05.12.25: Level 3; indefinites [17] -quam

[1] Images #1 and #2: I got as far as negative polarity counterpart and downward entailment, two terms used in linguistics. Hats off to whoever researched that tsunami of information which is from Wiktionary because it is most likely accurate and will be of use to whoever wants to explore every word of a language in minutiae of detail. However, it well illustrates the point I made in the first post on this topic: it creates the impression that the little word quisquam is of monumental importance, that everything written there needs to be known, and (falsely) that even a single word is an uphill struggle. This aspect of the way in which Latin can be presented was also discussed here:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/06/020724-level-2-is-ea-id-1-introduction.html

It’s an issue that can be particularly acute if, as I was, you are studying by yourself, because there is nobody to say to you “This part doesn’t matter, but this part does”. As a general rule, if you see pages and pages of information, ignore them (I did) and search for sources that present the key ideas.  

[2] As with all the other indefinites, focus on its basic meaning:

-quam: any-

quisquam: anyone; quidquam (quicquam): anything

[i] It functions as a pronoun and is most often found in negative sentences.

numquam edepol quisquam illam habēbit (Plautus) │ By Heavens, never will anybody have her

… nec posthāc quisquam damnābitur (Cicero) │… nor in the future will anybody be condemned

… neque tamen scit quisquam (Cicero) │ … nor does anybody know it, however

… neque mē tibi neque quemquam antepōnō (Cicero) │ … and I put neither myself nor anybody (else) above you

Nam neque edēs quicquam neque bibēs apud mē hīs decem diēbus! (Plautus) │ for you’ll neither eat nor drink anything in my house for the next ten days!

Here’s another welcoming comment from Plautus:

exspectātum eum salūtat magis haud quicquam quam canem │  She welcomes him about as warmly as she would a dog [ = not any more than …] (P.S. The image is of Agrippina; Plautus wasn’t talking about her, but I can imagine she’s the sort of person he has in mind!)

[ii] Keep in mind the concept of (not) … anybody although the Latin can often be reworked into English nobody:

… neque quisquam est vulnerātus (Nepos) │ … and nobody [ = and not anybody] was hurt

Domum suam istum nōn ferē quisquam vocābat (Cicero) │ Literally: almost not anybody invited him to his house > hardly anyone / almost nobody invited him to his house

Eam intrāre haud ferē quisquam praeter ducem ipsum audēbat (Livy) │ [literally: almost not anybody …] hardly anybody / almost nobody except the general himself dared to go into it

[iii] A number of examples from Plautus show the neuter of the pronoun being used with the adjective in the genitive case:

Dī mē perdant, sī ego tuī quicquam abstulī │ May I be damned, if I carried off anything of yours

Neque dīvīnī neque mī hūmānī posthāc quicquam accrēduas │ From now on don’t believe anything either divine or human from me

[iv] Note again in this example the genitive of the adjective:

ut nōn faciās nōbīs quicquam ¦ malī (Vulgate) │ that you will not do anything bad to us

Examples (all from the Vulgate):

nōn quia Patrem vīdit quisquam │ not that anybody has seen the Father

nōn poterat facere quicquam │ he could not do anything

Et nōn potuit respondēre eī quidquam, quia metuēbat illum │ And he could not say anything to him in reply, because he feared him.

et nōn admīsit quemquam sequī sē  │ and he did not allow anyone to follow him

nōn enim subtrahet persōnam cuiusquam Dominus … │ For the Lord will not show partiality to any man [ = literally: for the Lord will not take away the status of any (man / one)] …

 … nec reverēbitur magnitūdinem cuiusquam │ …nor will he revere any man's / one’s greatness

et surrēxī nocte ego et virī paucī mēcum et nōn indicāvī cuiquam quid Deus dedisset in corde meō │ and I got up at night, I and a few men with me, and I did not tell anybody what God had put in my heart

quōquam (adverb): (to) anywhere

Et dīxit Eliseus: Unde venīs, Giezī? Quī respondit: Nōn īvit servus tuus quōquam. │ And Eliseus said: Where are you coming from, Giezi? And he replied: “Your servant did not go anywhere.”

[3] I have given the table for the singular forms of quisquam, but were there plural forms? Again, information in note form from Wiktionary illustrates my point:

“Only attested in postclassical Latin. In Classical Latin, forms of ūllus were used instead. Only attested as a feminine form in the preclassical Latin of authors like Plautus. Attested only once in Classical Latin. Usually ūllam was used instead. Attested, but rare in Classical Latin. Usually ūllō was used instead.”

Whoever wrote this is covering every base, but, in the end, what it is saying is that plural forms of quisquam are so rare as to be neglible and it is certainly not worth poring over a grammatical table that lists them.

Exercise: complete the Latin quotations with the appropriate form of quisquam; apart from [iv], they are all from Plautus. The answers are at the end of the post.

