31.10.26: Level 3+; P. Cornelius Lentulus: The Story Of A Roman Boy [5]

LXV. A DAY AT POMPEII

Apud forum ē currū dēscendērunt et Lentulus dīxit: “Hīc sunt multa tabernārum genera, mī Pūblī. Ecce, trāns viam est popīna! Hoc genus tabernārum cibāria vēndit. Frūctūs quoque ante iānuam stant. Ibi cibāria mea emam.”

“Optimē,” respondit Pūblius. “At ubi, mī pater, crūstula emere possumus? Namque māter nōbīs imperāvit ut haec quoque parārēmus. Timeō ut ista popīna vendat crūstula.”

“Bene dīcis,” inquit Lentulus. “At nōnne vidēs illum fontem ā dextrā ubi aqua per leōnis caput fluit? In illō ipsō locō est taberna pistōris quī sine dubiō vēndit crūstula.”

Brevi tempore omnia erant parāta, iamque quīnta hōra erat. Deinde Lentulus et fīlius ad caupōnam properāvērunt, quod famē et sitī urgēbantur. Ibi sub arboris umbrā sēdērunt et puerō imperāvērunt ut sibi cibum et vīnum daret. Huic imperiō puer celeriter pāruit. Tum laetī sē ex labōre refēcērunt.

Post prandium profectī sunt ut alia urbis spectācula vidērent. Illō tempore fuērunt Pompēiīs multa templa, duo theātra, thermae magnumque amphitheātrum, quae omnia post paucōs annōs flammīs atque incendiīs Vesuvī et terrae mōtū dēlēta sunt. Ante hanc calamitātem autem hominēs nihil dē monte veritī sunt. In amphitheātrō quidem Pūblius morārī cupīvit ut spectācula gladiātōria vidēret, quae in illum ipsum diem prōscrīpta erant et iam rē vērā incēperant.

Sed Lentulus dīxit: “Morārī, Pūblī, vereor ut possīmus. Iam decima hōra est et via est longa. Tempus suādet ut quam prīmum domum revertāmur.”

Itaque servō imperāvit ut equōs iungeret, et sōlis occāsū ad vīllam pervēnērunt.

Comprehension

Read the passage carefully. Decide whether each statement is true or false according to the text. If a statement is false, write in English what the true statement should be.

[i] Lentulus and Publius got down from their chariot near the forum.

[ii] According to Lentulus many different kinds of shops are found in this area.

[iii] The shop across the street sells clothing.

[iv] Fruit is displayed in front of the door.

[v] Publius’ mother has told them to buy cakes.

[vi] Publius is sure that the cook-shop across the street sells cakes.

[vii] There is fountain where water flows from a lion’s head.

[viii] The bakery is located a short walk from the fountain.

[ix] All their shopping was finished by the fifth hour.

[x] They went to the inn because they were hungry and thirsty.

[xi] They sat under the shade of a tree.

[xii] They ordered food and drink from the serving girl.

[xiii] After lunch, they left to see other sights of the city.

[xiv] Before the disaster, people were afraid of Mount Vesuvius.

[xv] Publius wanted to stay to watch the gladiatorial games.

[xvi] Lentulus thinks that they will be able to stay longer.

[xvii] Lentulus thinks they should go home later.

[xviii] Lentulus ordered the slave to yoke the horses.

[xix] They reached the villa before sunset.

____________________

Notes on the subjunctive

[i] purpose

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

Post prandium profectī sunt ut alia urbis spectācula vidērent.

• After lunch they set out in order to see other sights of the city.

In amphitheātrō quidem Pūblius morārī cupīvit ut spectācula gladiātōria vidēret.

• In the amphitheater, indeed, Publius wished to linger in order to see gladiatorial shows.

[ii] indirect command; where English uses an infinitive, Latin most often uses ut + subjunctive

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

Namque māter nōbīs imperāvit ut haec quoque parārēmus.

• For mother ordered us to prepare these things as well [literally: …that we should prepare …]

… et puerō imperāvērunt ut sibi cibum et vīnum daret.

• … and they ordered a boy to give them food and wine.

Tempus suādet ut quam prīmum domum revertāmur.

• Time urges us to return home as soon as possible.

Itaque servō imperāvit ut equōs iungeret.

