12.02.25: Barbarians [2] [v]: notes [3]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv2rBVkfsDY

[9] In Germāniam nōn pervēnī quī honōribus tuīs essem subsidiō, barbare. │ I didn’t come to Germania / I haven’t reached Germania to support your advancement, Barbarian.

• perveniō, -venīre, -vēnī [4]: come, arrive, reach
• subsidium, -ī [2/n]: help, support, aid
• honor, honōris [3/m]: honour, but it is also the term used amongst the Romans to refer to a hierarchy of political offices (cursus honōrum) that an aspiring citizen could hold and which, if he played his cards right, could lead to the ultimate position of a consul of Rome; this is why “advancement” is a very good translation of the word

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

In Germāniam nōn pervēnī [i] quī honōribus tuīs essem [ii] subsidiō, barbare.

[i] In Germāniam nōn pervēnī …quī … essem …subsidiō

As in the previous notes: the imperfect subjunctive of esse but it has a different function here.

He sent [i] the soldiers to the camp ¦ [ii] to kill the enemy; ‘to kill the enemy’ expresses purpose and we already know that the soldiers are to do that.

In Latin this is not expressed by an infinitive as in English but with a construction using ‘who’ (quī / quae) + the subjunctive; a literal translation: He sent the soldiers to the camp ¦ who were to kill / who would (might) kill the enemy i.e. that’s what they would do but, at the point at which the statement is made, they hadn’t done it yet.

I didn’t come to Germania ¦ (very literally) who might / would be / act as a means of support … = I didn’t come to Germania to support (your advancement)

[ii] quī essem honōribus tuīs subsidiō: this is an example of what is known in grammar as a predicative dative; there is something similar in English although it doesn’t match the Latin dative:

• How can I be ¦ of assistance to you?
• I don’t think that’s ¦ of much use.
• I did it ¦ as a favour to him.
• I use these glasses as ¦ a means of protection.
• That is ¦ (a cause) of great concern to me.
• That’s ¦ (a source) of benefit

Latin uses the dative case, very often with the verb esse, to express the purpose of the noun or the result which is achieved by the noun; translations may include ‘as a’, ‘a cause of’, ‘a source of’ or ‘a means of’ although English may omit it:

• Puella mihi est cūrae │The girl is a concern / (a source / cause) of concern to me i.e. the noun serves the purpose of causing concern

This construction most often appears not only with the noun that expresses the purpose but also the person / thing for whom / which the purpose is intended: both are in the dative case; in grammar this is known as the double dative

https://www.classicstuition.com/latin/a-level-latin/as-latin-accidence-and-syntax/as-latin-predicative-dative/

• bellum est [i] exitiō (dative) ¦ [ii] incolīs (dative)│ war brings destruction to the inhabitants = Literally: war is [i] a source / cause of destruction ¦ [ii] to the inhabitants
• Illa fēmina, quae līberōs interfēcit [i] odiō (dative) [ii] omnibus (dative) est. │ That woman who killed her own children is hated by everyone = Literally … is [i] a source of hatred [ii] for everybody
• Caesar omnem ex castrīs equitātum [ii] suīs (dative) [i] auxiliō (dative) mīsit. (Caesar) │ Caesar sent all the cavalry in the camp [i] as a relief (for the purpose of relief) [ii] to his men.

This is exactly what is being used in the extract:

• In Germāniam nōn pervēnī quī honōribus tuīs essem subsidiō, …. │ I didn’t come to Germania as (a means of) support ¦ for your advancement …

More information at this stage can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA-LqaKZy-4

[10] Veniam ā tē petō, lēgāte, sed virī meī cōnsimilēs tibi opus erunt. │ Forgive me, governor, but you will need men like me.

cōnsimilis, -e: alike; very similar; this adjective can either be followed by the dative or, here, the genitive: meī [genitive] cōnsimilēs │ similar to me

• petō, -ere, -ī(v)ī [3]: ask (for); beg; seek
• venia, -ae [1/f]: forgiveness; veniam ā tē petō │ I seek forgiveness from you
• opus erunt: this construction with opus was discussed here (the first excerpt from Barbarians):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/620459540565318/

https://adckl2.blogspot.com/2025/02/level-3-barbarians-1.html

12.02.25: Barbarians [2] [iv]: notes [2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv2rBVkfsDY

[4] Dūc mē ad Folkwinī pāgum, barbare.

[5] Sī mentītus es tē iubēbō in cruce fīgī.

[6] Gentēs sunt inter sē discordēs.

[7] Tamen apud eōs ego magnum mōmentum habēre possum in rem Rōmae optimam.

[8] Sī ego rēx gentis meae essem …

[4] Dūc mē ad Folkwinī pāgum, barbare. │ Take me to Folkwin’s district (small point but among early Germanic tribes, it is more likely to refer to a territory larger than a village)

• dūc (singular) / dūcite (plural); dūc is an irregular imperative (command form of the verb) < dūco, -ere [3]: lead; other irregular command forms (in the singular only) are: [i] dīc (mihi): tell me; dīc (sg.) / dicite (pl.) < dīcō, -ere [3]: say; tell [ii] fac (sg.) / facite (pl.) < faciō, -ere [3-iō]: do; make
• pāgus, -ī [2/m]: “In ancient Rome, the Latin word pāgus (plural pāgī) was an administrative term designating a rural subdivision of a tribal territory, which included individual farms, villages (vīcī), and strongholds (oppida) serving as refuges” (Wikipedia)

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

[5] Sī mentītus es tē iubēbō in cruce fīgī. │If you’ve lied, ¦ I’ll have you crucified. [Literally: I’ll order you to be fastened on a cross.]

