01.03.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [30] Review; the Road to Latin; Unit 44 (6); quick practice

Match the English with the Latin in the wordcloud

[1]

[a]

to carry

to have carried

to be about to carry

to be carried

to have been carried

to be about to be carried

[b]

to see

to have seen

to be about to see

to be seen

to have been seen

to be about to be seen

portātūrum īrī; portāre; portārī; portātūrus esse; portāvisse; portātus esse

vīsūrus esse; vīsus esse; vidēre; vīsum īrī; vidērī; vīdisse

[2]

[a]

to send

to have sent

to be about to send

to be sent

to have been sent

to be about to be sent

[b]

to take

to have taken

to be about to take

to be taken

to have been taken

to be about to be taken

[c]

to hear

to have heard

to be about to hear

to be heard

to have been heard

to be about to be heard

mittī; mittere; missus esse; missūrus esse; missūrum īrī; mīsisse

captus esse; capī; capere; captum īrī; cēpisse; captūrus esse

audītūrus esse; audīre; audītum īrī; audīvisse; audīri; audītus esse

01.03.26; Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [29] Review; the Road to Latin; Unit 44 (5); quick practice

Match the Latin and the English. Remember that, in the Latin sentences - which are in pairs - the infinitive doesn’t change (see [i] and [ii] below) but the translation will be dependent upon the tense of the verb that introduces them, for example:

Dīcit sē librum legere. │ He says that he is reading the book.

Dīxit sē librum legere. │ He said that he was reading the book.

[1]

[i] Dīcit hostēs urbem capere.

[ii] Dīxit hostēs urbem capere.

[iii] Dīcit hostēs urbem cēpisse.

[iv] Dīxit hostēs urbem cēpisse.

[v] Dīcit hostēs urbem capturōs esse.

[vi] Dīxit hostēs urbem capturōs esse.

He says that the enemy will / are going to capture the city.

He said that the enemy had captured the city.

He said that the enemy were capturing the city.

He says that the enemy are capturing the city.

He said that the enemy would / were going to capture the city.

He says that the enemy have captured the city.

[2]

[i] Dīcit urbem ab hostibus capī.

[ii] Dīxit urbem ab hostibus capī.

[iii] Dīcit urbem iam captam esse.

[iv] Dīxit urbem iam captam esse / fuisse.

[v] Dīcit urbem mox captum īrī.

[vi] Dīxit urbem mox captum īrī.

He says that the city will soon be / is soon going to be captured.

He says that the city has already been captured.

He said that the city would soon be / is soon going to be captured.

He says that the city is being captured by the enemy.

He said that the city had already been captured.

He said that the city was being captured by the enemy.

01.03.26: Level 2 / 3; Comenius; Celestial Sphere; Vocabulary List (6)

Nouns and adjectives referring to the four seasons:

[i] Spring

vēr, -is [3/n]

vernus, -a, -um

vernālis, -e

[ii] Summer

aestās, aestātis [3/f]

aestivālis, -e

aestīvus, -a, -um

[iii] Autumn

autumnus, -ī [2/m]

autumnus, -a, -um

autumnālis, -e

[iv] Winter

hiems, -is [3/f]

hībernus, -a, -um

hiemālis, -e

brūmālis, -e

01.03.26: Level 2 / 3; Comenius; Celestial Sphere; Vocabulary List (5)

aequātor,-ōris [3/m]: equator

lātitūdō, -inis [3/f]: [i] width; [ii] latitude

longitūdō, -inis [3/f]: [i] length; longitude

hēmisphaerium, -ī [2/n]: hemisphere

polus, -ī [2/m]: pole

polāris, -e: (pertaining to) the poles

antarcticus, -a, -um: southern; antarctic

arcticus, -a, -um: northern; arctic

tropicus, -ī [2/m] Cancrī / Capricornī: tropic of Cancer / Capricorn

28.02.26: Level 2; Vincent (Latin Reader); XLIV / XLV; [1] the Crossing of the Thames; [2] Guerrilla Warfare (ii) grammar review

[1] the Crossing of the Thames

Interim Caesar exercitum ad fluvium Tamesim in agrōs Cassivelaunī dūxit. Hic fluvius ūnō locō sōlō pedibus trānsīrī potest. Ubi Caesar ad hunc fluvium vēnit, Britannī cōpiās magnās in alterā rīpā habēbant. In rīpā et in fluviō sudēs erant acūtae. Caesar, ubi hās rēs ā captīvīs et perfugīs cognōvit, equitēs et legiōnēs statim praemīsit. Hostēs impetum nostrōrum sustinēre nōn poterant, atque fugae sē mandāvērunt.

[2] Guerrilla Warfare

Cassivelaunus, quī spem contentiōnis āmīserat, cum equitibus sōlīs itinera Rōmānōrum servābat. Ex viā excēdēbat atque in silvīs et locīs impedītīs sē occultābat. Subitō impetum contrā Rōmānōs quī vastābant agrōs faciēbat. Itaque Rōmānī nōn procul ā legiōnibus discēdere audēbant, sed agrōs hostium vastābant et aedificia incendēbant.

