11.06.27: Level 1-2 (review); Julia (a Latin Reader) [16] (1)

HECTOR ET ANDROMACHĒ

Inter Troiānōs quī tot annōs urbem suam contrā Graecōs dēfendēbant, erat Hector, omnium rēgis fīliōrum fortissimus, et Priamō patrī cārissimus. Hic ā cīvibus suīs maximē amābātur et in summō honōre habēbātur.

Vehementer ā Graecīs timēbātur, ubi ex urbīs portīs ad proelium ruēbat, aut ignibus īnfēstīs hostium nāvēs vastābat. Cottīdiē Troiānī ad arma ab Hectore incitābantur; cottīdiē cīvium animī ad fortia facta firmābantur. Saepe cum Hectore ā proeliō victōrēs revertērunt.

Andromachē, Hectoris uxor, cum virō fīliolōque in rēgiā habitābat. Nūlla ex omnibus Troiānīs mulier magis virum suum amābat, aut virī amōre dignior erat. Ōlim Hector, ad proelium ōrnātus, ē viā in rēgiam vēnit. Andromachē vultū laetō virum salūtāvit et ancillam vocāvit, quae fīliolum in sinū tenēbat. Deinde Hector bracchia ad puerum porrēxit. Sed puer, ubi cristam rubram vīdit, quae ex patris galeā horrēbat, perterritus est, nec ad patrem venīre audēbat, sed multīs lacrimīs in ancillae sinū haerēbat.

Tum vērō Hector, vir maximus, fīliō rīsit, et galeam terribilem humī dēposuit, et bracchia iterum ad fīlium porrēxit. Hic nōn iam perterritus est, sed rīsit, et patris collō bracchia parvula dedit.

XLVI

ancilla, -ae [1/f]: handmaid

Andromachē, -ae [1/f]: Andromache, wife of Hector

audeō, -ēre, ausus sum [2]: dare

dēpōnō, -ere, dēposuī, dēpositus [3]: put down

dignus, -a, -um: worthy; … aut virī amōre [+ ablative] dignior erat | … or was more worthy of the love of a husband

fīliolus, -ī [2/m]: little son

haereō, -ēre, haesī, haesum [2]: stick, cling

Hector, -oris [3/m]: Hector, the bravest of the Trojans

infestus, -a, -um: hostile, dangerous

magis: more

Priamus, -ī [2/m]: Priam, king of Troy

quī, quae, quod: who, which

sinus, -ūs [4/m]: the fold of a dress, the bosom

____________________

Among the Trojans who for so many years were defending their city against the Greeks was Hector, the bravest of all the king’s sons, and dearest to his father Priam. He was greatly loved by his fellow citizens and held in the highest honour.

He was greatly feared by the Greeks whenever he rushed out from the city gates into battle, or ravaged the enemy ships with destructive fires. Every day the Trojans were urged to take up arms by Hector; every day the spirits of the citizens were strengthened for brave deeds. Often they returned victorious from battle with Hector.

Andromache, Hector’s wife, lived in the palace with her husband and little son. Of all the Trojan women, none loved her husband more, or was more worthy of her husband’s love.

One day Hector, armed for battle, came from the road into the palace. Andromache greeted her husband with a joyful expression and called a maidservant, who was holding the little boy in her bosom. Then Hector stretched out his arms towards the boy.

But when the boy saw the red crest, which was sticking out from his father’s helmet, he was terrified and did not dare to come to his father, but clung to the maidservant’s bosom with many tears.

Then indeed Hector, a great man, smiled at his son, and put down the terrifying helmet on the ground, and stretched out his arms towards his son again. The boy was no longer frightened, but smiled, and put his little arms around his father’s neck.

10.06.27: Level 1; First Latin Lessons (23); review [4]

arma, -ōrum [2/n/pl]: weapons

castra, -ōrum [2/n/pl]: camp

Note: the noun in Latin is plural, but it has a singular meaning; verbs and adjectives used with it are also in the plural

galea, -ae [1/f]: helmet

lātus, -a, -um: wide; broad

male: badly

nēmō: nobody; used with a singular verb

omnēs: everyone; used with a plural verb

vir, -ī [2/m]: man

[1] Complete the Latin texts with the endings and words listed below; many of these are used more than once.

I: Everybody loves and praises [= all (the people) love and praise] Publius because he is a good man. No one praises his son because he is not hardworking and works badly. Publius is unhappy because his son is not hardworking.

Omnēs amīc_____ Publi_____ amant et __________ quod __________ bon_____ est. Nēmō fīli_____ eius __________, quod impiger nōn est et male labōrat. Pūbli_____ est __________ quod fīli_____ nōn est impiger.

-ī; labōrat; laudant; laudat; -um; -us; vir; miser

II: In your house I see a helmet and a shield. I also see a sword. Your weapons are Roman. Now we see helmets and swords in war, but we do not see shields.