• fīgī: to be fastened, passive infinitive of figō, -ere [3]: fix, fasten
• iubeō, -ēre, iussī [2]: command; order
• mentior, mentīrī, mentitus sum [4/deponent]: lie; tell lies, cheat, deceive
• crux, crucis [3/f]: not necessarily a cross (although generally interpreted as such) but any wooden frame used for execution; the most horrific and tortuous form of execution

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/597984456146160/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/414449861166288/

[6] Gentēs sunt inter sē discordēs. │ The tribes are divided. [Literally: the tribes are in disagreement / disagreeing amongst themselves.]

• discors, discordis: inharmonious; disagreeing
• gēns, gentis [3/f]: various meanings including ‘nation’, ‘country’, Roman family ‘clan’ or, here, ‘tribe’
• sē: reflexive pronoun as in English himself, herself, itself or, here, themselves

[7] Tamen apud eōs ego magnum mōmentum habēre possum in rem Rōmae optimam. │ However, I can have great influence among them in the best interests of Rome.

• mōmentum, -ī [2/n]: (here) ‘weight’ in the sense of ‘influence’
• rēs, -eī [5/f]: not always straightforward to translate; has multiple meanings including ‘thing’, ‘matter’, ‘affair’; the plural translation is good i.e. “in the best interests of Rome”

[8] Sī ego rēx gentis meae essem …│ If I were the ‘reik’ (ruler) of my tribe …

• The choice of the word ‘reik’ in the translation is from Gothic 𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌺𐍃 (reiks) meaning ruler / lord
• Sī ego rēx … essem … │ If I were the ruler …; essem: imperfect subjunctive of ‘esse’ and there is a 100% equivalent in English: If I were = Gmn: wenn ich wäre [imperfect subjunctive in German too] i.e. it is a hypothetical / unreal statement

12.02.25: Barbarians [2] [iii]: notes [1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv2rBVkfsDY

[1] Ego salūtem tibi dīcō, Rōmae lēgāte.

[2] Eius sonus omnīnō mihi intolerandu’st.

[3] Tamquam moechae cuiusdam ēdentulae quae poētārī cōnētur.

[1] Ego salūtem tibi dīcō, Rōmae lēgāte. │ Greetings / I greet you [literally: I say a greeting to you], Roman governor [literally: governor of Rome]

• salus, salūtis [3/f]: [i] safety; [ii] greeting; Fr. deriv. salut

[2] Eius sonus omnīnō mihi intolerandu’st. │ I can’t stand / bear his accent [literally: his accent is utterly intolerable to me]

• intolerandus, -a, -um: unbearable / intolerable; intolerandu’st: contraction (discussed in the previous post on these video excerpts)
• omnīnō (adverb): utterly, completely
• sonus, -ī [2/m]: sound, tone, speech (i.e. style of speaking)

[3] Tamquam moechae cuiusdam ēdentulae quae poētārī cōnētur. │ Just like some toothless whore [literally: just like (the accent) of some toothless whore] who’s trying / who would try to be a poet.

cōnor, cōnārī, cōnātus sum [1/deponent]*: try; attempt; he uses the subjunctive here: … quae poētārī cōnētur; Latin uses this not to convey somebody who is doing something but the sort of person who might / would do that sort of thing

• ēdentulus, -a, -um: toothless
• moecha, -ae [1/f]: adulteress or promiscuous woman; I quite like “toothless harlot” – as a translation, I mean, rather than as a form of entertainment!; non moechaberis (Vulgate: Exodus 20:14): Thou shalt not commit adultery
• poētor, poētārī [1/deponent]*: (infrequent) to be poet
• tamquam: just as; as if
• quīdam [m], quaedam [f], quoddam [n]: some (person / thing); discussed in more detail here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/597986606145945/

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/09/301124-comenius-in-17th-century-school_29.html

*Deponent verbs:

https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/101/Deponent.pdf

12.02.25: Barbarians [2] [ii]: comprehension

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv2rBVkfsDY

[1] Listen to the recording without looking at the transcript; fill in the blanks with the missing words listed below:

_____ salūtem _____ dīcō, Rōmae lēgāte.

_____  sonus omnīnō _____ intolerandu’st.

Tamquam moechae cuiusdam ēdentulae _____ poētārī cōnētur.

[Gmn: Bitte, sprich deine Sprache]

Dūc _____ ad Folkwinī pāgum, barbare.

_____ mentītus es _____ iubēbō in cruce fīgī.

Gentēs sunt inter _____ discordēs.

Tamen apud _____ _____ magnum mōmentum habēre possum in rem Rōmae optimam.

_____ _____ rēx gentis meae essem …

In Germāniam nōn pervēnī _____ honōribus _____ essem subsidiō, barbare.

Veniam ā _____ petō, lēgāte, sed virī _____ cōnsimilēs _____ opus erunt.

ego; ego; ego; eius; eōs; mē; meī; mihi; quae; quī; sē; sī; sī; tē; tē; tibi; tibi; tuīs

[2] Again, either listen to the text without looking at the transcript or follow the transcript and try the comprehension questions

Image #1: Segestes

Image #2: Varus

Segestes: Ego salūtem tibi dīcō, Rōmae lēgāte.

Varus: Eius sonus omnīnō mihi intolerandu’st. Tamquam moechae cuiusdam ēdentulae quae poētārī cōnētur.

[Gmn: Bitte, sprich deine Sprache]

Varus: Dūc mē ad Folkwinī pāgum, barbare. Sī mentītus es tē iubēbō in cruce fīgī.

Segestes: Gentēs sunt inter sē discordēs. Tamen apud eōs ego magnum mōmentum habēre possum in rem Rōmae optimam. Sī ego rēx gentis meae essem …

Varus: In Germāniam nōn pervēnī quī honōribus tuīs essem subsidiō, barbare.

