03.04.27: Level 4; literature; Bread and panthers … without the panthers [4]; make a date with a Roman

Scr. Romae iv Non. Sept. a. 703 (51). CAELIVS CICERONI S. ¦ M. CAELIUS RUFUS TO CICERO, Rome, 2^nd September, 51BC

Romae (locative); at Rome

Each Roman month had three principal days:

[i] Kalendae, -ārum (Kal.): the Kalends (Calends); the first day of the month (which involves no thinking at all because it always refers to the first of the month)

[ii] Nōnae, -ārum (Non.): the Nones; [i] seventh day of March, May, July, October; [ii] fifth day of all other months

[iii] Īdūs, -uum (Id.) the Ides; [i] fifteenth day of March, May, July, October; [ii] thirteenth day of all other months; Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March i.e. the 15th

Step-by-step

IV NON. SEPT.

[1] This letter refers to the Nones of September i.e. the 5^th day of the month

[2] The preceding IV [IV NON.] refers to 4 days before and including the Nones itself, and so you start counting backwards from the Nones

Day 1: 5^th │ the Nones of September

> Day 2: 4^th of September

> Day 3: 3^rd of September

> Day 4: 2^nd of September

[3] a(nnō) 703 │ in the year 703

Romans used two different ways of expressing the year, and sometimes both are written in the same text:

[i] Consular dating: two consuls were elected each year, serving together, each with veto power over the other's actions. Roman years were customarily denoted according to the names of the two consuls who held office that year:

C. Fabiō et L. Virgīniō ¦ cōnsulibus │ During the consulship of Gaius Fabius and Lucius Virginius ¦  literally: with GF and LV ¦ (being) consuls  [ablative absolute] = while GF and LV were consuls = during the consulship of GF and LV

L. Genuciō et Q. Servīliō cōnsulibus mortuus est Camillus. │ Camillus died during the consulship of Lucius Genucius and Quintus Servilius.

From the perspective of a 21^st century reader this provides little if any further information; a UK reader may know, for example, what years a person was British Prime Minister but that historical knowledge isn’t guaranteed.

[ii] ab urbe conditā (AUC)│ from the founding of the city

The year was also calculated based on the number of years that had passed since the foundation of Rome i.e. 753BC, and, like the dates, 753 itself is included in the calculation. Therefore, whatever year is expressed, you subtract that from 754: a. 703; 754 – 703 = 51BC

In general, we need to be a little circumspect when dealing with dates referring to events 2000 years ago, and there is not always consistency and / or accuracy in calculation. In the end – despite the date appearing in one of the manuscripts of Pliny’s letter – nobody is really sure when exactly Mount Vesuvius erupted. It is now generally accepted that either Pliny was wrong (there is physical and written evidence that the eruption happened later in the year) or couldn’t remember and felt he had to write something, or a date was added or misinterpreted by a scribe. I have my own thoughts on that one, but I’ll keep them to myself until we look in detail at Pliny’s account of Vesuvius.

02.04.27: Level 4; literature; Bread and panthers … without the panthers [3]; text, translation with accompanying notes to lines [6] – [10]

[6] hoc vehementius labōrō nunc, quod seorsus ā collēgā putō mihi omnia paranda. │ I am all the more concerned about this now, because, apart from my colleague, I think I shall have to prepare everything.

mihi omnia paranda │ all these things (are) to be prepared ¦ by me = I need to / I shall have to prepare everything; gerundive of obligation

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/020625-level-3-gerundive-1.html

[7] amābō tē, imperā tibi hoc. cūrāre solēs libenter, ut ego maiōrem partem nihil cūrāre.  │ Please tell yourself to do this / give yourself that order. You’re usually willing to take care of things, as I for the most part take none.

[8] in hōc negōtiō nūlla tua nisi loquendī cūra est, hoc est imperandī et mandandī; │ In this business there is no concern of yours except speaking  – that is, giving an order and a commission / command.

In hōc negōtiō … │ in this business / matter …

nūlla tua … cūra est │ there is no concern of yours …

nisi loquendī (hoc est) imperandī et mandandī │ apart from that of speaking (that is / i.e.) (of) giving an order and (of) giving a commission

loquendī, imperandī and mandandī are gerunds that indicate the act of doing something

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/270525-level-3-gerund-1.html

"In this matter, you have no concern except for speaking: giving orders and commissions." To put it more casually: “All you’ve got to do is speak, order and command.”

