22.11.26: Level 4; subjunctive (review) [3] Road to Latin (Chesnutt) 48

Amīcī Caesaris cōnsilia Helvētiōrum animadvertunt atque maximē perturbantur. Intellegunt Helvētiōs ex fīnibus suīs ēgrēdī statuisse. Cognōscunt eōs multīs aliīs gentibus persuādēre ut sē sociōs coniungant et ex fīnibus suīs ēgrediantur. Sentiunt Helvētiōs per prōvinciam Rōmānam iter facere cōnātūrōs esse. Timent nē Helvētiī sociīs Rōmānīs maximē noceant. Itaque magnā cum celeritāte Rōmam contendunt ut cum Caesare conloquantur.

“Cūr tam celeriter ex Galliā vēnistis?” quaesīvit Caesar. Cūr perturbāminī?”

“Cūr perturbāmur? Multa apud Helvētiōs cōnspeximus, Caesar. Libenter tē certiōrem faciēmus cūr perturbēmur. Helvētiī ex fīnibus suīs ēgredī statuērunt et magnum numerum carrōrum et iūmentōrum ēmērunt. Rogāsne cūr Helvētiī ēgredī statuerint? Rogāsne quantum numerum carrōrum et iūmentōrum ēmerint? Prīmō nōn intellēximus cūr ex suīs fīnibus ēgredī statuissent, et cūr tantum numerum carrōrum et iūmentōrum ēmissent. Itaque ā nostrīs amīcīs Helvēticīs quaesīvimus quae Helvētiī facerent.”

Tum Caesar ipse perturbāus quaesīvit quae repperissent. “Helvētiī, Caesar, exīstimant suōs fīnēs angustiōrēs esse prō multitūdine hominum; cōnstituērunt igitur domō exīre ut regiōnibus sibi idōneīs potīrentur. Ad novās regiōnēs eunt. Rogāsne num per prōvinciam Rōmānam eant? Amīcī nostrī nōs certiōrēs nōn fēcērunt quō īrent. Lātiōrēs tamen regiōnēs petunt atque sine dubiō per prōvinciam Romānam iter facere cōnābuntur. Itaque ad tē contendimus ut tē dē hīs rēbus certiōrem facerēmus.”

Complete the translations with the words and phrases listed below.

[1] Cognōscunt eōs multīs aliīs gentibus persuādēre ut sē sociōs coniungant et ex fīnibus suīs ēgrediantur.

They learn that (1) __________  many other tribes (2) __________  them as allies and (3) __________  their territories.

[2] Timent nē Helvētiī sociīs Rōmānīs maximē noceant.

(1) __________ the Helvetii (2) __________  greatly  __________  the Roman allies.

[3] Itaque magnā cum celeritāte Rōmam contendunt ut cum Caesare conloquantur.

Therefore they hurry to Rome with great speed (1) __________ (2) __________ with Caesar.

[4] Libenter tē certiōrem faciēmus cūr perturbēmur.

(1) __________ gladly  __________  you (2) __________.

[5] Rogāsne cūr Helvētiī ēgredī statuerint?

Are you asking (1) __________  the Helvetii (2) __________  to leave?

[6] Rogāsne quantum numerum carrōrum et iūmentōrum ēmerint?

Are you asking (1) __________ a number of wagons and pack animals (2) __________?

[7] Prīmō nōn intellēximus cūr ex suīs fīnibus ēgredī statuissent, et cūr tantum numerum carrōrum et iūmentōrum ēmissent.

At first (1) __________ (2) __________ to leave their territory, and (3) __________ so great a number of wagons and pack animals.

[8] Itaque ā nostrīs amīcīs Helvēticīs quaesīvimus quae Helvētiī facerent.

Therefore (1) __________ our Helvetian friends (2) __________ the Helvetii (3) __________.

[9] Tum Caesar ipse perturbāus quaesīvit quae repperissent.

Then Caesar himself, disturbed, asked __________.

[10] Cōnstituērunt igitur domō exīre ut regiōnibus sibi idōneīs potīrentur.

Therefore they decided to leave home (1) __________ (2) __________ of regions suitable for themselves.

[11] Rogāsne num per prōvinciam Rōmānam eant?

Are you asking (1) __________  (2) __________ through the Roman province?

[12] Amīcī nostrī nōs certiōrēs nōn fēcērunt quō īrent.

Our friends (1) __________  us (2) __________  (3) __________.

[13] Itaque ad tē contendimus ut tē dē hīs rēbus certiōrem facerēmus.

Therefore we hurried to you  __________ about these matters.

they are persuading

they fear that

we did not understand

we asked

did not inform

we will … inform

__________

may … harm

they have obtained

were doing

they might gain possession

decided

they are going

they were going (to)

__________

in order

in order to inform you

so that

__________

what

what they had discovered

whether

where

why

why we are troubled

why they had sent out

why they had decided

how large

__________

to join

to leave

to speak

____________________

[1] They learn that (1) they are persuading many other tribes (2) to join them as allies and (3) to leave their territories.

[2] (1) They fear that the Helvetii (2) may greatly harm the Roman allies.

[3] Therefore they hurry to Rome with great speed (1) in order (2) to speak with Caesar.

[4] (1) We will gladly inform you (2) why we are troubled.

[5] Are you asking (1) why the Helvetii (2) decided to leave?

[6] Are you asking (1) how large a number of wagons and pack animals (2) they have obtained?

[7] At first (1) we did not understand (2) why they had decided to leave their territory, and (3) why they had sent out so great a number of wagons and pack animals.

[8] Therefore (1) we asked our Helvetian friends (2) what the Helvetii (3) were doing.

[9] Then Caesar himself, disturbed, asked what they had discovered.

[10] Therefore they decided to leave home (1) so that (2) they might gain possession of regions suitable for themselves.

