16.10.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [74] Labours of Hercules (8)

In hortō quōdam haud procul ā Monte Atlante trēs erant sorōrēs pulcherrimae, Hesperidēs nōmine: hae ūnā cum ingentī dracōne aurea illa pōma custōdiēbant quae Iūnōnī, cum ā Iove in mātrimōnium dūcerētur, ā Terrā data erant. Haec pōma petere iussus Herculēs, cum situm hortī ignorāret, per multās terrās diū frūstrā errābat. Monitus autem ā Promētheō Atlantem, quī humerīs caelī onus sustinēbat, mīsit ut pōma invenīret: ipse interim onus sustinuit. Tum ad rēgem reportāvit pōma quae posteā, cum sibi ab eō data essent, Minervae dēdicāvit: haec autem in eundem hortum restituit. Ultimus labōrum etiam omnium difficillimus fuit: nam ā rege iussus est Cerberum canem ā Manibus ad terram suīs ipsīus viribus, sine armīs reportāre. Hoc mōnstrum, quod tria capita habēbat, vī superātum avexit, rēgī ostendit, tum ad Manēs redūxit.

[1] “In hortō … erant.”

In which order are the following first referred to?

a serpent  _____

a garden _____

a mountain _____

apples _____

the Earth goddess _____

marriage _____

three sisters _____

[2] … per multās terrās diū frūstrā errābat …

Why did this happen? (1)

[3] Translate: Monitus autem ā Promētheō Atlantem, quī humerīs caelī onus sustinēbat, mīsit ut pōma invenīret: ipse interim onus sustinuit. (6)

[4] “Tum ad rēgem … restituit.”

[4] Which of the following statements are true?

[A] The king dedicated the apples to Minerva.

[B] Minerva returned the apples to the same garden.

[C] Hercules was given the apples by the king.

[D] Minerva had given the apples to the king.

[E] Hercules returned the apples to the same garden.

[F] Hercules dedicated the apples to Minerva.

[5] Translate the phrases in bold precisely:

Ultimus labōrum etiam omnium difficillimus fuit:

[6] “nam ā rēge … redūxit.”

[i] What was Hercules ordered to do? (2)

[ii] What phrases emphasise the difficulty of this task? Quote the Latin and give translations. (2)

[iii] Which of the following statements is true? (2)

[A] Cerberus was shown to the king.

[B] Cerberus showed the Underworld to the king.

[C] Cerberus was kept by the king.

[D] Cerberus was returned to the Underworld.

Vocabulary

cādus, cādī [2/m]: cask 

iaciō, iacere, iēcī, iactus [3]: throw

odor, odōris [3/m]: smell 

rēte, rētis [3/n]: net 

venēnātus, -a, -um: poisoned 

vīnum, vīnī [2/n]: wine 

Notes: subjunctive

(1) imperfect subjunctive

cum situm hortī ignorāret, … ∣  since he did not know the location of the garden, …

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/070426-level-3-subjunctive-13-tenses-3.html

(2) passive subjunctive forms

[i] imperfect passive subjunctive

cum … in mātrimōnium dūcerētur, …  ∣  literally: when she was being led into marriage [= when she was getting married], …

[ii] pluperfect passive subjunctive

cum sibi ... data essent, …∣  since they had been given to him …,

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20passive%20%2F%20deponent

(3) purpose clauses

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

Atlantem … mīsit ut pōma invenīret: ∣ He sent Atlas to find [literally: in order that he might find] the apples:

____________________

[1]

a serpent [4]

a garden [1]

a mountain [2]

apples [5]

the Earth goddess [7]

marriage [6]

three sisters [3]

[2] he did not know the location of the garden

[3] However, having been advised by Prometheus, (1) he sent Atlas (1), who was supporting the weight of the sky (1) on his shoulders (1), to find the apples (1); he himself meanwhile held up the weight (1).

[4]

[B] Minerva returned the apples to the same garden.

[C] Hercules was given the apples by the king.

[F] Hercules dedicated the apples to Minerva.

[5] The last of the labours was also the most difficult of all:

[6]

[i] Bring Cerberus, a three-headed dog (1), from the Underworld to the Earth (1)

[ii] suīs ipsīus viribus; sine armīs (1) ∣⃒ by his very own strength; without weapons (1)

[iii]

[A] Cerberus was shown to the king.

[D] Cerberus was returned to the Underworld.

____________________

In a certain garden not far from Mount Atlas there were three very beautiful sisters, called the Hesperides; these, together with a huge serpent, were guarding those golden apples which had been given to Juno by Earth when she was being led into marriage by Jupiter.

Having been ordered to seek these apples, Hercules, since he did not know the location of the garden, wandered for a long time in vain through many lands. However, having been advised by Prometheus, he sent Atlas, who was supporting the weight of the sky on his shoulders, to find the apples; he himself meanwhile held up the weight. Then he brought the apples back to the king; later, when they had been given to him by the king, he dedicated them to Minerva; but she returned them to the same garden.

The last of his labours was also the most difficult of all: for, having been ordered by the king, he brought back Cerberus, the dog, from the Underworld to the earth by his own strength, without weapons. This monster, which had three heads, having been overcome by force, he carried off, showed to the king, and then led back to the Underworld.

