the essential latin authors 2012 latin text 2012-13 good.pdf · the perfect tense is used where...

The Essential Latin Authors 2012

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 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.

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Predicate Nominative

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Ablative of Time

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Defective Verb


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.

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Ablative of Manner


http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Absolute (in Degrees of Adjectives)


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.


http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Ablative of Degree of Difference


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.

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/hercules/notes/herc_nts_01.htm

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/hercules/notes/herc_nts_01.htm


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.

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Ablative of Separation


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.

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Deponent


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.


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.


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.

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/perseus/notes/pers_nts_04.htm

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Accusative of Duration of Time


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.

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Gerund

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/classics/latin/glossary.htm#Deponent


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.


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


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


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


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


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)


'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!


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


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.


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


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.


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,


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.


[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


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”.


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.


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.


[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.


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.


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)


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


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


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


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


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?


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


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.


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.


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.



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


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


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


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


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


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?


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.


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)


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.


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.



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.


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



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



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.



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)


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


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


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


_____________________________________

Haec est feles

quae necavit murem

qui edidit hordeum

quod iacuit in domu



Hic est canis

qui vexavit felem

quae necavit murem

qui edidit hordeum

quod iacuit in domu


_____________________________________ Haec est vacca cornu rugato

quae iecit canem

qui vexavit felem

quae necavit murem

qui edidit hordeum

quod iacuit in domu


_____________________________________

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



Hic est vir omnino pannosus et scissus

qui osculatus est virginem omnino inopem


quae iecit canem

qui vexavit felem

quae necavit murem

qui edidit hordeum

quod iacuit in domu


_________________________________

Hic est sacerdos omnino rasus et tonsus

qui iugavit virum omnino pannosum et scissum



quae iecit canem

qui vexavit felem

quae necavit murem

qui edidit hordeum

quod iacuit in domu



Hic est gallus

qui cantavit mane

qui excitavit sacerdotem omnino rasum et tonsum




quae iecit canem

qui vexavit felem

quae necavit murem

qui edidit hordeum

quod iacuit in domu


_____________________________________

Hic est Agricola frumentum serens

qui habebat gallum

qui cantavit mane

qui excitavit sacerdotem omnino rasum et tonsum




quae iecit canem

qui vexavit felem

quae necavit murem

qui edidit hordeum

quod iacuit in domu



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.


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.


Miscellaneous

Milarium Polianum – Milestone found near Pola 143 BC CIL 1.638, ILS 23


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


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


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.


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)


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)


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

the essential latin authors 2012 latin text 2012-13 good.pdf · the perfect tense is used where...

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