08.12.26: Level 4; literature; Vulgate [3]: Jesus sentenced to death [i]; Luke 23.13-19

Luke 23.13-19

(13) Pīlātus autem, convocātīs prīncipibus sacerdōtum, et magistrātibus, et plēbe, …

• And Pilate with the chief priests, and the magistrates, and the common people having been summoned [ = And Pilate, after he had summoned …] …

(14) dīxit ad illōs: Obtulistis mihi hunc hominem, quasi ¦ āvertentem ¦ populum, et ecce ego cōram vōbīs interrogāns, nūllam causam invēnī in homine istō ex hīs in quibus eum accūsātis.

• … said to them: “You have brought me this man, as ¦ one who was perverting ¦ the people, and look, questioning him before you / in your presence [cōram: face-to-face / publicly] I have found in this man no grounds for the things of which you accuse him.

(15) Sed neque Hērōdēs: nam remīsī vōs ad illum, et ecce nihil dignum morte āctum est eī.

• But neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him* [i.e. I sent your demand to him] and, look, nothing worthy of / deserving of death was done by him.

*Translations normally rework this to “He sent him back to us” which, grammatically, is not what the Latin actually says.

(16) Ēmendātum ergō illum dīmittam.

• Therefore, I shall release him after he has been chastised.

(17) Necesse autem habēbat dīmittere eīs per diem fēstum ūnum.

• For of necessity he had to release one to them on a feast day / public holiday.

(18) Exclāmāvit autem simul ūniversa turba, dīcēns: Tolle hunc, et dīmitte nōbīs Barabbam:

• But the entire crowd shouted out at the same time, saying: “Take away this man, and release Barabbas to us.”

(19) quī erat propter sēditiōnem quandam factam in cīvitāte et homicīdium missus in carcerem.

• And he / this man had been sent to jail on account of a certain insurrection carried out in the city, and murder.

Notes:

[i] nihil (a) dignum morte (b) āctum est eī

(a) dignus, -a, -um [+ ablative]: worthy of

(b) nihil dignum morte āctum est eī: nothing worthy of death was done by him; it is more common to read ab eō to convey the agent i.e. the person by whom something was done. Here the dative pronoun is used, a feature of Late / Biblical Latin.

[ii] habēbat dīmittere: he had to release; the use of habeō + the infinitive to express obligation is a Late Latin feature; CL would use debeō, -ēre [2]

[iii] quī erat … missus: and he / this man had been sent …

Connecting relative:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/connecting%20relative

[iv] quandam < quīdam: a certain (indefinite adjective); it may not be translated since it simply refers to an unspecified incident e.g. quīdam rēx: a certain king

i.e. Barabbas was convicted of some insurrection (or other), but which one is irrelevant.

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/09/291125-level-3-indefinites-11-quidam-i.html

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/09/291125-level-3-indefinites-12-quidam-ii.html

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/09/291125-level-3-indefinites-13-quidam.html

[v] Verse 18: Exclāmāvit autem simul ūniversa turba

The verse very well conveys the power of the crowd acting as a single voice and with a powerful and immediate rejection of Pilate’s proposal.

dīmitte nōbīs Barabbam

07.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXII [3] (1) subjunctive; (2) indirect statement; (3) participial constructions

PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY; ITS GREAT FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS 

Initā aestāte Caesar litterīs certior fīēbat et per explōrātōrēs cognōscēbat plūrīs cīvitātēs Galliae novīs rēbus studēre et contrā populum Rōmānum coniūrāre obsidēsque inter sē dare atque cum hīs Germānōs quōsdam quoque sēsē coniūnctūrōs esse. Hīs litterīs nūntiīsque commōtus Caesar cōnstituit quam celerrimē in Gallōs proficīscī, ut eōs inopīnantīs opprimeret, et Labiēnum lēgātum cum duābus legiōnibus peditum et duōbus mīlibus equitum in Germānōs mittere. Itaque rē frūmentāriā comparātā castra mōvit. Ab utrōque rēs bene gesta est; nam Caesar tam celeriter in hostium fīnīs pervēnit ut spatium cōpiās cōgendī nōn darētur; et Labiēnus dē Germānīs tam grave supplicium sūmpsit ut nēmō ex eā gente in reliquum tempus Gallīs auxilium dare audēret.

Hoc iter in Germāniam Pūblius quoque fēcit et, cum ibi morārētur, multa mīrābilia vīdit. Praesertim vērō ingentem silvam mīrābātur, quae tantae magnitūdinis esse dīcēbātur ut nēmō eam trānsīre posset, nec quisquam scīret aut initium aut fīnem. Quā dē rē plūra cognōverat ā mīlite quōdam quī ōlim captus ā Germānīs multōs annōs ibi incoluit. Ille dē silvā dīcēns, “Īnfīnītae magnitūdinis est haec silva,” inquit; “nec quisquam est huius Germāniae quī initium eius sciat aut ad fīnem adierit. Nāscuntur illīc multa tālia animālium genera quālia reliquīs in locīs nōn inveniuntur. Sunt bovēs quī ūnum cornū habent; sunt etiam animālia quae appellantur alcēs. Hae nūllōs crūrum articulōs habent. Itaque, sī forte concidērunt, sēsē ērigere nūllō modō possunt. Arborēs habent prō cubīlibus; ad eās sē applicant atque ita reclīnātae quiētem capiunt. Tertium est genus eōrum quī ūrī appellantur. Hī sunt paulō minōrēs elephantīs. Magna vis eōrum est et magna vēlōcitās. Neque hominī neque ferae parcunt.”

