13.04.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [11] (3)

CȲRUS (3)

Māne igitur servī rogum ingentem parāvērunt et Croesum eō imposuērunt. Tum Croesus ubi calamitātem suam sēnsit, trīstī vultū gemitum ab īmō pectore dedit, et, Solōnis verbōrum memor, "Nōn falsa," inquit, "Solōn, vir sapiēns, dīxit. Ego mē omnium hominum beātissimum tot annōs putābam. Nunc autem nēmō per omnēs gentēs miserior est. Superbiae stultitiaeque poenās dō."

Cȳrus, ubi Croesī verba audīvit, et vultum trīstem animadvertit, misericordiae plēnus, "Et ego," inquit, "homō sum. Hodiē beātus sum, sed nōn semper fortasse rēs bene geram. Et ego fortasse veniam ā Dīs Immortālibus ōlīm petam. Captīvum igitur vinculīs flammīsque līberābō."

Sed iam servī facēs lūcidās ad trabēs porrēxerant; iam flammae rogum paene cingēbant. Croesus autem in summō perīculō manūs ad caelum Deōsque Immortālēs porrēxit. Apollō imbrem dē caelō serēnō mīsit, et aquam in rogum effūdit. Ita Cȳrus captīvum līberāvit, et multōs annōs Croesum cārum amīcum habēbat.

[i]

calamitās, -ātis [3/f]: calamity

fax, facis [3/f]: torch

pectus, -oris [3/n]: breast

superbia, -ae [1/f]: pride

vīnculum, -ī [2/n]: chain, fetter

[ii]

falsus, -a, -um: false

īmus, -a, -um: lowest

lūcidus, -a, -um: shining

memor, -oris: mindful

[iii]

animadvertō, -ere [3]: notice

cingō, -ere [3]: surround

effundō, -ere [3]: pour out

līberō, -āre [1]: set free

porrigō, -ere [3]: stretch out

[iv]

tot: so many

____________________

Accordingly, in the morning the slaves prepared a huge funeral pyre and placed Croesus upon it. Then, when Croesus realised his misfortune, he gave a groan from the depths of his heart with a sorrowful expression, and, remembering the words of Solon, said:

"Solon, a wise man, did not speak falsely. For so many years I thought myself the happiest of all men. But now no one among all nations is more wretched. I am paying the penalty for my pride and folly."

When Cyrus heard Croesus' words and noticed his sad expression, he was filled with pity.

"And I too," he said, "am a man. Today I am fortunate, but perhaps I shall not always prosper. I too may perhaps one day seek pardon from the Immortal Gods. Therefore I shall free the prisoner from his chains and from the flames."

But already the slaves had stretched blazing torches towards the timbers; already the flames were almost surrounding the pyre. Croesus, however, in the utmost danger, stretched his hands towards heaven and the Immortal Gods. Apollo sent rain from a clear sky and poured water upon the pyre. Thus Cyrus set the prisoner free, and for many years kept Croesus as a dear friend.

08.04.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [11] (2)

CȲRUS (2)

Post paucōs annōs Cȳrus, Persārum prīnceps, cōpiās in Mēdōrum agrōs dūxit, et tōtam regiōnem celeriter vīcit. Itaque et Mēdiae et Persiae, ingentis rēgnī, rēx erat.

Croesus, ubi cīvēs Cȳrī facta nūntiāvērunt, "Sī Cȳrus," inquit, "adhūc adolēscēns, tam celeriter Mēdōs superāvit, sine dubiō ego, rēx maximus dīvitissimusque, Cȳrum superābō."

Cōpiās igitur cito collēgit et in fīnitimōs agrōs dūxit. Sed nōn bene rem gessit. Nōn diū rēgis exercitus hostium impetum sustinēbat. Persae Croesī mīlitēs fugāvērunt. In Lȳdiam contendērunt et omnia loca ferrō et ignī vastāvērunt; hominēs necāvērunt; vīcōs et frūmentum incendērunt. Rēx perterritus rēgiam petīvit. Eō intrāvit Cȳrus. Cȳrus, vehementer īrātus, "Cūr, Ō Croese," rogāvit, "sine causā bellum in agrōs meōs intulistī? Tū igitur stultitiae tuae poenās gravissimās mihi dabis. Servī meī rogum ingentem trabibus validīs aedificābunt; tē in rogum impōnent; tum tē rogumque incendent."

Media, -ae [1/f]: Media, a country south of the Caspian Sea

[i]

cōpiae, -ārum [1/f pl.]: forces

ferrum, -ī [2/n]: iron, sword

impetus, -ūs [4/m]: attack

Medī, -ōrum [2/m pl.]: Medes

Persae, -ārum [1/m pl.]: Persians

rogus, -ī [2/m]: funeral pile

trabs, trabis [3/f]: beam

[ii]

maximus, -a, -um: greatest, very great

[iii]

colligō, -ere [3]: collect

gerō, -ere [3]: carry on; rem bene gerō: succeed

inferō, inferre: bring into, inflict on

nūntiō, -āre [1]: announce

superō, -āre [1]: overcome

sustineō, -ēre [2]: hold up, sustain

vastō, -āre [1]: devastate, destroy

____________________

After a few years Cyrus, leader of the Persians, led an army into the territory of the Medes and quickly conquered the whole region. Therefore he became king of both Media and Persia, a vast kingdom.

