17.12.26: Level 4: literature; Vulgate [5]: Jesus sentenced to death [iii] Matthew 27.22-24

The same incident recounted in Matthew 27 contains the famous, or rather infamous statement that sealed the fate of Jesus – and those who condemned him.

Matthew 27.20-27

The first verse here clearly states that the main religious officials are responsible for influencing the mob:

(20) Prīncipēs autem sacerdōtum et seniōrēs persuāsērunt populīs ¦ ut peterent Barabbam, Iēsum vērō perderent.

• But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd ¦ that they should ask for [ = to ask for] Barabbas and have Jesus killed.

(21) Respondēns autem praeses, ait illīs: Quem vultis vōbīs dē duōbus dīmittī? At illī dīxērunt: Barabbam.

• And replying the governor said to them: “Which of the two do you wish to be released to you? And they said: “Barabbas.”

(22) dīcit illīs Pīlātus “quid igitur faciam dē Iēsū quī dīcitur Chrīstus?”

• Pilate says to them: What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?

(23) dīcunt omnēs crucifīgātur ait illīs praeses quid enim malī fēcit at illī magis clāmābant dīcentēs crucifīgātur

• They all say; “Let him be crucified”. The governor says / said to them: “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out the more, saying: “Let him be crucified”.

(24) Vidēns autem Pīlātus ¦ quia nihil prōficeret, sed magis tumultus fieret, acceptā aquā, lāvit manūs cōram populō, dīcēns: Innocēns ego sum ā sanguine iūstī huius: vōs vīderitis.

The moment where Pilate rejects any personal responsibility:

• So Pilate, seeing that he was accomplishing nothing, but that the uproar was becoming greater, with water having been received [ = after he had taken water], he washed (his) hands in the presence of the people, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just man: it is you who will have seen to that.”

(26) Et respondēns ūniversus populus dīxit: Sanguis eius super nōs, et super fīliōs nostrōs.

• And the entire people replying said: “His blood (is) upon us, and upon our children.”

(27) Tunc dīmīsit illīs Barabbam: Iēsum autem flagellātum trādidit eīs ut crucifīgerētur.

• Then he released Barabbas to him, but Jesus, having been flogged [ = after he had been flogged], he handed over to them in order that he should be crucified [ = in order to be crucified].

Notes:

[i] subjunctive usage:

(a) indirect command

persuāsērunt populīs ¦ ut peterent Barabbam, Iēsum vērō perderent

• (they) persuaded the people ¦ that they should ask for [ = to ask for] Barabbas, and have Jesus killed

(b) jussive subjunctive

• crucifigātur: Let him be crucified.

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/280326-level-3-subjunctive-7.html

(c) purpose

• … ut crucifigerētur: …in order that he should be crucified [ = in order to be crucified]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/02/090526-level-3-subjunctive-34-dependent.html

[ii] Again, we have an example of an indirect statement being introduced in the alternative Latin style with quia + subjunctive:

Vidēns autem Pīlātus quia nihil prōficeret, sed magis tumultus fieret

• And Pilate, seeing that he was accomplishing nothing, but (that) the uproar was becoming greater / increasing.

[iii] Quem vultis vōbīs dē duōbus dīmittī?

• Which of the two do you wish to be released to you?

dīmittere: to release > dīmittī (present passive infinitive): to be released

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/10/110125-level-2-passive-voice-19-present.html

[iv] Vōs vīderītis: You will have seen (to that) i.e. it is your responsibility

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0CgVGrn-AU

This is a staggering and disturbing depiction of the human dynamics of the event: the mob is terrifying, and the initial aggression and arrogance of Pilate is both utterly shattered and infused with fury at having been placed in this position. Note: the excerpt is graphically violent in its portrayal. 

innocēns ego sum ā sanguine iūstī huius

16.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [4] vocabulary review

All of the words below are in the text. Match the Latin words with the English definitions. There is a very wide range of military vocabulary in Latin literature referring to, for example, equipment, means of defence and tactics. Military vocabulary is covered extensively at:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/vocabulary%3A%20military

