18.11.26: Level 4; subjunctive (review) [2] Road to Latin (Chesnutt) 47

Tam bene dīcit Orgetorīx ut iuvenēs nōbilēs coniūrātiōnem faciant et rēgna in cīvitātibus suīs occupāre cōnstituant. Inter sē fīdem et iūs iūrandum dant. Tam audācēs sunt ut perīcula nōn timeant. Etiam spērant sē tōtīus Galliae imperiō potīrī posse. Tanta est Orgeorīgis cupiditās rēgnī ut patriam trādere velit.

Ea rēs, paulō, post, Helvētiīs ēnūntiāta est. Helvētiī Orgetorīgem hostem esse sēnsērunt et ita incitātī sunt ut eum ex vinculīs causam dīcere cōgerent. Orgetorīx amīcōrum magnum numerum habēbat et eius audācia erat tanta ut ad iūdicium omnem suam familiam, ad hominum mīlia decem, undique convocāret; per eōs sē ēripere posse spērāvit. Sed cīvitās, ob eam rem incītāta, armīs iūs suum exsecūta est multitūdinemque hominum ex agrīs magistrātūs ad iūdicium coēgērunt. Orgetorīx perterritus dē vītā decessit.

Post eius mortem nihilō minus Helvētiī patriam relinquere cupīvērunt. Quārē accidit ut cōnsilia exsequerentur. Magnae sēmentēs factae erant; carrī et iūmenta ēmpta erant; fēminae līberīque conlātī erant. Sed spem domum reditiōnis tollere necesse erat. Fiēbat ut oppida sua omnia, vīcōs omnēs, reliqua prīvāta aedificia incenderent. etiam frūmentum omne praeter id quod sēcum portāre necesse erat incendērunt. Hōc modō effēcērunt ut omnis spēs domum reditiōnis tollerētur. Effēcērunt praetereā ut fīnitimī eōdem cōnsiliō ūsī ūnā cum eīs proficīscerentur.

Complete the translations of the Latin sentences with one clause from Column A and one clause from Column B

[1] Tam bene dīcit Orgetorīx ut iuvenēs nōbilēs coniūrātiōnem faciant.

[2] Tam audācēs sunt ut perīcula nōn timeant.

[3] Tanta est Orgeorīgis cupiditās rēgnī ut patriam trādere velit.

[4] Helvetiī … ita incitātī sunt ut eum ex vinculīs causam dīcere cōgerent.

[5] Eius audācia erat tanta ut ad iūdicium omnem suam familiam … convocāret.

[6] Quārē accidit ut cōnsilia exsequerentur.

[7] Fiēbat ut oppida sua omnia … incenderent.

[8] Hōc modō effēcērunt ut omnis spēs domum reditiōnis tollerētur.

[9] Effēcērunt praetereā ut fīnitimī … ūnā cum eīs proficīscerentur.

____________________

[1] Orgetorix speaks so well that the noble youths make a conspiracy.

[2] They are so bold that they do not fear dangers.

[3] So great is Orgetorix’s desire for kingship that he wishes to betray his country.

[4] The Helvetii were so stirred up that they forced him to plead his case in chains.

[5] His boldness was so great that he summoned his entire household to the trial.

[6] Therefore it happened that they carried out their plans.

[7] It came about that they burned all their towns.

[8] So great is Orgetorix’s desire for kingship that all hope of returning home was removed.

[9] They also brought it about that the neighbouring peoples set out together with them.

17.11.26: Level 3+ (Review); P. Cornelius Lentulus: The Story Of A Roman Boy [10]

LXIX. PUBLIUS JOINS CAESAR'S ARMY IN GAUL

[A] __________

[B] __________

Pūblius iam adulēscēns, postquam togam virīlem sūmpsit, aliīs rēbus studēre incēpit et praesertim ūsū armōrum sē dīligenter exercuit. Magis magisque amāvit illās artēs quae mīlitārem animum dēlectant. Iamque erant quī eī cursum mīlitārem praedīcerent. Nec sine causā, quod certē patris īnsigne exemplum ita multum trahēbat.

