04.05.27: Level 4; literature; Vulgate: The Parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:25–37] (3); narrative structure; the rule of three; the tricolon

[25] Et ecce quīdam lēgisperītus surrēxit tentāns illum, et dīcēns: Magister, quid faciendō vītam aeternam possidēbō?

[26] At ille dīxit ad eum: In lēge quid scrīptum est? quōmodo legis?

[27] Ille respondēns dīxit: Dīligēs Dominum Deum tuum ex tōtō corde tuō, et ex tōtā animā tuā, et ex omnibus virtūtibus tuīs, et ex omnī mente tuā: et proximum tuum sīcut tēipsum.

[28] Dīxitque illī: Rēctē respondistī: hoc fac, et vīvēs.

[29] Ille autem volēns iūstificāre sēipsum, dīxit ad Iēsum: Et quis est meus proximus?

[30] Suscipiēns autem Iēsūs, dīxit: Homō quīdam dēscendēbat ab Ierusālem in Ierīchō, et incīdit in latrōnēs, quī etiam dēspoliāvērunt eum: et plāgīs impositīs abiērunt sēmivīvō relictō.

[31] Accidit autem ut sacerdōs quīdam dēscenderet eādem viā: et vīsō illō praeterīvit.

[32] Similiter et Lēvīta, cum esset secus locum, et vidēret eum, pertrānsiit.

[33] Samarītānus autem quīdam iter faciēns, vēnit secus eum: et vidēns eum, misericordiā mōtus est.

[34]  Et (1) appropiāns alligāvit vulnera eius, (2) īnfundēns oleum et vīnum: et (3) impōnēns illum in iūmentum suum, dūxit in stabulum, et cūram eius ēgit.

[35] Et alterā diē prōtulit duōs dēnāriōs, et dedit stabulāriō, et ait: Cūram illīus habē: et quodcumque superērogāverīs, ego cum redierō reddam tibi.

[36] Quis hōrum trium vidētur tibi proximus fuisse illī, quī incīdit in latrōnēs?

[37] At ille dīxit: Quī fēcit misericordiam in illum. Et ait illī Iēsūs: Vāde, et tū fac similiter.

[1] The purpose of a Parable is to convey a moral or spiritual concept in short and simple terms. It is also generalised, hence the use of:

quīdam lēgisperītus: a certain lawyer / expert in the law

homō quīdam: a certain man

sacerdōs quīdam: a certain priest

Samarītānus … quīdam: a certain Samaritan

i.e. the parable applies to everybody and is not narrowed by references to specific individuals or periods of time.

[2] Note the means by which statements can be succinctly expressed:

[i] present active participle, for example:

l25: tentāns illum, et dīcēns |  testing him, and saying

[ii] ablative absolute constructions comprising two words:

l30: plāgīs impositīs |  with blows having been inflicted

l30: sēmivīvō relictō | with him having been left half alive

l31: visō illō:  with him having been seen

Such literal translations – although the first step in comprehending meaning – need to be reworked depending upon context, for example:

l31: visō illō praeterīvit

There are various possibilities including:

[i] When he saw him, he passed by.

[ii] After / once he had seen him, he passed by.

[iii] Having seen him / (upon) seeing him, he passed by.

[3] An interesting feature is the structure of lines 31-33. It is neither being flippant, nor undermining the moral value of the lines to observe that, given that the parable is compressed storytelling, it parallels the structure of a three part joke.

Exposition (setting the scene and circumstances): Three men are stranded on a desert island and find a magic lantern. A genie pops out and grants each of them one single wish.

(1) Setup: The first man says, "I wish I was back home with my family." Flash! He vanishes.

(2) Reinforcement: The second man says, "I wish I was back home in my warm bed." Flash! He vanishes. This establishes the pattern with the same or similar language and recounting of events.

(3) Subversion (the ‘punchline’): The third man looks around at the empty beach and says, "Wow, I feel so lonely now. I wish my two friends were back here with me!"

Line 3 undermines the expectation established in lines 1 and 2.

Compare that structure with lines 30-33:

Line 30: exposition

Homō quīdam dēscendēbat ab Ierusālem in Ierīchō, et incīdit in latrōnēs, quī etiam dēspoliāvērunt eum: et plāgīs impositīs abiērunt sēmivīvō relictō. 

• "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him: after they had beaten him, they departed, having abandoned him half alive.”

(1) Line 31: set up

Accidit autem ut sacerdōs quīdam dēscenderet eādem viā: et vīsō illō praeterīvit. 

• “It happened that a certain priest was going down the same road, and when he saw him, he passed by.”

(2) Line 32: reinforcement

Similiter et Lēvīta, cum esset secus locum, et vidēret eum, pertrānsiit. 

