlis.
36 similis, -e + gen. or dat. similar, alike, like. inveniö, -ïre, -vënï, -ventum, to find. iurë, justly, rightly.
fateor, -ërï, fassus sum, to confess, admit.
37 quamdiü, how long. audeö, -ëre, ausus sum, to dare (a semi-deponent).
38 firmus, -a, -um, firm, strong. praesidium, -ï, defense; guard. obsideö, -ëre, -sëdï, -sessus, to block,
besiege. në, that . . . not, lest. commoveö, -ëre, -mövï, -mötum, to stir up, arouse.
39 oculus, -ï, eye. auris, auris f. ear.
40 te . . . non sentientem: “you . . . not sensing (it)”. sïcut, as, just as. adhüc, up to now, hitherto.
speculor, -ärï, -ätus, to watch. custödiö, -ïre, -ïvï, -ïtum, to guard. etenim, for, indeed.
41 amplius, more, further, longer. exspectö (1) to await, wait for. neque . . . nec, neither . . . nor.
tenebrae, -ärum f.pl. darkness; shadows.
42 obscürö (1) to obscure, hide. coeptus, -üs m. undertaking, business. nefärius, -a, -um, criminal,
heinous. pariës, -ietis m. wall. contineö, -ëre, -uï, -tum, to hold, contain. vox, vöcis f. voice.
43 coniürätiö, -iönis f. conspiracy, plot. potest: note the singular verb with a plural subject (nox and
domus). illuströ (1) to light up, make clear. ërumpö, -ere, -rüpï, -ruptum, to break out. mütö (1) to
change, alter, modify.
44 mens, mentis f. mind. mihi crede: “take my advice”. obliviscere: “forget” from oblïviscor, -ï, oblïtus
sum + gen. to forget. Recall that the imperative of a deponent verb has the form of the non-existent
active infinitive. caedis, -is f. slaughter, massacre. incendium, -ï, fire, burning.
45 undique, on all sides. lux, lücis f. light (ablatve of comparison with clariora). consilium, -ï, plan.
46 licet, -ëre, licuit, to be permissible. recognoscö, -ere, -növï, -nitum, to call to mind, review.
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[in section 7 Cicero provides to the Senate a detailed account of Catiline’s
plans from the information learned through his agents and, in particular,
through Fulvia, the mistress of one of the conspirators]
47 [8] . . . Recognosce tandem mecum noctem illam superiorem; iam
48 intelleges multo me vigilare acrius ad salutem quam te ad perniciem rei
49 publicae. Dico te priore nocte venisse inter falcarios—non agam obscure—
50 in M. Laecae domum; convenisse eodem complures eiusdem amentiae
51 scelerisque socios. Num negare audes? quid taces? Convincam, si negas.
52 Video enim esse hic in senatu quosdam, qui tecum una fuerunt.
53 [9] O di immortales! ubinam gentium sumus? in qua urbe vivimus? quam
54 rem publicam habemus? Hic, hic sunt in nostro numero, patres conscripti,
55 in hoc orbis terrae sanctissimo gravissimoque consilio, qui de nostro
56 omnium interitu, qui de huius urbis atque adeo de orbis terrarum exitio
57 cogitent! Hos ego video consul et de re publica sententiam rogo et, quos
58 ferro trucidari oportebat, eos nondum voce volnero! Fuisti igitur apud
59 Laecam illa nocte, Catilina, distribuisti partes Italiae, statuisti, quo
60 quemque proficisci placeret, delegisti quos Romae relinqueres, quos tecum
61 educeres, discripsisti urbis partes ad incendia, confirmasti te ipsum iam
62 esse exiturum, dixisti paulum tibi esse etiam nunc morae, quod ego
63 viverem. Reperti sunt duo equites Romani, qui te ista cura liberarent et se
64 illa ipsa nocte paulo ante lucem me in meo lectulo interfecturos esse
65 pollicerentur.
66 [10] Haec ego omnia vixdum etiam coetu vestro dimisso comperi; domum
67 meam maioribus praesidiis munivi atque firmavi, exclusi eos, quos tu ad
68 me salutatum mane miseras, cum illi ipsi venissent, quos ego iam multis
69 ac summis viris ad me id temporis venturos esse praedixeram. Quae cum
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NOTES
47 superior, -ius, preceding, previous.
48 multö . . . acrius: more sharply. vigilö (1) to keep watch, be vigilant. salüs, -ütis f. safety. quam, than
(with acrius). perniciës, -ëï f. ruin, destruction.
49 priore nocte: “the night before last”. falcärius, -ï, sickle-maker. obscürë adv. dimly, obscurely.
50 conveniö, -ïre, -vënï, -ventum, to come together, assemble. eödem: “at the same place”. complürës:
several, many. amentia, -ae, madness, folly.
51 scelus, -eris n. crime. socius, -ï, ally, comrade, associate. negö (1) to deny. quid, why? convincö, -ere,
-vïcï, -victum, to refute, convict, prove.
52 hïc adv. here. ünä adv. together.
53 dï: a common contraction of deï. ubïnam gentium: “where in the world”.
54 hïc adv. here. patrës conscriptï: senators (lit.: “enrolled fathers”).
55 orbis terrae: the world.
56 interitus, -üs f. destruction, ruin, death. adeö adv. even, indeed. exitium, -ï, destruction, ruin.
57 cögitö (1) to ponder, reflect on. consul: “as consul” (in apposition to ego). sententia, -ae, opinion. rogö
(1) to ask.
58 ferrum, -ï, iron; sword. trucidö (1) to slaughter. oportet imper. + acc. and infinitive, it is right, it is
proper. nöndum adv. not yet. volnerö (1) = vulnerö, to wound. apud + acc. with, among, at the house
of.
59 distribuö, -ere, -uï, -ütus, to distribute, allocate, parcel out. pars, partis f. part; area, region. statuö,
-ere, -uï, -ütus, to decide, settle. quö adv. where, to where.
60 proficiscor, -ï, -fectus sum, to set out. placeret: “it was decided” (impers.). dëligö, -ere, -lëgï, -lectum,
to choose, select. Romae: locative case. relinquö, -ere, -lïquï, -lictum, to leave behind.
61 ëdücö, -ere, -düxï, -ductum, to lead out. discrïbö, -ere, -scripsï, -scriptum, to classify, assign,
distribute. ad incendia: “for burning” (a common purpose construction). confirmö (1) to assert,
confirm. Note the common contraction in place of confirmävistï.
62 esse exitürum: future active infinitive in indirect speech (after confirmästï). paulum . . . morae: “a little
delay (a partitive genitive). etiam nunc adv. even now. quod, because.
63 reperiö, -ïre, repperï, -pertum, to find. equës, -itis m. knight. cura, -ae, care, worry, concern (ablative
of separation with liberarent).
64 paulö ante lucem: “a little before dawn”. lectulus, -ï, cot. interficiö, -ere, -fëcï, -fectum, to kill.
65 polliceor, -ërï, -itus sum, to promise.
66 vixdum adv. scarcely yet. coetus, -üs m. meeting, gathering. dimittö, -ere, -mïsï, -missum, to let go,
send away, dismiss. Note the ablative absolute: “with your meeting scarcely yet having been
dismissed”. comperiö, -ïre, -perï, -pertum, to discover, ascertain.
67 praesidium, -ï, guard, protection. muniö, -ïre, -ïvï, -ïtum, to fortify. firmö (1) to make secure. exclüdö,
-ere, -clüsï, -clüsum, to shut out, exclude.
68 salutätum: “to greet” (a supine of purpose with miseras). manë adv. in the morning. iam: already.
multïs ac summïs virïs: “to many leading men”.
69 id temporis: “at that time” (note the partitive construction). praedicö, -ere, -dixï, -dictum, to say or tell
in advance; predict. Quae cum ita sint: “since these things are so”.
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70 ita sint, Catilina, perge, quo coepisti, egredere aliquando ex urbe; patent
71 portae; proficiscere. Nimium diu te imperatorem tua illa Manliana castra
72 desiderant. Educ tecum etiam omnes tuos, si minus, quam plurimos;
73 purga urbem. Magno me metu liberabis, dum modo inter me atque te
74 murus intersit. Nobiscum versari iam diutius non potes; non feram, non
75 patiar, non sinam.
[In sections 11-19 Cicero details Catiline’s prior crimes, public and
private, his unsuccessful attempts to attain high office, and his plans for
the conspiracy. He urges Catiline to flee the city while he is able]
76 [20] Quae cum ita sint, Catilina, dubitas, si emori aequo animo non potes,
77 abire in aliquas terras et vitam istam multis suppliciis iustis debitisque
78 ereptam fugae solitudinique mandare? 'Refer', inquis, 'ad senatum'; id
79 enim postulas et, si hic ordo sibi placere decreverit te ire in exilium,
80 obtemperaturum te esse dicis. Non referam, id quod abhorret a meis
81 moribus, et tamen faciam ut intellegas quid hi de te sentiant. Egredere ex
82 urbe, Catilina, libera rem publicam metu; in exilium, si hanc vocem
83 exspectas, proficiscere. Quid est, Catilina? ecquid attendis, ecquid
84 animadvertis horum silentium? Patiuntur, tacent. Quid exspectas
85 auctoritatem loquentium, quorum voluntatem tacitorum perspicis?