[i] Hang it all, I haven’t taken nor touched anything │  nōn hercle equidem __________ sūmpsī nec tetigī

[ii] … nor did any one of us notice │ neque nostrum __________ sēnsimus

[iii] …and I can’t find anybody at his house or in the city who has seen him │ neque domī neque in urbe inveniō __________ quī illum vīderit 

[iv] … nor would they comply with anybody’s order │ neque __________ imperiō obtemperātūrōs (Caesar)

[v] She is not to pass the dice to any man apart from you │ tālōs nē __________ hominī admoveat nisi tibi

[vi] Please keep an eye on that one inside there, my lads, and don't let him set a foot out here anywhere without a guard │ servāte istum sultis* intus, servī, nē __________ pedem ecferat sine cūstōdēlā

*contraction of sī + vultis: if you want

cuiquam; cuiusquam; quemquam; quicquam; quisquam; quōquam

[i] nōn hercle equidem quicquam sūmpsī nec tetigī

[ii] neque nostrum quisquam sēnsimus

[iii] neque domī neque in urbe inveniō quemquam quī illum vīderit

[iv] neque cuiusquam imperiō obtemperātūrōs

[v] tālōs nē cuiquam hominī admoveat nisi tibi

[vi] nē quōquam pedem ecferat sine cūstōdēlā

05.12.25: Level 3; indefinites [16] -que

quisque: each one, every one

There is a slight difference depending on whether the indefinite is [1] a pronoun or [2] an adjective

[1] -que: prefixed to quis, quae, quid > quisque, quaeque, quidque (or quicque) (singular only)

prō sē quisque id quod quisque potest (Plautus) │ Each (man / one) according to his ability does that which each (man / one) can

in suō quidque locō repōnitō (Cato) │ each (thing) in its proper place

iam quidem ¦ in suō quicque locō ¦ nisi erit mihi situm supellectilis (Plautus) │ now in truth if things are not arranged exactly as they should be [ = literally: each (thing) in its own place ]

[2] -que: prefixed to quis, quae, quod > quisque, quaeque, quodque (singular); quīque [masc.], quaeque [fem. / neut.] (plural)

Suam quisque homō rem meminit (Plautus) │ Each man remembers his own affairs

quō maius quodque animal, eō rōbustior ex eō cibus est (Celsus) │ the larger the animal [each animal (is)] the stronger the food it yields

Notes:

[i] It is frequently used with ūnus; ūnus + quisque may be written together as a single word)

Respondet ūnus quisque ut erat praeceptum (Cicero) │ Each one answers as it had been instructed

[ii] With an ordinal number:

Necāvērunt mīlitem decimum quemque │ They killed every tenth soldier

Igitur tertiō quōque diē cibus aegrō … datur (Celsus) │ Therefore, on every third day (every three days) food is given to the patient

[iii] With a superlative:

complūrēsque ducēs ac fortissimus quisque interfectī vulnerātīque sunt (African War) │ and several of the enemy leaders and all their bravest men were either killed or wounded [ = literally: each bravest (man), but the implication is every one within a group considered the bravest]

Equōs dehinc fortissimō cuique bellātōrī trādit (Tacitus) │ Hence he gives horses to the bravest fighters [= literally: each bravest fighter i.e. each one within the group of bravest fighters]

[iv] Don’t forget one of the first words you will have seen in Latin, and which is not an indefinite: quoque (also)

The tables show all forms for reference, but simply bear in mind the concept of “each / every” expressed by -que even if translations vary and / or do not convey the idea specifically

Examples:

Itaque suō quisque ¦ hōrum locō sententiam rogātus … (Cicero) │ Accordingly as each (one) ¦ of them was asked an opinion …

Nunc enim tantum quisque laudat quantum sē posse spērat imitārī (Cicero) │ Nowadays everyone [i.e. each individual] praises only what he thinks he can imitate.

ūnum quemque cōnfirmāns, excitāns (Cicero) │ encouraging and cheering them one by one [= each one]

Decimum quemque mīlitem sorte ductum fustī percussit (Frontinus) │ He hit with a stick one of every ten soldiers [= each tenth soldier] taken out by lot

Pōnite ante oculōs ūnum quemque rēgum (Cicero) │ Set before your eyes each (one) of the kings.

Intereā ūnamquamque turmam manipulum cohortem temptābam quid facere possent (Cato) │ Meanwhile I was testing every single squadron, maniple, cohort, what they could do

sagittāriīsque ex omnibus nāvibus Ityrēīs, Syrīs et cuiusque generis ductīs in castra (African War) │ From all his ships he brought archers into camp — Ityreans, Syrians and men of diverse races [of each and every race] —

Sua cuique cīvitātī religiō, Laelī, est, nostra nōbīs (Cicero) │ Each city has its own religion, Laelius, we have ours [= literally: to each city there is …]

quid quisque eōrum ¦ dē quāque rē ¦ audierit … quaerant (Caesar) │ and they inquire what ¦ each of them ¦ may have heard … ¦ about each matter 

certē enim recentissima quaeque sunt corrēcta et ēmendāta maximē (Cicero) │ for certainly the most recent things are the most corrected and most amended [i.e. every one of the most recent things]

The dental hygiene of the Celtiberians …

Nunc Celtibēr es: Celtibēriā in terrā,

quod quisque mīnxit, hōc sibī solet māne

dentem atque russam dēfricāre gingīvam

(Catullus 39)

Now you are a Celtiberian: in the land of Celtiberia,

whatever each man has urinated, with this he is accustomed

in the morning to rub his teeth and his red gums

Image: some of the 86 cavity-filled teeth found in a shop drain in the Roman Forum (1^st century AD)

