28.07.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [76] dependent uses [8] concessive clauses (1) quamquam; quamvīs [i]

In addition to cum with the subjunctive, Latin has a range of other conjunctions that can introduce concessive clauses. Some of these conjunctions are followed by [1] the indicative of the verb, and some by [2] the subjunctive:

[1] with the indicative

quamquam: although; and yet

Examples

In the quotations below, note also that tamen (nevertheless; still) is frequently used to reinforce the concessive idea. Translators may not specifically render tamen, since it adds nothing to the meaning beyond emphasis, but it is included here.

Quamquam iam tē ipsum exspectō [present indicative], tamen istī puerō, … dā ponderōsam aliquam epistulam (Cicero)

• Although I am now waiting for you yourself, nevertheless give this man of mine a weighty letter.

Quae quamquam exigua sunt [present indicative], tamen, quoniam placet, exspectēmus (Cicero)

• And although these things are trivial, nevertheless, since it pleases you, we will wait.

Quamquam mihi ista omnia iam addicta vastitātī videntur [present indicative; passive] (Cicero)  

• Although all these now seem doomed to destruction.

Quamquam nēmō putābat [imperfect indicative] propter Clōdiānum negōtium mē illī amīcum esse dēbēre, tamen tantus fuit amor … (Cicero) 

• Although no one thought that, because of the Clodian affair, I ought to be friendly to him, nevertheless my affection was so great …

Multās ūnō tempore accēpī epistulās tuās; quae mihi, quamquam recentiōra audiēbam [imperfect indicative] ex iīs, quī ad mē veniēbant, tamen erant iūcunda (Cicero) 

• I’ve received many of your letters at the same time, and although I’ve been hearing more recent news from those who’ve been coming to me, still they were delightful.

Quamquam vidēbātur sē nōn graviter habēre [imperfect indicative; passive], tamen sum sollicitus (Cicero)

• Although it seemed that he was not seriously ill, nevertheless / still I am anxious.

Eō igitur mittēs ...quamquam ipse iam iamque aderō [future indicative] (Cicero)

• You will send (it / the letter) there, although I myself shall be there almost directly.

Quamquam ad mē scrīpsit [perfect indicative] iam Rhodō Posīdōnius … (Cicero)

• Although Posidonius has already written to me from Rhodes …

Maximē autem mē angit ratiō reliquōrum meōrum. Quae quamquam explicāta sunt [perfect indicative; passive], tamen, … conturbor… (Cicero)

• But the arranging of my balances worries me the most, and although they have been put straight, I am still anxious …

Quamquam ille pāstor Īdaeus Menelāum sōlum contempserat [pluperfect indicative] … (Cicero)

• Although that shepherd of Ida had slighted Menelaus alone …

Fuit apud mē Lamia … epistulamque ad mē attulit missam sibi ā Caesare. Quae quamquam ante data erat [pluperfect indicative; passive] quam illae Diocharīna … tamen plane declarabat …  

• (Cicero) Lamia was with me … and he brought me a letter sent to him from Caesar; and although it had been sent earlier than those of Diochares, it still plainly asserted …

[2] with the subjunctive

The word quamvīs has two different uses, and so you need to distinguish them. First, make a comparison between [i] and [ii] below:

[i] quīvīs, quaevīs, quidvīs (quodvīs) is an indefinite adjective or pronoun meaning ‘whoever; whatever; whichever’ or ‘any you please’ and was discussed here:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/09/081225-level-3-indefinites-18-vis-libet.html

dīcere hīc quidvīs licet (Plautus)

• Now one can talk freely [ = say whatever one wants]

ō Cupīdō, quantus es. nam tū quemvīs cōnfīdentem facile tuīs factīs facis (Plautus)

• O Cupid, how great you are! For with your actions you easily embolden whomever you want

Note this last example; quamvīs is the accusative singular of the indefinite adjective conveying indifference of choice:

Sī bovem aut aliam quamvīs quadrupedem serpēns momorderit … (Cato)

• If a snake has bitten an ox or any other four-footed animal.

This is not the same as quamvīs acting as a conjunction which is indeclinable and means ‘although’; it is followed by a verb in the subjunctive:

[ii] quamvīs + subjunctive

Quamvīs prūdēns ad cōgitandum sīs [present subjunctive], … (Cicero) 

• Although you are careful in your judgement …

Examples

Dē Drūsī hortīs, quamvīs ab iīs abhorreās [present subjunctive], … tamen eō cōnfugiam (Cicero) 

• As for the gardens of Drusus, although you shrink from them … I will nevertheless take refuge there.

… quae quamvīs contemnātur [present subjunctive; passive] ab eīs… (Cicero)

• …and although it is despised by them …

Quamvīs nōn cūrārem [imperfect subjunctive], quid in Hispāniā fieret … (Cicero) 

• Although I did not care what would happen in Spain …

Quamvīs enim tū magna et mihi iūcunda scrīpserīs [perfect subjunctive] dē D. Brūtī adventū … (Cicero)

• For although you have written great and pleasing things to me about the arrival of D. Brutus …

Quamvīs magna ad Postumum ab eō pecūnia pervēnisset [pluperfect subjunctive]  … (Cicero)

• Although a large sum of money had come to Postumus from him.

[3] The ‘default’ translation of quamquam and quamvīs is ‘although’, but the idea may be translated in other ways:

Sed sint quamvīs bonī, nōn sunt meliōrēs quam nōs (Cicero)

• But although they are loyal / However loyal they are, they are not better than us [ = me].

Quamvīs scelerātī illī fuissent (Cicero)

literally: although those men had been / might have been guilty

> However guilty those men might have been

Context and style will determine the most appropriate rendering.

Quamvīs sit magna, tamen eam vincēs (Cicero)

• Although it is / may be great, … / However great it may be … / Let it be as great as you choose (note here the inherent sense of quamvīs) … you will, nevertheless, conquer it.