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

THE STORMING OF A CITY

Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, et ad Caesaris castra sē contulit. Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, cōnstituit eīs bellum īnferre. Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum validissimum quod et nātūrā et arte mūnītum erat. Cingēbātur mūrō vīgintī quīnque pedēs altō. Ā lateribus duōbus situm, praeruptō fastīgiō ad plānitiem vergēbat; ā quārtō tantum latere aditus erat facilis. Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar. Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

Rōmānōrum autem oppugnātiō est haec. Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint; vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant; pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent; sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant. Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, deinde agger ab eā parte ubi aditus est facillimus exstruitur et cum vīneīs ad ipsum oppidum agitur. Tum turris in aggere prōmovētur; arietibus quī sub vīneīs conlocātī erant mūrus et portae discutiuntur; ballistīs, catapultīs, reliquīsque tormentīs lapidēs et tēla in oppidum coniciuntur. Postrēmō cum iam turris et agger altitūdinem mūrī adaequant et arietēs moenia perfrēgērunt, signō datō mīlitēs inruunt et oppidum expugnant.

(1) review: subjunctive

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar.

[ii] Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

[iii] Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint;

[iv] vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant

[v] pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent;

[vi] sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant

(2) review: indirect statement

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

Translate the following extract. Remember that the grammatical term indirect statement may not refer exclusively to what somebody said, but, here, what somebody thought or felt:

Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, …

(3) review: participial constructions

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, …

[ii] Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum …

[iii] Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit

[iv] Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, …

[v] signō datō mīlitēs inruunt …

____________________

Publius, after staying / having stayed for several days in Germany, returned to Gaul and made his way to Caesar’s camp. Caesar, because he was displeased that the Gauls of that region had refused to give hostages and had been unwilling to supply grain to the army, decided to make war upon them.

After the fields had been laid waste and the villages burned, he came to a very strongly fortified town, which was defended both by nature and by workmanship. It was surrounded by a wall twenty-five feet high. On two sides it was situated on a slope, with a steep incline falling down to the plain; from the fourth side alone was access easy.

Although it was a most difficult task to attack this town, Caesar nevertheless decided to undertake it. And, after the camp had been fortified, he assigned Publius the task of preparing [lit: so that he might prepare] the things necessary for the attack.

The Roman method of attack, however, is as follows. First, towers are built by which the soldiers may be able to climb up onto the top of the wall; mantlets are made by which the soldiers, being covered, may approach the wall; screens are prepared behind which the soldiers may operate the engines; there are also battering rams which may smash the wall and the gates.

When all these things have been prepared, then a rampart is built from that side where the approach is easiest and is pushed forward with the mantlets right up to the town. Then a tower is moved forward on the rampart; by means of the rams, which had been placed under the mantlets, the wall and gates are battered down; by ballistae, catapults, and the other engines, stones and missiles are hurled into the town.

Finally, when the tower and ramp now match the height of the wall and the rams have broken through the defences, the signal having been given, the soldiers rush in and capture the town.

15.12.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [36] (1)

[1] Choose the correct form of the noun:

Although it is the end (1) of the day, the pupils do not go (2) home immediately. One portion (3) of the pupils is the army which defends (4) the safety (5) of the state. Another part is the army (6) of the robbers who live in (7) the forest and often attack (8) the city.

Quamquam fīnis (1) __________ est, discipulī statim (2) __________ nōn eunt. Altera* pars (3) __________ est exercitus quī (4) __________  (5) __________ dēfendit. Altera* pars est exercitus (6) __________ quī in (7) __________ habitant et (8) __________ saepe oppugnant.

*alter … alter …: one … the other …

altera pars … altera pars: one part … the other part …

(1) diēs / diēī / diē

(2) domum / domus / domī

(3) discipulīs / discipulōrum / discipulōs

(4) salūs / salūtis / salūtem

(5) civitātis / civitās / civitātem

(6) latrōnēs / latrōnibus / latrōnum

(7) silva / silvā / silvae

(8) urbe / urbem / urbis

[2]

[i] Numerus utriusque* exercitūs est parvus, sed discipulī numerum esse magnum putant.