In tēct_____ tu_____ gale_____ et scūt_____ __________. Gladi_____ quoque __________. Tu_____ arm_____ sunt Rōmān_____. Nunc gale_____ et gladi_____ in bell_____ __________, sed scūt_____ nōn __________.

-a; -am; -ās; -ō; -ōs; -um; vidēmus; videō

III: Our town has wide streets. In the streets we see many boys and girls. The boys and girls are hurrying from school.

III: Oppid_____ nostr_____ vi_____ lāt_____ habet. In vi_____ mult_____ puer_____ et puell_____ vidēmus. Puer_____ et puell_____ ex schol_____ properant.

-ā; -ae; -ās; -ī; -īs; -ōs; -um

[2] Complete the Latin sentences by choosing the correct translation:

[i] Why are you carrying no books today?

Cūr __________ hodiē portās?

[A] nūllī librī; [B] nūllum librum; [C] nūllōs librōs

[ii] (1) My friend is carrying (2) my books today.

__________ hodiē __________ portat.

(1) [A] amīcus meus; [B] amīcī meī; [C] amīcum meum

(2) [A] librī meī; [B] librōs meōs; [C] librīs meīs

[iii] I often carry my friend’s books.

Saepe librōs __________ portō.

[A] amīcōrum meōrum; [B] amicō meō; [C] amīcī meī

[iv] From our town we see the camp.

[iv] Ex __________ castra vidēmus.

[A] oppidum nostrum; [B] oppida nostra; [C] oppidō nostrō

[3] Translate into Latin

[i] The camp is large. My friend is now in the camp. [Check vocabulary note]

[ii] The little boy reads many books.

[iii] Marcus is unhappy today.

[iv] The field is large but the garden is small.

[v] Your horse is beautiful but it is not strong.

[vi] There are many roses in my garden.

____________________

[1]

I: Omnēs amīcī Publium amant et laudant quod vir bonus est. Nēmō fīlium eius laudat, quod impiger nōn est et male labōrat. Pūblius est miser quod fīlius nōn est impiger.

II: In tēctō tuō galeam et scūtum videō. Gladium quoque videō. Tua arma sunt Rōmāna. Nunc galeās et gladiōs in bellō vidēmus, sed scūta nōn vidēmus.

III: Oppidum nostrum viās lātās habet. In viīs multōs puerōs et puellās vidēmus. Puerī et puellae ex scholā properant.

[2]

[i] Cūr nūllōs librōs hodiē portās?

[ii] Amīcus meus hodiē librōs meōs portat.

[iii] Saepe librōs amīcī meī portō.

[iv] Ex oppidō nostrō castra vidēmus.

[3]

[i] Castra magna sunt. Amīcus meus nunc in castrīs est.

[ii] Puer parvus multōs librōs legit.

[iii] Mārcus hodiē est miser.

[iv] Ager est magnus sed hortus parvus est.

[v] Equus tuus est pulcher sed nōn est validus.

[vi] In hortō meō sunt multae rosae.

09.06.27: Level 4 (review); eō, īre – and its compounds [2] indicative active; exercise

[a] Tick the tense of each verb.

[b] Translate:

[i] (s)he / it had gone

[ii] (s)he / it has gone

[iii] (s)he / it is going

[iv] (s)he / it will have gone

[v] I had gone

[vi] I shall have gone

[vii] they are going

[viii] they went

[ix] they were going

[x] we are going

[xi] we had gone

[xii] we were going

[xiii] you (pl.) were going

[xiv] you (sg.) went

[xv] you (sg.) will have gone

____________________

[a]

[b]

[i] (s)he / it had gone: ierat

[ii] (s)he / it has gone: iit

[iii] (s)he / it is going: it

[iv] (s)he / it will have gone: ierit

[v] I had gone: ieram

[vi] I shall have gone: ierō

[vii] they are going: eunt

[viii] they went: iērunt

[ix] they were going: ībant

[x] we are going: īmus

[xi] we had gone: ierāmus

[xii] we were going: ībāmus

[xiii] you (pl.) were going: ībātis

[xiv] you (sg.) went: īstī

[xv] you (sg.) will have gone: ieris

08.06.27: Level 4 (review); eō, īre – and its compounds [1] indicative active

The irregularity of the verb is in its stems which are most often a single vowel. Once you are familiar with the stems, the conjugation of the verb is straightforward.

Note: Active forms of the verb are very common and part of the core vocabulary of Latin. Passive forms of the verb are rare and very restricted in their usage. Therefore, all passive forms will be discussed separately.