[9] nam simulatque erunt captae, quī alant eās et dēportent ¦ habēs eōs ¦ ... │ For as soon as they (will) have been captured, ¦ you have these (men) ¦ who will feed and transport them …

…quī alant eās et dēportent; again, this is another example of a subjunctive of purpose; with quī it is used when, for example, saying that somebody has been sent to do something; Cicero already has men there ¦ who will feed and transport the animals i.e. that is their purpose

[10] putō etiam, sī ūllam spem mihi litterīs ostenderis, mē istō missūrum aliōs. │ I think also that, if you show [ = will have shown] me any hope in your letters, I shall send others (other men) to where you are / to your place.

[i] putō … mē … missūrum │ I think … ¦ I shall / am going to send; future active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/06/250925-level-3-grammar-of-things-to.html

[ii] istō: to the place where you are; iste, ista, istud (that) refers to something near the person being addressed

Personal comments:

There’s a sense of frustration on the part of Caelius; this isn’t the first time he’s mentioned the matter. While wild animals have been supplied to him from another source, he clearly doesn’t have enough to stage the extravaganza he has in mind. The political position of curule aedile is not insignificant: does Caelius have his eyes of the prize of a consulship?

One feels that Caelius is pressurising Cicero, referring to a local go-between (Patiscus) who sent panthers to the tribune Curio (one of Cicero’s friends) who, in turn, gave them to Caelius as a gift; in the political machinations of Ancient Rome, ‘gifts’ matter – including (somewhat sarcastically expressed) estates in the countryside – and if others can do all that, why can’t Cicero? Cicero himself, in Caelius’ view, will consider it disgraceful (turpe) that he has been unable not merely to match the number of animals already supplied but, indeed, significantly to increase it, which does read as if Caelius is embarrassing him although others interpret the exchange as light-hearted.

Cicero, according to Caelius, has more than enough authority – and offers a little praise of Cicero’s usual willingness to make arrangements – to order this without taking any direct action himself i.e. no effort required on the part of Cicero and, by his own admission, Caelius is not keen on the idea of sorting things out without assistance (and would possibly prefer not lifting a finger to do anything at all). Nevertheless, there are already men in the vicinity on financial matters (a reference omitted in the excerpt here) who can support Cicero in feeding and transporting the animals: quī alant eās et dēportent ¦ habēs eōs │ you have those men to feed and transport them. And Caelius does offer additional assistance when the panthers are caught.

What I find fascinating about this letter, is the importance attached to the hunting show, that Caelius has referred to the animals several times before and has already considered ways in which they can be looked after – and he knows where they can be caught. Panthers, rather than policy, seem to be the concern of this rather pushy political ladder climber. According to Jones and Sidwell, Caelius had been recently elected to this post which, undoubtedly, made it crucial to give a first-rate impression to the spectators of Rome.

I can’t help feeling that, if British politicians were to stage some freebie gladiatorial shows, their ratings would go up – because, as I write, they couldn’t be any lower! Furthermore, if they gave me an estate in the countryside, they’d get my vote.

Freebies, backhanders, use your mate’s influence, be pushy, get someone else to do it, keep the “mob” happy. Sarcasm alert: of course, they’re all things that happened in the past, right? I mean, they don’t happen now, do they?

29.08.26: Vincent; holiday reading

There are some very useful points in this video although I have no expertise in Vincent’s choice of books.

Crās iter faciam | I’ll be travelling tomorrow [literally: I shall make a journey]

et nunc rēs meās parō. | … and now I’m preparing my things.

Quid habeō in capsā? | What do I have in the (suit)case?

Vestīmenta sānē … | Clothes, of course …

…etiam nōnnūllōs librōs portābō mēcum. | … I’ll also bring some books with me.

Quī sunt librī? | What are the books / Which books are they?

Librī ēvangeliōrum quattuor Iuvencī … | Juvencus's four books of the Gospels …

… ut semper cum itineror hunc librum portō mēcum … | … as I always bring this book with me when I’m travelling …

… Dē imitātiōne Chrīstī … | … concerning the imitation of Christ …

… Catēchismus Conciliī Tridentīnī. | … The Catechism of the Council of Trent.

Sānē in itinere nōn poterō perlegere hunc librum … | Of course I won’t be able to finish reading this book / read the whole book on the journey.

… sed fortasse nonullōs locōs animī causā legam … | … but perhaps I’ll read some / a few passages for the sake of enjoyment …

… et parvum Missāle. | … and a small missal.

Nunc cubitum eō. | I’m going to bed now.

In crāstinum. | See you tomorrow.