*uterque, utraque, utrumque: each (of two)

[ii] Nunc septem mīlitēs ad silvam properant.

[iii] In silvā septem aliī discipulī (latrōnēs) mīlitēs exspectant.

[iv] In silvā est castellum latrōnum.

[v] Intrā castellum latrōnēs latent.

[vi] Cōnsul ipse, prīmus magistrātus cīvitātis, mīlitēs dūcit.

[vii] Bonus est et officium numquam neglegit.

[viii] Salūtem reī pūblicae dēfendit.

[ix] Cīvēs bene regit.

Which of the sentences [i] – [ix] refers to:

defending the republic _____

hiding in the fort _____

hurrying to the forest _____

leading the soldiers _____

location of the fort _____

never neglecting one’s duty _____

ruling the citizens _____

the size of the army _____

waiting for the soldiers _____

[3] Semper pācem petit, sed sī hostēs umquam eōs premunt, cōnsul hostēs ā fīnibus suīs repellit. Summum imperium habet. Fēlīcēs sunt mīlitēs cuius imperātor est cōnsul. Ubi mīlitēs castellō appropinquant cōnsul explōrātōrem mittit. Necesse est explōrātōrem cōnsilia latrōnum cognōscere. Hoc, autem, est difficile. Quaestor* est vir magnae virtūtis. Cōnsul eum mittit.

*quaestor, -ōris [3/m]: a class of Roman officer

In which order are the following statements made?

a positive personal characteristic _____

approaching a fort _____

being overwhelmed by the enemy _____

discovering the enemy’s plans _____

happy soldiers _____

highest power _____

pushing back the enemy _____

seeking peace _____

sending out a scout _____

____________________

[1]

Quamquam fīnis (1) diēī est, discipulī statim (2) domum nōn eunt. Altera pars (3) discipulōrum est exercitus quī (4) salūtem (5) cīvitātis dēfendit. Altera pars est exercitus (6) latrōnum quī in (7) silvā habitant et (8) urbem saepe oppugnant.

[2]

defending the republic [viii]

hiding in the fort [v]

hurrying to the forest [ii]

leading the soldiers [vi]

location of the fort [iv]

never neglecting one’s duty [vii]

ruling the citizens [ix]

the size of the army [i]

waiting for the soldiers [iii]

[3]

a positive personal characteristic [9]

approaching a fort [6]

being overwhelmed by the enemy [2]

discovering the enemy’s plans [8]

happy soldiers [5]

highest power [4]

pushing back the enemy [3]

seeking peace [1]

sending out a scout [7]

14.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [7] (2)

HORĀTIUS PUER (2)

Tandem in caelō columbās albās vidēbant. Columbae per caelum undique volābant et folia ad locum herbōsum portābant. Parentēs ad locum contendērunt et ecce! īnfāns in herbā placidus impavidusque dormītābat; columbae in terrā, in arboribus passim sedēbant; columbae per caelum volābant, et parvulī corpus foliīs tegēbant. Nec lupī nec ursī īnfantem necāverant, quia Mūsae poētam etiam īnfantem semper cōnservant.

Post multōs annōs Horātius, iam adolēscēns, Rōmam, magnam urbem, incolēbat. Sed dīvīna rūra et vītam rūsticam semper laudābat. Mūsae per multa perīcula poētam cōnservāvērunt. Horātiī carmina per tōtum orbem terrārum etiam nunc nōta et praeclāra sunt. Vōs quoque Horātiī carmina mox lēgētis et in memoriae tabulīs scrībētis.