(1) review: subjunctive

[i] cum-clauses: circumstantial

cum ibi morārētur, …

• while he was lingering / remained there, …

[ii] purpose

Caesar cōnstituit … proficīscī, ut eōs … opprimeret, …

• Caesar decided to set out, in order to overwhelm them ...

[iii] result

nam Caesar tam celeriter in hostium fīnīs pervēnit ut spatium cōpiās cōgendī nōn darētur;

• for Caesar reached the enemy’s territory so quickly that no time was given for mustering forces.

… quae tantae magnitūdinis esse dīcēbātur (1) ut nēmō eam trānsīre posset, nec quisquam (2) scīret aut initium aut fīnem.

• … which was said to be of such great size (1) that no one could cross it, (2) nor would anyone know either its beginning or its end.

et Labiēnus dē Germānīs tam grave supplicium sūmpsit ut nēmō … dare audēret.

And Labienus inflicted such severe punishment on the Germans that no one … dared … to give …

• [iv] characteristic

nec quisquam est huius Germāniae (1) quī initium eius sciat aut ad fīnem (2) adierit.

• Nor is there anyone in this Germany (1) who knows its beginning or (2) has reached its end.

(2) review: indirect statement

[1] Two principal clauses with constructions that regularly signal indirect statements:

… Caesar litterīs (1) certior fīēbat ¦ et per explōrātōrēs (2) cognōscēbat | Caesar (1) was informed by letter(s) and (2) learned from scouts …

[2] 4 indirect statements all dependent upon the principal clauses:

plūrīs cīvitātēs Galliae novīs rēbus (1) studēre … | (that) several states of Gaul were eager for revolution

et contrā populum Rōmānum (2) coniūrāre … | and were conspiring against the Roman people

obsidēsque inter sē (3) dare … | and were giving hostages among themselves

atque cum hīs Germānōs quōsdam quoque sēsē (4) coniūnctūrōs esse. | and (that) certain Germans as well were going to join themselves with them.

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

(3) review: participial constructions

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Ille dē silvā dīcēns, … inquit;

[ii] Caesar cōnstituit … proficīscī, ut eōs inopīnantīs opprimeret, …

[iii] Hīs litterīs nūntiīsque commōtus Caesar cōnstituit …

[iv] ā mīlite quōdam quī ōlim captus ā Germānīs

[v] … atque ita reclīnātae quiētem capiunt.

[vi] Itaque rē frūmentāriā comparātā …

____________________

At the beginning of summer, Caesar was being informed by letters and was learning through scouts that several states of Gaul were eager for revolution, were conspiring against the Roman people, were giving hostages among themselves, and that certain Germans as well were going to join themselves with them. Moved by these letters and reports, Caesar decided to set out against the Gauls as quickly as possible, in order to crush them while they were unprepared, and to send the legate Labienus into Germany with two legions of infantry and two thousand cavalry.

Accordingly, after the grain supplies had been arranged, he moved camp. The operation succeeded well on both sides; for Caesar reached the enemy’s territory so rapidly that no time was given for assembling forces; and Labienus inflicted such severe punishment on the Germans that no one of that people dared thereafter to give assistance to the Gauls.

This journey into Germany was also made by Publius, and while he stayed there he saw many remarkable things. He especially admired a vast forest, which was said to be of such great size that no one could cross it, nor did anyone know either its beginning or its end.

On this matter he had learned more from a certain soldier who, having been captured by the Germans at one time, lived there for many years. Speaking about the forest, he said: “This forest is of infinite extent; and there is no one in this part of Germany who knows its beginning or has reached its end.

Many kinds of animals are born there which are not found in other places. There are oxen which have a single horn; there are also animals called elks. These have no joints in their legs. Therefore, if by chance they fall down, they cannot by any means get up again. They use trees as resting places; they lean against them and, thus supported, take their rest.

There is a third kind of animal called urus. These are slightly smaller than elephants. They are very powerful and very fast. They spare neither man nor wild beast.”