[C] __________

[D] __________

Paucīs ante annīs C. Iūlius Caesar, ducum Rōmānōrum maximus, cōnsul creātus erat et hōc tempore in Galliā bellum grave gerēbat. Atque in exercitū eius plūrēs adulēscentēs mīlitābant, apud quōs erat amīcus quīdam Pūblī. Ille Pūblium crēbrīs litterīs vehementer hortābātur ut iter in Galliam faceret. Neque Pūblius rēcūsāvit, et, multīs amīcīs ad portam urbis prōsequentibus, ad Caesaris castra profectus est.

[E] __________

[F] __________

Quārtō diē postquam iter ingressus est, ad Alpēs, montēs altissimōs, pervēnit. Hīs summā difficultāte superātīs, tandem Gallōrum in fīnibus erat. Prīmō autem veritus est ut castrīs Rōmānīs adpropinquāre posset, quod Gallī, maximīs cōpiīs coāctīs, Rōmānōs obsidēbant et viās omnēs iam clauserant. Quamvīs per hostium cōpiās iter faceret, Pūblius vestem Gallicam induit nē ā Gallīs caperētur; ita incolumis ad castra pervenīre potuit. Intrā mūnītiōnēs acceptus, ā Caesare benignē exceptus est. Imperātor fortem adulēscentem amplissimīs verbīs laudāvit et eum tribūnum mīlitum creāvit.

Question [1] comprehension

Which of the following titles are appropriate for each paragraph? There are two titles for each of them.

dangerous journey through enemy territory

early training and growing interest in military life

invitation to join Caesar’s campaign in Gaul

successful arrival and reward in the Roman camp

the rise of Julius Caesar as Rome’s greatest general

young man influenced by his father’s reputation

Question [2] language; clause types and descriptors

Look at the following clauses from the text. At this higher level, you may well be using grammar books that identify these clauses by name. Match the clauses with their names and descriptors [A] – [H] below:

[i] plūrēs adulēscentēs mīlitābant ¦ apud quōs erat amīcus quīdam Pūblī _____

[ii] erant ¦ quī eī cursum mīlitārem praedīcerent _____

[iii] postquam togam virīlem sūmpsit _____

[iv] quod certē patris īnsigne exemplum ita multum trahēbat _____

[v] vestem Gallicam induit ¦ nē ā Gallīs caperētur _____

[vi] hortābātur ¦ ut iter in Galliam faceret _____

[vii] veritus est ¦ ut castrīs Rōmānīs adpropinquāre posset _____

[viii] Quamvīs per hostium cōpiās iter faceret, … _____

[A] subordinate clause of fear (+ subjunctive)

• Used after verbs of fearing; nē expresses fear that something may happen, ut expresses fear that something may not happen.

[B] indirect command (+ subjunctive)

• Reports an order, request, encouragement, or instruction indirectly.

[C] concessive clause (+ subjunctive)

• Expresses a contrast, usually translated as “although …”; the main action happens despite this fact.

[D] subordinate clause of cause / reason

• Explains why the action in the main clause happens.

[E] relative / adjectival clause

• Refers to / describes a specific, identifiable person or thing mentioned in the main clause.

[F] relative clause of characteristic (+ subjunctive)

• Describes the type or kind of person or thing, not a specific individual; often a general or non-specific group.

[G] subordinate clause of negative purpose (+ nē + subjunctive)

• Explains the aim or intention behind the action in the main clause; here, the purpose is negative i.e. the goal it is intended not to bring about.

[H] subordinate clause of time (temporal clause)

• States when the action of the main clause takes place.

____________________

Notes on the subjunctive

[1] Subjunctive: characteristic; does not describe a specific person but makes a generalised comment on the ‘type of person’

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20characteristic

Iamque erant quī eī cursum mīlitārem praedīcerent

• And there were already people who predicted a military career for him

[2] Subjunctive: indirect command

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20indirect%20commands

Ille Pūblium … vehementer hortābātur ut iter in Galliam faceret

• He was strongly urging Publius … to make a journey into Gaul

[3] Subjunctive: purpose (negative)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20purpose

