04.01.27: Level 4; listening; Nūntiī Latīnī [1]

Kalendīs Iūniīs in Finlandiā Fīnis Annī scholasticī celebrābātur. Tum amplius quīngenta mīlia scholārium ad fēriās aestīvās agendās dīmissa sunt. Vīgintī quīnque mīlia studentium in exāmine mātūritātis approbāta sunt, octōgintā mīlia specimina scholae professiōnālis absolvērunt. Quī numerus quīnque mīlibus maior est quam annō praeteritō.

[i] What was celebrated on June 1^st?

[ii] What was the total number of students involved?

[iii] How many students passed the matriculation examination?

[iv] How many students completed vocational school qualifications?

[v] How does this figure compare with the previous year?

____________________

[i] end of the school year

[ii] more than 500,000; amplius quīngenta milia

[iii] 25,000

[iv] 80,000

[v] 5,000 more / higher; quīnque mīlibus maior

____________________

On 1 June, the end of the school year was celebrated in Finland. Then more than five hundred thousand pupils were dismissed / released to spend the summer holidays [ = began the summer holidays]. Twenty-five thousand students passed the matriculation examination, and 80,000 completed vocational-school qualifications. This figure is 5,000 higher than the previous year.

03.01.27: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [7] (1) impersonal passive; (2) connecting relative; (3) participial constructions; (4) subjunctive; (5) indirect statement

CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT BETWEEN CÆSAR AND POMPEY; THE BATTLE OF PHARSALIA [2]

Plūribus leviōribus proeliīs factīs, tandem cōpiae adversae ad Pharsālum in Thessaliā sitam castra posuērunt. Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris, tamen erant multī quī veterānās legiōnēs quae Gallōs et Germānōs superāverant vehementer timēbant. Quōs ante proelium commissum Labiēnus lēgātus, quī ab Caesare nūper dēfēcerat, ita adlocūtus est: “Nōlīte exīstimāre hunc esse exercitum veterānōrum mīlitum. Omnibus interfuī proeliīs neque temerē incognitam rem prōnūntiō. Perexigua pars illīus exercitūs quī Gallōs superāvit adhūc superest. Magna pars occīsa est, multī domum discessērunt, multī sunt relictī in Italiā. Hae cōpiae quās vidētis in citeriōre Galliā nūper cōnscrīptae sunt.” Haec cum dīxisset, iūrāvit sē nisi victōrem in castra nōn reversūrum esse. Hoc idem Pompēius et omnēs reliquī iūrāvērunt, et magnā spē et laetitiā, sīcut certam ad victōriam, cōpiae ē castrīs exiērunt.

Item Caesar, animō ad dīmicandum parātus, exercitum suum ēdūxit et septem cohortibus praesidiō castrīs relictīs cōpiās triplicī aciē īnstrūxit. Tum, mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus, tubā signum dedit. Mīlitēs prōcurrērunt et pīlīs missīs gladiōs strīnxērunt. Neque vērō virtūs hostibus dēfuit. Nam et tēla missa sustinuērunt et impetum gladiōrum excēpērunt et ōrdinēs cōnservāvērunt. Utrimque diū et ācriter pugnātum est nec quisquam pedem rettulit. Tum equitēs Pompēī aciem Caesaris circumīre cōnātī sunt. Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, tertiam aciem, quae ad id tempus quiēta fuerat, prōcurrere iussit. Tum vērō integrōrum impetum dēfessī hostēs sustinēre nōn potuērunt et omnēs terga vertērunt. Sed Pompēius dē fortūnīs suīs dēspērāns sē in castra equō contulit, inde mox cum paucīs equitibus effūgit.

(1) review: impersonal passive

Utrimque diū et ācriter pugnātum est | on both sides there was a long and fierce battle

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/impersonal%20passive

pugnō, -āre: fight; it is an intransitive verb, meaning that it cannot take a direct object. Other examples of intransitive verbs include:

currō, -ere: run

dormiō, -īre: sleep

eō, īre: go

veniō, -īre: come

Intransitive verbs cannot have passive forms with a subject e.g. *he has been slept*, *they were being run*. However, passive forms of intransitive verbs without a subject are used to convey impersonal ideas.

pugnātum est | literally: it was fought

Translations will vary but focus not on who performed the action, but on the action itself:

> There was fighting going on / people were fighting / ‘they’ fought / a battle was taking place

Pugnātum est ab utrīsque ācriter (Caesar)

• There was fierce fighting on both sides [ literally: ‘it’ was fought bitterly …]

Ea mē spectātum tulerat per Dionȳsia. postquam illō ventum est, iam, ut mē collocāverat, exorītur ventus turbō (Plautus)

• She had taken me to see (the show) at the Dionysiac festival. After we’d arrived there, just as she had settled me, a storm wind arose.

Ergō ex omnibus locīs urbis in forum curritur (Livy)

• Therefore, from all parts of the city people are running into the forum.

Macte novā virtūte, puer: Sīc ītur ad astra (Vergil)

• Be blessed in your new courage, boy; this is the way to the stars / one goes to … [literally: In this way it is being gone …]

Ad arma conclāmātum est (Livy)

• The cry ‘to arms!’ was raised.