07.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXII [2] comprehension (2)

PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY; ITS GREAT FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS  [2]

Hoc iter in Germāniam Pūblius quoque fēcit et, cum ibi morārētur, multa mīrābilia vīdit. Praesertim vērō ingentem silvam mīrābātur, quae tantae magnitūdinis esse dīcēbātur ut nēmō eam trānsīre posset, nec quisquam scīret aut initium aut fīnem. Quā dē rē plūra cognōverat ā mīlite quōdam quī ōlim captus ā Germānīs multōs annōs ibi incoluit. Ille dē silvā dīcēns, “Īnfīnītae magnitūdinis est haec silva,” inquit; “nec quisquam est huius Germāniae quī initium eius sciat aut ad fīnem adierit. Nāscuntur illīc multa tālia animālium genera quālia reliquīs in locīs nōn inveniuntur. Sunt bovēs quī ūnum cornū habent; sunt etiam animālia quae appellantur alcēs. Hae nūllōs crūrum articulōs habent. Itaque, sī forte concidērunt, sēsē ērigere nūllō modō possunt. Arborēs habent prō cubīlibus; ad eās sē applicant atque ita reclīnātae quiētem capiunt. Tertium est genus eōrum quī ūrī appellantur. Hī sunt paulō minōrēs elephantīs. Magna vis eōrum est et magna vēlōcitās. Neque hominī neque ferae parcunt.”

[1] “Hoc iter … adierit.”

How is the vastness of the forest emphasised? (3)

[2] “Nascuntur … parcunt.”

Write brief notes on what is said about the following:

[a] the animals in general (2)

[b] oxen (1)

[c] elks (4)

[d] aurochs (4)

[3] How do we know that much of the information given about the forest and the animals is hearsay? (2)

____________________

[1] nobody could cross it (1); nobody knew where it started or ended (1); described as being of infinite size (1)

[2]

[a] animals in general: many species born there (1) which are not found elsewhere (1)

[b] oxen: one horn

[c] elks: no joints in their legs (1); cannot get up (1) if they fall (1); rest by leaning against trees (1)

[d] aurochs: slightly smaller than elephants (1); very strong (1); very fast (1); spare neither humans nor other wild animals / beasts (1)

[3]

The forest was said (dīcēbātur) to be of such a great size … (1)

Caesar had learned more from a soldier (1)

07.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXII [1] comprehension (1)

PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY; ITS GREAT FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS  [1]

[A]

Initā aestāte Caesar litterīs certior fīēbat et per explōrātōrēs cognōscēbat plūrīs cīvitātēs Galliae novīs rēbus studēre et contrā populum Rōmānum coniūrāre obsidēsque inter sē dare atque cum hīs Germānōs quōsdam quoque sēsē coniūnctūrōs esse. Hīs litterīs nūntiīsque commōtus Caesar cōnstituit quam celerrimē in Gallōs proficīscī, ut eōs inopīnantīs opprimeret, et Labiēnum lēgātum cum duābus legiōnibus peditum et duōbus mīlibus equitum in Germānōs mittere.

[1] “Initā aestāte … coniūnctūrōs esse.”

[i] How was Caesar informed about events in Gaul? (2)

[ii] What were the details of this information? (5)

[2] “Hīs litterīs … opprimeret,”

What action did Caesar take?

[3] “et Labiēnum … mittere.”

To what do the numbers [i] 2 and [ii] 2000 refer? (2)

[B] Complete this section of the Latin text with the words and phrases listed below; note differences in the Latin and English word order

Therefore, after the grain supplies (1) had been arranged, he moved camp. The operation (2) was carried out well (3) on both sides; for Caesar reached the enemy’s territory (4) so rapidly (5) that no time (6) was given (7) for assembling forces; and Labienus inflicted such severe punishment on the Germans that (8) no one (9) of that people (10) dared thereafter to give assistance to the Gauls.

Itaque rē frūmentāriā (1) __________ castra mōvit. (3) __________ rēs bene (2) __________; nam Caesar (4) __________ celeriter in hostium fīnīs pervēnit (5) __________ spatium cōpiās (7) __________ nōn (6) __________; et Labiēnus dē Germānīs tam grave supplicium sūmpsit ut (8) __________ (9) __________ eā gente in reliquum tempus Gallīs auxilium dare (10) __________.

ab utrōque; audēret; cōgendī; comparātā; darētur; ex; gesta est; nēmō; tam; ut

____________________

[A]

[1]

[i] by letters (1); through scouts / spies (1)

[ii]

several states of Gaul (1) were …

eager for revolution (1)

conspiring against the Roman people (1)

exchanging hostages (1)

certain Germans were planning to join them (1)

[2] set out against the Gauls (1) as quickly as possible (1); to crush them (1) while they were unprepared (1)

[3]

[i] 2 legions of infantry

[ii] 2000 cavalry

[B]

Itaque rē frūmentāriā (1) comparātā castra mōvit. (3) Ab utrōque rēs bene (2) gesta est; nam Caesar (4) tam celeriter in hostium fīnīs pervēnit (5) ut spatium cōpiās (7) cōgendī nōn (6) darētur; et Labiēnus dē Germānīs tam grave supplicium sūmpsit ut (8) nēmō (9) ex eā gente in reliquum tempus Gallīs auxilium dare (10) audēret.

06.12.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [35] (2)

[3]

Alius magistrātus reī pūblicae Rōmānae erat quaestor. Nōn erat prīmus magistrātus et eius officia nōn erant tanta. Ūnum ex officiīs quaestōris erat pecūniās pūblicās servāre.