• “And similarly, a Levite, when he was beside the place and saw him, passed by.” 

(3) Line 33: subversion i.e. what is expected based upon the content of lines 31-32 is reversed:

Samarītānus autem quīdam iter faciēns, vēnit secus eum: et vidēns eum, misericordiā mōtus est. 

• “But a certain Samaritan, while travelling, came beside him: and seeing him, was moved by pity.” 

While this parable is, of course, in no way light-hearted, it is –  like the account of the Trial of Jesus – a striking example of highly focused narrative technique, in which moral teaching is delivered in a form that is concise, memorable, and free of superfluous detail. Noticeable also is the implication of hypocrisy on the part of the priest and the Levite without this being specifically expressed.

[4] The “rule of three” is a common feature of, for example, our contemporary advertising and political slogans:

NIKE: (1) JUST (2) DO (3) IT

McDONALD’S: I’M LOVIN’ IT

PEACE! LAND! BREAD!

Ideas are conveyed in groups of three because our minds absorb that information quickly:

LOOK RIGHT, LOOK LEFT, LOOK RIGHT AGAIN

Such a structure is not new. In this triumphant line, we see it:

VENI, VIDI, VICI: three ‘messages’, poetically bound by three identical perfect tense forms and the alliteration of V.

[i] The parable divides the key events into three but with similar lexis that combines them.

[ii] Note also line 34:

(1) appropiāns alligāvit vulnera eius, (2) īnfundēns oleum et vīnum: (3) et impōnēns illum …

The term when dealing with Latin Literature is the tricolon. Below are links which discuss the tricolon and, in particular, Cicero’s frequent use of the device.

29.04.24: the tomb of Scipio Barbatus; I’m lovin’ it

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/290424-tomb-of-scipio-barbatus-im-lovin.html

29.05.24: level 2; a side note

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/290524-level-2-side-note.html

07.04.25: Level 3; deponent verbs (9); perfect, pluperfect and future perfect tenses

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/01/070425-level-3-deponent-verbs-9-perfect.html

30.01.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [16]; the perfect passive infinitive [iv]; reading

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/300126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

24.04.26: Describing objects [17]; Cicero against Verres, ‘the art thief’

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/240426-describing-objects-17-cicero.html

07.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [49] passive forms [ii] imperfect passive (3) anatomy of a sentence; Cicero’s rhetorical style

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/02/070626-level-3-subjunctive-49-passive.html

19.02.27: Level 3+ (review); correlatives [6] making comparisons (3); totiēns … quotiēns …

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/07/190227-level-3-review-correlatives-6.html

23.01.27: Level 3+ (review); correlatives [2]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/07/230127-level-3-review-correlatives-2.html

15.04.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [6]: wheeled vehicles (6) raeda; Cicero and the defence of Milo [i]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/09/150427-topic-level-4-transport-6.html

16.04.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [7]: wheeled vehicles (7) raeda; Cicero and the defence of Milo [ii]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/09/160427-topic-level-4-transport-7.html

03.05.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [12]; on water [ii]

[1] scapha, -ae [1/f]: skiff; light boat

(1) In translation, scapha may simply be rendered as ‘boat’ – but not ship, since the term does not convey a large vessel:

potuimus vix obtinēre scapham (Vulgate)

• we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat

(2) Comenius (1685) uses scapha to describe a way in which sailors might escape from a ship-wreck i.e. in the equivalent of a lifeboat (illustrated below):

Quīdam ēvādunt, vel tabulā (7), ac ēnatandō, vel scaphā (8)

• Some escape, either on a plank, 7. and by swimming, or in the boat, 8.

This reflects the description given in Harper’s Dictionary of Classical Antiquities:

“A skiff or cutter carried on large vessels to be lowered for use as required” (Thurston Peck)

(3) Similarly, Caesar uses the term to refer to ‘skiffs’, small boats that are attached to larger vessels:

quod cum animadvertisset Caesar, scaphās longārum nāvium, item speculātōria nāvigia mīlitibus complērī iussit

• When Caesar had noticed this, he ordered the skiffs of the long ships, and likewise the reconnaissance vessels, to be filled with soldiers.

nāvigium speculātōrium: reconnaissance vessel

(4) This line from Plautus clearly indicates the difference in size:

Illa autem virgō atque altera itidem ancillula dē nāvī timidae dēsuluērunt* in scapham

* = desiluerunt

• The young girl, however, and another little maid likewise, both afraid, have leapt down from the ship into a little boat.