Et Rōmam inde frequenter migrātum est, ā parentibus maximē ac propinquīs raptārum (Livy)

• And from there, there was frequent migration to Rome, especially by the parents and relatives of those / the women who had been abducted.

Magnīs opibus dormītur in urbe (Juvenal)

• Only with great wealth is it possible to sleep / do people sleep in the city.

(2) review: connecting relative pronouns

[i] Quōs … Labiēnus lēgātus … ita adlocūtus est:

[ii] Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, …

(3) review: participial constructions

[i] Pompēius dē fortūnīs suīs dēspērāns …

[ii] mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus …

[iii] plūribus leviōribus proeliīs factīs, …

[iv] septem cohortibus … relictīs …

[v] pīlīs missīs gladiōs strīnxērunt …

[vi] tēla missa sustinuērunt …

(4) review: subjunctive

[i] Haec cum dīxisset, …

[ii] Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris, tamen erant multī …

(5) review: indirect statement

[i] Nōlīte exīstimāre hunc esse exercitum veterānōrum mīlitum

[ii] iūrāvit sē … in castra nōn reversūrum esse

____________________

After several lighter engagements had been fought, at last the opposing forces pitched camp at Pharsalus, situated in Thessaly. Although Pompey’s army was twice as large as Caesar’s, there were nevertheless many who greatly feared the veteran legions that had defeated the Gauls and the Germans. Before the battle was joined, Labienus, the lieutenant who had recently defected from Caesar, addressed them as follows:

“Do not suppose that this is an army of veteran soldiers. I have been present at all the battles, and I do not rashly pronounce on a matter I do not know. A very small part of that army which defeated the Gauls still survives. A large part has been killed; many have gone home; many have been left behind in Italy. These forces which you see in Cisalpine Gaul have recently been levied.”

When he had said this, he swore that he would not return to camp unless as victor. Pompey himself and all the rest swore the same, and with great hope and joy, as though victory were certain, the troops marched out from the camp.

Caesar likewise, his mind prepared for battle, led out his army and, seven cohorts having been left behind to guard the camp, drew up his forces in a triple line. Then, as the soldiers were burning with eagerness to fight, he gave the signal with the trumpet. The soldiers charged forward and once the javelins had been thrown, drew their swords. Nor indeed did courage fail the enemy: they both withstood the missiles that had been hurled, met the assault of the swords, and kept their ranks. On both sides the fighting went on long and fiercely, and no one gave ground. Then Pompey’s cavalry tried to outflank Caesar’s line. When Caesar noticed this, he ordered the third line, which up to that time had been at rest, to charge. Then indeed the exhausted enemy could not withstand the attack of fresh troops, and all turned their backs. But Pompey, despairing of his fortunes, made his way on horseback to the camp, and soon afterwards fled from there with a few horsemen.

03.01.27: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [6] review; (1) the predicative dative / the dative of purpose and result; (2) the double dative; the dative of reference

Item Caesar, animō ad dīmicandum parātus, exercitum suum ēdūxit et septem cohortibus (1) praesidiō [dative] (2) castrīs [dative] relictīs cōpiās triplicī aciē īnstrūxit.

• Caesar likewise, his mind prepared for battle, led out his army and, seven cohorts having been left behind (1) as a guard (2) for the camp [ = to guard the camp], drew up his forces in a triple line.

You can see that there are two nouns in the dative case. We will look at these separately.

(1) praesidiō: the dative of purpose

We have a noun in the dative case very often (but not exclusively) occurring after the verb esse, the dative indicating the purpose of that noun or the result which is achieved by that noun; this is also known as the predicative dative or the dative of purpose and result.

septem cohortibus (1) praesidiō … relīctīs

• seven cohorts having been left behind (1) as a guard …

English can convey a similar idea using expressions such as: ‘as a’, ‘a cause of’, ‘a source of’ or ‘a means of’, for example:

• How can I be ¦ of assistance?
• I did it ¦ as a favour.
• I use these glasses ¦ as a means of / for protection.
• That is ¦ (a cause) of great concern.
• That’s ¦ (a source) of benefit

Below are examples of nouns which commonly use this construction:

argūmentō esse: to be proof

auxiliō esse: to be a help; to be of help

bonō esse: to benefit; to be (a source) of benefit

cūrae esse: to be a concern; to be (a cause) of concern

dolōrī esse: to be a cause of grief

dōnō esse: to be (as a) gift (Compare English: he gave him a gift │ He gave a book to him as a gift.)

• Hōs librōs dōnō mīsit │ He sent these books as a gift

exemplō esse: to be (as) an example (Compare English: I’ll show this picture to you ¦ as an example.)

exitiō esse: to bring destruction; to be a source of destruction

honōrī esse: to be an honour

laudī esse: to be a credit

malō esse: to be a cause / source of harm

mūnerī esse: to be (as a favour); to be of service

odiō esse: to be an object of hatred

onerī esse: to be a burden

perīculō esse: to be a (source of) danger

praesidiō esse: to be a means of protection

pudōrī esse: to be a cause / source of shame

salūtī esse: to be a salvation

subsidiō esse: to be (a source of) help / support

ūsuī esse: to be of use (to benefit)

(2) castrīs: the dative of reference

septem cohortibus (1) praesidiō (2) castrīs … relīctīs

• seven cohorts having been left behind (1) as a guard (2) for the camp

This indicates the person / thing  for whom / which the purpose is intended or who is affected by it: 

Since this construction most often occurs with the two parts, it is known as the double dative:

(1) Māgnō ūsuī [dative of purpose] (2) nostrīs [dative of reference] fuit (Caesar)

• It was (1) of great service (2) to our men.