[1]

legō, -ere [3]: read

perlegere [3]: read through / to the end

per: as a preposition (+ accusative): means ‘through’ or ‘across’

per-: as a prefix conveys:

[i] with adjectives: very, e.g. magnus, -a, -um (large) > permagnus, -a, -um (very large)

[ii] with verbs: indicates that an action is carried out right to the end

permaneō [2]: stay until the end; Engl. deriv: permanent

perdiscō, -ere [3]: learn thoroughly; learn by heart

pernoctō, -āre [1]: spend the night (e.g. be / sleep somewhere through the entire night)

[2]

iter, itineris [3/n]: journey; (Mil.) march; Engl. deriv: itinerary

in itinere: on the journey

iter faciō, -ere [3-iō]: travel (make a journey); march

itineror, -ārī [1/deponent]: (Late Latin) travel

[3] cubitum eō | I’m going to bed [literally: I am going to lie down / sleep]

cubō, -āre [1]; perfect: cubuī; supine: cubitum

cubitum, the supine form of the verb, was actually discussed in the group very recently:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/1033721322572469

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/1033724789238789

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/1033723109238957

In this context, it is used with a verb of motion to indicate the purpose:

cubitum eō | I am going to sleep

A synonym also uses a supine: Dormītum eō. | I am going to sleep < dormiō, -īre [4], dormīvī, dormītum

[4] Quid habeō in capsā? | What do I have in the suitcase?

Vincent uses a Neo-Latin intepretation for the noun:

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/suitcase/

The Romans had a very wide range of terms to describe bags, just as we have today. However, they are rarely referred to, and it is sometimes tricky to picture the type of bag they are talking about.

Classical Latin capsa, -ae [1/f] can mean ‘case’ or ‘box’ but it was often used to mean a cylindrical holder for books – and it is depicted in a fresco [see image]. The diminutive form of capsa is capsula (a small box); English derivative: capsule.

A close examination of some words in their original context helps us to formulate some idea. This excerpt from Plautus gives three words in the same speech. Note that the character refers to viāticum, -ī [2/n]: travelling-money; provision for a journey

Nunc ībō in tabernam, [i] vāsa atque argentum tibi referam. rēctē est obsignātum in [ii] vīdulō [iii] marsūpium cum viāticō: id tibi iam hūc adferam.

• I’ll go to the inn now and bring you the bags and cash. Duly under seal in the bag is the wallet with the travelling money. I’ll bring it here to you directly.

[i] vāsa, -ōrum [2/n/pl]: while it most commonly occurs with the meaning of ‘vessels’ or ‘utensils’, it can also refer to baggage, i.e. a plural concept; a synonym is sarcīnae, -ārum [1/f/pl], again denoting more than one item of luggage 

[ii] vīdulus, -ī [2/m]; the noun refers to some form of large travelling case, sometimes defined as a portmanteau. Both here and in other contexts in Plautus, the term is a convincing rendering of our modern concept of a suitcase, and is also listed at the Neo-Latin Lexicon.

[iii] marsūpium, -ī [2/n]: the English derivative is marsupial referring to animals that bear their young in a pouch; a small pouch full of money, translated here as ‘wallet’ – and elsewhere as ‘purse’ – is a valid Neo-Latin rendering even if, in the ancient Roman period, such items did not look the same as they do now.

detail of a wall-painting from Pompeii: 1st c. CE

legal document on a sealed wax tablet next to a capsa holding 7 papyrus scrolls

01.04.27: Level 4; literature; Bread and panthers … without the panthers [2]; text, translation with accompanying notes to lines [1] – [5]

Scr. Romae iv Non. Sept. a. 703 (51). CAELIVS CICERONI S. ¦ M. CAELIUS RUFUS TO CICERO, Rome, 2^nd September, 51BC

[1] ferē litterīs omnibus tibi dē panthērīs scrīpsī. │ In almost every letter I have written to you about panthers.

[2] turpe tibi erit ¦ Patiscum Cūriōnī decem panthērās mīsisse, ¦ tē nōn multīs partibus plūrīs; │ It will be a disgrace to you ¦ that Patiscus has sent ten panthers to Curio, (and) ¦ that you haven’t (sent) many times more.