(5)

Intereā ex secundō commeātū quem ā Siciliā mīserat Aliēnus, nāvis ūna in quā fuerat Q. Cominius et L. Ticida equitēs Rōmānī, ab residuā classe cum errāvisset dēlātaque esset ventō ad Thapsōn, ā Vergiliō scaphīs nāviculīsque āctuāriīs excepta est et ad Scīpiōnem adducta. (Dē Bellō Āfricō)

• Meanwhile, from the second supply convoy which Alienus had sent from Sicily, one ship—in which the Roman knights, Quintus Cominius and Lucius Ticida, had been, since they had strayed from the rest of the fleet and had been carried by the wind toward Thapsus, was intercepted by Vergilius with skiffs and fast light-vessels, and brought before Scipio.

classis, -is [3/f]: fleet

commeātus, -ūs [4/m]: (supply) convoy

[2] cymba, -ae [1/f] / cumba, -ae [1/f]: small boat; dinghy

< Anc. Gk. κύμβη [kúmbē]: [i] hollow of a vessel: drinking cup, bowl; [ii] (Phoenician) boat.

Abī tū: appellant hūc ad mōlem nostram nāviculam . . . Tum interibi locī cōnscendō cumbam piscātōriam, . . . veniō, iacitur anchora, inhibent lēniter. (Afranius)

• Go on, you: they are bringing a small boat right here to our pier ... Then, meanwhile at that place, I board a fishing skiff ... I arrive; the anchor is cast; they gently row backwards."

mōlēs, -is [3/f]: (here) pier; jetty

[3] ratis, -is [3/f]: raft

hic subsecūtus quō modō trānsierit, utrum ratī an piscātōriō nāvigiō, nēmō sciēbat (Rufus)

• How this man, having followed closely, crossed over – whether by raft or by a fishing boat – no one knew

[4] lembus, -ī [2/m]: small fast boat; cutter

Note that, in all three quotations below, general reference is made to ships, but lembus is identified as a specific type. Some translations may not specifically convey this. However, I have consistently used ‘cutter’ to distinguish it from other ships.

(1) The size of the lembus in comparison with other large warships which could have up to four banks of oars is shown by Livy’s reference to this vessel’s limited number of oars:

nāvēs quās cīvitātibus maritimīs adēmisset redderet nēve ipse nāvem ūllam praeter duōs lembōs, quī nōn plūs quam sēdecim rēmīs agerentur, habēret (Livy)

He was to return the ships which he had taken away from the maritime states, and he himself was not to have any ship except two cutters, which were to be propelled by not more than sixteen oars.

(2) C. Popilius, …, postquam dēbellātum in Macedoniā et statiōne summōtōs hostium lembōs audīvit, dīmissīs et ipse Attalī nāvibus … nāvigāre Aegyptum pergit, … (Livy)

Gaius Popilius, … after he heard that the war in Macedonia had been brought to an end and the cutters of the enemy had been removed from their station, and once the ships of Attalus had been dismissed he himself proceeded to sail toward Egypt, …

maritimus, -a, -um: maritime; pertaining to the sea

rēmus, -ī [2/m]: oar

(3) The noun can be associated with pirate ships, fast and able to inflict damage:

From Plautus:

Nicobulus: Periī hercle, lembus ille mihi laedit latus.

• By Hercules, I’m ruined, that cutter is crashing into my side.          

Chrysalus: Is erat commūnis cum hospite et praedōnibus. …

• It was jointly owned by your friend and pirates. …

Chrysalus: Is lembus nostrae nāvī īnsidiās dabat.

• This cutter was lying in wait for our ship.

02.05.27: Level 3+ (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [21]: Caesar and Ariovistus

His responsīs datīs Caesar lēgātōs ad Ariovistum mittit: primum nē diūtius mīlitēs trans Rhēnum in Galliam trādūcat; deinde obsidēs omnēs reddat; nē bellum contrā Aeduōs gerat; nē oppida sociōrum oppugnet.

Quibus nuntiīs acceptīs Ariovistus sē imperāta Caesaris nōn factūrum esse respondit. Illō tempore lēgātī ab Aeduīs et Trēverīs ad Caesarem veniēbant. Quibus rēbus mōtus Caesar magnīs itineribus contrā Ariovistum contendit.

Language focus: subjunctive

Subjunctive usage: jussive subjunctive (2)

The jussive subjunctive, apart from meaning “let (somebody do something)” may also express what somebody should or should not do:

[1] jussive subjunctive; affirmative i.e. what somebody should do

obsidēs omnēs reddat | he should return all the hostages

[2] nē + present subjunctive; negative jussive i.e. what somebody should not do

nē diūtius mīlitēs trans Rhēnum in Galliam trādūcat

nē bellum contrā Aeduōs gerat | he should not wage war against the Aedui

nē oppida sociōrum oppugnet | he should not attack the towns of the allies

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/030426-level-3-subjunctive-11.html

____________________

After these replies had been given, Caesar sends envoys to Ariovistus: first, that he should not lead any more soldiers across the Rhine into Gaul; next, that he should return all the hostages; that he should not wage war against the Aedui; and that he should not attack the towns of the allies.