Translations may not convey the double dative so literally:

bellum est (1) exitiō ¦ (2) incolīs 

[Literally: war is (1) a source / cause of destruction ¦ (2) to the inhabitants]

• War brings destruction to the inhabitants.

Illa fēmina, quae līberōs interfēcit (1) odiō [ii] omnibus est.

[Literally:  That woman who killed her own children is (1) a source of hatred (2) for everybody

• That woman who killed her own children is hated by everyone.

The order may be reversed:

Puella (2) mihi [dative of reference] est (1) cūrae [dative of purpose]

• The girl is (1) of concern (2) to me

(2) nōbīs  (1) exemplō fuit ad imitandum │ He was (1) an example (2) for us to imitate

Caesar omnem ex castrīs equitātum (2) suīs (1) auxiliō mīsit. (Caesar)

• Caesar sent all the cavalry in the camp (1) as a relief (for the purpose of relief) (2) to his men

A neat way of remembering this construction is a two word quotation from Cicero:

Cui [dative of reference] bonō [dative of purpose]?

[Literally: to whom (is it) of advantage?]

• Who benefits?

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/02/030525-level-3-verbs-with-dative-case-9.html

02.01.27: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [37] (2)

[3] Complete the Latin text with the missing endings and words; some endings may be used twice:

“Within the walls of the city the voices of the angry enemies could be heard. At last a small battle was fought. We threw many missiles. But our forces were not large enough, and the king’s legion quickly brought the war to an end with great force. Afterwards the angry king summoned all the enemies and spoke thus: ‘I shall not allow my enemies to remain with me in the same country. I shall not allow them to live with good citizens. I am a wise king. Immediately you will be exiles. The safety of my country is dear to me.’”

“Intrā moeni_____ ur_____ vō_____ inimīc_____ īrātōrum audīr_____ poterant. Tandem proelium parvum gest_____ est. Multa tēl_____ iēci_____. At cōpiae nostr_____ nōn erant satis magnae et legiō rē_____ magn_____ vī fin_____ bell_____ celeriter fēcit. Posteā rēx īrāt_____ om_____ inimīc_____ convocāvit et sīc dīxit: ‘Inimīcōs meōs in _____ patriā _____ manēre nōn sinam. Cum bonīs cīv_____ eōs habitāre nōn sinam. Rēx sapi_____ sum. Statim exsul_____ eritis. Salūs patriae meae est cāra _____.’ ”

-ā; -ae; -bis; -cēs; eādem; -em; -ēns; -ēs; -gis; -ī; -ibus; mēcum; mihi; -mus; -nēs; -ōs; -um; -us

[4]

“Quō modō hūc pervēnistī?” rogāvit Maria.

“Mē in fugam dedī et multōs diēs intrā castellum antīquum prope pontem latēbam,” vir miserā vōce respondit. “Nēmō mē vīdit. Nāvem exspectāvī. In eā nāvī labōrāvī. Mare trānsīvī. Nihil nunc habeō et diū per terram errāvī et cibum pecūniamque rogāvī. Quandō iterum domum vidēbō? Hoc nōn spērō. Nihil spērō. Tantum mare patriam meam ab hāc terrā dīvidit. Fēlīx nōn sum. Sapiēns nōn eram ubi in numerō hostium eram. Sī umquam iterum patriam vidēbō, quanta erit laetitia mea! Iterum perfidus nōn erō.”

[i] Where exactly did he hide? (2)

[ii] How does the man sound when he recounts his story? Give the Latin phrase and English translation that tells you this? (2)

[iii] How do we know that his escape was successful? Give details. (4)

[iv] What is his situation now? Give details. (3)

[v] What statements convey his sense of hopelessness? Refer to the Latin and translate.

[vi] Translate:

“Tantum mare patriam meam ab hāc terrā dīvidit. Fēlīx nōn sum. Sapiēns nōn eram ubi in numerō hostium eram. Sī umquam iterum patriam vidēbō, quanta erit laetitia mea! Iterum perfidus nōn erō.” (8)

[5] Complete the Latin with the words and phrases listed below; they are not all needed.

(1) That same night the farmer visited the sailor. (2) He saw the wretched man and (3) heard his story. (4) “Soon,” said the farmer, (5) “I shall need help, (6) because it is necessary to do (7) many (8) things in the fields. (9) Do you want to work with me?”

“I (10) very much want this,” replied the man. Now each (11) was happy: one because he was going to have help, the other because (12) he wanted to work.

(1) __________ agricola nautam vīsitāvit. Virum miserum (2) __________ et fābulam eius (3) __________. (4) “__________,” inquit agricola, “auxilium (5) __________ (6) __________ in agrīs necesse est (7) __________  (8) __________ facere. (9) __________ mēcum labōrāre?”