05.12.25: Level 3; a retort; genitive of indefinite value

Venit ōlim quīdam ad Aristippum philosophum, eīque dīxit: "Vīsne fīlium meum artēs tuās docēre?" Respondit Aristippus, "Hoc equidem faciam acceptīs duōbus talentīs." Pater autem pretiō exterritus, dīxit, "At servum minōris emere possum." Contrā Aristippus, "Fac hoc: ita duōs servōs habēbis."

contrā: (here) in reply; note also the omission of any verb meaning “said” e.g. inquit

Expressing price / value:

[1] a specific cost or a noun that expresses a monetary equivalent is in the ablative case:

Agrum vēndidit sēstertium sex mīlibus. │ He sold the land for 6000 sesterces.

sānē [i] magnō pretiō, [ii] nummīs aureīs quadringentīs (Livy) │ of course [i] at a great price, [ii]  for four hundred gold coins

Antōnius rēgna addīxit pecūniā. │ Antony sold thrones for money.

Logōs rīdiculōs: quis cēnā poscit? │ Jokes: who wants them for the price of a dinner?

17.06.25: Level 3; summary of of the uses of the ablative case [16]: the ablative of price

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/170625-level-3-summary-of-of-uses-of_13.html

[2] From the text: At servum minōris [genitive] emere possum │ But I can buy a slave for less

[i] The term genitive of indefinite value can refer to (1) a non-specific monetary amount, or (2) the extent to which something is “valued” i.e. regarded

Compare:

(1) Cicero, referring to the monetary value of a property:

Vērum tamen ego illud, quamquam est bellum, minōris [genitive] aestimō, … │ But, though it is (a) pretty (property), I rate it at a lower value …

(2) Cicero, referring to the value of someone’s approval:

Per enim magnī [genitive] aestimō tibi firmitūdinem animī nostrī* et factum nostrum probārī │ For I attach very great weight to your approval of *my firmness of mind and my action. (*Cicero often uses “we” when referring to himself)

Two further examples where the reference can be to (1) an indefinite monetary value, or (2) the extent to which something is of importance or relevance:

(1) Quantī hoc ēmit? │ How much did he buy this for?

(2) Sed, tū id quantī aestimēs, tuum iūdicium est (Cicero) │ But how much you value that is your judgement. [i.e. But it is for you to decide what weight you should give to the matter.]

Further examples:

Magnī aestimō (Cicero) │ I consider (it) of great value

Permagnī nostrā* interest (Cicero)│ It is of the highest importance to *me

Illud parvī refert │ That matters little

Parvī refert mē │ It is of little use / value to me

Est mihi tantī │ It is worth it to me [it is of such value to me]

Verrēsne tibi tantī fuit? (Cicero) │ Was Verres really worth that much to you? [i.e. Did you value / regard him so highly?]

Plūris ea dūxit quam omnem pecūniam (Cicero) │ He regarded them of more worth than any money

[ii] Both the genitive and the ablative are being used in the following extract from Plautus:

Quantī [genitive] eam ēmit? vīlī [genitive] . . . quot minīs? [ablative i.e. reference to a specific price] Quadrāgintā minīs [ablative]. │ How much did he buy her for? Cheap. For how many minae? For forty minae.

[iii] Certain nouns can convey indefinite value:

(1) Catullus 5

as, assis [3/m]: a Roman coin that is of very low value e.g. Engl. penny, farthing etc.

However, Catullus is not referring literally to a cost, but to rumours that should be considered worthless.

Vīvāmus, mea Lesbia, atque amēmus, │ Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love,

rūmōrēsque senum sevēriōrum │ And the rumours of rather stern old men

omnēs ūnius aestimēmus assis! │ Let us value them all at one penny!

(2) A similar use is with floccus, -ī [2/m]: [i] a lock (e.g. of hair) [ii] a trifle; something unimportant

floccī nōn faciō │ I don’t care; I don’t give a damn; I consider it worthless

nec tamen floccī faciō (Cicero) │ however, I don’t really care / I couldn’t give a straw

In Catullus 5, the poet’s declarations of love did not meet with the reply “Floccī nōn faciō” from his on-off girlfriend, Lesbia, but read more of his poems and you’ll know that was exactly what she thought!

____________________

Once upon a time a certain man came to Aristippus, the philosopher, and said to him: ‘Are you willing to teach my son your sciences?’ Aristippus replied, ‘I will do so on receiving two talents.’ But the father, terrified at the price, said, ‘Why, I can buy a slave for less.’ Aristippus (said) in reply, ‘Do so; thus you will have two slaves.

04.12.25: Comenius (1658) LVIII: a Banquet [3] Part 3: text, notes and vocabulary

The Butler, 21. filleth strong Wine out of a Cruise, 25. or Wine-pot, 26. or Flagon, 27. into Cups, 22. or Glasses, 23. which stand on a Cupboard, 24. and he reacheth them to the Master of the Feast, 28. who drinketh to his Guests.

Pincerna, 21. īnfundit Tēmētum, ex Urceō, 25. vel Cantharō, 26. vel Lagēna, 27. in Pōcula, 22. vel Vitrea, 23. quæ extant in abacō, 24. & porrigit, Convīvātōrī, 28. quī propīnat Hospitibus.