When the subjects of Cyrus reported these deeds, Croesus said:

"If Cyrus, still a young man, has conquered the Medes so quickly, then surely I, the greatest and richest of kings, shall conquer Cyrus."

Accordingly, he quickly gathered his forces and led them into the neighbouring territory. But he was not successful. The king's army did not withstand the enemy's attack for long. The Persians put Croesus' soldiers to flight. They advanced into Lydia and laid waste all places with fire and sword; they killed people and burned villages and grain crops. Terrified, the king made for the royal palace.

Cyrus entered it. Greatly angered, Cyrus asked:

"Why, O Croesus, did you without cause bring war upon my lands? Therefore you shall pay me the severest penalty for your folly. My slaves will build a huge funeral pyre from sturdy beams; they will place you upon the pyre; then they will set fire to both you and the pyre."

27.03.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [11] (1)

CȲRUS (1)

Ōlim in Lȳdiā rēgnābat rēx, Croesus nōmine, inter omnēs gentēs propter dīvitiās nōtus. Lȳdia Asiae regiō erat, Persiae fīnitima. Nec procul, trāns mare Aegaeum, Graecī incolēbant. Deōs Graecōs adōrābat Croesus, et saepe ad ōrāculum Delphicum dōna pretiōsissima mittēbat; aurum argentumque aliāsque rēs pretiōsissimās mittēbat, nam omnium rēgum erat dīvitissimus.

Itaque Graecī Croesum amābant, et saepe viātōrēs ad Lȳdiae ōram nāvigābant. Inter viātōrēs forte Solōn, vir sapientissimus, ad Croesī hospitium vēnit. Sapientior erat quam omnēs patriae suae cīvēs. Ubi dīvitiās Croesī et omnēs rēs pulcherrimās laudāvit, tum Croesus, "Ō hospes," inquit, "nōnne mē omnium hominum beātissimum vocās? Nōnne ego beātior sum quam omnēs patriae tuae cīvēs?"

Sed Solōn, "Ō Croese," respondit, "Hodiē sine dubiō beātus es; ōlim tamen fortasse cūrae gravissimae tē vexābunt. Nēminem, adhūc vīvum, beātum vocō.

Croesus, -ī [2/m]: Croesus, king of Lydia

Cyrus, -ī [2/m]: Cyrus, king of Persia

Lydia, -ae [1/f]: Lydia, a district of Asia Minor

Persia, -ae [1/f]: Persia

Solon, -onis [3/m]: Solon, an Athenian

[i]

argentum, -ī [2/n]: silver

aurum, -ī [2/n]: gold

cūra, -ae [1/f]: care

dīvitiae, -ārum [1/f pl.]: riches

viātor, -ōris [3/m]: traveller

[ii]

beātus, -a, -um: happy, prosperous

gravis, -e: heavy, grievous

sapiēns, -entis: wise

vīvus, -a, -um: alive, living

[iii]

respondeō, -ēre [2]: reply

vexō, -āre [1]: trouble, harass

[iv]

quam: than, how

____________________

Once upon a time in Lydia there ruled a king named Croesus, known among all nations because of his wealth. Lydia was a region of Asia bordering on Persia. Not far away, across the Aegean Sea, the Greeks lived. Croesus worshipped the Greek gods, and often sent very valuable gifts to the Delphic oracle; he sent gold and silver and other very valuable things, for he was the richest of all kings.

Therefore the Greeks were fond of Croesus, and travellers often sailed to the coast of Lydia. Among these travellers, by chance, came Solon, a very wise man, to the house of Croesus. He was wiser than all the citizens of his own country. When he had praised the wealth of Croesus and all his beautiful possessions, Croesus then said:

"O guest, do you not call me the happiest of all men? Am I not happier than all the citizens of your country?"

But Solon replied:

"O Croesus, today you are undoubtedly happy; one day, however, very serious troubles may perhaps afflict you. I call no one happy while he is still alive."

21.03.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [10] (5)

ĪPHIGENĪA (5)

Dīxit, et vultū serēnō ad āram prōcessit, et vītam cum sanguine fūdit. Ubi Graecī, misericordiae et amōris plēnī, virginem fortem vīdērunt, ex omnibus mīlitibus nēmō ferē lacrimās retinuit, sed omnēs gemitum profundum dedērunt.