When these messages had been received, Ariovistus replied that he would not do the things ordered by Caesar. At that time envoys from the Aedui and the Treveri were coming to Caesar. Moved by these events, Caesar advanced against Ariovistus by forced marches.

01.05.27: Level 1-2 (review); Julia (a Latin Reader) [13] (1)

RŌMULUS ET REMUS

In Forō Rōmānō ruīnae sunt templī Vestae rotundī, nec procul Virginum Vestālium domus. Hae virginēs omnium Rōmānārum sacerrimae putābantur, quod ignem sacrum in templō rotundō cūrābant. Hunc ignem Aenēās, Rōmānōrum pater, Troiā dīligentissimē apportāverat. Omnium Virginum Vestālium nōtissima erat Rhēa Silvia, Rōmulī Rēmīque māter. Haec nōn Rōmae sed Albae Longae habitābat, nōndum enim Rōma aedificāta erat.

Aenēās, ubi ad Italiam vēnit, paucōs annōs in hīs regiōnibus habitābat, et tandem ā Dīs Immortālibus ad caelum vocātus est. Deinde Ascanius, Aenēae fīlius, Albam Longam, urbem parvam, aedificāvit, et ibi multōs annōs laetus rēgnābat. Post Ascaniī mortem, aliī deinceps rēgēs rēgnābant. Ex hīs rēgibus Numitor bene benignēque urbem regēbat, et bona iūra cīvibus dabat.

Sed Numitōrī frāter erat, ferōx crūdēlisque vir, Amūlius nōmine. Hic comitēs cōpiāsque collēgit, et contrā frātrem exercitum dūxit. Diū et ācriter pugnābant frātrēs, sed Numitōris mīlitēs hostium impetum nōn sustinēbant, et fugā salūtem petīvērunt. Itaque Numitor ē rēgnō ā frātre expulsus est.

[i]

Aenēas, -ae [1/m]: Aeneas, a Trojan prince who founded the Roman race

Alba Longa, -ae [1/f]: Alba Longa, a city in Latium

Amūlius, -ī [2/m]: Amulis, a king of Alba Longa

Ascanius, -ī [2/m]: Ascanius, the son of Aeneas

Numitor, -ōris [3/m]: Numitor, a king of Alba Longa

Remus, -ī [2/m]: Remus, the brother of Romulus

Rhea Silvia, -ae [1/f]: Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus and Remus

Vesta, -ae [1/f]: Vesta, the goddess of the hearth

fuga, -ae [1/f]: flight

salūs, -tis [3/f]: safety; welfare

[ii]

benignē: kindly

hic, haec, hoc: this

nōn dum (nōndum): not yet

____________________

In the Roman Forum there are the ruins of the round Temple of Vesta, and not far away the House of the Vestal Virgins. These virgins were considered the holiest of all Roman women, because they looked after the sacred fire in the round temple. This fire Aeneas, the father of the Romans, had brought most carefully from Troy. Of all the Vestal Virgins, the best known was Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus and Remus. She lived not at Rome but at Alba Longa, for Rome had not yet been built.

Aeneas, when he came to Italy, lived in these regions for a few years, and at last was called to heaven by the Immortal Gods. Then Ascanius, the son of Aeneas, built Alba Longa, a small city, and there ruled happily for many years. After the death of Ascanius, other kings ruled in succession. Of these kings Numitor ruled the city well and kindly, and gave good laws to the citizens.

But Numitor had a brother, a fierce and cruel man, by name Amulius. He gathered companions and troops, and led an army against his brother. For a long time and fiercely the brothers fought, but the soldiers of Numitor could not withstand the attack of the enemy, and sought safety by flight. And so Numitor was driven out of the kingdom by his brother.

30.04.27: Level 1; First Latin Lessons (15); 2nd declension; -(e)r

I

Puer librum legit.

Puer est fīlius poētae.

Puer in scholā linguam Latīnam discit.

Puer labōrat in agrīs.

II

Magister puerōs laudat.

Puerī magistrum audiunt.

Māter puerō librum dat.

Pater puerī agricola est.

III

Magister puerīs librōs dat.

Casae puerōrum parvae sunt.

Agricola cum puerīs in agrō labōrat.

Agricola cum puerō in viā ambulat.