[i] mīsisse: to have sent; perfect active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/07/191025-level-3-spartan-boys-contempt-of.html

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/05/020925-level-3-sonnenschein-pro-patria.html

[ii] Patiscus: research suggests that Patiscus was an agent working locally for Caelius to obtain panthers and, most likely, other exotic animals

[iii] Curiō i.e. Gaius Scribonius Curio: Roman politician

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Scribonius_Curio_(tribune_50_BC)

[3] quās ipsās Cūriō mihi et aliās Āfricānās decem dōnāvit │ and these very ones (i.e. beasts), as well as ten other African ones, Curio has presented to me,

quās: connecting relative; it starts the sentence and is referring back to something mentioned in the previous one. Therefore, it does not translate as ‘which’ but ‘And these … (i.e. the animals referred to in the earlier statement)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/270625-level-3-labours-of-hercules-iii.html [note (3)]

[4]  … nē pūtēs ¦ illum tantum praedia rūstica dare scīre. │ so that you don’t think ¦ that he only knows how to give (gifts of) estates in the country

[i] nē + the subjunctive: the subjunctive is used to express the purpose of an action i.e. x does something ¦ in order that / so that y may happen; when nē is included, it indicates a negative purpose i.e. something is done ¦ so that something does not happen

[ii] …illum … scīre; indirect statement

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/05/310825-level-1-readings-18-damocles.html

[5] tū sī modo memoriā tenueris et Cibyrātās arcessieris itemque in Pamphȳliam litterās miseris (nam ibi plūrīs cāpī aiunt), quod volēs efficiēs. │ If only you keep (this) in mind / remember (this) [ = literally: if you will have kept in mind], and send for [ = will have sent for] some (panthers) from Cibyra, and likewise send [ = will have sent]  a letter to Pamphylia – for they say they’re mostly captured there – you’ll achieve what you want.

[i] Note in this section the use of the future perfect tense which emphasises the completion of a future action; in English the literal translation sounds clumsy, but English can convey this idea e.g. If you paint the dining room by Tuesday, we can have the party = If you’ve painted the dining room = If you’ve got the dining room painted … i.e. English can use a present perfect tense to stress completion, whereas Latin uses the future perfect:

[ii] item: likewise

[iii] Pamphȳlia, -ae [1/f]: a region in Asia Minor

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

image #1: 15^th century map showing Pamphylia

[iv] Cibyra, -ae [1/f]: a town in SE Asia Minor; also: Kibyra (Gk. Κίβυρα)

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

image #2: the Roman theatre of Cibyra; if the panthers had been there, I wouldn’t have booked a seat on the front row!

Images #3 and #4: the stadium at Cibyra and a representation of a gladiatorial scene

31.03.27: Level 4; literature; Bread and panthers … without the panthers [1]; text and translation

Caelius is worried. If you want to “get on” in Rome, if you want to climb the political ladder (cursus honōrum), keep the people happy. Give them bread, and give them free shows to let them see what a generous guy you are. Apart from gladiators, the Romans were treated to vēnātiōnes (hunting shows) where men (hunters: vēnātōrēs) would fight wild animals [see image]. The only problem is that, if you don’t have wild animals, you ain’t got no show!

The introduction to this excerpt is from Reading Latin by Jones and Sidwell (pp239ff); the translation, vocabulary and notes are my own. The extensive work by Jones and Sidwell is outstanding: they cover short and manageable excerpts from a wide range of Latin literature of different periods and genres; although there are three separate books, the ‘Text and Vocabulary’ can stand alone. Texts are accompanied by notes which contextualise the excerpts and, by working through the book (which starts with Plautus), you gain insight into significant events. I went through the book from start to finish, and I found it extremely helpful in beginning to find my way through the authors. I would recommend buying the latest edition of this book although an older, and far less detailed edition is at:

https://archive.org/details/jones-peter-sidwell-keith-reading-latin/mode/2up

Image: the text and my own translation

I’ve divided the post itself into three parts:

[i] text and translation

[ii] text, translation with accompanying notes to lines [1] – [5]

[iii] text, translation with accompanying notes to lines [6] – [10]

Links are given to aspects of Level 3 grammar that have been covered earlier. References will be made to the use of the subjunctive without, at this stage, going into detail.

“Caelius was elected curule aedile, an important step on the cursus honōrum. One of his new duties was to stage public games. Caelius became anxious about the animals to appear in the vēnātiōnes (wild animal hunts).  He was eager to increase his prestige by putting on an extravagant show. So he wrote to Cicero requesting help. He had already made several mentions of these animals in earlier letters.” (Jones and Sidwell)

Scr. Romae iv Non. Sept. a. 703 (51). CAELIVS CICERONI S.