86 [21] At si hoc idem huic adulescenti optimo, P. Sestio, si fortissimo viro, M.
87 Marcello, dixissem, iam mihi consuli hoc ipso in templo iure optimo
88 senatus vim et manus intulisset. De te autem, Catilina, cum quiescunt,
89 probant, cum patiuntur, decernunt, cum tacent, clamant, neque hi solum,
90 quorum tibi auctoritas est videlicet cara, vita vilissima, sed etiam illi
91 equites Romani, honestissimi atque optimi viri, ceterique fortissimi cives,
92 qui circumstant senatum, quorum tu et frequentiam videre et studia
93 perspicere et voces paulo ante exaudire potuisti. Quorum ego vix abs te
94 iam diu manus ac tela contineo, eosdem facile adducam, ut te haec, quae
95 vastare iam pridem studes, relinquentem usque ad portas prosequantur.
NOTES
70 pergö, -ere, -rexï, -rectum, to continue on, proceed. egredere: recall that the imperative of a deponent
verb is the same form as the non-existent regular infinitive. aliquandö, finally, at last. pateö, -ëre, -uï,
to lie open.
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71 nimium diu: too long. imperatörem: as commander (in apposition to te). Manliana castra: Catilineÿs
confederate Manlius had already established a camp for the rebellion near Florence.
72 desïderö (1) to miss, long for, require. si minus, quam plürimos: “if less, as many (at least) as
possible”.
73 purgö (1) to purge, cleanse. metus, -üs m. fear. dum modö, if only.
74 mürus, -ï, (city) wall. intersum, -esse, -fuï, to be present; come between. versor, -ärï, -ätus sum, to
live, have dealings with, associate. diütius adv. further, longer. ferö, ferre, tulï, lätum, to carry, bear;
allow.
75 patior, patï, passus sum, to suffer, endure, allow. sinö, -ere, sïvï, situs, to allow, permit.
76 dubitö + inf. (1) to hesitate. ëmorior, -ï, -tuus sum, to die off. aequö animö: “with a calm mind”.
77 aliquï, aliqua, aliquod adj. some. supplicium, -ï, punishment. iustus, -a, -um, just, fair. debitus, -a,
-um, deserved, destined.
78 ëripiö, -ere, ëripuï, ëreptum, to snatch away. fuga, -ae, flight. solitüdo, -inis f. solitude. mandö (1) to
hand over, commit. refer ad senatum: “refer (a motion) to the senate”.
79 postulö (1) to demand. ordö, -inis m. order, rank, class. decernö, -ere, -crëvï, -crëtum, to decide,
determine, decree. exilium, -ï, exile. Note the double indirect speech: “if this Order decides that it
would be pleaseing to it that you go into exile”.
80 obtemperö (1) to obey. abhorreö, -ëre, -uï + abl. to be averse to, be inconsistent with.
81 mös, möris m. custom, usage, practice. faciam ut intellegas: “I will make it so that you understand”.
quid, what. ëgredere: “go out! leave!” Recall the form of the singular imperative of a deponent verb.
82 metus, -üs m. fear (ablative of separation with liberä). vox, vöcis f. voice, word, saying.
83 exspectö (1) to await, wait for. proficiscere: sing. imperative of profïciscor, -ï, -fectus sum. ecquid,
whether, at all? (an emphatic interrogative). attendö, -ere, -ï, -tus, to notice, mark.
84 animadvertö, -ere, -tï, -sus, to notice. patiuntur: “they bear it” (i.e., Ciceroÿs use of the word
“exilium”). quid, why.
85 auctoritäs, -ätis f. authority. loquentium: “of them speaking”. voluntäs, -ätis f. will, wish. tacitörum:
“of them being silent”. perspiciö, -ere, -spexï, -spectum, to perceive, observe, discern, ascertain.
86 at sï: but if. hoc isdem: this same (word). adulescens, -entis m. youth.
87 mihi consulï: “me the consul” (ind. obj. with inferö). iurë optimö: “with the best justification”.
88 vïs: force, violence. inferö, -ferre, -tulï, illätum, to bring to bear. inferre manüs: to lay hands on.
quiescö, -ere, -ëvï, -ëtum, to rest, keep quiet.
89 probö (1) to approve. sölum adv. only, merely.
90 vidëlicet adv. of course, naturally (often ironic). vïlis, -e, cheap, worthless. sed etiam: “but also”.
91 honestus, -a, -um, honorable, decent.
92 circumstö, -äre, -stetï, to stand around, surround. frequentia, -ae, crowd, dense mass. studium, -ï,
eagerness.
93 paulö ante: “a little before”. exaudiö, -ïre, -ïvï, -ïtum, to hear clearly. vix adv. scarcely; with difficulty.
abs të: from you.
94 contineö, -ëre, -uï, -tentum, to hold together, control, check. addücö, -ere, -düxï, -ductum, to lead to,
influence, persuade.
95 vastö (1) to destroy. iam prïdem: now for a long time. relinquentem: agreeing with te. porta, -ae,
gate. prösequor, -ï, -cütus sum, to accompany, escort.
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[In sections 22-31 Cicero continues his attack on Catiline, explaining that
he will not forcibly drive Catiline from the city while he still has
supporters in the senate.]
96 [32] Quare secedant improbi, secernant se a bonis, unum in locum
97 congregentur, muro denique, quod saepe iam dixi, secernantur a nobis;
98 desinant insidiari domi suae consuli, circumstare tribunal praetoris
99 urbani, obsidere cum gladiis curiam, malleolos et faces ad
100 inflammandam urbem comparare; sit denique inscriptum in fronte unius
101 cuiusque, quid de re publica sentiat. Polliceor hoc vobis, patres conscripti,
102 tantam in nobis consulibus fore diligentiam, tantam in vobis auctoritatem,
103 tantam in equitibus Romanis virtutem, tantam in omnibus bonis
104 consensionem, ut Catilinae profectione omnia patefacta, inlustrata,
105 oppressa, vindicata esse videatis.
106 [33] Hisce ominibus, Catilina, cum summa rei publicae salute, cum tua
107 peste ac pernicie cumque eorum exitio, qui se tecum omni scelere
108 parricidioque iunxerunt, proficiscere ad impium bellum ac nefarium. Tu,
109 Iuppiter, qui isdem quibus haec urbs auspiciis a Romulo es constitutus,
110 quem Statorem huius urbis atque imperii vere nominamus, hunc et huius
111 socios a tuis aris ceterisque templis, a tectis urbis ac moenibus, a vita
112 fortunisque civium omnium arcebis et homines bonorum inimicos, hostis
113 patriae, latrones Italiae scelerum foedere inter se ac nefaria societate
114 coniunctos aeternis suppliciis vivos mortuosque mactabis.
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NOTES
96 quärë: wherefore. sëcëdö, -ere, -cessï, -cessum, to withdraw, depart. improbus, -a, -um, wicked,
shameless (here used as a substantive). sëcernö, -ere, -crëvï, -crëtum, to separate, disassociate.
97 congregö (1) to gather, assemble. mürus, -ï, (city) wall. quod: id quod.
98 dësinö, -ere, -sïvï, -situs, to give up, abandon, stop (from doing something + inf.). insidior, -ärï, -ätus
+ dat. to plot against. domï suae: “at his house” (a locative). tribünal, -älis n. judgment seat.
99 urbänus, -a, -um, urban, (of the) city. obsideö, -ëre, -sëdï, -sessum, to besiege. curia, -ae, senate
house. malleolus, -ï, firebrand. fax, facis f. torch.
100 ad inflammandam urbem: “for the purpose of the city being burned” (a gerundive of purpose).
compärö (1) to prepare. dënique adv. finally, at last, in short. inscrïbö, -ere, -scripsï, -scriptum, to
write on, inscribe. frons, frontis f. forehead, brow. unus quisque: each one.
101 polliceor, -ërï, -itus sum, to promise.
tantus, -a, -um, so much, so great (often followed by an ut clause of result). fore = futurum esse (a
common contraction). diligentia, -ae, diligence.
104 conseniö, -iönis f. agreement, harmony. profectiö, -iönis f. departure. Catilinae profectione, “with the
departure of Catiline”. omnia: “all things, everything”. patefaciö, -ere, -fëcï, -factum, to uncover,
reveal. illuströ (1) to light up, make clear. Note the series of passive infinitives in indirect speech
following videätis.
105 opprimö, -ere, -pressï, -pressum, to crush. vindicö (1) to punish.
106 hïsce ominibus: “with these omens”. hïsce is an emphatic form. salüs, -ütis f. safety.
107 pestis, pestis f. plague, death, destruction. perniciës, -ëï f. ruin, destruction. exitium, -ï, destruction,
ruin. scelus, -eris n. crime.
108 parricïdium, -ï, murder, treason. iungö, -ere, iunxï, iunctum, to join. Proficiscere: Recall that the
imperative of a deponent verb is the same form as the otherwise non-existent regular infinitive.
impius, -a, -um, impious, unholy. nefärius, -a, -um, criminal, heinous.
109 Iuppiter, Iövis m. Jupiter, the chief god of the Roman pantheon. Cicero is addressing the statue of
Jupiter directly, as the senate was meeting in the Temple of Jupiter Stator to the east of the Forum. quï
ïsdem . . . auspiciïs: “who by the same auspices”. ä Romulö: “by Romulus” (ablative of personal
agent). constituö, -ere, -uï, -ütus, to set up, establish.