13.10.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review): Hillard & Botting [72] Labours of Hercules (7)

Ōlim in īnsulā quādam, quae prope Hispāniam esse crēdēbātur, habitābat mōnstrum horrendum, Gēryon nōmine, quī tria corpora habēbat: huius pecora gigās et canis, cui duo erant capita, custōdiēbant. Haec cum reportāre iussus esset Herculēs per multās terrās errābat, tandem ad Libyam vēnit, ubi Herculis Columnās posuit; quō in itinere, cum magnopere sōlis ārdōre vexārētur, sagittam in ipsum sōlem ēmisit. Quā audāciā adeō deō placuit ut auream eī lintrem daret, in quā ad illam īnsulam nāvigāvit. Ibi et gigantem et canem ūnā cum ipsō dominō occīdit, tum praedam āvexit: auream autem lintrem sōlī reddidit. Pecora, cum plūrima perīcula superāvisset, tandem reportāvit ad rēgem, ā quō Iūnōnī immolāta sunt.

[1] Why are the following referred to? Give details.

[i] island (2)

[ii] three

[iii] two

[2] What was the role of the giant and the dog? (1)

[3] What had Hercules been ordered to bring back?

[A] Geryon [B] the dog [C] cattle [D] the giant? (1)

[4] What phrase tells you that Hercules’ journey was long? Quote the Latin and give the translation. (2)

[5] What happened in Libya? (1)

[6] Translate: “quō in itinere, cum magnopere sōlis ārdōre vexārētur, sagittam in ipsum sōlem ēmisit. Quā audāciā adeō deō placuit ut auream eī lintrem daret, in quā ad illam īnsulam nāvigāvit.” (10)

[7] Choose the correct form of the Latin words:

There he killed both the giant and the dog together with their master himself, then he carried off the spoil; but he returned the golden boat to the sun. The cattle, when he had overcome very many dangers, he finally brought back to the king, by whom they were sacrificed to Juno.

Ibi et [gigās / gigantem / gigantis] et canem [ūnā / ūnīus / ūnam] cum [ipsō dominō / ipsīus dominī / ipsī domino] occīdit, tum [praeda / praedā / praedam] āvexit: auream autem lintrem [sōlis / sōle / sōlī] reddidit. Pecora / pecus / pecorum], cum [plūrimīs perīculīs / plūrima perīcula / plūrimōrum perīculōrum] superāvisset, tandem reportāvit ad [rēgem / rēge / rēgī], ā [quī / quā / quō] [Iūnōnī / Iūnōnem / Iūnōne] immolāta sunt.

Vocabulary

gigās, gigantis [3/m]: giant 

ārdor, ardōris [3/m]: heat 

linter, lintris [3/f]: boat 

Notes: subjunctive

(1) pluperfect subjunctive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/190426-level-3-subjunctive-22-tenses-4.html

cum plūrima perīcula superāvisset, … ∣ after / since he had overcome many dangers, …

(2) passive subjunctive forms

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/subjunctive%3A%20passive%20%2F%20deponent

Haec cum reportāre iussus esset, … ∣ after / since he had been ordered to bring these things back,

cum magnopere sōlis ārdōre vexārētur, … ∣  while / since he was being greatly troubled by the heat of the sun

(3) result clauses

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

… adeō deō placuit ut auream eī lintrem daret, …

… he pleased the god … to such an extent that he gave him a boat, … / he so pleased the god … that he gave him …

____________________

[1]

[i] home of Geryon (1), a horrible monster (1)

[ii] the monster had three bodies (1)

[iii] the dog had two heads (1)

[2] guarded Geryon’s cattle (1)

[3] [C] cattle (1)

[4] per multās terrās errābat (1) ⃒ he wandered through many lands (1)

[5] he set up the Columns / Pillars of Hercules (1)

[6] On this journey (1), when he was being greatly troubled (1) by the heat of the sun (1), he shot an arrow (1) at the sun itself (1). By this boldness (1) he pleased the god so much (1) that he gave him a golden boat (1), in which he sailed (1) to that island (1).

[7] Ibi et gigantem et canem ūnā cum ipsō dominō occīdit, tum praedam āvexit: auream autem lintrem sōlī reddidit. Pecora, cum plūrima perīcula superāvisset, tandem reportāvit ad rēgem, ā quō Iūnōnī immolāta sunt.

____________________

Once upon a time, on a certain island, which was believed to be near Spain, there lived a dreadful monster, by the name of Geryon, who had three bodies, and his cattle were being guarded by a giant and a dog, which had two heads.

When Hercules had been ordered to bring these back, he wandered through many lands; at last he came to Libya, where he set up the Pillars of Hercules. On this journey, when he was being greatly troubled by the heat of the sun, he shot an arrow at the sun itself. By this boldness he pleased the god so much that he gave him a golden boat, in which he sailed to that island.

There he killed both the giant and the dog together with their master himself, then he carried off the spoil; but he returned the golden boat to the sun. The cattle, after he had overcome very many dangers, he finally brought back to the king, by whom they were sacrificed to Juno.

