A very common word when reading Latin is rēspūblica which we tend to translate as ‘republic.’ The term ‘Roman Republic’ refers to the period in Roman history from the overthrow of the Roman kingdom (traditionally dated to 509BC) and ending in 27AD with the establishment of the Roman Empire, but it has other meanings such as ‘the state’, ‘the nation’ or ‘civil affairs’. Politics figure highly in Roman writing and so you’re bound to come across it. The word is actually a combination of the 5th declension noun rēs (matter) and the 1st declension adjective publica i.e. rēspūblica literally means ‘a public matter’. Although usually written as one word, both parts decline.
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