20.12.25: Level 3; a noble foe

Themistoclēs ōlim, pugnā nāvālī dēvictīs Persīs, Athēnīs apud conciōnem dīxit: "Cōnsilium in animō habeō: hoc ūtile reīpūblicae erit, cēlārī tamen oportet. Ūnī ē prīmōribus rem dīcere volō." Aristīdēs ad hoc mūnus dēlēctus est. Huic dīxit Themistoclēs: "Lacedaemoniōrum classis in ancorīs in portū est. Hanc clam incendere poterimus. Ita illōrum potestās nāvālis dēlēbitur." Hīs audītis, ad concilium Aristīdēs reversus in hunc modum locūtus est: "Themistoclīs cōnsilium quum ūtile, tum minimē honestum est." Itaque Athēniēnsēs nē audītum quidem cōnsilium sprēvērunt.

[1] apud [+ acc] [i] at, by, near, among; [ii] at the house of (Fr. chez); [iii] (here) in the presence of; apud conciōnem │ before the assembly

[2] conciō, -iōnis [3/f] (Mediaeval spelling); contiō, -iōnis [3/f] (CL): meeting; assembly

[3] hoc ūtile reīpūblicae erit │ this will be useful to the 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’.

Image: rēspūblica is formed from two words: (1) rēs, rēi [5/f] + (2) 1^st/2^nd declension adjective: pūblica; both parts decline. It is usually written as one word but may appear as two separate words;

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/170424-respublica.html

[4] Note the use of the dative of ūnus in:

Ūnī ¦ ē prīmōribus rem dīcere volō. │ I want to communicate the matter to one ¦ of the chief men.

[5] revertor, -ī, reversus sum [3/deponent]: return; perfect participle is passive in form but active in meaning

ad concilium Aristīdēs reversus │ Aristides, having returned to the Council …

[6] quum = cum; cum (quum) can be coupled with tum to express not only … but also …

movet rēs cum multitūdinem tum ducēs (Livy) │ Thīs event not only shocked the crowd but also the commanders

From the text: "Themistoclīs cōnsilium quum ūtile, tum minimē honestum est." │ The advice of Themistocles is not only useful, but also not at all honourable. [ …both useful and not at all honourable]

[7] Itaque Athēniēnsēs (2) nē audītum quidem (1) cōnsilium sprēvērunt. │ Therefore, the Athenians rejected (1) the plan ¦ (2) [which had] not even been heard. [ = without even hearing it]

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Once upon a time, after the Persians had been utterly defeated in a naval engagement, Themistocles said before the Assembly at Athens: ‘I have a plan in my mind; this will be useful to the republic, yet it must be kept secret. I wish to communicate the matter to one of the chief men.’ Aristides was chosen for this office. Themistocles said to him: ‘The fleet of the Lacedaemonians is at anchor in harbour. We shall be able to set it on fire secretly. Thus their naval power will be destroyed.’ On hearing this, Aristides having returned to the Council, spoke as follows:  The advice of Themistocles is not only useful, but also not at all honourable.’ Therefore, the Athenians rejected the plan without even hearing it.