07.12.25: The most haunting image from Rome …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Match the English and the Latin:

[i] He says that the man is coming.

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

[iii] He said that the man was coming.

[iv] He says that the man will come.

[v] He said that the man had come.

[vi] He said that the man would come.

Dīxit virum ventūrum esse.

Dīxit virum venīre.

Dīcit virum vēnisse.

Dīcit virum venīre.

Dīxit virum vēnisse.

Dīcit virum ventūrum esse.

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

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

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

[B]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Direct statement > Indirect statement

An indirect statement comprises three parts:

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

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

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

[a] with the present active infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

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

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[ii]

Direct statement

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

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[iii]

Direct statement

“(Rōmānī) prīncipātum tōtīus Galliae obtinēre volunt.”

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[b] with the perfect active infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

“Rōmānī autem magnam partem Galliae iam superāvērunt.”

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[ii]

Direct statement

“Glōria bellī et fortitūdinis quondam fuit maxima”

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[c] with the future active infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

“Glōria bellī et fortitūdinis … mox minima erit.”

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[ii]

Direct statement

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

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[iii]

Direct statement

“Rōmānī fortasse ab itinere nōs prohibēre temptābunt.”

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[iv]

Direct statement

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

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[d] with the present passive infinitive

[i]

Direct statement

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

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[ii]

Direct statement

“Helvētiī undique flūminibus montibusque continentur.”

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

> Indirect statement

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

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

[e] with the perfect passive infinitive

[i]

“Multae nātiōnēs autem ab Helvetiīs victae sunt.”

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

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

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

[ii]

“Exercitus Rōmānus quidem ab eīs quondam victus est.”       

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

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

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

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

The vocabulary lists the names of the planets and the gods:

Mercurius, -ī [2/m]

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

Venus, Veneris [3/f]

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

Terra, -ae [1/f]

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

Mārs, Mārtis [3/m]

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

Iuppiter, Iovis [3/m]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_(god)             

Sāturnus, -ī [2/m]

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

Ūranus, -ī [2/m]

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

Neptūnus, -ī [2/m]

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

23.02.26: Level 2 / 3; Comenius; Celestial Sphere; Vocabulary List (1)

sōl, -is [3/m]: sun           

• sōlāris, -e: (of / pertaining to the) sun; solar

lūna, -ae [1/f]: moon    

• lūnāris, -e:  (of / pertaining to the) moon; lunar

stēlla, -ae [1/f]: star

• stēlla fīxa / inerrāns: fixed star (star that is not wandering)
• stēllāris, -e: (of / pertaining to a) star; stellar
• stēllātus, -a, -um: starry; filled with stars

sīdus, -eris [3/n]: star; constellation

astrum, -ī [2/n]: star; constellation

astronomia, -ae [1/f]: astronomy           

• mōtus, -ūs [4/m] sīderum (astrōrum): motion / movement of the stars

astrologia, -ae [1/f]

• effectus, -ūs [4/m] sīderum (astrōrum): effect of the stars

zodiacus, -ī [2/m]: zodiac          

• signum, -ī [2/n] zodiacī : sign of the zodiac

comētēs, -ae [1/m]; comēta, -ae [1/m]: comet               

stēlla, -ae [1/f] crīnīta: comet

planēta, -ae [1/f]: planet

• stēlla, -ae [1/f] errāns: wandering star

22.02.26: Level 2; Vincent (Latin Reader); XLII / XLIII; [1] A Surprise Attack by the British; [2] the Submission of the Trinobantes (ii) grammar review

[1] A Surprise Attack by the British

Posterō diē hostēs, quī procul ā castrīs erant in collibus, nostrōs equitēs proeliō lacessere incipiēbant. Tempore merīdiānō, ubi Caesar trēs legiōnēs et omnēs equitēs cum Gāiō Trebōniō, lēgātō, frūmentī causā mīserat, illī subitō in pābulātōrēs impetum fēcērunt. Sed nostrī ācriter resistēbant atque magnum numerum illōrum necāvērunt et cēterōs fugāvērunt. Hāc ex fugā auxilia, quae omnibus ex partibus convēnerant ad hostēs, discessērunt nec post illud tempus hostēs cum omnibus cōpiīs contrā nostrōs contendērunt.