Ōlim, ubi urbs ā cīvibus malīs premēbātur, cōnsul urbem vigilibus atque mīlitibus mūnīvit. Illō tempore neque somnus cīvium bonōrum neque vītae magistrātuum erant tūtae. Sub umbrā noctis paucī quī eum necāre volēbant ad tēctum cōnsulis prōcēdēbant. Cōnsul sē atque urbem dīligenter dēfendit. Fēlīx erat Rōma quae ā tantō perīculō ā cōnsule servāta est.

Maria linguam Latīnam discere cupit quod haec est lingua huius gentis maximae. “Ipsa quae cōnsul dīxit legere poterō,” inquit puella. “Cōnsulem quī tantum perīculum ex urbe expulit semper memoriā tenēbō.”

[i] What was one duty of the quaestor? (1)

[ii] Translate: “ōlim … servāta est.”

[iii] Why does Maria like Latin? (3)

[iv] What will she remember? (3)

____________________

[3]

[i] maintaining the public finances

[ii] Once, when the city was being oppressed by wicked citizens, the consul fortified the city with guards and soldiers. At that time, neither the sleep of the good citizens nor the lives of the magistrates were safe. Under the cover (shadow) of night, a few men who wanted to kill him were advancing toward the consul’s house. The consul carefully defended himself and the city. Fortunate was Rome, which was saved from such great danger by the consul.

[iii] the language of a very great / the greatest people (1) will be able to read (1) what the consul said (1)

[iv] the consul who drove out (1) such a great danger (1) from the city (1)

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

MĀRS RŌMULUM IN CAELUM VOCAT (2)

Caelum iterum serēnum erat. Iam Rōmānī in Campō Mārtiō iterum ambulābant, sed rēgem nusquam vidēbant. Mox autem Iūlius, iuvenis Rōmānus, per viam Rōmānam iter ad urbem tenēbat. Subitō ā sinistrā, magnum et serēnum, Rōmulum prope viam vidēbat. Vehementer timuit – capillī in capite horruērunt.

Sed Rōmulus verbīs benignīs, "Ō Iūlī," inquit, "nūlla est causa timōris. Nunc Quirītēs nūmen meum adōrābunt et Rōmulum Quirīnum vocābunt. Templa et ārās aedificābunt, et ad ārās dōna apportābunt. Semper artem bellī et arma cūrābunt, et corpora in armīs dīligenter exercēbunt. Ita Quirīnus Populum Rōmānum servābit."

Itaque Iūlius Rōmulī dicta populō nārrāvit, et Quirītēs templum rotundum aedificāvērunt. In templō rotundō Quirīnī nūmen adōrābant.

[i]

ars, artis [3/f]: art

caput, capitis [3/n]: head

causa, -ae [1/f]: cause

iter, itineris [3/n]: journey

Iūlius, -ī [2/m]: Julius, a Roman

nūmen, -inis [3/n]: a divine power

Quirīnus, -i [2/m]: Quirinus, the name of Romulus after he was deified

Quirītēs, -ium [3/m/pl]: Quirites, a name of the Roman people

sinistra, -ae [1/f]: left hand

timor, -ōris [3/m]: fear

[ii]

horreō, -ēre [2]: shudder, bristle

servō, -āre [1]: keep, save

[iii]

rotundus, -a, -um: round

[iv]

autem: but

ā sinistrā: on the left

____________________

The sky was calm again. Now the Romans were again walking on the Campus Martius, but they saw their king nowhere. Soon, however, Julius, a Roman youth, was making his way along a Roman road toward the city. Suddenly, on the left, he saw Romulus near the road, great and calm. He was greatly afraid—his hair stood on end on his head.

But Romulus spoke with kind words: “O Julius,” he said, “there is no cause for fear. Now the Romans will worship my divine power and will call Romulus Quirinus. They will build temples and altars, and will bring gifts to the altars. They will always care for the art of war and for weapons, and will train their bodies carefully in arms. Thus Quirinus will protect the Roman people.”

And so Julius reported the words of Romulus to the people, and the Romans built a round temple. In the round temple they worshipped the divine power of Quirinus.

04.12.26: Level 4: literature; Vulgate [2]: Jesus before Herod; Luke 23.8-12

Luke 23.8-12

(8) Hērōdēs autem vīsō Iēsū, gāvīsus est valdē. Erat enim cupiēns ex multō tempore vidēre eum, eō quod audierat multa dē eō, et spērābat signum aliquod vidēre ab eō fieri.

• But Herod, when he saw Jesus, greatly rejoiced, for he had desired [literally: he was desirous] to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.

(9) Interrogābat autem eum multīs sermōnibus. At ipse nihil illī respondēbat.

• And he kept asking him many questions [he kept questioning him at length], but he (Jesus) himself said nothing to him in reply.

(10) Stābant autem prīncipēs sacerdōtum et scrībae cōnstanter accūsantēs eum.

• And the chief priests were standing (there), and the scribes, continually accusing him.

(11) Sprēvit autem illum Hērōdēs cum exercitū suō: et illūsit indūtum veste albā, et remīsit ad Pīlātum.

• And Herod with his soldiers scorned him [treated him with contempt] and mocked him [who had been / after he had been] dressed in an elegant garment, and sent him back to Pilate.