(1) vocabulary

• ager, agrī [2/m]: field
• liber, librī [2/m]: book
• magister, magistrī [2/m]: teacher
• puer, -ī [2/m]: boy; child
• audiunt: they hear / listen to

(2)

Image #1

[i] There is a group of 2^nd declension masculine nouns that end in -er; common examples are:

ager: field

liber: book

magister: teacher

puer: boy; child

[ii] To this list we can also add a noun that ends in -r:

vir: man

Images #2 and #3

[iii] Apart from the nominative singular these nouns have the same endings as 2^nd declension masculine nouns in -us.

However, when endings are added:

[a] some of these nouns lose the /e/ of the nominative singular

• ager, agrī [2/m]: field
• liber, librī [2/n]: book
• magister, magistrī [2/m]: teacher

[b] some retain the /e/ of the nominative singular

• puer, -ī (i.e. puerī) [2/m]: boy; child
• signifer, -ī (i.e. signiferī) [2/m]: standard-bearer (in the Roman army)

[iv] In vocabulary lists, this may be indicated in the following way:

• magister, -rī [2/m]; the /e/ is lost
• puer, -ī [2/m]; the /e/ is retained

LINKS

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/declensions%3A%202nd%20in%20-er

____________________

I

The boy reads a book.
The boy is the son of the poet.
The boy learns the Latin language in school.
The boy works in the fields.

II

The teacher praises the boys.
The boys listen to the teacher.
The mother gives a book to the boy.
The father of the boy is a farmer.

III

The teacher gives books to the boys.
The boys’ houses are small.
The farmer works with the boys in the field.
The farmer walks with the boy on the road.

29.04.27: Level 4; literature; Vulgate: The Parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:25–37] (2) text; translation; notes

Luke 10:25–37

[25] Et ecce quīdam lēgisperītus surrēxit tentāns illum, et dīcēns: Magister, quid faciendō vītam aeternam possidēbō?

And behold: a certain expert in the law stood up, testing him (Jesus) and saying: “Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life? [literally: by doing what, shall I possess …?]”

faciendō: gerund

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/gerund

[26] At ille dīxit ad eum: In lēge quid scrīptum est? quōmodo legis?

And he said to him: “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

[27] Ille respondēns dīxit: Dīligēs Dominum Deum tuum ex tōtō corde tuō, et ex tōtā animā tuā, et ex omnibus virtūtibus tuīs, et ex omnī mente tuā: et proximum tuum sīcut tēipsum.

Replying, he said: “You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind: and your neighbour as yourself.”

[28] Dīxitque illī: Rēctē respondistī: hoc fac, et vīvēs.

And he said to him: “You have answered correctly: do this and you will live.”

[29] Ille autem volēns iūstificāre sēipsum, dīxit ad Iēsum: Et quis est meus proximus?

But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus: “And who is my neighbour?”

[30] Suscipiēns autem Iēsūs, dīxit: Homō quīdam dēscendēbat ab Ierusālem in Ierīchō, et incīdit in latrōnēs, quī etiam dēspoliāvērunt eum: et [i] plāgīs impositīs abiērunt [ii] sēmivīvō relictō.

But Jesus, replying [literally: taking up (the question)], said: "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him: [i] after they had beaten him, they departed [ii] having left / abandoned him half alive.”

Ierīchō [f.]; indeclinable

Ierūsalem / Hierūsalēm [n.]; indeclinable

Ablative absolute:

[i] plāgīs impositīs: with blows having been inflicted

[ii] sēmivīvō relictō: with him having been left half alive

____________________

[31] Accidit autem ut sacerdōs quīdam dēscenderet eādem viā: et vīsō illō praeterīvit.

“It happened that a certain priest was going down the same road, and when he saw him, he passed by.”

accidit ut + subjunctive: it happened that ….

The line could be rephrased as: A priest happened to be going down …

03.10.26: Level 3+ (review); impersonal verbs [8] introducing clauses with ut + subjunctive; cōnstat + accusative-infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/04/031026-level-3-review-impersonal-verbs_13.html

[32] Similiter et Lēvīta, cum esset secus locum, et vidēret eum, pertrānsiit.

“And similarly, a Levite, when he was beside the place and saw him, passed by.” 

secus (+ accusative): alongside, beside, along, by, near(by)

[33] Samarītānus autem quīdam iter faciēns, vēnit secus eum: et vidēns eum, misericordiā mōtus est.

“But a certain Samaritan, while travelling, came beside him: and seeing him, was moved by pity.” 

Lines 31-32: establish a pattern of behaviour, referring to two religious roles i.e. two individuals who, despite the Law referred to in l27, do not respond appropriately.

Line 33 sharply contrasts the behaviour of the priest and the Levite with that of the Samaritan, the latter assisting the man despite hostility between the Samaritans and the Jews.