10.10.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [70] Labours of Hercules (6)

[1] Rex quīdam, Diomēdēs nōmine, equās suās carne hūmānā pascēbat. Hās Mycēnās portāre iussus Herculēs cum paucīs comitibus ad ōram dūxit. Quō cum cīvēs rēgis vēnissent, diū et ācriter pugnātum est. Equās, dum proeliō interest, Herculēs amīcō suō Abdērō mandat, quem illae statim vorant.

[i] What did the horses eat? (1)

[ii] Who had accompanied Hercules? (1)

[iii] Where did the battle take place? (1)

[iv] What did Hercules ask Abderus to do? (2)

[v] What happened to Abderus? (1)

[2] Translate: Herculēs, cum hostēs vicisset, rēgem occīdit corpusque equīs iactāvit: tum urbem in eō locō condidit, quam urbem Abdēra vocāvit. Equās, quae cum dominī carnem ēdissent mansuēverant, Mycēnās avexit: mox līberātae et ipsae ā ferīs in Monte Olympō vorābantur. (12)

[3] Posteā Amazonum rēgīnae zōnam, quam eī Mārs dederat, petere iussus, cum multa perīcula superāvisset, rēgīnam ipsam occīdit zōnamque reportāvit.

Which of the following statements is true?

[A] Mars took back the girdle.

[B] Hercules killed the Queen.

[C] The Queen of the Amazons gave Mars a girdle.

[D] Hercules brought back the girdle.

[E] Mars had overcome many dangers.

[F] The Queen killed herself.

[G] Hercules had overcome many dangers.

[H] Mars gave Hercules a girdle.

[I] The Queen had overcome many dangers.

[J] Mars had given the Queen of the Amazons a girdle.

Vocabulary

equa, equae [1/f]: mare 

fēra, fērae [1/f]: wild beast 

mansuēscō, mansuēscere, mansuēvī, mansuētus [3]: become tame 

zōna, zōnae [1/f]: girdle

Notes: subjunctive

(1) cum-clauses conveying the circumstances in which something happened, or the causes for it

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

(2) pluperfect subjunctive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/190426-level-3-subjunctive-22-tenses-4.html

quō cum cīvēs rēgis vēnissent, … ∣ and after the king’s subjects had arrived there, …

cum hostēs vicisset, …  ∣ after he had conquered the enemy, …

cum multa perīcula superāvisset, … ∣  since he had overcome many dangers, …

____________________

[1]

[i] human flesh

[ii] a few companions

[iii] at the shore

[iv] take care of the horses (1) while he was in the battle (1)

[v] eaten by the horses

[2] When he had defeated the enemy (1), Hercules killed the king (1) and threw the body to the horses (1): then he founded a city (1) in that place (1), and he called the city Abdera (1). The horses, which had become tame (1), since they had eaten the master’s flesh (1), he took away to Mycenae (1): having soon been freed (1) they themselves were also devoured (1) by wild beasts on Mount Olympus (1).

[3]

[B]; [D]; [G]; [J]

____________________

A certain king, named Diomedes, used to feed his horses on human flesh. Having been ordered to bring these to Mycenae, Hercules led them to the coast with a few companions. When the king’s subjects had come there, a long and fierce battle was fought. While he was taking part in the fight, Hercules entrusts the horses to his friend Abderus, whom they immediately devour. After Hercules had defeated the enemy, he killed the king and hurled his body to the horses; then he founded a city in that place, which he called Abdera. The horses, which had become tame since they had eaten their master’s flesh, he took to Mycenae; soon after, having been set free, they too were devoured by wild beasts on Mount Olympus.

Afterwards, having been ordered to seek the girdle of the queen of the Amazons, which Mars had given her, he killed the queen herself, after he had overcome many dangers, and brought back the girdle.

06.10.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [68] Labours of Hercules (5)

Ingēns ōlim aper ā monte Erymanthō in campōs dēscenderat. Hunc, cum agrōs ubīque vastāret, vīvum ad rēgem portāre iussus Herculēs per altam nivem diū petēbat: tum labōre fessum rēte impedīvit Mycēnāsque avexit. Aprum dum petit, Centaurō Pholō occurrit, cui Bacchus olim cadum optimī vīnī dederat. Hunc cadum Herculēs aperuit: tum reliquī Centaurī, vīnī odōre dulcissimō ductī, spēluncam in quā Pholus habitābat obsēdērunt: ab Herculē pulsī Chīrōnis domum fugā petīvērunt. Quōs ille cum fugāret, incautē amīcum suum Chīrōnem sagittā venenātā vulnerāvit: Pholus quoque sagittā, quae in pedem eius forte ceciderat, vulnerātus est. Chīrōn, cum immortālis esset, sagittā nōn necātus erat: ultrō tamen vītā excessit.

[1] The following statements are untrue; correct them:

[i] The boar had gone up to Mt. Erymanthus.

[ii] Hercules had been ordered to kill the boar.

[iii] There was heavy rain.

[iv] The boar was caught by a trap.