• And so he ordered a slave to yoke the horses.

[iii] fear; verbs of fear ‘reverse’ the use of ut and nē:

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

vereor / timeō + nē + subjunctive = I fear that something may happen

vereor / timeō + ut + subjunctive = I fear that something may not happen

• Timeō ut ista popīna vendat crūstula.

I’m afraid that that cook-shop may not sell cakes.

Morārī, Pūblī, vereor ut possīmus.

• Publius, I fear that we may not be able to linger.

____________________

[i] Lentulus and Publius got down from their chariot near the forum. (True)

Apud forum ē currū dēscendērunt.

[ii] According to Lentulus many different kinds of shops are found in this area. (True)

Hīc sunt multa tabernārum genera.

[iii] The shop across the street sells clothing. (False)

The shop across the street sells food. │ Hoc genus tabernārum cibāria vēndit

[iv] Fruit is displayed in front of the door. (True)

Frūctūs quoque ante iānuam stant

[v] Publius’ mother has told them to buy cakes. (True)

Māter nōbīs imperāvit ut haec quoque parārēmus

[vi] Publius is sure that the cook-shop across the street sells cakes. (False)

Publius is afraid that the cook-shop may not sell cakes. │ Timeō ut ista popīna vendat crūstula

[vii] There is fountain where water flows from a lion’s head. (True)

fontem … ubi aqua per leōnis caput fluit

[viii] The bakery is located a short walk from the fountain. (False)

The bakery is at the same place as the fountain. │ In illō ipsō locō est taberna pistōris.

[ix] All their shopping was finished by the fifth hour. (True)

Brevi tempore omnia erant parāta, iamque quīnta hōra erat.

[x] They went to the inn because they were hungry and thirsty. (True)

quod famē et sitī urgēbantur

[xi] They sat under the shade of a tree. (True)

Ibi sub arboris umbrā sēdērunt.

[xii] They ordered food and drink from the maidsevant. (False)

from the male servant / slave │ puerō imperāvērunt ut sibi cibum et vīnum daret.

[xiii] After lunch, they left to see other sights of the city. (True)

Post prandium profectī sunt ut alia urbis spectācula vidērent.

[xiv] Before the disaster, people were afraid of Mount Vesuvius. (False)

Before the disaster, people were not afraid of Mount Vesuvius. │ [ii] hominēs nihil dē monte veritī sunt

[xv] Publius wanted to stay to watch the gladiatorial games. (True)

Pūblius morārī cupīvit ut spectācula gladiātōria vidēret

[xvi] Lentulus thinks that they will be able to stay longer. (False)

Lentulus is afraid that they may not be able to stay longer. │ Morārī, Pūblī, vereor ut possīmus

[xvii] Lentulus thinks they should go home later. (False)

Lentulus thinks they should return home as soon as possible. │ Tempus suādet ut quam prīmum domum revertāmur

[xviii] Lentulus orders the slave to yoke the horses. (True)

Servō imperāvit ut equōs iungeret

[xix] They reached the villa before sunset. (False)

They reached the villa at sunset │ sōlis occāsū ad vīllam pervēnērunt

30.10.26: topic; architecture [13]; describing a modern house (Traupman); dialogue (1)

A standard UK GCSE examination (for 16-year-olds) in, for example, French would explore this topic by asking the candidate to say:

[1] whether (s)he lives in, for example, a house or an apartment;

[2] how many rooms – or specifically named rooms – there are e.g. the number of bedrooms;

[3] where rooms are located either on which floor or in relation to each other;

[4] what items of furniture or equipment are in particular rooms; 3 or 4 items would be expected; the kitchen is often questioned because it has less common vocabulary (e.g. cooker, fridge etc);

[5] what activities take place in a particular room.

It is perfectly possible to do this in Latin. By applying that suggested structure, you can practise speaking the language, and talking about your own surroundings while reinforcing vocabulary and grammar.

For the most part, Classical Latin has the vocabulary required although there are a few instances where Neo-Latin is needed. However, different sources may use different words for the same modern concept, and this is referred to in the vocabulary lists. I find certain Neo-Latin words dubious, but where the word is rooted in the original CL idea – and its use can be justified – I have included it and given an explanation.

[1]

A: Gloria, potesne venire domum meam? | Gloria, can you come to my house?