Pūblius vestem Gallicam induit nē ā Gallīs caperētur

• Publius put on Gallic clothing so that he would not be captured by the Gauls

[4] Subjunctive: fear

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20verbs%20of%20fearing

Prīmō autem veritus est ut castrīs Rōmānīs adpropinquāre posset

• At first, however, he feared that he might not be able to approach the Roman camp

[5] Subjunctive: concessive; ‘although’

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20concessive%20clauses

Quamvīs per hostium cōpiās iter faceret, …

• Although he was making his way through the enemy forces, …

____________________

Question [1] comprehension

[A] Early training and growing interest in military life

[B] A young man influenced by his father’s reputation

[C] An invitation to join Caesar’s campaign in Gaul

[D] The rise of Julius Caesar as Rome’s greatest general

[E] A dangerous journey through enemy territory

[F] Successful arrival and reward in the Roman camp

Question [2] language

[i] E; [ii] F; [iii] H; [iv] D; [v] G; [vi] B; [vii] A; [viii] C

16.11.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [34] (2)

[3] Translate:

Latrōnēs quoque tēla habent. Sī latrōnēs sē capī putant, cīvēs interdum interficiunt. Nocte ubi cīvēs somnō sē dant, latrōnēs per viās celeriter ambulant. Tēcta non semper mūnīta sunt. Fenestrae sunt apertae. Quod cīvēs sonitum pedum latrōnum nōn semper audiunt, nēmō latrōnēs, quī multās rēs ē tēctīs portant, videt. Latrōnēs igitur discēdunt. Māne posterō diē avunculus et comitēs eius vocantur et diū per viās errant. Sī latrōnēs capiuntur, hī virī malī diū in vinculīs tenentur aut interficiuntur.

Note: Sī latrōnēs sē capī putant,…

Literally: If the robbers think themselves to be captured …

> If the robbers think that they are captured …

[4]

Nunc Maria quae in grāmine sub umbrā arboris et ante pedēs avunculī iacet fābulās tantōrum perīculōrum audit. “Nōn tanta perīcula sunt, ut putō, in nostrīs urbibus,” inquit puella. Avunculus “Maiōra perīcula,” respondet, “in urbibus vestrīs quam trāns mare reperiuntur. In urbe meā paucī cīvēs ā latrōnibus interficiuntur.”

[i] Where exactly is Maria sitting?

[ii] Which of the following statements is true?

[A] Maria thinks that the dangers are only fairy tales.

[B] Maria thinks there are not such dangers in the cities of her country.

[C] Her uncle thinks there are greater dangers in the cities of Maria’s country.

[D] Her uncle thinks there are greater dangers overseas.

[E] Many citizens are killed in her uncle’s city.

[F] A few citizens are killed in her uncle’s city.

[G] The citizens kill robbers.

[H] The robbers kill citizens.

____________________

[3] The robbers also have weapons. If the robbers think that they are captured, they sometimes kill the citizens. At night when the citizens go to sleep (literally: give themselves to sleep), the robbers walk quickly through the streets. The houses are not always fortified. The windows are open. Because the citizens do not always hear the sound of the robbers' feet, nobody sees the robbers who are carrying many things out of the houses. Therefore, the robbers depart. In the morning on the following day the uncle and his companions are called, and wander through the streets for a long time. If the robbers are captured, these evil men are held in chains or killed.

[4]

[i] in grāmine (1) sub umbrā arboris (1) et ante pedēs avunculī (1) | on the grass (1); under the shade of a tree (1); at (in front of) her uncle’s feet (1)

[ii]

[B] Maria thinks there are not such great dangers in the cities of her country.

Nōn tanta perīcula sunt … in nostrīs urbibus

[C] Her uncle thinks there are greater dangers in the cities of Maria’s country.

Maiōra perīcula … in urbibus vestrīs

[F] A few citizens are killed in her uncle’s city.

… paucī cīvēs … interficiuntur.

[H] The robbers kill citizens.

… cīvēs ā latrōnibus interficiuntur.

