Wednesday, September 23, 2026

27.04.27: Level 3+ (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [20]: The Gauls appeal for help against the Germans

Hōc bellō confectō multī principēs, quī ad Caesarem ex Galliae cīvitātibus convēnerant, ita sunt locūtī: ‘concilium tōtīus Galliae convocētur; dē salūte omnium cum Caesare agant.’

Quibus rēbus dictīs, ‘Ariovistus, rex Germānōrum,’ inquit Divitiacus, ‘omnēs ex Galliā expellere constituit: itaque Caesar Aeduīs subveniat atque exercitūs Rōmānōs contrā Ariovistum dūcat: omnēs Gallī cōpiās adiungant.’ Hāc ōrātiōne habitā omnēs quī aderant auxilium a Caesare petēbant.

Language focus: subjunctive

Subjunctive usage: jussive subjunctive (1)

All five subjunctives are independent jussive subjunctives, expressing proposals or recommendations made by the Gallic leaders. In English they are often translated with “let …”.

concilium tōtīus Galliae convocētur: let an assembly of all Gaul be called.

dē salūte omnium cum Caesare agant: let them discuss with Caesar the welfare of all

itaque Caesar Aeduīs subveniat: let Caesar help the Aedui.

exercitūs Rōmānōs contrā Ariovistum dūcat: let him lead the Roman armies against Ariovistus

omnēs Gallī cōpiās adiungant: let all the Gauls join their forces

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

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When this war had been brought to an end, many chiefs, who had come to Caesar from the states of Gaul, spoke as follows: “Let an assembly of the whole of Gaul be called; let them discuss with Caesar the welfare of all.”

After these things had been said, Divitiacus said, “Ariovistus, king of the Germans, has decided to drive everyone out of Gaul; therefore let Caesar help the Aedui and lead the Roman armies against Ariovistus; let all the Gauls join their forces.” When this speech had been delivered, all who were present sought help from Caesar.