[i]

adolēscēns, -entis [3 m/f]: young; just grown up

arbor, -oris [3/f]: tree

carmen, -inis [3/n]: song

columba, -ae [1/f]: dove

folium, -ī [2/n]: leaf

infāns, -fantis [3 m/f]: infant

Mūsae, -ārum [1/f pl.]: Muses, nine goddesses

orbis, -is [3/m]: circle; orbis terrārum: the whole world

perīculum, -ī [2/n]: danger

vīta, -ae [1/f]: life

[ii]

cōnservō, -āre [1]: save, protect

contendō, -ere [3]: hasten

legō, -ere [3]: read

scrībō, -ere [3]: write

tegō, -ere [3]: cover

volō, -āre [1]: fly

[iii]

nōtus, -a, -um: well known; famous

[iv]

passim: everywhere

quia: because

____________________

At last they caught sight of white doves in the sky. The doves were flying everywhere through the sky and carrying leaves to a grassy spot. The parents hurried to the place—and look! the child was lying on the grass, calm and fearless, asleep; doves were sitting here and there on the ground and in the trees; doves were flying through the sky, and they were covering the little body with leaves. Neither wolves nor bears had killed the child, because the Muses always protect the poet, even as an infant.

After many years Horace, now a young man, was living at Rome, a great city. But he always praised the divine countryside and the rustic life. The Muses preserved the poet through many dangers. The poems of Horace are even now known and famous throughout the whole world. You too will soon read the poems of Horace and will write them on your tablets of memory.

02.06.26: Vincent and the Passport Cover [3]

Referring to: 

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/06/020626-vincent-and-passport-cover-1.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/986724907272111

Vincent uses the expression syngraphus viātōrius to describe a passport. This is listed at the Neo-Latin Lexicon:

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/passport/

syngraphus, -ī [2/m]: [i] written contract; [ii] passport

syngraphus viātōrius

viātōrius, -a, -um: of / belonging to a journey

It is specifically referred to in the play The Captives / Captīvī by Plautus. Although not a passport in the way we imagine it, it clearly refers to a written document allowing the person to travel:

HEGIO

Sequere mē, viāticum ut dem ā trapēzītā tibi, eadem opera ā praetōre sūmam syngraphum.

• Follow me so that I can give you your travelling expenses from the banker;  I’ll get a passport from the praetor at the same time.

TYNDARUS

Quem syngraphum?

• What passport?

HEGIO

Quem hic ferat sēcum ad legiōnem, hinc īre huic ut liceat domum.

• One which he may carry with him to the legion, so that he may be permitted to leave here and go home.

02.06.26: Vincent and the Passport Cover [2]

Referring to: 

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/06/020626-vincent-and-passport-cover-1.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/posts/986724907272111

[i] Vincent uses two of three key words:

hic (masculine); haec (feminine); hoc (neuter): this

• haec pictūra |  this picture
• hoc dōnum | this gift
• Quid est hoc? | What is this?

+ Note that these words will change depending on what function they are performing in the sentence:

sī hanc taeniolam … spectās | if you are watching this video

[ii] Est tegumentum syngraphī viātōriī. | It’s a passport cover.

Latin needs no word to express ‘it’ – although they do exist. ‘Est’ = (s)he / it is, or, depending on context, ‘this is …’

[iii] Two very useful phrases for the beginning stage:

X mihi placet | X is pleasing to me = I like X

• Hoc dōnum mihi placet | This gift is pleasing to me = I like this gift
• Hoc dōnum mihi valdē placet | This gift is very much pleasing to me = I really like this gift

X mē dēlectat | X delights me = I really like X

• Haec pictūra mē dēlectat: | I really like this picture [literally: This picture delights me]

[iv] Latin, like other languages, has a wide range of prepositions, words such as ‘in’, ‘at’, ‘with’ etc. It is useful to become familiar with those as you go along.

+ Nouns change depending on the preposition that is used. However, begin with recognition of meaning rather than going into too much depth.

• hoc dōnum ab amīcō quōdam accēpī | I have just received this gift from a friend …
• dē … urbe Saigōniā | about / concerning the city of Saigon
• in scūtō | on the shield [in Latin in can mean ‘in’ or ‘on’]
• per mare | across the sea

[v] -ter is a marker for adverbs:

• celeriter crēvit Saigōnia | Saigon has grown quickly

+ But not all adverbs are formed in that way; some are words in their own right:

• modo: just
• bene: well
• paulātim: gradually
• nōnne?:  surely?

nōnne is used if you expect a positive reply

Saigōnia … maxima urbs Vietnamiae facta est, nōnne? | Saigon has become the biggest city in Vietnam, hasn’t it?