B: Quid poterimus facere ibi? | What can we do there?

A: Poterimus librōs legere in cubiculō meō. | We can read books in my bedroom.

B: Benignē. Ego multōs librōs domī habeō. | No, thank you. I have many books at home

A: Fortasse poterimus coquere crūstula in culīnā nostrā. | Maybe we can bake cookies in our kitchen

B: Benignē. Ego saepe coquō crūstula in culīnā meā. | No, thank you. I often bake cookies in my kitchen.

A: Recēns ego comparāvī novum catulum. Vīsne lūdere cum meō novō catulō in peristyliō nostrō? | Recently I got a new puppy. Do you want to play with my new puppy in our courtyard?

B: Ō, ego prōrsus adorō catulōs! Eāmus illūc curriculō! | Oh, I absolutely adore puppies! Let’s go there on the double!

[2] Answer the questions:

[i] Ubi cum cane ludis?

[ii] Ubi dēambulās?

[iii] Ubi dentēs pūrgās?

[iv] Ubi dormīs?

[v] Ubi ientāculum sumis?

[vi] Ubi librōs legis?

[vii] Ubi mūsicam audīs?

[viii] Ubi prandium sumis?

[ix] Ubi tē lavās?

[x] Ubi vestīmenta mutās?

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

RŌMA

Ōlim Rōmānī oppidum parvum habitābant. Nunc magna et splendida est Rōma; magnae et lātae sunt oppidī viae. In angulīs viārum rōsae sunt; Rōmānī templīs et monumentīs viās ōrnant.

Ōlim in Forō Rōmānō templa multa et splendida erant. Cottīdiē virī Rōmānī in Forō ambulābant. Albae erant togae virōrum, sed rubrae et caeruleae et croceae erant pallae fēminārum. Ārae quoque in Forō erant. In ārīs Rōmānī victimās multās Deīs Rōmānīs mactābant.

Nōn iam templa sunt in Forō Rōmānō. Nōn iam mactant Rōmānī victimās in ārīs. Sed etiam nunc pulchrum est Forum Rōmānum. Multae sunt ruīnae; rosae multae inter ruīnās sunt. Inter ruīnās et rosās lacertae parvae properant. Pulchrae et iūcundae sunt lacertae. Cicādae quoque undique cantant. Lacertīs et cicādīs grātum est caelum caeruleum.

[1]

fēmina, -ae [1/f]: woman

Forum Rōmānum, -ī [2/n]: Roman Forum

lacerta, -ae [1/f]: lizard

monumentum, -ī [2/n]: monument

palla, -ae [1/f]: cloak

ruīna, -ae [1/f]: ruin

toga, -ae [1/f]: toga

victima, -ae [1/f]: sacrificial victim

[2]

croceus, -a, -um: saffron-colored

lātus, -a, -um: wide

iūcundus, -a, -um: pleasant

[3]

cantō, cantāre [1]: sing

mactō, mactāre [1]: sacrifice

[4]

inter (+ acc.): among, between

undique: everywhere

ōlim: once, formerly

___________________

Once the Romans lived in a small town. Now Rome is great and splendid; the streets of the town are wide and large. In the corners of the streets there are roses; the Romans adorn the streets with temples and monuments.

Once in the Roman Forum there were many splendid temples. Every day Roman men walked in the Forum. The togas of the men were white, but the cloaks of the women were red, blue, and saffron. There were also altars in the Forum. On the altars the Romans sacrificed many victims to the Roman gods.

Now there are no longer temples in the Roman Forum. The Romans no longer sacrifice victims on the altars. But even now the Roman Forum is beautiful. There are many ruins; many roses are among the ruins. Among the ruins and roses small lizards hurry. The lizards are beautiful and pleasant. Cicadas also sing everywhere. The blue sky is pleasing to the lizards and cicadas.

28.11.26: Level 1 (review); Questions [13] – [18]

 

27.10.26: Level 3+; P. Cornelius Lentulus: The Story Of A Roman Boy [4]

LXIV. LENTULUS REACHES HOME; PUBLIUS VISITS POMPEII WITH HIS FATHER

Part One

Using the English translation, complete the Latin text with the verbs listed at the end of the exercise; note the occasional changes in word order.