110 Stätor, -öris, stayer (of flight). This temple, vowed during the war with the Sabines, was constructed
on the Palatine Hill in 294 B.C. verë adv. truly. nominö (1) to name, call. hunc: “him” (i.e., Catiline).
111 socius, -ï, ally. ara, -ae, altar. tectum, -ï, roof; house. moenia, -iörum n.pl. city walls. The series of
ablatives from arïs to fortünïs are governed by arcëbis: “keep him and his allies away from . . . “.
112 arceö, -ëre, -uï, to keep at a distance, keep away from + abl. The future tense (arcëbis . . . Mactäbis) is
often used as a polite imperative. inimïcus, -ï, (private) enemy (in apposition to hominës: “men,
enemies of the upright men”.
113 hostis, hostis m. (public) enemy. Here hostïs is an accusative plural. The variant -ïs for -ës in the
accusative plural of third declension nouns was common. patria, -ae, homeland. latrö, -önis m.
brigand. foedus, -eris n. treaty, compact, agreement. societäs, -ätis f. fellowship, association. Both
foedere and societäte are ablatives of means with coniünctös.
114 coniungö, -ere, -iunxï, -iünctum, to join together. aeternus, -a, -um, eternal, everlasting. supplicium,
-ï, punishment. mactö (1) to glorify, honor with sacrifice; afflict or punish with + abl.
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Littera Theorianis semper dictura salute / nomine nunc Dextri tempus in omne manet (anon)
Surda sit oranti tua ianua laxa ferenti / audiat exclusi verba receptus (am) a (ns) (Ovid, Am 1.8.77)
Ianitor ad dantis vigilet, si pulsat inanis / surdus in obductam somniet usque seram (Prop, 4.5.47)
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Vergil (Publius Vergilius Maro; 70 BC – 19 BC) If Vergil had had his way, Rome’s ‘national poem’ The Aeneid would never have
been published. It was Vergil’s death-bed wish that poem be burnt because it was
not finished – at least not Vergil’s standards. Instead, The Aeneid became an instant success an
instant classic and a staple for students for millennia – Vergil’s Aeneid was second only to the
bible in popularity and prominence. Vergil seems to have lost his family farm to the land
confiscations which were used to pay off the soldiers loyal to Octavian. Vergil, however,
became quite wealthy (10 million sesterces) from the gifts of friends (especially the literary
patron Maecenas). Vergil began writing pastoral poetry; the Bucolics and the the Georgics. It
was at the special request from Augustus for a national poem for Rome that Vergil wrote the
Aeneid.
Aeneid 1. 1-123 (what is the literary device at each italicized word/phrase)
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram;
multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem, 5
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
Musa, mihi causas memora, quo numine laeso,
quidve dolens, regina deum tot volvere casus
insignem pietate virum, tot adire labores 10
impulerit. Tantaene animis caelestibus irae?
Urbs antiqua fuit (Tyrii tenuere coloni)
Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe
ostia, dives opum studiisque asperrima belli;
quam Iuno fertur terris magis omnibus unam 15
posthabita coluisse Samo; hic illius arma,
hic currus fuit; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,
si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque.
ora, ae (f): beach, shore
Italiam, litora (add in or ad)
iactatus, passus (add est)
superum (syncopated form of superorum)
genus, generis (n): people, race
unde (add est or venit)
? who are the Albani patres ?
quo numine laeso, quidve dolens: this is
very tricky since it is a double interrogative;
translate as ‘for what injury to her divine
majesty, or for what pain’
impulerit . . . virum . . . volvere, adire:
cave the word order!
volvere: undergo
casus: misfortunes (4th
declension)
labores: struggles
contra . . . longe: far across from
ostia: river mouth
studiis: in the pursuits
quam: rel. pron. referring to urbs
fertur: he, she, it is said
unam: same as solam
posthabita . . . Samo: ablative absolute
regnum: translate after esse (predicate)
qua: somehow, in any way
tendit: aim
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Progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci
audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces; 20
hinc populum late regem belloque superbum
venturum excidio Libyae: sic volvere Parcas.
Id metuens, veterisque memor Saturnia belli,
prima quod ad Troiam pro caris gesserat Argis—
necdum etiam causae irarum saevique dolores 25
exciderant animo: manet alta mente repostum
iudicium Paridis spretaeque iniuria formae,
et genus invisum, et rapti Ganymedis honores.
His accensa super, iactatos aequore toto
Troas, reliquias Danaum atque immitis Achilli, 30
arcebat longe Latio, multosque per annos
errabant, acti fatis, maria omnia circum.
Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem!
Vix e conspectu Siculae telluris in altum
vela dabant laeti, et spumas salis aere ruebant, 35
cum Iuno, aeternum servans sub pectore volnus,
haec secum: 'Mene incepto desistere victam,
nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem?
Quippe vetor fatis. Pallasne exurere classem
Argivom atque ipsos potuit submergere ponto, 40
unius ob noxam et furias Aiacis Oilei?
Ipsa, Iovis rapidum iaculata e nubibus ignem,
disiecitque rates evertitque aequora ventis,
illum expirantem transfixo pectore flammas
turbine corripuit scopuloque infixit acuto. 45
Ast ego, quae divom incedo regina, Iovisque
et soror et coniunx, una cum gente tot annos
bella gero! Et quisquam numen Iunonis adoret
praeterea, aut supplex aris imponet honorem?'
duci: to be derived (= to come)
quae: relative of purpose
venturum: venturum esse (ind. disc.)
Parcas: the Fates
Saturnia: Juno (daughter of Saturn)
quod: relative pronoun (belli)
gero, gerere: (with bellum) to wage
necdum: not yet
excido, excidere: to leave
repostus, a, um: stuck
spretus, a, um : rejected, spurned
genus, generis: people, race
reliquiae, arum: the leavings, left behind
immitis, is, e: hateful, loathesome
arco, arcere: to keep away
actus, a, um: forced, driven
molis, molis: mass, effort
vela dare: to set sail (to give sails)
salis: treat as an adjective for spumas
aes, aeris: bronze
servo, servare: preserve, keep
haec secum: understand dixit
me . . . desistere: acc + infin – exclamation
Italia: ablative of separation
quippe: I guess! (irony)
Pallas: Athena/Minerva
classis, classis: fleet
Argivom: archaic genitive plural
noxa, noxae: injury
Aiacis Oilei: Ajax, son of Oileus
iaculor, iaculari: throw
ignis, ignis: lightning (metaphor)
disicio, ere: to scatter, to destroy
ratis, ratis: ship
turbo, turbinis: whirlwind, tornado
corripio, ere: to snatch up, to grab
infingo, ere: to impale
divom: archaic form of divorum
incedo, ere: proceed, walk out
quisquam: anyone
ara, area: altar
honor, honoris: honour, sacrifice
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Talia flammato secum dea corde volutans 50
nimborum in patriam, loca feta furentibus austris,
Aeoliam venit. Hic vasto rex Aeolus antro
luctantes ventos tempestatesque sonoras
imperio premit ac vinclis et carcere frenat.
Illi indignantes magno cum murmure montis 55
circum claustra fremunt; celsa sedet Aeolus arce
sceptra tenens, mollitque animos et temperat iras.
Ni faciat, maria ac terras caelumque profundum
quippe ferant rapidi secum verrantque per auras.
Sed pater omnipotens speluncis abdidit atris, 60
hoc metuens, molemque et montis insuper altos
imposuit, regemque dedit, qui foedere certo
et premere et laxas sciret dare iussus habenas.
Ad quem tum Iuno supplex his vocibus usa est:
'Aeole, namque tibi divom pater atque hominum rex
et mulcere dedit fluctus et tollere vento, 66
gens inimica mihi Tyrrhenum navigat aequor,
Ilium in Italiam portans victosque Penates:
incute vim ventis submersasque obrue puppes,
aut age diversos et disiice corpora ponto. 70
Sunt mihi bis septem praestanti corpore nymphae,
quarum quae forma pulcherrima Deiopea,
conubio iungam stabili propriamque dicabo,
omnis ut tecum meritis pro talibus annos
exigat, et pulchra faciat te prole parentem.' 75
Aeolus haec contra: 'Tuus, O regina, quid optes
explorare labor; mihi iussa capessere fas est.
Tu mihi, quodcumque hoc regni, tu sceptra Iovemque
voluto, are: to turn over
fetus, a, um: pregnant, filled
antro: understand in
luctans, luctantis: struggling
sonorus, a, um: loud, sonorous
premo, ere: press, control
claustrum, i: enclosure, prison
fremo, ere: grumble, roar
celsus, a, um: high, lofty
arx, arcis: citadel
ni: (nisi) if not
rapidi: understand venti
verro, ere: sweep, scatter
abdo, abdere: to hide (dir. obj. ventos)
ater, atra, atrum: dark
insuper: (adv.) on top
foedus, foederis: pact, agreement
scio, scire: to know how
habena, ae: reins
vox, vocis: voice, word
mulceo, ere: to soothe
Tyrrhenus, a, um: Etruscan
Penates, um: household gods
incutio, ere: to strike
vim: translate as an adverb
obruo, ere: to overwhelm, to sink
ago, ere: drive
diversus, a, um: individual
disicio, ere: to scatter
praestans, ntis: outstanding
quae: translate as one
conubium, i: marriage
proprius, a, um: belong to
exigo, ere: to live out
meritum, i: favour,
prolis, is: offspring
Aeolus haec: understand dixit
exploro, are: to figure out
opto, are: choose, want
capesso, ere: seize, take up
fas est it is right
quodcumque hoc regni: whatever
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concilias, tu das epulis accumbere divom,
nimborumque facis tempestatumque potentem.' 80
Haec ubi dicta, cavum conversa cuspide montem
impulit in latus: ac venti, velut agmine facto,
qua data porta, ruunt et terras turbine perflant.