[11] Are you asking (1) whether (2) they are going through the Roman province?

[12] Our friends (1) did not inform us (2) where (3) they were going (to).

[13] Therefore we hurried to you in order to inform you about these matters.

21.11.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXIX [3] subjunctive

HOW THE ROMANS MARCHED AND CAMPED

Exercitus quī in hostium fīnibus bellum gerit multīs perīculīs circumdatus est. Quae perīcula ut vītāret, Rōmāni summam cūram adhībēre solēbant. Adpropinquantēs cōpiīs hostium agmen ita dispōnēbant ut imperātor ipse cum plūribus legiōnibus expedītīs prīmum agmen dūceret. Post eās cōpiās impedīmenta tōtīus exercitūs conlocābant. Tum legiōnēs quae proximē cōnscrīptae erant tōtum agmen claudēbant. Equitēs quoque in omnīs partīs dīmittēbantur quī loca explōrārent; et centuriōnēs praemittēbantur ut locum castrīs idōneum dēligerent. Locus habēbatur idōneus castrīs quī facile dēfendī posset et prope aquam esset. Quā dē causā castra in colle ab utrāque parte arduō, ā fronte lēniter dēclīvī saepe pōnēbantur; vel locus palūdibus cīnctus vel in flūminis rīpīs situs dēligēbātur. Ad locum postquam exercitus pervēnit, aliī mīlitum in armīs erant, aliī castra mūnīre incipiēbant. Nam quō tūtiōrēs ab hostibus mīlitēs essent, nēve incautī et imparātī opprimerentur, castra fossā lātā et vāllō altō mūniēbant. In castrīs portae quattuor erant ut ēruptiō mīlitum omnīs in partīs fierī posset. In angulīs castrōrum erant turrēs dē quibus tēla in hostīs coniciēbantur. Tālibus in castrīs quālia dēscrīpsimus Pūblius ā Caesare exceptus est.

review: subjunctive usage

[1] purpose

[i] ut + subjunctive

Quae perīcula ut vītāret, Rōmāni … solēbant.

• in order to avoid these dangers, the Romans were accustomed to …

et centuriōnēs praemittēbantur ut locum castrīs idōneum dēligerent.

• and centurians were sent ahead in order to choose a suitable location for the camp…

In castrīs portae quattuor erant ut ēruptiō … fierī posset.

• There were four gates at the camp so that a sortie … could be made

[ii] nē + subjunctive introducing a negative purpose clause

… nēve … opprimerentur

• … or so that they would not be overwhelmed [literally: lest they be overwhelmed]

[iii] quī + subjunctive; referring specifically to the person who is to perform the task

Equitēs quoque … dīmittēbantur quī loca explōrārent.

• The cavalry were also sent out in order to scout the terrain [literally: who were to scout]

[iv] quō + comparative + subjunctive

Nam quō tūtiōrēs ab hostibus mīlitēs essent, …

• So that the soldiers might be safer, …

[2] result

… agmen ita dispōnēbant ut imperātor ipse … prīmum agmen dūceret.

• (They) arranged the column in such a way that the general himself …. would lead the front line.

[3] characteristic

Locus habēbatur idōneus castrīs quī facile dēfendī posset et prope aquam esset.

• The place was considered suitable for a camp which could easily be defended and would be near water.

____________________

An army which wages war in the territory of the enemy is surrounded by many dangers. In order to avoid these dangers, the Romans were accustomed to take the greatest care. As the forces of the enemy approached, they arranged the column in such a way that the general himself, with several light-armed legions, would lead the front line. Behind these troops they placed the baggage of the whole army. Then the legions which had been most recently enrolled closed the whole column. The cavalry also were sent out in all directions to scout the ground; and centurions were sent ahead to choose a place suitable for a camp. A place was considered suitable for a camp which could easily be defended and would be near water. For this reason the camp was often pitched on a hill steep on both sides but gently sloping in front; or a place surrounded by marshes or situated on the banks of a river was chosen.

After the army had reached the place, some of the soldiers remained under arms, others began to fortify the camp. For, so that the soldiers might be safer from the enemy and might not be caught off guard and unprepared, they fortified the camp with a wide ditch and a high rampart. In the camp there were four gates so that a sortie of the soldiers could be made in all directions. At the corners of the camp there were towers from which missiles were hurled against the enemy. In such a camp as we have described, Publius was received by Caesar.

21.11.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXIX [2] comprehension

HOW THE ROMANS MARCHED AND CAMPED

Exercitus quī in hostium fīnibus bellum gerit multīs perīculīs circumdatus est. Quae perīcula ut vītāret, Rōmāni summam cūram adhībēre solēbant. Adpropinquantēs cōpiīs hostium agmen ita dispōnēbant ut imperātor ipse cum plūribus legiōnibus expedītīs prīmum agmen dūceret. Post eās cōpiās impedīmenta tōtīus exercitūs conlocābant. Tum legiōnēs quae proximē cōnscrīptae erant tōtum agmen claudēbant. Equitēs quoque in omnīs partīs dīmittēbantur quī loca explōrārent; et centuriōnēs praemittēbantur ut locum castrīs idōneum dēligerent. Locus habēbatur idōneus castrīs quī facile dēfendī posset et prope aquam esset. Quā dē causā castra in colle ab utrāque parte arduō, ā fronte lēniter dēclīvī saepe pōnēbantur; vel locus palūdibus cīnctus vel in flūminis rīpīs situs dēligēbātur. Ad locum postquam exercitus pervēnit, aliī mīlitum in armīs erant, aliī castra mūnīre incipiēbant. Nam quō tūtiōrēs ab hostibus mīlitēs essent, nēve incautī et imparātī opprimerentur, castra fossā lātā et vāllō altō mūniēbant. In castrīs portae quattuor erant ut ēruptiō mīlitum omnīs in partīs fierī posset. In angulīs castrōrum erant turrēs dē quibus tēla in hostīs coniciēbantur. Tālibus in castrīs quālia dēscrīpsimus Pūblius ā Caesare exceptus est.