[i] Present tense

eō [stem: e-  + personal ending: ō]

is [stem: i-  + personal ending: s]

it [stem: i-  + personal ending: t]

īmus [stem: ī-  + personal ending: mus]

ītis [stem: ī-  + personal ending: tis]

eunt [stem: eu-  + personal ending: nt]

[ii] Imperfect and future tenses

single stem vowel: ī- + 1^st / 2^nd imperfect tense and future tense endings:

• imperfect: ībam, ībās etc.
• future: ībō, ībis etc.

[iii] Perfect tense stems

[a] single vowel: i- + perfect tense endings

However, note the spelling changes marked with an asterisk:

(1) iī [perfect stem i- + perfect tense ending -ī]

* (2) īstī [perfect stem i- + perfect tense ending -istī, but the two vowels merge > īstī]

Note: iistī is sometimes attested, especially in the work of Plautus:

• Strēnuē mehercle iistī.
• Bis periistī?
• Iamne abiistī? 

(3) iit [perfect stem i- + perfect tense ending -it]

(4) iimus [perfect stem i- + perfect tense ending -imus]

* (5) īstis [perfect stem i- + perfect tense ending -istis, but the two vowels merge > īstis]

Note: iistis is sometimes attested, especially in the work of Plautus: 

• Iam vōs rediistis in concordiam?
• Ā mē magnam iniistis grātiam.

(6) iērunt [perfect stem i- + perfect tense ending -ērunt]

[b] perfect stem: īv- + the perfect tense endings

These forms do not occur as often with the verb eō, īre; in Classical literature, some do not exist at all, but are used in later Latin. However, they are used as perfect tense endings for 4^th conjugation verbs throughout the Classical period.

īvī | audīvī

īvistī | audīvīstī

īvit | audīvit

īvimus | audīvimus

īvistis | audīvistis

īvērunt | audīvērunt

[iv] Pluperfect and future perfect tenses

[a] perfect stem: i- + pluperfect / future perfect endings

[b] perfect stem: īv- + pluperfect / future perfect endings

pluperfect: ieram, ierās etc. | īveram, īverās etc.

future perfect: ierō, ieris etc. | īverō, īveris etc.

07.06.27: topic; transport; Neo-Latin; Traupman [1] listening

Listen to the recording (referring to the transcript if you need to) and answer the questions after each section:

statiō ferriviāria | the train station

[A]

Diāna
Salvē! Velim comparāre tesseram itinerāriam prīmae classis

Tesserārius
Quō, quaesō?

Diāna
In Californiam. | To California.

Tesserārius
Vīsne tesseram unīus cursūs an tesseram itūs reditūsque?

Diāna
Tesseram itūs reditūsque. Quotā hōrā trāmen meum abscēdit?

Tesserārius
Hōrā ūndecimā.

Diāna
Ā quotā crepīdine trāmen abscēdit?

Tesserārius
Ā crepīdine quārtā, in orbitā decimā.

Diāna
Estne trāmen dīrēctum?

Tesserārius
Minimē. Mūtābis trāmina in statiōne Chicāgiēnsī.

[A] Tick the answers:

[1] The traveller wants:

a first class ticket _______

a second class ticket _______

a single ticket _______

a return ticket _______

[2] The train leaves at:

10.00 _______

10.10 _______

11.00 _______

11.10 _______

[3] The train leaves from:

platform 10 _______

track four _______

platform 4 _______

track ten _______

[4] The train is:

direct _______

not direct _______

[B]

bulga, -ae [1/f]: (NL) handbag; (CL) wallet, satchel, purse

pēra, -ae [1/f]: bag; satchel (slung over the shoulder)

riscus, -ī [2/m]: (NL) suitcase; (CL) trunk

sarcīnae, -ārum [1/f/pl]: luggage

[B]

Tesserārius

Quās sarcīnās tēcum habēs?

Diāna
Ūnum riscum, ūnam bulgam, ūnam pēram.

Tesserārius
Cūrātiō sarcīnārum est illīc, iuxtā oecum praestōlātōrium.

Diāna
Suntne bāiulī in promptū?

Tesserārius
Ita. Illī illīc stant prope scālas mōbilēs.

[B] Tick the answers:

[1] The ticket seller asks:

if the traveller has any luggage _______

how many pieces of luggage she has _______

what luggage she has _______

where her luggage is _______

[2] The traveller has:

a suitcase, a briefcase, a purse _______

a rucksack, two handbags _______

a suitcase, a handbag, a shoulder bag _______

[3] The baggage check-in is:

next to the waiting room _______

opposite the waiting room _______

in front of the waiting room _______

behind the waiting room _______

[4] The porters are:

sitting by the escalator _______

standing near the escalator _______

[C]

Diāna
Suntne currus cēnātōrius et currus dormītōrius in hōc trāmine?

Tesserārius
Certē..

Diāna
Quam mox mihi licet trāmen ferriviārium īnscendere?

Tesserārius
Vīgintī aut summum trīgintā minūtīs. En, cape hōrārium trāminum.