The questions refer to either of the two texts

[i] Give the nominative singular of the following nouns:

aedificia

agrōs

perfugīs

spem

[ii] Find from the texts two examples of fourth declension nouns

[iii] Give the first person singular present tense of the following verbs:

āmīserat

audēbant

cognōvit

dūxit

incendēbant

potest

sustinēre

[iv] Give the English meanings of the following adverbs:

interim

itaque

statim

subitō

[v] Caesar, ubi hās rēs ā captīvīs et perfugīs cognōvit …; this is an example of a temporal clause

(1) briefly explain what the term means and translate the extract to illustrate its use

(2) find a further example of a temporal clause

[vi] Cassivelaunus, quī spem contentiōnis āmīserat, …; this is an example of a relative clause

(1) briefly explain what the term means and translate the extract to illustrate its use

(2) find a further example of a relative clause

____________________

[i]

aedificia < aedificium

agrōs < ager

perfugīs < perfuga, -ae [1/m]: deserter

spem < spēs

[ii]

exercitum < exercitus, -ūs [4/m]

impetum < impetus, -ūs [4/m]

[iii]

āmīserat < āmittō

audēbant < audeō

cognōvit < cognōscō

dūxit < dūcō

incendēbant < incendō

potest < possum

sustinēre < sustineō

[iv]

interim: meanwhile

itaque: therefore

statim: immediately

subitō: suddenly

[v]

(1) a temporal clause ( a clause of time) gives information as to when the action in the main clause takes / took place

Caesar, when he learned of these events from captives and deserters, …

(2) ubi Caesar ad hunc fluvium vēnit

[vi]

(1) a relative (or adjectival) clause gives additional information about the person / thing in the main clause

Cassivelaunus, who had lost hope of resistance, …

(2) quī vastābant agrōs

27.02.26: Level 1; Carolus et Maria [25][iv] comprehension (3)

[5] The images (1) – (11) are in the correct order; match the Latin statements.

_____ "Heu! Heu!" exclāmat māter.

_____ “Mox aut vulnerābimur …

_____ … et perīculōsa est

_____ … quod nōn omnēs natāmus."

_____ aut necābimur,…

_____ et in rīpā esse cupit.

_____ Māter, tamen, perīculum timet …

_____ Nunc inter saxa nāvicula nōn tam celeriter sē movet.

_____ Poēta omnia dē nāviculīs flūminibusque intellegit.

_____ Subitō undique sunt saxa.

_____ Via, quae inter saxa est, angusta …

[6] "Minimē," inquit pater, "tūtī erimus. Saepe haec nāvicula per haec saxa tūta venit."

Post tempus longum omnēs iterum ad rīpam veniunt. Poēta in terram vincula, quibus nāvicula tenētur, conicit. Laetissima est māter quod iterum lībera perīculō est. Prope nāviculam est casa parva poētae. Hīc multās rēs poēta scrībit. Tōtam noctem omnēs in casā manent. Diū hanc noctem memoriā tenēbunt. Paucīs diēbus necesse erit Rōmam relinquere. Maestī Americānī Rōmam et poētam et mīlitem relinquent.

[6] Comprehension

[i] Why does the father say they will be safe? (2)

[ii] When do they reach the shore? (1)

[iii] How does the poet secure the boat? (3)

[iv] Why is the mother very happy? (2)

[v] What is near the boat? (1)

[vi] What does the poet do here? (1)

[vii] Translate: Tōtam noctem omnēs in casā manent. Diū hanc noctem memoriā tenēbunt. Paucīs diēbus necesse erit Rōmam relinquere. Maestī Americānī Rōmam et poētam et mīlitem relinquent. (8)

____________________

[5]

(1) Subitō undique sunt saxa. (2) Via, quae inter saxa est, angusta (3) et perīculōsa est. (4) Poēta omnia dē nāviculīs flūminibusque intellegit. (5) Māter, tamen, perīculum timet (6) et in rīpā esse cupit. (7) Nunc inter saxa nāvicula nōn tam celeriter sē movet. (8) "Heu! Heu!" exclāmat māter. (9) "Mox aut vulnerābimur (10) aut necābimur, quod (11) nōn omnēs natāmus."

[6]

[i] (1) This small boat often comes safely (2) through these rocks.

[ii] after a long time

[iii] (1) He throws onto the land (2) the chains (3) by which the boat is held.

[iv] (1) She is again free (2) from danger.

[v] The poet’s small cottage.

[vi] writes many things

[vii] (1) All night long (2) everyone stays in the hut. (3) For a long time (4) they will hold this night in memory [ = remember this night]. (5) In a few days (days’ time) (6) it will be necessary to leave Rome. (7) The sad Americans will leave Rome, (8) and the poet, and the soldier.

26.02.26; Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [28] Review; the Road to Latin; Unit 44 (4); Dē Orgetorīge II

Vocabulary

amīcitia, -ae [1/f]: friendship

conciliō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus [1]: to secure, win