However, all three lines are connected in the structure of the language.

(1) references to seeing the man but expressed in three different ways:

l31: visō illō [ablative absolute]

l32: cum … videret eum [imperfect subjunctive; cum-clause of circumstance]

l33: et vidēns eum [present active participle]

(2) references to disregarding the man; the same idea is expressed twice but in slightly different ways:

praeterīvit / pertrānsiit

Both are the perfect tense of prefixed forms of īre, one of which is contracted (pertrānsiit) and the other is not (praeterīvit).

Likewise, the aural similarity of praeter- and per- emphasises that neither the priest nor the Levite even stopped.

(3) the repetition of secus in lines 32 and 33 contrasts the responses: the Levite was alongside the man and passed by him, whereas the Samaritan was alongside the man and came to his aid.

____________________

[34]  Et appropiāns alligāvit vulnera eius, īnfundēns oleum et vīnum: et impōnēns illum in iūmentum suum, dūxit in stabulum, et cūram eius ēgit.

“And approaching (him) he bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine: and placing him on his own donkey, he led him to an inn, and took care of him.”

iūmentum, -ī [2/n]: (here) a draft animal i.e. one that is used for pulling carts or wagons e.g. a mule

[35] Et alterā diē prōtulit duōs dēnāriōs, et dedit stabulāriō, et ait: Cūram illīus habē: et quodcumque superērogāverīs, ego cum redierō reddam tibi.

“And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave (them) to the innkeeper, and said: ‘Look after him:  and whatever extra expense you may have [literally: whatever you may have spent more], I shall, when I return, give back.’”

quodcumque: whatever

02.12.25: Level 3; indefinites [14] -cumque [i]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/09/021225-level-3-indefinites-14-cumque-i.html

[36] Quis hōrum trium vidētur tibi proximus fuisse illī, quī incīdit in latrōnēs?

“Which of these three seems to you to have been a neighbour to the one / man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

fuisse: perfect active infinitive

12.01.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [9]; the perfect active infinitive [i]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/120126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[37] At ille dīxit: Quī fēcit misericordiam in illum. Et ait illī Iēsūs: Vāde, et tū fac similiter.

And he [i.e. the expert in the law] said, “The one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him: “Go and do likewise.”

28.04.27: Topic / Level 4; transport [11]; on water [i]

The topic of shipping was covered extensively in earlier posts:

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

15.06.25: topic; ships [1]; Comenius LXXXVIII; ships; a Galley (1)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/150625-topic-ships-1-comenius-lxxxviii.html

15.06.25: topic; ships [2]; Comenius LXXXVIII; ships; a Galley (2)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/150625-topic-ships-2-comenius-lxxxviii.html

15.06.25: topic; ships [3]; Caesar on shipbuilding

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/150625-topic-ships-3-caesar-on.html

18.06.25: topic; ships [4]; Comenius XC; a Merchant ship (1)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/180625-topic-ships-4-comenius-xc.html

18.06.25: topic; ships [5]; Comenius XC; a Merchant ship (2)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/180625-topic-ships-5-comenius-xc.html

20.06.25: topic; ships [6]; Comenius; XCI; a Ship-wreck (1)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/200625-topic-ships-6-comenius-xci-ship.html

20.06.25: topic; ships [7]; Comenius; XCI; a Ship-wreck (2)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/200625-topic-ships-7-comenius-xci-ship.html

23.06.25: topic; ships [8]; Comenius; XCI; a Ship-wreck (3)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/230625-topic-ships-8-comenius-xci-ship.html

23.06.25: topic; ships [9]; Comenius; XCI; a Ship-wreck (4); terra austrālis: the southern land

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/230625-topic-ships-9-comenius-xci-ship.html

26.06.25: topic; ships [10]; Comenius; CXLII; the Sea-Fight

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/260625-topic-ships-10-comenius-cxlii.html

[1] nāvigium, -ī [2/n]: vessel; ship; boat i.e. a general term for any form of transport on water whether it be a ship with sails or a boat that is rowed. Translations will vary dependent upon context. All of the following are from Cicero’s correspondence with Atticus:

Dē puerīs quid agam? parvōne nāvigiō committam?  

• What shall I do about the boys? Shall I entrust them to a small boat?

Prōrsus dissolūtum offendī nāvigium vel potius dissipātum.

• In fact I found a ship breaking up, or rather already in wreckage

Nāvigia colligēbat

• He was collecting vessels

suntque nāvigia praetereā lūculenta

• and, besides, there are some excellent ships

In the same way that English distinguishes size (but not function) of a vessel by referring simply either to ship or boat, so too does Latin differentiate:

[2] nāvis, -is [3/f]: the general term for a ship although, dependent upon context, it may translate as ‘boat’ if a smaller vessel is being described:

Nāvis, quae in flūmine magna est, in marī parvula est (Seneca the Younger)

• A ship, which is big in a river, is tiny in a sea.

