22.10.26: topic; architecture [11]; Comenius (1658) LXXII; partēs domūs (2)

Part Two

Baskets | corbēs (9)

are of use for carrying things | īnserviunt rēbus trānsferendīs

and chests | arcae (10)

(which are made fast with a key) | (quae clāvī recluduntur) (11)

for keeping them | adservandīs illīs.

____________________

arca, -ae [1/f]: chest

clāvis, -is [3/f]: key; note: not *clava, -ae [1/f]: club; cudgel

corbis, -is [3/m]: basket

rēs, reī [5/f]: thing

Part Three

Under the roof | sub tēctō

is the floor | est solum (pāvimentum) (12)

In the yard | in āreā (13)

is a well | puteus (14)

a stable | stabulum (15)

and a bath | cum balneō (16)

under the house | sub domō

is the cellar | est cella (17)

____________________

area, -ae [1/f]: yard

balneum, -ī [2/n]: bath

cella, -ae [1/f]: storeroom / cellar

puteus, -ī [2/m]: well

stabulum, -ī [2/n]: stable

tēctum, -ī [2/n]: roof

pāvimentum, -ī [2/n]: pavement / floor; solum, -ī [2/n]: floor / ground

In the text, Comenius uses these terms to refer to the floored area of an attic, but they are general words for any paved or flat surface.

21.10.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [1] (4)

Laeta est Iūlia quod iterum casam parvam cum agricolā habitat. Sed Iūlia puella duodecim annōrum iam est. Itaque agricola fīliae suae tabulās dat. Pecūniam quoque lūdī magistrō dat.

Cottīdiē puella ad lūdum per agrōs ambulat. Multī iuvencī in agrīs sunt, sed impavida est puella. Iūlia prandium ad lūdum cottīdiē portat, quod longa est via. In agrīs prandium est Iūliae grātum.

Tabulās ad lūdum Iūlia portat. In tabulīs litterae multae sunt. Lūdī magister Iūliam laudat quod litterās bene cottīdiē recitat. In lūdō multī puerī, multae puellae cum Iūliā sunt. Magister lūdum bene gubernat.

Industriīs puerīs magister librōs pulchrōs dat; pigrōs malōsque puerōs nōn laudat sed culpat. Magna est īra magistrī quod puerī pigrī litterās nōn bene recitant. Itaque puerī pigrī in angulīs stant. Multae sunt lacrimae puerōrum malōrum. Itaque puerī industriī sunt et litterās bene recitant.

Multās fābulās puerīs et puellīs magister benignus in lūdō nārrat; nunc dē Britanniā, nunc dē longinquīs terrīs fābulās nārrat. Grātae puerīs et puellīs sunt fābulae. Nunc igitur in librō nōn sōlum Iūliae sed multīs etiam puerīs et puellīs fābulās nārrō.

[1]

ager, agrī [2/m]: field

angulus, -ī [2/m]: corner

fābula, -ae [1/f]: story

iuvencus, -ī [2/m]: young man

līber, librī [2/m]: book

littera, -ae [1/f]: letter (of the alphabet)

lūdus, -ī [2/m]: school

magister, magistrī [2/m]: teacher

prandium, -ī [2/n]: lunch

puer, puerī [2/m]: boy

tabula, -ae [1/f]: tablet, writing-tablet

terra, -ae [1/f]: land

via, -ae [1/f]: road

[2]

benignus, -a, -um: kind

grātus, -a, -um: pleasing

impavidus, -a, -um: fearless

industrius, -a, -um: industrious

longinquus, -a, -um: distant

longus, -a, -um: long

malus, -a, -um: bad

piger, pigra, pigrum: lazy

[3]

narrō, narrāre [1]: tell, relate

recitō, recitāre [1]: recite

[4]

dē (+ abl.): about, concerning

per (+ acc.): through

etiam: also

igitur: therefore

iam: now, already

bene: well

cottīdiē: daily

solum: only

___________________

Julia is happy because she is living again in a small house with her father. But Julia is now a girl of twelve years. And so the farmer gives tablets to his daughter. He also gives money to the schoolmaster.

Every day the girl walks to school through the fields. Many young men are in the fields, but the girl is fearless. Julia carries lunch to school every day, because the road is long. In the fields the lunch is pleasing to Julia.

Julia carries tablets to school. On the tablets there are many letters. The schoolmaster praises Julia because she recites the letters well every day. In the school many boys and many girls are with Julia. The teacher manages the school well.

The teacher gives beautiful books to the industrious boys; he does not praise the lazy and bad boys but blames them. The teacher’s anger is great because the lazy boys do not recite the letters well. And so the lazy boys stand in the corners. There are many tears of the bad boys. And so the boys are industrious and recite the letters well.