• aliī … aliī …: some … others …
• expeditus, -a, -um: unhindered; unencumbered; here it refers to soldiers who are not carrying, for example, baggage or heavy equipment

[1] “Exercitus … solēbant.”

[i] Where does the Roman army face many dangers? (1)

[ii] How did they respond to these dangers? (1)

[2] “Adpropinquantēs … claudēbant.”

How was the column organised? (6)

[3] “Equitēs … dēligerent.”

What was the function of [i] the cavalry, and [ii] the centurions? (4)

[4] “Locus … dēligēbātur.”

[i] What were the two main criteria for choosing a location suitable for a camp? (2)

[ii] Describe the physical features around a camp situated on a hill. (2)

[iii] Describe the two alternative locations for a camp. (2)

[5] “Ad locum … coniciēbantur."

[i] What were the two functions of the soldiers when they reached the camp? (2)

[ii] How did they ensure that they would not be overwhelmed by the enemy? (2)

[iii] What was the function of the four gates? (2)

[iv] Where were the towers and what was their function? (2)

____________________

[1]

[i] enemy territory

[ii] with the greatest care

[2]

Commander led the first line (1) with lightly equipped legions (1)

Baggage and equipment were placed (1) after / behind these troops (1)

Recently enrolled legions (1) closed / brought up the rear of the column (1)

[3]

[i] sent out in all directions (1) to reconnoitre / explore the terrain (1)

[ii] sent ahead (1) to choose a suitable site for the camp (1)

[4]

[i] easy to defend (1); near water (1)

[ii] steep on both sides (1); gentle slope at the front (1)

[iii] surrounded by marshes (1); on the banks of a river (1)

[5]

[i] some were armed (1); others began fortifying the camp (1)

[ii] the camp was fortified with a wide ditch (1), and a high rampart (1)

[iii] to allow sorties (1) in all directions (1)

[iv] at the corners of the camp (1); throwing missiles / javelins (1)

20.11.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [34] (3)

Herī vir ad casam nautae vēnit. Ubi sonitus pedum eius audītus est, Maria ad iānuam cucurrit quod fīnitimum exspectābat. Ibi avunculus quī in Britanniā habitat stābat. Nēmō eum exspectābat quod nūllam epistulam mīserat. Omnēs, tamen, erant laetī. Trāns mare in magnā urbe in quā sunt multa perīcula avunculus habitat.

Avunculus, vir fortis, urbem dēfendit. Multī latrōnēs enim hūc veniunt. Tum est nūlla pāx et cīvēs sē dēfendere et urbem mūnīre necesse est. Cīvēs latrōnēs expellere maximē volunt. Hoc saepe difficile est et cīvēs sōlī hoc facere nōn possunt. Auxilium habēre volunt. Avunculus et comitēs eius hoc auxilium ferunt. Interdum proelia cum latrōnibus geruntur. Sīc enim necesse est pācem facere. Tēla avunculī sunt bona quamquam hastae gravēs atque gladiī nōn sunt.

Latrōnēs quoque tēla habent. Sī latrōnēs sē capī putant, cīvēs interdum interficiunt. Nocte ubi cīvēs somnō sē dant, latrōnēs per viās celeriter ambulant. Tēcta non semper mūnīta sunt. Fenestrae sunt apertae. Quod cīvēs sonitum pedum latrōnum nōn semper audiunt, nēmō latrōnēs, quī multās rēs ē tēctīs portant, videt. Latrōnēs igitur discēdunt. Māne posterō diē avunculus et comitēs eius vocantur et diū per viās errant. Sī latrōnēs capiuntur, hī virī malī diū in vinculīs tenentur aut interficiuntur.

Nunc Maria quae in grāmine sub umbrā arboris et ante pedēs avunculī iacet fābulās tantōrum perīculōrum audit. “Nōn tanta perīcula sunt, ut putō, in nostrīs urbibus,” inquit puella. Avunculus “Maiōra perīcula,” respondet, “in urbibus vestrīs quam trāns mare reperiuntur. In urbe meā paucī cīvēs ā latrōnibus interficiuntur.”

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

[i] comitēs

[ii] diē

[iii] gramine

[iv] latrōnēs

[v] nocte

[vi] pedum

[2] Match the words and phrases in bold from the text with their grammatical descriptions

[i] Herī vir ad casam nautae vēnit.

[ii] Ubi sonitus pedum eius audītus est, …

[iii] Ubi sonitus pedum eius audītus est, …

[iv] quod fīnitimum exspectābat.

[v] in magnā urbe in quā sunt multa perīcula

[vi] cīvēs sē dēfendere … necesse est.

[vii] Cīvēs latrōnēs expellere maximē volunt.

[viii] proelia … geruntur

[ix] quamquam hastae gravēs atque gladiī nōn sunt

[x] multās rēs

[xi] posterō diē

[xii] Sī latrōnēs capiuntur, …

[xiii] hī virī malī

[xiv] Maiōra perīcula

[xv] … cīvēs ā latrōnibus interficiuntur

5^th declension noun

ablative of agent

adverb of time

adverbial phrase of time

comparative adjective

concessive clause

conditional clause

conjunction introducing a clause of reason

conjunction introducing a clause of time

demonstrative adjective

perfect passive

present passive

reflexive pronoun

relative pronoun

superlative adverb

___________________

[1]

[i] comes

[ii] diēs

[iii] grāmen

[iv] latrō

[v] nox

[vi] pēs

[2]

[i] Herī vir ad casam nautae vēnit. | adverb of time; yesterday a man came to the sailor’s cottage

[ii] Ubi sonitus pedum eius audītus est, … | conjunction introducing a clause of time; when the sound of his feet was heard …

[iii] Ubi sonitus pedum eius audītus est, … | perfect passive; when the sound of his feet was heard …

[iv] quod fīnitimum exspectābat. | conjunction introducing a clause of reason; because she was waiting for a neighbour

[v] in magnā urbe in quā sunt multa perīcula | relative pronoun; in a large city in which there are many dangers

[vi] cīvēs sē dēfendere … necesse est. | reflexive pronoun; it is necessary for the citizens to defend themselves

[vii] Cīvēs latrōnēs expellere maximē volunt. | superlative adverb; the citizens very much want to drive out the robbers.