Segestes: Veniam ā tē petō, lēgāte, sed virī meī cōnsimilēs tibi opus erunt.

1. What does Varus think of the way Segestes speaks Latin? To what does he compare it? (3)
2. Where does Varus want to go? (1)
3. What threat does he make to Segestes? (2)
4. What does Segestes say about the tribes? (1)
5. How does he think he can be of assistance? (2)
6. What condition does he make? (1)
7. How does Varus react to this suggestion? (1)
8. Why is Segestes’ last remark a little ominous? (1)

12.02.25: Barbarians [2] [i]: introduction; transcription; translation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv2rBVkfsDY

The moment you step into “real” Latin, everything – everything – will be thrown at you and so, although mentioned many times before, be wary of diving in at the deep end because Barbarians wasn’t produced for Latin learners, but for a Netflix audience. While Barbarians is a tremendous example of how Latin may well have been spoken at this period, the dialogue contains a whole range of features some of which are straightforward, and some of which, if you want to explore the language in greater depth, involve considerable study. Therefore, I’ve broken it up:

Post #1: transcription and translation (with literal translations added in brackets so you can get a grip on what the Latin actually says)

Post#2:  reading / listening comprehension to get the “gist” of the dialogue and to focus on some key words in Latin

Posts #3 - #5: vocabulary and brief notes on sections of the dialogue together with links which refer to higher level points of language not yet covered in the group

transcription; translation

[1] Segestes: Ego salūtem tibi dīcō, Rōmae lēgāte.

[2] Varus: Eius sonus omnīnō mihi intolerandu’st.

[3] Tamquam moechae cuiusdam ēdentulae quae poētārī cōnētur.

[Gmn: Bitte, sprich deine Sprache]

[4] Varus: Dūc mē ad Folkwinī pāgum, barbare.

[5] Sī mentītus es tē iubēbō in cruce fīgī.

[6] Segestes: Gentēs sunt inter sē discordēs.

[7] Tamen apud eōs ego magnum mōmentum habēre possum in rem Rōmae optimam.

[8] Sī ego rēx gentis meae essem …

[9] Varus: In Germāniam nōn pervēnī quī honōribus tuīs essem subsidiō, barbare.

[10] Segestes: Veniam ā tē petō, lēgāte, sed virī meī cōnsimilēs tibi opus erunt.

__________

[1] Greetings / I greet you [literally: I say a greeting to you], Roman governor [literally: governor of Rome]

[2] I can’t stand / bear his accent [literally: his accent is utterly intolerable to me]

[3] Just like some toothless whore [literally: just like (the accent) of some toothless whore] who’s trying / who would try to be a poet.

[4] Take me to Folkwin’s district (small point but among early Germanic tribes, it is more likely to refer to a territory larger than a village)

[5] If you’ve lied, ¦ I’ll have you crucified. [Literally: I’ll order you to be fastened on a cross.]

[6] The tribes are divided. [Literally: the tribes are in disagreement / disagreeing amongst themselves.]

[7] However, I can have great influence among them in the best interests of Rome.

[8] If I were the ‘reik’* (ruler) of my tribe … [*reik: Gothic reiks]

[9] I didn’t come to Germania / I haven’t reached Germania ¦ to support your advancement, Barbarian. [Literally: (that) I might be (a means) of support to your honours]

[10] Forgive me, [Literally: I seek forgiveness from you] governor, but you will need men like me.

27.04.25; Level 2; topic; Mankind; the human body; accident and illness [3]: Comenius XXXVIII (1658); The Outward Parts of a Man. / Membra Hominis Externa [2]

[iii] under the breast is the belly, 9. in the middle of it the navel, 10. underneath the groyn, 11. and the privities │ sub pectore est venter, 9. in eius mediō, umbelicus, 10.* subtus inguen, 11. & pudenda.

[iv] the shoulder-blades, 12. are behind the back, on which the shoulders depend, 13. on these the arms, 14.

with the elbow, 15. and then on either side the hands, the right, 8. and the left, 16. │ scapulæ, 12. sunt ā tergō, ā quibus pendent humerī, 13. ab hīs brāchia, 14. cum cubitō, 15. inde ad utrumque latus, manūs, dextera, 8. & sinistra, 16.

*possibly a printing error (or contemporary / rare spelling): the word is umbilīcus

vocabulary

pendeō, -ēre, pependī [2]: [i] hang; [ii] depend

pudenda: plural form of pudendus (something to be ashamed of) i.e. the genitalia (come on, it was written in 1658!)

subtus (adverb): below; underneath

uterque, utraque, utrumque: each (of two)

[a] vocabulary from [iii] and [iv]: fill in the blanks with the genitive singular endings listed below.

brāc(c)hium, brāc(c)hi__ [2/n]: forearm

cubitum, cubit__ [2/n]: elbow

(h)umerus__ [2/m]: shoulder

inguen, ingu__is [3/n]: groin

latus, lat__is [3/n]: side

manus, man__ [4/f]: hand

scapula, scapul__ [1/f]: shoulder blade

tergum, terg__ [2/n]: back

umbilīcus, umbilīc__ [2/m]: navel

venter, vent__s [3/m]: belly

-ae; -er-; -ī; -ī; -ī; -ī; -ī; -in-; -ri-; -ūs

[b]

[i] What is the meaning of the English sinister and why is it used?

https://www.etymonline.com/word/sinister

[ii] How long was a cubit?