(10) “Hoc __________ volō,” respondit vir. Nunc uterque (11) __________ laetus; alter quod auxilium habitūrus erat, alter quod labōrāre (12) __________.

• uterque: each (of two)
• alter … alter: (the) one … (the) other
• habitūrus, -a, -um: about to / going to have·

audīvī; audīvit; cupisne; cupitisne; cupīvit; dēsīderābam; dēsīderābō; eādem nocte; erant; erat; heri nocte; maximē; maximus; mōs; mox; multās; multōs; quid; quod; rēbus; rēs; videt; vīdit

____________________

[3]

“Intrā moenia urbis vōcēs inimīcōrum īrātōrum audīrī poterant. Tandem proelium parvum gestum est. Multa tēla iēcimus. At cōpiae nostrae nōn erant satis magnae et legiō rēgis magnā vī finem bellī celeriter fēcit. Posteā rēx īrātus omnēs inimīcōs convocāvit et sīc dīxit: ‘Inimīcōs meōs in eādem patriā mēcum manēre nōn sinam. Cum bonīs cīvibus eōs habitāre nōn sinam. Rēx sapiēns sum. Statim exsulēs eritis. Salūs patriae meae est cāra mihi.’ ”

[4]

[i] inside an old fort (1) near a bridge (1)

[ii] miserable / sad (1): vir miserā vōce respondit |  the man replied in a miserable voice (1)

[iii] Nobody saw him (1); waited for a ship (1); worked on it (1); crossed the sea (1)

[iv] has nothing (1); has wandered for a long time (1); asked / begged for food and money (1)

[v]

Quandō iterum domum vidēbō? | When shall I see home again?” (1)

Hoc nōn spērō |  I do not hope for this (1)

Nihil spērō |  I hope for nothing (1)

[vi]

“Only the sea separates (1) my country from this land (1). I am not happy (1). I was not wise (1) when I was among the enemy (1). If ever I see my country again (1), how great my happiness will be! (1) I shall not be treacherous again. (1)”

[5]

(1) Eādem nocte agricola nautam vīsitāvit. Virum miserum (2) vīdit et fābulam eius (3) audīvit. (4) “Mox,” inquit agricola, “auxilium (5) dēsīderābō (6) quod in agrīs necesse est (7) multās (8) rēs facere. (9) Cupisne mēcum labōrāre?”

(10) “Hoc maximē volō,” respondit vir. Nunc uterque (11) erat laetus; alter quod auxilium habitūrus erat, alter quod labōrāre (12) cupīvit.

01.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (1)

It stands in the Comitium,

Plain for all folk to see ;

Horatius in his harness.

Halting upon one knee :

And underneath is written.

In letters all of gold.

How valiantly he kept the bridge

In the brave days of old.

(Macaulay)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (1)

Rōmānī alterum Horātium memoriā tenēbant et in summō honōre habēbant. Post Rōmulum sex rēgēs deinceps in urbe rēgnābant. Sed Tarquinius, ultimus rēgum, superbus et crūdēlis erat. Nec iūra bona populō dabat, nec cīvitātem bene gubernābat. Itaque Rōmānī Tarquinium et Sextum, Tarquiniī fīlium, crūdēlem ferōcemque adolēscentem, ex urbe expulērunt. "Nōn iam," inquiunt, "Rōmānīs rēgēs erunt. Cīvēs Rōmānī, nōn rēgēs, urbem cīvitātemque regent."

Intereā Tarquinius ad Porsennam, omnis Etrūriae rēgem, contendit, et omnia nārrāvit. Porsenna, "Ō amīce," inquit, "nōn ferendae sunt iniūriae tuae, nōn ferendae sunt fīliī tuī iniūriae. Multī equitēs, multī peditēs mihi sunt. Equitēs peditēsque meōs omnēs convocābō, et cum multīs mīlitibus tē tuumque fīlium ad urbem scelerātam dūcēmus. Iterum in urbe rēgnābis."

Itaque per tōtam Etrūriam, per clīvōs et agrōs nūntiī contendērunt, et ex omnibus vīcīs Etrūscōs ad arma convocāvērunt. Splendida erant arma Etrūscōrum; cristae rubrae in galeīs horrēbant; scūta lūce coruscā fulgēbant. Porsenna cum mīlitibus Rōmam contendit. Per omnēs vīcōs agricolae vehementer timēbant. Etrūscī frūmentum casāsque incendērunt, arborēs excidērunt, mulierēs līberōsque necāvērunt, multam praedam raptāvērunt.