*urceus, -ī [2/m]: see previous post

Vocabulary

[1]

īnfundō, -ere, īnfūdī, īnfūsus [3]: pour into

porrigō, -ere, porrēxī, porrectus [3]: hand over

propīnō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus [1]: toast (somebody’s health)

abacus, -ī [2/m]: sideboard; the translator’s use of the word ‘cup¦board’ is now obsolete i.e. a board or table to hold and display, for example, dishware (No. 24 in the Comenius image)

https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0063:entry=abacus-cn

cantharus, -ī [2/m]: in Ancient Rome, this refers to a large drinking vessel with handles

convīvātor, -ōris [3/m]: master of the feast

lagēna, -ae (or: lagoena) [1/f]: large earthenware vessel with a neck and handles; bottle

pincerna, -ae [1/m]: butler; cup-bearer

various nouns are used to describe drinking vessels:

pōculum, -ī [2/n]: drinking cup; pōculum fictile: made of clay, ceramic, pottery, earthenware

diminutive: pōcillum, -ī [2/n]: little cup; pōcillum vīnī / mulsī │ a small cup of wine / honeyed wine, referred to both by Pliny the Elder and Livy

also: [i] calix, calicis [3/m]: cup; chalice; [ii] scyphus, -ī [2/m]: a drinking cup with two straight handles on the rim

tēmētum, -ī [2/n]: any intoxicating drink e.g. wine, mead

used as a noun: vitreum, -ī [2/n]: (not Classical Latin) glass

vitreus, -a, -um (adj.) made of glass; here used as a neuter plural noun to refer to glasses or glassware

vitrum, -ī [2/n]: glass (i.e. the material)

04.12.25: Comenius (1658) LVIII: a Banquet [2] Part 2: text, notes and vocabulary; “Breaking up the Good Cheer”

The Guests being brought in by the Host, 11. wash their Hands out of a Laver, 12. or Ewer, 14. over a Hand-basin, 13. or Bowl, 15. and wipe them on a Hand-towel, 16. then they sit at the Table on Chairs, 17.

Convīvæ intrōductī ab Hospite, 11. abluunt manūs ē Gutturnīō, 12. vel Aquālī, 14. super Malluvium, 13. aut Pēlvim, 15. terguntque Mantīlī, 16. tum assident Mēnsæ per Sedīlia, 17.

The Carver, 18. breaketh up the good Cheer,* and divideth it.

Strūctor, 18. deartuat dapēs, & distribuit.

Sauces are set amongst Roast-meat, in Sawcers, 20.

Embammata interpōnuntur Assatūris in Scutellīs, 20.

Notes

[i] *“the good cheer” something that promotes good spirits especially food; the Latin describes the carver cutting up the the meat of the feast (daps) itself and handing it out to everybody present

[ii] passive forms

convīvæ intrōductī ab hospite │ the guests (having been) brought in by the host …

embammata interpōnuntur assatūris │ sauces are put between the roast meats

[ii]

tum assident mēnsæ per sedīlia │ then they sit at the table on chairs

manūs … terguntque mantīlī │ and they wipe their hands with a hand-towel

sedīle, -is [3/n]: chair

mantīle, or mantēle, -is [3/n]: cloth to wipe the hands or mouth; towel; napkin; see mappa in the previous post

Both are neuter i-stem nouns

Link: 14.06.25: Level 3; Sonnenschein; Prō Patriā [3]; Cunobelīnus [4]; review: i-stem nouns (3)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/140625-level-3-sonnenschein-cunobelinus.html

[iii]

tum assident mēnsæ [dative] │ then they sit at the table

embammata interpōnuntur assatūris [dative] │ the sauces are placed among the roast meats

assideō (or adsideō), -ēre [2]: to sit at, by or near something

interponō, -ere [3]: put / place between or among

Both of these verbs are compounds, formed with a prefix (ad-, inter-) which, when standing alone, act as prepositions; in these verbs the original physical meaning of the preposition is retained. However, many compound verbs in Latin are followed by the dative case; ad and inter as prepositions are followed by the accusative case, but not when attached to the verb as prefixes.

That Comenius put two of them in the text does show what he wanted: he wanted the teacher to explain them.

Link: 13.04.25: Level 3; Verbs with the dative case [1]: compound verbs

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/02/130425-level-3-verbs-with-dative-case-1.html

Vocabulary

[1]

convīva, -ae [1 m/f]: guest

daps, dapis [3/f]: meal; banquet; feast

deartuō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus [1]: dismember

hospes, hospitis [3 m/f]: host (or guest)

strūctor, strūctōris [3/m]: server; carver of food

https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:entry=structor-harpers

[2] There are many words in Latin that describe vessels for containing, transporting and pouring liquids, two of which are not in the text but which should be noted:

[i] amphora, -ae [1/f]: two handled clay vessel usually with a blunt end for storage in sand or against a wall or on a ship; wine and garum or liquāmen (fish sauce) were products commonly stored and transported in an amphora, but they would be far too big to pour a small glass of wine at a dinner table!

[ii] urceus, -ī [2/m]: any sort of jug with one handle; image #3 from the  House of Aulus Umbricius Scaurus in Pompeii shows a one-handled garum bottle that would be described as an urceus.