15.11.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [4] (5)

CERĒS ET PERSEPHONĒ (5)

Tum Cerēs ex agricolae casā ambulāvit. Sed flēvērunt familia et flēvit Triptolemus, quod nōn iam in Deae gremiō dormītābat. Māne agricola virōs et fēminās locī convocāvit, et Deae dicta et facta nārrāvit. Deinde virī et fēminae saxa multa apportāvērunt et templum magnum aedificāvērunt. In templī ārīs victimās mactāvērunt, et Deam adōrāvērunt. Grāta erant Deae dōna populī, et Cerēs templum diū habitābat.

Intereā in ārīs aliōrum deōrum neque pōma neque ūvae neque rosae iacēbant. Nōn iam herba in prātīs, nōn iam pōma in agrīs flōrēbant, quod adhūc Cerēs propter fīliam flēbat. Itaque Iuppiter Deae, “Plūtō,” inquit, “fīliam tuam habet. Persephonē rēgīna Īnferōrum est. Sed Mercurius ad rēgnum Īnferōrum properābit, et puellam ad templum tuum celeriter apportābit.”

Deinde Mercurius ad Īnferōs properāvit. Persephonē cum virō suō in lectō sedēbat. Misera erat puella, quod adhūc Deam cāram dēsīderābat. Sed Mercurium vidēbat et laeta fuit. “Iterum,” inquit, “Deam cāram vidēbō, iterum Cerēs fīliam suam habēbit.”

Tum Plūtō verbīs benignīs puellam ōrāvit, “Ō Persephonē, memoriae tuae grātus semper erit Plūtō; iterum rēgīna Īnferōrum eris. Nunc caeruleum est caelum, iūcunda sunt prāta, sed mox gelidum erit caelum, gelidī erunt et ventī et agrī. Tum iterum virum tuum et rēgnum Īnferōrum dēsīderābis. Valē, Ō cāra rēgīna.”

 

[1]

familia, -ae [1/f]: family

populus, -ī [2/m]: people

Iuppiter, Iovis [3/m]: Jupiter

Mercurius, -ī [2/m]: Mercury

rēgnum, -ī [2/n]: kingdom

rēgīna, -ae [1/f]: queen

lectus, -ī [2/m]: bed

ventus, -ī [2/m]: wind

memoria, -ae [1/f]: memory

[2]

celer, celeris, celere: swift

[3]

flēō, flēre [2]: weep

convocō, convocāre [1]: call together

apportō, apportāre [1]: bring

sedeō, sedēre [2]: sit

videō, vidēre [2]: see

ōrō, ōrāre [1]: beg, plead

[4]

māne: in the morning

intereā: meanwhile

mox: soon

semper: always

valē: farewell

___________________

Then Ceres walked out of the farmer’s house. But the family wept, and Triptolemus wept because he was no longer sleeping in the lap of the goddess. In the morning the farmer called together the men and women of the place and told the deeds and words of the goddess. Then the men and women brought many stones and built a great temple. On the altars of the temple they sacrificed victims and worshipped the goddess. The gifts of the people were pleasing to the goddess, and Ceres lived in the temple for a long time.

Meanwhile on the altars of the other gods neither fruit nor grapes nor roses were lying. No longer did grass in the meadows or fruit in the fields bloom, because Ceres was still weeping for her daughter. And so Jupiter said to the goddess, “Pluto has your daughter. Persephone is the queen of the Underworld. But Mercury will hurry to the kingdom of the Underworld and will quickly bring the girl to your temple.”

Then Mercury hurried to the Underworld. Persephone was sitting with her husband on a couch. The girl was unhappy because she still longed for her dear mother. But she saw Mercury and was happy. “Again,” she said, “I shall see my dear mother; again Ceres will have her daughter.”

Then Pluto pleaded with the girl in kind words, “O Persephone, Pluto will always be grateful to your memory; again you will be queen of the Underworld. Now the sky is blue, the meadows are pleasant, but soon the sky will be cold, and the winds and fields will be cold. Then again you will long for your husband and the kingdom of the Underworld. Farewell, dear queen.”