[viii] proelia … geruntur | present passive; battles are waged

[ix] quamquam hastae gravēs atque gladiī nōn sunt | concessive clause; although the spears and swords are not heavy

[x] multās rēs | 5^th declension noun; many things

[xi] posterō diē | adverbial phrase of time; on the following day

[xii] Sī latrōnēs capiuntur, … | conditional clause; if the robbers are captured …

[xiii] hī virī malī| demonstrative adjective; these evil men

[xiv] Maiōra perīcula | comparative adjective; greater dangers

[xv] … cīvēs ā latrōnibus interficiuntur | ablative of agent; … citizens are killed by robbers

19.11.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [4] (6)

CERĒS ET PERSEPHONĒ (6)

Tum Persephonē cum Mercuriō ē rēgnō Īnferōrum properāvit. Mercurius equōs validōs incitāvit, et equī per clīvōs altōs, per campōs lātōs libenter properāvērunt. Tandem Persephonē templum Deae flāvae vidēbat. Puella laeta verbīs laetīs Deam vocāvit.

Cerēs magnō gaudiō ē templō ēvolāvit, et fīliae cārae ōscula multa dabat. Subitō per terrās herba in prātīs, ūvae in vīneīs undique flōrēbant, quod nōn iam flēbant Cerēs et Persephonē. Cēterī quoque deī laetī erant, quod agricolae ad templa dōna multa apportābant et in ārīs victimās mactābant.

gaudium, -ī [2/n]: joy

ēvolō, ēvolāre [1]: fly out

flōreō, flōrēre [2]: bloom

libenter: gladly

___________________

Then Persephone hurried with Mercury out of the kingdom of the Underworld. Mercury urged on his strong horses, and the horses gladly hurried through high hills and wide fields. At last Persephone saw the temple of the golden goddess. The happy girl called to the goddess with joyful words.

Ceres flew out of the temple with great joy and gave many kisses to her dear daughter. Suddenly throughout the lands grass in the meadows and grapes in the vineyards were blooming everywhere, because Ceres and Persephone were no longer weeping. The other gods also were happy, because the farmers were bringing many gifts to the temples and sacrificing victims on the altars.

18.11.26: Level 4; subjunctive (review) [2] Road to Latin (Chesnutt) 47

Tam bene dīcit Orgetorīx ut iuvenēs nōbilēs coniūrātiōnem faciant et rēgna in cīvitātibus suīs occupāre cōnstituant. Inter sē fīdem et iūs iūrandum dant. Tam audācēs sunt ut perīcula nōn timeant. Etiam spērant sē tōtīus Galliae imperiō potīrī posse. Tanta est Orgeorīgis cupiditās rēgnī ut patriam trādere velit.

Ea rēs, paulō, post, Helvētiīs ēnūntiāta est. Helvētiī Orgetorīgem hostem esse sēnsērunt et ita incitātī sunt ut eum ex vinculīs causam dīcere cōgerent. Orgetorīx amīcōrum magnum numerum habēbat et eius audācia erat tanta ut ad iūdicium omnem suam familiam, ad hominum mīlia decem, undique convocāret; per eōs sē ēripere posse spērāvit. Sed cīvitās, ob eam rem incītāta, armīs iūs suum exsecūta est multitūdinemque hominum ex agrīs magistrātūs ad iūdicium coēgērunt. Orgetorīx perterritus dē vītā decessit.

Post eius mortem nihilō minus Helvētiī patriam relinquere cupīvērunt. Quārē accidit ut cōnsilia exsequerentur. Magnae sēmentēs factae erant; carrī et iūmenta ēmpta erant; fēminae līberīque conlātī erant. Sed spem domum reditiōnis tollere necesse erat. Fiēbat ut oppida sua omnia, vīcōs omnēs, reliqua prīvāta aedificia incenderent. etiam frūmentum omne praeter id quod sēcum portāre necesse erat incendērunt. Hōc modō effēcērunt ut omnis spēs domum reditiōnis tollerētur. Effēcērunt praetereā ut fīnitimī eōdem cōnsiliō ūsī ūnā cum eīs proficīscerentur.

Complete the translations of the Latin sentences with one clause from Column A and one clause from Column B

[1] Tam bene dīcit Orgetorīx ut iuvenēs nōbilēs coniūrātiōnem faciant.

[2] Tam audācēs sunt ut perīcula nōn timeant.

[3] Tanta est Orgeorīgis cupiditās rēgnī ut patriam trādere velit.

[4] Helvetiī … ita incitātī sunt ut eum ex vinculīs causam dīcere cōgerent.

[5] Eius audācia erat tanta ut ad iūdicium omnem suam familiam … convocāret.

[6] Quārē accidit ut cōnsilia exsequerentur.

[7] Fiēbat ut oppida sua omnia … incenderent.

[8] Hōc modō effēcērunt ut omnis spēs domum reditiōnis tollerētur.

[9] Effēcērunt praetereā ut fīnitimī … ūnā cum eīs proficīscerentur.

____________________

[1] Orgetorix speaks so well that the noble youths make a conspiracy.