cōnscīscō, -ere, cōnscīvī, cōnscītus [3]: to decree, determine

• sibi mortem cōnscīscere: to commit suicide

crēdō, -ere, crēdidī, crēditus [3]: to believe

dēcēdō, -ere, -cessī, -cessūrus [3]: to go away, withdraw

dē vītā dēcēdere: to die

permoveō, -ēre, permōvī, permōtus [2]: to move, influence, induce

sentiō, -īre, sēnsī, sēnsus [4]: to feel, perceive, realize, experience

supplicium, suppliciī [2/n]: punishment, penalty, distress

• suppliciō afficere: to subject to penalty; punish

DĒ ORGETORĪGE II

Helvetiī hāc ōrātiōne adductī et auctōritāte Orgetorīgis permōtī omnibus cum cōpiīs dē fīnibus suīs exīre cōnstituērunt. Putāvērunt necesse esse cum proximīs cīvitātibus pācem et amīcitiam cōnfirmāre. Orgetorīx ipse ad proximās cīvitātēs iit. Is ad nōbilēs ōrātiōnem habuit et coniūrātiōnem fēcit. Casticus, prīnceps Sēquanōrum, sē rēgnum in cīvitāte suā occupātūrum esse cōnfirmāvit. Dumnorīx, Haeduus, dīxit sē quoque rēgnum in suā cīvitāte obtentūrum esse. Orgetorīx illīs probāvit esse facile haec perficere. Dīxit sē suae cīvitātis imperium obtentūrum esse; tum suīs cōpiīs suōque exercitū illīs rēgna sē conciliātūrum esse cōnfirmāvit. Hī trēs nōbilēs sē prīncipātum tōtīus Galliae obtinēre posse spērāvērunt.

​Brevī tempore Helvētiī intellexērunt Orgetorīgem coniūrātiōnem fēcisse et rēgem fierī sperāre. Crēdidērunt eum esse hostem; itaque cōnstituērunt necesse esse suppliciō eum afficere. Sed paulō post Orgetorīx perterritus dē vītā dēcessit. Omnēs sēnsērunt eum sibi mortem cōnscīvisse.

[1] Comprehension

[i] How did the Helvetians react to Orgetorix’s speech? (3)

[ii] What did they decide to do? (2)

[iii] What did they think was necessary? (3)

[iv] Where did Orgetorix himself go and what did he do there? (3)

[v] What did both Casticus and Dumnorix intend to do? (2)

[vi] What did Orgetorix prove to them? (1)

[vii] What did he say he would do? (3)

[viii] What did the three nobles hope for? (1)

[ix] What did the Helvetians realise? (2)

[x] What did the Helvetians think of Orgetorix, and what did they decide to do? (2)

[xi] When did Orgetorix die and what was his state of mind? (2)

[xii] How had Orgetorix died? (1)

[2] Complete each translation with words or phrases from the list below.

[i] Putāvērunt necesse esse.

They __________ that it __________ necessary.

[ii] Casticus … sē rēgnum in cīvitāte suā occupātūrum esse cōnfirmāvit.

Casticus __________ … that he __________ royal power in his own state.

[iii] Dumnorīx … dīxit sē quoque rēgnum in suā cīvitāte obtentūrum esse.

Dumnorix … __________ that he too __________ royal power in his own state.

[iv] Orgetorīx illīs probāvit esse facile …

Orgetorix __________  to them that __________ easy …

[v] Dīxit sē suae cīvitātis imperium obtentūrum esse.

He said that __________ would obtain control/power over __________  state.

[vi] Tum … illīs rēgna sē conciliātūrum esse cōnfirmāvit.

Then he declared that … he __________ those kingdoms __________.

[vii] Hī trēs nōbilēs sē prīncipātum tōtīus Galliae obtinēre posse spērāvērunt.

These three nobles __________  that __________  __________ obtain the leadership of all Gaul.

[viii] Helvētiī intellexērunt Orgetorīgem coniūrātiōnem fēcisse et rēgem fierī sperāre.

The Helvetians __________ that Orgetorix __________ an alliance and __________ to become king.

[ix] Crēdidērunt eum esse hostem.

They __________  that __________  an enemy.

[x] Itaque cōnstituērunt necesse esse suppliciō eum afficere.

And so they __________  that __________ to subject him to punishment.

[xi] Omnēs sēnsērunt eum sibi mortem cōnscīvisse.

Everyone __________  that he __________.

believed; committed suicide; could; decided; declared; felt; for them; had formed; he; he was; his; hoped; it was; it was necessary; proved; realised; said; they; thought; was; was hoping; would obtain; would secure; would seize

____________________

[1]

[i] (1) influenced (by the speech) and (2) moved (3) by the authority of Orgetorix

[ii] (1) leave their territory (2) with all their forces

[iii] (1) establish peace (2) and friendship (3) with the neighbouring states

[iv] (1) went to the neighbouring states; (2) delivered a speech to the nobles; (3) formed an alliance

[v] (1) hold / seize royal power [ = become kings] (2) in their own states

[vi] easy to accomplish these things

[vii] (1) obtain the command of his own state; (2) secure the kingdoms for them (3) with his own troops (and army)

[viii] leadership of the whole of Gaul

[ix] (1) Orgetorix had formed an conspiracy; (2) was hoping to become king

[x] (1) he was an enemy; (2) punish him

[xi] (1) a little later; (2) terrified

[xii] suicide

26.02.26: Level 2 / 3; Comenius; Celestial Sphere; Vocabulary List (4)

[i] north, northern

(1)

septentriō, -nis [3/m]

septentriōnālis, -e

(2)

aquilō, -nis [3/m]

aquilōnius, -a, -um

(3)

boreās, -ae [1/m]

boreālis, -e

[ii] south, southern

(1)

merīdiēs, -ēī [5/m]

merīdiōnālis, -e

meridiānus, -a, -um

(2)

auster, austrī [2/m]

austrālis, -e

austrīnus, -a, -um

[iii] east, eastern

oriēns, -entis [3/m]

orientālis, -e

[iv] west, western

occidēns, -entis [3/m]

occidentālis, -e

26.02.26: Level 2 / 3; Comenius; Celestial Sphere; Vocabulary List (3)