Diāna
Grātiās. Quantī cōnstat tessera itinerāria?

Tesserārius
Centum octōgintā quīnque dollarīs.

Diāna
Ecce vectūram.

Tesserārius
Grātiās. Bene ambulā!

[C] Tick the answers:

[1] The traveller asks about:

a dining car _______

a luggage compartment _______

a sleeping car _______

a smoking compartment _______

[2] When is the latest she can board the train?

quarter of an hour  _______

2o minutes _______

half an hour _______

35 minutes _______

[3] The ticket seller:

shows the traveller the departure time _______

tells the traveller to look at the timetable _______

gives the traveller a train schedule _______

[4] How much is the ticket?

$18.50 _______

$108.50 _______

$180.50 _______

$185 _______

[5] The ticket seller tells the traveller:

to go for a walk _______

to say thanks _______

to have a good trip _______

to walk to the train _______

____________________

[A]

[1] first class ticket; return ticket

[2] 11.00

[3] track four; platform 10

[4] not direct

[B]

[1] what luggage she has

[2] a suitcase, a handbag, a shoulder bag

[3] next to the waiting room

[4] standing near the escalator

[C]

[1] a dining car; a sleeping car

[2] half an hour

[3] gives the traveller a train schedule

[4] $185

[5] to have a good trip

06.06.27: Level 3+ (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [25] The Bellovaci

Caesar, obsidibus acceptīs prīmīs civitātis atque ipsīus Galbae rēgis duōbus fīliīs et armīs omnibus ex oppidō trāditīs, in dēditiōnem Suessiōnēs accēpit exercitumque in Bellovacōs dūcit. Quī sē suaque omnia in oppidum Bratuspantium contulerant; illō tempore Caesar ab eō oppidō cum exercitū mīlia passuum quīnque aberat. Paucī igitur erant quī sē Caesārī trādere nollent. Itaque omnēs maiōrēs nātū ex oppidō ēgressī manūs ad Caesarem tendere et petere coepērunt ut in potestātem populī Rōmānī venīrent. Inde, postquam ad oppidum vēnit castraque ibi posuit, puerī mulierēsque ex mūrō pācem ab Rōmānīs petiērunt.

[1] subjunctive usage

Relative clause of characteristic

Paucī igitur erant quī sē Caesārī trādere nollent. | There were few who were unwilling to surrender themselves to Caesar.

03.08.26: Level 3+; Subjunctive [79] dependent uses [9] relative clauses of characteristic (1)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/03/030826-level-4-subjunctive-79-dependent.html

03.08.26: Level 3+; Subjunctive [80] dependent uses [9] relative clauses of characteristic (2) practice

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/03/030826-level-4-subjunctive-80-dependent.html

[2] deponent verbs

ēgredior, ēgredī, ēgressus sum [3-iō/deponent]: come out

Deponent verbs are passive in form but active in meaning. Therefore, the participle translates as “having done …”:

omnēs maiōrēs nātū ex oppidō ēgressī … | all the elders, having come out of the town …

Examples from earlier passages:

hortor, -arī, hortātus sum [1/deponent]: encourage

Inde Caesar … suōs mīlitēs hortātus … | Then Caesar… having encouraged his soldiers …

proficīscor, proficīscī, profectus sum [3 / deponent]: set out

profectī igitur | therefore, having set out

ūtor, utī, ūsus sum [3/deponent]: use

Inde eae gentēs, eōdem consiliō ūsāe … | Then those peoples, having used the same plan …

[3] ablative of respect

omnēs maiōrēs nātū | all the elders [literally: all greater in respect of age / birth]

11.06.25; Level 3;  summary of the uses of the ablative case [14]: the ablative of respect / specification

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/110625-level-3-summary-of-of-uses-of_7.html

[4] Translate the full phrases and identify the constructions in bold.

[a]

obsidibus acceptīs prīmīs civitātis atque ipsīus Galbae rēgis duōbus fīliīs

armīs omnibus ex oppidō trāditīs

[b] petere coepērunt ut in potestātem populī Rōmānī venīrent

[c] Quī sē suaque omnia in oppidum Bratuspantium contulerant

[d] illō tempore Caesar ab eō oppidō … aberat

____________________

[4]

[a]

After the leading men of the state and the two sons of Galba, the king himself, had been received as hostages; ablative absolute

After all the weapons from the town had been handed over; ablative absolute

[b] (they) began requesting to come [= that they might come] under the authority of the Roman people; subjunctive: indirect command

[c] (And) they had taken themselves and all their possessions into the town of Bratuspantium; connecting relative

[d] At that time Caesar was away from the town; ablative of time when

Once the leading men of the state and the two sons of Galba, the king himself, had been received, Caesar received the Suessiones in surrender and leads the army against the Bellovaci. And they had taken themselves and all their possessions into the town of Bratuspantium; at that time Caesar together with the army was five miles away from the town. Therefore, there were few who refused to surrender to Caesar. And so all the elders, having come out of the town, began extending their hands to Caesar and requesting to come under the authority of the Roman people. Then, after he came to the town and placed a camp there, from the wall the children and women sought peace from the Romans.