[2] They are so bold that they do not fear dangers.

[3] So great is Orgetorix’s desire for kingship that he wishes to betray his country.

[4] The Helvetii were so stirred up that they forced him to plead his case in chains.

[5] His boldness was so great that he summoned his entire household to the trial.

[6] Therefore it happened that they carried out their plans.

[7] It came about that they burned all their towns.

[8] So great is Orgetorix’s desire for kingship that all hope of returning home was removed.

[9] They also brought it about that the neighbouring peoples set out together with them.

17.11.26: Level 3+ (Review); P. Cornelius Lentulus: The Story Of A Roman Boy [10]

LXIX. PUBLIUS JOINS CAESAR'S ARMY IN GAUL

[A] __________

[B] __________

Pūblius iam adulēscēns, postquam togam virīlem sūmpsit, aliīs rēbus studēre incēpit et praesertim ūsū armōrum sē dīligenter exercuit. Magis magisque amāvit illās artēs quae mīlitārem animum dēlectant. Iamque erant quī eī cursum mīlitārem praedīcerent. Nec sine causā, quod certē patris īnsigne exemplum ita multum trahēbat.

[C] __________

[D] __________

Paucīs ante annīs C. Iūlius Caesar, ducum Rōmānōrum maximus, cōnsul creātus erat et hōc tempore in Galliā bellum grave gerēbat. Atque in exercitū eius plūrēs adulēscentēs mīlitābant, apud quōs erat amīcus quīdam Pūblī. Ille Pūblium crēbrīs litterīs vehementer hortābātur ut iter in Galliam faceret. Neque Pūblius rēcūsāvit, et, multīs amīcīs ad portam urbis prōsequentibus, ad Caesaris castra profectus est.

[E] __________

[F] __________

Quārtō diē postquam iter ingressus est, ad Alpēs, montēs altissimōs, pervēnit. Hīs summā difficultāte superātīs, tandem Gallōrum in fīnibus erat. Prīmō autem veritus est ut castrīs Rōmānīs adpropinquāre posset, quod Gallī, maximīs cōpiīs coāctīs, Rōmānōs obsidēbant et viās omnēs iam clauserant. Quamvīs per hostium cōpiās iter faceret, Pūblius vestem Gallicam induit nē ā Gallīs caperētur; ita incolumis ad castra pervenīre potuit. Intrā mūnītiōnēs acceptus, ā Caesare benignē exceptus est. Imperātor fortem adulēscentem amplissimīs verbīs laudāvit et eum tribūnum mīlitum creāvit.

Question [1] comprehension

Which of the following titles are appropriate for each paragraph? There are two titles for each of them.

dangerous journey through enemy territory

early training and growing interest in military life

invitation to join Caesar’s campaign in Gaul

successful arrival and reward in the Roman camp

the rise of Julius Caesar as Rome’s greatest general

young man influenced by his father’s reputation

Question [2] language; clause types and descriptors

Look at the following clauses from the text. At this higher level, you may well be using grammar books that identify these clauses by name. Match the clauses with their names and descriptors [A] – [H] below:

[i] plūrēs adulēscentēs mīlitābant ¦ apud quōs erat amīcus quīdam Pūblī _____

[ii] erant ¦ quī eī cursum mīlitārem praedīcerent _____

[iii] postquam togam virīlem sūmpsit _____

[iv] quod certē patris īnsigne exemplum ita multum trahēbat _____

[v] vestem Gallicam induit ¦ nē ā Gallīs caperētur _____

[vi] hortābātur ¦ ut iter in Galliam faceret _____

[vii] veritus est ¦ ut castrīs Rōmānīs adpropinquāre posset _____

[viii] Quamvīs per hostium cōpiās iter faceret, … _____

[A] subordinate clause of fear (+ subjunctive)

• Used after verbs of fearing; nē expresses fear that something may happen, ut expresses fear that something may not happen.

[B] indirect command (+ subjunctive)

• Reports an order, request, encouragement, or instruction indirectly.

[C] concessive clause (+ subjunctive)

• Expresses a contrast, usually translated as “although …”; the main action happens despite this fact.

[D] subordinate clause of cause / reason

• Explains why the action in the main clause happens.

[E] relative / adjectival clause

• Refers to / describes a specific, identifiable person or thing mentioned in the main clause.

[F] relative clause of characteristic (+ subjunctive)

• Describes the type or kind of person or thing, not a specific individual; often a general or non-specific group.

[G] subordinate clause of negative purpose (+ nē + subjunctive)

• Explains the aim or intention behind the action in the main clause; here, the purpose is negative i.e. the goal it is intended not to bring about.

[H] subordinate clause of time (temporal clause)

• States when the action of the main clause takes place.

____________________

Notes on the subjunctive

[1] Subjunctive: characteristic; does not describe a specific person but makes a generalised comment on the ‘type of person’

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

Iamque erant quī eī cursum mīlitārem praedīcerent

• And there were already people who predicted a military career for him

[2] Subjunctive: indirect command

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

Ille Pūblium … vehementer hortābātur ut iter in Galliam faceret

• He was strongly urging Publius … to make a journey into Gaul

[3] Subjunctive: purpose (negative)

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

Pūblius vestem Gallicam induit nē ā Gallīs caperētur

• Publius put on Gallic clothing so that he would not be captured by the Gauls

[4] Subjunctive: fear

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20verbs%20of%20fearing

Prīmō autem veritus est ut castrīs Rōmānīs adpropinquāre posset

• At first, however, he feared that he might not be able to approach the Roman camp

[5] Subjunctive: concessive; ‘although’