From the text:

[iii] gutturnium, -ī [2/n]: narrow-necked ewer; from guttur, -is [3/n]: throat; neck; the translator uses the older term ‘laver’ which doesn’t quite match the Latin original, a ‘laver’ referring to a washbasin

Also: gūtus (or: guttus) [2/m]: narrow-necked jug or flask to pour small drops of liquids e.g. oil; the word is derived from gutta, - ae [1/f]: drop (of liquid); teardrop; Engl. deriv. gutter

[iv] aquālis, -is [3/m]: vessel for washing e.g. wash-basin, ewer

[v] malluvium, -ī [2/n] wash-handbasin; also: (1) labellum, -ī [2/n]: small water basin; (2)  lābrum, -ī [2/n]: basin; large water container for bathing

“Labrum, R. (lit. a lip). A general term to denote any kind of vessel the brim of which turned over on the outside like the lip of the human mouth; a wide flat basin which stood in the thermal chamber or Caldarium of the Roman baths.” (Mollett: An Illustrated Dictionary of Words used in Art and Archaeology)

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/67629/67629-h/67629-h.htm

[vi] pēlvis, -is [3/f] (acc. -im): shallow bowl or basin, often associated with the washing of feet:

Deinde mittit aquam in pēlvim, et coepit lavāre pedēs discipulōrum (Vulgate) │ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet

Puerī capillātī attulērunt unguentum in argenteā pēlve pedēsque recumbentium ūnxērunt │  some long-haired boys brought ointment in a silver basin, and anointed our feet as we lay (Petronius)

[vii] abluō, -ere, abluī, ablūtus [3]: wash (off / away); cleanse; purify

[3]

[i] assatūra, -ae [1/f]: (Late) roasted meat

assō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus [1]: roast

assus, -a, -um: roasted; baked

[ii] embamma, embammatis [3/n]: sauce < Anc. Gk. ἔμβαμμα (émbamma); also: iūs, iūris [3/n]: gravy; sauce; juice

From the Apicius cookbook:

iūs in cervō │ venison sauce

embamma in cervīnam assam │ marinade for roast venison

[iii] scutella, -ae [1/f]: small, shallow bowl; the translator gives this as ‘saucer’. However, the 17^th century term here does not refer to the saucer you place under your coffee cup, but a small food container used for putting different sauces on a table; Classical definition: “a small tray or salver on which cups could be placed, and not a saucer or dish like its French derivative écuelle” (Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities)

04.12.25: Comenius (1658) LVIII: a Banquet [1] Part 1: text, notes and vocabulary

Latin has a very wage range of vocabulary associated with dining although it is not always easy to identify what precisely the Romans were talking about when referring to, for example, crockery and utensils, and translations can vary because several words can have the same definition. Similarly, the way in which a 17^th century text uses the terms can be different. However, with a couple of exceptions, the vocabulary is all attested in Classical Latin.

In the Wiktionary listings, it is worth scrolling down to the “references” section which will give links to Harper’s Dictionary of Classical Antiquities and A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (William Smith) that provide more detailed descriptions (sometimes with illustrations) and further links to vocabulary in context.

It’s good to make some visual link to definitions. Where possible, I’ve tried to find images of specific Roman artefacts and their differences, and which have been given descriptions from several and / or reliable sources that match the definitions here e.g. the Metropolitan Museum, items sold at auction houses etc.

When a Feast is made ready, the table is covered with Carpets, 1. and a Table-cloth, 2. by the Waiters, who besides lay the Trenchers, 3. Spoons, 4. Knives, 5. with little Forks, 6. Table-napkins, 7. Bread, 8. with a Salt-cellar, 9.

Cum Convīvium apparātur, Mēnsa sternitur Tapētibus, 1. & Mappā, 2. ā Triclīniāriīs*, quī prætereā oppōnunt Discōs (Orbēs), 3. Cochleāria, 4. Cultrōs, 5. cum Fuscinulīs, 6. Mappulās, 7. Pānem, 8. cum Salīnō, 9.

Messes [ = courses at dinner] are brought in Platters, 10. a Pie*, 19. on a Plate.

Fercula inferuntur in Patinis, 10. Artocreas,* 19. in Lance.

Notes:

[i] *Two rare words appear in this text:

triclin(i)ārius, -a, -um: adjective referring to the dining room;  from triclīnium, -ī [2/n]: Ancient Roman dining room furnished with reclining couches (usually in three parts) around three sides of a table; the word triclin(i)ārius, used here as a noun to refer to a waiter, is not attested in Classical Latin

artocreas, artocreātis [3/n]: meat pie; very rare word; loan word from Anc. Gk. ἀρτόκρεας (artokreas) artos = bread; krea = meat i.e. bread-meat (you will probably never see the word again)

[ii] passive forms

cum convīvium apparātur │ when the feast is being prepared

mēnsa sternitur tapētibus│ the table is covered with cloths (carpets)

fercula inferuntur│ the dishes / courses are brought in

Vocabulary

[1]

convīvium, -ī [2/m]: banquet; feast

Boar’s Head Carol (15^th c.)

The boar's head in hand bring I,

Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.

