26.06.26: Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [16]: the conspiracy of Dumnorix

Language focus: accusative and infinitive

Intereā Caesar cognōvit [1] Aeduōs frūmentum nōn mīsisse. Itaque multī prīncipēs Aeduōrum, quī erant in castrīs, ad concilium sunt convocātī. Quīdam ex Aeduīs Caesarem certiōrem fēcit [2] nōnnullōs plūs valēre apud multitūdinem quam magistrātūs; propter illōs [3] nullum frūmentum ad Rōmānōs esse comportātum. Posteā Caesar cognōvit [4] initium fugae in proeliō equestrī ā Dumnorige atque ēius equitibus factum esse. Sed Caesar Divitiacum frātrem Dumnorigis offendere nōlēbat.

____________________

Meanwhile Caesar learned [1] that the Aedui had not sent the grain. Therefore many leading men of the Aedui, who were in the camp, were summoned to a council. One of the Aedui informed Caesar [2] that certain men had more influence with the populace than the magistrates; because of them [3] no grain had been brought to the Romans. Afterwards Caesar learned [4] that the beginning of the flight in the cavalry battle had been made by Dumnorix and his horsemen. But Caesar did not wish to offend Divitiacus, the brother of Dumnorix.

____________________

[1]

Caesar cognōvit (1) Aeduōs … (2) nōn mīsisse. │ Caesar learned (1) that the Aedui (2) had not sent …

[2] / [3] two indirect statements dependent upon one verb that introduces them:

Quīdam ex Aeduīs Caesarem certiōrem fēcit … │ One of the Aedui informed Caesar ….

[2] (1) nōnnullōs (2) plūs valēre … │ (1) that certain men (2) had more influence

[3] (1) nullum frūmentum … (2) esse comportātum. │ [and that] (1) no grain (2) had been brought

[4]

Caesar cognōvit (1) initium fugae … (2) factum esse. │ Caesar learned (1) that the beginning of the flight  … (2) had been made

LINKS

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

[i]: present active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/311225-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[ii]: perfect active infinitive

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

[iii]: perfect passive infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/240126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

25.06.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [29] [iv] grammar

Herī māne prīmum pater, “Hūc venīte,” inquit, “Carole et Maria. Mox necesse erit mē et mātrem iter facere. Paucōs diēs aberimus. Cupitisne vōs cum fīnitimō nostrō manēre?”

Carolus erat laetus quod fīlius fīnitimī mīles est. Hic mīles patrem mātremque nunc vīsitābat. Deinde, ubi omnēs rēs cōnstitūtae et parātae erant, omnēs domum relīquērunt.

Fīlius fīnitimī in castrīs cum aliīs mīlitibus habitat. Hīc habitat pars exercitūs Americānī. Exercitus semper parātus est sī bellum ab aliīs gentibus parātur. Facile nōn semper est sed dūrum in hīs castrīs labōrāre. Carolus fābulās fīlī fīnitimī laetē audit. Haec mīles nārrat. Ante portās castrōrum duo vigilēs stant. Ē castrīs prōspectant et sī perīculum vident mīlitēs monent. Saepe hōrae vigilibus longae videntur. Castra sunt magna. Ubīque sunt mīlitēs. In hāc parte sunt tabernācula et tēcta mīlitum et ducum. In aliā parte sunt agrī magnī quō in locō virī mīlitēs esse parant. Aliī moenia aedificant, aliī vāllum parant. Ubīque sunt nūntiī, servī ducum, quī epistulās portant. In proeliō mīlitēs agmen longum faciunt et ad moenia hostium iter faciunt et impetum magnum faciunt. Hostēs aut sē post vāllum cēlant quod perterritī sunt aut agmen nostrum ā tergō oppugnant. Facile nōn semper est mīlitem in exercitū esse. Per noctēs et diēs longōs labōrant. Saepe fīnis diēī est eīs grātus. Sī mīlitēs ā duce īnsignī splendidō ōrnantur, laetē labōrant. Ignāvī nōn sunt. Prope castra nostra est aqua. In parvō portū sunt pauca nāvigia. Hūc post hōrās longās diēī mīlitēs veniunt et quiētem capiunt.

Post paucōs diēs Carolus domī est. Nocte ubi dormit, mīlitēs videt. Ante vāllum est vigil Gallicus quī undique prōspectat. Vigil hostēs videt et audit. Quamquam nox est, īnsignia hostium vidērī possunt, nam lūna est clāra. Prīmum vigil mīlitēs et cīvēs suōs excitat. Deinde eī ad moenia currunt. Proelium est dūrum, sed tandem Gallicī castra sua servant.

Posterō diē Carolus et Cassius in hortō sunt mīlitēs.

[1] Complete the parsings of these verbs with (1) singular or plural (2) 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd-iō, 4^th

[i] audit: 3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

[ii] currunt: 3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

[iii] faciunt: 3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

[iv] monent: 3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

[v] nārrat:  3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

[vi] oppugnant: 3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

[vii] veniunt: 3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

[viii] videt: 3rd person (1) __________ present tense (2) __________ conjugation

(2) Complete the parsings of these verbs with (1) 2^nd, 3^rd  (2) singular or plural (3) present, imperfect, perfect, future (4) 1^st, 3^rd, 3^rd-iō, irregular

[i] aberimus: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) ________ tense (4) __________ conjugation

[ii] cupitisne: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) ________ tense (4) __________ conjugation

[iii] erit: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) ________ tense (4) __________ conjugation

[iv] relīquērunt: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) ________ tense (4) __________ conjugation

[v] vīsitābat: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) ________ tense (4) __________ conjugation

(3) Complete the parsings with the words listed below; some are used more than once

[i] ōrnantur: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) __________ tense (4) __________ voice

[ii] parātae erant: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) __________ tense (4) __________ voice

[iii] parātur: (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) __________ tense (4) __________ voice

[iv] videntur:  (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) __________ tense (4) __________ voice