Incubuere mari, totumque a sedibus imis
una Eurusque Notusque ruunt creberque procellis 85
Africus, et vastos volvunt ad litora fluctus.
Insequitur clamorque virum stridorque rudentum.
Eripiunt subito nubes caelumque diemque
Teucrorum ex oculis; ponto nox incubat atra.
Intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus aether, 90
praesentemque viris intentant omnia mortem.
Extemplo Aeneae solvuntur frigore membra:
ingemit, et duplicis tendens ad sidera palmas
talia voce refert: 'O terque quaterque beati,
quis ante ora patrum Troiae sub moenibus altis 95
contigit oppetere! O Danaum fortissime gentis
Tydide! Mene Iliacis occumbere campis
non potuisse, tuaque animam hanc effundere dextra,
saevus ubi Aeacidae telo iacet Hector, ubi ingens
Sarpedon, ubi tot Simois correpta sub undis 100
scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volvit?'
kingdom this is
concilio, are: win over
das: understand mihi, you give me the right
epulae, arum: banquet
accumbo, ere: to lie down, to relcine
potentem: understand me
dicta: understand est
conversus, a, um: reversed
cuspis, cuspidis: spear
agmen, agminis: column
qua data porta: through the door provided
perflo, are: to blow through
incubo, ere: to lie upon, to spread upon
totum: (adv) completely
una: together (lit, as one)
procella, ae: storm
stridor, oris: scream, whine
rudens, entis: rope
Teucri, orum: Trojans
poli, orum: the poles, the heavens
mico, are: to flash
intento, are: threaten
solvo, ere: to go weak (loosen)
refero, referre: to say
contingo, ere: to happen (+ infin)
oppeto, ere: to encounter, to die
Danaum: of the Greeks
Iliacus, a, um: Trojan
Aeacidae: of the son of Aeacus (Achilles)
Simois, is: the Simois River
galea, ae: helmet
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There are a lot of images of the adventures of Aeneas, many created in the ancient world and
many more created since. Below are some samples:
This is a coin produced during the time of
Julius Caesar. Can you tell what the image
is? Who is the main figure and what is he
doing?
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Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus; 65 BC – 8 BC) Horace bet on the wrong side in the civil wars following Julius Caesar’s
assassination. As an educated and reasonably wealthy citizen (actually the
son of a freedman who worked for an auctioneer) he served in Brutus’ army
as a staff officer. After the war he enjoyed the general amnesty granted to all those who fought
on the ‘republican’ side, but his family farm (like that of Vergil’s) had been confiscated. Horace
still had enough resources to purchase a clerk’s job on the treasury. This allowed him the time to
write poetry and he soon joined Maecenas’ literary circle along with Vergil. Horace’s writings,
which include odes, satires, literary letters and even a work called the Ars Poetae, are gentle,
pleasant pieces in which the author frequently makes fun of himself and display a genuine
appreciation to Augustus for ending civil war in the Roman world and to Maecenas for his
support of his literary career. Augustus once offered Horace the post of personal secretary, but
Horace declined the post, preferring to live a quiet life.
Ode 1.5
Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa
perfusus liquidis urget odoribus
grato, Pyrrha, sub antro?
cui flauam religas comam,
simplex munditiis? Heu quotiens fidem 5
mutatosque deos flebit et aspera
nigris aequora ventis
emirabitur insolens,
qui nunc te fruitur credulus aurea,
qui semper vacuam, semper amabilem 10
sperat, nescius aurae
fallacis. Miseri, quibus
intemptata nites. Me tabula sacer
votiva paries indicat uvida
suspendisse potenti 15
vestimenta maris deo.
NOTES and TRANSLATION
multa rosa: many a rose
28 BC denarius of Gaius Iulius Caesar Octavianus
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Ode 1.11
Tu ne quaesieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibi
finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios
temptaris numeros. Ut melius quicquid erit pati!
Seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,
quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare 5
Tyrrhenum, sapias, vina liques et spatio brevi
spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit invida
aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
NOTES and TRANSLATION
Ode 1.38
Persicos odi, puer, apparatus;
displicent nexae philyra coronae;
mitte sectari rosa quo locorum
sera moretur.
Simplici myrto nihil adlabores 5
sedulus curo; neque te ministrum
dedecet myrtus neque me sub arta
vite bibentem.
NOTES and TRANSLATION
Ode 3.30
Exegi monumentum aere perennius
regalique situ pyramidum altius,
quod non imber edax, non Aquilo inpotens
possit diruere aut innumerabilis
annorum series et fuga temporum. 5
Non omnis moriar multaque pars mei
uitabit Libitinam; usque ego postera
crescam laude recens, dum Capitolium
scandet cum tacita uirgine pontifex.
Dicar, qua uiolens obstrepit Aufidus 10
et qua pauper aquae Daunus agrestium
regnauit populorum, ex humili potens
princeps Aeolium carmen ad Italos
deduxisse modos. Sume superbiam
quaesitam meritis et mihi Delphica 15
lauro cinge uolens, Melpomene, comam.
NOTES and TRANSLATION
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Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso; 43 BC – 17 BC) The poet Ovid had one of the most remarkable lives of all ancient writers. He is
often described as being a member of the first post civil war generation. Unlike
Vergil or Horace, Ovid did not experience the political unrest of the dying
republic as an adult. Ovid did experience the wrath of Augustus. In 8 AD he was banished to
Tomis on the Black Sea, where he remained until his death. We will never know what really
happened, but it seems as if Ovid had some connection with the events that led to the banishment
of Augustus’ grandchildren, Agrippa Postumus and Julia Minor. Ovid was an urbane poet,
writing love poems, advice on cosmetics, but also an annotated calendar of religious festivals.
His longest work is the Metamorphoses, a collection of myths, cleverly woven together. The
theme which connects them all is that one of the characters of the story is changed into another
form.
Ars Amatoria 1.1-100
Si quis in hoc artem populo non novit amandi,
Hoc legat et lecto carmine doctus amet.
Arte citae veloque rates remoque moventur,
Arte leves currus: arte regendus amor.
Curribus Automedon lentisque erat aptus habenis, 5
Tiphys in Haemonia puppe magister erat:
Me Venus artificem tenero praefecit Amori;
Tiphys et Automedon dicar Amoris ego.
Ille quidem ferus est et qui mihi saepe repugnet:
Sed puer est, aetas mollis et apta regi. 10
Phillyrides puerum cithara perfecit Achillem,
Atque animos placida contudit arte feros.
Qui totiens socios, totiens exterruit hostes,
Creditur annosum pertimuisse senem.
Quas Hector sensurus erat, poscente magistro 15
Verberibus iussas praebuit ille manus.
Aeacidae Chiron, ego sum praeceptor Amoris:
Saevus uterque puer, natus uterque dea.
Sed tamen et tauri cervix oneratur aratro,
quis: anyone
amandi: gerund
citus, a um: swift
velum, i: sail
ratis, ratis: boat, ship
regendus: understand est
aptus, a, um: fit for, suited to
Haemonius, a, um: Thessalian, from Thessaly
tener, a, um: slender, delicate
praeficio, ere: to put in charge
dicar: I will be called
repugno, are: to resist (+ dat.)
perficio, ere: to perfect, to make good at
contundo, ere: to pound, to beat
totiens: so often
annosus, a, um: having years, aged
quas: relative pronound referrig to __?
verbera, ae: beating
praebeo, ere: to offer, to hold out
praeceptor, oris: teacher
uterque: each, both
dea: (what case? why?)
cervix, icis: neck
arater, tri: plow
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Frenaque magnanimi dente teruntur equi; 20
Et mihi cedet Amor, quamvis mea vulneret arcu
Pectora, iactatas excutiatque faces.
Quo me fixit Amor, quo me violentius ussit,
Hoc melior facti vulneris ultor ero:
Non ego, Phoebe, datas a te mihi mentiar artes, 25
Nec nos aeriae voce monemur avis,
Nec mihi sunt visae Clio Cliusque sorores
Servanti pecudes vallibus, Ascra, tuis:
Usus opus movet hoc: vati parete perito;
Vera canam: coeptis, mater Amoris, ades! 30
Este procul, vittae tenues, insigne pudoris,
Quaeque tegis medios, instita longa, pedes.
Nos venerem tutam concessaque furta canemus,
Inque meo nullum carmine crimen erit.
Principio, quod amare velis, reperire labora, 35
Qui nova nunc primum miles in arma venis.
Proximus huic labor est placitam exorare puellam:
Tertius, ut longo tempore duret amor.
Hic modus, haec nostro signabitur area curru:
Haec erit admissa meta terenda rota. 40
Dum licet, et loris passim potes ire solutis,
Elige cui dicas 'tu mihi sola places.'