And I pray you, my masters, be merry

Quot estis in convīviō │ as many of you who are at the feast

[2]

coc(h)lear, coc(h)leāris [3/n]: spoon; the word is derived from coc(h)lea, -ae [1/f]: snail shell; Engl: (anatomy) the spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear

culter, cultrī [2/m]: [i] knife [ii] razor

fuscinula, -ae [1/f]: small three-pronged fork; -ul- indicates a diminutive i.e. a smaller version of the original noun, in this case fuscina, -ae [1/f]: trident; three-pronged spear

[3]

[i] discus, -ī [2/m] had the same meaning as it does now i.e. a discus or a quoit used in athletics and gymnastics. However, owing to its shape, it could also refer to a sundial or a dish or plate. Let’s hope that what was served up on that 17^th century platter wasn’t the same as this one:

Dā mihi, inquit, hīc in discō caput Jōannis Baptistae. (Vulgate) │  “Give me,” she said “John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

The term ‘trencher’ in the text is an archaic / historical term for any plate on which food is served.

[ii] ferculum, -ī [2/n]: any kind of tray on which objects (including food) are carried; at a banquet it could be used to bring several food items at once; extended meaning of courses at dinner

https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:entry=ferculum-harpers

[iii] lanx, lancis [3/f]: dish; platter; plate

[iv] patina, -ae [1/f]: broad, shallow dish; it has a diminutive (smaller) form i.e. patella, -ae [1/f] small dish / pan; plate

[v] salīnum, -ī [2/n]: salt cellar

[4]

[i] mappa, -ae [1/f] (CL): napkin; in the text it refers to a table-cloth; mappula, -ae [1/f]: the diminutive form with -ul- is not attested in Classical Latin although the meaning is clear; Comenius uses it to identify a “small” table-cloth i.e. a napkin

[ii] tapēte, -is [3/n]: referred to a decorative cloth e.g. a wall hanging; Comenius describes it as “carpet” but I doubt he is referring to anything on the floor, more likely a thick woven cloth that would protect the table. Fr: tapis (carpet) and Gmn: Tapete (wallpaper); the word came into Middle English with a slight “debate” as to its spelling: tapesteri, tapestre, tapestry, tapestrye, tapiestre, tapistery, tapistree, tapistri, tapistrie, tappestry, tapstery, tapstre, tapstri. Note: the “winner” was the third one!

*Image #1 note the reference to the Hoxne Hoard, “the largest hoard of late Roman silver and gold discovered in Britain, and the largest collection of gold and silver coins of the fourth and fifth centuries found anywhere within the former Roman Empire” (Wikiepedia)

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

04.09.25: The best place to start Latin poetry is … in a cave! [2]; some basics concerning Classical Latin poetry

Video: the poem is read twice; the second time a scanned version is included

As a way of introducing Latin poetry, it is nice to look at something not written by Catullus in 60BC, but by Vincentius in 2025AD! These four lines – that were written by Vincent himself – conform to Latin poetic metre i.e. the rhythm. Latin poetry is a lengthy and wide-ranging topic – and we will come to it (slowly) at a later stage.

It isn’t necessary to know the “technology” of Latin poems. You can simply listen to them – because they are meant to be heard. Translations of poems vary hugely; if you want to have a translation beside you then find one that is as close as possible to the original rather than one where the translator thinks he wrote the Aeneid and not Virgil!

If you do want to go into how the poets created their work, you will continually meet technical terms, sometimes known as poetic devices, and so I’ve highlighted some important features that are common to Classical Latin poetry – even if the poem was only written yesterday.

Below is a scanned version of the poem:

Lāe-tūs ¦ pēr cām- ¦ pōs cŏ-mĭ-¦ te͜ ērrō ¦ cūm că-nĕ ¦ fī-dō

Ōb-scū- ¦ rūm spĕ-cŭs ¦ ēn || cēr-nĭ-mŭs ¦ ēs-sĕ prŏ- ¦ cŭl

Īn-trā- ¦ mūs dēin- ¦ de͜ īn nĕmŏ- ¦ rāle͜ ān- ¦ trūm sĭnĕ ¦ cū-rā

Īn-tŭs Ă- ¦ rāch-nēs ¦ ēn || rē-tĭ-ă ¦ lȳm-phă lă- ¦ tĕt

[i] Classical Latin poetry does not rhyme.

[ii] A line of poetry is made up of a set number of syllables, the number of syllables varying depending on which type of metre is being used.

[iii] A syllable is a single unit of sound where one vowel sound is used with or without surrounding consonants:

(1) a (2) man (3) stood (4) near (5) the (6) shore; even though some English words have two vowels – and odd combinations of vowels and consonants - only a single vowel sound is heard.

The same applies to Latin; when taking a close look at a Latin poem, the division of syllables within a word is usually marked with a hyphen: cam-pos; lae-tus

(1) per (2) cam- (3) pos (3 syllables)

(1) lae- (2) tus (2 syllables): /ae/ is a diphthong i.e. a single vowel sound is pronounced and so it is one syllable

(1) dein- (2) de (2 syllables): /ei/ is a diphthong pronounced as in English reign

[iv]

[a] English poetry and song lyrics mostly comprise stressed and unstressed syllables:

Thĕ trÓU-blĕ wĭth pÓ-ĕt ĭs hÓw dŏ yŏu knÓw ĭt’s dĕ-cÉAsed? / TrÝ thĕ prÍEst! (Sondheim: Sweeney Todd)

[b] Latin poetry is made up of long and short syllables (marked here as [ ͞   ] and [ ̆ ]):

Ōb-scū- ¦ rūm spĕ-cŭs ¦

There are ways of identifying long and short syllables in a Latin poem, but, at this stage, that is beyond the scope of this post. It’s enough to realise that a Latin poem doesn’t necessarily ‘bounce’ along like the Sondheim song above!