[i]

amīcus, -ī [2/m]: friend

crista, -ae [1/f]: crest

eques, equitis [3/m]: horseman, knight

Etrūria, -ae [1/f]: Etruria (district of Italy)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etruria

Etruscus, -ī [2/m]: an Etruscan

Horātius Cocles [3/m]: Horatius Cocles (Roman hero)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatius_Cocles

iniūria, -ae [1/f]: injury, wrong

mulier, mulieris [3/f]: woman

nūntius, -ī [2/m]: messenger

pēs, pedis [3/m]: foot soldier

Porsenna, -ae [1/m]: Porsenna (king of Clusium in Etruria)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Porsena

Tarquinius, -ī [2/m]: Tarquin (last king of Rome)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Tarquinius_Superbus

vīcus, -ī [2/m]: village

[ii]

alter, -a, -um: the other

coruscus, -a, -um: flashing

crūdēlis, -e: cruel

ferendus, -a, -um: bearable, to be borne

ferōx, ferōcis: fierce

omnis, -e: all, every

superbus, -a, -um: proud

ultimus, -a, -um: last

[iii]

dūcō, -ere [3]: lead

excīdō, -ere [3]: cut down, destroy

expellō, -ere [3]: drive out

incendō, -ere [3]: burn

regō, -ere [3]: rule

[iv]

deinceps: in turn

____________________

The Romans kept the other Horatius in memory and held him in the highest honour. After Romulus, six kings ruled in succession in the city. But Tarquin, the last of the kings, was proud and cruel. He gave the people no good laws, nor did he govern the state well. Therefore the Romans drove out Tarquin and Sextus, the son of Tarquin, a cruel and fierce young man, from the city. “No longer,” they say, “will there be kings for the Romans. Roman citizens, not kings, will rule the city and the state.”

Meanwhile Tarquin went to Porsenna, king of all Etruria, and told him everything. Porsenna said, “O friend, your wrongs are not to be borne, your son’s wrongs are not to be borne. I have many horsemen, many foot-soldiers. I will gather all my horsemen and foot-soldiers, and with many soldiers we will lead you and your son to the wicked city. You will rule again in the city.”

And so through all Etruria, through the hills and fields, messengers hurried, and from all the villages they summoned the Etruscans to arms. The weapons of the Etruscans were splendid; red crests bristled on their helmets; their shields shone with flashing light. Porsenna marched to Rome with his soldiers. Through all the villages the farmers were greatly afraid. The Etruscans burned grain and houses, cut down trees, killed women and children, and carried off much plunder.

31.12.26: Vincent and the Headache (2) step-by-step; focussing on key points (level 1)

From the previous post:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/06/210626-vincent-and-headache-1-step-by.html

“It isn’t a question of what matters; in a sense, all of it matters. What is important is to identify the ‘building bricks’ that come first.”

Here, I have focussed on words, phrases and concepts that would normally occur in the early stages together with literal translations of certain expressions.

Caput multum dolet

• I have a bad headache [literally: the head is hurting a lot]

sed in silvā [i] iterum [ii] nihilōminus [iii] ambulō

• but, [i] again, [ii] nevertheless, [iii] I’m walking in the forest / woods

[i] quia [ii] sciō ambulātiōnem mihi prōdesse

• [i] because [ii] I know that walking benefits me [literally: I know walking to be of benefit to me]

et mē adiuvāre

• and helps me [literally: (I know walking) … to be helping me]

ad dolōrem leniēndum.

• to relieve the pain.

[i] Praetereā [ii] oportet mē [iii] cotīdiē cum Roccō, cane meō, [iv] ambulāre.

[note the difference in the Latin and English word order]

• [i] Besides, [ii] I have [iv] to walk [iii] every day with Rocco, my dog.

Ergō hoc prōdest et mihi et eī.

• Therefore, this is of benefit both to me and to him.

Solēbam legere  |  

• I was in the habit of reading

[i] simul [ii] dum ambulō ¦ sub dīvō

[i] at the same time [ii] while I am walking ¦ in the open air [literally: under the sky; dīvum, -ī (2/n): sky]

sed [i] hodiē hoc [ii] nōn faciō

• but [i] today [ii] I’m not doing this

[i] quia, [ii] utī dīxī, caput dolet

• [i] because, [ii] as I said, I have a headache

et ergō difficilius est animum intendere.

• and, therefore, it is more difficult to concentrate [literally: to focus the mind]

Difficilius est incumbere studiīs ¦ eōdem tempore.

• It is more difficult to apply oneself / pay attention to studies ¦ at the same time.

Ergō hodiē oportet fruī serēnitāte.

• Therefore, today, I need to enjoy the peacefulness [serenitās, -tātis (3/f): peacefulness; serenity; the word can also mean fine weather]

Et hoc satis erit.

• And this will be enough.

Level 1:

(1) Not everything in Latin changes!

[a] adverbs: these are ‘stand alone’ words which are indeclinable

cotīdiē: every day

ergō: therefore

hodiē: today

iterum: again [Engl. derivative: reiterate]

multum: a lot

nihilōminus: nevertheless

praetereā: besides

simul: at the same time [Engl. deriv: simultaneous(ly)]

Note: an adverb may not be a single word, but a phrase that expresses an adverbial idea e.g. where, when or how something is done:

eōdem tempore: at the same time; that comprises two declined words but, in the early stages, just learn it as a phrase

[b] satis: enough; there are times when this word changes, but you’ll see it the most often in this form, and that should be satisfactory for now

[c] conjunctions

et … et …: both … and …

dum: while

quia: because

ut: as; ut dīxī | as I said

(2) key verbs: look for the ‘clues’

faciō: I do / am doing

sciō: I know

ambulō: I walk / am walking

ambulāre: to walk

adiuvāre: to help

legere: to read

(2) From this text, I’ve extracted 20 key words and ideas:

adiuvāre; ambulāre; ambulō; cotīdiē; dum; ergō; eōdem tempore; et … et …; faciō; hodiē; iterum; legere; multum; nihilōminus; praetereā; quia; satis; sciō; simul; ut

The vocabulary at level 1 won’t go away: you’ll see those words iterum iterumque (again and again)!

