There is a
difference between simply learning the meaning of a word on a page – and exploring
the word. This is particularly beneficial in Latin since the language continues
to be used over centuries, long after it was the exclusive “property” of the
Romans. As you move from early Plautus through the Classical period and into
the worlds of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, meanings of words can alter
to reflect understanding at specific points in time. In the case of Comenius’
work, the translations of certain words and expressions provoke enquiry since
the book was targeted at 17th century concepts for 17th
century school pupils. Two occur in this text:
Mercēs, aliunde allātae, vel commūtantur in [i] domō
commerciōrum, vel expōnuntur vēnum in [ii] tabernīs mercimōniōrum
[i] domus
commerciōrum: common in England were corn exchanges, large buildings,
often with vaulted ceilings such as the Corn Exchange at Sleaford,
Lincolnshire. Many of them have been repurposed; the Corn Exchange at Stamford
is now a theatre.
[ii] Charles
Hoole, the translator of Comenius’ work renders in tabernīs mercimōniōrum as
“warehouses” which we most often associate with large-scale storage of bulk
goods prior to distribution. However, early understanding of the term also
includes a place where goods were bought; the Mediaeval image clearly shows tabernae,
stalls with goods on sale within a building. That original wider sense is still
retained in the UK company name “Carphone Warehouse”.
During the Ancient Roman period, horreum, -ī [2/n] referred to a warehouse, storehouse or granary. The image shows horrea constructed c.145-150 at the port of Ostia
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