[c] This combination of long and short syllables in a Latin poem is not random; there are patterns of long and short syllables divided into a number of ‘feet’. I’ve used [ ¦ ] to indicate that. Therefore, Vincent’s  first line is divided into six feet:

(1) Lāe-tūs ¦ (2) pēr cām- ¦ (3) pōs cŏ-mĭ-¦ (4) te͜ ērrō ¦ (5) cūm că-nĕ ¦ (6) fī-dō

The patterns have specific names. In this case, it is known as hexameter (from Anc. Gk. ἑξάμετρος / hexámetros; hexa- = Anc. Gk. six, as in hexagon).

The purpose of this post is simply to introduce some of the basic concepts as to how a Latin poem is constructed. Therefore, there are a couple of other points in the poem which I don’t want to deal with in any depth at the moment:

Vincent’s second and fourth lines, for example, are pentameters i.e. comprising five feet

Vincent titles the video with the word distich which is a particular style of poetry.

You will see a double vertical line [||]; this is known as a caesura that marks a short ‘break’ in the middle of a line: ēn || cēr-nĭ-mŭs;  it also forms part of the metre of the poem.

All of these will be looked at when poetry is introduced at Level 3.

[d] A common feature of Latin poetry is elision; this is when two vowels (or diphthongs or a vowel + /m/ e.g. -um)  – one at the end of a word and one at the beginning of the next word –  are pronounced rapidly together to make one sound, but,  in most instances, one of the vowels is omitted completely when read aloud. This is not so different from French: c’est (ce + est) and English: I’m (I + am). There are examples of that in Vincent’s poem:

[i] te͜ ērrō: written as two separate vowels and looks like 2 syllables, but it is read aloud together > t’ērrō i.e. as one syllable

[ii] de͜ īn nĕ-mŏ- ¦ rāle͜ ān- ¦ trūm [d’īn nĕ-mŏ- ¦ rāl’ān- ¦ trūm]

From all of this, take away words to be aware of:

caesura

elision

feet

hexameter

long and short syllables

metre

Take them away – and become familiar with them – because, if you do want to “explore” the caves of Latin poetry, they won’t go away.

04.09.25: The best place to start Latin poetry is … in a cave! [1]

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1261402605728458

Salvēte│ Hello,

Modo invēnī hanc spēluncam │ I’ve just found this cave,

Nunc intrābō, │ I’ll go in now,

Venīte mēcum │ Come with me.

Laetus per campōs comite errō cum cane fīdō │ Happily through the fields I wander with my dog, the faithful companion

Obscūrum specus ēn cernimus esse procul │ And look! We see that a dark cave is at a distance

Intrāmus deinde in nemorāle antrum sine cūrā │ We finally go into the woodland cave without a care

Intus Arachnēs ēn rētia lympha latet │ Look, within lie hidden the webs of Arachne and the water

antrum, -ī [2/n]: cave; cavern

comes, comitis [3 m/f]: companion

ēn: look!

lympha, -ae [1/f]: the most common Latin word for water is aqua, -ae [1/f]; lympha is a poetic term

nemorālis, -e: (adj.) referring to groves or woods

rēte, -is [3/n]: net; snare; (here) referring to spider webs with the connection to Arachnē [Gen. Arachnēs; Greek-type noun] who, in Greek mythology, was changed into a spider; Engl. deriv. arachnid

Arachnēs … rētia │ the webs of Arachne

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

specus [4 m/f/n]: cave; grotto

03.12.25: Level 1; Carolus et Maria [18][iv] Find the Latin

[a]

the commander

the commander near the camp

the Italian commander

the blind commander

the injured commander

the commander [who has been] almost killed

[b]

I am the commander

the injured commander asked

the blind commander didn’t think

the injured commander said

that injured commander said

that injured commander wasn’t blind

that commander was / had been injured

the commander was fighting ¦ almost alone

He saw ¦ the commander

[c]

by an enemy’s sword

by an enemy’s arrow

those (Americans) were the enemy ¦ of the Italians

if ¦ the enemy ¦ see me

the Italian soldier

they were all soldiers

it was necessary for many soldiers to be

03.12.25: Level 1; Carolus et Maria [18][iii] text; reading comprehension

Carolus et Maria XVIII

[1] Mīles Italus scholam vīsitāvit. Posterō diē domum iit. Posteā discipulī multās rēs dē bellīs antīquīs et novīs legēbant. Saepe in silvā post scholam omnēs erant mīlitēs. Hī erant Italī, illī Americānī, hostēs Italōrum. Hī prō Italiā, illī prō Americā pugnābant.