(3) From this video we can extract one topic that is easy to express in Latin and which covers a key area of vocabulary, namely parts of the body. That will be discussed in the next post.

30.12.26: Level 4; literature; Vulgate [8]: The Death of Jesus [3]; Mark 15: 33 – 39

[33] et factā hōrā sextā tenebrae factae sunt per tōtam terram usque in hōram nōnam

• And at the sixth hour [literally: with the sixth hour having happened / been made; ablative absolute], there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour.

[34] et hōrā nōnā exclāmāvit Iēsus vōce magnā dīcēns Eloi Eloi lama sabachthanī quod est interpretātum: Deus meus Deus meus ut quid dērelīquistī mē

• And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is interpreted [as]: My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?

Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani; the words – from Psalm 22.1 – are delivered in Aramaic, which was most likely Jesus’ native language.

[35] et quīdam dē circumstantibus audientēs dīcēbant ecce Heliam vocat

• And some of those [who were] standing by, hearing [it], said: Look! He is calling Elijah.

[36] currēns autem ūnus et implēns spongiam acētō circumpōnēnsque calamō pōtum dabat eī dīcēns: sinite videāmus sī veniat Heliās ad dēpōnendum eum

• And one [person] running and filling a sponge with vinegar and putting it upon a reed, gave it to him to drink, saying: Leave him alone, let us see if Elijah will (may) come to take him down.

[i]  The use of participles – especially present active participles – contributes greatly to the narrative flow. All of them have been highlighted in all the extracts from the Vulgate, but line [36] is a very good example, depicting four events that take place in rapid succession or almost simultaneously. This is, of course, not exclusive to the Vulgate; Tacitus, for example, makes extensive usage of participles for the same purpose.

[ii]

(1) videāmus … | let us see …; subjunctive [hortative]

(2) sī veniat Heliās … | if / whether Elijah will (may) come

An indirect question i.e. ‘if’ in the sense of ‘whether (or not)’ is normally not introduced by sī, but there are occasional examples:

Vīsam ¦ sī domī est (Terence) | I will go see ¦ if he is at home.

CL uses sī to introduce a conditional clause, whereas an indirect question such as this would normally be introduced by utrum (whether).

12.07.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [69] dependent uses [6] indirect questions (6); utrum … an …

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/02/120726-level-3-subjunctive-69-dependent.html

This usage with sī becomes common only in post-Classical / Late Latin.

[37] Iēsus autem ēmissā vōce magnā exspīrāvit

• And Jesus, having cried out with a loud voice [literally: with a great / loud voice having been let out; ablative absolute], breathed his last / expired.

[38] et vēlum templī scissum est in duo ā sūrsum usque deorsum

• And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from the top to the bottom.

[39] vidēns autem centuriō quī ex adversō stābat quia sīc clāmāns exspīrāsset ait: vērē hic homō Fīlius Deī erat

• And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that, [while] crying out in this manner, he had breathed his last, said: Indeed this man was the son of God.

[i] vidēns … quia … | seeing … that …; the use of quod and quia to introduce an indirect statement is, apart from very specific circumstances, not a feature of CL

17.02.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [24]: use of quod

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/170226-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[ii] exspīrāsset: an example of a syncopated or contracted verb form which refers to the omission of one or more sounds from a verb. This is not a random feature but commonly occurs with past tense verb forms where /v/ or /vi/ is part of the ending:

petīvērunt > petiērunt

Here: exspīrāvisset > exspīrāsset

[iii] the use of the subjunctive here aligns closely with its use in causal clauses i.e. what the soldier saw is being reported unlike other verbal statements earlier in the account which are presented as direct speech.

23.08.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [90] dependent uses [15] reported / indirect reason: quod and quia

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/03/230826-level-3-subjunctive-90-dependent.html

29.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [5] vocabulary

Match the Latin and English:

29.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [4] comprehension (3)

Item Caesar, animō ad dīmicandum parātus, exercitum suum ēdūxit et septem cohortibus praesidiō castrīs relictīs cōpiās triplicī aciē īnstrūxit. Tum, mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus, tubā signum dedit. Mīlitēs prōcurrērunt et pīlīs missīs gladiōs strīnxērunt. Neque vērō virtūs hostibus dēfuit. Nam et tēla missa sustinuērunt et impetum gladiōrum excēpērunt et ōrdinēs cōnservāvērunt. Utrimque diū et ācriter pugnātum est nec quisquam pedem rettulit. Tum equitēs Pompēī aciem Caesaris circumīre cōnātī sunt. Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, tertiam aciem, quae ad id tempus quiēta fuerat, prōcurrere iussit. Tum vērō integrōrum impetum dēfessī hostēs sustinēre nōn potuērunt et omnēs terga vertērunt. Sed Pompēius dē fortūnīs suīs dēspērāns sē in castra equō contulit, inde mox cum paucīs equitibus effūgit.