ferē litterīs omnibus tibi dē panthērīs scrīpsī. turpe tibi erit Patiscum Cūriōnī decem panthērās mīsisse, tē nōn multīs partibus plūrīs; quās ipsās Cūriō mihi et aliās Āfricānās decem dōnāvit, nē putēs illum tantum praedia rūstica dare scīre. tū sī modo memoriā tenueris et Cibyrātās arcessieris itemque in Pamphȳliam litterās miseris (nam ibi plūrīs cāpī aiunt), quod volēs efficiēs. hoc vehementius labōrō nunc, quod seorsus ā collēgā putō mihi omnia paranda. amābō tē, imperā tibi hoc. cūrāre solēs libenter, ut ego maiōrem partem nihil cūrāre. in hōc negōtiō nūlla tua nisi loquendī cūra est, hoc est imperandī et mandandī; nam simulatque erunt captae, quī alant eās et dēportent habēs eōs… putō etiam, sī ūllam spem mihi litterīs ostenderis, mē istō missūrum aliōs.

M. CAELIUS RUFUS TO CICERO, Rome, 2^nd September, 51BC

I’ve written to you about panthers in almost every letter. You’ll find it disgraceful that Patiscus has sent ten panthers to Curio and you haven’t sent far, far more. And those very beasts, as well as ten others from Africa, Curio’s given to me as a gift, so you don’t think that he only knows how to give gifts of country estates. If only you bear this in mind, and send for some (panthers) from Cybyra, and likewise send a letter to Pamphylia –  for they say they’re mostly captured there – you’ll manage to do what you want. I’m getting increasingly concerned about this now, because, apart from my colleague, I think I’ll have to prepare everything. Please tell yourself to do this. You’re usually willing to take care of things, in the same way that I mostly take none. In this business all you have to do is speak, that is, give an order and a commission, for as soon as they’ve been captured, you have the men to feed and transport them .. If you offer me any hope in your letters, I even think I’ll send others to where you are.

30.03.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [3]: wheeled vehicles (3) currus [ii]

The divine status which the chariot could represent is illustrated by Ovid as he describes the chariot of the Sun. Phoebus has been warning Phaethon not to drive the sun chariot because the task is too dangerous. After finishing these warnings, he still reluctantly leads his son to the chariot.

[1] Fīnierat monitūs; dictīs tamen ille repugnat

• he had finished the warnings; but he (Phaeton) resists his words,

[2] prōpositumque premit flagratque cupīdine currūs.

• persists in his purpose, and burns with desire for the chariot.

[3-4] ergō, quā licuit, genitor cunctātus ad altōs / dēdūcit iuvenem, Vulcānia mūnera, currūs.

• Therefore, delaying as long as he could, the father leads the youth up to the lofty chariot, the gift of Vulcan.

[5-6] aureus axis erat, tēmō aureus, aurea summae / curvātūra rotae, radiōrum argenteus ordō;

• The axle was of gold, the pole of gold, the wheelrim of gold; the row of spokes of silver;

[7] per iuga chrȳsolithī positaeque ex ōrdine gemmae

• Chrysolites and gems placed along the yoke in order,

[8] clāra repercussō reddēbant lūmina Phoebō.

• gave a bright light from the reflected sun.

Note the following poetic features:

[i] metre: dactylic hexameter

(1) Fī-nĭ-ĕ | (2) rāt mŏ-nĭ- | (3) tūs; dīc- | (4) tīs tă-mĕn | (5) īl-lĕ rĕ- | (6) pūg-năt

(1) prō-pŏ-sĭ- | (2) tūm-quĕ prĕ- | (3) mīt flā- | (4) grātquĕ cŭ- | (5) pī-dĭ-nĕ | (6) cūr-rūs.

Dactylic hexameter comprises two possible rhythmic patterns:

[ — ◡ ◡ ]: dactyl; fī-nĭ-ĕ | rāt mŏ-nĭ- |

[ — — ]: spondee;  | -tūs; dīc- |

Each single pattern is known as a foot, six of which appear in a line, hence hexameter.

[ii] vowels lengthened by position:

Fī-nĭ-ĕ | rāt mŏ-nĭ- | tūs; dīc- | tīs tă-mĕn | īl-lĕ rĕ- | pūg-năt

prō-pŏ-sĭ- | tūm-quĕ prĕ- | mīt flā- | grātquĕ cŭ- | pī-dĭ-nĕ | cūrrūs.