[i]

aequinoctium, -ī [2/n]: equinox              

• aequinoctiālis, -e: (pertaining to the) equinox; equinoctial

axis, -is [3/m]: axis        

caelum, -ī [2/n]: sky; heaven

• caelestis, -e: heavenly; celestial           

circulus, -ī [2/m]: [i] circle; [ii] orbit

eclīpsis, -is [3/f]: eclipse           

gradus, -ūs [4/m]: [i] step, pace; [ii] degree       

horīzon, -ntis [3/m]: horizon

sōlstitium, -ī [2/n]: solstice      

spatium, -ī [2/n]: [i] space; [ii] distance, space between two points; [iii] period of time

[ii]

orbis, -is [3/m]: [i] circle, ring; [ii] rotation, circuit; [iii] the Earth, often written as:

• orbis terrārum (literally: the circle of lands)

globus, -ī [2/m]: any round object, a sphere, a globe           

sphaera, -ae [1/f]: ball, globe, sphere

tellūs, tellūris [3/f]: [i] earth, ground, soil; [ii] the Earth

[iii]

ortus, -ūs [4/m]: rising (of heavenly bodies)

• ortus sōlis / lūnae: sunrise; moonrise 
• sōl oriēns: rising sun

obitus, -ūs [4/m]: setting; occāsus, -ūs [4/m]: setting

• occāsus sōlis: sunset
• sōl occidēns: setting sun

25.02.26: Level 2; Vincent (Latin Reader); XLIV / XLV; [1] the Crossing of the Thames; [2] Guerrilla Warfare (i) comprehension

[1] the Crossing of the Thames

Interim Caesar exercitum ad fluvium Tamesim in agrōs Cassivelaunī dūxit. Hic fluvius ūnō locō sōlō pedibus trānsīrī* potest. Ubi Caesar ad hunc fluvium vēnit, Britannī cōpiās magnās in alterā rīpā habēbant. In rīpā et in fluviō sudēs erant acūtae. Caesar, ubi hās rēs ā captīvīs et perfugīs cognōvit, equitēs et legiōnēs statim praemīsit. Hostēs impetum nostrōrum sustinēre nōn poterant, atque fugae sē mandāvērunt.

impedītus, -a, -um: difficult i.e. in the sense of terrain that causes obstructions or slows progress

sudis, -is [3/f]: stake; log

*trānsīrī: to be crossed

11.01.25: Level 2: the passive voice [19]; present passive infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/10/110125-level-2-passive-voice-19-present.html

[1] Comprehension

In which order are the following first referred to?

enemy troops on the opposite bank _____

finding out information _____

inability to sustain an attack _____

limited crossing point _____

reaching the Thames _____

retreating _____

sending troops ahead _____

sharp stakes _____

[2] Guerrilla Warfare

Cassivelaunus, quī spem contentiōnis āmīserat, cum equitibus sōlīs itinera Rōmānōrum servābat. Ex viā excēdēbat atque in silvīs et locīs impedītīs sē occultābat. Subitō impetum contrā Rōmānōs quī vastābant agrōs faciēbat. Itaque Rōmānī nōn procul ā legiōnibus discēdere audēbant, sed agrōs hostium vastābant et aedificia incendēbant.

[2] Comprehension

[i] What phrase tells you that Cassivelaunus saw no point in resisting?

[ii] the title of the text is “Guerrilla Warfare”. In your own words / note form, explain the guerrilla tactics used by Cassivelaunus: “cum equitibus …” to “agrōs faciēbat.” (6)

(1) watching the Romans’ routes / marches

(2) only with cavalry

(3) would leave the road

(4) hid in woods and difficult terrain

(5) sudden attack on the Romans ¦ (6) while they were ravaging the fields

[iii] How did the Romans react to these tactics? (3)

____________________

[1]

enemy troops on the opposite bank (3)

finding out information (5)

inability to sustain an attack (7)

limited crossing point (2)

reaching the Thames (1)

retreating (8)

sending troops ahead (6)

sharp stakes (4)

[2]

[i] quī spem contentiōnis āmīserat

[ii] (1) watching the Romans’ routes / marches; (2) only with cavalry; (3) would leave the road; (4) hid in woods and difficult terrain; (5) sudden attack on the Romans ¦ (6) while they were ravaging the fields

[iii] (1) did not (dare to) move far from the legions; (2) ravaged / laid waste to the enemy’s fields; (3) set fire to the buildings

24.02.26: Level 1; Carolus et Maria [25][iii] comprehension (2)

[3] Quamquam māter est timida, cum poētā, tamen, it. Carolus prope poētam manet et Maria ante frātrem sedet. Pater māterque in locō tūtō sedent. Nāvicula quae vinculīs tenēbātur nunc est lībera. Rīpam relinquit et mox est in mediō flūmine. Clāmōrēs hominum quī animālia convocant audiuntur. In summō colle homō casam aedificat. Nunc domum it.

[3] Comprehension

[i] Which of the following statements is true?

[a] The mother goes with the poet although she is afraid

[b] The mother is too afraid to go with the poet

[c] Carolus is sitting behind the poet

[d] Carolus is sitting near the poet

[e] Maria is sitting behind her brother

[f] Maria is sitting in front of her brother

[g] Maria is sitting near her brother

[h] The mother and father are sitting in different places

[i] The mother and father are standing in a safe place

[j] The mother and father are sitting safely

[ii] Complete the Latin text with the words listed below. Use the English translation as a guide.