The kind teacher tells many stories to the boys and girls in the school; now he tells stories about Britain, now about distant lands. The stories are pleasing to the boys and girls. Now therefore in the book I tell stories not only to Julia but also to many boys and girls.

23.10.26: Level 3+; P. Cornelius Lentulus: The Story Of A Roman Boy [3]

LXIII. MARCUS LENTULUS, THE FATHER OF PUBLIUS, IS SHIPWRECKED; JULIA RECEIVES A LETTER FROM HIM

Part One

Iam Pūblius decem annōs habēbat cum M. Cornelius Lentulus, pater eius, quī quīnque annōs grave bellum in Asia gerēbat, nōn sine glōriā domum revertēbātur. Namque multa secunda proelia fēcerat, maximās hostium cōpiās dēlēverat, multās urbēs populō Rōmānō inimīcās cēperat. Prīmum nūntius pervēnit quī ā Lentulō missus erat ut profectiōnem suam nuntiāret. Deinde plūrēs diēs reditum virī optimī māter fīliusque exspectābant et animīs sollicitīs deōs immortālīs frūstrā colēbant. Tum dēmum hās litterās summō cum gaudiō accēpērunt:

Question [1] Comprehension

Which phrases from the Latin text indicate specifically that Lentulus’ father

[i] … fought for a number of years

[ii] … returned home in glory

[iii] … had many successful battles

[iv] … killed a very large number of enemies

[v] … had captured many enemy cities

Question [2] Translation

Translate “Prīmum … accēpērunt.” (10 marks)

Part Two

“Mārcus Iūliae suae salūtem dīcit. Sī valēs, bene est; ego valeō. Ex Graeciā, quō praeter spem et opiniōnem hodiē pervēnī, hās litterās ad tē scrībō. Namque nāvis nostra frācta est; nōs autem — dīs est grātia — incolumēs sumus. Ex Asiae portū nāvem lēnī ventō solvimus. Postquam altum mare tenuimus nec iam ūllae terrae appāruerunt, caelum undique et undique fluctūs, subitō magna tempestās coorta est et nāvem vehementissimē adflīxit. Ventīs fluctibusque adflictātī nec sōlem discernere nec cursum tenēre poterāmus, et omnia praesentem mortem intentābant. Trēs diēs et trēs noctēs sine rēmis vēlīsque agimur. Quārtō diē prīmum terra vīsa est et violenter in saxa, quae nōn longē ā lītore aberant, dēiectī sumus.”

Question [1] Comprehension

What information is given in the passage that the voyage was difficult? Identify five points.

Question [2] language

[i] Give the tense and voice (active or passive) of the following verbs:

(a) valēs

(b) frācta est

(c) poterāmus

(d) agimur

(e) adflīxit

[ii] Find from the text an example of a:

(a) 4^th declension noun

(b) 5^th declension noun

(c) deponent verb

(d) superlative adverb

(e) conjunction introducing a clause of time

Part Three

Tum vērō maiōra perīcula timēbāmus; sed nauta quīdam, vir fortissimus, ex nāve in fluctūs irātōs dēsiluit ut fūnem ad lītus portāret; quam rem summō labōre vix effēcit. Ita omnēs servātī sumus. Grātiās igitur et honōrem Neptūnō debēmus, quī deus nōs ē perīculō ēripuit. Nunc Athēnīs sum, quō cōnfūgī ut mihi paucās horās ad quiētem darem. Quam prīmum autem aliam nāvem condūcam ut iter ad Italiam reliquum cōnficiam et domum ad meōs cārōs revertar. Salūtā nostrum Pūblium amīcissimē et valētūdinem tuam cūrā dīligenter. Kalendīs Martiīs.”

Comprehension

[i] How were they saved? (4 marks)

[ii] What does this passage tell you about the importance of the gods in Ancient Rome? (2 marks)

[iii] Why is the writer in Athens? (1 mark)

[iv] How does he intend to return home? (1 mark)

____________________

Entire text: notes on the subjunctive

Subjunctive: purpose

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20purpose

[i] Prīmum nūntius pervēnit quī ā Lentulō missus erat ut profectiōnem suam nuntiāret [imperfect].

• First a messenger arrived who had been sent by Lentulus to report his departure [literally: in order that he might / would report …]

[ii] ex nāve in fluctūs irātōs dēsiluit ut fūnem ad lītus portāret

• He leapt from the ship into the raging waves in order to carry a rope to the shore.

[iii] Nunc Athēnīs sum, quō cōnfūgī ut mihi paucās horās ad quiētem darem.