From the Vulgate: cubitus, -ī [2/m] (alternative form of cubitum)

Fecit autem Beseleel et arcam de lignis setim, habentem duos semis cubitos in longitudine, et cubitum ac semissem in latitudine, altitudo quoque unius cubiti fuit et dimidii: vestivitque eam auro purissimo intus ac foris. │ And Beseleel made also the ark of setim wood: it was two cubits and a half in length, and a cubit and a half in breadth, and the height was of one cubit and a half: and he overlaid it with the purest gold within and without. 

27.04.25: Level 2; review; Hillard and Botting (H & B); review sentences [E]

Back in 1911, this poor student had a seriously bad verb day! Not one of the translations is correct mainly because he doesn’t identify the tenses correctly but there are also some other errors. Maybe he rushed this because he’d forgotten to do his homework and would face the wrath of the teacher. Judging by his answers, he still wouldn’t have avoided a board rubber thrown in his directon! Can you help him out with the correct translations?

1. In Asiā saepe pugnāverās. │ You often fight / had often fought / have often fought in Asia.
2. Advenae Troiam saepe oppugnāverant. │ Foreigners had often attacked / have often attacked / will often attack Troy.
3. Semper cum advenīs pugnāverās. │ You often used to fight / you often fought / you had often fought with foreigners.
4. Advenās prope superāvistī. │ You (sg.) / You (pl.) / We have almost conquered the foreigners.
5. Tandem Troiam expugnāvērunt. │ Finally they will conquer / they conquered / they will have conquered Troy.
6. Diū inter incolās Asiae errābās. │For a long time you used to wander / you had wandered / he used to wander among the inhabitants of Asia.
7. Tandem ad Ītaliam nāvigāvistī. │ Finally you sail / are sailing / have sailed to Italy.
8. Ibi fāmam inter incolās comparāvistī. │ There he / you / we gained fame among the inhabitants.
9. Aeneadae Rōmam aedificāverint. │ The descendants of Aeneas will have built / had built / have built Rome.
10. Semper Rōmae fāma dūrābit. │ The fame of Rome will last / will have lasted / lasts.

26.04.25: Level 1; readings [6] - [11]: review (12); adjectives [vii]; 1st / 2nd declension adjectives [vi]

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Latin_for_beginners_(1911)/Part_II/Lesson_XI

26.04.25: Level 1; readings [6] - [11]: review (11); adjectives [vi]; 1st / 2nd declension adjectives [v]

In the previous posts I deliberately wrote that first and second declension adjectives happen to have the same endings as first and second declension nouns because there is a very important feature to note:

“Thus far the adjectives have had the same terminations (endings) as the nouns. However, the agreement between the adjective and its noun does not mean that they must have the same termination. If the adjective and the noun belong to different declensions, the terminations will, in many cases, not be the same. For example, nauta, sailor, is masculine and belongs to the first declension. The masculine form of the adjective bonus is of the second declension. Consequently, a good sailor is nauta bonus.” (D’Ooge)

*i.e. there are thousands of nouns which do not belong to the first and second declension but to other declensions and they will be discussed later. However, regardless of what declension a noun belongs to, the 1^st / 2^nd declension adjectives will retain the same endings; in other words, the declension of the noun does not influence the ending of the adjective: it is nauta [first declension; masculine] bonus [masculine] and not *nauta bona*

Nouns

arma, armōrum, n., plur., arms, especially defensive weapons

fāma, -ae, f., rumor; reputation, fame

galea, -ae, f., helmet

praeda, -ae, f., booty, spoils (predatory)

tēlum, -ī, n., weapon of offense, spear

Adjectives

dūrus, -a, -um, hard, rough; unfeeling, cruel; severe, toilsome (durable)

Rōmānus, -a, -um, Roman. As a noun, Rōmānus, -ī, m., a Roman

Exercise: translate

1. Est in vīcō nauta bonus.
2. Sextus est amīcus nautae bonī.
3. Sextus nautae bonō galeam dat.
4. Populus Rōmānus nautam bonum laudat.
5. Sextus cum nautā bonō praedam portat.
6. Ubi, nauta bone, sunt arma et tēla lēgātī Rōmānī?
7. Nautae bonī ad bellum properant.
8. Fāma nautārum bonōrum est clāra.
9. Pugnae sunt grātae nautīs bonīs.
10. Oppidānī nautās bonōs cūrant.
11. Cūr, nautae bonī, malī agricolae ad Rhēnum properant?
12. Malī agricolae cum bonīs nautīs pugnant.

____________________ 

1. In the village there is a good sailor.
2. Sextus is a friend of the good sailor.
3. Sextus gives a helmet to the good sailor.
4. The roman people praise the good sailor.
5. Sextus carries the booty with the good sailor.
6. Where, good sailor, are the arms and offensive weapons of the Roman lieutenant?
7. The good sailors are hastening to war.
8. The reputation of the good sailors is famous.
9. 9 Battles are pleasing to good sailors.
10. The townsmen are caring for the good sailors.
11. Why, good sailors, are the wicked farmers hastening to the Rhine?
12. The bad farmers are fighting with the good sailors.

25.04.25: Level 3; Verbs with the dative case [5]: examples from the authors [1]

[1] invideō, -ēre, invīdī [2]

Ille in sē stupet, ille cālīgat, invidet caecīs. (Seneca) │ Such a man is internally dazed; his vision is darkened [he has poor eyesight]; he envies the blind.