[1] Comprehension

[i] When did the soldier go home? (1)

[ii] What did the pupils do afterwards? (4)

[iii] When and where did they pretend to be soldiers? (2)

[iv] Which “sides” were they on? (2)

[2] Herī multī Italī vulnerātī sunt et sociōs auxilium rogābant. In magnō perīculō nūllus erat timidus. Fīnitimi auxilium dabant. Dux Italus, Cassius, sagittā hostis paene necātus est. Dē perīculō ab amīcīs monitus est, sed castra in perīculō erant et paene sōlus dux prope castra pugnābat. Multōs mīlitēs aliīs in locīs esse necesse erat.

[2] Comprehension

[i] When were the Italians wounded? (1)

[ii] Who did they ask for help? (1)

[iii] How did everybody feel? (1)

[iv] Who gave help? (1)

[v] Who was the Italian commander and how was he almost killed? (2)

[vi] Who warned him about the danger? (1)

[vii] What was in danger? (1)

[viii] Who was fighting with the commander? (1)

[ix] What was needed? (2)

[3] “Cūr auxilium ab amīcīs nōn accipiō?” rogābat dux vulnerātus. “Amīcī meī parātī esse auxilium dare dēbent, quod ego sum dux, paene necātus. Neque arma habeō neque satis magnae cōpiae adsunt. Auxilium nōn adest. Sī hostēs mē sine auxiliō vidēbunt, mox mē necābunt.”

[3] Comprehension

[i] Complete the translation with the words listed below.

“__________ do I not __________  help from friends?” asked the __________  commander. “My friends __________ be __________  to __________  help __________ I am the commander who has __________  been __________. I have __________ arms __________  are there large enough __________ here. Help __________ not __________.”

almost; because; give; have to; is … here; killed; neither; nor; prepared; receive; troops; why; wounded

[ii] Translate: Sī hostēs mē sine auxiliō vidēbunt, mox mē necābunt. (5)

LINK: 27.11.25: Level 1; Carolus et Maria [17][iv]; notes [1] tense usage

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/08/271125-level-1-carolus-et-maria-17iv.html

[4] Tum per agrōs ūnus ē sociīs ducem vīdit et vēnit. “Ecce!” inquit dux vulnerātus. “Nunc sine auxiliō nōn manēbō. Socius meus adest. Crās huic sociō praemium dabō.”

Prope castra Americāna ille dux, Carolus, erat vulnerātus. Oculī gladiō hostis vulnerātī sunt. “Nunc,” inquit ille dux, “maestus sum quod caecus sum. Numquam iterum agrōs meōs vidēbō. Neque iterum patriam meam vidēbō neque tēla in manibus portābō et prō patriā pugnābō. Necesse erit semper cum amīcīs ambulāre.”

[4] Comprehension

[i] The following statements are false; correct them.

The allies saw the commander.

The commander could not have any help.

The commander would give a reward that day.

The commander was in the American camp.

His eyes had been injured by an enemy arrow.

He thought that he would never be blind.

[ii] Translate (and note the words in bold to be included): Neque iterum patriam meam vidēbō neque tēla in manibus portābō et prō patriā pugnābō. Necesse erit semper cum amīcīs ambulāre. (10)**

(1) Neither shall see / And I shall not see (2) my country again, (3) nor shall I carry weapons (4) in my hand and (7) fight (8) for the country. (9) It will always be necessary (10) to walk with friends.

[5] Dux caecus auxilium esse prope nōn putābat. Sē caecum esse putābat. Mox ē perīculō portātus est et posterō diē medicus oculōs cūrāvit. Posteā ille dux nōn erat caecus.

Herī, cum Carolus epistulam accēpit, haec lēgit: “Iterum posterā aestāte in Americā aderō.” Quam laetī Carolus et Cassius illum diem exspectant.

[5] comprehension

[i] Complete the first [A] and second [B] part of each sentence

[A]

The blind commander …

He thought that …

He was soon …

… and on the following day …

Afterwards that commander …

[B]

… was not blind

… the doctor took care of his eyes

… he was blind

… didn’t think that help was near

… carried out of danger

[ii] Translate (and note the words in bold to be included): Herī, cum Carolus epistulam accēpit, haec lēgit: “Iterum posterā aestāte in Americā aderō.” Quam laetī Carolus et Cassius illum diem exspectant. (8)***

(1) Yesterday (2) when Carolus received the letter (3) he read this / these words: “(3) Next summer (4) I shall be here again (5) in America.” (6) How happily (7) Carolus and Cassius are waiting for (8) that day.

Note: Latin sometimes uses adjectives where English would use adverbs: Quam laetī Carolus et Cassius illum diem exspectant i.e. Latin describes the person doing the action rather than how the action itself is performed. Therefore, “How happily Carolus and Cassius are waiting for…”, or (a little closer to the Latin) “How happy Carolus and Cassius are to wait for …”

____________________

*(1) If (2) the enemy see [literally: will see] me (3) without help, (4) soon (5) they will kill me.

**(1) Neither shall see / And I shall not see (2) my country again, (3) nor shall I carry weapons (4) in my hand and (7) fight (8) for the country. (9) It will always be necessary (10) to walk with friends.

***(1) Yesterday (2) when Carolus received the letter (3) he read this / these words: “(3) Next summer (4) I shall be here again (5) in America.” (6) How happily (7) Carolus and Cassius are waiting for (8) that day.