08.01.27: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [38] (1)

Nox est et in casā nautae est agricola, pater Cassī. Omnēs prope focum sedent et virī fābulās nārrant. Haec est fābula agricolae.

“Ōlim multīs ante annīs ad oppidum frūmentum ferēbam. Illīs temporibus oppidum longē aberat. Equī erant tardī et saepe necesse erat sērā hōrā per silvam redīre. Ubi in oppidum pervēnī, multī aliī agricolae hūc convēnerant et colloquium erat longum et omnibus grātum. Vesper appropinquābat et erat tempus domum redīre. Tandem cum pecūniā quam prō frūmentō accēperam iter facere coepī. Nihil timēbam. Nihil perīculī in cōnspectū erat. Ubīque erat pāx. Lūna erat magna et clāra.

[i] Where exactly is this scene taking place? (2)

[ii] Quote and translate the phrase that indicates this story was not recent. (1)

[iii] What was the farmer doing? (1)

[iv] Why did the horses affect his journey? (3)

[v] What had taken place when he reached the town? (2)

[vi] Quote and translate the phrase that indicates that it was not yet night time. (1)

[vii] When he did start making the journey home? (1)

[viii] “Nihil … clāra.” Explain with reference to the text how he felt at this point and why. (4)

[2] Translate:

Quandō pontem trānsīre coepī, subitō ā dextrā et ā sinistrā duo virī erant in cōnspectū. Alter corpus parvum sed vōcem magnam habēbat; alter erat vir magnā vī. Carrō statim appropinquāvērunt. Vir parvus magnā vōce hōc modō clāmāvit: “Stā! Quantam pecūniam habēs? Eam nōbis dā. Properā. Sī id nōn faciēs, tē occīdēmus. (15)

____________________

[i] farmer’s cottage (1); (sitting) by the fireplace (1)

[ii] multīs ante annīs | many years before

[iii] carrying grain to town

[iv] horses were slow (1); he had to go through the forest (1) at a late hour (1)

[v] many farmers had gathered there (1); they were having a long and pleasing conversation (1)

[vi] vesper appropinquābat | evening was approaching / drawing near

[vii] When he had received the money for the grain.

[viii] feared nothing (1); could see no danger (1); everywhere peaceful (1); moon large and clear (1)

[2]

When I began to cross the bridge (1), suddenly on the right and on the left (1) two men came into / were in view (1). One had a small body (1) but a loud voice (1); the other was a man of great strength (1). They immediately approached the cart (1). The small man shouted in a loud voice (1) in this way (1): “Stop! (1) How much money do you have? (1) Give it to us. (1) Hurry. (1) If you do not do this (1), we will kill you. (1)”

07.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (2)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (2)

Intereā Porsennae facta Rōmānōs nōn fefellērunt. Virginēs vestālēs prope ignem sacrum deōs ōrābant; mātrōnae cum līberīs suīs dōna ad templa ferēbant; senēs victimās in ārīs mactābant; iuvenēs in Campō Mārtiō sē ad arma proeliumque parābant, et moenia multō labōre firmābant; vigilēs in moenibus stābant et campōs clīvōsque spectābant.

Subitō vigilēs corusca Etrūscōrum arma procul vīdērunt. Mox inter hostēs Porsennam, et Porsennae ā dextrā Sextum, vīdērunt. Deinde cīvēs odiī et terrōris plēnī magnā vōce clāmāvērunt et animōs ad proelium firmāvērunt. Sed cōnsulēs timēbant, quod paucī erant Rōmānī, multī et validī hostēs.

[i]

cōnsul, -is [3/m]: consul, chief magistrate at Rome

dextra, -ae [1/f]: right hand; ā dextrā: on the right

hostis, -is [3 m/f]: enemy

ignis, -is [3/m]: fire

mātrōna, -ae [1/f]: matron

moenia, -ium [n pl]: town walls

odium, -ī [2/n]: hatred

proelium, -ī [2/n]: battle

senex, senis [3 m/f]: old person

vigil, -is [3/m]: sentinel

[ii]

firmō, -āre [1]: strengthen

[iii]

paucī, -ae, -a: few

sacer, -cra, -crum: sacred

Vestālis, -e: Vestal, belonging to Vesta

____________________

Meanwhile Porsenna’s actions did not deceive / escape the Romans’ notice. The Vestal Virgins were praying to the gods near the sacred fire; the matrons were carrying gifts to the temples together with their children; the old men were sacrificing victims on the altars; the young men were preparing themselves on the Campus Martius for weapons and battle, and were strengthening the walls with great effort; the watchmen stood on the walls and observed the fields and slopes.

Suddenly the watchmen saw the flashing weapons of the Etruscans in the distance. Soon they saw Porsenna among the enemy, and on Porsenna’s right Sextus. Then the citizens, full of hatred and fear, cried out loudly and steeled their spirits for battle. But the consuls were afraid, because the Romans were few, and the enemy many and strong.

06.01.27: Vincent and the Headache (3); step-by-step; saying what’s wrong with you [i]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/06/210626-vincent-and-headache-1-step-by.html

Caput multum dolet | I have a bad headache

One of the reasons to practise speaking the language, rather than only reading it, is that what the Romans said on a daily basis did not involve those lengthy speeches of Cicero. They used simple constructions just as we do today. By extracting them, particular features of the language can be reinforced in a practical way.