The small boat (1) which (2) was being held by chains is now free. It (3) leaves the bank behind and soon it’s (4) in the middle of the river. The shouts (5) of men (6) who are calling the animals (7) can be heard [ = are heard]. (8) At the top of the hill a man (9) is building a cottage. Now (10) he is going home.

Nāvicula (1) __________ vinculīs (2) __________ nunc est lībera. Rīpam (3) __________ et mox est (4) __________ flūmine. Clāmōrēs (5) __________ (6) __________ animālia convocant (7) __________. (8) In summō colle homō casam (9) __________. (10) Nunc domum __________.

aedificat; audiuntur; hominum; in mediō; in summō; it; quae; quī; relinquit; tenēbātur

[4] Poēta fābulās dē Rōmā nārrat. Dē Horātiō, duce fortī, quī etiam sōlus hostēs oppugnābat, nārrat. Is hostēs superāvit. Posteā in Tiberim sē iēcit et ad rīpam tūtō natāvit. Itaque urbs erat lībera. Puerī Rōmānī bene natāre poterant et corpora valida habēbant.

[4] Comprehension

In which order are the following statements made?

a brave commander _____

ability to swim well _____

conquering the enemy _____

fighting alone _____

freedom of the city _____

safely reaching the bank _____

strong bodies _____

telling tales about Rome _____

throwing oneself into the river _____

____________________

[3]

[i]

[a] The mother goes with the poet although she is afraid; Quamquam māter est timida, cum poētā, tamen, it.

[d] Carolus is sitting near the poet; prope poētam

[f] Maria is sitting in front of her brother; ante frātrem

[j] The mother and father are sitting safely; in locō tūtō sedent

[4]

a brave commander (2)

ability to swim well (8)

conquering the enemy (4)

fighting alone (3)

freedom of the city (7)

safely reaching the bank (6)

strong bodies (9)

telling tales about Rome (1)

throwing oneself into the river (5)

22.12.25: Level 3; the Middle Ages; Tempus transit gelidum [2]

A real challenge – but a rewarding one – is translating a song. Not only do you need to keep as close as possible to the original meaning, but also convey the rhymes, and the rhythms of stressed and unstressed syllables. Moreover, the “voice” of a Mediaeval writer should be respected. I have moved from the first post [step #1 translation] which gave a literal rendering, and notes to accompany the Latin original, to [step #2 translation] my own singable version. I’ve thrown in a few archaisms e.g. ‘a-going’, ’meetly’ (suitably; properly), ‘thou art (surrounded)’ together with a common habit in English poetry of losing syllables e.g. ‘am’rous’, ‘flow’ry’ and ‘pow’r’.

[V1]

tém-pŭs trán-sĭt gé-lĭ-dúm │Ícy̆ cóld’s ă-góĭng bý,
mún-dŭs ré-nŏ-vá-tŭr │ Ánd thĕ wórld’s rĕnéwed nŏw;
vérquĕ rédĭt flórĭdúm, │ Flów’ry̆ spríng ĭs grówĭng nígh,
fórmă rébŭs dátŭr. │ Év’ry̆thíng’s ĭn víew nŏw.

ávĭs módŭlátŭr, │ Bírdsŏng ís ă-sóundĭng,
módŭláns lĕtátŭr │ Jóyfŭllý rĕsóundĭng;

ávĭs módŭlátŭr, │ Bírdsŏng ís ă-sóundĭng,
módŭláns lĕtátŭr │ Jóyfŭllý rĕsóundĭng;

lŭcídĭór│ Ănd cléarĕr gróws,
ĕt lénĭór │ Ănd sóftĕr blóws,
ăér iăm sérĕnátŭr; │ Ă sóothĭng áir sŭrróundĭng.

iăm flórĕá, │ Nŏw blóssŏms spróut,
iăm fróndĕá, │ Ănd léaves sprĕad óut;
sĭlvá cŏmís dĕnsátŭr. │ Ĭn gréen thĕ wóod’s ăbóundĭng.

[V2]

Ludunt super gramina │ Gracefully upon the grass,
virgines decore, │ Maids are playing neatly;
quarum nova carmina │ From their lips, new songs shall pass,
dulci sonant ore. │ Sounding oh so sweetly.

annuunt favore │ Birds, they nod assent, and
volucres canore, │ Song is kindly sent, and
favet et odore │ Floral-tinted Earth brings
tellus picta flore. │ Fragrant favoured greetings.

cor igitur │ Thus thou, the heart,
et cingitur │ Surrounded art,
et tangitur amore, │ And touched by love discreetly.

Virginibus │With maidens fair,
et avibus │ Birds in the air,
strepentibus sonore. │Together singing meetly.

[V3]

Tendit modo retia │ Now his nets he starts to spread;
Puer pharetratus; │ Boy, a quiver wearing,
Cui deorum curia │ Godly court lies overhead,
Prebet famulatus; │ Servitude declaring.

Cuius dominatus │ And his realm, a-snaring,
Nimium est latus; │ Is too much for bearing;
Per hunc triumphatus │ By the boy defeated,
Sum et sauciatus; │ And with wounds I’m greeted.

Pugnaveram, │ For I had fought,
Et fueram │ At first I’d thought
In primis reluctatus; │ There might be naught between us;

Sed iterum │ Yet now, once more,
Per puerum │ I’m thrown before,
Sum Veneri prostratus. │ The am’rous pow’r o' Venus.