(12) Et factī sunt amīcī Hērōdēs et Pīlātus in ipsā diē: nam anteā inimīcī erant ad invicem.

• And Herod and Pilate became friends on that same day, for previously they were mutual enemies

Notes:

[i] vīsō Iēsū: ablative absolute; literally: with Jesus having been seen

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/ablative%20absolute

[ii] gavisus est < gaudeō, -ēre, gavisus sum: semi-deponent verb

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/02/100425-level-3-deponent-verbs-10-semi.html

[iii] aliquod: indefinite adjective i.e. some sign

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/08/201125-level-3-indefinites-4-ali-i.html

[iv] Interrogābat autem eum multīs sermōnibus.

There is a sense of relentless, repeated and lengthy questioning. Herod is doing all the talking.

sermō, sermōnis [3/f]: speaking; talking; discourse

That same relentlessness is conveyed in: … scrībae cōnstanter accūsantēs eum

[v] illūsit ¦ (a) indūtum ¦ veste (b) albā

(a) …and mocked him who had been dressed / after he had been dressed ¦ in a white garment

indūtus, -a, -um: perfect passive participle < induō, -ere, induī, indūtus [3]: dress; put on

i.e. the participle acts as a noun

(b) albus, -a, -um: although its meaning is ‘white’, the sense here is ‘elegant’, ‘gorgeous’ or ‘splendid’

[vi]

et spērābat signum aliquod vidēre ab eō fieri

• and he hoped to see some sign (being) done by him

Et factī sunt amīcī Hērōdēs et Pīlātus

• And Herod and Pilate became friends

fiō, fieri, factus sum: become

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/210424-fio-fieri-become.html

[vii] ad īnvicem (Late Latin): each other; mutually

03.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXI [2] (1) subjunctive; (2) participial constructions

THE ENEMY BESIEGING THE CAMP ARE REPULSED

Cum iam sex hōrās pugnātum esset ac nōn sōlum vīrēs sed etiam tēla Rōmānōs dēficerent, atque hostēs ācrius instārent, et vāllum scindere fossamque complēre incēpissent, Caesar, vir reī mīlitāris perītissimus, suīs imperāvit ut proelium paulisper intermitterent, et, signō datō, ex castrīs ērumperent. Quod iussī sunt faciunt, et subitō ex omnibus portīs ērumpunt. Atque tam celeriter mīlitēs concurrērunt et tam propinquī erant hostēs ut spatium pīla coniciendī nōn darētur. Itaque reiectīs pīlīs comminus gladiīs pugnātum est. Diū et audācter hostēs restitērunt et in extrēmā spē salūtis tantam virtūtem praestitērunt ut ā dextrō cornū vehementer multitūdine suōrum aciem Rōmanam premerent. Id imperātor cum animadvertisset, Pūblium adulēscentem cum equitātū mīsit quī labōrantibus auxilium daret. Eius impetum sustinēre nōn potuērunt hostēs et omnēs terga vertērunt. Eōs in fugam datōs Pūblius subsecūtus est ūsque ad flūmen Rhēnum, quod ab eō locō quīnque mīlia passuum aberat. Ibi paucī salūtem sibi repperērunt. Omnibus reliquīs interfectīs, Pūblius et equitēs in castra sēsē recēpērunt. Dē hāc calamitāte fīnitimae gentēs cum certiōrēs factae essent, ad Caesarem lēgātōs mīsērunt et sē suaque omnia dēdidērunt.

(1) review: subjunctive usage

[1] cum-clauses: circumstantial

Id imperātor cum animadvertisset, … | When / since the commander had noticed this, …

fīnitimae gentēs cum certiōrēs factae essent … | When the neighbouring tribes had been made aware …

[2] purpose

Pūblium … mīsit quī …auxilium daret. | He sent … Publius … to give help

[3] result

[i] tantam virtūtem praestitērunt ut …  aciem Rōmanam premerent.

(they) showed such great courage that … they were pressing the Roman line

[ii] In this sentence, two phrases introduce a result clause:

Atque (1) tam celeriter mīlitēs concurrērunt et (2) tam propinquī erant hostēs ut spatium pīla coniciendī nōn darētur.

And the soldiers ran together (1) so quickly and the enemy were (2) so close that no space was given for throwing javelins.

[4] This text gives examples of lengthier sentences containing multiple clauses, a common feature of Classical Latin literature:

The first sentence of the text uses multiple subjunctive forms; look out for the conjunctions that introduce subordinate clauses, in this case [A] cum and [B] ut

[A] Cum iam sex hōrās pugnātum esset ac nōn sōlum vīrēs sed etiam tēla Rōmānōs dēficerent, atque hostēs ācrius instārent, et vāllum scindere fossamque complēre incēpissent, Caesar, vir reī mīlitāris perītissimus, suīs imperāvit [B] ut proelium paulisper intermitterent, et, signō datō, ex castrīs ērumperent.

[A] All four subjunctive verbs are dependent upon cum (circumstantial) i.e. cum does not need to be repeated.