• Now I am at Athens, where I fled in order to give myself a few hours of rest.

[iv] Autem aliam nāvem condūcam ut iter ad Italiam reliquum cōnficiam et domum ad meōs cārōs revertar.

• Moreover, I will hire another ship in order to complete the remaining journey to Italy and (to) return home to my dear ones.

____________________

Part One

Question [1]

[i] … quīnque annōs … bellum … gerēbat

[ii] nōn sine glōriā domum revertēbātur

[iii] multa secunda proelia fēcerat

[iv] maximās hostium cōpiās dēlēverat

[v] multās urbēs … inimīcās cēperat

Question [2]

Prīmum nūntius pervēnit │ first a messenger arrived (1)

quī ā Lentulō missus erat │ who had been sent by Lentulus (1)

ut profectiōnem suam nuntiāret │ to announce his departure (1)

Deinde plūrēs diēs │ then for several days (1)

reditum virī optimī ¦ māter fīliusque exspectābant │ the mother and son were waiting (1) ¦ for the return of the excellent man (1)

et animīs sollicitīs ¦ deōs immortālīs frūstrā colēbant │ and with anxious minds (1) ¦ they worshipped the immortal gods in vain (1)

Tum dēmum hās litterās │ then at last these letters (1)

summō cum gaudiō accēpērunt │ they received with the greatest joy (1)

Part Two

Question [1] any five of:

ship broken / wrecked │ nāvis nostra frācta est

sudden great storm │ subitō magna tempestās coorta est

violent battering of the ship │ nāvem vehementissimē adflīxit

battered by winds and waves │ ventīs fluctibusque adflictātī

unable to see the sun │ nec sōlem discernere poterāmus

unable to keep course │ nec cursum tenēre poterāmus

constant threat of immediate death │ omnia praesentem mortem intentābant

driven for three days and nights without oars or sails │ trēs diēs et trēs noctēs sine rēmis vēlīsque agimur

thrown violently onto rocks near the shore │ violenter in saxa … dēiectī sumus

Question [2]

[i]

(a) present tense, active

(b) perfect tense, passive

(c) imperfect tense, active

(d) present tense, passive

(e) perfect tense, active

[ii]

(a) cursum; portū; fluctūs (any one)

(b) spem; diē; diēs (any one)

(c) coorta est

(d) vehementissimē

(e) postquam

Part Three

[i]

a very brave sailor jumped from the ship (1) │ nauta quīdam, vir fortissimus, ex nāve … dēsiluit

into the raging waves (1) │ in fluctūs irātōs

he carried a rope to the shore (1) │ ut fūnem ad lītus portāret

he did this with great difficulty / only just managed it (1) │ quam rem summō labōre vix effēcit

[ii]

the god Neptune is credited with saving them from danger (1) │ Neptūnō … quī deus nōs ē perīculō ēripuit

thanks and honour are owed to Neptune for this rescue (1) │ grātiās igitur et honōrem Neptūnō debēmus

[iii]

to rest for a few hours (1) │ ut mihi paucās horās ad quiētem darem

[iv] hire another ship (1) │ aliam nāvem condūcam

20.10.26: Level 3+; P. Cornelius Lentulus: The Story Of A Roman Boy [2]

LXII. HIS LIFE ON THE FARM

Subjunctives are indicated in bold and comments are given in the notes following the text.

Part One

Huius villae Dāvus, servus Marcī, est vīlicus et cum Lesbiā uxōre omnia cūrat. Vīlicus et uxor in casā humilī, mediīs in agrīs sitā, habitant. Ā prīmā lūce ūsque ad vesperum sē gravibus labōribus exercent ut omnīs rēs bene gerant. Plūrima enim sunt officia Dāvī et Lesbiae. Vīlicus servōs regit nē tardī sint; mittit aliōs quī agrōs arent, aliōs quī hortōs inrigent, et opera in tōtum diem impōnit. Lesbia autem omnibus vestīmenta parat, cibum coquit, pānem facit. 