05.06.27: Level 1-2 (review); Julia (a Latin Reader) [15] (2)

Inter captīvōs Rēgulus ipse Carthāginem ductus est. Tum summō gaudiō Poenī, "Nunc," inquiunt, "Rōmānōs vīcimus; Rōmānī igitur pācem dēsīderābunt et bonās condiciōnēs ferent. Tē, Rēgule, Rōmam iam mittēmus. Tū lēgātī modō in Senātum intrā – sī verbīs tuīs animōs cīvium tuōrum ad pācem addūxeris, tū vinculīs līberāberis, et līber in līberā urbe tuā habitābis. Sed sī Rōmānī nōn ad pācem amīcitiamque adductī erunt, sed malās condiciōnēs ferent, et Poenōs odiō īrāque petent, tū nōn in urbe tuā manēbis, sed Carthāginem iterum veniēs, et vinculīs mortīque crūdēlī tē trādēs."

Rēgulus igitur Poenīs fidem dedit, et ad patriam celerrimē revertit. Sed ubi Senātum intrāvit, nōn ad pācem amīcitiamque cīvēs suōs addūxit. "Nunc," inquit, "superātī sunt Rōmānī; malās condiciōnēs ferent Poenī. Vōs autem meliōrēs fortiōrēsque estis hostibus; sī igitur bellum summīs vīribus gerētis, et virōs vōs praebēbitis, mox vōs victōrēs eritis et vestrās condiciōnēs hostibus ferētis. Ego Carthāginem nāvigābō nec fidem violābō. Vōs animōs ad bellum firmāte et hostēs sub pedibus prōsternite. Ego nec vincula nec mortem recūsō, sed vestrō amōre mē dignum praebēbō."

Deinde Rēgulus fidem nōn violāvit, sed vultū serēnō Rōmā discessit et Carthāginem revertit. Ibi vinculīs mortīque sē trādidit.

addūcō, -ere, addūxī, adductus [3]: influence

amīcitia, -ae [1/f]: friendship

bellum gerō: I carry on war

condiciō, -ōnis [3/f]: term, condition

fidēs, -eī [5/f]: faith, promise; fidem violō: I break my promise

ipse, -a, -um: one’s self

lēgātus, -ī [2/m]: ambassador

līber, -era, -erum: free

melior, -ius: better

revertō, -ere, revertī, reversus [3]: turn back; (perfect tense): return

senātus, -ūs [4/m]: Senate, a governing body

victor, -ōris [3/m]: victorious

violō, -āre [1]: violate

____________________

Among the captives, Regulus himself was led to Carthage. Then, with the greatest joy, the Carthaginians said, "Now we have conquered the Romans; therefore, the Romans will desire peace and bring good terms. We will send you to Rome now, Regulus. Enter into the Senate in the manner of an envoy—if by your words you lead the minds of your citizens to peace, you will be freed from chains, and you will live a free man in your free city. But if the Romans are not led to peace and friendship, but bring bad terms, and attack the Carthaginians with hatred and anger, you will not remain in your city, but you will come to Carthage again, and you will surrender yourself to chains and a cruel death."

Regulus therefore gave his pledge to the Carthaginians, and returned to his homeland very quickly. But when he entered the Senate, he did not lead his citizens to peace and friendship. He said, "Now the Romans are overcome; the Carthaginians will bring bad terms. You, however, are better and braver than the enemy; if therefore you wage war with your utmost strength, and show yourselves to be men, soon you will be victors and you will bring your own terms to the enemy. I will sail to Carthage and I will not break my pledge. Strengthen your minds for war and lay the enemy low under your feet. I refuse neither chains nor death, but I will show myself worthy of your love."

Then Regulus did not break his pledge, but with a calm countenance he departed from Rome and returned to Carthage. There he surrendered himself to chains and death.

04.06.27: Level 1; First Latin Lessons (22); review [3]

[1] Match the English with the Latin in the word cloud:

dangerous

dark

dear; beloved

famous; well-known

good

happy

kind

large; great

Latin

many; much

my

open

pleasing; welcome

small

your

apertus, -a, -um; benignus, -a, -um; bonus, -a, -um; cārus, -a, -um; clārus, -a, -um;

grātus, -a, -um; laetus, -a, -um; Latīnus, -a, -um; magnus, -a, -um; meus, -a, -um;

multus, -a, -um; obscūrus, -a, -um; parvus, -a, -um; perīculōsus, -a, -um; tuus, -a, -um

[2] Label the images:

miser, -a, -um

pulcher, -chra, -chrum

vester, -stra, -strum

aeger, -gra, -grum

noster, -tra, -trum

impiger, -gra, -grum

[3] Which of the images illustrates these sentences?