[2] Translate: Aprum dum petit, Centaurō Pholō occurrit, cui Bacchus olim cadum optimī vīnī dederat. Hunc cadum Herculēs aperuit: tum reliquī Centaurī, vīnī odōre dulcissimō ductī, spēluncam in quā Pholus habitābat obsēdērunt: ab Herculē pulsī Chīrōnis domum fugā petīvērunt. (10)

[3] Complete the Latin with the words listed below; note the differences in word order:

(1) While he was chasing (2) them, he accidentally wounded (3) his own friend Chiron with a (4) poisoned arrow. Pholus also was (5) wounded by an arrow (6) which had (7) by chance fallen on (8) his foot. Chiron, since he (9) was immortal, (10) was not killed by the arrow; (11) nevertheless, (12) of his own accord, he died [ = departed from life].

(2) __________ ille (1) __________ fugāret, incautē amīcum (3) __________ Chīrōnem sagittā (4) __________ vulnerāvit: Pholus quoque sagittā, (6) __________ in pedem (8) __________  (7) __________ ceciderat, (5) __________ est. Chīrōn, cum immortālis (9) __________, sagittā nōn necātus (10) __________: (12) __________ (11) __________ vītā excessit.

cum; eius; erat; esset; forte; quae; quōs; suum; tamen; ultrō; venenātā; vulnerātus

Vocabulary

aper, aprī [2/m]: boar 

cādus, cādī [2/m]: cask 

odor, odōris [3/m]: smell 

rēte, rētis [3/n]: net 

venēnātus, -a, -um: poisoned

Notes: subjunctive

(1) cum-clauses conveying the circumstances in which something happened, or the causes for it

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

(2) imperfect subjunctive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/070426-level-3-subjunctive-13-tenses-3.html

cum agrōs ubīque vastāret, … ∣ since it was ravaging the fields everywhere, …

quōs ille cum fugāret, … ∣ while he was chasing them away, …

cum immortālis esset, … ∣  since he was immortal, …

____________________

[1]

[i] had come down from Mt. Erymanthus

[ii] bring the boar back alive

[iii] deep snow

[iv] caught in a net

[2] While he was pursuing the boar (1), he encountered the centaur Pholus (1), to whom Bacchus had once given (1) a jar (bottle, cask) of excellent wine (1). Hercules opened this jar (1); then the other centaurs / the rest of the centaurs (1), led by the very sweet smell of the wine (1), besieged the cave (1) in which Pholus lived. Driven off by Hercules (1), they fled and made for the home of Chiron (1).

[3]

(2) Quōs ille (1) cum fugāret, incautē amīcum (3) suum Chīrōnem sagittā (4) venenātā vulnerāvit: Pholus quoque sagittā, (6) quae in pedem (8) eius (7) forte ceciderat, (5) vulnerātus est. Chīrōn, cum immortālis (9) esset, sagittā nōn necātus (10) erat: (12) ultrō (11) tamen vītā excessit.

____________________

Once, a huge boar had come down from Mount Erymanthus into the plains. Since it was ravaging the fields everywhere, Hercules, having been ordered to bring it back alive to the king, pursued it for a long time through deep snow. Then, when it was exhausted from effort, he trapped it in a net and carried it off to Mycenae.

While he was pursuing the boar, he encountered the centaur Pholus, to whom Bacchus had once given a jar of excellent wine. Hercules opened this jar; then the other centaurs, led by the very sweet smell of the wine, surrounded the cave in which Pholus lived. Driven off by Hercules, they fled in panic to the home of Chiron.

While he was chasing them away, he accidentally wounded his own friend Chiron with a poisoned arrow. Pholus also was wounded by an arrow which had by chance fallen on his foot. Chiron, since he was immortal, was not killed by the arrow; nevertheless, of his own accord, he died.

02.10.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [66] Labours of Hercules (4)

[A]

Nympha quaedam Diānae, quod illīus auxiliō ē magnō perīculō servāta erat, cervum, quī aurea cornua pedēsque aeneōs habēbat, dedicāverat. Hunc Herculēs vīvum Mycēnās portāre iussus per tōtum annum frūstrā petēbat: tandem sagittā vulnerātum in umerīs portantī repente occurrit Diāna quae magnā est īrā permōta quod animal ipsī sacrum ille vulnerāverat. Herculēs tamen deae īram permulsit praedamque Mycēnās avexit.

[B]

Erant prope lacum Stymphālum mīrae quaedam avēs quae alās et rostra aenea habēbant carnemque hūmānam vorābant. Hās quoque expellere iussus prīmum sistrō, quod eī Minerva dederat, terruit, tum per aera volantēs sagittīs occīdit. Quā tamen dē rē nōn eadem ab omnibus nārrantur: nam, ut aliī trādiderunt, avēs ad īnsulam quandam pepulit, ubi posteā ab Argonautīs inventae sunt.

[1] To which of the creature(s) in [A] or [B] do the following refer?

ate human flesh _____

bronze feet _____

bronze wings and beaks _____

dedicated to Diana _____

different accounts of the same story _____

frightened by a rattle _____

golden horns _____

injured by an arrow _____

killed by arrows _____

near Lake Stymphalus _____

sacred _____

stag _____

[2]

tandem (1) sagittā (2) vulnerātum in umerīs (3) portantī repente occurrit Diāna (4) quae magnā est (5) īrā permōta (6) quod animal (7) ipsī sacrum ille (8) vulnerāverat.