The Roman author Juvenal was worried about falling roof tiles. If you’re still beginning Latin, then just read the English and picture in your mind what Roman streets were really like!

Respice nunc alia ac dīversa perīcula noctis: | Now look at other, quite different dangers of the night:

quod spatium tēctīs sublīmibus unde cerebrum  / testa* ferit, … | how much room there is – from those lofty roofs — for a potsherd to smash your skull!

*potsherd: a broken shard of pottery

… quotiēns rīmōsa et curta fenestrīs / vāsa cadant, quantō percussum pondere signent / et laedant silicem,  | How often cracked and battered pots fall from windows, striking the pavement with such weight that they mark and mar the stone!

… possīs ignāvus habērī │ You might be thought a fool,

et subitī cāsus inprōvidus, … │ and careless of sudden disaster,

ad cēnam sī intestātus eās: │ if you go out to dinner without first making your will

If a roof tile fell on a Roman’s head then, apart from some undoubtedly ‘colourful’ language, he most likely said:

Caput (mihi) dolet! | Literally: the head is causing pain (to me) = My head hurts / I have a headache

And it’s not really any different from equivalents in some other modern languages:

Fr: la tête me fait mal; Gmn: der Kopf tut mir weh

Both the French and German literally say: “The head makes / does pain to me”. There are other ways of expressing those ideas in French and German, but the ones noted here are remarkably similar to Latin.

X mihi ¦ dolet | X (whatever is it) causes / is causing pain ¦ to me.

Dorsum mihi dolet. │My back is hurting. (My back is causing me pain.)

If the cause of the pain is plural, then the verb ending changes:

Dēns mihi dolet. │ My tooth hurts.

Dentēs mihi dolent. | My teeth hurt.

Exercises:

[1] Practise saying what’s wrong with you using these singular nouns:

__________ mihi dolet

[a]

1. auris: ear
2. caput: head
3. dēns: tooth
4. nāsus: nose
5. oculus: eye

[b]

1. bracchium: arm
2. collum: neck
3. dorsum: back
4. umerus: shoulder
5. pectus: chest; breast
6. venter: stomach

[c] 

1. manus: hand
2. digitus: finger

[d]

1. calcāneum: heel
2. crūs: leg
3. genū: knee
4. pēs: foot

[2] Now here are some plural forms:

__________ mihi dolent

1. aurēs: ears
2. dentēs: teeth
3. digitī: fingers
4. manūs: hands
5. oculī: eyes
6. pedēs: feet

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/vocabulary%3A%20body

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/topic%3A%20human%20body%3B%20accident%20and%20illness

05.01.27: Level 4; literature; Mediaeval; Gesta Rōmānōrum; Fīlia Pīrātae [1]

Compiled by an unknown author about the late 13^th / early 14^th century, Gesta Rōmānōrum (the deeds of the Romans) is a collection of anecdotes and tales which, despite its title, have little, if anything, to do with the Romans. Nevertheless, it was not only one of the most popular books at the time but also a direct or indirect source for literature including the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Giovanni Boccaccio and William Shakespeare.

Like the Vulgate it can be regarded as a “bridge” between textbook Latin and the works of the Roman authors. Sentence structure is generally less complex, and language is neither poetic nor oratorical in style. The only proviso is that certain features occur that are not evident in Classical Latin, although the meaning remains clear. Where variations occur, they will be noted.

Rēx quīdam rēgnāvit, in cuius imperiō erat quīdam iuvenis ā pīrātīs captus, quī scrīpsit patrī suō prō redemptiōne. Pater nōluit eum redimere sīc, quod iuvenis multō tempore in carcere erat macerātus. Ille, quī eum in vinculis habēbat, quandam pulchram fīliam ac oculīs hominum grātiōsam genuerat, qu(a)e nutrīta in domō erat, quousque vīgintī annōs in etāte (aetāte) suā complēverat, quae saepius incarcerātum visitātum īvit ac cōnsōlābātur. Sed ille in tantum dēsōlātus erat, quod nūllam cōnsōlātiōnem recipere poterat, sed suspīria et gemitūs continuē ēmittēbat.

Accidit quōdam diē, quod, cum puella eum visitāret, ait iuvenis eī: “Ō bona puella, utinam vellēs prō meā līberātiōne labōrāre!”

Quae ait: “Quōmodo poterō hoc attentāre! Pater tuus, quī tē genuit, nōn vult tē redimere, ego vērō, cum sim tibi extrānea, quōmodo deberem hoc cogitāre? “Et sī tē līberārem, offēnsiōnem patris meī incurrerem, quia tuam redemptiōnem perderet pater meus. Vērumtamen mihi ūnum concēde, et līberābō tē.”

Ait ille: “Ō bona puella, pete ā mē quid tibi placuerit! Sī mihi est possibile, ego concēdam.”

At illa: “Nihil aliud petō prō tuā līberātiōne, nisi quod mē in uxōrem dūcās tempore opportūnō.”

Quī ait: “Hoc tibi firmiter prōmittō.”