[vi] Handy set phrase:

grātiās tibi agō | (I) thank you

[vii] grātiās tibi agō, amīce, … | thank you, (my) friend

amīcus: friend (male)

The ending of nouns in -us changes to -e when you are addressing the person directly; in grammar this is known as the vocative case.

[viii]

sī hanc taeniolam nunc spectās! | If you are now watching this video!

In scūtō vidēmus nāvem | On the shield we see a ship

These are both present tense verbs:

spectō, -āre (watch) is a first conjugation verb

videō, -ēre (see) is a second conjugation verb

Verbs take considerable time to study, and there are many posts in the group on verbs; the link below gives you the main ones:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/latinforstarters/permalink/469185822359358/

02.06.26: Vincent and the Passport Cover [1]

To reinforce the language (rather than it staying in a dusty old book) Vincent shows you that Latin can [i] be spoken and [ii] refer to everything that applies to your own life, even ‘off-beat’ topics such as passport covers!

However, if you are starting out in Latin, you need to have some perspective. Vincent’s Latin is fluent and, within one short presentation, he will use a range of expressions, some of which are at a basic level whereas others climb higher. As always, take note of the ‘Levels’ that title most posts in the group.

It could not have come at a more opportune moment since I am about to publish a series of connected posts entitled ‘step-by-step’; they will start here on June 20^th. Those posts will show that learning a language, any language, is not based upon being overwhelmed – and intimidated – by a range of concepts at one time. You don’t build a house by starting with the roof tiles – you start with the foundations and work up – slowly – adding ‘bricks’ of knowledge as you go along.

In Vincent’s video I will highlight basic concepts that are useful for beginners.

Modo hoc dōnum ab amīcō quōdam accēpī … | I have just received this gift from a (certain) friend …

… et mihi valdē placet. | … and I like it very much [literally: it is very much pleasing to me]

Itaque vōbīs ostendere velim. | Therefore, I would like to show it to you (all).

Quid est hoc? | What is this?

Est tegumentum syngraphī viātōriī. | It is a passport cover.

Haec pictūra mē dēlectat: | I really like this picture [literally: This picture delights me]:

Lepida enim est versiō iōcōsa … | For it is an amusing version …

veteris īnsignis Saigōniēnsis. | … of the old emblem of Saigon.

In scūtō vidēmus nāvem secundīs ventīs per mare nāvigantem. | On the shield we see a ship sailing across the sea with favourable winds.

Utrimque tigrēs adsunt | On either side there are tigers.

et lemma est Paulātim crescam. | And the motto is “I shall grow gradually.”

Agitur dē ipsā urbe Saigōniā. | It’s about the city of Saigon itself.

Paulātim? | Gradually?

Immō celeriter crēvit Saigōnia … | On the contrary, Saigon has grown rapidly …

… et maxima urbs Vietnamiae facta est, nōnne? | … and has become the largest city in Vietnam, hasn’t it?

Bene, grātiās tibi agō, amīce, … | Well, thank you, (my) friend, …

… sī hanc taeniolam nunc spectās! | … if you are watching this video now!

Those highlighted points are discussed in the next post.

12.12.26: Level 4; literature; Vulgate [4]: Jesus sentenced to death [ii] Luke 23.20-25

Luke 23.20-25

(20) Iterum autem Pīlātus locūtus est ad eōs, volēns dīmittere Iēsum.

• And again Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, spoke to them.

(21) At illī succlāmābant, dīcentēs: Crucifīge, crucifīge eum.

• But they kept on shouting, saying “Crucify him, crucify him.”

(22) Ille autem tertiō dīxit ad illōs: Quid enim malī fēcit iste? nūllam causam mortis inveniō in eō: corripiam ergō illum et dīmittam.

• And he said to them for a third time: “What evil has this man done? I find in him no grounds for death [i.e. a death sentence]: therefore, I shall chastise and release him.