Line 1: The /a/ of fīnierat is not naturally long, but in poetic metre, vowels are lengthened before 2 consonants:

fī-nĭ-ĕr- | āT Mŏ-nĭ - |

Similarly:

[l1] īL-Lĕ rĕ - |

[l2] prō-po-si-tūM-QUe

[l2] flā- | grāT-QUĕ cŭ-

[l7] gēM-Mae

[iii] elision: the vowel of -que is dropped before the vowel of the following word:

pēr iŭ-gă |  chrȳ-sŏ-lĭ- | thī pŏ-sĭ- | tāe-qu[e] ēx* | ōr-dĭ-nĕ |  gēm-māe | [*i.e. positaequ’ex]

[iv] poetic plurals: the use of a plural to refer to a singular noun is a feature of CL poetry, creating a more elevated tone

[ll3-4] ad altōs … currūs; the adjective clearly marks the noun as plural although only one chariot is being referred to

Compare line 2: flagratque cupīdine currūs where the same noun is being used as a genitive singular

flagratque cupīdine currūs | and burns with desire for the chariot.

[l4]: mūnera (rather than the singular mūnus)

[l8]: lūmina (rather than the singular lūmen)

As you explore Classical Latin poetry in greater depth, you will come across specific terms to describe poetic devices. There are many such terms and it is advisable to note them when they occur since they are consistently used. Two of them are in Line 5:

aureus axis erat, tēmō aureus, aurea summae / curvātūra rotae,

[i] asyndeton: the omission of conjunctions

[ii] polyptoton: words derived from the same root are used together i.e. aureus / aurea

Both features allow for a rapid accumulation of images, emphasising the quantity of gold and mirroring the way in which Phaeton’s eyes dart about upon seeing this treasure.

29.03.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [2]: wheeled vehicles (2) currus [i]

(1) Often reinforced by our contemporary movie makers, the image of the chariot epitomises velocity, volatility and power. However, it is an image that was already conveyed by Virgil:

saevit tōtō Mars impius orbe, | Wicked Mars rages throughout the whole world,

ut cum carceribus [i] sēsē effūdēre quadrīgae, |  just as when four-horse chariots have burst forth from the barriers,

addunt in spatia [ii], et frūstrā retinācula tendēns | they quicken their pace lap after lap, and, tugging vainly at the harnesses,

fertur equīs aurīga neque audit currus habēnās | the charioteer is swept along by the horses, nor does the chariot heed the reins.

currus, -ūs [4/m]: chariot

quadrīga, -ae [1/f]: chariot pulled by four horses

aurīga, -ae [1/m]: charioteer

Virgil associates the chariots and charioteers with the Circus Maximus:

[i] carcerēs: the enclosed starting stalls at the wide straight end of the Circus Maximus where each chariot team was held prior to the commencement of the race

[ii] spatium, -ī [2/n]: (here) one lap of a race; addunt in spatia is a compressed expression which would normally require a direct object such as gradum (pace) i.e. the horses are adding to the pace with every lap they run.

Note: alternating between ‘galloping’ dactyls [ — ◡ ◡ ] and ‘straining’ spondees [ — — ], the rhythm of the words in the final line literally mimics the erratic, terrifying speed of the runaway vehicle which the charioteer is attempting to control:

fēr-tŭr ĕ- | quīs āu- | rī-gă nĕ- | qu'āu-dīt | cūr-rŭs hă- | bē-nās

(2) The chariot is also associated with triumphal processions even if such processions were sometimes considered controversial. Here we have Livy’s description of the triumphant arrival of Camillus after the conquest of Veii in 396 BC in which he refers to the appearance of the chariot as a political flashpoint:

adventus quoque dictātōris omnibus ōrdinibus obviam effūsīs celebrātior quam ūllius unquam anteā fuit, triumphusque omnem cōnsuētum honōrandī diēī illīus modum aliquantum excessit. maximē cōnspectus ipse est, currū equīs albīs iūnctō urbem inuectus, parumque id nōn cīuīle modō sed hūmānum etiam vīsum. Iovis Solīsque equīs aequiperātum dictātōrem in religiōnem etiam trahēbant, triumphusque ob eam ūnam maximē rem clārior quam grātior fuit.

adventus quoque dictātōris 

• The arrival also of the dictator

omnibus ōrdinibus obviam effūsīs 

• with all classes having poured out to meet him

celebrātior quam ūllius unquam anteā fuit, 

• was more celebrated than that of anyone ever before,

triumphusque omnem cōnsuētum honōrandī diēī illīus modum aliquantum excessit. 

• and his triumph considerably exceeded the entire customary manner of honoring that day.

maximē cōnspectus ipse est, 

• He himself was the object of greatest attention

currū equīs albīs iūnctō urbem invectus, 

• borne into the city by a chariot yoked to white horses,

parumque id nōn cīvīle modō sed hūmānum etiam vīsum. 