Vocabulary

[i]

consolātiō, -ōnis [3/f]: consolation, comfort

gemitus, -ūs [4/m]: groan

offēnsiō, -ōnis [3/f]: offence, wrongdoing

pīrāta, -ae [1/m]: pirate

rēdemptiō, -ōnis [3/f]: ransom, redemption

suspirium, -ī [2/n]: sigh

vinculum, -ī [2/n]: bond, chain, fetter

[ii]

cōnsolor, cōnsolārī, cōnsolātus sum [1 deponent]: console, comfort

dēsolō, dēsolāre, dēsolāvī, dēsolātus [1]: desolate, distress

gignō, gignere, genuī, genitus [3]: beget, bring forth

incurrō, incurrere, incursī, incursus [3]: incur, fall into (e.g. offence/blame)

macerō, macerāre, macerāvī, macerātus [1]: wear down, exhaust

nūtrīō, nūtrīre, nūtrīvī, nūtrītus [4]: nourish, bring up, rear

rēdīmō, rēdimere, redēmī, redemptus [3]: ransom, redeem

[iii]

dēsōlātus, -a, -um: desolate, distressed

extrāneus, -a, -um: foreign, unrelated, outsider (as adjective)

grātiōsus, -a, -um: pleasing, charming, graceful

opportūnus, -a, -um: suitable, favourable, opportune

Notes

[1] Rēx quīdam rēgnāvit, in cuius imperiō erat quīdam iuvenis ā pīrātīs captus …

A feature of some texts in the Gesta Rōmānōrum is their deliberate vagueness. The phrase rēx quīdam introduces an unnamed and unspecified king, while in cuius imperiō provides only a minimal narrative setting. This lack of specificity shows that the king serves merely as a framing device and plays no further role in the story. This kind of opening is similar to a folk tale (“once there was a king”), signalling that the moral narrative, rather than historical detail, is the focus.

[2] visitātum īvit | she went to visit …; supine

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/supine

[3] There are few challenges in reading Mediaeval Latin (ML); differences will be noted as we work through the text:

[i] ae > e; this reflects the shift in pronunciation from the Classical Latin (CL) diphthong /ae/ to /e/ and commonly occurs in Mediaeval writing:

CL: quae > ML: que (Compare Fr. / Sp. que)

CL: aetate > ML: etate

[iii] word order, although still displaying Classical Latin structure, is simpler in style; note in particular that verbs are trending towards an order similar or identical to, for example, French and English:

… quī scrīpsit patrī suō prō redemptiōne.

who wrote to his father about a ransom

… cum sim tibi extrānea, …

since I am a stranger to you, …

Nihil aliud petō prō tuā līberātiōne, …

I ask nothing else for your freedom

Sī mihi est possibile …

If it is possible for me,

līberābō tē

I will free you

[iv] A major change to note: far wider-ranging use of quod to express the conjunction ‘that’; these are not CL structures but show the influence of Romance languages that had developed from Latin. Both of the examples below would require ut + subjunctive in CL:

Sed ille in tantum dēsōlātus erat, quod nūllam cōnsōlātiōnem recipere poterat

But he was so utterly desolate that he was unable to receive any consolation

Accidit quōdam diē, quod, … ait iuvenis eī

It happened one day that, … the young man said to her

Subjunctive usage

The text is an excellent source of review of the subjunctive, and their uses are very clear:

[i] cum puella eum visitāret, …

when the girl was visiting him,

cum sim tibi extrānea, …

since I am a stranger to you, …

cum-clause: circumstance

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20cum-clauses

[ii] utinam vellēs prō meā līberātiōne labōrāre!

if only you were willing to work for my freedom!

optative

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20optative

[iii] quōmodo deberem hoc cogitāre?

how should I think of doing this?

deliberative

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20deliberative

[iv] Et sī tē līberārem, offēnsiōnem patris meī incurrerem, …

And if I were to free you, I would incur the anger of my father, …

conditional clause: present contrary-to-fact

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/03/100926-level-3-conditional-clauses-7.html

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/03/100926-level-3-conditional-clauses-8.html

[v] … quia tuam redemptiōnem perderet pater meus.

… because my father would lose your ransom.

causal clause

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/03/230826-level-3-subjunctive-90-dependent.html

[vi] pete ā mē quid tibi placuerit [perfect subjunctive]

ask from me whatever you please [literally: what may have pleased you]

indirect question

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20indirect%20questions

[vii] Nihil aliud petō …, nisi quod mē in uxōrem dūcās

I ask nothing else …, except (for the fact) that you take me as your wife

indirect command: in CL usually with ut but ML uses quod [see note [1][iv] above]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20indirect%20commands

____________________

A certain king reigned, in whose realm there was a certain young man who had been captured by pirates, and who wrote to his father about a ransom. The father was unwilling to ransom him in this way, because the young man had been worn down by a long time in prison. The man who was holding him in chains had begotten a certain beautiful daughter, pleasing in the eyes of men, and she had been brought up in the house until she had reached twenty years of age. She often went to visit the imprisoned man and used to comfort him. But he was so utterly desolate that he was unable to receive any consolation, and instead he continually let out sighs and groans.

It happened one day that, when the girl was visiting him, the young man said to her: “O good girl, if only you were willing to work for my freedom!”

She said: “How shall I be able to attempt this? Your father, who begot you, is unwilling to ransom you; but I, since I am a stranger to you, how should I think of doing this? And if I were to free you, I would incur the anger of my father, because my father would lose your ransom. Nevertheless, grant me one thing, and I will free you.”

He said: “O good girl, ask from me whatever you please! If it is possible for me, I will grant it.”

But she said: “I ask nothing else (in exchange / in return) for your freedom, except that you should take me as your wife at a suitable time.”