Haec tibi non tenues veniet delapsa per auras:
Quaerenda est oculis apta puella tuis.
Scit bene venator, cervis ubi retia tendat, 45
Scit bene, qua frendens valle moretur aper;
Aucupibus noti frutices; qui sustinet hamos,
Novit quae multo pisce natentur aquae:
Tu quoque, materiam longo qui quaeris amori,
Ante frequens quo sit disce puella loco. 50
Non ego quaerentem vento dare vela iubebo,
Nec tibi, ut invenias, longa terenda via est.
frenum, i: bridle, bit
tero, terere: to wear down
arcus, arcus: bow (archery)
excutio, excutire: shake, brandish
fax, facis: torch
quo . . .hoc: as much as . . . that much
uro, urere, ussi: to burn, to set on fire
ultor, ultoris: avenger
datas: understand esse
moneo, ere: to advise
mihi: dative of agent
servo, are: to save, to preserve, to tend
vallibus: understand in
usus, us: experience
pareo, ere: obey (+ dat.)
coeptis: at the start, at the beginning
este: imperative
vitta, ae: wedding garland, wedding veil
instita, ae: woman’s tunic
concessus, a, um: withdrawn, allowed, hidden
principio: at first
reperio, ire: find out, discover
placitus, a, um: pleasing
exoro, are: prevail upon, win over
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Andromedan Perseus nigris portarit ab Indis,
Raptaque sit Phrygio Graia puella viro,
Tot tibi tamque dabit formosas Roma puellas, 55
'Haec habet' ut dicas 'quicquid in orbe fuit.'
Gargara quot segetes, quot habet Methymna racemos,
Aequore quot pisces, fronde teguntur aves,
Quot caelum stellas, tot habet tua Roma puellas:
Mater in Aeneae constitit urbe sui. 60
Seu caperis primis et adhuc crescentibus annis,
Ante oculos veniet vera puella tuos:
Sive cupis iuvenem, iuvenes tibi mille placebunt.
Cogeris voti nescius esse tui:
Seu te forte iuvat sera et sapientior aetas, 65
Hoc quoque, crede mihi, plenius agmen erit.
Tu modo Pompeia lentus spatiare sub umbra,
Cum sol Herculei terga leonis adit:
Aut ubi muneribus nati sua munera mater
Addidit, externo marmore dives opus. 70
Nec tibi vitetur quae, priscis sparsa tabellis,
Porticus auctoris Livia nomen habet:
Quaque parare necem miseris patruelibus ausae
Belides et stricto stat ferus ense pater.
Nec te praetereat Veneri ploratus Adonis, 75
Cultaque Iudaeo septima sacra Syro.
Nec fuge linigerae Memphitica templa iuvencae:
Multas illa facit, quod fuit ipsa Iovi.
Et fora conveniunt (quis credere possit?) amori:
Flammaque in arguto saepe reperta foro: 80
Subdita qua Veneris facto de marmore templo
Appias expressis aera pulsat aquis,
Illo saepe loco capitur consultus Amori,
Quique aliis cavit, non cavet ipse sibi:
Illo saepe loco desunt sua verba diserto, 85
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Resque novae veniunt, causaque agenda sua est.
Hunc Venus e templis, quae sunt confinia, ridet:
Qui modo patronus, nunc cupit esse cliens.
Sed tu praecipue curvis venare theatris:
Haec loca sunt voto fertiliora tuo. 90
Illic invenies quod ames, quod ludere possis,
Quodque semel tangas, quodque tenere velis.
Ut redit itque frequens longum formica per agmen,
Granifero solitum cum vehit ore cibum,
Aut ut apes saltusque suos et olentia nactae 95
Pascua per flores et thyma summa volant,
Sic ruit ad celebres cultissima femina ludos:
Copia iudicium saepe morata meum est.
Spectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut ipsae:
Ille locus casti damna pudoris habet. 100
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Pompeiian Graffiti II
Cumis gladiatorium paria XX pugnabunt Kalendis Octobribus, III et pridie Nonas
Octobres. Cruciarii, venatio, vela erunt. Felix ad ursos pugnabit. Cuniculus scriptor Luceio
salutem mittit.
Miximus in lecto. Fateor, peccavimus, hospes.
Si dices, ‘Quare?’ Nulla fuit matella.
Mingo, mingere = pee
Matella, ae = chamberpot, potty
Sex. Pompeio Proculo C. Cornelio Marco
IIvi(ris) i(ure) d(icendo) XI K(alendis)
Mart(ias), Privatus, coloniae ser(vus), scripsi me
accepisse ab L. Caecilio Iucundo sestertios mille
sescentos quinquaginta duo nummos ob
fullonicam ex reliquis anni uniius. (58AD).
coloniae = town
nummi = cash
fullonica = fuller’s guild
reliqui = rent
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Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis; 40AD – 103AD)
Martial who is often considered the father of modern epigrams, was born in Spain
and was active as a poet during the reigns of Domitian, Nerva and Trajan. He wrote 1,561
poems (1,235 in elegiac couplets) in 12 books which were published between 86 and 102. His
poems satirize everyday life in ancient Rome as well as Martial’s friends and acquaintances. The
poems are not always brilliant (it’s tough to be on top of your game 1,561 times) and the jokes
don’t always translate well after over 1,900 years, but they can be fun and the Latin is straight
forward rather than ultra-arty.
Book 1: prologue
1. Spero me secutum in libellis meis tale
temperamentum ut de illis queri non possit quisquis
de se bene senserit, cum salva infirmarum quoque
personarum reverentia ludant; quae adeo antiquis
auctoribus defuit ut nominibus non tantum veris
abusi sint, sed et magnis. 2. Mihi fama vilius
constet et probetur in me novissimum ingenium. 3.
Absit a iocorum nostrorum simplicitate malignus
interpres nec epigrammata mea scribat: inprobe
facit qui in alieno libro ingeniosus est. 4. Lascivam
verborum veritatem, id est epigrammaton linguam,
excussarem, si meum esset exemplum: sic scribit
Catullus, sic Marsus, sic Pedo, sic Gaetulicus, sic
quicumque perlegitur. 5. Si quis tamen tam
ambitiose tristis est ut apud illum in nulla pagina
latine loqui fas sit, potest epistola vel potius titulo
contentus esse. 6. Epigrammata illis scribuntur qui
solent spectare Florales. 7. Non intret Cato
theatrum meum, aut si intraverit, spectet. 8. Videor
mihi meo iure facturus si epistolam versibus
clusero:
YOUR NOTES and TRANSLATION
Nosses iocosae dulce cum sacrum Florae
festosque lusus et licentiam volgi,
cur in theatrum, Cato severe, venisti?
an ideo tantum veneras, ut exires?
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Epigrams
Hic est quem legis ille, quem requiris,
toto notus in orbe Martialis
argutis epigrammaton libellis:
cui, lector studiose, quod dedisti
viventi decus atque sentienti, 5
rari post cineres habent poetae.
Do tibi naumachiam, tu das epigrammata nobis:
uis, puto, cum libro, Marce, natare tuo.
Bellus homo et magnus uis idem, Cotta, uideri:
sed qui bellus homo est, Cotta, pusillus homo est.
Petit Gemellus nuptias Maronillae
et cupit et instat et precatur et donat.
Adeone pulchra est? Immo foedius nil est.
Quid ergo in illa petitur et placet? Tussit.
Casta suo gladium cum traderet Arria Paeto,
quem de uisceribus strinxerat ipsa suis,
'Si qua fides, uulnus quod feci non dolet,' inquit,
'sed tu quod facies, hoc mihi, Paete, dolet.'
Sunt bona, sunt quaedam mediocria, sunt mala plura
quae legis hic: aliter non fit, Auite, liber.
Si memini, fuerant tibi quattuor, Aelia, dentes:
expulit una duos tussis et una duos.
Iam secura potes totis tussire diebus:
nil istic quod agat tertia tussis habet.
Hesterno fetere mero qui credit Acerram,
fallitur: in lucem semper Acerra bibit.
Chirurgus fuerat, nunc est uispillo Diaulus:
coepit quo poterat clinicus esse modo.
Non amo te, Sabidi, nec possum dicere quare:
hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te.
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Nuper erat medicus, nunc est uispillo Diaulus:
quod uispillo facit, fecerat et medicus.
Bella es, nouimus, et puella, uerum est,
et diues, quis enim potest negare?
Sed cum te nimium, Fabulla, laudas,
nec diues neque bella nec puella es.
Cantasti male, dum fututa es, Aegle.
Iam cantas bene: basianda non es.
Qui pinxit Venerem tuam, Lycori,
blanditus, puto, pictor est Mineruae.
In Nomentanis, Ouidi, quod nascitur aruis,
accepit quotiens tempora longa, merum
exuit annosa mores nomenque senecta:
et quidquid uoluit, testa uocatur anus.
Saepe mihi dicis, Luci carissime Iuli,
'scribe aliquid magnum: desidiosus homo es.'
Otia da nobis, sed qualia fecerat olim
Maecenas Flacco Vergilioque suo:
condere uicturas temptem per saecula curas 5
et nomen flammis eripuisse meum.
In steriles nolunt campos iuga ferre iuuenci:
pingue solum lassat, sed iuuat ipse labor.
Scribere me quereris, Velox, epigrammata longa.
Ipse nihil scribis: tu breuiora facis.