[v] venīte:  (1) __________ person (2) __________ (3) __________

[vi] manēre: present  __________ infinitive

[vii] vidērī: present  __________ infinitive

[viii] perterritī:  masculine nominative plural (1) __________ (2) __________ (3) __________

2^nd; 3^rd; active; imperative; participle; passive; perfect; pluperfect; plural; present; singular

____________________

(1)

[i] audit: 3rd person (1) singular present tense (2) 4th conjugation

[ii] currunt: 3rd person (1) plural present tense (2) 3rd conjugation

[iii] faciunt: 3rd person (1) plural present tense (2) 3rd-iō conjugation

[iv] monent: 3rd person (1) plural present tense (2) 2nd conjugation

[v] nārrat: 3rd person (1) singular present tense (2) 1st conjugation

[vi] oppugnant: 3rd person (1) plural present tense (2) 1st conjugation

[vii] veniunt: 3rd person (1) plural present tense (2) 4th conjugation

[viii] videt: 3rd person (1) singular present tense (2) 2nd conjugation

(2)

[i] aberimus: (1) 1st person (2) plural (3) future tense (4) irregular conjugation

[ii] cupitisne: (1) 2nd person (2) plural (3) present tense (4) 3rd-iō conjugation

[iii] erit: (1) 3rd person (2) singular (3) future tense (4) irregular conjugation

[iv] relīquērunt: (1) 3rd person (2) plural (3) perfect tense (4) 3rd conjugation

[v] vīsitābat: (1) 3rd person (2) singular (3) imperfect tense (4) 1st conjugation

(3)

[i] ōrnantur: (1) 3rd person (2) plural (3) present tense (4) passive voice

[ii]parātae erant: (1) 3rd person (2) plural (3) pluperfect tense (4) passive voice

[iii] parātur: (1) 3rd person (2) singular (3) present tense (4) passive voice

[iv] videntur: (1) 3rd person (2) plural (3) present tense (4) passive voice

[v] venīte: (1) 2nd person (2) plural (3) imperative

[vi] manēre: present active infinitive

[vii] vidērī: present passive infinitive

[viii] perterritī: masculine nominative plural (1) perfect (2) passive (3) participle

24.06.26: Level 1 (review); asking for directions; places in a town [10] Wilkes [iii] Neo-Latin (3)

Dialogue 3

A: dā mihi veniam, quā viā ad statiōnem ferriviāriam veniō? │ Excuse me, which way do I go to the railway station?

B:

flecte tē dextrōrsum, deinde ī secundā viā sinistrōrsum. │ Turn right, then go via the second street on the left.

statiō ferriviāria ā dextrā parte sita est. │ The railway station is situated on the right-hand side.

[1] Quā viā ad [popīnam] veniō? │ How do I get to [the restaurant]?

Note the use of the ablative case to express by what means something is done i.e. literally: By which way do I come to the restaurant?

You see the same use in “ī secundā viā sinistrōrsum”: go via the second street on the left.

[2] statiō ferriviāria

statiō, statiōnis [3/f]: a place where persons or things stay, station, post, residence

ferriviārius, -a, -um: of / related to a railway is attested in Neo-Latin technical writing, but the definition for this word is interesting:

https://latin-dictionary.net/definition/20499/ferriviarius-ferriviaria-ferriviarium

of a railroad: post-15th century: "Scholarly/Scientific (16th-18th centuries)” which cannot be accurate since the railways did not begin until the early 19^th century and there is no earlier attestation of it being used in any other sense.

The adjective is derived from:

ferrum, -ī [2/n]: iron + via, -ae [1/f]: road; street

The coinage reflects Fr. chemin de fer (literally: a road of iron) or Gmn: Eisenbahn. Similarly, we have the Neo-Latin noun: ferrivia, -ae [1/f] which is used as an alternative to express railway station: statiō ferriviae

[3] situs, -a, -um: situated

Popīna ā dextrā / laevā parte sita est. │ The restaurant is situated on the right / left side.

Dialogue 4

A: quā viā ad dēverticulum iuvenum veniō? │ Which way do I go to the youth hostel?

B: ī in dīrēctum usque ad statiōnem ferriviāriam… │ Go straight on as far as the railway station…

B: …deinde cape tertiam viam ā dextrā. │ …then take the third street on the right.

[i] dēverticulum, -ī [2/n]: place for travellers to stay; inn; lodging; combined with iuvenis, -is [3 m/f]: young man / woman, it nicely conveys the contemporary idea of a youth hostel

[ii] ī in dīrēctum

ībant autem in dīrēctum vaccæ per viam … (Vulgate) │ And the heifers went straight along the road 

Dialogue 5

A: quā viā ad praefectūram commeātūs veniō? │ Which way do I go to the tourist office?

B: autoraedāne? vehere in dīrēctum… │ By car? Drive straight on…

B: …deinde cape proximam viam ā sinistrā. │ …then take the next street on the left.

[1] praefectūra commeātūs

[i] praefectūra, -ae [1/f]: the Classical usage referred to a prefecture, still in Modern French préfecture i.e. the administration of a region; words such as ‘district’ or ‘province’ convey the sense of it

[ii] commeātus, -ūs [4/m]: in Classical Latin this most often means supplies, provisions, convoy, or leave of absence; it can also refer to travel or a journey, but does not imply tourism. However, the verb itself – commeō, -āre [1] – means ‘go back and forward; travel; visit’ and so, in a Neo-Latin sense, the entire phrase refers to part of the local administration that deals with travelling.

[2] autoraeda

raeda, -ae [1/f]: (Classical Latin) coach; (four-wheeled) carriage; in Neo-Latin it may be used alone to convey “car; automobile” but is more commonly expressed as autoraeda, -ae [1/f]

[3] vehere: at this stage of Latin, it is enough to know that vehere is a type of imperative (command) form of the verb vehō, -ere [3]: convey; transport; it is a passive imperative, the literal Classical Latin meaning being ‘be carried / conveyed’; the Neo-Latin reinterpretation, therefore, is ‘drive’.