• integer, -ra, -rum: (here) ‘fresh’ but referring to troops that are uninjured, healthy, not tired

[1] “Item Caesar… dedit.”

[i] What was the purpose of the seven cohorts left behind? (1)

[ii] To what does the phrase aciē triplicī refer? (1)

[iii] Quote and translate the phrase that emphasises the soldiers’ eagerness to fight. (2)

[2] “Mīlitēs … rettulit.”

In which order do the following actions take place?

javelins thrown _____

not giving ground _____

forward charge _____

keeping rank _____

swords drawn _____

[3] “Tum equitēs … effūgit.”

[i] What did Caesar notice? (2)

[ii] What order did he give and to whom? (1)

[iii] Why did the enemy ‘turn their backs’ i.e. flee? (2)

[iv] How does the last sentence convey Pompey’s utter defeat? Give your own opinion with reference to the text. (4)

____________________

[1]

[i] to guard the camp

[ii] a type of military formation

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/160424-acies-triplex.html

[iii] mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus | with the soldiers burning with eagerness to fight

[2]

javelins thrown [2]

not giving ground [5]

forward charge [1]

keeping rank [4]

swords drawn [3]

[3]

[i] Pompey’s cavalry had tried to surround (1) Caesar’s battle line (2)

[ii] he ordered the third line to charge

[iii] the enemy were exhausted (1); could not withstand the attack of fresh troops (1)

[iv]

Suggested answer: the sentence implies a loss of confidence and retreat / abandonment (or loss of control) of the majority of his troops / acceptance of his fate (any one) (1)

he despaired of his fortunes (1); rode back to camp (1); soon fled with a few cavalary (1)

29.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [3] comprehension (2)

CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT BETWEEN CÆSAR AND POMPEY; THE BATTLE OF PHARSALIA [2]

Plūribus leviōribus proeliīs factīs, tandem cōpiae adversae ad Pharsālum in Thessaliā sitam castra posuērunt. Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris, tamen erant multī quī veterānās legiōnēs quae Gallōs et Germānōs superāverant vehementer timēbant. Quōs ante proelium commissum Labiēnus lēgātus, quī ab Caesare nūper dēfēcerat, ita adlocūtus est: “Nōlīte exīstimāre hunc esse exercitum veterānōrum mīlitum. Omnibus interfuī proeliīs neque temerē incognitam rem prōnūntiō. Perexigua pars illīus exercitūs quī Gallōs superāvit adhūc superest. Magna pars occīsa est, multī domum discessērunt, multī sunt relictī in Italiā. Hae cōpiae quās vidētis in citeriōre Galliā nūper cōnscrīptae sunt.” Haec cum dīxisset, iūrāvit sē nisi victōrem in castra nōn reversūrum esse. Hoc idem Pompēius et omnēs reliquī iūrāvērunt, et magnā spē et laetitiā, sīcut certam ad victōriam, cōpiae ē castrīs exiērunt.

• tantus … quantus …: as big … as … 
• perexiguus, -a, -um: very small

[1] “Plūribus … timēbant.”

[i] What had happened prior to both sides pitching camp? (1)

[ii] How did the armies of Caesar and Pompey compare in size? Read carefully. (1)

[iii] Why was Caesar’s army feared? (2)

[2] “Quōs ante … cōnscrīptae sunt.”

[i] Why did Labenus know about Caesar’s army? (2)

[ii] Quote and translate the statement Labienus made to emphasise his knowledge. (2)

[iii] What information did Labienus give concerning the current condition of Caesar’s army? (6)

[3] “Haec cum dīxisset … ē castrīs exiērunt.”

[i] What did Labienus swear? (1)

[ii] How did Pompey and the rest of the men respond? (1)

[iii] What was the mood of the troops when they went out of the camp? (3)

____________________

[1]

[i] several lighter engagements had been fought

[ii] Pompey’s army was twice as big as Caesar’s (Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris …)

[iii] the army comprised veteran legions (1) that had defeated the Gauls and the Germans (1)

[2]

[i] He had recently defected from Caesar (Caesar’s army) (1); he had been involved in all the battles (1).

[ii] … neque temerē incognitam rem prōnūntiō | … and I do not rashly pronounce on a matter I do not know.

[iii]

a very small part ¦ which defeated the Gauls (1) ¦ still survived (1)

a large part had been killed (1)

many had gone home (1)

many left behind in Italy (1)

forces in Cisalpine Gaul had been recently levied (were recent conscripts) (1)

[3]

[i] He would not return to the camp unless he was victorious.

[ii] They swore the same.

[iii] very hopeful (1); happy (1); as if certain of victory (1)

28.12.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [37] (1)

[1] Paucīs ante diēbus vir ad casam nautae pervēnit. Ubi Iūlia eum nōn esse validum, sed dēfessum aegrumque cognōvit, virum in casam invītāvit. Diū vir maestus silēbat. Maria eī cibum atque aquam dedit. Post quiētem longam vir fābulam dē vītā suā nārrāvit:

The following sentences each contain two wrong pieces of information. Rewrite them.