Latin will use adjectives to specify the functions of different types of large craft:

[3] nāvis onerāria: merchant / cargo ship

[4] nāvis longa: [lit: long ship] battle ship (especially with oars)

Here, Caesar refers to both types:

Nāvibus circiter LXXX onerāriīs coāctīs contractīsque, quot satis esse ad duās trānsportandās legiōnēs exīstimābat, quod praetereā nāvium longārum habēbat quaestōrī, lēgātīs praefectīsque distribuit.

• After about eighty transport ships had been assembled and brought together, which he considered sufficient for conveying two legions across, he assigned whatever warships he had besides to the quaestor, the legates, and the prefects.

[5] nāvis āctuāria: fast transport ship

Note in this excerpt how the transport ships are adapted for the purpose of a naval battle:

nāvibus āctuāriīs quārum numerus erat satis magnus, magnitūdō nēquāquam satis iūsta ad proeliandum, rōstra imposuit. (Bellum Alexandrinum)

• he fitted rams onto fast transport ships, of which there was a sufficiently large number, whose size was by no means adequate for fighting

rōstrum, -ī [2/n]: the protruding ‘beak’ at the prow of a Roman ship designed to inflict damage during a naval conflict

[6] nāvis piscātōria: fishing boat

deinde in piscātōriā quīdam nāve rētibus opertī circumvectīque ita ad castra Rōmāna conlocūtīque cum trānsfugīs

• Then, covered with fishing nets in a fishing boat, certain men were carried around in this way to the Roman camp and conferred with the deserters;

[7] nāvicula, -ae [1/f]: small ship; little boat i.e. the diminutive form of nāvis indicated by the suffix -cula

adulēscentulus cum nāviculīs cuiusquemodī generis XXX, inibi paucīs rōstrātīs, profectus ab Uticā in Maurētāniam (Bellum Africum)

• the young man set out from Utica to Mauretania with thirty small boats of every kind, including a few beaked ones among them.

rostrātus, -a, -um: fitted with a rōstrum (see [5] above)

27.04.27: Level 3+ (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [20]: The Gauls appeal for help against the Germans

Hōc bellō confectō multī principēs, quī ad Caesarem ex Galliae cīvitātibus convēnerant, ita sunt locūtī: ‘concilium tōtīus Galliae convocētur; dē salūte omnium cum Caesare agant.’

Quibus rēbus dictīs, ‘Ariovistus, rex Germānōrum,’ inquit Divitiacus, ‘omnēs ex Galliā expellere constituit: itaque Caesar Aeduīs subveniat atque exercitūs Rōmānōs contrā Ariovistum dūcat: omnēs Gallī cōpiās adiungant.’ Hāc ōrātiōne habitā omnēs quī aderant auxilium a Caesare petēbant.

Language focus: subjunctive

Subjunctive usage: jussive subjunctive (1)

All five subjunctives are independent jussive subjunctives, expressing proposals or recommendations made by the Gallic leaders. In English they are often translated with “let …”.

concilium tōtīus Galliae convocētur: let an assembly of all Gaul be called.

dē salūte omnium cum Caesare agant: let them discuss with Caesar the welfare of all

itaque Caesar Aeduīs subveniat: let Caesar help the Aedui.

exercitūs Rōmānōs contrā Ariovistum dūcat: let him lead the Roman armies against Ariovistus

omnēs Gallī cōpiās adiungant: let all the Gauls join their forces

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

____________________

When this war had been brought to an end, many chiefs, who had come to Caesar from the states of Gaul, spoke as follows: “Let an assembly of the whole of Gaul be called; let them discuss with Caesar the welfare of all.”

After these things had been said, Divitiacus said, “Ariovistus, king of the Germans, has decided to drive everyone out of Gaul; therefore let Caesar help the Aedui and lead the Roman armies against Ariovistus; let all the Gauls join their forces.” When this speech had been delivered, all who were present sought help from Caesar.

26.04.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [12] (2)

MŪSAE ET CICĀDAE (2)

Mūsae, simul ac in vallem dēscendērunt, carmina mīra et dīvīna cecinērunt. Argūtae sunt Mūsārum vōcēs, nec per tōtum orbem terrārum dulcior est sonitus quam cantus deārum; nōn tam suāviter avēs in summīs arboribus canunt, ubi vēre āera cantibus mulcent.