[4] proximus, -a, -um: next 

24.06.26: Level 1 (review); asking for directions; places in a town [9] Wilkes [ii] Neo-Latin (2)

Dialogue 2

A: dā mihi veniam, dominula, estne supermercātus in propinquō? │ Excuse me, Miss, is there a supermarket nearby?

B: ita est. illīc contrā argentāriam. │ Yes, there is. Over there, opposite the bank.

A: estne etiam pharmacopōla in propinquō? │ Is there also a pharmacist nearby?

B: ibi prope supermercātum. │ There, near the supermarket.

[1]

From this post and the previous one:

• dominus, -ī [2/m]: master
• domina, -ae [1/f]: mistress

These are both standard Classical Latin words for those who were in charge of a household.

[i] domine: “sir” like Fr. monsieur; Gmn. mein Herr; vocative of dominus (master); very common in Mediaeval writing e.g. Grātiās tibi agō, domine i.e. without necessarily implying ‘master’.

[ii] dominula, -ae [1/f]: this is an example of using (very rare) Classical Latin to convey contemporary ideas

• dominulus, ī [2/m]: a little lord
• dominula, -ae [1/f]: a young mistress

-ul- indicates a diminutive i.e. a smaller version of the original noun. Here dominula is being used to express “Miss”; Fr. mademoiselle

[2] pharmacopōla;  supermercātus

These two nouns show two different ways in which Neo-Latin conveys contemporary ideas:

[i] The term pharmacopōla, -ae [1/m] in Classical Latin referred to somebody who sold medicines, i.e. in the dialogue the question is not being asked about the place but the person: Is there a pharmacist nearby?

A reasonable translation of the place using Classical Latin words would be:

taberna, -ae [1/f] pharmaceutica

Neo-Latin also uses offīcina, -ae [1/f] specifically to refer to a pharmacy although its original meaning was a shop where goods were manufactured. The word was later used to refer to a laboratory.

[ii]  supermercātus is a clear example of a Neo-Latin coinage i.e. super + mercātus

mercātus, -ūs [4/m]: market; market place, a near synonym for macellum, -ī [2/n]: grocery store; market place

super- in Classical Latin can be a preposition or adverb or prefix with the general meaning of ‘above’, but was never used in the contemporary sense here i.e. a ‘super’ / large-scale market. While the term supermercātus is comprehensible, it is not listed in the neo-Latin lexicon although others with super- are used in the same way:

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/grocery_store_supermarket/

It is listed here:

https://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermercatus

However, it is not commonly attested in reliable sources. Although I am not dismissing supermercātus as “wrong”, I would say that macellum, -ī [2/n] is sufficient to convey a place selling food items.

[3] illīc: over there, often, as the image shows, with the idea of indicating something at a distance

24.06.26: Level 1 (review); asking for directions; places in a town [8] Wilkes [i] Neo-Latin (1)

The dialogues from Wilkes show many examples of Neo-Latin. The term refers to the creation of Neo-Latin from the 14^th century until today. This may include words artificially created using Latin roots or the reinterpreting of the meaning of an original Classical Latin word or phrase. Given that these dialogues are designed to encourage practice in speaking the language in a contemporary setting, then Neo-Latin is a necessary tool.

Dialogue 1

A: dā mihi veniam, domine, estne cafēa in propinquō? │ Excuse me, sir, is there a café nearby?

B: ita est. ī sinistrōrsum in viam poētae Ovidiī. │ Yes, there is. Go left into Poet Ovid Street.

A: estne longinquum? │ Is it far?

B: minimē, pedibus quīnque mīnūtīs ibis. │ No, you’ll get there in five minutes on foot.

[1] cafēa, -ae [1/f]: coffee; this very first noun shows the challenge of Neo-Latin. The Romans did not have coffee, nor, therefore, did they have any place where it would be served!

The English word coffee—through Dutch koffie, Italian caffè, and Turkish kahve—derives from Arabic قَهْوَة (qahwa) and first appears in the mid-sixteenth century. Neo-Latin simply provides a corresponding term for both the drink and the place where it is served. Such forms are marked as New or Neo-Latin in dictionaries, and variant spellings may occur. Moreover, other words may be listed that are considered to have the same meaning.

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/coffee/

https://neolatinlexicon.org/latin/caf%C3%A9_coffee-house/

Since none of the terms existed in the Classical period, their acceptability rests not on Classical precedent but on actual usage, which can be assessed by examining frequency in modern Latin sources.

If you want to keep your spoken language strictly Classical, then there are words that indicate where food and drinks were served:

thermopōlium, -ī [2/n]

caupōna, -ae [1/f]

popīna, -ae [1/f]

However, none of them would convey the equivalent of Starbucks!

[2] Different languages have different ways of attracting somebody’s attention and / or making a request.  Sometimes these meanings overlap.

“Excuse me, …” / “Pardon me, …” While both attract attention, they could also imply a mild apology if you were pushing through a crowded train.

In Russian, izvinite [извините]: excuse me attracts attention,  whereas skazhite [скажите]: tell me indicates a question is going to be asked.

How a Roman actually attracted somebody’s attention in the street is not securely attested. However, Neo-Latin can use phrases that existed in Classical Latin and can be used to convey the idea:

(1) Dā mihi veniam: (literally) give me forgiveness; this was normally in context of having done something wrong. However, the following quotations show that venia was used in a milder way to ask somebody to do something on your behalf:

• Mī gnāte, dā veniam hanc mihi: redūce illam. (Terence) │ My son, do grant me this indulgence: take her back.
• Date nōbis hanc veniam. (Cicero) │ Give us this indulgence.

So, the phrase dā mihi veniam can be used to ask somebody for a favour. Whether or not it was actually used in the street is another matter. Wilkes, however, writing for modern needs, uses it as an equivalent of “Pardon me” or along the lines of “Would you do me a favour?”