Cum te non nossem, dominum regemque uocabam;
nunc bene te noui: iam mihi Priscus eris.
Cui legisse satis non est epigrammata centum,
nil illi satis est, Caediciane, mali,
Livia Alexandro salute. Si vales, non multum curo. Si perieris, gaudeo.
(CIL 6.1593)
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Pliny (Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus; 40AD – 103AD)
Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (aka Plinius Minor or Pliny the Younger)
was born in 61AD in Novum Comum (New Como) in Northern Italy. He was
born Gaius Caecilius Cilo to Lucius Caecilius Cilo and Plinia Marcella, the
sister of Pliny the Elder. When the elder Pliny died during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD (he
was the 'admiral' of the fleet in nearby Misenum and was overseeing resuce operations), he left
his estate to his nephew, whom he also adopted. Thus, Caius Caecilius Cilo became Gaius
Plinius Caecilius Secundus. Pliny was a conscientious, diligent and well-liked man, who has left
us a remarkable record of senatorial life in the late 1st and early 2nd centuris AD as well as
delightful peeks into the Roman psyche.
Letters
1.6 C. PLINIUS CORNELIO TACITO SUO S.
1 Ridebis, et licet rideas. Ego, ille quem nosti, apros
tres et quidem pulcherrimos cepi. 'Ipse?' inquis. Ipse;
non tamen ut omnino ab inertia mea et quiete
discederem. Ad retia sedebam; erat in proximo non
venabulum aut lancea, sed stilus et pugillares;
meditabar aliquid enotabamque, ut si manus vacuas,
plenas tamen ceras reportarem. 2 Non est quod
contemnas hoc studendi genus; mirum est ut animus
agitatione motuque corporis excitetur; iam undique
silvae et solitudo ipsumque illud silentium quod
venationi datur, magna cogitationis incitamenta sunt.
3 Proinde cum venabere, licebit auctore me ut
panarium et lagunculam sic etiam pugillares feras:
experieris non Dianam magis montibus quam
Minervam inerrare. Vale.
YOUR NOTES and TRANSLATION
6.9 C. PLINIUS TACITO SUO S.
1 Commendas mihi Iulium Nasonem candidatum.
Nasonem mihi? quid si me ipsum? Fero tamen et
ignosco. Eundem enim commendassem tibi, si te
Romae morante ipse afuissem. 2 Habet hoc
sollicitudo, quod omnia necessaria putat. Tu tamen
censeo alios roges; ego precum tuarum minister
adiutor particeps ero. Vale.
YOUR NOTES and TRANSLATION
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10.17 C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Sicut saluberrimam navigationem, domine, usque
Ephesum expertus ita inde, postquam vehiculis iter
facere coepi, gravissimis aestibus atque etiam
febriculis vexatus Pergami substiti. 2 Rursus, cum
transissem in orarias nauculas, contrariis ventis
retentus aliquanto tardius quam speraveram, id est
XV Kal. Octobres, Bithyniam intravi. Non possum
tamen de mora queri, cum mihi contigerit, quod erat
auspicatissimum, natalem tuum in provincia
celebrare. 3 Nunc rei publicae Prusensium impendia,
reditus, debitores excutio; quod ex ipso tractatu
magis ac magis necessarium intellego. Multae enim
pecuniae variis ex causis a privatis detinentur;
praeterea quaedam minime legitimis sumptibus
erogantur. 4 Haec tibi, domine, in ipso ingressu meo
scripsi.
10.17B C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Quinto decimo Kal. Octob., domine, provinciam
intravi, quam in eo obsequio, in ea erga te fide, quam
de genere humano mereris, inveni. 2 Dispice,
domine, an necessarium putes mittere huc
mensorem. Videntur enim non mediocres pecuniae
posse revocari a curatoribus operum, si mensurae
fideliter agantur. Ita certe prospicio ex ratione
Prusensium, quam cum maxime tracto.
YOUR NOTES and TRANSLATION
10.18 TRAIANUS PLINIO
1 Cuperem sine querela corpusculi tui et tuorum
pervenire in Bithyniam potuisses, ac simile tibi iter
ab Epheso ei navigationi fuisset, quam expertus
usque illo eras. 2 Quo autem die pervenisses in
Bithyniam, cognovi, Secunde carissime, litteris tuis.
Provinciales, credo, prospectum sibi a me intellegent.
Nam et tu dabis operam, ut manifestum sit illis
electum te esse, qui ad eosdem mei loco mittereris. 3
Rationes autem in primis tibi rerum publicarum
excutiendae sunt; nam et esse eas vexatas satis
constat. Mensores vix etiam iis operibus, quae aut
Romae aut in proximo fiunt, sufficientes habeo; sed
YOUR NOTES and TRANSLATION
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in omni provincia inveniuntur, quibus credi possit, et
ideo non deerunt tibi, modo velis diligenter excutere.
10.96 C. PLINIUS TRAIANO IMPERATORI
1 Sollemne est mihi, domine, omnia de quibus dubito
ad te referre. Quis enim potest melius vel
cunctationem meam regere vel ignorantiam
instruere? Cognitionibus de Christianis interfui
numquam: ideo nescio quid et quatenus aut puniri
soleat aut quaeri. 2 Nec mediocriter haesitavi, sitne
aliquod discrimen aetatum, an quamlibet teneri nihil
a robustioribus differant; detur paenitentiae venia, an
ei, qui omnino Christianus fuit, desisse non prosit;
nomen ipsum, si flagitiis careat, an flagitia
cohaerentia nomini puniantur. Interim, <in> iis qui
ad me tamquam Christiani deferebantur, hunc sum
secutus modum. 3 Interrogavi ipsos an essent
Christiani. Confitentes iterum ac tertio interrogavi
supplicium minatus; perseverantes duci iussi. Neque
enim dubitabam, qualecumque esset quod faterentur,
pertinaciam certe et inflexibilem obstinationem
debere puniri. 4 Fuerunt alii similis amentiae, quos,
quia cives Romani erant, adnotavi in urbem
remittendos.
Mox ipso tractatu, ut fieri solet, diffundente se
crimine plures species inciderunt. 5 Propositus est
libellus sine auctore multorum nomina continens.
Qui negabant esse se Christianos aut fuisse, cum
praeeunte me deos appellarent et imagini tuae, quam
propter hoc iusseram cum simulacris numinum
afferri, ture ac vino supplicarent, praeterea male
dicerent Christo, quorum nihil cogi posse dicuntur
qui sunt re vera Christiani, dimittendos putavi. 6 Alii
ab indice nominati esse se Christianos dixerunt et
mox negaverunt; fuisse quidem sed desisse, quidam
ante triennium, quidam ante plures annos, non nemo
etiam ante viginti. <Hi> quoque omnes et imaginem
tuam deorumque simulacra venerati sunt et Christo
male dixerunt. 7 Affirmabant autem hanc fuisse
summam vel culpae suae vel erroris, quod essent
soliti stato die ante lucem convenire, carmenque
YOUR NOTES and TRANSLATION
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Christo quasi deo dicere secum invicem seque
sacramento non in scelus aliquod obstringere, sed ne
furta ne latrocinia ne adulteria committerent, ne
fidem fallerent, ne depositum appellati abnegarent.
Quibus peractis morem sibi discedendi fuisse
rursusque coeundi ad capiendum cibum, promiscuum
tamen et innoxium; quod ipsum facere desisse post
edictum meum, quo secundum mandata tua hetaerias
esse vetueram. 8 Quo magis necessarium credidi ex
duabus ancillis, quae ministrae dicebantur, quid esset
veri, et per tormenta quaerere. Nihil aliud inveni
quam superstitionem pravam et immodicam.
9 Ideo dilata cognitione ad consulendum te
decucurri. Visa est enim mihi res digna
consultatione, maxime propter periclitantium
numerum. Multi enim omnis aetatis, omnis ordinis,
utriusque sexus etiam vocantur in periculum et
vocabuntur. Neque civitates tantum, sed vicos etiam
atque agros superstitionis istius contagio pervagata
est; quae videtur sisti et corrigi posse. 10 Certe satis
constat prope iam desolata templa coepisse celebrari,
et sacra sollemnia diu intermissa repeti passimque
venire <carnem> victimarum, cuius adhuc rarissimus
emptor inveniebatur. Ex quo facile est opinari, quae
turba hominum emendari possit, si sit paenitentiae
locus.
10.97 TRAIANUS PLINIO
1 Actum quem debuisti, mi Secunde, in excutiendis
causis eorum, qui Christiani ad te delati fuerant,
secutus es. Neque enim in universum aliquid, quod
quasi certam formam habeat, constitui potest. 2
Conquirendi non sunt; si deferantur et arguantur,
puniendi sunt, ita tamen ut, qui negaverit se
Christianum esse idque re ipsa manifestum fecerit, id
est supplicando dis nostris, quamvis suspectus in
praeteritum, veniam ex paenitentia impetret. Sine
auctore vero propositi libelli <in> nullo crimine
locum habere debent. Nam et pessimi exempli nec
nostri saeculi est.