Cum iam sex hōrās (1) pugnatum esset ac nōn sōlum vīrēs sed etiam tēla Rōmānōs (2) dēficerent, atque hostēs ācrius (3) instārent, et vāllum scindere fossamque complēre (4) incēpissent, …

When (1) the fighting had already gone on for six hours, and not only strength but also weapons (2) were failing the Romans, and the enemy (3) were pressing on more fiercely, and (4) had begun to tear apart the rampart and fill in the ditch …

[B] Both verbs are dependent upon ut (introducing purpose clauses) i.e. ut does not need to be repeated

… Caesar, vir reī mīlitāris perītissimus, suīs imperāvit ut proelium paulisper (1) intermitterent, et, signō datō, ex castrīs (2) ērumperent.

Caesar, a man most skilled in military affairs, gave orders to his men that (1) they should pause the battle for a short time and, once the signal had been given, (2) burst out from the camp.

(2) review: participial constructions

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Pūblium … mīsit quī labōrantibus auxilium daret.

[ii] Eōs in fugam datōs Pūblius subsecūtus est

[iii] signō datō

[iv] Itaque reiectīs pīlīs comminus gladiīs pugnātum est.

[v] omnibus reliquīs interfectīs

____________________

When they had already been fighting for six hours, and not only their strength but also their weapons were failing the Romans, and the enemy were pressing more fiercely and had begun to cut through the rampart and fill up the ditch, Caesar, a man most skilled in military affairs, ordered his men to suspend the battle for a short time and, when the signal was given, to burst out from the camp.

They do what they have been commanded, and suddenly break out from all the gates. And the soldiers ran together so quickly and the enemy were so close that no space was given for throwing javelins. Therefore, the javelins having been thrown aside, they fought hand-to-hand with swords.

For a long time and bravely the enemy held their ground and, in their final hope of safety, showed such great courage that from their right wing they were strongly pressing the Roman line with a multitude of their own men.

When the commander had noticed this, he sent the young Publius with the cavalry to give help to those who were struggling. The enemy were not able to withstand his charge and all turned in flight. Publius pursued them, after they had been put to flight, as far as the River Rhine, which was five miles distant from that place. There few found safety for themselves. All the rest having been killed, Publius and the cavalry returned into the camp.

When the neighbouring tribes had been made aware of this disaster, they sent envoys to Caesar and surrendered themselves and all their possessions.

03.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXI [1] comprehension

THE ENEMY BESIEGING THE CAMP ARE REPULSED

Cum iam sex hōrās pugnātum esset ac nōn sōlum vīrēs sed etiam tēla Rōmānōs dēficerent, atque hostēs ācrius instārent, et vāllum scindere fossamque complēre incēpissent, Caesar, vir reī mīlitāris perītissimus, suīs imperāvit ut proelium paulisper intermitterent, et, signō datō, ex castrīs ērumperent. Quod iussī sunt faciunt, et subitō ex omnibus portīs ērumpunt. Atque tam celeriter mīlitēs concurrērunt et tam propinquī erant hostēs ut spatium pīla coniciendī nōn darētur. Itaque reiectīs pīlīs comminus gladiīs pugnātum est. Diū et audācter hostēs restitērunt et in extrēmā spē salūtis tantam virtūtem praestitērunt ut ā dextrō cornū vehementer multitūdine suōrum aciem Rōmanam premerent. Id imperātor cum animadvertisset, Pūblium adulēscentem cum equitātū mīsit quī labōrantibus auxilium daret. Eius impetum sustinēre nōn potuērunt hostēs et omnēs terga vertērunt. Eōs in fugam datōs Pūblius subsecūtus est ūsque ad flūmen Rhēnum, quod ab eō locō quīnque mīlia passuum aberat. Ibi paucī salūtem sibi repperērunt. Omnibus reliquīs interfectīs, Pūblius et equitēs in castra sēsē recēpērunt. Dē hāc calamitāte fīnitimae gentēs cum certiōrēs factae essent, ad Caesarem lēgātōs mīsērunt et sē suaque omnia dēdidērunt.

[1] “Cum iam … Quod iussī sunt faciunt ...”

[i] To what does sex horās refer? (1)

[ii] In what ways were the Romans at a disadvantage? (3)

[iii] What damage were the enemy causing to the Roman defensive works? (2)

[iv] Note and translate the word indicating that the enemy attack was intensifying. (1)

[v] How is Caesar described? (2)

[vi] “Quod iussī sunt faciunt, …”

What had they been ordered to do? (3)

[2] “… et subitō ex omnibus portīs …pugnātum est.”

[i] How does ex omnibus portīs make the action more dramatic? (2)

[ii] “comminus gladiīs pugnātum est”

[a] How did they have fight? (1)

[b] Why was this necessary? (3)

[3] “Diū et audācter … auxilium daret.”

[i] How does this extract convey the resilience of the enemy? (4)

[ii] “Id imperātor cum animadvertisset.”

What had the commander noticed? (3)

[iii] What action did the commander take? (2)

[4] “Eius impetum … omnia dēdidērunt.”