[i]

After a few days, the ship of Marcus Cornelius Lentulus (1) made for the harbour of Misenum, a harbour which (2) is situated not far from Pompeii; in this harbour the Roman fleet (3) was stationed and (4) was being equipped for naval battles. There ships of every kind (5) could (6) be seen.

Post paucōs diēs nāvis M. Cornēlī Lentulī portum Misēnī (1) __________, quī portus nōn longē ā Pompēiīs (2) __________; quō in portū classis Rōmāna (3) __________ et ad pugnās nāvālēs (4) __________. Ibi nāvēs omnium generum (6) __________ (5) __________.

[ii]

And now, with incredible speed, the long ship in which Lentulus (7) was being carried (8) drew near to the shore; for (9) it was driven not only by the wind but also by the oars. On the high stern (10) stood the helmsman, and not far away some Roman soldiers with splendid weapons, among whom Lentulus (11) was the most distinguished.

Iamque incrēdibilī celeritāte nāvis longa quā Lentulus (7) __________ litorī (8) __________; nam nōn sōlum ventō sed etiam rēmīs (9) __________. In altā puppe (10) __________ gubernātor et nōn procul aliquī mīlitēs Rōmānī cum armīs splendidīs, inter quōs clārissimus (11) __________ Lentulus.

[iii]

Then the slaves (12) ceased (13) straining at the oars; the sailors (14) hauled in the sail and (15) cast the anchors. Lentulus immediately (16) disembarked from the ship and (17) hurried to his villa. Julia, Publius, and the whole family (18) welcomed him. What embraces, what great joys there (19) were!

Deinde servī rēmīs (13) __________ (12) __________; nautae vēlum (14) __________ et ancorās (15) __________. Lentulus statim ē nāvī (16) __________ et ad villam suam (17) __________. Eum Iūlia, Pūblius, tōtaque familia (18) __________. Quī complexus, quanta gaudia (19) __________!

adpropinquāvit; cessāvērunt; cōnspicī; contendere; contrāxērunt; egressus est; erat; excēpērunt; fuērunt; iēcērunt; impellēbātur; ōrnābātur; petiit; pōnēbātur; poterant; properāvit; situs est; stābat; vehēbātur

Part Two

Translate:

Postrīdiē eius diēī Lentulus fīliō suō dīxit: “Venī, mī Pūblī, mēcum. Pompēiōs iter hodiē faciam. Māter tua suādet ut frūctūs et cibāria emam. Namque plūrēs amīcōs ad cēnam vocāvimus et multīs rēbus egēmus. Ea hortātur ut quam prīmum proficīscāmur.”

Part Two: notes on the subjunctive

Subjunctive: indirect command; ut + subjunctive after verbs of ordering, advising, urging

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

[i] Māter tua suādet ut frūctūs et cibāria emam.

• Your mother advises that I buy fruit and provisions [ = advises me to buy …]

[ii] Ea hortātur ut quam prīmum proficīscāmur.

• She urges that we set out as soon as possible [ = urges us to set out…]

Part Three

“Libenter, mī pater,” inquit Pūblius; “tēcum esse mihi semper est grātum; nec Pompēiōs umquam vīdī. Sine morā proficīscī parātus sum.”

Tum celeriter currum cōnscendērunt et ad urbis mūrōs vectī sunt. Stabiānā portā urbem ingressī sunt. Pūblius strātās viās mīrātur et saxa altiōra quae in mediō disposita erant et altās orbitās* quās rotae inter haec saxa fēcerant. Etiam strepitum mīrātur, multitūdinem, carrōs, fontēs, domōs, tabernās, forum cum statuīs, templīs, reliquīsque aedificiīs pūblicīs.