Part One: Comprehension

What are the roles of Dāvus, the farm overseer? (8 marks)

Part Two

Nōn longē ab hōrum casā et in summō colle situm surgēbat domicilium ipsīus dominī dominaeque amplissimum. Ibi plūrēs annōs Pūblius cum mātre vītam fēlicem agēbat; nam pater eius, Mārcus, in terrīs longinquīs gravia reī pūblicae bella gerēbat nec domum revertī poterat. Neque puerō quidem molestum est rūrī vīvere. Eum multae rēs dēlectant. Magnopere amat silvās, agrōs, equōs, bovēs, gallīnās, avēs, reliquaque animālia. Saepe plūrēs hōrās ad mare sedet quō melius fluctūs et nāvēs spectet. Nec omninō sine comitibus erat, quod Lȳdia, Dāvī fīlia, quae erat eiusdem aetātis, cum eō adhūc infante lūdēbat, inter quōs cum annīs amīcitia crēscēbat. Lȳdia nūllum alium ducem dēligēbat et Pūblius ab puellae latere rārō discēdēbat. Itaque sub clārō Italiae sōle Pūblius et Lȳdia, amīcī fidelissimī, per campōs collēsque cotidiē vagābantur. Modo in silvā finitimā ludēbant ubi Pūblius sagittīs celeribus avēs dēiciēbat et Lȳdia corōnīs variōrum flōrum comās suās ōrnābat; modo aquam et cibum portābant ad Dāvum servōsque dēfessōs quī agrōs colēbant; modo in casā parvā aut horās laetās in lūdō cōnsūmēbant aut auxilium dabant Lesbiae, quae cibum virō et servīs parābat vel aliās rēs domesticās agēbat.

Part Two: Comprehension

Below are eight references to information in the passage. They are not in the order in which they appear in the text. Put the references in the correct order, using numbers 1–8.

Publius watching the sea _____

Reason for the father’s absence _____

Location of the master’s house _____

Publius and Lydia helping the household workers _____

Publius’s feelings about country life _____

Lydia’s relationship with Publius _____

Publius’s life with his mother _____

Publius and Lydia spending time together outdoors _____

Part Two: language

[1] Give the nominative singular of the following nouns:

[i] aetātis

[ii] comitibus

[iii] ducem

[iv] latere

[v] rūrī

[2] Give the nominative masculine singular of the following words:

[i] eiusdem

[ii] fēlicem

[iii] ipsīus

[iv] plūrēs

[v] quōs

[3] Identify the word type:

[i] amplissimum

[ii] adhūc

[iii] inter

[iv] melius

[v] nec

____________________

Entire text: notes on the subjunctive

All the subjunctives are present tense, and all show purpose

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20purpose

[i] … sē gravibus labōribus exercent ¦ ut omnīs rēs bene gerant; ut: introduces a positive purpose clause i.e. so that something happens / may happen

• They exhaust themselves with heavy work ¦ so that they manage everything well.

[ii] Vīlicus servōs regit ¦ nē tardī sint; nē introduces a negative purpose clause i.e. that something does not / may not happen

• The steward controls the slaves ¦ so that they are not late.

[iii] mittit aliōs ¦ (1) quī agrōs arent, aliōs ¦ (2) quī hortōs inrigent; quī is used instead of ut when specifically referring to people who are to perform the task

• He sends some ¦ (1) to plough [= who are to plough] the fields (and) others ¦ (2) to water [ = who are to water] the gardens.

[iv] Saepe plūrīs hōrās ad mare sedet ¦ quō melius fluctūs et nāvēs spectet; quō is used when there is a comparative in the purpose clause

• He often sits by the sea for several hours ¦ so that he may watch the waves and ships better.

____________________

Part One: Comprehension

in charge of / looks after everything on the estate │ omnia cūrat (1)

works from early morning until evening │ ā prīmā lūce ūsque ad vesperum (1)

works hard / undertakes heavy labour │ sē gravibus labōribus exercent (1)

ensures everything is well managed │ ut omnīs rēs bene gerant (1)

supervises / controls the slaves │ servōs regit (1)

makes sure the slaves are not late │ nē tardī sint (1)

sends some slaves to plough the fields │ mittit aliōs quī agrōs arent (1)

sends some slaves to water the gardens │ aliōs quī hortōs inrigent (1)

organises / assigns work for the whole day │ opera in tōtum diem impōnit (1)

Part Two: comprehension

Publius watching the sea [5] │ … ad mare sedet quō melius fluctūs et nāvēs spectet

Reason for the father’s absence [3] │pater eius, Mārcus, in terrīs longinquīs gravia reī pūblicae bella gerēbat nec domum revertī poterat

Location of the master’s house [1] │nōn longē ab hōrum casā et in summō colle situm surgēbat domicilium ipsīus dominī dominaeque amplissimum

Publius and Lydia helping the household workers [8] │modo aquam et cibum portābant ad Dāvum servōsque dēfessōs quī agrōs colēbant

Publius’s feelings about country life [4] │neque puerō quidem molestum est rūrī vīvere … magnopere amat silvās, agrōs, equōs, bovēs, gallīnās, avēs