(2) In the Traupman dialogues in the previous post, he uses:

Ignōsce mihi: forgive me; again, this conveys the idea of forgiveness for doing something wrong

Two for the price of one from Plautus:

• Dā mihi hanc veniam, ignōsce, īrāta nē siēs.  │ Grant me pardon; forgive (me), don't be angry.

(3) However, the phrase which indicates a question to be asked and is attested in Classical literature is:

dīc mihi: tell me

• Dīc mihi, quaesō, quis ea est …? (Plautus) │ Tell me, please, who is she…?
• Dīc, amābō tē, ubi est Diniarchus? (Plautus) │ Tell (me), please, where is Diniarchus?

The works of Plautus can be a good source of reference for everyday spoken Latin since they are plays and were spoken in front of a Roman audience. Therefore, the existence of the expressions in [3] above is a convincing indicator that they were actually used.

Had I been in Ancient Rome I would have used (3) to ask the way to the Forum, and the other two if I stood on somebody’s foot while I was getting there!

[3] in propinquō: nearby

• Vīcī erant in propinquō (Curtius Rufus) │ there were villages nearby

Alternatives:

in vīcīnitāte / in vīcīniā: in the neighbourhood

• nōn modo in Umbriā atque in eā vīcīnitāte sed in hīs veteribus mūnicipiīs (Cicero) │ not only in Umbria and in that neighbourhood, but in these old municipal towns …
• in vīcīniā urbis (Columella) │ near the town / in the vicinity of the town

[4] ī dextrōrsum / sinistrōrsum: go right / left

ī in dīrēctum: go straight ahead

• ībant autem in dīrēctum vaccæ per viam … (Vulgate) │ And the heifers went straight along the road 

ī (sg.) / īte (pl.): go; command (imperative) of eō / īre

[5] longinquus, -a, -um: far

[6] minūta, -ae [1/f]: (Mediaeval Latin); no such word for “minute” existed in Classical Latin because the Romans did not use ‘minutes’ as a standard everyday subdivision of the hour

23.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [58] dependent uses [4] verbs of wishing (2)

[1] The present subjunctive of volō i.e. velim is the equivalent of

English: I should / would like

French / Russian (conditional): je voudrais;  ya khotel by [Я хотел бы]

Spanish / German (imperfect subjunctive): quisiera / ich möchte

[2] The verb velim itself is considered in grammar to be a potential subjunctive i.e. something that you would like to do.  However, both in Latin and in the other languages given above, it conveys polite wish rather than a forceful command.

[i] Referring to self + infinitive

Scīre velim. (Cicero)│ I would like ¦ to know.

Aetātem velim servīre (Plautus) │ I would be willing ¦ to be a slave all my life.

[ii] Referring to others

(1)    + ut + subjunctive

Velim ut tibi amicus sit (Cicero) │ I would like ¦ him ¦ to be a friend to you

Velim quidem, hercle, ut ūnō nummō plūs petās (Plautus) │ I would certainly wish, by Hercules, ¦ that you would ask for one coin more.

(2)   + accusative + infinitive

Nunc ego illam mē velim convenīre (Plautus)  │ Now I should like her ¦ to meet me.

Velim tē arbitrārī factum (Plautus) │ I would like you ¦ to consider it done.

[iii] Cicero, for example, frequently omits ut with the subjunctive, but it is the same construction:

Velim ad mē scribās │  I would like you to write to me.

Velim domum ad tē scrībās │ I would like you to write (to your) home.

Et scrībās ad mē velim dē gladiātōribus │ And I would like you to write to me about the gladiators.

Et velim mihi mittās dē tuīs librāriolīs duōs aliquōs│ I would like you to send me two of your library slaves.

Ignōscās mihi velim │ I would like you to forgive me.

Dionȳsium velim salvēre iubeās │ I should like you to send greetings to Dionysius.

Faciās mē certiōrem velim │ I would like you to let me know.

From Plautus:

Nunc ego, ille hūc veniat, velim │ Now I do wish that he would come here.

[3] You will come across further examples of verbs of wishing which will show the features discussed above, but we will focus on:

nōlō, nōlle: to not want / refuse > present subjunctive; nōlim │ I would not wish

mālō, mālle: prefer > present subjunctive: mālim │  I would prefer

[i] Referring to self

Scīre nōlō (Plautus) │ I don’t want ¦ to know

Laudārī multō mālō (Plautus) │ I much prefer ¦ to be praised.

[ii] Referring to others

(1)

Nōlō ut fallās fidem (Hyginus) │ I don't want you to break faith.

Note the more common omission of ut:

Nōlō, inquam, ōrēs (Plautus) │ I wish you would not request me, I tell you. 

Nōlim praetermittās (Cicero) │ I would not want you to overlook (it).

“Tū mālim," inquiēs, "āctum nē agās." (Cicero) │ You will say, “I would prefer you not to do what has already been done.”

(2)

Nōlō ego tē assentārī mihi (Plautus) │ I don’t want you to flatter me.

Nōlō equidem tē afflīgī (Plautus) │ I really don’t want you to be hurt.

Mānīlium Persiumve haec legere nōlō (Gaius Lucilius) │ I do not want Manilius or Persius to read these things.

Num nōn vīs mē obviam hīsce īre? (Plautus) │ Won't you let ¦ me go to find them? [literally: Surely you don’t refuse …]

Nōn vult populus Rōmānus obsolētīs crīminibus accūsārī Verrem (Cicero) │ The Roman people do not want Verres to be accused on the basis of outdated charges.

Tē nōlim discēdere (Cicero)│ I would not want you to leave.

Id caput sānē nōlim novōs tribūnōs plēbis ferre (Cicero) │ That clause I would rather the new tribunes did not propose.

Mālim tē mihi graviter īrāscī quam libenter ignōscere (Fronto) │ I would prefer you to be seriously angry with me than willingly forgive me.

The key “take-away” is to be aware of different structures with verbs of wishing. There are other verbs that operate in similar ways.