To which word do each of the following refer?

ablative of cause _____

ablative of instrument _____

conjunction _____

emphatic pronoun _____

perfect passive participle _____

pluperfect tense _____

present active participle _____

relative pronoun _____

[3] Translate: Quā tamen dē rē nōn eadem ab omnibus nārrantur: nam, ut aliī trādiderunt, avēs ad īnsulam quandam pepulit, ubi posteā ab Argonautīs inventae sunt. (8)

Vocabulary

expellō, expellere, expulī, expulsus [3]: drive out, expel 

moveō, movēre, mōvī, mōtus [2]: move, stir 

pellō, pellere, pepulī, pulsus [3]: drive 

sistrum, sistrī [2/n]: rattle

____________________

[1]

[A]

dedicated to Diana

golden horns

bronze feet

injured by an arrow

sacred

stag

[B]

ate human flesh

bronze wings and beaks

different accounts of the same story

frightened by a rattle

killed by arrows

near Lake Stymphalus

[2]

ablative of cause (5)

ablative of instrument (1)

conjunction (6)

emphatic pronoun (7)

perfect passive participle (2)

pluperfect tense (8)

present active participle (3)

relative pronoun (4)

[3] However, the same things are not told (1) by everyone (1) about this matter (1); for, as some have recounted (1), he drove the birds away (1) to a certain island (1), where they were later found (1) by the Argonauts (1).

____________________

A certain nymph had dedicated to Diana a stag with golden horns and bronze hooves because she had been saved from great danger by her help. Hercules, having been ordered to carry it alive to Mycenae, sought it in vain for a whole year; at last, when he had wounded it with an arrow and was carrying it on his shoulders, Diana suddenly met him, having been stirred to great anger because he had wounded an animal sacred to her. However, Hercules calmed the goddess’s anger and carried the prize off to Mycenae.

Near Lake Stymphalus there were certain remarkable birds which had bronze wings and beaks and used to devour human flesh. Having been ordered to drive these away also, he first frightened them with a rattle, which Minerva had given him, then killed them with arrows as they flew through the air. However, not all accounts tell the same story about this: for, as some have handed down, he drove the birds to a certain island, where they were later found by the Argonauts.

28.09.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [64] Labours of Hercules (3)

[1] Ērat olim mōnstrum horrendum, Hydra nōmine, quod in palūde prope lacum Lernaeum habitābat agrōsque finitīmōs vastābat. Huic novem erant capita, quōrum medium immortāle fuit. Herculēs, quī ab Eurystheō mōnstrum occīdere iussus erat, ingentī clāvā oppugnābat: quotiēns autem ūnum caput abscīderat, statim duo capita eōdem locō crēscēbant: etiam pugnantī ingēns subvēnit cancer, ā quō Herculēs vulnerātus est.

Briefly explain why each of the following are referred to:

[i] Hydra (2)

[ii] palūde (2)

[iii] Lernaeum (2)

[iv] novem (2)

[v] Eurystheō (2)

[vi] clavā (2)

[vii] ūnum … duo … (2)

[viii] cancer (2)

[2] Translate: Erat autem Herculī minister quīdam fīdus, Iolāus nōmine, cuius auxiliō reliqua capita incendit, medium illud, quod immortāle esse dīcēbātur, sub magnō saxō sepelīvit. (10)

[3] Tum sanguine eius sagittās cruentāvit, cuius venēnō omnēs posteā, quī Herculis sagittīs vulnerātī erant, necābantur.

What did Hercules do with the blood and why? (4)

Vocabulary

cancer, cancrī [2/m]: crab

crēscō, crēscere, crēvī, crētus [3]: grow 

fīdus, -a, -um: faithful

pālus, palūdis [3/f]: marsh 

quotiēns: whenever

sepelīō, sepelīre, sepelīvī, sepultus [4]: bury

subveniō, subvenīre, subvēnī, subventus [4]: come to the help of (+ dative) 

____________________

[1]

[i] name of the monster

[ii] the marsh where it lives

[iii] the name of the lake where the marsh is near

[iv] the nine heads of the Hydra

[v] the name of the man who ordered Hercules to carry out the task

[vi] the club used by Hercules to attack the monster

[vii] for every one head cut off by Hercules, two grew back

[viii] the crab that helped the Hydra and injured Hercules

[2] Now Hercules had (1) a certain loyal assistant (1), named Iolaus (1) with whose help (1) he burned (1) the remaining heads (1), and buried (1) that middle one (1), which was said to be immortal (1), under a great rock (1).

[3] He dipped his arrows in it (1) so that the poison (1) would kill anyone (1) wounded by them (1).