• And it seemed not only uncharacteristic of a citizen but even a mortal man

Iovis Sōlīsque equīs aequiperātum dictātōrem in religiōnem etiam trahēbant, 

• They also interpreted it as an offense against religion that the dictator was made equal to the horses of Jupiter and the Sun,

triumphusque ob eam ūnam maximē rem clārior quam grātior fuit. 

• and for that one reason above all, the triumph was more spectacular than it was pleasing.

Triumph of Furius Camillus: Francesco Salviati (1545)

28.03.27: Level 3; ACL/NJCL; 2016; Latin II (iv); Questions [20] – [29]; answers

20. Which number on the map indicates a Roman province acquired as a result of the First Punic War?

A) 1: Sicily

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

21. What is the Latin word for the universal color of a stop sign?

C) ruber: red

07.03.24: colour adjectives

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/070324-colour-adjectives.html

22. In classical mythology, which hero and monster do not encounter each other?

B) Theseus and the Chimaera

[i] Theseus slew the Minotaur; [ii] the Chimaera was slain by Bellerophon

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

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

[ii] Bellerophon and the Chimaera

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology)

[iii] Hercules and Cerberus

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

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

[iv] Odysseus (Ulysses) and the Cyclops (Polyphemus)

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

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

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

[v] Perseus and Medusa (the Gorgon)

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

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

23. Take your time and think about the irrevocable decision you are about to make!

D) unalterable

ir-re-voc-able, derived from Latin:

irrevocābilis [ir¦re¦vocā¦bilis]

vocō, -āre [1]: call

revōco, -āre [1]: recall; call back

in-  [ir- before a word beginning with /r/]: creates the opposite meaning of the root word e.g. English in- / un-

-bilis: -(a)ble

Therefore, an irrevocable decision is one that cannot be ‘called back’ / withdrawn / changed

24. With too much work for one person to do, each committee member took a task. This is an example of

D) divide et impera

dīvide et imperā

Imperative forms of:

dīvidō, -ere [3]: divide

imperō, -āre [1]: rule; command

“Divide and rule / conquer” is the English expression that can refer to the division of a large task (or problem) into smaller and more manageable tasks so that the initial task can be more easily performed. However, it far more commonly occurs in a negative sense: to create political divisions amongst opponents in order to maintain one’s own control.

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

25. If your teacher says, “Ī, discipule, ad tabulam et scrībe nōmen tuum,” what should you do?

A) Go to the board and write your name.

Imperative forms:

ī (sg.) / īte (pl.) < eō, īre [irreg.]: go

scrībe (sg.) / scrībite (pl.) < scrībō, -ere [3]: write

26. With what common Roman activity are strigilēs, unguentum, and tepidārium associated?

B) public bathing

[i]

caldārium, tepidārium, frīgidārium: parts of a Roman bath house that provide different water temperatures

strigilis: the scraper used to remove dirt and sweat from the body

19.04.24: bath time!

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/190424-bath-time.html

unguentum, -ī [2/m]: ointment; perfume

27. “Diēs est calidus” is an appropriate response to

C) Quaenam tempestās est?

tempestās, -ātis [3/f]; the noun can refer to:

[i] time

[ii] weather (good or bad)

[iii] a storm

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/topic%3A%20weather

quisnam, quaenam, quidnam? | what?

28. Who is the hero associated with the Golden Fleece and Medea?

C) Jason

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medea#Jason_and_Medea

29. What Roman leader invaded Britain and Germany in 55 B.C. and spent a number of years in Gaul?

B) Gaius Julius Caesar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar%27s_invasions_of_Britain

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

Jason recovering the Golden Fleece; Pierre Blanchard (1803)

Bellerophon and Pegasus fighting the Chimera; Nicolas Langlois (1655)

23.08.26: "Come on, it's the right answer, isn’t it?"

The answers to these two questions involve Latin words which generally occur at the early stages:

• argentum, -ī [2/n]: silver
• aurum, -ī [2/n]: gold

However, it is interesting to “explore”, to look at the other words that were options and to note some, at times, uncommon derivatives:

Video #1

The four options: copper, gold, silver, tin

[1]

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

• aēneus, -a, -um, or aereus, -a,  -um: (made of) copper / bronze

[ii] cuprum, -ī [2/n] (Late Latin): copper

• cupreus, -a, -um: (made of) copper

[2] aurum, -ī [2/n]: gold

• aureus, -a, -um: (made of) gold

[3] argentum, -ī [2/n]: silver

• argenteus, -a, -um: (made of) silver

[4] stannum, -ī [2/n]: [i] “an alloy of silver with lead, used for plating bronze”; [ii] tin