[2] the Submission of the Trinobantes

Inde Trinobantēs, prope firmissima illārum regiōnum cīvitās, lēgātōs ad Caesarem dē pāce mīsērunt atque sē Caesarī dedērunt. Ex hāc cīvitāte Mandubracius, fīlius rēgis, ad Caesarem in Galliam vēnerat. Caesar multōs obsidēs et frūmentum imperat atque Mandubracium ad illōs mittit. Illī imperāta faciunt atque obsidēs ad numerum et frūmentum mittunt. Inde gentēs multae lēgātōs dē pāce mittunt atque sē Caesarī dant.

The questions refer to either of the two texts

[i] Give the nominative singular of the following nouns

diē

gentēs

obsidēs

pāce

regiōnum

rēgis

[ii] Identify the case of the words in bold and explain why it is being used:

(1) tempore merīdiānō

(2) cum Gāiō Trebōniō, lēgātō

(3) frūmentī causā

(4) prope firmissima illārum regiōnum cīvitās

(5) sē Caesarī dant

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

(1) convēnerant

(2) dedērunt

(3) discessērunt

(4) fēcērunt

(5) incipiēbant

(6) mīserat

____________________

[i]

diē < diēs

gentēs < gēns

obsidēs < obses

pāce < pāx

regiōnum < regiō

rēgis < rēx

[ii]

(1) ablative of time when

(2) ablative of accompaniment │ noun in apposition i.e. two nouns are in the same case; cum [i] Gāiō Trebōniō, ¦ lēgātō

(3) genitive with causā (+ gen.) for the sake of

(4) genitive (plural): relative superlative refers to when the superlative is used in relation to something else e.g. the bravest of (all) the soldiers

05.12.24: level 2; degrees of comparison [17]; the superlative (4); relative superlative

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/10/051224-level-2-degrees-of-comparison-17.html

prope firmissima illārum regiōnum cīvitās │ nearly the strongest tribe of those regions

(5) dative; indirect object

[iii]

(1) convēnerant < conveniō

(2) dedērunt < dō

(3) discessērunt < discedō

(4) fēcērunt < faciō

(5) incipiēbant < incipiō

(6) mīserat < mittō

21.02.26: Level 1; Carolus et Maria [25][ii] comprehension (1)

[1] Paucīs ante diēbus Carolus et Maria rēgem vīdērunt. Mox iterum laetī erunt quod nāviculam poētae vidēre poterunt. Haec est in flūmine parvō sed nōn est prope Rōmam. Itaque hanc urbem relinquere necesse est. Post tempus longum Americānī flūmen parvum vident. Prope rīpam flūminis est nāvicula, parva sed nōn angusta. Magna nāvis nōn est. Paucī ūnō tempore in nāviculā sedēre possunt. Sine morā omnēs viam relinquunt et ad rīpam properant.

[1] Comprehension

[i] Carolus and Maria saw the king …

[A] for a few days

[B] a few days later

[C] a few days earlier

[ii] Carolus and Maria …

[A] were soon able to see the small boat

[B] will soon be able to see the small boat

[C] can see the small boat again

[iii] The little boat …

[A] is in a big river

[B] in a small river near Rome

[C] in a river far from Rome

[iv] Carolus and Maria …

[A] need to leave the city

[B] have left the city

[C] are now leaving the city

[v] The Americans …

[A] soon see a small river

[B] see the river after a long time

[C] see a long river

[vi] Near the river is …

[A] a small, wide boat

[B] a small, narrow boat

[C] a big ship

[vii] At the same time …

[A] many people …

[B] one person …

[C] few people …

… can sit in the boat

[viii] Which two words / phrases in the last sentence tell you that they are eager to get on the boat?

[2] Vesper est. Undique sunt rēs pulchrae. Ibi ānserēs natant et clāmōrēs eōrum audīrī possunt. Aliō in locō sunt nāvēs. In mediō flūmine sunt saxa in quibus paucī puerī sedent. Eī diū natāvērunt et nunc corpora eōrum sunt dēfessa. Homō quī in rīpā stat est pater ūnīus puerī. Omnēs puerōs convocat. Post tergum praemium habet. Quis hoc accipiet?

