30.01.26: Level 3; indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [16]; the perfect passive infinitive [iv]; reading

[A] This is a short and sweet example of a feature to look out for when reading original Classical Latin. From Epiducus by Plautus.

[1] Look at the question:

APAECIDES

Quis [i] hoc dīcit [ii] factum? │ Who says ¦ that [i] this [ii] has been done?

[2] Look at the answer:

EPIDICUS

Ego ita factum esse dīcō. │ I say that it has been done.

i.e. esse is omitted in [1]; the omission of esse in the perfect passive infinitive in indirect statements is a common feature among the authors

Frātrem interfectum audīvit (Seneca) │ He heard that his brother had been killed.

[B] From the case against Verres, prosecuted by Cicero.

First of all, here is the Latin text and the English translation:

Frequentissimī vēnērunt ad hoc iūdicium mercātōrēs, hominēs locuplētēs atque honestī, [1] quī ¦ [2] partim sociōs suōs, partim lībertōs, partim conlībertōs [3] spoliātōs in vincla coniectōs, partim in vinclīs necātōs, partim secūrī percussōs esse [1] dīcunt

Note the use of the word partim (partly; some of). Cicero uses this to indicate that those present at the trial have had different negative experiences, some of them will say X, some will say Y etc.

Merchants in crowds have come to this trial, wealthy and honourable men, [1] who say ¦ [2] that some of their comrades, some of their freedmen, some of their fellow freedmen [3] were robbed and thrown into chains, some of them were killed in chains, some of them were beheaded with an axe.

Let’s take it apart and see the way in which Cicero uses indirect statement to create a powerful piece of oratory.

[1] He begins by implying that the merchants are reliable and the sheer number of them adds considerable weight to the allegations.

Frequentissimī vēnērunt ad hoc iūdicium mercātōrēs,  │ Merchants in crowds have come to this trial

hominēs locuplētēs atque honestī, │ wealthy and honourable men

[2] He goes on to state what these merchants say

… quī … dīcunt

[3] Cicero then gives an indirect statement itemising the three groups of people who are the subject of the indirect statement; it is also worth noting Cicero’s frequent use of the tricolon i.e. a word or words which are structurally similar and delivered in a group of three:

[i] (quī) partim sociōs suōs, [ii] partim lībertōs, [iii] partim conlībertōs … (dīcunt)

[i] (who say) ¦ (some of them) that [i] their partners, [ii] (some) that their freedmen, [iii] (some) that their fellow freedmen …

[4] The verbs have become perfect passive infinitives but note that Cicero only uses esse once, and the auditory effect of the passives which all have the same ending -ōs

[i] spoliātōs, [ii] in vincla coniectōs, [iii] partim in vinclīs necātōs, [iv] partim secūrī percussōs esse [i] were robbed, [ii] thrown in chains, [iii] some murdered when in chains [iv] some struck with an axe.