In which order are the following events first referred to?

awareness of the disaster _____

few survivors _____

inability to withstand the attack _____

location of the rhine _____

most killed _____

pursuit of the fleeing enemies _____

return to the camp _____

surrender _____

____________________

[1]

[i] duration of the battle

[ii] lacking in (1) strength (1), and weapons (1)

[iii] had begun to cut through the rampart (1) and fill up the ditch (1)

[iv] ācrius: more fiercely

[v] very skilled (1) in military matters (1)

[vi] stop fighting briefly (1); when the signal was given (1);  suddenly sally out from the camp (1)

[2]

[i] ex omnibus portīs: from all the gates (1); the actions are simultaneous / on a large scale / coordinated (any one) (1)

[ii]

[a] hand-to-hand (at close quarters)

[b] they came together so quickly (1) and were at such close quarters (1) that there was no room to throw javelins (1)

[3]

[i] resisted for a long time (1) and boldly (1); showed great courage (1) even in extreme desparation (in the last hope of survival) (1)

[ii] the enemy were strongly pressing the Roman line (1) on the right wing (1) in large numbers (1)

[iii] Sent Publius with the cavalry (1) to give help to those in difficulty (1)

[4]

awareness of the disaster [7]

few survivors [4]

inability to withstand the attack [1]

location of the rhine [3]

most killed [5]

pursuit of the fleeing enemies [2]

return to the camp [6]

surrender [8]

02.12.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [35] (1)

[1]

Fuistisne umquam Rōmae? Scītisne multās rēs dē rē pūblicā Rōmānā? Pauca dē hīs omnibus Maria in scholā discit. Nunc in grāmine iacet. Umbra arboris est grāta quod est aestās. Ex librō haec legit:

[i] What are the first two questions asked? (2)

[ii] What is Maria learning in school? (2)

[iii] Where is she lying? (1)

[iv] What does she like and why? (2)

[v] What is she doing? (1)

[2]

Prīmō rēgēs Rōmam regēbant. Posteā Rōma duōs cōnsulēs habēbat. Eī rem pūblicam regēbant. Cōnsul erat prīmus magistrātus Rōmae et multa officia habēbat. Cōnsulēs haec officia numquam neglegēbant nisi perfidī erant. Multī cōnsulēs erant virī magnae virtūtis. Bella cum hostibus terrā marīque gerēbant. Aliī pācem petēbant. Hīs temporibus Rōmae sonitus armōrum atque pedum mīlitum nōn audiēbātur. Fēlīx erat rēs pūblica, ut saepe dīcitur, cuius cōnsul pācem petēbat. Sī umquam rēs pūblica ab hostibus in bellō premēbātur, cōnsulēs erant imperātōrēs exercitūs et summum imperium habēbant.

In which order are the following first referred to?

army commanders _____

disloyalty _____

many duties _____

men of great virtue _____

military “sounds” _____

number of consuls _____

rule of kings _____

seeking peace _____

supreme power _____

waging war _____

____________________

[1]

[i] Have you (ever) been in Rome? (1) Do you know many things about the Roman republic? (1)

[ii] a few things (1) about all of these (1)

[iii] on the grass

[iv] the shade of the tree (1); it’s summer (1)

[v] reading a book

[2]

army commanders [9]

disloyalty [4]

many duties [3]

men of great virtue [5]

military “sounds” [8]

number of consuls [2]

rule of kings [1]

seeking peace [7]

supreme power [10]

waging war [6]

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

MĀRS RŌMULUM IN CAELUM VOCAT (1)

In angulō Tiberis Campus Mārtius iacēbat. In Campō Mārtiō iuvenēs Rōmānī corpora dīligenter exercēbant. Ita firma et valida habēbant corpora. Post lūdōs in flāvīs Tiberis undīs natābant. Ita Tiberis corpora fessa recreābat.

Hīc forte Rōmulus cīvibus suīs iūra dabat; bonōs cīvēs laudābat; malōs cīvēs culpābat. Subitō fulminis fragor populum perterruit; magnī dē caelō imbrēs virōs fēmināsque fugāvērunt.

Rōmulus sōlum serēnus impavidusque manēbat; Mārtem patrem in caelō vidēbat. Tum Mārs fīlium verbīs benignīs vocāvit: "Satis," inquit, "in terrīs rēgnāvistī; nunc in caelō et in stēllīs cum patre tuō cēterīsque dīs rēgnābis. Fīlium meum ad caelum portābō."

Tum equōs mīrōs incitāvit. Rōmulus cum patre ad stēllās properāvit.

[i]

corpus, -oris [3/n]: body

fragor, -ōris [3/m]: crash

fulmen, -inis [3/n]: lightning, thunder-bolt

imber, -ris [3/m]: rain, shower

iūs, iūris [3/n]: law, justice

iuvenis, -is [3 m/f]: a young man or woman

Campus Mārtius [2/m]: a strip of land near the Tiber, where the Romans met

Tiberis, -is [3/m]: the Tiber

unda, -ae [1/f]: wave

[ii]

exerceō, -ēre [2]: exercise

fugō, -āre [1]: put to flight

nātō, -āre [1]: swim

perterreō, -ēre [2]: frighten

recreō, -āre [1]: refresh

regnō, -āre [1]: reign

[iii]

fessus, -a, -um: tired

firmus, -a, -um: firm, strong

Mārtius, -a, -um: belonging to Mars

serēnus, -a, -um: calm

[iv]

dīligenter: carefully

forte: by chance

hīc: here

ita: so, thus

satis: enough

____________________

In a corner of the Tiber lay the Campus Martius. On the Campus Martius the young Roman men used to train their bodies carefully. Thus they kept their bodies strong and vigorous. After the games they swam in the yellow waters of the Tiber. In this way the Tiber refreshed their tired bodies.