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

Quamvīs per hostium cōpiās iter faceret, …

• Although he was making his way through the enemy forces, …

____________________

Question [1] comprehension

[A] Early training and growing interest in military life

[B] A young man influenced by his father’s reputation

[C] An invitation to join Caesar’s campaign in Gaul

[D] The rise of Julius Caesar as Rome’s greatest general

[E] A dangerous journey through enemy territory

[F] Successful arrival and reward in the Roman camp

Question [2] language

[i] E; [ii] F; [iii] H; [iv] D; [v] G; [vi] B; [vii] A; [viii] C

16.11.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [34] (2)

[3] Translate:

Latrōnēs quoque tēla habent. Sī latrōnēs sē capī putant, cīvēs interdum interficiunt. Nocte ubi cīvēs somnō sē dant, latrōnēs per viās celeriter ambulant. Tēcta non semper mūnīta sunt. Fenestrae sunt apertae. Quod cīvēs sonitum pedum latrōnum nōn semper audiunt, nēmō latrōnēs, quī multās rēs ē tēctīs portant, videt. Latrōnēs igitur discēdunt. Māne posterō diē avunculus et comitēs eius vocantur et diū per viās errant. Sī latrōnēs capiuntur, hī virī malī diū in vinculīs tenentur aut interficiuntur.

Note: Sī latrōnēs sē capī putant,…

Literally: If the robbers think themselves to be captured …

> If the robbers think that they are captured …

[4]

Nunc Maria quae in grāmine sub umbrā arboris et ante pedēs avunculī iacet fābulās tantōrum perīculōrum audit. “Nōn tanta perīcula sunt, ut putō, in nostrīs urbibus,” inquit puella. Avunculus “Maiōra perīcula,” respondet, “in urbibus vestrīs quam trāns mare reperiuntur. In urbe meā paucī cīvēs ā latrōnibus interficiuntur.”

[i] Where exactly is Maria sitting?

[ii] Which of the following statements is true?

[A] Maria thinks that the dangers are only fairy tales.

[B] Maria thinks there are not such dangers in the cities of her country.

[C] Her uncle thinks there are greater dangers in the cities of Maria’s country.

[D] Her uncle thinks there are greater dangers overseas.

[E] Many citizens are killed in her uncle’s city.

[F] A few citizens are killed in her uncle’s city.

[G] The citizens kill robbers.

[H] The robbers kill citizens.

____________________

[3] The robbers also have weapons. If the robbers think that they are captured, they sometimes kill the citizens. At night when the citizens go to sleep (literally: give themselves to sleep), the robbers walk quickly through the streets. The houses are not always fortified. The windows are open. Because the citizens do not always hear the sound of the robbers' feet, nobody sees the robbers who are carrying many things out of the houses. Therefore, the robbers depart. In the morning on the following day the uncle and his companions are called, and wander through the streets for a long time. If the robbers are captured, these evil men are held in chains or killed.

[4]

[i] in grāmine (1) sub umbrā arboris (1) et ante pedēs avunculī (1) | on the grass (1); under the shade of a tree (1); at (in front of) her uncle’s feet (1)

[ii]

[B] Maria thinks there are not such great dangers in the cities of her country.

Nōn tanta perīcula sunt … in nostrīs urbibus

[C] Her uncle thinks there are greater dangers in the cities of Maria’s country.

Maiōra perīcula … in urbibus vestrīs

[F] A few citizens are killed in her uncle’s city.

… paucī cīvēs … interficiuntur.

[H] The robbers kill citizens.

… cīvēs ā latrōnibus interficiuntur.

15.11.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [4] (5)

CERĒS ET PERSEPHONĒ (5)

Tum Cerēs ex agricolae casā ambulāvit. Sed flēvērunt familia et flēvit Triptolemus, quod nōn iam in Deae gremiō dormītābat. Māne agricola virōs et fēminās locī convocāvit, et Deae dicta et facta nārrāvit. Deinde virī et fēminae saxa multa apportāvērunt et templum magnum aedificāvērunt. In templī ārīs victimās mactāvērunt, et Deam adōrāvērunt. Grāta erant Deae dōna populī, et Cerēs templum diū habitābat.

Intereā in ārīs aliōrum deōrum neque pōma neque ūvae neque rosae iacēbant. Nōn iam herba in prātīs, nōn iam pōma in agrīs flōrēbant, quod adhūc Cerēs propter fīliam flēbat. Itaque Iuppiter Deae, “Plūtō,” inquit, “fīliam tuam habet. Persephonē rēgīna Īnferōrum est. Sed Mercurius ad rēgnum Īnferōrum properābit, et puellam ad templum tuum celeriter apportābit.”

Deinde Mercurius ad Īnferōs properāvit. Persephonē cum virō suō in lectō sedēbat. Misera erat puella, quod adhūc Deam cāram dēsīderābat. Sed Mercurium vidēbat et laeta fuit. “Iterum,” inquit, “Deam cāram vidēbō, iterum Cerēs fīliam suam habēbit.”

Tum Plūtō verbīs benignīs puellam ōrāvit, “Ō Persephonē, memoriae tuae grātus semper erit Plūtō; iterum rēgīna Īnferōrum eris. Nunc caeruleum est caelum, iūcunda sunt prāta, sed mox gelidum erit caelum, gelidī erunt et ventī et agrī. Tum iterum virum tuum et rēgnum Īnferōrum dēsīderābis. Valē, Ō cāra rēgīna.”