Lydia’s relationship with Publius [6] │Lȳdia, Dāvī fīlia, quae erat eiusdem aetātis … cum eō adhūc infante lūdēbat

Publius’s life with his mother [2] │ibi plūrēs annōs Pūblius cum mātre vītam fēlicem agēbat

Publius and Lydia spending time together outdoors [7] │itaque sub clārō Italiae sōle … per campōs collēsque cotidiē vagābantur

Part Two: language

[1]

[i] aetās

[ii] comes

[iii] dux

[iv] latus

[v] rūs

[2]

[i] īdem

[ii] fēlix

[iii] ipse

[iv] plūs

[v] quī

[3]

[i] superlative adjective

[ii] adverb

[iii] preposition

[iv] comparative adverb

[v] coordinating conjunction

19.10.26: topic; architecture [10]; Comenius (1658) LXXII; partēs domūs (1)

Part One

a house is divided into inner rooms | domus distinguitur in conclāvia

such as are the entry | ut sunt ātrium (1)

the stove | hypocaustum (2)

the kitchen | culīna (3)

the buttery | cella penuāria (4)

the dining room | cēnāculum (5)

the gallery | camera (6)

the bed chamber | cubiculum (7)

with a privy | cum secessū (latrīnā) (8)

made by it | adstructō.

____________________

[i]

camera, -ae [1/f]: room, often with a vaulted / arched ceiling; Engl. deriv. chamber

cella, -ae [1/f]: storeroom / cellar; any small room or hut; Engl. deriv. cell

cella penuāria: buttery, room for keeping food; penuārius, -a, -um: related to provisions

Engl. cellar and German Keller are derived from Late Latin: cellārium, -ī [2/n]: storeroom; larder / pantry; cellar

conclāve, -is [3/n]: room < cum (with) + clāvis, -is [3/f]: key

The translator renders conclāvia as inner rooms i.e. private spaces that can be locked or shut off; Engl. deriv. conclave: assembly held in a sealed room (especially a papal election)

[ii] hypocaustum, -ī [2/n]: “stove”

In archaic English, “stove” did not only apply to a device for heating, but to a room artificially heated: “When most of the waiters were commanded away to their supper, the Parlour or Stove being near emptied, in came a Company of Musketeers.” (1634)

Images #3 - #5: the Ancient Roman definition of the word is [i] hypocaust, heating vault; [ii] steam / bathing room heated from below.

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

[iii]

ātrium, -ī [2/n]: entry hall

cēnāculum, -ī [2/n]: dining room

cubiculum, -ī [2/n]: bedroom

culīna, -ae [1/f]: kitchen

domus, -ūs [4/f]: house

latrīna, -ae [1/f]; secessus, -ūs [4/m]: toilet

18.10.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [1] (3)

Agricola ad casam venit. Fīlia parva nōn est in casā. Tum agricola, "Iūlia," exclāmat, "fīlia mea, ubi es?"

Iterum Iūliam vocat, sed frūstrā--nūlla est puella. Cēnā nōn est in mēnsā parāta, nec rosae in mēnsā sunt. Tum ad ōram maritimam properat et procul nāviculam albam spectat. Ad nautārum casās properat.

Nautārum fīliae perterritae, "Cum pīrātīs," inquiunt, "est Iūlia tua."

Magna est īra agricolae. Galeam et hastam raptat. Nautae nāviculam suam agricolae dant. Nautae quoque galeās et hastās raptant, et cum agricolā ad pīrātārum nāviculam properant.

Tum agricola pīrātās vocat. "Ubi," inquit, "est fīlia mea?"

Pīrātae, "Fīlia tua," inquiunt, "in nāviculā nostrā est."

Tum agricola pecūniam multam pīrātīs dat. Pīrātae Iūliam ad agricolae nāviculam portant.

[1]

cēna, -ae [1/f]: dinner

īra, -ae [1/f]: anger

mēnsa, -ae [1/f]: table

pecūnia, -ae [1/f]: money

[2]

magnus, -a, -um: great, large

nūllus, -a, -um: no, none

parātus, -a, -um: prepared

perterritus, -a, -um: terrified

[3]

exclāmō, exclāmāre [1]: call out

properō, properāre [1]: hurry

rapiō, rapere [3]: seize

vocō, vocāre [1]: call

[4]

iterum: again

nec: and not

procul: at a distance

ubi: where

____________________

The farmer comes to the house. The little daughter is not in the house. Then the farmer shouts, “Julia, my daughter, where are you?”

He calls Julia again, but in vain—there is no girl. Dinner is not prepared on the table, nor are there roses on the table. Then he hurries to the seashore and sees a white boat in the distance. He hurries to the sailors’ houses.