____________________

Once there was a dreadful monster called the Hydra, which lived in a marsh near Lake Lerna and was ravaging the neighbouring fields. It had nine heads, of which the middle one was immortal. Hercules, who had been ordered by Eurystheus to kill the monster, attacked it with a huge club: but whenever he cut off one head, two heads immediately grew back in the same place. Moreover, while it was fighting, a huge crab came to its aid, and Hercules was wounded by it. Now Hercules had a certain loyal assistant, named Iolaus; with his help he burned the remaining heads, and buried that middle one, which was said to be immortal, under a great rock. Then he dipped his arrows in its blood, and by its poison all those who were later wounded by Hercules’ arrows were killed.

24.09.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [62] Labours of Hercules (2)

[1] Complete the Latin text with the correct form of the word.

In a certain valley, by the name of Nemea, there lived at that time a huge lion which the inhabitants of that land feared very much.

In [vallis / vallem / valle] quādam, Nemea [nōmine / nōmen / nōmina], habitābat [illud tempus/ illō tempore / illīus temporis] ingēns leō [quī / quod / quem] maximē eius [terrae / terrā / terra] incolae timēbant.

[2] Hunc Herculēs occīdere et ad rēgem portāre iussus est. Diū frūstrā cum monstrō clāvā et sagittīs pugnābat: tandem faucēs eius manibus ēlīsit. Tum mortuum leōnem in umerīs ad rēgiam reportāvit.

[i] How did Hercules first try to kill the Nemean lion? (1)

[ii] How did he finally kill it? (1)

[iii] How was the lion taken to the palace? (1)

[3] Translate: Quem ubi vīdit rēx ipse dīcitur virī fortissimī vīribus territus esse Herculemque iussisse exīre extrā oppidī mūrōs victōriās nūntiāre. (8)

[4] Complete the Latin text with the words listed below; note the differences in word order

Afterwards he was (1) ordered to kill a (2) huge bull (3) which was ravaging the fields of Crete. (4) This task too (5) he is said (6) to have completed and (7) to have carried back the animal (8) alive on his shoulders home, and soon (9) to have set (it) free.

Posteā taurum (2) __________, (3) __________ Crētae agrōs vastābat, occīdere (1) __________ est. (4) __________ quoque opus (5) __________ (6) __________ (8) __________que animal in umerīs domum (7) __________, mox (9) __________.

dīcitur; hoc; ingentem; iussus; līberāvisse; perēgisse; quī; reportāvisse; vīvumcVocabulary

Vocabulary

clāva, -ae [1/f]: club

___________________

[1] In valle quādam, Nemea nōmine, habitābat illō tempore ingēns leō quem maximē eius terrae incolae timēbant.

[2]

[i] with a club and arrows

[ii] with his (own) hands

[iii] on his shoulders

[3] When the king saw him (1), he himself is said (1) to have been frightened (1) by the strength (1) of the very brave man (1) and to have ordered Hercules (1) to go out beyond the walls of the town (1) and to announce his victories (1).

[4] Posteā taurum ingentem, quī Crētae agrōs vastābat, occīdere iussus est. Hoc quoque opus dīcitur perēgisse vīvumque animal in umerīs domum reportāvisse, mox līberāvisse.

____________________

In a certain valley, called Nemea, there lived at that time a huge lion which the inhabitants of that land feared very much. Hercules was ordered to kill this and to carry it to the king. For a long time he fought in vain with the monster with a club and arrows: at last he crushed its throat with his hands. Then he carried the dead lion on his shoulders to the palace. When the king saw him, he himself is said to have been frightened by the strength of the very brave man and to have ordered Hercules to go out beyond the walls of the town and to announce his victories.

Afterwards he was ordered to kill a huge bull which was ravaging the fields of Crete. This task too he is said to have completed and to have carried the animal alive on his shoulders home, and soon to have set it free.

17.09.26: Level 3 / 3+ (Review); Hillard & Botting [60] Labours of Hercules (1)

[1] Complete the Latin text with the words given below:

(1) Among the ancient gods (2) no one is (3) more known today (4) than Hercules, the son of Jupiter, (5) about (6) whom (7) many and wonderful stories have been (8) handed down.

(1) __________ deōs antīquōs (2) __________  (3) __________  hodiē nōtus est (4) __________  Iovis fīlius Herculēs, (5) __________  (6) __________  fabulae (7) __________  et mīrae (8) __________  sunt.

trāditae; quō; quam; nēmō; multae; magis; inter; dē

[2] Vī corporis et hominibus et deōbus omnibus praestābat. Paucōs annōs mēnse nātus, dum in cūnīs iacet, in maximum perīculum vēnit: nam Iūnō, quae semper eī inimīcissima erat, duōs serpentēs contrā eum mīsit; suīs autem manibus duōs īnfāns faucēs eōrum ēlīsit.