23.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [57] dependent uses [4] iubeō, vetō; verbs of wishing (1)

Now that you have seen the subjunctive in the formation of indirect commands, in this post, and in the next, we’ll look at constructions where [1] it is not used and, more widely, [2] there are alternative ways of expressing the same idea depending on the sense.

[1] Although indirect commands are commonly formed with ut + subjunctive, below are important exceptions.

iubeō, iubēre, iussī, iussus [2]: to order

vetō, vetāre, vetuī, vetitus [1]: forbid

These verbs most often take:

verb + accusative (person ordered/forbidden) + infinitive (action) i.e. they do not use the subjunctive + ut even though they convey indirect commands.

Examples:

Imperātor mīlitēs [accusative] pugnāre [infinitive] iubet. │ The general orders ¦ the soldiers ¦ to fight.

Magister discipulōs [accusative] loquī [infinitive] vetat.│ The teacher forbids the students to speak.

This construction mirrors English very closely.

Labiēnum … iugum montis ascendere iubet (Caesar) │ He orders Labienus to climb the ridge of the hill

Līberōs … ad sē addūcī iussit (Caesar) │ He ordered the children to be brought to him.

Esse trīstem mē meus vetat Paetus (Martial) │ My friend Paetus forbids me to be sad.

Ab opere lēgātōs discēdere vetuerat (Caesar) │ He had forbidden the lieutenants to leave the work.

Note: vetō is inherently negative: forbidding somebody to do something is equivalent to ordering somebody not to do something.

He told me not to leave = Mē abīre vetuit.

[2] Verbs of wishing take either the infinitive or the subjunctive

Here, we will look only at one verb – volō, velle (want) – in order to focus on the structures being used.

[1] verb + infinitive, for example ‘I want ¦ to do something’  i.e. identical to English, the infinitive referring back to the subject:

Ego sorōrī meae cēnam hodiē dare volō viāticam (Plautus) │ I want ¦ to give my sister dinner and travel provisions today.

Uterque rēgnāre vult (Cicero) │ Each (one) of them wishes ¦ to rule.

Multa scīre volunt (Cicero) │ They want ¦ to know many things.

[2] When the wish is referring to somebody else e.g. “I want you ¦ to do something” then there are two alternatives, the first one of which you have already seen, and the second is the same as English.

(1) volō + ut + subjunctive to express an indirect command:

Volō ut sciās (Plautus) │ I want you to know [literally: I want ¦ that you should know].

Volō ut dicās vēritātem. │ I want you to tell the truth

Volō ut servētis disciplīnam cūriae (Seneca) │ I want you to observe the discipline of the senate-house.

Volō ut illī istōc cōnfugiant (Plautus) │ I want them to take refuge there.

(2) It can also be used with an accusative-infinitive construction, which mirrors the English construction. The accusative noun or pronoun is the logical subject of the infinitive.

Tē [accusative] volō scrībere [infinitive] (Plautus) │ I want you ¦ to write

Tē [accusative] scīre [infinitive] volō (Cicero) │ I want you ¦ to know

Vim [accusative] volumus exstinguī [infinitive] (Cicero) │ We wish violence ¦ to be put down

Spectātōrēs, vōs [accusative] valēre [infinitive] volumus et clārē adplaudere [infinitive] (Plautus) │ Spectators, we wish you ¦ to be well and ¦ to applaud loudly.

23.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [56] dependent uses [3] indirect commands (4); with fac ut and cūrā ut

fac (facite): imperative of faciō, facere
cūrā (cūrāte): imperative of cūrō, cūrāre

Although these imperatives normally mean “do/make” and “take care of”, they are very often used with an ut + subjunctive clause to form indirect commands.

In this construction, the speaker is not ordering the action directly, but instructing someone to see to it that something happens.

These expressions can convey:

• a gentle reminder
• a request e.g. you cannot command gods – either directly or indirectly – but the same construction is used
• a firm instruction
• a hope or concern

The exact English translation varies, but the core idea is:

“Make sure that …” / “See to it that …”

These are still imperatives, but they give the command indirectly rather than as a direct order.

[1]

Cūrā ¦ ut valeās (Cicero)│ literally: Take care ¦ that you may be well = Take care of yourself

Here, valeās is present subjunctive, showing what is desired.

Cūrā ¦ ut Romae sīs. (Cicero)│ literally: Take care ¦ that you may be in Rome = Be sure you’re in Rome.

Quārē cūrā, ¦ ut tē quam prīmum videāmus  │ For that reason, see to it ¦ that we see you as soon as possible [Cicero sometimes uses the 1^st person plural when referring to himself = So let me see you as soon as possible.]

It can exist in the plural, but it’s rare:

Sī nōs amātis, cūrāte ¦ ut valeātis (Cicero)

[2]

Fac ¦ ut ad mē quam prīmum veniās (Cicero)│ See to it ¦ that you come  to me as soon as possible.

Facite ¦ ut cēterīs posthāc īdem liceat (Cicero) │ See to it that the same thing may hereafter be permitted to others.

Practice

This particular construction is a very good way of reviewing present subjunctive forms. Complete the quotations with the verbs listed below.

[i] Make sure that I know │ Cūrā ut __________. (Plautus)

[ii] Let me know [= see to it that we know; example of Cicero’s use of ‘we’ when referring to himself] │ Fac ut __________. (Cicero)

[iii] Take care that you are well, and that you show affection for me and defend me while I am absent. │ Cūra ut __________ et mē absentem __________ atque __________. (Cicero)

[iv] See that you play the man [= … that you are …] │ Cūrā ut vir __________. (Cicero)

[v] Great gods, grant that she may truly be able to make such a promise, and that she may say it sincerely and from the heart. │ Dī magnī, facite ut vērē prōmittere __________ atque id sincērē __________ et ex animō. (Catullus)

[vi] See to it that fury may stir him. │ Fac ut hanc furor __________. (Catullus)

[vii] See to it / Make sure that you stay with me, together with your company. │ Fac ut … apud mē cum tuīs __________. (Cicero)