Mīrō sonitū dēlectātī sunt incolae. Diū Mūsae canēbant; diū incolae, cēterārum rērum immemorēs, stupēbant; nec ad cibum nec ad quiētem tempus capiēbant. Multōs diēs, multās noctēs deae canēbant, et māne, ubi Aurōra croceum Tīthōnī lectum relinquit, et sērō, ubi vesper stēllās in caelum redūcit. Ita incolae cēnae prandiīque immemorēs, mīrum sonitum audiēbant. Itaque propter carminum dīvīnōrum amōrem in diēs languēscēbant.

Tandem Mūsae incolās iam tenuissimōs animadvertērunt, et misericordiae plēnae in cicādās viridēs convertērunt. Cicādae igitur, etiam nunc carminum dīvīnōrum memorēs, tōtum diem cantant.

[i]

aēr, aēris [3/m]: air

Aurōra, -ae [1/f]: Aurora, goddess of the dawn

avis, -is [3/f]: bird

cantus, -ūs [4/m]: song

diēs, -ēī [5/m]: day; indiēs: from day to day

quiēs, quiētis [3/f]: rest, quiet

sonitus, -ūs [4/m]: sound

tempus, -oris [3/n]: time

Tīthōnus, -ī [2/m]: Tithonus, husband of the dawn goddess

vesper, -eris [3/m]: evening

[ii]

immemor, -oris: unmindful, forgetful

tenuis, -e: thin

[iii]

canō, canere [3]: sing

capiō, capere [3]: take

languescō, -ere [3]: languish, faint

mulceō, -ēre [2]: soothe

relinquō, -ere [3]: leave

stupeō, -ēre [2]: be amazed

[iv]

serō: late

suāviter: sweetly

____________________

As soon as they descended into the valley, the Muses sang wonderful and divine songs. The voices of the Muses are piercing, and throughout the whole world there is no sound sweeter than the song of the goddesses; nor do birds sing so sweetly in the tops of trees, when in spring they soothe the air with their songs.

The inhabitants were delighted by the wonderful sound. For a long time the Muses sang; for a long time the inhabitants, forgetful of other things, were amazed; they took no time for either food or rest. For many days and many nights the goddesses sang, both in the morning, when Aurora leaves Tithonus’ saffron bed, and in the evening, when dusk brings the stars back into the sky. Thus the inhabitants, forgetful of dinner and lunch, listened to the wondrous sound. And so, because of their love for the divine songs, they grew weaker day by day.

At last the Muses noticed that the inhabitants had become very thin, and full of pity they transformed them into green cicadas. Therefore the cicadas, even now mindful of the divine songs, sing throughout the whole day.

25.04.27: Level 1; step-by-step; scaffolding [12] grammar notes (4) cases; accusative case singular and plural

The accusative case is used when the noun is the direct object of the sentence i.e. the action is being done to that noun.

Again, the endings of the accusative case depend on the declension to which the noun belongs:

[1] 1^st declension

nominative singular: -a

accusative singular: -am

nominative plural: -ae

accusative plural: -ās

Epistulam [singular] scrībō. | I’m writing a/the letter.

Epistulās [plural] scrībō. | I write (the) letters.

[2]

[a] 2^nd declension in -us

nominative singular: -us

accusative singular: -um

nominative plural: -ī

accusative plural: -ōs

Equum emō. | I’m buying a horse.

Equōs cūrō. | I take care of the horses.

[b] 2^nd declension in -um

The nominative and accusative singular endings are the same; the nominative and accusative plural endings are the same:

nominative singular: -um

accusative singular: -um

nominative plural: -a

accusative plural: -a

Ōvum edō. | I’m eating an egg.

Ōva edō. | I eat eggs.

LINKS

(1) 28.02.24: the accusative case (singular and plural) of first declension nouns

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/28_7.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/398913862719888

(2) 29.02.24: accusative case singular of first declension nouns

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/29.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399267342684540

(3) 29.02.24: accusative case plural of first declension nouns

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/29_7.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399307466013861

(4) 29.02.24: accusative singular and plural of second declension nouns in -us

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/29_63.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399373682673906

(5) 29.02.24: accusative singular and plural of 2nd declension masculine nouns

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399447592666515

(6) 29.02.24: leaving the easiest to last; the accusative singular and plural of 2nd declension neuter nouns in -um

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/29_11.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399534969324444

(7) 29.02.24: practice with the accusative case

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/1-answer-questions-in-full-sentences.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399480822663192

(7) 01.03.24: summary of the nominative and accusative case singular of 1st / 2nd declension nouns

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/blog-post_86.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399747519303189

(8) 01.03.24: summary of the nominative and accusative singular and plural of 1st / 2nd declension nouns

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/blog-post_94.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/399755895969018