How does the writer emphasise Hercules’ strength? (6)

[3] Posteā, quod Iūnō mentem eius aliēnāverat, suōs ipse līberōs occīdit. Magnō tum dolōre ultrō in exilium discessit; mox ad Apollinis ōrāculum vēnit ibique auxilium ā deō petīvit. Ab eō iussus est rēgī cuidam Eurystheō duodecim annōs parēre:

In which order are the following first referred to?

voluntary exile _____

seeking a god’s assistance _____

obeying a king _____

killing children _____

driven mad _____

a god’s command _____

[4] Translate:

“Tum dēnique,” inquit deus, “immortālis eris.” Ab hōc rēge Iūnōnis iussū coāctus est Herculēs duodecim labōrēs peragere. (6)

Vocabulary

cūnae, -ārum [1/f/pl]: cradle

ēlīdō, -ere, ēlīsī, ēlīsus [3]: crush

faucēs, -ium [3/f/pl]: throat

mēns, mentis [3/f]: mind

mentem aliēnō, -āre [1]: drive mad / insane

occīdō, occīdere, occīdī, occīsus [3]: kill

pareō, parēre, paruī, — [2]: obey

peragō, peragere, perēgī, perāctus [3]: carry out, complete

petō, petere, petīvī, petītus [3]: seek

ultrō: (here) voluntarily; of one’s own accord

____________________

[1]

Inter deōs antīquōs nēmō magis hodiē nōtus est quam Iovis fīlius Herculēs, dē quō fabulae multae et mīrae trāditae sunt.

[2]

superior in strength to all men and gods (1)

strength evident even when a baby / when he was still in his cradle (1)

threatened by two snakes (1) sent by Juno (1)

throttled them (1) with his hands / i.e. no weapons (1)

[3]

voluntary exile [3]

seeking a god’s assistance [4]

obeying a king [6]

killing children [2]

driven mad [1]

a god’s command [5]

[4]

“Then at last,” said the god (1), “you will be immortal (1).” By this king (1), at the command of Juno (1), Hercules was compelled (1) to carry out twelve labours (1).

____________________

Among the ancient gods no one is more known today than Hercules, the son of Jupiter, about whom many and wonderful stories have been handed down. In strength of body he excelled both men and all the gods. A few months old, when he was lying in his cradle, he came into the greatest danger: for Juno, who was always most hostile to him, sent two snakes against him; but the infant with his own hands crushed the throats of them. Afterwards, because Juno had driven his mind mad, he himself killed his own children. Then, in great grief, he went away into exile of his own accord; soon he came to the oracle of Apollo and there sought help from the god. By him he was ordered to serve a certain king, Eurystheus, for twelve years: “Then at last,” said the god, “you will be immortal.” By this king, at the command of Juno, Hercules was compelled to carry out twelve labours.

26.08.25: H & B; level 2; reading; An Ancient Sorceress

Ulixēs cum comitibus ōlim ad īnsulam Aeaeam nāvigāvit: habitābat in eā īnsulā Circē, dea propter artem magicam nōtissima. Ulixēs prīmō in ōra manēbat, comitum nōnnūllōs in interiōrem partem īnsulae mīsit. Ex hīs Euryldechus sōlus ad ducem revertit. ‘Magnum nōs perīculum manet in hāc īnsulā,’ inquit; ‘vix ā tē discesserāmus ubi magnam domum in mediā silvā vīdimus: prope portās errābant multa animālia, neque tamen nōs oppugnābant. Tum domō excessit fēmina, vel dea, pulcherrima: verbīs nōs dulcibus compellāvit et cibum dedit: tum comitēs meōs repente virgā ferit et in suēs vertit. Ego sōlus domum nōn intrāveram, sōlus ad tē revertī.” Tum Ulixēs ad locum statim prōperāvit: occurrit in itinere Mercurius. ‘Frūstrā tū,’ inquit, ‘homō contrā deam pugnābis: meō tamen auxiliō incolumis eris. Tum herbam magicam dedit et multa monēbat. Itaque nōn sōlum sibi sed comitibus salūtem comparāvit: nam Circē frūstrā contrā Ulixem artēs exercuit et comitibus fōrmam hūmānam reddidit.

[1] Lines 1 – 4; translate into English (15)*:

Ulixēs cum comitibus ōlim ad īnsulam Aeaeam nāvigāvit: habitābat in eā īnsulā Circē, dea propter artem magicam nōtissima. Ulixēs prīmō in ōra manēbat, comitum nōnnūllōs in interiōrem partem īnsulae mīsit. Ex hīs Euryldechus sōlus ad ducem revertit.

[2] Lines 4 – 8 [Magnum … revertī] Complete this summary of the main points with a single word for each blank (14):

[i] There was a great __________ on this island.

[ii] There was a large house in the __________ of the __________.

[iii] Many __________ were __________ near the house but they did not __________.

[iv] A very __________ woman or __________ came out of the house.

[v] She addressed the men with __________ words and gave them __________.

[vi] Circe turned the men into __________ with a __________.

[vii] Euryldechus did not __________ the house and only Euryldechus _________.

[3] Lines 8 – end [Tum Ulixēs … reddidit]

[i] What did Ulysses immediately do? (1)

[ii] Who did he meet on the way? (1)

[iii] What is the meaning of frūstrā and why is it appropriate in the context of lines 9 - 10? (2)

[iv] meō tamen auxiliō incolumis eris

How was Ulysses helped? (2)

[v] How does the story end? Give details (5) [Itaque [i] nōn sōlum sibi ¦ [ii] sed comitibus [iii] salūtem comparāvit: nam [iv] Circē frūstrā contrā Ulixem artēs exercuit et [v] comitibus fōrmam hūmānam reddidit.]