[viii] See to it that you postpone it to another day. │ Fac ut in alium diem __________. (Cicero)

[ix] Be sure you pay me a visit [literally: See to it that I see  (= we see) you] either at Formiae, or at Antium, or at Tusculum. │ Tē aut in Formiānō aut Antī aut in Tusculānō cūrā ut __________. (Cicero)

agitet; dēfendās; dīcat; differās; dīligās; maneās; possit; sciam; sciāmus; sīs; valeās; videāmus

____________________

[i] Cūrā ut sciam. (Plautus)

[ii] Fac ut sciāmus. (Cicero)

[iii] Cūra ut valeās et mē absentem dīligās atque dēfendās. (Cicero)

[iv] Cūrā ut vir sīs. (Cicero)

[v] Dī magnī, facite ut vērē prōmittere possit atque id sincērē dīcat et ex animō. (Catullus)

[vi] Fac ut hanc furor agitet. (Catullus)

[vii] Fac ut … apud mē cum tuīs maneās. (Cicero)

[viii] Fac ut in alium diem differās. (Cicero)

[ix] Tē aut in Formiānō aut Antī aut in Tusculānō cūrā ut videāmus. (Cicero)

22.06.26: Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [15]: a cavalry skirmish

Language focus: passive

Posterō diē hostēs castra ex eō locō movent. Caesar dē consiliīs hostium cognoscere voluit. Itaque equitātus, quī coactus erat ex omnī prōvinciā et Aeduīs atque eōrum sociīs, praemittitur. Equitēs Rōmānī cum equitātū Helvētiōrum proelium committunt; et paucī dē nostrīs interficiuntur. Caesar, quī impetum contrā hostēs omnibus cum cōpiīs eō tempore facere nōlēbat, suōs ā proeliō continēbat.

____________________

On the following day the enemy move their camp from that place. Caesar wished to learn about the plans of the enemy. Therefore the cavalry, which had been gathered from the whole province and from the Aedui and their allies, is sent ahead. The Roman horsemen engage in battle with the cavalry of the Helvetii; and a few of our men are killed. Caesar, who did not wish at that time to make an attack against the enemy with all his forces, kept his men back from the battle.

21.06.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [29] [iii] find the Latin

Herī māne prīmum pater, “Hūc venīte,” inquit, “Carole et Maria. Mox necesse erit mē et mātrem iter facere. Paucōs diēs aberimus. Cupitisne vōs cum fīnitimō nostrō manēre?”

Carolus erat laetus quod fīlius fīnitimī mīles est. Hic mīles patrem mātremque nunc vīsitābat. Deinde, ubi omnēs rēs cōnstitūtae et parātae erant, omnēs domum relīquērunt.

Fīlius fīnitimī in castrīs cum aliīs mīlitibus habitat. Hīc habitat pars exercitūs Americānī. Exercitus semper parātus est sī bellum ab aliīs gentibus parātur. Facile nōn semper est sed dūrum in hīs castrīs labōrāre. Carolus fābulās fīlī fīnitimī laetē audit. Haec mīles nārrat. Ante portās castrōrum duo vigilēs stant. Ē castrīs prōspectant et sī perīculum vident mīlitēs monent. Saepe hōrae vigilibus longae videntur. Castra sunt magna. Ubīque sunt mīlitēs. In hāc parte sunt tabernācula et tēcta mīlitum et ducum. In aliā parte sunt agrī magnī quō in locō virī mīlitēs esse parant. Aliī moenia aedificant, aliī vāllum parant. Ubīque sunt nūntiī, servī ducum, quī epistulās portant. In proeliō mīlitēs agmen longum faciunt et ad moenia hostium iter faciunt et impetum magnum faciunt. Hostēs aut sē post vāllum cēlant quod perterritī sunt aut agmen nostrum ā tergō oppugnant. Facile nōn semper est mīlitem in exercitū esse. Per noctēs et diēs longōs labōrant. Saepe fīnis diēī est eīs grātus. Sī mīlitēs ā duce īnsignī splendidō ōrnantur, laetē labōrant. Ignāvī nōn sunt. Prope castra nostra est aqua. In parvō portū sunt pauca nāvigia. Hūc post hōrās longās diēī mīlitēs veniunt et quiētem capiunt.

Post paucōs diēs Carolus domī est. Nocte ubi dormit, mīlitēs videt. Ante vāllum est vigil Gallicus quī undique prōspectat. Vigil hostēs videt et audit. Quamquam nox est, īnsignia hostium vidērī possunt, nam lūna est clāra. Prīmum vigil mīlitēs et cīvēs suōs excitat. Deinde eī ad moenia currunt. Proelium est dūrum, sed tandem Gallicī castra sua servant.

Posterō diē Carolus et Cassius in hortō sunt mīlitēs.

(a)

[i] yesterday morning

[ii] at night

[iii] for a few days

[iv] after a few days

[v] after the long hours of the day

[vi] on the following day

[vii] throughout the nights and long days

[viii] the end of the day

(b)

[i] then; next              

[ii] here                      

[iii] to here                 

[iv] happily                

[v] soon                      

[vi] now                      

[vii] often                   

[viii] always               

[ix] finally

[x] everywhere                       

[xi] on all sides

(c) focus on the words in italics

[i] in this part

[ii] in the other part

[iii] The soldier recounts these things.

[iv] It will be necessary for me and mother to go on a journey.

[v] It is not always easy for a soldier to be in the army.

[vi] If the soldiers see a danger

[vii] Some build walls, others prepare a rampart.

[viii] The enemy either hide behind the rampart or attack our column.

[ix] a few vessels

[x] although it is night

____________________

(a)

[i] herī māne

[ii] nocte

[iii] paucōs diēs

[iv] post paucōs diēs

[v] post hōrās longās diēī

[vi] posterō diē

[vii] per noctēs et diēs longōs

[viii] fīnis diēī

(b)

[i] deinde

[ii] hīc

[iii] hūc

[iv] laetē

[v] mox

[vi] nunc

[vii] saepe

[viii] semper

[ix] tandem

[x] ubīque

[xi] undique 

(c)

[i] in hāc parte

[ii] in aliā parte

[iii] Haec mīles nārrat

[iv] Necesse erit mē et mātrem iter facere.