Casa parva est.

Iānua aperta est.

Multam pecūniam habeō.

Puella aegra est.

Puer miser est.

Vir dēfessus est.

03.06.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [21]; on water [xi] Caesar Dē Bellō Cīvīle (3)

Again, we will consider the two stages of translation.  It is not a question of whether [i] is ‘wrong’ because the first versions still convey the meaning. The focus is, at this level, the skill of achieving greater fluency when necessary and retaining the pace and aggression of the narrative while retaining the meaning. The second translations are subjective i.e. there are other styles or adjustments you may personally prefer.

(5) neque vērō coniūnctī Albīcī comminus pugnandō dēficiēbant neque multum cēdēbant virtūte nostrīs.

[i] Nor indeed did the Albici, (having been) united with them, fail in hand-to-hand fighting, nor did they yield much to ours in valour.

[ii] And the Albici, who had joined them, were neither inadequate in close combat nor far less courageous than our own men.

(6) simul ex minōribus nāvibus magna vīs ēminus missa tēlōrum multa nostrīs dē imprōvīsō imprūdentibus atque inpedītīs vulnera īnferēbant.

[i] At the same time, from the smaller ships, a great force of weapons sent from a distance was inflicting many wounds upon our men unexpectedly, off their guard, and entangled.

[ii] At the same time a great assault of long-range weapons hurled from the smaller vessels suddenly inflicted many wounds on our men – caught off guard and pinned down.

(7) cōnspicātaeque nāvēs trirēmēs duae nāvem D. Brūtī, quae ex īnsignī facile agnōscī poterat, duābus ex partibus sēsē in eam incitāverant.

[i] And two ships with three banks of oars, having spotted the ship of Decimus Brutus, which was able to be easily recognized from its flag, had driven themselves into it from two sides.

[ii] And two triremes, having spotted the ship of Decimus Brutus – easily recognisable by its flag – had charged at it from both sides.  

(8) sed tantum rē prōvīsā Brūtus celeritāte nāvis ēnīsus est ut parvō mōmentō antecēderet.

[i] But with the matter having been foreseen, Brutus, by the swiftness of his ship, so greatly extricated himself that he got ahead for a little moment.

[ii] But Brutus had anticipated this and, thanks to the speed of the ship, made such a great effort to force his way out that, momentarily, he got ahead of them.

(9) illae adeō graviter inter sē incitātae cōnflīxērunt, ut vehementissimē utraque ex concursū labōrārent, altera vērō praefrāctō rōstrō tōta conlabefieret.

[i] Those ships, having been driven forward, collided with each other so heavily that each was very severely afflicted by the impact, and one indeed, with its ram having been broken off, was completely shattered.

[ii] Those ships which had been rapidly moved forward collided so violently with each other that each was very severely damaged from the crash, and one, in fact, its ram broken off, was completely shattered.

(10) quā rē animadversa, quae proximae eī locō ex Brūtī classe nāvēs erant, in eās inpedītās impetum faciunt celeriterque ambās dēprimunt.

[i] With this thing having been noticed, the ships from Brutus's fleet which were closest to that place make an attack upon those hindered ships and quickly sink both.

[ii] And having observed this incident, the ships from Brutus’ fleet which were nearest to that position, launched an attack on those disabled ships, quickly sinking them both.

____________________

And the Albici, who had joined them, were neither inadequate in close combat nor far less courageous than our own men. At the same time a great assault of long-range weapons hurled from the smaller vessels suddenly inflicted many wounds on our men – caught off guard and pinned down. And two triremes, having spotted the ship of Decimus Brutus – easily recognisable by its flag – had charged at it from both sides.  But Brutus had anticipated this and, thanks to the speed of the ship, made such a great effort to force his way out that, momentarily, he got ahead of them. Those ships which had been rapidly moved forward collided so violently with each other that each was very severely damaged from the crash, and one, in fact, its ram broken off, was completely shattered. And having observed this incident, the ships from Brutus’ fleet which were nearest to that position, launched an attack on those disabled ships, quickly sinking them both.