*orbita, -ae [1/f]: (wheel) rut i.e. a mark in the ground made by a wheel

[1] Identify the case of the words below and briefly explain why these cases are being used in the context of the passage:

[i] haec

[ii] mī

[iii] mihi

[iv] portā

[v] quae

[vi] tēcum

[vii] urbis

[2] Give an example from the text of a:

[i] deponent infinitive

[ii] perfect passive verb

[iii] perfect tense deponent verb

[iv] pluperfect verb

[v] present tense deponent verb

____________________

Part One

(1) petiit

(2) situs est

(3) pōnēbātur

(4) ōrnābātur

(5) cōnspicī

(6) poterant

(7) vehēbātur

(8) adpropinquāvit

(9) impellēbātur

(10) stābat

(11) erat

(12) cessāvērunt

(13) contendere

(14) contrāxērunt

(15) iēcērunt

(16) egressus est

(17) properāvit

(18) excēpērunt

(19) fuērunt

Part Two

Postrīdiē eius diēī ¦ Lentulus fīliō suō dīxit | On the day after that (1) ¦ Lentulus said to his son (1)

Venī, mī Pūblī, mēcum. | “Come with me, my Publius.” (1)

Pompēiōs iter hodiē faciam. | “Today I shall go / journey to Pompeii.” (1)

Māter tua suādet ¦ ut frūctūs et cibāria emam. | “Your mother advises” (1) ¦ “that I buy fruit and provisions.” (1)

Namque plūrēs amīcōs ad cēnam vocāvimus ¦ et multīs rēbus egēmus. | “For we have invited several friends to dinner” (1) ¦ “and we need many things.” (1)

Ea hortātur ¦ ut quam prīmum proficīscāmur. | “She urges us” (1) ¦ “to set out as soon as possible.” (1)

Part Three

[1]

[i] haec

case: accusative

reason: agrees with saxa, which is governed by the preposition inter

[ii] mī

case: vocative

reason: direct address

[iii] mihi

case: dative

reason: indirect object with grātum est; pleasing to me

[iv] portā

case: ablative

reason: means by which; by / through the gate

[v] quae

case: nominative

reason: subject of erant; referring to saxa

[vi] tēcum

case: ablative

reason: governed by the preposition cum

[vii] urbis

case: genitive

reason: possession; walls of the city

[2]

[i] proficīscī

[ii] vectī sunt

[iii] ingressī sunt

[iv] fēcerant

[v] mīrātur

26.10.26: topic; architecture [12]; Comenius (1658) LXXIII; The Stove with the Bedroom.

The aim of the Comenius texts is to allow you to talk in Latin about things around you. As always, speaking the language reinforces vocabulary by putting it into context, but specifically contexts that apply to our world. We will work through Comenius’ 17^th century description of a bedroom and compare the vocabulary to its interpretation both in the ancient world and how it is specifically applied in Neo-Latin with links to the Neo-Latin Lexicon.

The Stove with the bedroom | Hypocaustum cum dormītōriō.

The stove, | Hypocaustum, (1)

is beautified | ornātur

with an arched roof, | laqueārī, (2)

and wainscoted walls | & tabulātīs parietibus (3).

It is enlightened | Īllūminātur

with windows | fenestrīs (4).

It is heated | Calefit

with an oven | fornāce (5).

Its utensils are | Eius ūtēnsilia sunt

benches, | scamna (6)

stools, | sellae (7)

tables, | mēnsae (8)

with tressels, | cum fulcrīs (9)

footstools, | ac scabellīs (10)

and cushions | & culcitrīs (11).

There are also tapestries | Appenduntur etiam

hanged | tapetēs (12).

For soft lodging | Prō levī cubātū,

in a sleeping-room, | in dormitōriō (13)

there is a bed, | est lectus (cubīle) (14)

spread on a bed-stead, | strātus in spondā (15)

upon a straw-pad, | super strāmentum (16)

with sheets, | cum lodicibus (17)

and cover-lids (coverlets) | & strāgulīs (18).

The bolster, | Cervīcāl (19)

is under one’s head | est sub capite.

The bed is covered | Lectus tegitur

with a canopy | canopeō (20).

A chamber-pot, | Matula (21)

is for making water in | est vesicae levandae.

[i]

dormītōrium, -ī [2/n]: sleeping room; dormitory

laquear, -āris [3/n]: panelled ceiling, but can also refer (as here) to an arched / vaulted ceiling

[ii]

supellex, supellectilis [3/f]: domestic utensils; furniture

ūtēnsilia, -ium [3/n/pl]: things for use e.g. utensils, supplies, equipment

[iii]

fornāx, -cis [3/f]: furnace; oven; kiln

hypocaustum, -ī [2/n]: “stove”, referring to a heated room; see “topic; architecture [10]; Comenius (1658) LXXII; partēs domūs (1)” 

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/04/191026-topic-architecture-10-comenius.html