[v] Facile nōn semper est mīlitem in exercitū esse.

[vi] Sī perīculum vident mīlitēs

[vii] Aliī moenia aedificant, aliī vāllum parant.

[viii] Hostēs aut sē post vāllum cēlant … aut agmen nostrum … oppugnant.

[ix] pauca nāvigia

[x] quamquam nox est

20.06.26: Level 1 (review); asking for directions; places in a town [7] Traupman [iv] dialogues #2 & #3; notes

[1] ubi? where? (no movement); quō? to where? (movement towards); unde? from where? (movement from)

Ubi habitās? │ Where do you live?

Quō vīs īre? │ Where do you want to go to?

Unde oriundus es? │ Where are you originally from?

[2] depending on context, ubi can also mean ‘when’:

Ubi stadium praeterieris … │ When you go past the stadium …

[3] *vicus: Traupman uses this word to refer to the equivalent of US city blocks, but in Ancient Rome it can refer to a neighbourhood or a row of houses. The word also means ‘village’.

[4] usque ad + accusative: as far as; all the way up to; Fr. jusqu’à; Gmn. bis zu

[5] dein; deinde: then

[6] prōcēdō, prōcēdere [3]: proceed; advance; go forward

[7] **compitum: intersection; again, Traupman is using this in a contemporary context. In Classical Latin compitum is usually plural i.e. compita meaning ‘crossroads’.

[8] 

dexter, dext(e)ra, dext(e)rum: right

• ā dextrā: on the right
• dextrōrsum: to the right

sinister, sinistra, sinistrum: left

• ā sinistrā: on the left
• sinistrōrsum: to the left

laevus, -a, -um: left

• ā / ab laevā: on the left

tē verte: (literally) turn yourself

[9] procul [ā + ablative]: far [from]; haud procul [ā + ablative]: not far [from]

[10] praetereō, praeterīre [irregular]: go past; this is simply a compound of the verb eō, īre [irregular]: go + praeter- (‘past’)

Vīllam praetereō sciēns. (Terence)

• I purposely pass by the house.

In The Captives by Plautus, the character Ergasilus complains about the pigs being fed by the baker …

… quārum odōre praeterīre nēmō pistrīnum potest 

• … through the stench of which nobody can pass by a baker’s shop.

Again, note the form of the verb in the text: 

Ubi stadium praeterieris  │ literally: When you will have passed by the stadium [ = when you’ve passed by]; don’t be concerned by the tense at the moment.

[11] angulus: corner

[12] cōnspiciō, cōnspicere [3-iō]: see; watch; catch sight of

The future tense is used here:

Cōnspiciēs dein gymnasium │ You’ll then see the gymnasium.

We will start looking at different tenses in the upcoming posts, and so I wouldn’t be distracted by it at this stage.

Images:

The word compitum (compita) generally refers to "a place where several ways meet"; the image posted is the closest we'll get to one in Pompeii.

The second image shows a house and workshop (fabrica) on a street corner.

19.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [55] dependent uses [3] indirect commands (3); practice [ii]

[1] Complete the Latin translations with the verbs listed below.

[i] The king encourages us to give money to him.

Rēx nōs __________ ut pecūniam eī __________.

[ii] The king encouraged us to give money to him.

Rēx nōs __________ ut eī pecūniam __________.

[iii] Well I neither urge nor ask you to come home anymore.

Ego vērō iam tē nec __________ nec __________ ut domum __________ (Cicero)

[iv] We advised them not to come into the city.

__________ eōs nē in urbem __________

[v] He (1) ordered them (2) to search.

Hīs utī (2) __________ (1) __________

[vi] Let me pass through your land [= I beseech (you) that it may be permitted for me ...]

__________  ut trānsīre mihi __________  per terram tuam. (Vulgate)

[vii] He urgently begged me to go to Laodicea at once.

Magnō opere ā mē __________ ut Laodiceam protinus __________ (Cicero)

rogō; petīvit; obsecrō; monuimus; imperāvit; hortor; hortātus est; hortātur

conquīrerent; darēmus; dēmus; īrem; liceat; redeās; venīrent

[2] Give the Latin translations using one clause from [A] and one from [B]:

[i] He is encouraging me to write to the Senate.

[ii] I beg and pray you to aid him.

[iii] He warns him to avoid all suspicion.

[iv] He ordered his men not to throw back any weapon at all.

[v] But he asked one thing of them: that they should inscribe (it) on his tomb.

[vi] Ariovistus demanded that Caesar bring no foot-soldier to the conference.

[A]

Ariovistus postulāvit

hortātur mē 

monet

sed ūnum ab iīs petīvit

suīs imperāvit

tē rogō atque ōrō

[B]

nē quem peditem ad conloquium Caesar addūceret

nē quod omnīnō tēlum reicerent

ut eum iuvēs

ut in sepulchrō suō īnscrīberent

ut omnēs suspīciōnēs vītet

ut senātū scrībam

____________________

[1]

[i] Rēx nōs hortātur ut pecūniam eī dēmus.

[ii] Rēx nōs hortātus est ut eī pecūniam darēmus.

[iii] Ego vērō iam tē nec hortor nec rogō ut domum redeās (Cicero)

[iv] Monuimus eōs nē in urbem venīrent.

[v] Hīs utī conquīrerent imperāvit (Caesar)

[vi] Obsecrō ut trānsīre mihi liceat per terram tuam. (Vulgate)

[vii] Magnō opere ā mē petīvit ut Laodiceam protinus īrem (Cicero)

[2]

[i] Hortātur mē ut senātū scrībam (Cicero)

[ii] Tē rogō atque ōrō ut eum iuvēs (Cicero)

[iii] Monet ut omnēs suspīciōnēs vītet (Caesar)

[iv] Suīs imperāvit nē quod omnīnō tēlum reicerent (Caesar)

[v] Sed ūnum ab iīs petīvit, ut in sepulchrō suō inscriberent (Nepos)

[vi] Ariovistus postulāvit nē quem peditem ad conloquium Caesar addūceret (Caesar)

19.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [54] dependent uses [3] indirect commands (2); practice [i]

We’ll now take a closer look at the verbs used in the previous post and add a few more.