02.06.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [20]; on water [x] Caesar Dē Bellō Cīvīle (2)

The passage continues:

neque vērō coniūnctī Albīcī comminus pugnandō dēficiēbant neque multum cēdēbant virtūte nostrīs. simul ex minōribus nāvibus magna vīs ēminus missa tēlōrum multa nostrīs dē imprōvīsō imprūdentibus atque inpedītīs vulnera īnferēbant. cōnspicātaeque nāvēs trirēmēs duae nāvem D. Brūtī, quae ex īnsignī facile agnōscī poterat, duābus ex partibus sēsē in eam incitāverant. sed tantum rē prōvīsā Brūtus celeritāte nāvis ēnīsus est ut parvō mōmentō antecēderet. illae adeō graviter inter sē incitātae cōnflīxērunt, ut vehementissimē utraque ex concursū labōrārent, altera vērō praefrāctō rōstrō tōta conlabefieret. quā rē animadversa, quae proximae eī locō ex Brūtī classe nāvēs erant, in eās inpedītās impetum faciunt celeriterque ambās dēprimunt.

[i]

concursus, -us [4/m]: collision; crash; impact

īnsigne, -is [3/n]: insignia; standard; distinguishing mark

rōstrum, -ī [2/n]: ram; battering ram; beak of a ship

trirēmis, -is [3/f]: trireme; warship with three banks of oars

[ii]

conflīgō, conflīgere, conflīxī, conflīctus [3]: to collide; clash; strike together

conlabefīō, conlabefierī, conlabefactus sum [3]: to be completely shattered; break down; collapse

dēprimō, dēprimere, dēpressī, dēpressus [3]: to weigh down; sink

ēnītor, ēnītī, ēnīsus sum [3/dep]: to strain; force one's way out; struggle

coniūnctus, -a, -um: joined together; acting in concert; united

[iii]

imprūdēns, imprūdentis: off guard; unaware; unsuspecting

inpedītus, -a, -um: pinned down; hampered; disabled; entangled

praefrāctus, -a, -um: broken off in front; shattered

[iv]

comminus: at close quarters; hand-to-hand

ēminus: from a distance; from afar; at long range

dē imprōvīsō: unexpectedly; suddenly

(5) neque vērō coniūnctī Albīcī comminus pugnandō dēficiēbant neque multum cēdēbant virtūte nostrīs.

(6) simul ex minōribus nāvibus magna vīs ēminus missa tēlōrum multa nostrīs dē imprōvīsō imprūdentibus atque inpedītīs vulnera īnferēbant.

(7) cōnspicātaeque nāvēs trirēmēs duae nāvem D. Brūtī, quae ex īnsignī facile agnōscī poterat, duābus ex partibus sēsē in eam incitāverant.

(8) sed tantum rē prōvīsā Brūtus celeritāte nāvis ēnīsus est ut parvō mōmentō antecēderet.

(9) illae adeō graviter inter sē incitātae cōnflīxērunt, ut vehementissimē utraque ex concursū labōrārent, altera vērō praefrāctō rōstrō tōta conlabefieret.

(10) quā rē animadversa, quae proximae eī locō ex Brūtī classe nāvēs erant, in eās inpedītās impetum faciunt celeriterque ambās dēprimunt.

Identify the sections of the passage (5) – (10) which refer to:

a shattered ship _____

a specific type of ship _____

a violent collision _____

anticipating actions _____

attacking from two sides _____

broken battering ram _____

catching sight of a ship _____

caught off guard _____

close combat _____

displays of courage _____

identifying a ship by its standard _____

long-range weapons _____

many wounded men _____

nearby ships _____

sinking ships _____

smaller vessels _____

using the speed of the ship _____

____________________

a shattered ship: 9; tōta conlabefieret

a specific type of ship: 7; nāvēs trirēmēs

a violent collision: 9; graviter inter sē … cōnflīxērunt

anticipating actions: 8; rē prōvīsā

attacking from two sides: 7; duābus ex partibus sēsē in eam incitāverant

broken battering ram: 9; praefrāctō rōstrō

catching sight of a ship: 7;  cōnspicātaeque … nāvem

caught off guard: 6; imprūdentibus

close combat: 5; comminus pugnandō

displays of courage: 5;  neque multum cēdēbant virtūte

identifying a ship by its standard:  7; ex īnsignī … agnōscī poterat

long-range weapons: 6; … ēminus missa tēlōrum

many wounded men: 6;  multa nostrīs … vulnera īnferēbant

nearby ships: 10;  proximae eī locō … nāvēs erant

sinking ships: 10;  ambās dēprimunt

smaller vessels: 6;  ex minōribus nāvibus

using the speed of the ship: 8;  celeritāte nāvis

01.06.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [19]; on water [ix] Caesar Dē Bellō Cīvīle (1)

This excerpt from Caesar’s Dē Bellō Cīvīle is a good example of the ‘two stages’ of translation:

dīductīsque nostrīs paulātim nāvibus et artificiō gubernātōrum et mōbilitātī nāvium locus dabātur, et sīquandō nostrī facultātem nactī ferreīs manibus iniectīs nāvem religāverant, undique suīs labōrantibus succurrēbant.

[i] begin with as literal a translation as possible even if that first stage is clumsy

[ii] then picture in your mind what exactly is happening and rework the Latin so that it still retains the meaning but reads fluently in your own language; the translations marked [ii] are suggested because there can be various ways in which the meaning can be conveyed.