[2] Comprehension

[i] What time of day is it? (1)

[ii] What can be seen everywhere? (1)

[iii] What are the geese doing? (1)

[iv] What can be heard? (1)

[v] Where are the ships? (1)

[vi] Translate: In mediō flūmine sunt saxa in quibus paucī puerī sedent. Eī diū natāvērunt et nunc corpora eōrum sunt dēfessa. (6)

[vii] Where is the man standing and who is he? (2)

[viii] Which is the correct statement?

[A] All the boys call him

[B] He calls one of the boys

[C] He calls all the boys

[ix] Which is the correct statement?

[A] We know which boy will receive the reward

[B] He doesn’t let them see the reward

[C] The man shows the boys the reward

____________________

[1]

[i] [C] a few days earlier; paucīs ante diēbus

[ii] [B] will soon be able to see the small boat; vidēre poterunt

[iii] [C] in a river far from Rome; nōn est prope Rōmam

[iv] [A] need to leave the city; urbem relinquere necesse est

[v] [B] see the river after a long time; post tempus longum … vident

[vi] [A] a small, wide boat; nāvicula, parva sed nōn angusta

[vii] [C] few (people) …; paucī … sedēre possunt

[viii] sine morā │ without delay; properant │ they hurry / rush

[2]

[i] evening

[ii] beautiful things

[iii] swimming

[iv] their cries i.e. the cries of the geese

[v] in another place

[vi] (1) In the middle (2) of the river (3) (there) are rocks (4) on which a few boys are sitting. (5) They swam / have swum for a long time and (6) now their bodies are tired.

[vii] (1) on the river bank (2) father ¦ of one boy; pater ¦ ūnīus puerī

[viii] [C] he calls ¦ all the boys; omnēs puerōs ¦ convocat.

[ix] [B] He doesn’t let them see the reward; post tergum praemium habet │ he has the reward behind his back

20.02.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [25] Review; the Road to Latin; Unit 44 (1); Dē Orgetorīge I

This text reviews indirect statement by first presenting the information as direct speech [A] and then showing how this is changed to indirect statement / reported speech in [B]

Vocabulary

coniūrātiō, coniūrātiōnis [3/f]: [i] conspiracy [ii] (here) alliance, league

dēferō, dēferre, dētulī, dēlātus: to carry down; report

difficultās, difficultātis [3/f]: difficulty, trouble

fortitūdō, fortitūdinis [3/f]: bravery, courage

nātūra, -ae [1/f]: nature, character

• nātūra locī: natural features; topography

nōbilitās, nōbilitātis [3/f]: nobility, the nobles

ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis [3/f]: speech

• ōrātiōnem habēre: to make a speech

prīncipātus, -ūs  [4/m]: leadership; supremacy; the first place

quondam: formerly, once

sine dubiō: doubtless

spērō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus [1]: to hope, expect

DĒ ORGETORĪGE I

Apud Helvētiōs Orgetorīx est prīnceps longē nōbilissimus et potentissimus. Is, rēgnī cupiditāte adductus, coniūrātiōnem nōbilitātis facit. Cuius coniūrātiōnis dux esse vult. Ad nōbilēs hanc ōrātiōnem habet:

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

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

[A] What Orgetorix actually says i.e. direct statement / direct speech

(1) “Cīvitās Helvētia, nostra patria, locī nātūrā continētur.

(2) Helvētiī undique flūminibus montibusque continentur. 

(3) Helvētiī, hominēs maximae audāciae, sunt bellī cupidī, sed (4) propter angustōs fīnēs fīnitimīs bellum nōn facile īnferre possunt.

(5) Glōria bellī et fortitūdinis quondam fuit maxima sed (6) mox minima erit.

(7) Helvētiī sine difficultāte dē fīnibus suīs exīre et lātiōrēs finēs petere possunt.

(8) Sīc fīnēs sibi magis idōneōs obtinēbunt.

(9) Rōmānī autem magnam partem Galliae iam superāvērunt.