The sailors’ daughters, terrified, say, “Your Julia is with pirates.”

The farmer’s anger is great. He snatches a helmet and a spear. The sailors give their boat to the farmer. The sailors also snatch helmets and spears, and they hurry with the farmer to the pirates’ boat.

Then the farmer calls the pirates. “Where,” he says, “is my daughter?”

The pirates say, “Your daughter is in our boat.”

Then the farmer gives much money to the pirates. The pirates carry Julia to the farmer’s boat.

18.10.26: Level 1 (review); Questions [1] – [6]

18.04.26: the antics of a 17th century schoolroom

Posted with respect to long-suffering teachers.

I saw this a year ago and forgot to download it. Then I couldn’t find it again. However, the gods were smiling on me today when, by chance, I hit upon it. It is absolutely priceless.

From “Children’s Talk” (1697) which contains utter condemnation of schoolboys’ behaviour.

It was written by Charles Hoole, the translator of Comenius’ Orbis Pictus. Hoole was a teacher. We, his 21^st century counterparts, can sympathise with him although 17^th century schoolboys  do appear to have been a little more extreme! This is not the “refinement” of Victorian texts, but a far earthier and more unruly world. The first image – a woodcut of a Tudor schoolroom – may be giving a far more ideal image than the teachers actually experienced.

Enjoy the chaos…

Pages 5-6; lines 51 - 68

Manners of accusing anyone | Formulae accusandī quempiam

[51] Andrew did not do his duty [honour] to the minister | Andrew non honōrāvit sacerdōtem

[52] John spake [used] English [literally: the native language; obviously a criminal offence in a Latin class] | Joannēs ūsus est linguā vernāculā
[53] Peter cuft (cuffed) me [felled me with his fists] | Peter cecidit mē pugnīs
[54] This boy did not put off his hat [did not uncover his head] when he went by a magistrate | Hic nōn dētexit caput cum praeterīret magistrātum

dētegō, -ere, -tēxī [3]: uncover
[55] He curst (cursed) me | Ille maledīxit mihi
[56] Yond boy (that boy over there) miscalled [insulted] us | Ille convitiātus est nōbīs

convitior, -ārī, -ātus sum [1/deponent]: (Mediaeval) insult

[57] No boy (nobody) will say the lesson | Nēmō vult repetere lēctiōnem
[58] James never salutes his father and mother | Jacobus numquam salūtat parentēs
[59] He talks scurvily [about an indecent matter] | Fābulātur dē rē scurrilī
[60] He will not get out of my place | Nōn vult cēdere dē meō locō
[61] He hath all-to-be-pist my shooes [all-to-be: completely] | Permīnxit calceōs meōs

mingō, -ere, mīnxī [3]: urinate; but it’s more than that – permingō: he does it all over!

[62] He hath bemarred my paper | Conspurcāvit papȳrum meam

conspurcō, -āre [1]: (rare) defile; pollute

papȳrus, -ī [2 m or f]: paper

[63] He will not let me mind my books [does not allow me to study] | Nōn patitur mē studēre
[64] He jeers me | Dērīdet mē
[65] He farts at us | Oppēdit nōbīs

the verb literally means “break wind” but can also refer to jeering at somebody. However, judging by what he did to another boy’s shoes, it’s probably the literal sense!

[66] He will not let me to (w)rite | Nōn sinet mē scrībere
[67] He shews (shows) his nakedness | Ostentat pudenda

without going into detail, ‘pudenda’ is very specific about the type of nakedness described!
[68] He pulled me by the hair | Vulsit mē crinibus

vellō, -ere, vulsī [3]: (Classical Latin) pluck out (e.g. feathers); pull out the hair from the skin. In other words, this is far from gentle hair pulling.

And you thought Latin was just about Julius Caesar.

17.10.26: Level 3+; P. Cornelius Lentulus: The Story Of A Roman Boy [1]

LXI. PUBLIUS IS BORN NEAR POMPEII

P. Cornēlius Lentulus, adulēscēns Rōmānus, amplissimā familiā nātus est; nam pater eius, Mārcus, erat dux perītissimus, cuius virtūte et cōnsiliō multae victōriae reportātae erant; atque māter eius, Iūlia, ā clārissimīs maiōribus orta est. Nōn vērō in urbe sed rūrī Pūblius natus est, et cum mātre habitābat in villā quae in maris lītore et sub rādīcibus magnī montis sita erat. Mōns autem erat Vesuvius et parva urbs Pompēiī octo milia passuum aberat.