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

• stanneus, -a, -um: (made of / coated with) tin

Note:

[i] -eus: used to create adjectives from nouns, mainly referring to the material from which the object is made or covered:

ferrum, -ī [2/n]: iron > ferreus, -a, -um

marmor, -is [3/n]: marble > marmoreus, -a, -um

plumbum, -ī [2/n]: lead > plumbeus, -a, -um

[ii] derivatives, especially in chemical terms:

cupric: relating to copper

auric: relating to gold

argentine: relating to silver; Fr. argent (money; silver)

stannic / stannous: relating to tin

‘gold’, ‘silver’ and ‘tin’ are all of Germanic origin. Again, we have the co-existence of Latin terms with narrow / specialised meanings, and Germanic words that are more commonly used.

The exception is copper, contracted from La: (1) aes (copper) + (2) Cyprium, referring to Cyprus [Κύπρος / Kŭpros], a principal source of copper during the Bronze Age.

Video #2

Au = aurum, -ī [2/n]: gold

Ag = argentum, -ī [2/n]: silver

Pt = platīnum, -ī [2/n]: (Neo-Latin) platinum

Ti = tītānium, -ī [2/n]: (Neo-Latin) titanium

1.03.26: Describing objects [1]; metals (i); Comenius XI (1658); Metals

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/210326-describing-objects-1-metals-i.html

27.03.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [11] (1)

CȲRUS (1)

Ōlim in Lȳdiā rēgnābat rēx, Croesus nōmine, inter omnēs gentēs propter dīvitiās nōtus. Lȳdia Asiae regiō erat, Persiae fīnitima. Nec procul, trāns mare Aegaeum, Graecī incolēbant. Deōs Graecōs adōrābat Croesus, et saepe ad ōrāculum Delphicum dōna pretiōsissima mittēbat; aurum argentumque aliāsque rēs pretiōsissimās mittēbat, nam omnium rēgum erat dīvitissimus.

Itaque Graecī Croesum amābant, et saepe viātōrēs ad Lȳdiae ōram nāvigābant. Inter viātōrēs forte Solōn, vir sapientissimus, ad Croesī hospitium vēnit. Sapientior erat quam omnēs patriae suae cīvēs. Ubi dīvitiās Croesī et omnēs rēs pulcherrimās laudāvit, tum Croesus, "Ō hospes," inquit, "nōnne mē omnium hominum beātissimum vocās? Nōnne ego beātior sum quam omnēs patriae tuae cīvēs?"

Sed Solōn, "Ō Croese," respondit, "Hodiē sine dubiō beātus es; ōlim tamen fortasse cūrae gravissimae tē vexābunt. Nēminem, adhūc vīvum, beātum vocō.

Croesus, -ī [2/m]: Croesus, king of Lydia

Cyrus, -ī [2/m]: Cyrus, king of Persia

Lydia, -ae [1/f]: Lydia, a district of Asia Minor

Persia, -ae [1/f]: Persia

Solon, -onis [3/m]: Solon, an Athenian

[i]

argentum, -ī [2/n]: silver

aurum, -ī [2/n]: gold

cūra, -ae [1/f]: care

dīvitiae, -ārum [1/f pl.]: riches

viātor, -ōris [3/m]: traveller

[ii]

beātus, -a, -um: happy, prosperous

gravis, -e: heavy, grievous

sapiēns, -entis: wise

vīvus, -a, -um: alive, living

[iii]

respondeō, -ēre [2]: reply

vexō, -āre [1]: trouble, harass

[iv]

quam: than, how

____________________

Once upon a time in Lydia there ruled a king named Croesus, known among all nations because of his wealth. Lydia was a region of Asia bordering on Persia. Not far away, across the Aegean Sea, the Greeks lived. Croesus worshipped the Greek gods, and often sent very valuable gifts to the Delphic oracle; he sent gold and silver and other very valuable things, for he was the richest of all kings.

Therefore the Greeks were fond of Croesus, and travellers often sailed to the coast of Lydia. Among these travellers, by chance, came Solon, a very wise man, to the house of Croesus. He was wiser than all the citizens of his own country. When he had praised the wealth of Croesus and all his beautiful possessions, Croesus then said:

"O guest, do you not call me the happiest of all men? Am I not happier than all the citizens of your country?"

But Solon replied:

"O Croesus, today you are undoubtedly happy; one day, however, very serious troubles may perhaps afflict you. I call no one happy while he is still alive."