He said: “I firmly promise you this.”

Gesta Romanorum (1493)

Who wants to win a million sesterces? Questions 6 - 10

 Easy! Easy! Easy! If you know them ...

Who wants to win a million sesterces? Questions 1 - 5

 Easy! Easy! Easy! If you know them ...

04.01.27: Level 4; listening; Nūntiī Latīnī [1]

Kalendīs Iūniīs in Finlandiā Fīnis Annī scholasticī celebrābātur. Tum amplius quīngenta mīlia scholārium ad fēriās aestīvās agendās dīmissa sunt. Vīgintī quīnque mīlia studentium in exāmine mātūritātis approbāta sunt, octōgintā mīlia specimina scholae professiōnālis absolvērunt. Quī numerus quīnque mīlibus maior est quam annō praeteritō.

[i] What was celebrated on June 1^st?

[ii] What was the total number of students involved?

[iii] How many students passed the matriculation examination?

[iv] How many students completed vocational school qualifications?

[v] How does this figure compare with the previous year?

____________________

[i] end of the school year

[ii] more than 500,000; amplius quīngenta milia

[iii] 25,000

[iv] 80,000

[v] 5,000 more / higher; quīnque mīlibus maior

____________________

On 1 June, the end of the school year was celebrated in Finland. Then more than five hundred thousand pupils were dismissed / released to spend the summer holidays [ = began the summer holidays]. Twenty-five thousand students passed the matriculation examination, and 80,000 completed vocational-school qualifications. This figure is 5,000 higher than the previous year.

03.01.27: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [7] (1) impersonal passive; (2) connecting relative; (3) participial constructions; (4) subjunctive; (5) indirect statement

CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT BETWEEN CÆSAR AND POMPEY; THE BATTLE OF PHARSALIA [2]

Plūribus leviōribus proeliīs factīs, tandem cōpiae adversae ad Pharsālum in Thessaliā sitam castra posuērunt. Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris, tamen erant multī quī veterānās legiōnēs quae Gallōs et Germānōs superāverant vehementer timēbant. Quōs ante proelium commissum Labiēnus lēgātus, quī ab Caesare nūper dēfēcerat, ita adlocūtus est: “Nōlīte exīstimāre hunc esse exercitum veterānōrum mīlitum. Omnibus interfuī proeliīs neque temerē incognitam rem prōnūntiō. Perexigua pars illīus exercitūs quī Gallōs superāvit adhūc superest. Magna pars occīsa est, multī domum discessērunt, multī sunt relictī in Italiā. Hae cōpiae quās vidētis in citeriōre Galliā nūper cōnscrīptae sunt.” Haec cum dīxisset, iūrāvit sē nisi victōrem in castra nōn reversūrum esse. Hoc idem Pompēius et omnēs reliquī iūrāvērunt, et magnā spē et laetitiā, sīcut certam ad victōriam, cōpiae ē castrīs exiērunt.

Item Caesar, animō ad dīmicandum parātus, exercitum suum ēdūxit et septem cohortibus praesidiō castrīs relictīs cōpiās triplicī aciē īnstrūxit. Tum, mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus, tubā signum dedit. Mīlitēs prōcurrērunt et pīlīs missīs gladiōs strīnxērunt. Neque vērō virtūs hostibus dēfuit. Nam et tēla missa sustinuērunt et impetum gladiōrum excēpērunt et ōrdinēs cōnservāvērunt. Utrimque diū et ācriter pugnātum est nec quisquam pedem rettulit. Tum equitēs Pompēī aciem Caesaris circumīre cōnātī sunt. Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, tertiam aciem, quae ad id tempus quiēta fuerat, prōcurrere iussit. Tum vērō integrōrum impetum dēfessī hostēs sustinēre nōn potuērunt et omnēs terga vertērunt. Sed Pompēius dē fortūnīs suīs dēspērāns sē in castra equō contulit, inde mox cum paucīs equitibus effūgit.

(1) review: impersonal passive

Utrimque diū et ācriter pugnātum est | on both sides there was a long and fierce battle

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/impersonal%20passive

pugnō, -āre: fight; it is an intransitive verb, meaning that it cannot take a direct object. Other examples of intransitive verbs include:

currō, -ere: run

dormiō, -īre: sleep

eō, īre: go

veniō, -īre: come

Intransitive verbs cannot have passive forms with a subject e.g. *he has been slept*, *they were being run*. However, passive forms of intransitive verbs without a subject are used to convey impersonal ideas.

pugnātum est | literally: it was fought

Translations will vary but focus not on who performed the action, but on the action itself:

> There was fighting going on / people were fighting / ‘they’ fought / a battle was taking place

Pugnātum est ab utrīsque ācriter (Caesar)

• There was fierce fighting on both sides [ literally: ‘it’ was fought bitterly …]

Ea mē spectātum tulerat per Dionȳsia. postquam illō ventum est, iam, ut mē collocāverat, exorītur ventus turbō (Plautus)

• She had taken me to see (the show) at the Dionysiac festival. After we’d arrived there, just as she had settled me, a storm wind arose.

Ergō ex omnibus locīs urbis in forum curritur (Livy)

• Therefore, from all parts of the city people are running into the forum.