Ego nēminī invideō (Petronius) │ I envy nobody

probus invidet nēminī (Cicero) │ the honest man envies nobody

[2] persuādeō, -ēre, persuāsī [2]

Sīc enim volō tē tibi persuādēre, (Cicero) │ For I want you to convince yourself

sī tōtum tibi persuādēre nōn possum (Cicero) │ if I cannot persuade you entirely

[3] placeō, -ēre, -uī [2]

Hāc rē mihi placet, … tē ad eum scrībere (Cicero)│ Under the circumstances I see no objection (literally: it pleases me) … to you writing to him

[4] studeō, -ēre, -uī [2]

Cupiditāte rēgnī adductus novīs rēbus studēbat (Caesar) │incited by the desire of power, he was anxious for a revolution

Sulpicius Galus, quī maximē omnium nōbilium Graecīs litterīs studuit (Cicero) │ Sulpicius Galus, who most of all the nobles devoted himself to Greek literature

Studuit Catilīnae iterum petentī (Cicero) │ he supported Catiline when he was making a second attempt; note: studeō also has the meaning of siding with somebody

[5] cōnfīdō, -ere, cōnfīsus sum [3/semi-deponent]

Hīs amīcīs sociīsque cōnfīsus Catilīna … opprimundae reī pūblicae cōnsilium cēpit. (Sallust) │ Depending on such accomplices and adherents [= having / put his trust in]  … Catiline formed the design of overthrowing the government.

Huic legiōnī Caesar … cōnfīdēbat maximē. (Caesar)│ Caesar placed the greatest confidence in this legion

vehementer hominem contemnēbat et suīs et reī pūblicae cōpiīs cōnfīdēbat (Cicero) │  (Pompey) had an utter contempt for the man, and firm confidence in his own and the state's resources

Nōlī huic tranquillitātī cōnfīdere: mōmentō mare ēvertitur; eōdem diē ubi lūsērunt nāvigia sorbentur. (Seneca) │ Trust not in this tranquility, for in an instant is the sea turned upside down, and swallowed up are ships on that same day when once they played 

[6] crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī  [3]

crēde mihi … cum quasi tēcum loquor (Cicero) │ Believe me … when I seem to talk with you

Tū mihi nōn crēdis ipsī? (Cicero) │ Don’t you believe me myself?

[7] ignōscō, -ere, ignōvī [3]

Caesar mihi ignōscit per litterās quod nōn vēnerim (Cicero) │ Caesar has written to excuse me for not coming (to Rome); literally: Caesar forgives me by letter that I did not come

[8] nūbō, -ere, nūpsī [3]

Neque ita multō post A. Caecīnae nūpsit (Cicero) │ And not much later she married A. Caecina; nūbō can only refer to the act of a woman marrying a man

[9] resistō, -ere, restitī [3]

Sērō enim resistimus eī (Cicero) │ It is late to resist him; literally: we resist him late

[10] dēsum, dēesse, dēfuī

Domus tibi dēerat? (Cicero) │ Did you lack a house? [literally: was a house lacking to you]

[11] praesum, praeesse, praefuī

Hīs praeerat Viridovix (Caesar) │ Viridovix was in command of them [was at the head of them / was their chief]

[12] prōsum, prōdess, prōfuī

Tua disciplīna nec mihi prōdest nec tibi (Plautus) │ Your discipline benefits neither me nor you

25.04.25: Level 3; Habits of the Massagetae

Video commentary at:

https://youtu.be/BjkI9lHP5WU

He gives quite a lengthy introduction; if you want to go straight to the text then start at 04:41

Ūtuntur Massagetae et vestīmentō et vītae ratiōne similī Scythārum. Equīs pugnant; arcū et hastīs ūtuntur. Ad omnia aurō ūtuntur aut aere. Ad hastās, ad sagittārum cuspidēs āere ūtuntur; ad capītis ōrnātum, et ad lumbōrum cingula, aurō. Argentum et ferrum in eōrum terrā nōn reperiuntur; sed aeris et aurī est immēnsa cōpia. Senēs interficiunt propinquī, et pecudēs cum iīs; coctā carne deinde epulantur. Terrā autem condunt morbō mortuōs. Sēmentem nūllam faciunt: cibus eōrum ex pecoribus, piscibus, lacte, cōnstat. Deōrum ūnum Sōlem colunt: huic equōs immolant. ​

Vocabulary

aes, aeris [3/n]: bronze; copper; brass

cingulum, -ī [2/n]: girdle (encircling the hips); sword-belt

condō, -ere, condidī, conditus [3]: (here) bury

cuspis, -is [3/f]: point, tip (of a pointed object); Engl. deriv. cusp

lumbus, -ī [2/m]: (usually in the plural) loin

propinquus, -a, -um: near / neighbouring; (here plural) propinquī: relatives; relations; family members

ratiō, ratiōnis [3/f]: multiple meanings, but here: manner (way); method

Scytha, -ae [1/m]: Scythian

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Scythian

sēmentis, -is [3/f]: sowing; planting

Questions

[1] In what ways are the Massageteans similar to the Scythians? (2)

[2] How do they fight? (3)

[3] What specific uses are mentioned for:

[i] copper, and [ii] gold? (4)

[4] What information is given about iron and silver? (2)

[5] aeris et aurī est immēnsa cōpia

In what case are the nouns in bold and why is that case being used? (2)

[6] Translate: Senēs interficiunt propinquī, et pecudēs cum iīs; coctā carne deinde epulantur. Terrā autem condunt morbō mortuōs.