(10) Prīncipātum tōtīus Galliae obtinēre volunt.

(11) Rōmānī fortasse ab itinere nōs prohibēre temptābunt.

(12) Multae nātiōnēs autem ab Helvetiīs victae sunt.

(13) Exercitus Rōmānus quidem ab eīs quondam victus est.

(14) Sine dubiō cōpiae Helvētiōrum eum iterum vincent.”

[1]

Which of the direct statements (1) – (14) above refers to:

_____ a great part of Gaul already conquered

_____ eager for war

_____ former glory in war

_____ glory will soon be very small

_____ hope for Helvetian victory

_____ inability to make war easily

_____ limited / contained by natural features  

_____ many nations conquered

_____ obtaining leadership / supremacy of all Gaul

_____ obtaining more suitable territories

_____ possible attempts to prevent the journey

_____ Roman army once conquered

_____ seeking wider territory

_____ surrounded by rivers and mountains

Alius Helvētius, frāter Orgetorīgis, Rōmānīs amīcus, hanc ōrātiōnem audit et Caesarī dēfert:

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

[B] What Orgetorix is reported as saying i.e. indirect statement / reported speech

Orgetorīx dīcit ¦ cīvitātem Helvētiam locī nātūrā continēri.

Dēmōnstrat ¦ Helvētiōs undique flūminibus et montibus continērī.

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

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

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

Dīcit ¦ Rōmānōs ipsōs magnam partem Galliae iam superāvisse et prīncipātum tōtius Galliae obtinēre velle.

Putat ¦ Rōmānōs fortasse eōs ab itinere prohibēre temptātūrōs esse.

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

Spērat ¦ cōpiās Helvētiōrum Rōmānōs iterum victūrās esse.

[B]

[1] Find the Latin:

[i] he asserts

[ii] he hopes

[iii] he knows

[iv] he says

[v] he shows

[vi] he tells / recounts

[vii] he thinks

[2] Put the following infinitives under the appropriate heading of:

(a) present active

(b) perfect active

(c) future active

(d) present passive

(e) perfect passive

continēri

esse

fuisse

futūram esse

obtentūrōs esse

posse

superāvisse

temptātūrōs esse

velle

victās esse

victum esse

victūrās esse

[3] Underline the subject accusative of the following indirect statements:

[i] Orgetorīx dīcit cīvitātem Helvētiam locī nātūrā continēri.

[ii] Dēmōnstrat Helvētiōs undique flūminibus et montibus continērī.

[iii] Nōbilibus nostrīs nārrat eōrum glōriam bellī et fortitūdinis fuisse maximam

[iv] Dīcit Rōmānōs ipsōs magnam partem Galliae iam superāvisse

[v] 2 subject accusatives: Scit autem multās nātiōnēs ab Helvētiīs victās esse et exercitum Rōmānum quidem ab eīs quondam victum esse.

[vi] Spērat cōpiās Helvētiōrum Rōmānōs iterum victūrās esse.

____________________

[A]

[1]

a great part of Gaul already conquered (9)

eager for war (3)

former glory in war (5)

glory will soon be very small (6)

hope for Helvetian victory (14)

inability to make war easily (4)

limited by natural features (1)

many nations conquered (12)

obtaining leadership / supremacy of all Gaul (10)

obtaining more suitable territories (8)

possible attempts to prevent the journey (11)

Roman army once conquered (13)

seeking wider territory (7)

surrounded by rivers and mountains (2)

[B]

[1]

[i] he confirms: cōnfirmat

[ii] he hopes: spērat

[iii] he knows: scit

[iv] he says: dīcit

[v] he shows: dēmōnstrat

[vi] he tells / recounts: nārrat

[vii] he thinks: putat

[2]

[3]

[i] Orgetorīx dīcit cīvitātem Helvētiam locī nātūrā continēri.

[ii] Dēmōnstrat Helvētiōs undique flūminibus et montibus continērī.

[iii] Nōbilibus nostrīs nārrat eōrum glōriam bellī et fortitūdinis fuisse maximam

[iv] Dīcit Rōmānōs ipsōs magnam partem Galliae iam superāvisse

[v] Scit autem (1) multās nātiōnēs ab Helvētiīs victās esse et (2) exercitum Rōmānum quidem ab eīs quondam victum esse.

