13.09.26: Level 3; Reading (review); [35] [i] Manliāna Imperia II

Post victōriam Titus Mānlius statim patrem, quī nōn sōlum cōnsul, sed etiam vir summae auctōritātis erat, adiit eīque dē pugnā nūntiāvit:

“Prōvocātus”, inquit, “ā Maeciō Tusculānō cum eō pugnāvī eumque virtūte et armīs superāvī; victor ad tē redeō.”

Statim pater cūnctōs mīlitēs advocārī iussit, fīlium in iūs vocāvit, factī ratiōnem postulāvit. Neque iuventūtis neque virtūtis ratiōnem habuit.

 “Quod,” inquit, ”imperātōris imperium et auctōritātem patris nōn cūrāvistī neque disciplīnae ratiōnem habuistī, quā adhūc cūnctās calamitātēs superāvit cīvitās Rōmāna, suppliciō poenās solvēs.”

Iam ipse līctōrem iussit fīlium caedere. Tam dūrō animō fuit ille vir. Cūnctī autem horrēbant haec Mānliāna Imperia.

līctor, -ōris [3/m]: a Roman civil servant who was an attendant and bodyguard to a magistrate

[i] Translate from “Post victoriam …” to “… ad tē redeō.” (10)

[ii] In your own words explain the father’s extreme reaction (16). Again, look at the mark allocation, refer to specific content and, where necessary, quote the Latin. Similarly, include brief information on Roman culture and attitudes.

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[i] After the victory (1), Titus Manlius immediately approached his father (1) —who was not only consul (1) but also a man of the highest authority (1) and reported the fight to him (1):

“Having been challenged,” he said (1), “by Maecius the Tusculan (1), I fought with him (1) and overcame him (1) by courage and arms; as victor I return to you. (1)”

Suggested answer:

[1] The passage reflects key aspects of Roman thinking (1) in terms of discipline and obedience to authority (1).

[2] Manlius is shown no favouritism by his father (1).

[3] The son’s courage and victory are not mitigating factors (1), and the father does not take his son’s youth into consideration (1): Neque iuventūtis neque virtūtis ratiōnem habuit

[4] Manlius is condemned in the presence of all the soldiers (1): Statim pater cūnctōs mīlitēs advocārī iussit, fīlium in iūs vocāvit.

This is a public display, indicating that nobody – not even his own son – is above the law (1). Moreover, it serves as a deterrent to the other soldiers against acting in the same way (1). That the father’s actions are immediate indicates he needs no time for reflection (1).

[5] “Quod,” inquit, ”imperātōris imperium et auctōritātem patris nōn cūrāvistī neque disciplīnae ratiōnem habuistī, quā adhūc cūnctās calamitātēs superāvit cīvitās Rōmāna, suppliciō poenās solvēs.”

There are key charges in this statement:

Manlius has without justification disobeyed the commander’s order: imperātōris imperium (1), and the authority of his own father: auctōritātem patris (1).

Furthermore, he has undermined the mōs maiōrum the ancestral traditions of Rome itself (1), which the Romans believed were the foundation of their success (1): quā adhūc cūnctās calamitātēs superāvit cīvitās Rōmāna.

[6] The enormity of Manlius’ actions warrant the death penalty which is carried out in the father’s presence (1): Iam ipse līctōrem iussit fīlium caedere.

[7] While the father’s actions show his personal and frightening harshness - Tam dūrō animō fuit ille vir – (1) the scene culminates in a symbolic display that the collective good is prioritised over individual heroism (1).

Immediately the father ordered all the soldiers to be summoned, brought his son to trial, and demanded an account of the deed. He showed no regard either for his youth or for his bravery.

“Because” he said, “you did not respect the command of your general nor the authority of your father, and did not observe discipline, by which the Roman state has up to now overcome all disasters, you will pay the penalty with punishment.”

At once he himself ordered the lictor to execute his son. That man was of such a harsh spirit. However, they all shuddered in fear at these Manlian commands.