22.12.25: Level 3: the Middle Ages; Tempus transit gelidum [1]

The first song in the album entitled Carmina Burana: The Original Ones | Medieval Dances and Songs

Carmina Veris et Amoris: Songs of Spring and Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq0nloMq6Nw&t=460s

Tempus transit gelidum (from the Codex Buranus c. 11^th – 12^th century)

Many Mediaeval songs are ‘wistfully’ performed – this one isn’t!

[i] The usual suspects turn up in the Mediaeval Latin pronunciation:

(1) ae > e

CL: laetatur; ML: letatur

(2)

c + e / i: as /ch/ (although there can be variants of that e.g. /s/ or /ts/)

lucidior: CL [lukidior]; ML [luchidior]

c + a / o / u retain hard /k/

carmina [karmina]; comis [komis]; cor [kor]; decore [dekore]

(3) g + e / i pronounced as a soft /g/ not hard

gelidum: CL [gelidum]; ML [jelidum]

igitur: CL [igitur]; ML  [ijitur]

cingitur: CL [kingitur]; ML [chinjitur]

(4) gn as /ny/ or Spanish ñ

pugnaveram [punyaveram]

(5) v as /v/ and not as CL /u/

renovatur: CL [renouatur]; ML [renovatur]

[ii] Differences in Classical Latin long and short vowels – together with Classical stress rules – are thrown out in the rhythmic “Spring” cleaning!

[iii] Interestingly: the song is for a female performer despite which her experiences with the boys are in masculine form!

fueram reluctatus │ I had been reluctant

sum Veneri prostratus │ I have been prostrated to Venus

[V1]

tém-pŭs trán-sĭt gé-lĭ-dúm │ The ice-cold season / time is passing

mún-dŭs ré-nŏ-vá-tŭr │ the world is (being) renewed

vérquĕ rédĭt flórĭdúm, │ and the flowering spring returns,

fórmă rébŭs dátŭr. │ form is given to things.

ávĭs módŭlátŭr, │ The bird sings, [modulor, -āri (1/deponent): sing; play a tune]

módŭláns ¦ lĕtátŭr │ while singing ¦ it rejoices. [CL: laetor, -ārī (1/deponent):  rejoice; could also translate as a passive i.e. it is gladdened / made joyful]

ávĭs módŭlátŭr, │ The bird sings,

módŭláns ¦ lĕtátŭr │ while singing ¦ it rejoices.

lŭcídĭór │ Clearer

ĕt lénĭór │ and softer,

ăér iăm sérĕnátŭr; │ the air is made calm;

iăm flórĕá, │ now flowering,

iăm fróndĕá, │ now leafy / covered with leaves,

sĭlvá cŏmís dĕnsátŭr. │ the wood is made thick with foliage.

[V2]

Ludunt super gramina /  virgines decore, │ Upon the grass the maidens play elegantly

quarum nova carmina │ whose new songs

dulci sonant ore. │ sound from a sweet mouth.

annuunt favore /  volucres canore, │ The birds with good will and (with) singing nod approval [annuō / adnuō, -ere (3): nod assent / approval / consent]

favet et odore / tellus picta flore. │ and by its scent the Earth painted with flower(s) is favourable / looks kindly (on them).

cor igitur │ the heart, therefore,

et cingitur │ is both surrounded

et tangitur amore, │ and (is) touched by love

virginibus │ with maidens

et avibus │ and (with) birds

strepentibus sonore. │ humming with sound.

[V3]

Tendit modo retia │ Now he spreads the / (his) nets

puer pharetratus; │ the boy wearing a quiver [pharetra, -ae (1/f): quiver]

cui deorum curia │ to whom the court of the gods

prebet famulatus, │ offers servitude

cuius dominatus │ whose rule / absolute power

nimium est latus, │ is too much to bear [literally: is borne too much]

per hunc triumphatus / sum et sauciatus: │ through him I am conquered and injured

pugnaveram │ I had fought [pluperfect]

et fueram │ and I had been [pluperfect]

in primis reluctatus, │ at first reluctant [fueram reluctatus < reluctor, -āre (1/deponent): resist; I had resisted / fight back]

sed iterum │ but again

per puerum │ by the boy

sum Veneri prostratus. │ I have been prostrated to Venus [prōsternō, -ere, -strāvī, -strātus (3): overthrow; knock down]

Images: the original text (starting from the bottom of the first page)

07.12.25: The most haunting image from Rome …

Rome was awash with statues and frescoes. To be honest, I’m not a big fan of the grandiose ‘look how wonderful we are’ ones, but I am taken by the simple ones that reflect more everyday life and, in this case, sad death. Of all the images I’ve ever seen from Rome, this one is, for me, the most haunting.

[ll1-2] MARTIALI . VERN(AE) / DVLCISSIMO . QVI │ To Martial, sweetest house-born slave, who

[l3] VIXIT . ANN(IS) . II . M(ENSIBUS) . X . D(IEBUS) . VIII │ lived for two years, 10 months, 8 days

[l4] TI(BERIUS) . CLAVDIVS . VITALIS │ Tiberius Claudius Vitalis

[l5] B(ENE) M(ERENTI) FECIT │ for the well-deserving one he (i.e. Vitalis) made (it)

Martiālī vernae dulcissimō quī vīxit annīs duōbus, mēnsibus decem, diēbus octō. Tiberius Claudius Vītālis bene merentī fēcit. │ Sweetest Martial, a house-born slave, who lived two years, ten months, and eight days. Tiberius Claudius Vitalis made this monument for him, well deserving.