In Italiā antīquā erant plūrimae quidem villae et pulchrae, sed inter hās omnīs nūlla erat pulchrior quam villa Mārcī Iūliaeque. Frōns villae mūrō ā maris fluctibus mūniēbātur. Hinc mare et litora et insulae longē lātēque cōnspicī ac saepe nāvēs longae et onerāriae poterant. Ā tergō et ab utrōque latere agrī ferācissimi patēbant. Undique erat magna variōrum flōrum cōpia et multa ingentium arborum genera quae aestāte umbram dēfessis agricolīs grātissimam adferēbant. Praetereā erant in agrīs stabulīsque multa animālium genera, nōn sōlum equī et bovēs sed etiam rārae avēs. Etiam erat magna piscīna plēna piscium; nam Rōmānī piscēs dīligenter colēbant.

Note: for all the sections of the Lentulus text (there are 10 in total), the questions invite longer and more detailed answers. Remember: at this level, it is not about translation, but giving the answers in as concise a manner as possible; rephrasing, summarising etc. are the aims provided the meaning is not altered. Question 4 is not looking for one-word answers i.e. it is not merely about identifying nouns, but noting phrases that give an added piece of information to that noun.

Question [1]: What does the passage reveal about Publius Cornelius Lentulus’s family background, and how does the author use his parents’ achievements and ancestry to establish social status and prestige? (8 marks)

Question [2]: How does the passage describe the place where Publius was born and lived, and how is this location defined in relation to both natural features and nearby settlements? (8 marks)

Question [3]: “In Italiā … poterant.” Describe the villa and its location. (10 marks)

Question [4] “Ā tergō … colēbant.” What information is given that shows that the villa is in an agricultural setting? (8 marks)

____________________

Question [1]

Publius: born into a very distinguished family │ amplissimā familiā nātus est (1)

father: very experienced (1) military commander (1) │ pater eius (1) dux perītissimus (1)

father: credited with many victories (1) through courage (1) and judgment (1) │ cuius virtūte (1) ¦ et cōnsiliō (1) ¦ multae victōriae reportātae erant (1)

mother:  descended from (1) very famous ancestors (1) │  (māter eius … ā clārissimīs maiōribus (1) ¦ orta est (1)

Question [2]

not born in the city │  nōn vērō in urbe … nātus est (1)

born in the countryside │ sed rūrī (1)

lived with his mother │ cum mātre habitābat (1)

lived in a villa (1) on the seashore (1) at the foot of (1) Mount Vesuvius (1) │ in villā (1) ¦ quae in maris lītore (1) ¦ et sub rādīcibus magnī montis sita erat … (1)  ¦ mōns autem erat Vesuvius (1)

Pompeii eight miles away │ parva urbs Pompēiī octo mīlia passuum aberat (1)

Question [3]

No villa more beautiful │ nūlla erat pulchrior quam villa Mārcī Iūliaeque (1)

Front of the villa (1) fortified (1) from the sea / waves (1) by a wall (1) │ Frōns villae (1) ¦ mūrō (1) ¦ ā maris fluctibus (1) mūniēbātur (1)

Extensive views (1) from the villa (1) of the sea, shores and islands (1) │ Hinc (1) mare et litora et insulae (1) longē lātēque cōnspicī (1)

as well as warships (1) and merchant ships (1) │ ac saepe nāvēs longae (1) et onerāriae (1) poterant

Question [4]

References to:

very fertile fields

large amount of flowers

many species of huge trees

tired farmers

many species of animals (horses, oxen) in fields and stables

rare birds

fish ponds

cultivating fish

Ā tergō et ab utrōque latere agrī ferācissimi (1) patēbant. Undique erat magna variōrum flōrum cōpia (1) et multa ingentium arborum genera (1) quae aestāte umbram dēfessis agricolīs (1) grātissimam adferēbant. Praetereā erant in agrīs stabulīsque multa animālium genera (1), nōn sōlum equī et bovēs sed etiam rārae avēs (1). Etiam erat magna piscīna plēna piscium (1); nam Rōmānī piscēs dīligenter colēbant (1).

16.10.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [74] Labours of Hercules (8)

In hortō quōdam haud procul ā Monte Atlante trēs erant sorōrēs pulcherrimae, Hesperidēs nōmine: hae ūnā cum ingentī dracōne aurea illa pōma custōdiēbant quae Iūnōnī, cum ā Iove in mātrimōnium dūcerētur, ā Terrā data erant. Haec pōma petere iussus Herculēs, cum situm hortī ignorāret, per multās terrās diū frūstrā errābat. Monitus autem ā Promētheō Atlantem, quī humerīs caelī onus sustinēbat, mīsit ut pōma invenīret: ipse interim onus sustinuit. Tum ad rēgem reportāvit pōma quae posteā, cum sibi ab eō data essent, Minervae dēdicāvit: haec autem in eundem hortum restituit. Ultimus labōrum etiam omnium difficillimus fuit: nam ā rege iussus est Cerberum canem ā Manibus ad terram suīs ipsīus viribus, sine armīs reportāre. Hoc mōnstrum, quod tria capita habēbat, vī superātum avexit, rēgī ostendit, tum ad Manēs redūxit.