[4] Identify the case of the words in bold and explain why it is being used:

[i] domō excessit fēmina

[ii] verbīs nōs dulcibus compellāvit

[iii] nōn sōlum sibi sed comitibus salūtem comparāvit

[4] Identify the tenses of the verbs in bold and explain why it is being used:

vix ā tē [i] discesserāmus ubi magnam domum in mediā silvā [ii] vīdimus: prope portās [iii] errābant multa animālia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeaea

Map of Italy with Aeaea marked south of Rome (Abraham Ortelius, 1624): Aeaea insula, quae Circes domicilium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circe

"Circea" in Boccaccio's c. 1365 De Claris Mulieribus, a catalogue of famous women, from a 1474 edition

A 19th century painting by John William Waterhouse depicting the sorceress Circe of Homer's Odyssey

____________________

*[i] At one time [ii] Ulysses sailed [iii] with his companions [iv] to the island of Aeaea: [v] on that island [vi] lived Circe, [vii] a goddess very well-known [viii] on account of (her) skill in magic. [ix] At first [x] Ulysses remained on the shore [xi] (and) sent some / several of (his) companions [xii] into the inner part of the island. [xiii] Of these [xiv] only Euryldechus / Euryldechus alone returned [xv] to the commander.

11.08.25: H & B; level 2; reading; The First Punic War (264-241 B.C.)

Tyriī ōlim in Āfricā haud procul ab Hispāniā colōniam collocāverant magnamque urbem, Carthāginem nōmine, aedificāverant: huius urbis incolae Poenī vocābantur. Hī per mercātūram magnās dīvitiās comparāvērunt fīnitimōsque populōs imperiō suō adiūnxērunt: urbem ingentibus mūrīs mūnīverant templīsque pulcherrimīs ōrnāverant. Multa in historiā dē illīus gentis crūdēlitāte nārrantur: ducēs, sī in bellō vīctī erant, sine misericordiā occīdēbant; īnfantēs suōs dīs immolābant. Omnium iam populōrum Rōmānī et Poenī potentissimī erant: inter aemulās gentēs causa bellī mox invenītur. In Siciliā Hierō, rēx Syrācūsārum, Māmertīnōs obsīdēbat: Rōmānī ad Māmertīnōs, Poenī ad Hierōnem auxilium mīsērunt. Tum Hierō pācem amīcitiamque cum Rōmānīs cōnfirmāvit, Poenī sōlī cum Rōmānīs bellum gerēbant ōramque Ītaliae nāvibus vastābant.

adiungō, -ere, adiunxī, adiunctus [3]: add, join [+ dative]: populōs imperiō suō adiūnxērunt

Mamertīnī: Mamertines

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamertines

Tyrius, -a, -um: Tyrian; of Tyre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyre,_Lebanon

[1] Lines 1 – 4; translate into English (13)*

Tyriī ōlim in Āfricā haud procul ab Hispāniā colōniam collocāverant magnamque urbem, Carthāginem nōmine, aedificāverant: huius urbis incolae Poenī vocābantur. Hī per mercātūram magnās dīvitiās comparāvērunt fīnitimōsque populōs imperiō suō adiūnxērunt: urbem ingentibus mūrīs mūnīverant templīsque pulcherrimīs ōrnāverant.

[2] Lines 5 – 6 (ducēs … immolābant) How did the Carthaginians treat [i] conquered leaders, and [ii] the children? (4)

[3] Lines 6 – 7: Omnium iam populōrum Rōmānī et Poenī potentissimī erant.

Identify the case and number of the words in bold and explain why it is being used. (2)

[4] Lines 7 – end (inter aemulās … vastābant)

Which of the following statements are true?

Neighbouring nations were already at war.

Rivalry was the reason for war.

Hiero was the king of Syracuse.

Hiero was the king of the Mamertines.

The Mamertines beseiged the Romans.

Hiero besieged the Mamertines.

The Romans sent help to Hiero.

The Romans sent help to the Mamertines.

The Carthaginians sent help to Hiero.

Hiero and the Carthaginians made peace with the Romans.

Hiero made peace with the Romans.

Only the Carthaginians made peace with the Romans.

The Carthaginians waged war with the Romans.

The Carthaginian infantry attacked the Romans.

Roman cities were laid waste.

The Carthaginian fleet destroyed the Italian coast.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Punic_War

An aerial photograph of the remains of the naval base of the city of Carthage. The remains of the mercantile harbour are in the centre and those of the military harbour are bottom right. Before the war Carthage had the most powerful navy in the western Mediterranean. (The Oxford History of the Classical World, 1986)

____________________

*[i] At one time, [ii] the Tyrians had placed a colony in Africa [iii] far from Spain and [iv] had built a great city [v] by the name of Carthage, and [vi] the inhabitants of this city were called Carthaginians. [vii] They / these people obtained great wealth / riches [viii] through trade / commerce and [ix] joined the neighbouring nations to their own empire: [x] they fortified the city [xi] with huge walls and [xii] decorated (it) [xiii] with very beautiful temples.