[i] fēcit: (s)he made (it); this is a common way of ending funerary inscriptions noting the name of the person who organised and, presumably, financed the memorial; the same also occurs in inscriptions marking the construction of large building projects.

[ii] verna, -ae [1/m]: a child born of a slave and, therefore, the property of the master. He could have been the master’s son although that is not acknowledged because only a first name is given.

[iii] It isn't necessarily the case that the little lad lived for the exact period of time indicated; there can be various reasons for that including lack of birth records and no birth dates at all for the children of slaves. However, such 'precision' in the inscription can simply emphasise that he was precious for every moment he was alive.

He was clearly held in great affection for this memorial to be sculpted for him, but 2000 years later those lifeless eyes and expressionless face still stare at you: poor kid. 

23.02.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [27] Review; the Road to Latin; Unit 44 (3); quick practice

Match the English and the Latin:

[i] He says that the man is coming.

[ii] He says that the man came / has come.

[iii] He said that the man was coming.

[iv] He says that the man will come.

[v] He said that the man had come.

[vi] He said that the man would come.

Dīxit virum ventūrum esse.

Dīxit virum venīre.

Dīcit virum vēnisse.

Dīcit virum venīre.

Dīxit virum vēnisse.

Dīcit virum ventūrum esse.

23.02.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [26] Review; the Road to Latin; Unit 44 (2); Dē Orgetorīge I; analysis

[A] (1) "Cīvitās Helvētia, nostra patria, locī nātūrā continētur. (2) Helvētiī undique flūminibus montibusque continentur. (3) Helvētiī, hominēs maximae audāciae, sunt bellī cupidī, sed (4) propter angustōs fīnēs fīnitimīs bellum nōn facile īnferre possunt. (5) Glōria bellī et fortitūdinis quondam fuit maxima sed (6) mox minima erit. (7) Helvētiī sine difficultāte dē fīnibus suīs exīre et lātiōrēs fīnēs petere possunt. (8) Sīc fīnēs sibi magis idōneōs obtinēbunt."

(9) "Rōmānī autem magnam partem Galliae iam superāvērunt. (10) Prīncipātum tōtīus Galliae obtinēre volunt. (11) Rōmānī fortasse ab itinere nōs prohibēre temptābunt. (12) Multae nātiōnēs autem ab Helvētiīs vīctae sunt. (13) Exercitus Rōmānus quidem ab eīs quondam victus est. (14) Sine dubiō cōpiae Helvētiōrum eum iterum vincent."

[B]

(1) Orgetorīx dīcit cīvitātem Helvētiam locī nātūrā continērī. (2) Dēmōnstrat Helvētiōs undique flūminibus et montibus continērī. (3) Cōnfirmat Helvētiōs, hominēs maximae audāciae, bellī esse cupidōs sed (4) propter angustōs fīnēs fīnitimīs bellum nōn facile īnferre posse. (5) Nōbilibus nostrīs nārrat eōrum glōriam bellī et fortitūdinis fuisse maximam sed (6) mox futūram esse minimam. (7) Putat Helvētiōs sine difficultāte dē fīnibus suīs exīre et fīnēs lātiōrēs petere posse; (8) sīc sibi fīnēs magis idōneōs obtentūrōs esse. (9) Dīcit Rōmānōs ipsōs magnam partem Galliae iam superāvisse et (10) prīncipātum tōtīus Galliae obtinēre velle. (11) Putat Rōmānōs fortasse eōs ab itinere prohibēre temptātūrōs esse. (12) Scit autem multās nātiōnēs ab Helvētiīs vīctās esse et (13) exercitum Rōmānum quidem ab eīs quondam vīctum esse. (14) Spērat cōpiās Helvētiōrum Rōmānōs iterum victūrās esse.

(1) Orgetorīx dīcit ¦ cīvitātem Helvētiam locī nātūrā continēri.

(2) Dēmōnstrat ¦ Helvētiōs undique flūminibus et montibus continērī.

(3) Cōnfirmat ¦ Helvētiōs, hominēs maximae audāciae, bellī esse cupidōs sed (4) propter angustōs fīnēs fīnitimīs bellum nōn facile īnferre posse.

(5) Nōbilibus nostrīs nārrat ¦ eōrum glōriam bellī et fortitūdinis fuisse maximam sed (6) mox futūram esse minimam.

(7) Putat ¦ Helvētiōs sine difficultāte dē fīnibus suīs exīre et fīnēs lātiōrēs petere posse; (8) sīc sibi fīnēs magis idōneōs obtentūrōs esse.

(9) Dīcit ¦ Rōmānōs ipsōs magnam partem Galliae iam superāvisse et (10) prīncipātum tōtius Galliae obtinēre velle.

(11) Putat ¦ Rōmānōs fortasse eōs ab itinere prohibēre temptātūrōs esse.

(12) Scit ¦ autem multās nātiōnēs ab Helvētiīs victās esse et (13) exercitum Rōmānum quidem ab eīs quondam victum esse.

(14) Spērat ¦ cōpiās Helvētiōrum Rōmānōs iterum victūrās esse.

Direct statement > Indirect statement

An indirect statement comprises three parts:

(1) the verb that introduces the indirect statement e.g. dīcit (he says)

(2) the subject of the indirect statement in the accusative case

(3) the verb of the indirect statement is changed to an infinitive

[a] with the present active infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

“Helvētiī sine difficultāte dē fīnibus suīs exīre et lātiōrēs finēs petere possunt.”