(23) At illī īnstābant vōcibus magnīs postulantēs ¦ ut crucifīgerētur: et invalēscēbant vōcēs eōrum.

• But, in loud voices, they continued to insist, demanding ¦ that he be crucified: and their voices grew stronger and stronger.

(24) Et Pīlātus adiūdicāvit fieri petītiōnem eōrum.

• And Pilate ruled [i.e. gave a legal ruling] that their demand be carried out.

(25) Dīmīsit autem illīs eum quī propter homicīdium et sēditiōnem missus fuerat in carcerem, quem petēbant: Iēsum vērō trādidit voluntātī eōrum.

• He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, whom they asked for, but he handed over Jesus to their will.

Notes:

[i] locūtus est < loquor, loquī, locūtus sum: speak; deponent verb:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/deponent%20verbs

[ii] indirect command + subjunctive

postulantēs ut crucifīgerētur

• demanding that he (should) be crucified

[iii] accusative-infinitive construction

Et Pīlātus adiūdicāvit fieri [infinitive] petītiōnem [accusative] eōrum.

Literally: Pilate adjudged their request ¦ to be done

>  Pilate ruled that their demand be carried out.

[iv] Pilate’s repeated attempts to quell the crowd: iterum; tertiō

[v] While the ‘baseline’ translation of the imperfect tense is “was / were doing something”, it also has iterative force implying that the same action happened repeatedly:

• illī succlāmābant: they kept on shouting
• illī īnstābant: they continued to insist

[vi] Again, the inchoative form of the verb suggests an escalation of the action:

• invalēscēbant vōcēs eōrum: their voices were growing stronger and stronger / were becoming louder and louder

[vii] This crowd is not making deferential requests – but uncompromising demands:

• Crucifīge, crucifīge eum!
• postulantēs ut crucifīgerētur

Does this suggest – and it is purely a personal interpretation – that Pilate, despite his political position, is ultimately weak? Roman governors existed to impose Roman authority, not negotiate with mobs. I cannot imagine that Caesar would have been subjected to such insolent and vociferous demands – and I do imagine that he would have dealt with it in a very different way.

[viii] Verse 25: Iēsum vērō trādidit voluntātī eōrum

i.e. the will of the crowd – rather than the legal will of Rome – prevailed

The informal phrase: “Caught between a rock and a hard place” depicts Pilate’s position, and the Vulgate well expresses it. On the one hand, Pilate should uphold Roman Law, for it is stated repeatedly that he sees no crime – and certainly not one that would warrant the most ignominious, prolonged and excruciating capital punishment of crucifixion. However, the collective, unremitting power of the crowd and religious officials overwhelms him; Judaea was not an easy province to control, and one does wonder whether – back in Rome – the last thing they wanted was more trouble for which Pilate would be held responsible. Later – in correspondence with the Emperor Trajan – we will look at the same challenges faced by Pliny the Younger as governor of Bithynia. In the end, Pilate does not act from a moral and legal standpoint, but out of political expediency and self-protection.

At illī succlāmābant, dīcentēs: Crucifīge, crucifīge eum.

11.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [2] comprehension (2)

THE STORMING OF A CITY [2]

Rōmānōrum autem oppugnātiō est haec. Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint; vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant; pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent; sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant. Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, deinde agger ab eā parte ubi aditus est facillimus exstruitur et cum vīneīs ad ipsum oppidum agitur. Tum turris in aggere prōmovētur; arietibus quī sub vīneīs conlocātī erant mūrus et portae discutiuntur; ballistīs, catapultīs, reliquīsque tormentīs lapidēs et tēla in oppidum coniciuntur. Postrēmō cum iam turris et agger altitūdinem mūrī adaequant et arietēs moenia perfrēgērunt, signō datō mīlitēs inruunt et oppidum expugnant.