[7] What information is given about:

[i] their diet, and [ii] their religious practices? (6)

Notes

[i] two words which are not always easy to distinguish; in reality, various translations are equally acceptable

[a] … et pecudēs cum iīs

pecus, pecudis [3/f]: a single herd animal e.g. a horse or a head of cattle; plural: livestock e.g. sheep, goats

[b] cibus eōrum ex pecoribus … cōnstat

pecus, pecoris [3/n]: usually refers to a group of larger domestic animals such as cattle of sheep i.e. those animals which can pull carts or ploughs

[ii] … morbō mortuōs │ those who have died from a disease; this is an example of the ablative of cause

[iii] Deponent verbs

Both of these verbs are followed by a noun in the ablative case

ūtor, ūtī, ūsus sum [3/dep]: use; make use of

Ad omnia aurō ūtuntur aut aere. │ They use gold or copper for everything.

epulor, -ārī, epulātus sum [1/dep]: banquet; feast upon

Coctā carne … epulantur │ They feast upon … cooked meat

In context, this phrase can also be interpreted as an ablative absolute:

After the meat has been cooked … they have a feast

[iv] Massagetae or Massageteans: an ancient Iranian people who lived on the steppes of Central Asia

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

https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0064:entry=massagetae-geo

24.04.25: Level 2; topic; Mankind; the human body; accident and illness [2]: Comenius XXXVIII (1658); The Outward Parts of a Man. / Membra Hominis Externa [1]

[i] the head, 1. is above, the feet, 20. below. the fore part of the neck (which ends at the arm-holes, 2.) is the throat, 3. the hinder part, the crag,* 4. │  caput, 1. est suprā, īnfrā pedēs, 20. anterior pars collī (quod dēsit

in axillās, 2.) est iugulum, 3. posterior cervīx, 4.

 *crag (obsolete): nape of the neck

 [ii] The Breast, 5, is before; the back, 6, behind; Women have in it two Dugs,* 7. with Nipples, │ The Breast, 5, is before; the back, 6, behind; Women have in it two Dugs,** 7. with Nipples,

 **dug: now referring to the mammary gland of a domestic animal

 Vocabulary

anterior, -ius (comparative; Late Latin): foremost; former; (here) referring to the front part

posterior, -ius (comparative): coming after; further to the back; (here) referring to the rear part

suprā (adverb): above

infrā (adverb): below

ante (as an adverb): in front

retrō (adverb): behind

bīnus, -a, -um: (in the plural) two each; in pairs

[a] Below are the nouns referred to in this part of the text; what are the genitive singular forms? Fill in the blanks with the endings listed below.

[i]

1. axilla, axill__ [1/f]: armpit
2. caput, cap__is [3/n]: head
3. cervīx, cerv__is [3/f]: nape of the neck
4. collum, coll__ [2/n]: neck
5. iugulum, iugul__ [2/n]: throat
6. pēs, p__is [3/m]: foot

-it-; -īc-; -ae; -ī; -ed-; -ī

[ii]

1. dorsum, dors__ [2/n]: back
2. mamma, mamm__ [1/f]: female breast
3. papilla, papill__ [1/f]: nipple; teat
4. pectus, pect__is [3/n]: breast; chest

-ae; -ī; -or-; -ae

[b] derivatives

1. What are the mammary glands of an animal?
2. Where would you find: [i] the pectoral muscles? [ii] the jugular vein? [iii] a dorsal fin?
3. What is the origin of the term capital city?
4. The Victorians may have said “Sit on your posterior”. What might we say?!
5. A __________ precinct is the term referring to an area only for people who are on foot.
6. What is the origin of the word collar?

24.04.25: Level 2; review; Hillard and Botting (H & B); review sentences [D]

Complete the translation by choosing the correct form of the Latin words.

[1] At one time I used to fight in Asia. │Ōlim in [i] __________ [ii] __________.

[i] Asiā / Asia / Asiae

[ii] pugnābō / pugnō / pugnābam

[2] They often used to attack Troy. │ [iii] __________ Troiam [iv] __________.

[iii] semper / saepe / interdum

[iv] oppugnant / oppugnabunt / oppugnābant

[3] They finally took Troy by storm. │ [v] __________ Troiam [vi] __________.

[v] tandem / tamen / autem

[vi] expugnāvērunt / expugnāverant / expugnāverint

[4] I used to wander far and wide through Asia. │Lātē per [vii] __________ [viii] __________.

[vii] Asiā / Asiam / Asiae

[viii] errābat / errābās / errābam

[5] I sailed to Italy. │ Ad [ix] __________ [x] __________.

[ix] Ītaliā / Ītaliae / Ītaliam

[x] nāvigāvī / nāvigāveram / navigābam

[6] I gained fame among the inhabitants of Italy. │ Inter [xi] incolās [xii] Ītaliae fāmam [xiii] comparāvī.

[xi] incolārum / incolīs / incolās

[xii] Ītaliā / Ītaliae / Ītaliam

[xiii] comparō / comparāvī / comparābam

[7] I was fighting in Italy for a long time. │Diū in [xiv] __________ [xv] __________.

[xiv] Ītaliā / Ītaliae / Ītaliam

[xv] pugnābam / pugnābāmus / pugnābitis

[8] Finally I conquered the inhabitants of Italy. │ Tandem incolās [xvi] __________ [xvii] __________.

[xvi] incolārum / incolās / incolīs

[xvii] Ītaliae / Ītalia / Ītaliam

[9] (My) fame will always last in Italy. │ [xviii] __________ fāma in Ītaliā [xix] __________.

[xviii] saepe / interdum / semper

[xix] dūrābit / dūrābat / dūrat

[10] The descendants of Aeneas will build Alba Longa. │ Aeneadae Albam Longam [xx] __________.

[xx] aedificābant / aedificābunt / aedificāvērunt

23.04.25: Level 1; readings [6] - [11]: review (10); adjectives [v]; 1st / 2nd declension adjectives [iv]

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Latin_for_beginners_(1911)/Part_II/Lesson_X

23.04.25: Level 1; readings [6] - [11]: review (9); adjectives [iv]; 1st / 2nd declension adjectives [iii]

Masculine adjectives of this class are declined like dominus, and neuters like pīlum i.e. the adjectives happen to have the same endings as the nouns.