YOUR NOTES and TRANSLATION
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From an arch in Beneventum
______________________________________________________________________________
Tomb inscription of the Emperor Commodus (192)
imperatori Caesari divi Marci Antonini Pii Germanici Sarmatici filio, divi Pii nepoti, divi
Hadriani pronepoti, divi Traiani Parthici abneptoi, divi Nervae adnepoti, L. Aelio Aurelio
Commodo Augusto Sarmatico Germanico maximo Brittanico pontifici maximo, tribunicae
potestat. XVIII, imperat. VIII, consuli VII, patri patriae (ILS 401)
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Medieval Latin
In Taberna is a better known drinking song from the middle ages. Unlike classical Latni poetry,
it rhymes and the metre is based on accent, rather than pitch (ancient Greek poetry) or syllable
length (classical Latin poetry). Apart from some late Latin vocabulary, it is not overly difficult.
In taberna quando sumus
non curamus quid sit humus,
sed ad ludum properamus,
cui semper insudamus.
Quid agatur in taberna
ubi nummus est pincerna,
hoc est opus ut queratur,
si quid loquar, audiatur.
Quidam ludunt, quidam bibunt,
quidam indiscrete vivunt.
Sed in ludo qui morantur,
ex his quidam denudantur
quidam ibi vestiuntur,
quidam saccis induuntur.
Ibi nullus timet mortem
sed pro Baccho mittunt sortem:
Primo pro nummata vini,
ex hac bibunt libertini;
semel bibunt pro captivis,
post hoc bibunt ter pro vivis,
quater pro Christianis cunctis
quinquies pro fidelibus defunctis,
sexies pro sororibus vanis,
septies pro militibus silvanis.
Octies pro fratribus perversis,
nonies pro monachis dispersis,
decies pro navigantibus
undecies pro discordantibus,
duodecies pro penitentibus,
tredecies pro iter agentibus.
Tam pro papa quam pro rege
bibunt omnes sine lege.
Curare: to care
Humus: earth
Ludus, i: game, gambling
Properare: to rush
Insudare: to sweat
Pincerna, ae: butler, server
Queror, queri: to sing (as well as complain)
+ what types of subjunctives are loquar and audiatur?+
Quidam: some
Indiscrete: wildly
Denudari: to be stripped (lose their shirts)
Vestire: to dress, to put on clothes
Sacca, ae: sack-cloth, rags
Induere: to put on, to wear
Sortem mittere: draw lots
Nummatus vini: wine merchant, moneyed of wine
Libertinus, i: freedman, libertine, partier
Fidelis: faithful
Defunctus, a, um: dead
Vanus, a, um: conceited, loose
Frater: brother (monastic)
Monachus, i: (monk)
Dispersus, a, um: scattered
Iter agens: traveller (someone making a journey)
Tam . . . quam: as much . . . as
Lex, legis: rule, control
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Bibit hera, bibit herus,
bibit miles, bibit clerus,
bibit ille, bibit illa,
bibit servus cum ancilla,
bibit velox, bibit piger,
bibit albus, bibit niger,
bibit constans, bibit vagus,
bibit rudis, bibit magnus.
Bibit pauper et egrotus,
bibit exul et ignotus,
bibit puer, bibit canus,
bibit presul et decanus,
bibit soror, bibit frater,
bibit anus, bibit mater,
bibit ista, bibit ille,
bibunt centum, bibunt mille.
Parum sexcente nummate
durant, cum immoderate
bibunt omnes sine meta.
Quamvis bibant mente laeta,
sic nos rodunt omnes gentes
et sic erimus egentes.
Qui nos rodunt confundantur
et cum iustis non scribantur.
Hera, ae: woman
Herus, i: man
Clerus, i: cleric, priest
Piger, pigri: slow, dull
Albus, a, um: white
Vagus, a, um: wandering, unreliable
Rudis, is, e: common
Egrotus, a, um: sickly
Canus, i: old man
Presul, presulis: bishop
Anus, i: grandmother
Parum: scarcely
Nummate: coins (med. form of nummatae)
Meta, ae: limit (turning post)
Rodo, rodere: bite, backbite, slander
Egens, egentis: poor, needy
Confundo, confundere: curse, damn
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Domus Quam Quintus Aedificavit
Haec est domus
quam Quintus
aedificavit
_____________________________________
Hoc est hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
_____________________________________
Hic is mus
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
_____________________________________
Haec est feles
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
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Hic est canis
qui vexavit felem
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
_____________________________________ Haec est vacca cornu rugato
quae iecit canem
qui vexavit felem
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
_____________________________________
Haec est virgo omnino inops
quae mulsit vaccam cornu rugato
quae iecit canem
qui vexavit felem
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
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Hic est vir omnino pannosus et scissus
qui osculatus est virginem omnino inopem
quae mulsit vaccam cornu rugato
quae iecit canem
qui vexavit felem
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
_________________________________
Hic est sacerdos omnino rasus et tonsus
qui iugavit virum omnino pannosum et scissum
qui osculatus est virginem omnino inopem
quae mulsit vaccam cornu rugato
quae iecit canem
qui vexavit felem
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
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Hic est gallus
qui cantavit mane
qui excitavit sacerdotem omnino rasum et tonsum
qui iugavit virum omnino pannosum et scissum
qui osculatus est virginem omnino inopem
quae mulsit vaccam cornu rugato
quae iecit canem
qui vexavit felem
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
_____________________________________
Hic est Agricola frumentum serens
qui habebat gallum
qui cantavit mane
qui excitavit sacerdotem omnino rasum et tonsum
qui iugavit virum omnino pannosum et scissum
qui osculatus est virginem omnino inopem
quae mulsit vaccam cornu rugato
quae iecit canem
qui vexavit felem
quae necavit murem
qui edidit hordeum
quod iacuit in domu
quam Quintus aedificavit.
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Fabula de Tribus Ursis
Olim;. erant tres ursi,
ursus pater, ursa mater
et ursus infans.
______________________________________________________________________________
Quodam die ursa mater coquit
pulsem, quae autem erat nimis calidus.
Ergo ursi deambulaverunt dum puls
refrigescebat.
______________________________________________________________________________
Dum ursi aberant, puella parva,
nomine Flavia, domum eorum
pervenit et intravit.
______________________________________________________________________________
Primum in atrium intravit et in sella ursi
patris sedevit, sed sella erat nimis dura.
Postea in sella ursae matris sedevit, sed
haec sella erat nimis mollis. Deinde in
sella ursi infantis, et haec erat optima.
Euge! Sed Flavia erat nimis gravis et
sella ursi infantis fracta est! Eheu!
______________________________________________________________________________
Flavia esuriebat, ergo triclinium intravit et pultem vidit.
Pultem ursi patris gustavit, sed puls erat nimis calidus.
Postea pultem ursae matris gustavit, sed haec erat
nimis frigida. Deinde pultem ursi infantis,
et haec erat optima! Itaque eam consumit.
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Nunc Flavia fessa erat itaque cubiculum intravit.
In lecto ursi patris cubavit, sed lectus erat nimis
durus. Postea in lecto ursae matris cubavit, sed
hic erat nimis mollis. Deinde in lecto ursi
infantis cubavit, et hic erat optimus! Itaque
obdormivit.
______________________________________________________________________________
Tum tres ursi ad domum reddivit.
Intraverunt atrium
et ursus pater dixit, “Aliquis in mea sella sedevit!”
Et ursa mater dixit, “Aliquis in mea sella sedevit!”
Et ursus infans dixit, “Aliquis in mea sella sedevit et eam fregit!”
______________________________________________________________________________
Postea tres ursi triclinium intravit et ursus pater dixit,
“Aliquis meam pultem edidit.” Et ursa mater dixit, “Aliquis
meam pultem edidit.” Et ursus infans dixit, “Aliquis meam
pultem edidit et omnino consumit!”
______________________________________________________________________________
Pater ursus dixit, “Fortasse fur nunc in domu adest.
Nobis necesse est circumspicere. Age!” Ubi cubiculum
intraverunt,
ursus pater dixit, “Aliquis in meo cubiculo dormiebat.”
Et ursa mater dixit, “Aliquis in meo cubiculo dormiebat.”
Et ursus infans dixit, “Aliquis in meo cubiculo dormiebat
Et illa adhuc adest!”
______________________________________________________________________________
Tres ursi Flaviam excitaverunt. Ursi
fremebant at Flavia erat tam perterrita
ut ex lecto surrexit et per fenestram
saluit. Domum cucurrit et numquam
domum trium ursorum rediit.
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Miscellaneous
Milarium Polianum – Milestone found near Pola 143 BC CIL 1.638, ILS 23
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Fabula Huius et Illius
Olim hic et ille per forum ambulabant et hic illi “Videsne” inquit “ hanc?” Ille huic “Minime”
inquit “non hanc video, sed illam video.” Hic ad illam cucurrit et illi donum dedit. Illa risit et
huic “Hic” inquit “hoc amo.” Tum illa huic basium dedit. Ille ad hanc cucurrit et huic donum
dedit. Ille huic basium dare temtptavit. Haec illum pulsavit. Amor omnia vincit, sed non hanc.
A Roman Grave-stone
Dis Manibus
Q. Volusi Sp. F. Lem. Anthi
Parvolus in gremio comunis forte parenti
Dum ludit fati conruit invidia
Nam trucibus iunctis bubus tunc forte noveli
Ignarum rector propulit orbe rota
Maestus uterque parens postquam miserabile
Funus fecit inferis munera suma dedit
Hunc Antho tumulum male deflorentibus
Annis pro pietate pari composuere suo
Q.Volusius Q. L. Anthus pater fecit sibi et
Siliae Э. L. Feliculae coniugi sanctissimae
Volusiae Q. F. Nice, Q. Volusio Q. F. Antho
Siliae Э. L. Nice, C. Silio Antho
IN FR P VI IN AG P IIIS
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Testamentum Porcelli
1. Incipit testamentum porcelli: M. Grunnius Corocotta porcellus testamentum fecit.
Quoniam manu mea scribere non potui, scribendum dictavi.