Macte novā virtūte, puer: Sīc ītur ad astra (Vergil)

• Be blessed in your new courage, boy; this is the way to the stars / one goes to … [literally: In this way it is being gone …]

Ad arma conclāmātum est (Livy)

• The cry ‘to arms!’ was raised.

Et Rōmam inde frequenter migrātum est, ā parentibus maximē ac propinquīs raptārum (Livy)

• And from there, there was frequent migration to Rome, especially by the parents and relatives of those / the women who had been abducted.

Magnīs opibus dormītur in urbe (Juvenal)

• Only with great wealth is it possible to sleep / do people sleep in the city.

(2) review: connecting relative pronouns

[i] Quōs … Labiēnus lēgātus … ita adlocūtus est:

[ii] Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, …

(3) review: participial constructions

[i] Pompēius dē fortūnīs suīs dēspērāns …

[ii] mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus …

[iii] plūribus leviōribus proeliīs factīs, …

[iv] septem cohortibus … relictīs …

[v] pīlīs missīs gladiōs strīnxērunt …

[vi] tēla missa sustinuērunt …

(4) review: subjunctive

[i] Haec cum dīxisset, …

[ii] Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris, tamen erant multī …

(5) review: indirect statement

[i] Nōlīte exīstimāre hunc esse exercitum veterānōrum mīlitum

[ii] iūrāvit sē … in castra nōn reversūrum esse

____________________

After several lighter engagements had been fought, at last the opposing forces pitched camp at Pharsalus, situated in Thessaly. Although Pompey’s army was twice as large as Caesar’s, there were nevertheless many who greatly feared the veteran legions that had defeated the Gauls and the Germans. Before the battle was joined, Labienus, the lieutenant who had recently defected from Caesar, addressed them as follows:

“Do not suppose that this is an army of veteran soldiers. I have been present at all the battles, and I do not rashly pronounce on a matter I do not know. A very small part of that army which defeated the Gauls still survives. A large part has been killed; many have gone home; many have been left behind in Italy. These forces which you see in Cisalpine Gaul have recently been levied.”

When he had said this, he swore that he would not return to camp unless as victor. Pompey himself and all the rest swore the same, and with great hope and joy, as though victory were certain, the troops marched out from the camp.

Caesar likewise, his mind prepared for battle, led out his army and, seven cohorts having been left behind to guard the camp, drew up his forces in a triple line. Then, as the soldiers were burning with eagerness to fight, he gave the signal with the trumpet. The soldiers charged forward and once the javelins had been thrown, drew their swords. Nor indeed did courage fail the enemy: they both withstood the missiles that had been hurled, met the assault of the swords, and kept their ranks. On both sides the fighting went on long and fiercely, and no one gave ground. Then Pompey’s cavalry tried to outflank Caesar’s line. When Caesar noticed this, he ordered the third line, which up to that time had been at rest, to charge. Then indeed the exhausted enemy could not withstand the attack of fresh troops, and all turned their backs. But Pompey, despairing of his fortunes, made his way on horseback to the camp, and soon afterwards fled from there with a few horsemen.

03.01.27: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [6] review; (1) the predicative dative / the dative of purpose and result; (2) the double dative; the dative of reference

Item Caesar, animō ad dīmicandum parātus, exercitum suum ēdūxit et septem cohortibus (1) praesidiō [dative] (2) castrīs [dative] relictīs cōpiās triplicī aciē īnstrūxit.

• Caesar likewise, his mind prepared for battle, led out his army and, seven cohorts having been left behind (1) as a guard (2) for the camp [ = to guard the camp], drew up his forces in a triple line.

You can see that there are two nouns in the dative case. We will look at these separately.

(1) praesidiō: the dative of purpose

We have a noun in the dative case very often (but not exclusively) occurring after the verb esse, the dative indicating the purpose of that noun or the result which is achieved by that noun; this is also known as the predicative dative or the dative of purpose and result.

septem cohortibus (1) praesidiō … relīctīs

• seven cohorts having been left behind (1) as a guard …

English can convey a similar idea using expressions such as: ‘as a’, ‘a cause of’, ‘a source of’ or ‘a means of’, for example:

• How can I be ¦ of assistance?
• I did it ¦ as a favour.
• I use these glasses ¦ as a means of / for protection.
• That is ¦ (a cause) of great concern.
• That’s ¦ (a source) of benefit

Below are examples of nouns which commonly use this construction:

argūmentō esse: to be proof

auxiliō esse: to be a help; to be of help

bonō esse: to benefit; to be (a source) of benefit

cūrae esse: to be a concern; to be (a cause) of concern

dolōrī esse: to be a cause of grief

dōnō esse: to be (as a) gift (Compare English: he gave him a gift │ He gave a book to him as a gift.)

• Hōs librōs dōnō mīsit │ He sent these books as a gift

exemplō esse: to be (as) an example (Compare English: I’ll show this picture to you ¦ as an example.)

exitiō esse: to bring destruction; to be a source of destruction

honōrī esse: to be an honour

laudī esse: to be a credit

malō esse: to be a cause / source of harm

mūnerī esse: to be (as a favour); to be of service

odiō esse: to be an object of hatred

onerī esse: to be a burden

perīculō esse: to be a (source of) danger

praesidiō esse: to be a means of protection

pudōrī esse: to be a cause / source of shame

salūtī esse: to be a salvation

subsidiō esse: to be (a source of) help / support

ūsuī esse: to be of use (to benefit)

(2) castrīs: the dative of reference

septem cohortibus (1) praesidiō (2) castrīs … relīctīs

• seven cohorts having been left behind (1) as a guard (2) for the camp

This indicates the person / thing  for whom / which the purpose is intended or who is affected by it: 

Since this construction most often occurs with the two parts, it is known as the double dative:

(1) Māgnō ūsuī [dative of purpose] (2) nostrīs [dative of reference] fuit (Caesar)

• It was (1) of great service (2) to our men.