[1]

familia, -ae [1/f]: family

populus, -ī [2/m]: people

Iuppiter, Iovis [3/m]: Jupiter

Mercurius, -ī [2/m]: Mercury

rēgnum, -ī [2/n]: kingdom

rēgīna, -ae [1/f]: queen

lectus, -ī [2/m]: bed

ventus, -ī [2/m]: wind

memoria, -ae [1/f]: memory

[2]

celer, celeris, celere: swift

[3]

flēō, flēre [2]: weep

convocō, convocāre [1]: call together

apportō, apportāre [1]: bring

sedeō, sedēre [2]: sit

videō, vidēre [2]: see

ōrō, ōrāre [1]: beg, plead

[4]

māne: in the morning

intereā: meanwhile

mox: soon

semper: always

valē: farewell

___________________

Then Ceres walked out of the farmer’s house. But the family wept, and Triptolemus wept because he was no longer sleeping in the lap of the goddess. In the morning the farmer called together the men and women of the place and told the deeds and words of the goddess. Then the men and women brought many stones and built a great temple. On the altars of the temple they sacrificed victims and worshipped the goddess. The gifts of the people were pleasing to the goddess, and Ceres lived in the temple for a long time.

Meanwhile on the altars of the other gods neither fruit nor grapes nor roses were lying. No longer did grass in the meadows or fruit in the fields bloom, because Ceres was still weeping for her daughter. And so Jupiter said to the goddess, “Pluto has your daughter. Persephone is the queen of the Underworld. But Mercury will hurry to the kingdom of the Underworld and will quickly bring the girl to your temple.”

Then Mercury hurried to the Underworld. Persephone was sitting with her husband on a couch. The girl was unhappy because she still longed for her dear mother. But she saw Mercury and was happy. “Again,” she said, “I shall see my dear mother; again Ceres will have her daughter.”

Then Pluto pleaded with the girl in kind words, “O Persephone, Pluto will always be grateful to your memory; again you will be queen of the Underworld. Now the sky is blue, the meadows are pleasant, but soon the sky will be cold, and the winds and fields will be cold. Then again you will long for your husband and the kingdom of the Underworld. Farewell, dear queen.”

14.11.26: Level 4; subjunctive (review) [1] Road to Latin (Chesnutt) 46

Helvetiī multa dīligenter comparant quod ē patriā exīre cōnstituērunt. Sēmentēs quam maximās faciunt nē inopia frūmentī in itinere sit. Iūmentōrum et carrōrum maximum numerum emunt ut omnia sēcum facile portent. Nūntiōs ad cīvitātēs proximās mittunt ut eae gentēs quoque cōnsilia audiant et auxilium mittant. Fortasse cīvitātēs sē sociōs iungent et ē fīnibus ībunt. Helvētiī patriam relinquunt ut novōs agrōs videant et fīnēs multitūdinī hominum idōneōs capiant. Magna est eōrum spēs.

Orgetorīx, nōbilissimus Helvētiōrum, erat cīvitātibus proximīs amīcus. Dux igitur dēlēctus est ut fīnitimī cōnsilia Helvētiōrum benignē audīrent et auxilium mitterent. Ad cīvitātēs iit ut prīncipēs vidēret et cum eīs cōnsilia caperet. Helvētiī cum fīnitimīs pācem et amīcitiam cōnfirmāre voluērunt ut omnia per eōrum fīnēs sine difficultāte portārentur. Erat mōs gentēs obsidēs inter sē dare nē iniūria esset.

Helvētiī cum cīvitātibus proximīs pācem et amīcitiam cōnfirmāre cōnstituerant quō facilius per eōrum fīnēs iter facere possent. Itaque Orgetorīgem mīserant quī eās rēs cōnficeret. Sed Orgetorīx rēgnī cupiditāte adductus alia cōnsilia cēpit.

Match the Latin and English phrases.

____________________

1:B | so that there is not a shortage of grain on the journey

2:F | so that they may carry everything easily with them

3:G | so that those peoples may also hear the plans and send help

4:H | so that they may see new lands

5:I | and may take territories suitable for a large number of people

6:J | so that the neighbours would hear the Helvetii’s plans favorably

7:K | and would send help

8:L | so that he could see the chiefs

9:M | and (could) make plans with them

10:A | so that everything might be carried through their territories without difficulty

11:C | so that there would be no wrongdoing

12:D | so that they could more easily make the journey through their territories

13:E | who was to accomplish these things

13.11.26: Level 4; introduction

Learning a language is a journey. The images that have accompanied the introduction to each level have conveyed that. The Latin journey is a long one: it requires considerable reading, practice, thought and review. Above all, however, it requires patience – and utter determination.

Learning a language – even our native one – never ends, but targets can be set so that, should you wish to progress to higher education, you are equipped with everything you need to face that confidently. In ‘Latin for Learners’ that is our summit.

This is the final level of both the Facebook group and the blog site.

Level 4 is targeted at those who already have a sound command of Latin at intermediate / upper-intermediate level.  

Grammar

The grammar and syntax needed to reach this stage have been covered in depth and repeatedly at Levels 1 – 3+. Therefore, only more advanced aspects of the language will be reviewed and / or referred to, for example:

• the subjunctive
• gerunds; gerundives
• participial usage e.g. ablative absolute
• indirect statement

Where necessary, links to earlier posts on these and similar topics will be given.

Less common features which occur from time to time in literature will be mentioned in notes; these do not require in-depth study.

Levels 1 – 3+ will continue although less detail will be given, but, again, links will be posted to the topics in the ‘labels’ section of the blog.

If you reach the summit, then you have every right to feel proud.

Overview of Level 4

Literature

[i] texts that could be considered “ bridges” to Classical Latin, for example extracts from the Vulgate and from the Mediaeval texts entitled Gesta Rōmānōrum

[ii] GCSE Literature topics; these approach Classical Latin literature from a thematic perspective with excerpts from different authors and all deal with specific aspects of the Roman world

[iii] Mediaeval Literature; a number of earlier posts will reappear – including song lyrics – and, again, we will look at the differences between Classical and Mediaeval Latin as well as authentic manuscripts, and scribal abbreviations

[iv] Classical Latin literature showing a range of authors, themes and styles e.g. Catullus, Caesar, Tacitus and Pliny; I will mainly, but not exclusively, follow the prescribed works for the UK AS / A2 examinations.