[vi] Spērat cōpiās Helvētiōrum Rōmānōs iterum victūrās esse.

Translation of [B]

Orgetorix says that the Helvetian state is confined by natural features.

He shows that the Helvetians are surrounded on all sides by rivers and mountains.

He asserts that the Helvetians—people of the greatest boldness—are eager for war, but because of their narrow borders they are not able to wage war easily on their neighbours.

He tells our nobles that their glory of war and bravery had once been very great, but soon will be very small.

He thinks that the Helvetians can, without difficulty, depart from their own borders and seek wider territories; and thus they will obtain territories more suitable for themselves.

He says that the Romans themselves have already conquered a large part of Gaul and wish to obtain the leadership of all Gaul.

He thinks that the Romans will perhaps try to prevent them from their journey.

He knows, however, that many nations have been conquered by the Helvetians and that the Roman army indeed was once defeated by them.

He hopes that the forces of the Helvetians will defeat the Romans again.

20.02.26: Level 3; Celestial Sphere: [4] Feng-Shui, Roman style: Columella

Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, 1^st century AD Roman writer on agriculture: Dē rē rūsticā (12 books)

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

https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/e/roman/texts/columella/de_re_rustica/1*.html

[1] Modus autem membrōrumque numerus aptētur ūniversō cōnsaeptō et dīvidātur in trēs partēs, urbāna, rūsticam, frūctuāriam

The size of the villa and the number of its parts should be proportioned to the whole enclosure, and it should be divided into three groups: the villa urbana⁠ [house in the city], the villa rustica⁠ [house in the country; ‘farmhouse’], and the villa fructuaria [literally: pertaining to fruit; here: storehouse].

• cōnsaeptum, -ī [2/n]: enclosure; also: fence, hedge
• frūctuārius, -a, -um: (pertaining to) fruit; fruitful
• rūsticus, -a, -um: (pertaining to the) countryside; rural;
• urbānus, -a, -um: (pertaining to a) city

[2] Urbāna rūrsus in hībernācula⁠ et aestīva sīc dīgerātur ut spectent hiemālis temporis cubicula brūmālem orientem, cēnātiōnēs aequinoctiālem occidentem.

The   manor house should be divided in turn into winter apartments and summer apartments, in such a way that the winter bedrooms [lit: of the winter season / time] may face the sunrise at the winter,⁠ and the (winter) dining-room face the sunset at the equinox.

[i]

aestīva (cubicula): winter bedrooms

brūmālis, -e: winter; winter solstice

hībernaculum, -ī [2/n]: winter quarters

hiemālis, -e: winter

[ii]

(1)

occidēns, -entis [3/m]: sunset; west (or as participle: setting)

oriēns, -entis [3/m]: sunrise (or as participle: rising)

(2)

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

obitus, -ūs [4/m]: setting

occāsus, -ūs [4/m]: setting

Sapientēs antīquī sōlis et lūnae reliquōrumque sīderum ortūs, obitūs, mōtūsque cognōscere voluērunt.

The wise men of old wished to know the risings, settings, and movements of the sun, the moon, and the other stars.

[3] Rūrsus aestīva cubicula⁠ spectent merīdiem aequinoctiālem, sed cēnātiōnēs eiusdem temporis prōspectent hībernum orientem.

The summer bedrooms, on the other hand, should look toward the midday sun at the time of the equinox,⁠ but the dining-rooms of that season should look toward the rising sun of winter.⁠

[4] Balneāria occidentī aestīvō advertantur, ut sint post merīdiem et usque in vesperum inlūstria.

The baths should face the setting sun of summer,⁠ that they may be bright after midday and up to evening.

• inlūstris / illūstris, -e: bright, shining

[5] Ambulātiōnēs merīdiānō aequinoctiālī subiectae sint, ut et⁠ hieme plūrimum sōlis et aestāte minimum recipiant.

The promenades should be exposed to the midday sun at the equinox, so as to receive both the maximum of sun in winter and the minimum in summer.