Translations may not convey the double dative so literally:

bellum est (1) exitiō ¦ (2) incolīs 

[Literally: war is (1) a source / cause of destruction ¦ (2) to the inhabitants]

• War brings destruction to the inhabitants.

Illa fēmina, quae līberōs interfēcit (1) odiō [ii] omnibus est.

[Literally:  That woman who killed her own children is (1) a source of hatred (2) for everybody

• That woman who killed her own children is hated by everyone.

The order may be reversed:

Puella (2) mihi [dative of reference] est (1) cūrae [dative of purpose]

• The girl is (1) of concern (2) to me

(2) nōbīs  (1) exemplō fuit ad imitandum │ He was (1) an example (2) for us to imitate

Caesar omnem ex castrīs equitātum (2) suīs (1) auxiliō mīsit. (Caesar)

• Caesar sent all the cavalry in the camp (1) as a relief (for the purpose of relief) (2) to his men

A neat way of remembering this construction is a two word quotation from Cicero:

Cui [dative of reference] bonō [dative of purpose]?

[Literally: to whom (is it) of advantage?]

• Who benefits?

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/02/030525-level-3-verbs-with-dative-case-9.html

02.01.27: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [37] (2)

[3] Complete the Latin text with the missing endings and words; some endings may be used twice:

“Within the walls of the city the voices of the angry enemies could be heard. At last a small battle was fought. We threw many missiles. But our forces were not large enough, and the king’s legion quickly brought the war to an end with great force. Afterwards the angry king summoned all the enemies and spoke thus: ‘I shall not allow my enemies to remain with me in the same country. I shall not allow them to live with good citizens. I am a wise king. Immediately you will be exiles. The safety of my country is dear to me.’”

“Intrā moeni_____ ur_____ vō_____ inimīc_____ īrātōrum audīr_____ poterant. Tandem proelium parvum gest_____ est. Multa tēl_____ iēci_____. At cōpiae nostr_____ nōn erant satis magnae et legiō rē_____ magn_____ vī fin_____ bell_____ celeriter fēcit. Posteā rēx īrāt_____ om_____ inimīc_____ convocāvit et sīc dīxit: ‘Inimīcōs meōs in _____ patriā _____ manēre nōn sinam. Cum bonīs cīv_____ eōs habitāre nōn sinam. Rēx sapi_____ sum. Statim exsul_____ eritis. Salūs patriae meae est cāra _____.’ ”

-ā; -ae; -bis; -cēs; eādem; -em; -ēns; -ēs; -gis; -ī; -ibus; mēcum; mihi; -mus; -nēs; -ōs; -um; -us

[4]

“Quō modō hūc pervēnistī?” rogāvit Maria.

“Mē in fugam dedī et multōs diēs intrā castellum antīquum prope pontem latēbam,” vir miserā vōce respondit. “Nēmō mē vīdit. Nāvem exspectāvī. In eā nāvī labōrāvī. Mare trānsīvī. Nihil nunc habeō et diū per terram errāvī et cibum pecūniamque rogāvī. Quandō iterum domum vidēbō? Hoc nōn spērō. Nihil spērō. Tantum mare patriam meam ab hāc terrā dīvidit. Fēlīx nōn sum. Sapiēns nōn eram ubi in numerō hostium eram. Sī umquam iterum patriam vidēbō, quanta erit laetitia mea! Iterum perfidus nōn erō.”

[i] Where exactly did he hide? (2)

[ii] How does the man sound when he recounts his story? Give the Latin phrase and English translation that tells you this? (2)

[iii] How do we know that his escape was successful? Give details. (4)

[iv] What is his situation now? Give details. (3)

[v] What statements convey his sense of hopelessness? Refer to the Latin and translate.

[vi] Translate:

“Tantum mare patriam meam ab hāc terrā dīvidit. Fēlīx nōn sum. Sapiēns nōn eram ubi in numerō hostium eram. Sī umquam iterum patriam vidēbō, quanta erit laetitia mea! Iterum perfidus nōn erō.” (8)

[5] Complete the Latin with the words and phrases listed below; they are not all needed.

(1) That same night the farmer visited the sailor. (2) He saw the wretched man and (3) heard his story. (4) “Soon,” said the farmer, (5) “I shall need help, (6) because it is necessary to do (7) many (8) things in the fields. (9) Do you want to work with me?”

“I (10) very much want this,” replied the man. Now each (11) was happy: one because he was going to have help, the other because (12) he wanted to work.

(1) __________ agricola nautam vīsitāvit. Virum miserum (2) __________ et fābulam eius (3) __________. (4) “__________,” inquit agricola, “auxilium (5) __________ (6) __________ in agrīs necesse est (7) __________  (8) __________ facere. (9) __________ mēcum labōrāre?”

(10) “Hoc __________ volō,” respondit vir. Nunc uterque (11) __________ laetus; alter quod auxilium habitūrus erat, alter quod labōrāre (12) __________.