(1) dīductīsque nostrīs paulātim nāvibus

[i] ablative absolute; literally: with our ships having been gradually separated

> [ii] our ships being / since our ships were at some distance from each other

(2) et artificiō gubernātōrum et mōbilitātī nāvium locus dabātur,

[i] and ‘opportunity’ was given both to the skill of the pilots and the mobility of the ships;

• Some translations translate locus as ‘opportunity’ which is a possible meaning. However, Caesar is describing the advantage of the ships’ physical location:

[ii] room was allowed for both the skill of their pilots and the maneuvering of their ships

• i.e. now that the ships are physically apart, they are no longer in danger of fouling each other's oars or colliding with friendly vessels, which is exactly what allows the pilots to display their skill.

(3) et sīquandō nostrī ¦ facultātem nactī ¦ ferreīs manibus iniectīs ¦ nāvem religāverant, …

[i] and if ever ours, ¦ having obtained the opportunity, ¦ with iron hands having been cast in, ¦ had bound a ship fast …

[ii] and if at any time our men, once they had gained an advantage and had laid hold of a ship by casting iron grappling hooks on board …

• manus, -ūs [4/f]: although the most immediate rendering of the noun is ‘hand’, Wiktionary, for example, lists seventeen possible translations depending upon context, one of which is “(military, nautical) grappling hooks used to snare enemy vessels”.
• ‘laid hold’ arguably conveys a greater sense of aggression and capture

(4) undique suīs labōrantibus succurrēbant.

[i] from all sides they were running to help their own struggling.

[ii] they would run / they would start running from every direction to help their own men who were in distress

• Bear in mind that the imperfect tense in Latin can convey more than “was / were doing something”:

(a) frequentative: an action that happened repeatedly

(b) inceptive: the beginning of an action

Therefore, succurēbant could translate here as: “They would start running …” which reflects both the frequentative and inceptive ideas.

In a sense, a final ‘pass’ is less about the Latin but rather the way in which the passage reads in your own language. You may even at that stage consider alternative expressions.

Since our ships were at some distance from each other, room was allowed [or: there was enough room] for both the skill of their pilots and the maneuvering of their ships, and if at any time our men, once they had gained an advantage and laid hold of [or: snared] a ship by casting iron grappling hooks on board, they would start running from every direction to help their own men who were in distress.

31.05.27: Level 3+ (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [24]: Caesar at Bibrax

Ab hīs castrīs oppidum Rēmōrum Bibrax aberat octō mīlia passuum. Id ex itinere magnō impetū Belgae oppugnāre coepērunt. Gallōrum eadem atque Belgārum oppugnātiō est haec: circumiēctā multitūdine hominum tōtīs moenibus undique in mūrum lapidēs iaciēbantur, et mūrus dēfēnsōribus nūdābātur; testūdine factā portās succēdunt mūrumque subruunt. Quod tum facile fīēbat. Iccius igitur, quī tum oppidō praefuerat, ad Caesarem nuntium mīsit, quī auxilium peteret.

[1] connecting relative

Quod tum facile fīēbat | (and) this was easily done at that time; quod refers back to the content of the previous sentence and not to a specific noun

24.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [2] connecting relative

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/06/241226-level-3-review-dooge-lxxv-2.html

[2] ablative of separation

mūrus dēfēnsōribus nūdābātur | the wall was stripped of its defenders

17.06.25: Level 3;  summary of the uses of the ablative case [15]: the ablative of separation

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

[3] verbs with the dative case

quī tum oppidō praefuerat | who had been in command of the town at that time

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

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

[4] Translate the full phrases and identify the constructions in bold.

[a]

circumiēctā multitūdine hominum tōtīs moenibus

testūdine factā portās succēdunt

[b]

ad Caesarem nuntium mīsit, quī auxilium peteret

[5] What is a testūdō?

____________________

[4]

[a]

Once a large number of men had been placed around all the fortifications …; ablative absolute

After a testudo formation has been made, they advance towards the gates; ablative absolute

[b] (he) sent a messenger to Caesar to seek help; subjunctive of purpose

[5] Roman military tactic involving a formation of soldiers using shields to form a tortoise-shell-like protection against enemy weapons

Bibrax, a town of the Remi, was eight miles away from this camp. The Belgae began to storm it directly from their march with a powerful assault. The method of attack used by both the Gauls and the Belgae is the same, as follows: once a large number of men had been placed around all the fortifications, stones were being hurled onto the wall from all sides, and the wall was being stripped of defenders; then, once a testudo formation has been formed, they advance toward the gates and undermine the wall. And this was easily done at that time. Therefore Iccius, who had been in command of the town at that time, sent a messenger to Caesar to seek help.