14.11.26: Level 4; subjunctive (review) [1] Road to Latin (Chesnutt) 46

Helvetiī multa dīligenter comparant quod ē patriā exīre cōnstituērunt. Sēmentēs quam maximās faciunt nē inopia frūmentī in itinere sit. Iūmentōrum et carrōrum maximum numerum emunt ut omnia sēcum facile portent. Nūntiōs ad cīvitātēs proximās mittunt ut eae gentēs quoque cōnsilia audiant et auxilium mittant. Fortasse cīvitātēs sē sociōs iungent et ē fīnibus ībunt. Helvētiī patriam relinquunt ut novōs agrōs videant et fīnēs multitūdinī hominum idōneōs capiant. Magna est eōrum spēs.

Orgetorīx, nōbilissimus Helvētiōrum, erat cīvitātibus proximīs amīcus. Dux igitur dēlēctus est ut fīnitimī cōnsilia Helvētiōrum benignē audīrent et auxilium mitterent. Ad cīvitātēs iit ut prīncipēs vidēret et cum eīs cōnsilia caperet. Helvētiī cum fīnitimīs pācem et amīcitiam cōnfirmāre voluērunt ut omnia per eōrum fīnēs sine difficultāte portārentur. Erat mōs gentēs obsidēs inter sē dare nē iniūria esset.

Helvētiī cum cīvitātibus proximīs pācem et amīcitiam cōnfirmāre cōnstituerant quō facilius per eōrum fīnēs iter facere possent. Itaque Orgetorīgem mīserant quī eās rēs cōnficeret. Sed Orgetorīx rēgnī cupiditāte adductus alia cōnsilia cēpit.

Match the Latin and English phrases.

____________________

1:B | so that there is not a shortage of grain on the journey

2:F | so that they may carry everything easily with them

3:G | so that those peoples may also hear the plans and send help

4:H | so that they may see new lands

5:I | and may take territories suitable for a large number of people

6:J | so that the neighbours would hear the Helvetii’s plans favorably

7:K | and would send help

8:L | so that he could see the chiefs

9:M | and (could) make plans with them

10:A | so that everything might be carried through their territories without difficulty

11:C | so that there would be no wrongdoing

12:D | so that they could more easily make the journey through their territories

13:E | who was to accomplish these things

13.11.26: Level 4; introduction

Learning a language is a journey. The images that have accompanied the introduction to each level have conveyed that. The Latin journey is a long one: it requires considerable reading, practice, thought and review. Above all, however, it requires patience – and utter determination.

Learning a language – even our native one – never ends, but targets can be set so that, should you wish to progress to higher education, you are equipped with everything you need to face that confidently. In ‘Latin for Learners’ that is our summit.

This is the final level of both the Facebook group and the blog site.

Level 4 is targeted at those who already have a sound command of Latin at intermediate / upper-intermediate level.  

Grammar

The grammar and syntax needed to reach this stage have been covered in depth and repeatedly at Levels 1 – 3+. Therefore, only more advanced aspects of the language will be reviewed and / or referred to, for example:

• the subjunctive
• gerunds; gerundives
• participial usage e.g. ablative absolute
• indirect statement

Where necessary, links to earlier posts on these and similar topics will be given.

Less common features which occur from time to time in literature will be mentioned in notes; these do not require in-depth study.

Levels 1 – 3+ will continue although less detail will be given, but, again, links will be posted to the topics in the ‘labels’ section of the blog.

If you reach the summit, then you have every right to feel proud.

Overview of Level 4

Literature

[i] texts that could be considered “ bridges” to Classical Latin, for example extracts from the Vulgate and from the Mediaeval texts entitled Gesta Rōmānōrum

[ii] GCSE Literature topics; these approach Classical Latin literature from a thematic perspective with excerpts from different authors and all deal with specific aspects of the Roman world

[iii] Mediaeval Literature; a number of earlier posts will reappear – including song lyrics – and, again, we will look at the differences between Classical and Mediaeval Latin as well as authentic manuscripts, and scribal abbreviations

[iv] Classical Latin literature showing a range of authors, themes and styles e.g. Catullus, Caesar, Tacitus and Pliny; I will mainly, but not exclusively, follow the prescribed works for the UK AS / A2 examinations.

[v] Classical Latin poetry with a step-by-step guide to the analysis of poetic devices and metre: only those features found at the UK AS / A2 level will be considered

Self-Assessment

• Questions from UK GCSE and, later, AS and A2 examinations
• Highest levels of the US National Latin Examination