[1] “In hortō … erant.”

In which order are the following first referred to?

a serpent  _____

a garden _____

a mountain _____

apples _____

the Earth goddess _____

marriage _____

three sisters _____

[2] … per multās terrās diū frūstrā errābat …

Why did this happen? (1)

[3] Translate: Monitus autem ā Promētheō Atlantem, quī humerīs caelī onus sustinēbat, mīsit ut pōma invenīret: ipse interim onus sustinuit. (6)

[4] “Tum ad rēgem … restituit.”

[4] Which of the following statements are true?

[A] The king dedicated the apples to Minerva.

[B] Minerva returned the apples to the same garden.

[C] Hercules was given the apples by the king.

[D] Minerva had given the apples to the king.

[E] Hercules returned the apples to the same garden.

[F] Hercules dedicated the apples to Minerva.

[5] Translate the phrases in bold precisely:

Ultimus labōrum etiam omnium difficillimus fuit:

[6] “nam ā rēge … redūxit.”

[i] What was Hercules ordered to do? (2)

[ii] What phrases emphasise the difficulty of this task? Quote the Latin and give translations. (2)

[iii] Which of the following statements is true? (2)

[A] Cerberus was shown to the king.

[B] Cerberus showed the Underworld to the king.

[C] Cerberus was kept by the king.

[D] Cerberus was returned to the Underworld.

Vocabulary

cādus, cādī [2/m]: cask 

iaciō, iacere, iēcī, iactus [3]: throw

odor, odōris [3/m]: smell 

rēte, rētis [3/n]: net 

venēnātus, -a, -um: poisoned 

vīnum, vīnī [2/n]: wine 

Notes: subjunctive

(1) imperfect subjunctive

cum situm hortī ignorāret, … ∣  since he did not know the location of the garden, …

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/070426-level-3-subjunctive-13-tenses-3.html

(2) passive subjunctive forms

[i] imperfect passive subjunctive

cum … in mātrimōnium dūcerētur, …  ∣  literally: when she was being led into marriage [= when she was getting married], …

[ii] pluperfect passive subjunctive

cum sibi ... data essent, …∣  since they had been given to him …,

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20passive%20%2F%20deponent

(3) purpose clauses

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20purpose

Atlantem … mīsit ut pōma invenīret: ∣ He sent Atlas to find [literally: in order that he might find] the apples:

____________________

[1]

a serpent [4]

a garden [1]

a mountain [2]

apples [5]

the Earth goddess [7]

marriage [6]

three sisters [3]

[2] he did not know the location of the garden

[3] However, having been advised by Prometheus, (1) he sent Atlas (1), who was supporting the weight of the sky (1) on his shoulders (1), to find the apples (1); he himself meanwhile held up the weight (1).

[4]

[B] Minerva returned the apples to the same garden.

[C] Hercules was given the apples by the king.

[F] Hercules dedicated the apples to Minerva.

[5] The last of the labours was also the most difficult of all:

[6]

[i] Bring Cerberus, a three-headed dog (1), from the Underworld to the Earth (1)

[ii] suīs ipsīus viribus; sine armīs (1) ∣⃒ by his very own strength; without weapons (1)

[iii]

[A] Cerberus was shown to the king.

[D] Cerberus was returned to the Underworld.

____________________

In a certain garden not far from Mount Atlas there were three very beautiful sisters, called the Hesperides; these, together with a huge serpent, were guarding those golden apples which had been given to Juno by Earth when she was being led into marriage by Jupiter.

Having been ordered to seek these apples, Hercules, since he did not know the location of the garden, wandered for a long time in vain through many lands. However, having been advised by Prometheus, he sent Atlas, who was supporting the weight of the sky on his shoulders, to find the apples; he himself meanwhile held up the weight. Then he brought the apples back to the king; later, when they had been given to him by the king, he dedicated them to Minerva; but she returned them to the same garden.

The last of his labours was also the most difficult of all: for, having been ordered by the king, he brought back Cerberus, the dog, from the Underworld to the earth by his own strength, without weapons. This monster, which had three heads, having been overcome by force, he carried off, showed to the king, and then led back to the Underworld.