"The Helvetians are able to leave their own territory without difficulty and seek wider lands."

> Indirect statement

(1) Putat │ (2) Helvētiōs sine difficultāte dē fīnibus suīs et fīnēs lātiōrēs petere (3) posse

(1) He thinks │ (2) that the Helvetians (3) are able to leave their own territory without difficulty and seek wider lands.

[ii]

Direct statement

“Helvētiī, hominēs maximae audāciae, sunt bellī cupidī, “… sed propter angustōs fīnēs fīnitimīs bellum nōn facile īnferre possunt.”

 “The Helvetians, a people of the greatest boldness, are ¦ eager for war,  but because of their narrow territory, they are not easily able to wage war on their neighbors.”

> Indirect statement

(1) Cōnfirmat │ (2) Helvētiōs, hominēs maximae audāciae, bellī (3) esse ¦ cupidōs,  sed propter angustōs fīnēs fīnitimīs bellum nōn facile īnferre (3) posse.

(1) He affirms │ (2) that the Helvetians, a people of the greatest boldness, (3) are ¦ eager for war, but because of their narrow territory, they are not easily (3) able to wage war on their neighbours.

[iii]

Direct statement

“(Rōmānī) prīncipātum tōtīus Galliae obtinēre volunt.”

“(The Romans) want to obtain supremacy over all of Gaul.”

> Indirect statement

(1) Dīcit │ (2) Rōmānōs ipsōs prīncipātum tōtius Galliae obtinēre (3) velle

(1) He says │ (2) that the Romans themselves (3) want to obtain supremacy over all of Gaul.

[b] with the perfect active infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

“Rōmānī autem magnam partem Galliae iam superāvērunt.”

“But the Romans have already conquered a large part of Gaul.”

> Indirect statement

(1) Dīcit │ (2) Rōmānōs ipsōs magnam partem Galliae iam (3) superāvisse

(1) He says │ (2) that the Romans themselves (3) have already conquered a large part of Gaul.

[ii]

Direct statement

“Glōria bellī et fortitūdinis quondam fuit maxima”

“The glory of war and bravery was the greatest at one time.”

> Indirect statement

Nōbilibus nostrīs │ (1) nārrat  eōrum (2) glōriam bellī et fortitūdinis (3) fuisse maximam

(1) He tells our nobles │ that (2) their glory of war and bravery (3) were the greatest.

[c] with the future active infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

“Glōria bellī et fortitūdinis … mox minima erit.”

“The glory of war and bravery will soon be very little.”

> Indirect statement

Nōbilibus nostrīs (1) nārrat │ (2) glōriam … mox (3) futūram esse minimam

(1) He tells our nobles │ that (2) the glory of war and bravery (3) will soon be very little.

[ii]

Direct statement

“Sine dubiō cōpiae Helvētiōrum eum (exercitum) iterum vincent.”

“Without doubt the troops of the Helvetians will again conquer it (the army).”

> Indirect statement

(1) Spērat │ (2) cōpiās Helvētiōrum Rōmānōs iterum (3) victūrās esse

(1) He hopes │ that (2) the troops of the Helvetians (3) will again conquer the Romans.

[iii]

Direct statement

“Rōmānī fortasse ab itinere nōs prohibēre temptābunt.”

“The Romans will perhaps try to stop us from (our) journey.”

> Indirect statement

(1) Putat │ (2) Rōmānōs fortasse eōs ab itinere prohibēre (3) temptātūrōs esse

(1) He thinks │ that (2) the Romans (3) will perhaps try to prevent them from (their) journey.”

[iv]

Direct statement

“(Helvētiī) sīc fīnēs sibi magis idōneōs obtinēbunt.”

“In this way the Helvetians will obtain territory more suitable for themselves.”

> Indirect statement

(1) Putat │ (2) Helvētiōs … sīc sibi fīnēs magis idōneōs (3) obtentūrōs esse

(1) He thinks │ that, in this way, (2) the Helvetians (3) will obtain territory more suitable for themselves.

[d] with the present passive infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

“Cīvitās Helvētia, nostra patria, loci nātūrā continētur.”       

“The Helvetian state, our homeland, is confined by natural features.”

> Indirect statement

Orgetorīx (1) dīcit │ (2) cīvitātem Helvētiam locī nātūrā (3) continēri

Orgetorix (1) says │ that (2) the Helvetian state (3) is confined by natural features.

[ii]

Direct statement

“Helvētiī undique flūminibus montibusque continentur.”

“The Helvetians are surrounded on all sides by rivers and mountains.”       

> Indirect statement

(1) Dēmōnstrat │ (2) Helvētiōs undique flūminibus et montibus (3) continērī

(1) He shows │ that (2) the Helvetians (3) are surrounded on all sides by rivers and mountains.

[e] with the perfect passive infinitive

[i]

“Multae nātiōnēs autem ab Helvetiīs victae sunt.”

“Many nations, however, have been conquered by the Helvetians.”       

(1) Scit autem │ (2) multās nātiōnēs ab Helvētiīs (3) victās esse …

(1) He knows, however, │ (2) that many nations (3) have been conquered by the Helvetians …

[ii]

“Exercitus Rōmānus quidem ab eīs quondam victus est.”       

“Indeed, the Roman army was once defeated by them.”

(scit) … │ (2) exercitum Rōmānum quidem ab eīs quondam (3) victum esse

(knows) … │ that (2) the Roman army indeed (3) was once defeated by them.