[v] Classical Latin poetry with a step-by-step guide to the analysis of poetic devices and metre: only those features found at the UK AS / A2 level will be considered

Self-Assessment

• Questions from UK GCSE and, later, AS and A2 examinations
• Highest levels of the US National Latin Examination

02.11.26: topic; architecture [15]; describing a modern house (Traupman); dialogue (2) [ii] an interesting discussion

The odd omission from the Traupman dialogue is how Latin would express ‘living room’ because the Romans did not have a single room in the way we understand its modern function. However, given that one of the aims of this topic is to facilitate spoken Latin in a contemporary way, it needs to be included.

To begin, I shall quote some extracts from a discussion a decade ago:

https://latin.stackexchange.com/questions/2272/what-is-living-room-in-latin

“I would like to find a good Latin word for "living room". I know some options, but my list might not be complete and I am not sure what is the best choice. It may well be that different words are needed for different kinds of living rooms.”

This is certainly true in the ancient world although we will not find the “answer” from the poorer classes of Rome since most of them lived in single rooms in large, cramped and poorly constructed apartment blocks called insulae. They had neither washing nor cooking facilities, hence the proliferation of thermae (public bath houses), street fountains, and “fast food” outlets known as thermopolia.

In the large, wealthy Roman town houses and in the sprawling country villas, there were different rooms where the type of activity took place that we would associate with our living rooms – but none of them encompass a unified concept.

One response to the initial question was:

“Have you tried looking at modern Latin dictionaries already?”

That the original writer had provided a list of possibilities suggests this process had already been done, but it had not resolved the issue. The link below gives eight different Neo-Latin definitions for the same word:

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/living_room/

The problem is compounded by different writers inconsistently employing vocabulary.

[1] Traupman (Conversational Latin for Oral Proficiency) lists two – but does not use them in his text :

[i] sessōrium, -ī [2/n]; Amery (First Thousand Words in Latin) also chooses this noun.

[ii] synoecium, -ī [2/n]

[2] Wilkes (Latin for Beginners) lists mediānum, -ī [2/n]

[3] ātrium, -ī [2/n] is listed at:

https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Latin_II/Household_Lesson_1#

This is also given as “lounge” at:

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/lounge/

Question: does it matter? Not really, if you are only focussing on the Classical world because the language has a wide range of vocabulary to denote the rooms in Roman houses, the functions generally well defined. In a contemporary sense, however, it is an interesting task to question and / or challenge what is presented as being “correct”.

This can be done in a number of ways, one of which is to check the frequency with which a word was used in Classical Latin and whether it at least partially conveyed the meaning.

[1] https://logeion.uchicago.edu/sessorium

Lewis & Short: [i] stool, chair; [ii] a place of residence, dwelling, habitation

The noun occurs once. In the Satyricon (Petronius), Trimalchio describes his vast property:

Habet quattuor cēnātiōnēs, | It has 4 dining rooms,

cubicula vīgintī, | 20 bedrooms,

porticūs marmorātōs duōs | two marble halls,

sū(r)sum cellātiōnem, | a series of storerooms upstairs

cubiculum in quō ipse dormiō, | a bedroom in which I myself sleep,

** vīperae huius sessōrium.... | a chamber for this viper, ** [i.e. a place where the viper ‘lives’ / ‘sits’ / ‘resides’]

ōstiāriī cellam perbonam; | the porter’s excellent room;

hospitium hospitēs capit. | the guest room receives guests.

[2] https://logeion.uchicago.edu/synoecium

Lewis & Short: a room where several persons dwell together

From a German definition: das gemeinsame Wohnzimmer | the shared / common living room

The noun occurs only once, and also from the Satyricon:

Nam sī aliquis ex īs, quī in eōdem synoeciō pōtant, ... | For if any one of those who drink in the same tenement / lodging…

I suspect that Traupman has tried to find an all-embracing noun, but neither of these were in common use, nor does he consider other nouns that are functionally closer.

[3] Wilkes’ suggestion of mediānum, -ī [2/n] is distinctly odd since, in Classical Latin, it had no suggestion of any form of living space; as a noun, it referred to the middle part.

https://logeion.uchicago.edu/medianus

[4] There are, however, potential “candidates”.

[i] exedra, -ae [1/f] “In private houses the exedra was a room intended for conversation” (Thurston Peck)

[ii] ex(h)edrium, -ī [2/n]: Lewis & Short define this word as a “sitting room, parlour” and is referred to by Cicero:

Exhedria quaedam mihi nova sunt īnstitūta in porticulā Tusculānī.

“Certain new sitting-rooms have been set up for me in the little portico of the Tusculan villa.”

In architectural terms, they may have been little more than ‘side rooms’ or a semi-circular seating area opening out to, for example, the peristylium (garden with colonnades). While neither of them would precisely render the concept of a living room, both refer to areas of a Roman house where people would withdraw for conversation and social interaction. To that extent, the rather formal English term “drawing room”, a shortened version of “withdrawing room”, reflects a similar concept.

[iii] ātrium, -ī [2/n]

05.10.26: topic: architecture [6]; The Roman House [1]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/04/051026-topic-architecture-6-roman-house.htmll

However, since it was a location for receiving visitors – the term “reception rooms” is used today by, for example, estate agents – then it is a reasonable rendering of “living room”. Moreover, in social terms, the ātrium was the largest – and most impressive – area of a Roman house, designed to convey the wealth and influence of the owner. In many houses in England built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the “living room” was often described as the “best room” i.e. the one that was the most elaborately furnished and conventionally used for visitors.

The writer of the original post makes the following observation:

“Atrium: Has the meaning of "main room", but also the tone of "entrance". If many other rooms are accessed through the living room, I would be tempted to use this word.”

And so would I.