[1] In which order are the following first referred to?

battering rams _____

bolt-throwing machine _____

mantlets [note: vertical and portable screens to protect soldiers’ forward movement] _____

rampart _____

screens to protect soldiers from missiles overhead _____

siege engines _____

siege towers _____

stones _____

[2] What is the function of the siege towers? (1)

[3] What can the soldiers approach using the mantlets? (1)

[4] What do the soldiers do while protected by the overhead screens? (1)

[5] Where is the rampart built? (1)

[6] How are the battering rams protected? (1)

[7] Give the names of two specific devices for hurling projectiles. (2)

[8] At what point is the signal for attack given? (2)

____________________

[1]

battering rams [5]; arietēs

bolt-throwing machine [7]; ballistīs

mantlets [2]; vīneae

rampart [6]; agger

screens to protect soldiers from missiles overhead [3]; pluteī

siege engines [4]; tormenta

siege towers [1]; turrēs

stones [8]; lapidēs

[2] to enable soldiers to reach the top of the walls

[3] the wall

[4] operate siege engines

[5] on the side where the approach is easiest

[6] placed under the mantlets

[7] ballistae (bolt-throwers) (1); catapults (1)

[8] after towers and rampart match wall height (1) and the walls have been broken through (1)

11.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [1] comprehension (1)

THE STORMING OF A CITY [1]

Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, et ad Caesaris castra sē contulit. Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, cōnstituit eīs bellum īnferre. Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum validissimum quod et nātūrā et arte mūnītum erat. Cingēbātur mūrō vīgintī quīnque pedēs altō. Ā lateribus duōbus situm, praeruptō fastīgiō ad plānitiem vergēbat; ā quārtō tantum latere aditus erat facilis. Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar. Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

• fastīgium, -ī [2/n]: slope
• vergō, -ere [3]: turn; lie

[1] “Pūblius plūrīs diēs …. erat facilis.”

[i] When did Publius return to Caesar’s camp? (1)

[ii] Why did Caesar decide to make war on the Gauls? (2)

[iii] What damage was done before reaching the town?

[iv] Describe the town’s defences. (8)

[2] “Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar.”

What does this statement reveal about Caesar’s character? (2)

[3] “Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.”

What task was Publius given? (1)

____________________

[1]

[i] after staying several days in Germania

[ii] the Gauls refused to give hostages (1) and were unwilling to supply grain to his army (1)

[iii] fields devastated (laid waste) (1); villages burned (1)

[iv]

very strongly fortified (1)

by both nature (1) and construction (1) [ = by its natural / geographical location; by the way in which it was built]

25-foot-high wall (1)

steep slopes (1) on two sides (1)

only one easy approach (1) on the fourth side (1)

[v] very determined (1); despite the difficulty, he decides to attack (1)

[vi] prepare everything necessary for the attack

10.12.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [35] (3)

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:

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.

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.”

[1] Find the Latin:

[i] afterwards

[ii] always

[iii] at first

[iv] at that time

[v] at these times

[vi] by land and sea

[vii] ever

[viii] never

[ix] now

[x] often

[xi] once; at one time

[2] Identify the case and number of the following words in bold from the text:

[i] Fuistisne umquam Rōmae?

[ii] Pauca dē hīs omnibus

[iii] rēgēs Rōmam regēbant.

[iv] Posteā Rōma duōs cōnsulēs habēbat.

[v] multa officia habēbat

[vi] sonitus armōrum atque pedum mīlitum

[vii] imperātōrēs exercitūs

[viii] magistrātus reī pūblicae

[ix] vītae magistrātuum

[x] semper memoriā tenēbō

[3] Identify the clause type in bold from the list below

[i] Umbra arboris est grāta quod est aestās.

[ii] Cōnsulēs haec officia numquam neglegēbant nisi perfidī erant.

[iii] Fēlīx erat rēs pūblica … cuius cōnsul pācem petēbat.