Note:  the table lists a vocative masculine singular form of the adjective i.e. bone; this is the only occurrence of a separate vocative ending for an adjective which is why D’Ooge only lists it in the singular

Nouns

amīcus, -ī, m., friend (amicable)

Germānia, -ae, f., Germany

patria, -ae, f., fatherland

populus, -ī, m., people

Rhēnus, -ī, m., the Rhine

vīcus, -ī, m., village

Exercise: translate

1. Patria servī bonī, vīcus servōrum bonōrum, bone popule.
2. Populus oppidī magnī, in oppidō magnō, in oppidīs magnīs.
3. Cum pīlīs longīs, ad pīla longa, ad mūrōs lātōs.
4. Lēgāte male, amīcī lēgātī malī, cēna grāta dominō bonō.
5. Frūmentum equōrum parvōrum, domine bone, ad lēgātōs clārōs.
6. Rhēnus est in Germāniā, patriā meā.
7. Sextus lēgātus pilum longum portat.
8. Oppidānī bonī Sextō lēgātō clārō pecūniam dant.
9. Malī servī equum bonum Mārcī dominī necant.
10. Galba agricola et Iīlia fīlia bona labōrant.
11. Mārcus nauta in īnsulā Siciliā habitat.

____________________

1. The fatherland of the good slave, the village of the good servants, O good people.
2. The people of the great town, in the large town, in the great towns.
3. With long spears, to long spears, to the wide walls.
4. wicked lieutenant, friends of the bad lieutenant, dinner pleasing to the good lord.
5. wheat of the small horses, O good lord, to the famous lieutenants
6. The Rhine is in Germany, my fatherland.
7. Sextus, the lieutenant, carries a long spear.
8. The good townspeople give money to Sextus, the renowned lieutenant.
9. The bad slaves kill the good horse of Marcus, the master.
10. Galba, the farmer, and Julia, his good daughter, are labouring.
11. Marcus the sailor lives on the island of Sicily.

22.04.25: Level 3; Verbs with the dative case [4]: special verbs [3]

Complete the Latin sentences with the verbs listed below; note the endings of the dative case

Forgive me │ [1] __________ mihi

Why do you envy me? │ Cūr mihi [2] __________?

He certainly convinces (persuades) me. │ Prōrsus mihi [3] __________ (Cicero)

Hard punishment and constant sadness will not persuade the queen. │ Dūra poena et perpetua trīstitia rēgīnae nōn [4] __________.

For it neither pleases me nor our Atticus [= it’s neither pleasing to me nor to our Atticus] │ nec enim mihi [5] __________ nec Atticō nostrō (Cicero)

The Romans were unable to oppose Boudica. │ Rōmānī Boudicae [6] __________ nōn poterant.

Tiberius and Gaius didn’t resist [were not opposed to] hard discipline and obeyed Cornelia. │ Tiberius et Gāius disciplīnae dūrae nōn [7] __________ et Cornēliae [8] __________.

Boudica never forgave the Romans. │ Numquam Boudica Rōmānīs [9] __________.

Do you believe the words of the allies? Many do not believe their words. │ [10] __________ verbīs sociōrum? Multī verbīs eōrum nōn [11] __________.

My neighbours will not favour your plan because they are eager for war. │ Meī fīnitimī cōnsiliō tuō nōn [12] __________, quod bellō [13] __________.

Many Romans favoured the commander. │ Multī Rōmānī imperātōrī [14] __________.

Soon the arrows will fly and harm the wretched children. │ Mox sagittae volābunt et līberīs miserīs [15] __________.

At the same time he ordered the third line, and the entire army not to charge without his command │ Simul tertiae aciēī tōtīque exercituī [16] __________, nē iniussū suō concurreret (Caesar)

That friend of mine …is / has become very angry with you. │ ille noster amīcus … sānē tibi [17] __________. (Cicero)

Nobody is free who is a slave to his body. │ Nēmō līber est quī corporī [18] __________. (Seneca)

For Anicia, the cousin of Pomponius, had married Servius, the brother of Sulpicius │ namque Anicia, Pompōniī cōnsōbrīna, [19] __________ Serviō, frātrī Sulpiciī. (Nepos)

Therefore the one has confidence in his case, the other distrusts his. │ itaque alter causae [20] __________, alter [21] __________. (Cicero)

cōnfīdit; crēdisne; crēdunt; diffīdit; favēbant; favēbunt; ignosce; imperāvit; invidēs; īrātus est; nocēbunt; nūpserat; pārēbant; pepercit; persuādēbunt; persuādet; placet; resistēbant; resistere; servit; student

22.04.25: Level 3; The story of Arion [6]

[A] ____________________

Arīōn citharista praeclārus erat. Is diū apud Periandrum Corinthiōrum rēgem versātus erat. Tum in Ītaliam Siciliamque nāvigāre cupīvit. Ingentibus opibus ibi comparātis, Corinthum redīre voluit. Itaque Tarentō, urbe Ītaliae, profectus est; ibi nāvigium hominum Corinthiōrum condūxerat.

[B] ____________________

Hī autem eum in mare prōicere cōnstituērunt; pecūniā enim potīrī cupiēbant. Tum vērō Arīōn cōnsilium intellēxit. Trīstis ad precēs cōnfūgit. Pecūniā omnī nautīs oblātā, vītam dēprecātus est. Nautae vērō precibus virī nōn commōtī, mortem eī statim minātī sunt.