[i] The sailor reached the man’s cottage a few days later. (2)

[ii] He learned that Julia was strong, but hungry and sick. (2)

[iii] The man invited Julia into the cottage, and he was gloomy and silent all day. (2)

[iv] Julia was given bread and water by Maria. (2)

[v] After a brief silence the man read out a letter about this life. (2)

[2]

[a] Quamquam nunc exsul sum, ōlim, tamen, laetus in patriā meā habitābam.

[b] Semper parātus eram salūtem patriae atque rēgem dēfendere.

[c] Septem annōs in exercitū rēgis eram explōrātor.

[d] Explōrātor ante exercitum it et viās cognōscit.

[e] Per explōrātōrēs imperātor locum hostium cognōscit.

[f] Nihil timēbam, nōn etiam hostēs fortissimōs.

[g] Quīdam ex cīvibus, autem, erant inimīcī rēgis.

[h] ‘Līberī esse cupimus,’ inquiunt.

[i] ‘Sine rēge regēmus.

[j] Sī sapiēns eris nōbīscum veniēs et cōpiās rēgis repellēmus.

[k] Exercitus noster victōriam habēbit.

[l] Hōc modō līberī esse poterimus.

[m] Victōria nostra per omnēs terrās erit nōta.’

In which sentence(s) [a] – [m] are the following referred to? Sometimes more than one letter will apply to each statement.

a famous victory _____

being free _____

being wise _____

defending the country _____

enemies of the king _____

ensuring the king’s safety _____

fearlessness _____

length of military service _____

repelling the king’s troops _____

ruling without a king _____

specific details about his duties _____

suggestion that he acompanies them _____

used to be happy _____

____________________

[1]

[i] The man reached the sailor’s cottage (1) a few days earlier / before (1).

[ii] Julia learned that he was not strong (1), but tired  (1) and sick (1).

[iii] Julia invited the man (1) into the cottage, and he was gloomy and silent for a long time (1).

[iv] Maria gave him (1) food (1) and water.

[v] After a long silence (1) the man told the story (1) about his life.

[2]

a famous victory [m]

being free [h], [l]

being wise [j]

defending the country [b]

enemies of the king [g]

ensuring the king’s safety [b]

fearlessness [f]

length of military service [c]

repelling the king’s troops [j]

ruling without a king [i]

specific details about his duties [d], [e]

suggestion that he accompanies them [j]

used to be happy [a]

27.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [8] (3)

BACCHUS ET PĪRĀTAE (3)

Ubi autem Bacchus ē somnō sē excitāvit, et undās caeruleās undique vīdit, tum nec īrātus nec perterritus, "Nōn ego," inquit, "stultōs ignāvōsque timeō; mox tamen pīrātae nūmen meum vidēbunt et vehementer timēbunt."

Tum ē mediā nāve vītis flōrēbat et in altum ascendēbat. Ē vīte rāmī, ē rāmīs pampinī flōrēbant, et dē summīs rāmīs ūvae purpureae pendēbant. Nōn iam candida erant vēla, sed lūce purpureā fulgēbant.

Ubi nautae vītem mīram in mediā nāve vīdērunt, tum magnō timōre deum spectāvērunt; capillī in capitibus horruērunt. Subitō ex undīs tigrēs leōnēsque saevī in nāvem ascendērunt et in nautās perterritōs cucurrērunt. Pīrātae, terrōris plēnī, ē nāve in mare sē prōstrāvērunt. Deinde Iuppiter propter misericordiam hominēs in delphīnōs convertit.

Intereā Neptūnus vēla purpurea ventīs secundīs implēvit, et sōlus sub vītium umbrā Bacchus ad terrās longinquās nāvigāvit.

[i]

delphīn, -inis [3/m]: dolphin

ego: I

leō, leōnis [3/m]: lion

lūx, lūcis [3/f]: light

misericordia, -ae [1/f]: pity

Neptūnus, -ī [2/m]: Neptune, god of the sea

rāmus, -ī [2/m]: branch

terror, -ōris [3/m]: terror

tigris, -is [3 m/f]: tiger

vēlum, -ī [2/n]: sail

[ii]

ascendō, -ere [3]: climb

convertō, -ere [3]: turn, change

currō, -ere [3]: run

impleō, -ēre [2]: fill

pendeō, -ēre [2]: hang

[iii]

candidus, -a, -um: white

secundus, -a, -um: favourable

____________________

But when Bacchus roused himself from sleep and saw the blue waves on every side, he was neither angry nor afraid. “I,” he said, “do not fear foolish and cowardly men; soon, however, the pirates will see my divine power and will be greatly afraid.”

Then from the middle of the ship a vine began to grow and climbed high. From the vine branches spread, from the branches vine-leaves grew, and from the topmost branches purple grapes were hanging. The sails were no longer white, but were gleaming with a purple light.

When the sailors saw the strange vine in the middle of the ship, then with great fear they looked at the god; their hair stood on end. Suddenly from the waves savage tigers and lions climbed onto the ship and ran at the terrified sailors. The pirates, full of terror, threw themselves from the ship into the sea. Then Jupiter, out of pity, changed the men into dolphins.

Meanwhile Neptune filled the purple sails with favourable winds, and Bacchus, alone beneath the shade of the vine, sailed on to distant lands.