The term indirect “command” – although one which is used in numerous grammar books – is rather too narrow in its meaning. While ‘command’ can also encompass ‘demands’, this subjunctive use can be extended to, for example, requests, desires, encouragement, prayers, warnings and even begging.

Below are some of the verbs commonly found with this subjunctive use; the verbs have been placed under headings based on (broad) similarity of idea. The list is not exhaustive nor would all lists have the same headings.

asking / requesting / demanding

• rogō, -āre [1]: ask
• petō, -ere [3]: request; seek
• postulō, -āre [1]: demand

With petō and postulō, when the person who is asked / demanded is named ā / ab (abs) + the ablative is used:

Petō abs tē, ut haec dīligenter cūrēs (Cicero)  │ I ask from you  that you take care of these things carefully.

Ā senātū postulāvit ut auxilium mitterētur │ He demanded from the senate that help (should) be sent.

begging

• ōrō, -āre [1]; beg; pray
• obsecrō, -āre [1]: beseech; implore

desiring / urging / persuading / wanting

• hortor, -ārī [1/dep] urge
• volō, velle: want
• persuādeō, -ēre [2]: persuade

With persuādeō, the person being persuaded is in the dative case:

Cīvitātī persuāsit, ut dē fīnibus suīs cum omnibus cōpiīs exīrent (Caesar) │  He persuaded the state to withdraw from their territories with all their forces

deciding / proposing

• cēnseō, -ēre [2]: decree; give an opinion

M. Calidius … cēnsēbat, ut Pompēius in suās prōvinciās proficīscerētur │ M. Calidius … expressed the opinion that Pompeius should go to his own province

• cōnstituō, -ere [3]: decide

Iuvenēs quī convīvere solēbant cōnstituērunt ut in lītore cēnārent (Quintilian)  │ The young men, who were accustomed to live together, decided that they should dine on the shore.

commanding / ordering

• imperō, -āre [1]: order; command
• mandō, -āre [1]: order; entrust

The person who is being ordered or commanded is in the dative case:

Dux lēgātō imperāvit ut ab hostibus pācem peteret. │ The general ordered / gave an order to the envoy to seek peace from the enemy.

Dux mīlitibus imperāvit, ut castra dēfenderent. │ The general ordered / gave an order to the soldiers to defend the camp.

Fīliola tua grātum mihi fēcit, quod tibi dīligenter mandāvit, ut mihi salūtem adscrīberēs (Cicero) │ Your tiny daughter has done me a favour in ordering [ = because she ordered] you earnestly to send me her greetings.

warning

• moneō, -ēre [2]: warn

Practice

Complete the Latin translations with the verbs listed below. Each pair tests the difference between primary and historic tense sequence.

hortor (urge)

[i] The teacher urges the students to work.
Magister discipulōs __________ ut __________.

[ii] The teacher urged the students to work.
Magister discipulōs __________ est ut __________.

rogō (ask)

[iii] The father asks his son to come.
Pater fīlium __________ ut __________.

[iv] The father asked his son to come.
Pater fīlium __________ ut __________.

moneō (warn / advise — positive)

[v] I warn a friend to be silent.
Amīcum __________ ut __________.

[vi] I warned a friend to be silent.
Amīcum  __________ ut __________.

moneō (warn; negative with nē)

[vii] The teacher warns the students not to run.
Magister discipulōs __________ nē __________.

[viii] The teacher warned the students not to run.
Magister discipulōs __________ nē __________.

imperō (order)

[ix] The leader orders the soldiers to fight.
Dux mīlitibus __________ ut __________.

[x] The leader ordered the soldiers to fight.
Dux mīlitibus __________ ut __________.

petō (ask; request)

[xi] The king asks the citizens to give help.
Rēx ā cīvibus __________ ut auxilium __________.

[xii] The king asked the citizens to give help.
Rēx ā cīvibus __________ ut auxilium __________.

rogāvit; rogat; petīvit; petit; monuit; monuī; monet; moneō; imperāvit; imperat; hortātur; hortātus est

currant; currerent; darent; dent; labōrārent; labōrent; pugnārent; pugnent; taceat; tacēret; veniat; venīret

____________________

[i] Rēx nōs hortātur ut pecūniam eī dēmus.

[ii] Rēx nōs hortātus est ut eī pecūniam darēmus.

[iii] Ego vērō iam tē nec hortor nec rogō ut domum redeās (Cicero)

[iv] Monuimus eōs nē in urbem venīrent.

[v] Hīs utī conquīrerent imperāvit (Caesar)

[vi] Obsecrō ut trānsīre mihi liceat per terram tuam. (Vulgate)

[vii] Magnō opere ā mē petīvit ut Laodiceam protinus īrem (Cicero)

[i] Magister discipulōs hortātur ut labōrent.

[ii] Magister discipulōs hortātus est ut labōrārent.

[iii] Pater fīlium rogat ut veniat.

[iv] Pater fīlium rogāvit ut venīret.

[v] Amīcum moneō ut taceat.

[vi] Amīcum monuī ut tacēret.

[vii] Magister discipulōs monet nē currant.

[viii] Magister discipulōs monuit nē currerent.

[ix] Dux mīlitibus imperat ut pugnent.

[x] Dux mīlitibus imperāvit ut pugnārent.

[xi] Rēx ā cīvibus petit ut auxilium dent.

[xii] Rēx ā cīvibus petīvit ut auxilium darent.

Image + Latin tutorial: the short video lists some additional verbs. However, occurrences of those verbs in this context are rare and so the image only focusses on the more common ones.