• uterque: each (of two)
• alter … alter: (the) one … (the) other
• habitūrus, -a, -um: about to / going to have·

audīvī; audīvit; cupisne; cupitisne; cupīvit; dēsīderābam; dēsīderābō; eādem nocte; erant; erat; heri nocte; maximē; maximus; mōs; mox; multās; multōs; quid; quod; rēbus; rēs; videt; vīdit

____________________

[3]

“Intrā moenia urbis vōcēs inimīcōrum īrātōrum audīrī poterant. Tandem proelium parvum gestum est. Multa tēla iēcimus. At cōpiae nostrae nōn erant satis magnae et legiō rēgis magnā vī finem bellī celeriter fēcit. Posteā rēx īrātus omnēs inimīcōs convocāvit et sīc dīxit: ‘Inimīcōs meōs in eādem patriā mēcum manēre nōn sinam. Cum bonīs cīvibus eōs habitāre nōn sinam. Rēx sapiēns sum. Statim exsulēs eritis. Salūs patriae meae est cāra mihi.’ ”

[4]

[i] inside an old fort (1) near a bridge (1)

[ii] miserable / sad (1): vir miserā vōce respondit |  the man replied in a miserable voice (1)

[iii] Nobody saw him (1); waited for a ship (1); worked on it (1); crossed the sea (1)

[iv] has nothing (1); has wandered for a long time (1); asked / begged for food and money (1)

[v]

Quandō iterum domum vidēbō? | When shall I see home again?” (1)

Hoc nōn spērō |  I do not hope for this (1)

Nihil spērō |  I hope for nothing (1)

[vi]

“Only the sea separates (1) my country from this land (1). I am not happy (1). I was not wise (1) when I was among the enemy (1). If ever I see my country again (1), how great my happiness will be! (1) I shall not be treacherous again. (1)”

[5]

(1) Eādem nocte agricola nautam vīsitāvit. Virum miserum (2) vīdit et fābulam eius (3) audīvit. (4) “Mox,” inquit agricola, “auxilium (5) dēsīderābō (6) quod in agrīs necesse est (7) multās (8) rēs facere. (9) Cupisne mēcum labōrāre?”

(10) “Hoc maximē volō,” respondit vir. Nunc uterque (11) erat laetus; alter quod auxilium habitūrus erat, alter quod labōrāre (12) cupīvit.

01.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (1)

It stands in the Comitium,

Plain for all folk to see ;

Horatius in his harness.

Halting upon one knee :

And underneath is written.

In letters all of gold.

How valiantly he kept the bridge

In the brave days of old.

(Macaulay)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (1)

Rōmānī alterum Horātium memoriā tenēbant et in summō honōre habēbant. Post Rōmulum sex rēgēs deinceps in urbe rēgnābant. Sed Tarquinius, ultimus rēgum, superbus et crūdēlis erat. Nec iūra bona populō dabat, nec cīvitātem bene gubernābat. Itaque Rōmānī Tarquinium et Sextum, Tarquiniī fīlium, crūdēlem ferōcemque adolēscentem, ex urbe expulērunt. "Nōn iam," inquiunt, "Rōmānīs rēgēs erunt. Cīvēs Rōmānī, nōn rēgēs, urbem cīvitātemque regent."

Intereā Tarquinius ad Porsennam, omnis Etrūriae rēgem, contendit, et omnia nārrāvit. Porsenna, "Ō amīce," inquit, "nōn ferendae sunt iniūriae tuae, nōn ferendae sunt fīliī tuī iniūriae. Multī equitēs, multī peditēs mihi sunt. Equitēs peditēsque meōs omnēs convocābō, et cum multīs mīlitibus tē tuumque fīlium ad urbem scelerātam dūcēmus. Iterum in urbe rēgnābis."

Itaque per tōtam Etrūriam, per clīvōs et agrōs nūntiī contendērunt, et ex omnibus vīcīs Etrūscōs ad arma convocāvērunt. Splendida erant arma Etrūscōrum; cristae rubrae in galeīs horrēbant; scūta lūce coruscā fulgēbant. Porsenna cum mīlitibus Rōmam contendit. Per omnēs vīcōs agricolae vehementer timēbant. Etrūscī frūmentum casāsque incendērunt, arborēs excidērunt, mulierēs līberōsque necāvērunt, multam praedam raptāvērunt.

[i]

amīcus, -ī [2/m]: friend

crista, -ae [1/f]: crest

eques, equitis [3/m]: horseman, knight

Etrūria, -ae [1/f]: Etruria (district of Italy)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etruria

Etruscus, -ī [2/m]: an Etruscan

Horātius Cocles [3/m]: Horatius Cocles (Roman hero)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatius_Cocles

iniūria, -ae [1/f]: injury, wrong

mulier, mulieris [3/f]: woman

nūntius, -ī [2/m]: messenger

pēs, pedis [3/m]: foot soldier

Porsenna, -ae [1/m]: Porsenna (king of Clusium in Etruria)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Porsena