2. Magirus cocus dixit: "veni huc, eversor domi, solivertiator, fugitive porcelle, et
hodie tibi dirimo vitam". Corocotta porcellus dixit: "si qua feci, si qua peccavi, si qua
vascella pedibus meis confregi, rogo, domine cocu, vitam peto, concede roganti".
Magirus cocus dixit: "transi, puer, affer mihi de cocina cultrum, ut hunc porcellum
faciam cruentum". Porcellus comprehenditur a famulis, ductus sub die XVI Kal.
Lucerninas, ubi abundant cymae, Clibanato et Piperato consulibus. Et ut visit se
moriturum esse, horae spatium petiit et cocum rogavit, ut testamentum facere posset.
Clamavit ad se suos parentes, ut de cibariis suis aliquid dimittere eis. Qui ait:
3. Patri meo Verrino Lardino do lego dari glandis modios XXX, et matri meae
Veturinae Scrofae do lego dari Laconicae siliginis modios XL, et sorori meae
Quirinae, in cuius votum interesse non potui, do lego dari hordei modios XXX. Et de
meis visceribus dabo donabo sutoribus saetas, rix[at]oribus capitinas, surdis auriculas,
causidicis et verbosis linguam, buculariis intestina, esiciariis femora, mulieribus
lumbulos, pueris vesicam, puellis caudam, cinaedis musculos, cursoribus et
venatoribus talos, latronibus ungulas. Et nec nominando coco legato dimitto popiam et
pistillum, quae mecum attuleram; de Theveste usque ad Tergeste liget sibi colum de
reste. Et volo mihi fieri monumentum ex litteris aureis scriptum: "M.GRUNNIUS
COROCOTTA PORCELLUS VIXIT ANNIS DCCCC.XC.VIIII.S(EMIS). QUODSI
SEMIS VIXISSET, MILLE ANNOS IMPLESSET". Optimi amatores vei vel consules
vitae, rogo vos ut cum corpore meo bene faciatis, bene condiatis de boni condimentis
nuclei, piperis et mellis, ut nomen meum in sempiternum nominetur. Mei domini vel
consobrini mei, qui testamento meo interfuistis, iubete signari".
4. Lario signavit. Ofellicus signavit. Cyminatus signavit. Lucanicus signavit. Tergillus
signavit. Celsinus signavit. Nuptialicus signavit. Explicit testamentum porcelli sub die
XVI Kal. Lucerninas Clibanato et Piperato consulibus feliciter.
______________________________________________________________________________
cyma, ae cabbage
cibarius, i food
glans, glandis acorn
siligo, inis wheat
hordeum, i barley
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TATTOOS
It is amazing how many tattoos people have had done which have some Latin incorporated in the
design (if it isn’t the whole design). So, here are some examples of Latin at the most dynamic
and modern level.
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ROMAN CURRENCY
Roman currency and the value of that currency from the time of Augustus and for the next 200
years. To estimate the value of Roman money, keep in mind that one denarius was an average
skilled worker’s pay for one day and a low level soldier made 600 sestertes a year.
aureus denarius sestertius dupondius as semis quadrans
(gold) (silver) (brass) (brass) (copper) (brass) (copper)
1 25 100 200 400 800 1600
1 4 8 16 32 64
1 2 4 8 16
1 2 4 8
1 2 4
1 2
Latin Literary Terms
Alliteration: the repetition of a sound. “O Tite tute Tati tibi tanta tyranne tulisti.”
Anaphora: the repetition of a word or words at the start of successive clauses. “hic illius
arma, hic currus fuit.”
Archaism: use of a form no longer in use. “divom for divorum” (divom is not the
syncopated form of divorum)
Asyndeton: leaving out conjunctions. “Friends, Pompeiians, countrymen, lend me your feet.”
Chiasmus: Chi making; “daughter Judy, Jane his wife”
Ellipsis: omitting words which are understood, but needed to make grammatical sense.
“Thais habet nigros, niveos Laecania dentes” (habet and dentes each used just once)
Enallage: sudden shift from one form to another. “We was robbed!”
Euphemism: a nice way of saying something nasty. “to pass on = to die”
Hendiadys: using two nouns and a conjunction rather than a noun and a verb. “full of sound
and fury” (MacBeth)
Hypallage: Taking an adjective and using with a word other than its natural match. “altae
moenia Romae” (the walls of lofty Rome, not the lofty walls of Rome) (transferred epithet)
Hyperbole: exaggeration. “Hyperbole is a million times worse than anything else.”
Hysteron Proteron: first second; reversing the natural order of two things. “He put on his
shoes and socks.”
Irony: saying one thing, but meaning the opposite. “You can’t fight in here; this is the
War Room!” (Dr. Strangelove) “Quippe vetor fatis!” (Aeneid)
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Litotes: understatement. In particular, it is the emphasizing of something by downplaying
it (against expectation). After someone dies a fairly horrible and graphic death due to choosing
the wrong ‘Holy Grail’, the knight guarding the Grail says, “He chose . . . poorly.” (Indiana
Jones and the Last Crusade)
Metaphor: describing something as something else. Pope Benedict XIV was called “the
Rottweiler of God”.
Metonymy: substituting a word for another word which suggests the first words. At Aeneid
1.3, the sea is simply called ‘alto’ (the deep).
Onomatompoeia: the use of words whose sound suggests what the word means. “Squeak!”
Oxymoron: using words together which usually contradict each other. “old news”
Paraleipsis: pretending to pass over or omit something in order to emphasize it. “It is good
that you know not that you are his heirs” (Marc Antony speaking to the Romans in
Shaakespeare’s Julius Caesar)
Personification: giving human ‘personality’ to an inanimate object. The winds in Book I of the
Aeneid are personified.
Pleonasm: the use of superfluous words. “ore locutus est.”
Polysyndeton: inclusion of extra conjunctions. "quoque et” (Aeneid 1.4)
Prolepsis: placing aord before it logically makes sense. “Summersas obrue puppes.”
Simile: comparison of two dissimilar things. Sometimes the comparison is quite lengthy
and is called an extended or ‘Homeric’ simile. Ovid’s Ars Amatoria I.93-96 compares women
going to the games with bees and ants.
Synchysis: interlocking word order. “saevae memorem Iunonis iram”
Syncopation: removal of a syllable in the middle of a word. “amasse for amavisse, superum for
superorum”
Synecdoche: description using a part of the whole rather than the whole. “puppis (stern)
instead of navis (ship)”
Synesis: construction according to sense rather than grammatical form. “Two plus two is
four”
Zeugma: using two different objects with the same verb, where each object relates to the a
different meaning of the verb. “you held your breath and the door for me” (Alanis Morrisette)
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Latin Poetry: Metre and Scansion
Latin poetry can be written in a wide variety of metres and we will be learning one of the
most basic metres. First, a few words about Latin metre. The biggest differences are that Latin
poetry did not rhyme (at least not until the middle ages) and the beat was based on long and short
syllables. This is very different from modern poetry which is based on stress accent. Normally,
a poet tries to match the natural stress of a word with the beat in the metre he/she is using.
e.g.) There ónce was a mán from Nantúcket. The natural stress points in the line match
the metre.
The metre that we will see most is Dactyllic Hexametre (all metres in Latin were borrowed
from Greek poetry, so all of the terminology will be derived from Greek). Dactyl is the Greek
word for finger and the 3 joints of a finger represent the 3 syllables in a dactyl – 1 long and 2
short. Hexamtre tells us that there are 6 meaures, or feet. An illustration of dactylic hexameter
looks like this: ─ U U / ─ U U / ─ U U / ─ ─ / ─ U U / ─ ─ You’ll notice that the 4
th foot is made up of 2 longs. That is because the 4
th foot is almost always
a Spondee. A spondee is two long syllables – the two shorts have been replaced by one long.
Now, you know it’s not going to be that easy. But it’s not really that hard either. First off, we
need to know what makes a syllable (the vowel, really) long or short. A vowel is long if:
It is naturally long (has a macron) mē
It is a diphthong aut
It is followed by 2+ consonants est, et me
A syllable is short only if
It is a naturally short vowel followed by one or no consonants
id, tuum
Back to dactylic hexameter. If every line exactly matched the above noted pattern, a poem
would get very boring, very quickly. So there is a certain amount of substitution allowed. Any
one of the first three dactyls can be replaced with a spondee. The 5th
is virtually always a dactyl;
the 6th
and final foot is always a spondee, because the last syllable in a line is always long.
Now for some useful tips to help you scan:
1.) A foot always begin with a long, so the first syllable in a line MUST be long.
2.) The last 5 syllables are pretty much always ─ U U / ─ ─.
3.) Short syllables always come in pairs (they’re too little to go by themselves.
Take any line from the Virgil section and try scanning it. It should look like this:
Ārmă vĭr/ūmquĕ că/nō,║Trōi/āe quī / prīmŭs ăb / ōrīs