[iv]

mēnsa, -ae [1/f]: table

scabellum, -ī [2/n]: footstool

scamnum, -ī [2/n]: bench; footstool; the noun can refer to a long bench e.g. a pew in a church

sella, -ae [1/f]: seat; chair

matula, -ae [1/f]: [i] a vessel for holding liquids; [ii] chamber pot

Note: the word was also a term of abuse, meaning “simpleton” or “idiot”

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Thesaurus:homo_stultus#Latin

[v]

cubīle, -is [2/n]: bed

lectus, -ī [2/m]: bed

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/bed/

sponda, -ae [1/f]: bed-stead

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/bed__bedstead/

[vi]

strāmentum, -ī [2/n]: in general, the word refers to anything that is spread on the ground, especially straw, but could also apply to bedding hence a straw mattress which the translator gives as “straw-pad”

culcita, or culcitra, -ae [1/f]:   pillow, cushion; mattress, bedding,

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/mattress/

[vii]

cervīcal(e), -ālis [3/n]: pillow, cushion, bolster < cervīx, -cis [3/f]: neck; nape of the neck

pulvīnus, -ī [2/m]: pillow, cushion, bolster < pulvis, pulveris [3/n]: dust; powder i.e. referring to the filling of the pillow

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/pillow/

[viii]

linteum, -ī [2/n]: bed sheet

lōdīx, -cis [3/f]: sheet; blanket; rug (as a bed covering)

strāgulum, -ī [2/n]: bedspread

all listed at: https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/bedcover__sheet/

[ix]

cōnōpēum, -ī [2/n]: [i] mosquito net; [ii] canopy

tapēte, -is [3/n]: cloth (decorative), used as a carpet, or (as in the text) for wall hangings; in another section of Comenius’ work, he uses the noun to refer to the cover for a banqueting table.

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

ĪTALIA

Caeruleum est Ītaliae caelum. Italī caelum caeruleum amant. Britannīs quoque caelum caeruleum grātum est, sed nōn saepe Britanniae caelum caeruleum est. Ītaliae agricolae olīvās et vīneās laudant, iuvencīs albīs agrōs arant. Placidī sunt oculī iuvencōrum. Placidī et pulchrī sunt iuvencī. Ītaliae agricolīs grātī sunt iuvencī. Britannicī agricolae nōn iuvencīs sed equīs agrōs arant. Validī et pulchrī sunt equī magnī.

In Ītaliā clīvī multī sunt. Italī in clīvīs parvīs oppida aedificant. Oppidānī oppida in clīvīs habitant. In campō vīneae et olīvae sunt, in clīvīs oppida. Per campōs viae Rōmānae sunt. Longae et rēctae sunt viae Rōmānae. Oppidānī olīvās et ūvās, agricolae pecūniam dēsīderant. Itaque oppidānī pecūniam agricolīs dant, et per viās Rōmānās agricolae olīvās et ūvās ad oppida in plaustrīs portant.

[1]

caelum, -ī [2/n]: sky

clīvus, -ī [2/m]: hill, slope

equus, -ī [2/m]: horse

oculus, -ī [2/m]: eye

olīva, -ae [1/f]: olive

oppidum, -ī [2/n]: town

oppidānus, -ī [2/m]: townsman

plaustrum, -ī [2/n]: cart

vīnea, -ae [1/f]: vineyard

ūva, -ae [1/f]: grape

[2]

caeruleus, -a, -um: blue

placidus, -a, -um: calm

rēctus, -a, -um: straight

validus, -a, -um: strong

[3]

aedificō, aedificāre [1]: build

arō, arāre [1]: plough

dēsīderō, dēsīderāre [1]: desire

[4]

itaque: and so

___________________

The sky of Italy is blue. The Italians love the blue sky. The blue sky is also pleasing to the Britons, but the sky of Britain is not often blue. The farmers of Italy praise olive trees and vineyards; they plough the fields with white oxen. The eyes of the oxen are calm. The oxen are calm and beautiful. The oxen are pleasing to the farmers of Italy. British farmers plough the fields not with oxen but with horses. The horses are strong and beautiful and large.