• ambulātiō, -iōnis [3/f]: [i] a walk / stroll; [ii] a place for walking, promenade

19.02.26: Level 2; Vincent (Latin Reader); XLII / XLIII; [1] A Surprise Attack by the British; [2] the Submission of the Trinobantes (i) comprehension

[1] A Surprise Attack by the British

Posterō diē hostēs, quī procul ā castrīs erant in collibus, nostrōs equitēs proeliō lacessere incipiēbant. Tempore merīdiānō, ubi Caesar trēs legiōnēs et omnēs equitēs cum Gāiō Trebōniō, lēgātō, frūmentī causā mīserat, illī subitō in pābulātōrēs impetum fēcērunt. Sed nostrī ācriter resistēbant atque magnum numerum illōrum necāvērunt et cēterōs fugāvērunt. Hāc ex fugā auxilia, quae omnibus ex partibus convēnerant ad hostēs, discessērunt nec post illud tempus hostēs cum omnibus cōpiīs contrā nostrōs contendērunt.

pabulātor, -ōris [3/m]: forager

hāc ex fugā: after this rout

[1] Comprehension

[i] When did the incident happen? (1)

[ii] Where were the enemy? (2)

[iii] What did they start to do? (2)

[iv] Who is Gaius Trebonius? (1)

[v] What had Caesar sent him to do? (1)

[vi] At what time did the enemy attack? (1)

[vii] Who did they attack? (1)

[viii] How did the Romans react? (3)

[ix] Where had the auxiliary troops come from? (1)

[x] What did the auxiliary troops do after the enemy had fled?

[2] the Submission of the Trinobantes

Inde Trinobantēs, prope firmissima illārum regiōnum cīvitās, lēgātōs ad Caesarem dē pāce mīsērunt atque sē Caesarī dedērunt. Ex hāc cīvitāte Mandubracius, fīlius rēgis, ad Caesarem in Galliam vēnerat. Caesar multōs obsidēs et frūmentum imperat atque Mandubracium ad illōs mittit. Illī imperāta faciunt atque obsidēs ad numerum et frūmentum mittunt. Inde gentēs multae lēgātōs dē pāce mittunt atque sē Caesarī dant.

ad numerum: to the required number

[2] Comprehension

[i] The Trinobantes were:

[A] the strongest of all the tribes; [B] nearly the strongest tribe; [C] a very strong tribe

[ii] What would be the most fluent way of translating the following extract, particularly avoiding literal translations of the phrases in bold: lēgātōs ad Caesarem dē pāce mīsērunt atque sē Caesarī dedērunt (3)

[iii] Mandubracius:

[A] went to see Caesar’s son; [B] had come from Gaul to see Caesar; [C] had gone to Gaul to see Caesar

[iv] What did Caesar demand? (2)

[v] What phrase tells you that Caesar’s demands were carried out exactly? (1)

Illī imperāta faciunt atque obsidēs ad numerum et frūmentum mittunt.

[vi] How do we know that other tribes accepted defeat? (3)

____________________

[1]

[i] on the following day

[ii] (1) in the hills; (2) far / at distance from the camp

[iii] (1) provoke the cavalry (2) to fight / battle

[iv] tribune / lieutenant

[v] get / gather grain

[vi] midday

[vii] foragers

[viii] (1) resisted fiercely; (2) killed a large number of the enemy; (3) put the rest to flight

[ix] from all parts (directions)

[x] (1) departed; (2) afterwards / after that time enemy did not advance; (3) against the Romans; (4) with all their forces

[2]

[i] [B] nearly the strongest tribe │ prope firmissima illārum regiōnum cīvitās

[ii] (1) They sent ambassadors to Caesar (2) [literally: about / concerning peace] to discuss peace (3) and [literally: gave themselves] surrendered (themselves) to Caesar.

[iii] [C] had gone to Gaul to see Caesar │ ad Caesarem in Galliam vēnerat

[iv] (1) many hostages; grain │ multōs obsidēs et frūmentum (imperat)

[v] ad numerum │ to the required number

[vi] (1) many tribes sent envoys (2) to discuss peace; (3) surrendered to Caesar