One way of learning vocabulary is to group words together which have a connected theme, for example the five senses. A number of 4th declension words connected with the military and military tactics can be grouped together:
arcus, -ūs [4/m]:
bow; arcus pluvius: rainbow
currus, -ūs [4/m]:
chariot*
equitātus, -ūs [4/m]: cavalry
exercitus, -ūs [4/m]:
army
impetus, -ūs [4/m]:
attack
iussus, -ūs [4/m]:
command
peditātus, -ūs [4/m]: infantry; foot-soldiers
cornū, -ūs [4/n]: wing
*Chariots were used in ancient battles but were superseded by cavalry
since chariots pulled by more than one horse were not as easy to control as a
single mounted horse. When stronger horses were bred, they could be ridden.
Chariots were difficult to manoeuvre over rough terrain, a cavalry force more
able to engage in complex manoeuvres. War chariots had to be pulled by more
than one horse. Therefore, a cavalry comprising single mounted horses allowed
for more cavalry to be fielded than chariots. And if one of the horses pulling
a chariot was injured or killed, the chariot itself became useless.
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