In Italy there are many hills. The Italians build towns on small hills. The townspeople live in towns on the hills. In the plain there are vineyards and olive trees; on the hills there are towns. Through the fields there are Roman roads. The Roman roads are long and straight. The townspeople desire olives and grapes; the farmers desire money. And so the townspeople give money to the farmers, and along the Roman roads the farmers carry olives and grapes to the towns in carts.

24.10.26: Level 1 (review); Questions [7] – [12]

 

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

Part Two

Baskets | corbēs (9)

are of use for carrying things | īnserviunt rēbus trānsferendīs

and chests | arcae (10)

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

for keeping them | adservandīs illīs.

____________________

arca, -ae [1/f]: chest

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

corbis, -is [3/m]: basket

rēs, reī [5/f]: thing

Part Three

Under the roof | sub tēctō

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

In the yard | in āreā (13)

is a well | puteus (14)

a stable | stabulum (15)

and a bath | cum balneō (16)

under the house | sub domō

is the cellar | est cella (17)

____________________

area, -ae [1/f]: yard

balneum, -ī [2/n]: bath

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

puteus, -ī [2/m]: well

stabulum, -ī [2/n]: stable

tēctum, -ī [2/n]: roof

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[1]

ager, agrī [2/m]: field

angulus, -ī [2/m]: corner

fābula, -ae [1/f]: story

iuvencus, -ī [2/m]: young man

līber, librī [2/m]: book

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

lūdus, -ī [2/m]: school

magister, magistrī [2/m]: teacher

prandium, -ī [2/n]: lunch

puer, puerī [2/m]: boy

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

terra, -ae [1/f]: land

via, -ae [1/f]: road

[2]

benignus, -a, -um: kind

grātus, -a, -um: pleasing

impavidus, -a, -um: fearless

industrius, -a, -um: industrious

longinquus, -a, -um: distant

longus, -a, -um: long

malus, -a, -um: bad

piger, pigra, pigrum: lazy

[3]

narrō, narrāre [1]: tell, relate

recitō, recitāre [1]: recite

[4]

dē (+ abl.): about, concerning

per (+ acc.): through

etiam: also

igitur: therefore

iam: now, already

bene: well

cottīdiē: daily

solum: only

___________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part One

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

Question [1] Comprehension

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

[i] … fought for a number of years

[ii] … returned home in glory

[iii] … had many successful battles

[iv] … killed a very large number of enemies

[v] … had captured many enemy cities

Question [2] Translation

Translate “Prīmum … accēpērunt.” (10 marks)

Part Two

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

Question [1] Comprehension

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

Question [2] language

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

(a) valēs

(b) frācta est

(c) poterāmus

(d) agimur

(e) adflīxit

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

(a) 4^th declension noun

(b) 5^th declension noun

(c) deponent verb

(d) superlative adverb

(e) conjunction introducing a clause of time

Part Three

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

Comprehension

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

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

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

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

____________________

Entire text: notes on the subjunctive

Subjunctive: purpose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________

Part One

Question [1]

[i] … quīnque annōs … bellum … gerēbat

[ii] nōn sine glōriā domum revertēbātur

[iii] multa secunda proelia fēcerat

[iv] maximās hostium cōpiās dēlēverat

[v] multās urbēs … inimīcās cēperat

Question [2]

Prīmum nūntius pervēnit │ first a messenger arrived (1)

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

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

Deinde plūrēs diēs │ then for several days (1)

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

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

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

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

Part Two

Question [1] any five of:

ship broken / wrecked │ nāvis nostra frācta est

sudden great storm │ subitō magna tempestās coorta est

violent battering of the ship │ nāvem vehementissimē adflīxit

battered by winds and waves │ ventīs fluctibusque adflictātī

unable to see the sun │ nec sōlem discernere poterāmus

unable to keep course │ nec cursum tenēre poterāmus

constant threat of immediate death │ omnia praesentem mortem intentābant

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

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

Question [2]

[i]

(a) present tense, active

(b) perfect tense, passive

(c) imperfect tense, active

(d) present tense, passive

(e) perfect tense, active

[ii]

(a) cursum; portū; fluctūs (any one)

(b) spem; diē; diēs (any one)

(c) coorta est

(d) vehementissimē

(e) postquam

Part Three

[i]

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

into the raging waves (1) │ in fluctūs irātōs

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

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

[ii]

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

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

[iii]

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

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