Here, by chance, Romulus was giving laws to his citizens; he was praising the good citizens; he was blaming the bad citizens. Suddenly a crash of thunder frightened the people; heavy rains from the sky put the men and women to flight.

Romulus alone remained calm and fearless; he was seeing his father Mars in the sky. Then Mars called his son with kind words: “Enough,” he said, “you have reigned on earth; now you will reign in the sky and among the stars with your father and the other gods. I will carry my son to the sky.”

Then he urged on his wondrous horses. Romulus hastened with his father to the stars.

01.12.26: Level 1 (review) [2]; Questions [6] – [10]

And who else wrote plays?

Don't listen to the "conspiracy theorists"! What do they think? 

If you want a translation, use a dictionary!

And who was very upset by the assassination?

And what "lesson" were the Romans supposed to learn from this incident?

01.12.26: Level 1 (review) [2]; Questions [1] – [5]

And what does the abbreviation mean?

And how were the baths heated?

And with whom was Apicius (allegedly) associated?

And where was the bearded emperor born?

And do you know why?

18.05.26: clothes washing [3]: derivatives and Neo-Latin (2) the word with its very own soap opera

Referring to:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/05/180526-clothes-washing-1-transcription.html

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3452819201540306

Every word has its own story, its origins, and its ‘journey’ through multiple languages.

(1) sāpō, sāpōnis [3/m]: soap

(2) māchina, -ae [1/f]: machine

Unless people really have nothing better to do with their time, I doubt anybody wishes to know how the Ancient Egyptians would have expressed washing machine in hieroglyphics. We do, however, want to know how it may be expressed in Latin.

This has been mentioned several times before: Latin is a language still studied by thousands of people, and one way of reinforcing concepts is actively to speak and use it. Magister Andrews is not discussing the Battle of Cannae, but washing clothes; in other words, he personalises the language and relates it to the modern world.

When practising the language in this way — and many posts in the group do precisely that — we move into the realm of Neo-Latin: using Latin to express concepts that did not exist in the ancient world.

For centuries - long after it was the exclusive property of the Romans – Latin continued expanding its vocabulary, and it did so in a variety of ways.

(1) sāpō, sāpōnis [3/m]

Soap: a word that made its way as far as Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula – sabun, possibly via Arabic [ṣābūn] or Portuguese [sabão]; the latter is feasible since the town of Melaka in Southern Malaysia was a Portuguese colony. However, the etymology ‘gurus’ state that it is ‘ultimately from Latin sāpō’. Well, yes, but not quite: the Latin noun sāpō was itself a borrowing from Germanic.

“…though it denoted not a detergent, but a sort of pomade used for colouring the hair a light brown. It was made with goat's tallow and ashes, and was sold in balls, in which form it was imported by the Romans from Germany and Gaul, and used to bleach the hair.” (Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities)

Eventually, of course, the word acquired the meaning we understand today. Here is an Old English example; Monks sworn to vows of silence were given guides to sign language:

Ðonne þu sapan abban wille þonne gnid þu þinne handa to gædere

When you want soap, rub your hands together.

Thus, in Neo-Latin, we see semantic shift: the word acquires a new and broader meaning.

10.06.25: blunt razors, blood-letting and glowing walnut shells; Comenius LXXVI; at the barber’s shop [5]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/100625-blunt-razors-blood-letting-and.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/808719628405974

(2) māchina, -ae [1/f]: machine

“A machine, i.e. any artificial contrivance for performing work; an engine, fabric, frame, scaffolding, staging, easel, warlike engine, military machine, etc.” (Lewis & Short). Therefore, it is a perfectly legitimate word to refer to any form of machine.

Image #1 shows part of an illustration reconstructing the Globe Theatre where Shakespeare’s plays were first performed. [T] is the hut containing the “machine” used to lower gods onto the stage, from which the term deus ex machinā is derived i.e. the plot device whereby a seemingly hopeless crisis is suddenly resolved by, for example, the unexpected intervention of a god or a convenient (although unlikely) event.

Although Magister Andrews does not use it, there is a specific Neo-Latin term for ‘washing machine’:

māchina lavātōria

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/washing_machine/

Image #2: also listed in ‘First Thousand Words in Latin’ (Usborne)

The adjective lavātōrius, -a, -um is itself a coinage: it did not exist in Classical Latin, but was logically created from Mediaeval / Late Latin lavātōrium, -ī [2/n]: washroom.

The Neo-Latin Lexicon provides an extensive list of Neo-Latin vocabulary, though one should bear in mind that there may be multiple ways of expressing a concept, some of which may not be universally accepted or entirely accurate.

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/