[C] ____________________

In hās angustiās redāctus Arīōn, in puppī stetit, omnī ōrnātū suō indūtus. Tum ūnum ē carminibus canere incēpit. Nautae suāvī carmine captī ē puppī mediam in nāvem concessērunt. Ille omnī ōrnātū indūtus, captā citharā, carmen perēgit. Cantū perāctō in mare sē prōiēcit. Tum nautae Corinthum nāvigāvērunt.

[D] ____________________

Arīōn autem ā delphīne exceptus dorsō Taenarum dēlātus est. Ēgressus in terram, Corinthum cum eōdem habitū contendit. Ibi nautārum facta nārrāvit. Periander autem eī crēdere nōluit. Arīōn igitur in cūstōdiā ab eō retentus est.

[E] ____________________

Interim nautae Corinthum advēnērunt. Ā Periandrō interrogātī sunt dē Arīone. Turpissimē mentītī sunt omnēs. Subitō Arīōn appāruit cum eōdem ōrnātū. Attonitī nautae scelus cōnfitentur. Ā rēge Periandrō omnēs interfectī sunt, et multum pecūniae Arīonī datum est.

[1] Each section has a title. Match the titles below with the heading [A] – [E] of each section

• ​Arion sings a beautiful song, and leaps overboard.
• Arion is miraculously saved by a dolphin.
• The wicked sailors are detected and punished, and Arion is rewarded.
• The sailors form a plan to rob and murder him.
• Arion, after travelling abroad, hires a vessel to take him home.

[2] Review these are deponent verb forms; find the Latin:

1. having landed / disembarked = having gone out onto the land
2. he begged for his life
3. he desired to possess (money)
4. he had lived (for a long time)
5. he set out (from Tarentum)
6. the sailors confess
7. they all lied (most disgracefully)
8. they threatened him (with death) = they threatened to kill him

[3] Review these passive forms; find the Latin:

1. Arion … was carried away
2. Arion was held ¦ by him ¦ in custody
3. they were questioned ¦ by Periander
4. they were (all) killed ¦ by the king
5. a lot of money was given ¦ to Arion
6. Arion, having been reduced to a state of distress …
7. … the sailors, not moved ¦ by the man’s entreaties …
8. … the sailors, captivated ¦ by the sweet song …
9. … dressed ¦ in all his fine clothing …
10. Astonished, the sailors confess

[4] Review the ablative absolute; find the Latin:

1. after the lyre had been taken up
2. after the song was finished
3. after all his money had been offered ¦ to the sailors
4. with huge riches having been acquired (there)

21.04.25: Level 2: topic; Mankind; the human body; accident and illness [1]: Comenius XXXVI (1658); Homō / Man

The entire work can be found here:

https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28299/pg28299-images.html

[i] Adam, 1. the first Man, was made by God after his own Image the sixth day of the Creation, of a lump of Earth.  │ Adamus, 1. prīmus Homō, fōrmātus est ā Deō ad Imāginem suam sextā diē Creātiōnis, ē Glēbā Terræ.

[ii] And Eve, 2.the first Woman, was made of the Rib of the Man. │ Et Eva, 2. prīma mulier, fōrmāta est ē costā virī.

[iii] These, being tempted by the Devil under the shape of a Serpent, 3. when they had eaten of the fruit of the forbidden Tree, 4. were condemned, 5. to misery and death, with all their posterity, and cast out of Paradise, 6. │ Hī, sēductī ā Diabolō sub speciē Serpentis, 3. cum comederent dē frūctū vetitæ arboris, 4. damnātī sunt, 5. ad miseriam & mortem, cum omnī posteritāte suā, & ēiectī ē Paradīsō 6.

vocabulary

costa, -ae [1/f]: (anatomy) rib

glēba, -ae [1/f] or glaeba, -ae [1/f]: lump (of earth); clod; mass

paradīsus, -ī [2/m]: [i] (CL) park; orchard [ii] (Eccl.) [a] Eden i.e. the paradise home of the first humans; [b] Paradise: the home of the blessed after death

sē¦dūcō, -dūcere, -dūxī, -ductus [3]: lead astray; seduce; note the way this verb is listed i.e. it has a prefix which is only given once, the rest of the verb showing its unprefixed forms

vetitus, -a, um: forbidden

notes

perfect passive voice; ablative of source / material

[a] Adamus … [i] fōrmātus est ¦ [ii] ā Deō … ¦ [iii] ē glēbā ¦ terræ. │ Adam … [i] was created ¦ [ii] by God ¦ [iii] from / out of a lump ¦ of earth.

[b] Eva … [i] fōrmāta est ¦ ē costā ¦ virī. │ Eve [i] was made ¦ [ii] of / from / out of the rib ¦ of the man.

ē glēbā (terrae) and ē costā (virī) are examples of the ablative of source / material i.e. it denotes from where something is derived or from which something is made; when referring to the material it is coveyed by the the use of the prepositions ē(x) or dē:

Erat tōtus ¦ ex fraude et mendāciō ¦ factus. │ He was entirely made up ¦ of fraud and (of) falsehood.

factum ¦ dē cautibus ¦ antrum │ a cave formed ¦ from rocks

Templum ¦ dē marmore ¦ pōnam. │ I’ll build a temple ¦ of marble.

[b] [i] Hī, … ¦ [i] damnātī sunt, ad miseriam et mortem … et [ii] ēiectī ē Paradīsō (sunt).

Neither in English nor in Latin is there a need to repeat were / sunt i.e. in grammatical terms ēiectī is dependent upon sunt:

They (these people) … [i] were condemned to misery and death … and [ii] (were) cast out from Paradise.

[ii] Hī, [iii] sēductī ā Diabolō … │ They ¦ (having been / who had been) tempted by the Devil …

Here the perfect passive participle stands alone; its literal translation is “having been tempted” but, as in the Latin, it can be translated equally neatly as a single word in English.