[iv] Ōlim, ubi urbs ā cīvibus malīs premēbātur, consul …

conditional clause

relative / adjectival  clause

subordinate clause of time (temporal clause)

subordinate clause of reason (causal clause)

____________________

[1]

[i] posteā

[ii] semper

[iii] prīmō

[iv] illō tempore

[v] hīs temporibus

[vi] terrā marīque

[vii] umquam

[viii] numquam

[ix] nunc

[x] saepe

[xi] ōlim

[2]

[i] locative singular

[ii] ablative plural

[iii] nominative plural

[iv] accusative plural

[v] accusative plural

[vi] genitive plural

[vii] genitive singular

[viii] genitive singular

[ix] genitive plural

[x] ablative singular

[3]

[i] subordinate clause of reason (causal clause); quod est aestās | because it’s summer

[ii] conditional clause (nisi: unless; if … not …); nisi perfidī erant | unless they were dishonest / if they were not dishonest

[iii] relative / adjectival  clause; … cuius cōnsul pācem petēbat | whose consul sought peace

[iv] subordinate clause of time (temporal clause); ubi urbs ā cīvibus malīs premēbātur | when the city was being pressed / overwhelmed by evil citizens

09.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [7] (1)

HORĀTIUS PUER (1)

...carmina nōn prius

audīta Mūsārum sacerdōs

virginibus puerīsque cantō.

Horātius, Carmina, III.i.2-4

Fābulam dē Horātiō, poētā praeclārō, nunc vōbīs nārrābō. Āpūlia regiō est Italiae. Multās silvās, multōs et amoenōs campōs habet. In prātīs herbōsīs multī gregēs, multa equōrum boumque armenta errant.

Hīc ōlim Horātius habitābat, parvulus adhūc et mātrī patrīque cārus. Forte servōs, forte patrem mātremque fefellit, et sōlus per prāta amoena errābat. Grātī puerō erant flōrēs et herba et rūra dīvīna. Mox autem puer, lūdō et errōribus fessus, in valle herbōsā iacuit et animum somnō profundō laxāvit. Intereā parentēs sollicitī puerum dīligenter quaerēbant. Et parentēs et servī vehementer timēbant.

"Lupī saevī," inquiunt, "et ursī silvās incolunt. Lupus fortasse puerum etiam nunc crūdēliter necat." Itaque diū et dīligenter puerum quaerēbant.

Vocabulary XVII

[i]

Apūlia, -ae [1/f]: Apulia, a district of Italy

armentum, -ī [2/n]: herd

bōs, bovis [3 m/f]: ox

error, -ōris [3/m]: wandering

flōs, flōris [3/m]: flower

grex, gregis [3/m]: flock

Horātius, -ī [2/m]: Horatius, a brave Roman

lupus, -ī [2/m]: wolf

parēns, -entis [3 m/f]: parent

poēta, -ae [1/m]: poet

rēgiō, -ōnis [3/f]: region, district

rūs, rūris [3/n]: country

servus, -ī [2/m]: slave

ursus, -ī [2/m]: bear

vallis, -is [3/f]: valley

[ii]

fallō, -ere [3]: deceive, escape the notice of

incolō, -ere [3]: inhabit, dwell in

quaerō, -ere [3]: seek, look for

[iii]

amoenus, -a, -um: pleasant; lovely

praeclārus, -a, -um: splendid; famous

saevus, -a, -um: savage; cruel

sollicitus, -a, -um: anxious

sōlus, -a, -um: alone; only

[iv]

crūdēliter: cruelly

fortasse: perhaps

vōs: you (plural)

____________________

I, a priest of the Muses, sing songs not heard before to maidens and boys.

Now I shall tell you a story about Horace, a famous poet. Apulia is a region of Italy. It has many forests and many beautiful fields. In the grassy meadows many flocks and many herds of horses and cattle wander.

Here once Horace used to live, still a little boy and dear to his mother and father. By chance he slipped away from the slaves, perhaps from his father and mother too, and wandered alone through the pleasant meadows. Flowers and grass and the divine countryside were pleasing to the boy. But soon the boy, tired by play and wandering, lay down in a grassy valley and relaxed his mind in deep sleep. Meanwhile his anxious parents were carefully searching for the boy. Both parents and slaves were greatly afraid.

“The savage wolves,” they say, “and bears inhabit the forests. A wolf perhaps is even now cruelly killing the boy.” And so for a long time and carefully they were searching for the boy.