Tarquinius, -ī [2/m]: Tarquin (last king of Rome)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Tarquinius_Superbus

vīcus, -ī [2/m]: village

[ii]

alter, -a, -um: the other

coruscus, -a, -um: flashing

crūdēlis, -e: cruel

ferendus, -a, -um: bearable, to be borne

ferōx, ferōcis: fierce

omnis, -e: all, every

superbus, -a, -um: proud

ultimus, -a, -um: last

[iii]

dūcō, -ere [3]: lead

excīdō, -ere [3]: cut down, destroy

expellō, -ere [3]: drive out

incendō, -ere [3]: burn

regō, -ere [3]: rule

[iv]

deinceps: in turn

____________________

The Romans kept the other Horatius in memory and held him in the highest honour. After Romulus, six kings ruled in succession in the city. But Tarquin, the last of the kings, was proud and cruel. He gave the people no good laws, nor did he govern the state well. Therefore the Romans drove out Tarquin and Sextus, the son of Tarquin, a cruel and fierce young man, from the city. “No longer,” they say, “will there be kings for the Romans. Roman citizens, not kings, will rule the city and the state.”

Meanwhile Tarquin went to Porsenna, king of all Etruria, and told him everything. Porsenna said, “O friend, your wrongs are not to be borne, your son’s wrongs are not to be borne. I have many horsemen, many foot-soldiers. I will gather all my horsemen and foot-soldiers, and with many soldiers we will lead you and your son to the wicked city. You will rule again in the city.”

And so through all Etruria, through the hills and fields, messengers hurried, and from all the villages they summoned the Etruscans to arms. The weapons of the Etruscans were splendid; red crests bristled on their helmets; their shields shone with flashing light. Porsenna marched to Rome with his soldiers. Through all the villages the farmers were greatly afraid. The Etruscans burned grain and houses, cut down trees, killed women and children, and carried off much plunder.

31.12.26: Vincent and the Headache (2) step-by-step; focussing on key points (level 1)

From the previous post:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/06/210626-vincent-and-headache-1-step-by.html

“It isn’t a question of what matters; in a sense, all of it matters. What is important is to identify the ‘building bricks’ that come first.”

Here, I have focussed on words, phrases and concepts that would normally occur in the early stages together with literal translations of certain expressions.

Caput multum dolet

• I have a bad headache [literally: the head is hurting a lot]

sed in silvā [i] iterum [ii] nihilōminus [iii] ambulō

• but, [i] again, [ii] nevertheless, [iii] I’m walking in the forest / woods

[i] quia [ii] sciō ambulātiōnem mihi prōdesse

• [i] because [ii] I know that walking benefits me [literally: I know walking to be of benefit to me]

et mē adiuvāre

• and helps me [literally: (I know walking) … to be helping me]

ad dolōrem leniēndum.

• to relieve the pain.

[i] Praetereā [ii] oportet mē [iii] cotīdiē cum Roccō, cane meō, [iv] ambulāre.

[note the difference in the Latin and English word order]

• [i] Besides, [ii] I have [iv] to walk [iii] every day with Rocco, my dog.

Ergō hoc prōdest et mihi et eī.

• Therefore, this is of benefit both to me and to him.

Solēbam legere  |  

• I was in the habit of reading

[i] simul [ii] dum ambulō ¦ sub dīvō

[i] at the same time [ii] while I am walking ¦ in the open air [literally: under the sky; dīvum, -ī (2/n): sky]

sed [i] hodiē hoc [ii] nōn faciō

• but [i] today [ii] I’m not doing this

[i] quia, [ii] utī dīxī, caput dolet

• [i] because, [ii] as I said, I have a headache

et ergō difficilius est animum intendere.

• and, therefore, it is more difficult to concentrate [literally: to focus the mind]

Difficilius est incumbere studiīs ¦ eōdem tempore.

• It is more difficult to apply oneself / pay attention to studies ¦ at the same time.

Ergō hodiē oportet fruī serēnitāte.

• Therefore, today, I need to enjoy the peacefulness [serenitās, -tātis (3/f): peacefulness; serenity; the word can also mean fine weather]

Et hoc satis erit.

• And this will be enough.

Level 1:

(1) Not everything in Latin changes!

[a] adverbs: these are ‘stand alone’ words which are indeclinable

cotīdiē: every day

ergō: therefore

hodiē: today

iterum: again [Engl. derivative: reiterate]

multum: a lot

nihilōminus: nevertheless

praetereā: besides

simul: at the same time [Engl. deriv: simultaneous(ly)]

Note: an adverb may not be a single word, but a phrase that expresses an adverbial idea e.g. where, when or how something is done:

eōdem tempore: at the same time; that comprises two declined words but, in the early stages, just learn it as a phrase

[b] satis: enough; there are times when this word changes, but you’ll see it the most often in this form, and that should be satisfactory for now

[c] conjunctions

et … et …: both … and …

dum: while

quia: because

ut: as; ut dīxī | as I said

(2) key verbs: look for the ‘clues’

faciō: I do / am doing

sciō: I know

ambulō: I walk / am walking

ambulāre: to walk

adiuvāre: to help

legere: to read

(2) From this text, I’ve extracted 20 key words and ideas:

adiuvāre; ambulāre; ambulō; cotīdiē; dum; ergō; eōdem tempore; et … et …; faciō; hodiē; iterum; legere; multum; nihilōminus; praetereā; quia; satis; sciō; simul; ut

The vocabulary at level 1 won’t go away: you’ll see those words iterum iterumque (again and again)!

(3) From this video we can extract one topic that is easy to express in Latin and which covers a key area of vocabulary, namely parts of the body. That will be discussed in the next post.