Graecī igitur, simul ac Diānae nūmen virginis sanguine plācāvērunt, vēla candida ventō secundō dedērunt, et ad Asiae ōram nāvigāvērunt. Ibi multōs annōs Troiam vī et armīs frūstrā oppugnābant. Tandem, deōrum immortālium auxiliō, urbem incendērunt et praedam ingentem domum reportāvērunt. Helenam quoque Menelāus Spartam ad rēgiam redūxit.

Nōnne nōbilem praeclāramque virginem Īphigenīam putātis? Īphigenīam memoriā semper tenēte, nam prō patriā libenter ē vītā excessit. Nōnne aliī multī prō patriā ē vītā excessērunt? Multī et Graecī et Rōmānī et Britannī vītam prō patriā libenter dēdidērunt.

Sparta, -ae [1/f]: Sparta, a town in Greece

[i]

amor, -ōris [3/m]: love

auxilium, -ī [2/n]: help

gemitus, -ūs [4/m]: groan

[ii]

ingēns, -gentis: huge

[iii]

dēdō, -ere [3]: give up

fundō, -ere [3]: pour

putō, -āre [1]: think

[iv]

ferē: about, almost

nēmō, -inis: no one

 

____________________

She spoke, and with a calm expression went forward to the altar and poured out her life together with her blood. When the Greeks, full of pity and love, saw the brave maiden, almost no one among all the soldiers could hold back his tears, but all uttered a deep groan.

Accordingly, as soon as they had appeased Diana's divine power with the maiden's blood, the Greeks set their white sails before a favourable wind and sailed to the coast of Asia. There for many years they attacked Troy by force and arms, but in vain. At last, with the help of the immortal gods, they burned the city and carried a huge amount of booty home. Menelaus also brought Helen back to Sparta, to his palace.

Do you not think Iphigenia was a noble and illustrious maiden? Always keep Iphigenia in your memory, for she willingly gave up her life for her country. Have not many others also given up their lives for their country? Many Greeks, Romans, and Britons have willingly given their lives for their country.

13.03.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [10] (4)

ĪPHIGENĪA (4)

Itaque magnā spē Īphigenīa ad castrā Graecōrum vēnit. Simul ac rēgem vīdit, tum cito ad patrem cucurrit,et collō cārō bracchia candida dedit. Sed ubi maestum rēgis vultum vīdit, "Cūr," inquit, "mī pater, vultū maestō, capite dēmissō fīliam tuam salūtās? Nōnne libenter fīliam vidēs?"

Tum Agamemnōn tōtam rem nārrāvit. Ubi autem Īphigenīa dīrum ōrāculī respōnsum audīvit, tum vērō gelidus tremor per omnēs puellae artūs cucurrit. Humī sē prōstrāvit, et patris genua manūsque prehendit. Multīs lacrimīs veniam ōrāvit. "Numquamne," inquit, "chorus iuvenum domum ad marītum mē dūcent? Numquamne līberōs dulcēs vidēbō et parvulōs bracchiīs meīs tenēbō, sed innūpta ad Mānēs dēscendam?"

Sed ubi fātum fīxum immōtumque sēnsit, tum vērō animum ad mortem firmāvit et fortem nōbilemque puellam sē praebuit. "Nōn mortem," inquit, "sed ignāviam recūsō. Libenter ad Mānēs dēscendam; morte meā Graecōs mīlitēs et Graeciam patriam cōnservābō. Nōn innūpta, nōn sine līberīs dulcibus ad Īnferōs dēscendam. Hādēs mē in mātrimōnium dūcet; mīlitēs Graecī et Graecia patria mihi prō līberīs erunt. Ita et Īnferī et Superī mē in summō honōre habēbunt, quia libenter prō patriā ē vītā excesserō.”

Hādēs, -ae [1/m]: Hades, the god of the dead (The realm of the dead)

Mānēs, -ium [3/m pl]: departed spirits, gods of the dead

Superī, -ōrum [2/m pl]: the people above, i.e. the living or the gods

[i]

artūs, -uum [4/m pl]: limbs

bracchium, -ī [2/n]: arm

chorus, -ī [2/m]: band, group

collum, -ī [2/n]: neck

fātum, -ī [2/n]: fate

genu, -ūs [4/n]: knee

ignāvia, -ae [1/f]: cowardice

manus, -ūs [4/f]: hand

marītus, -ī [2/m]: husband

mors, mortis [3/f]: death

rēs, reī [5/f]: thing, affair

spēs, speī [5/f]: hope

tremor, -ōris [3/m]: trembling, tremor

venia, -ae [1/f]: favour, pardon

vultus, -ūs [4/m]: face, expression

[ii]

dēmissus, -a, -um: cast down

dulcis, -e: sweet

fixus, -a, -um: fixed

immōtus, -a, -um: motionless, immovable

innupta, -ae: unwedded

nōbilis, -e: noble, famous

[iii]

descendō, -ere [3]: go down

excēdō, -ere [3]: depart; ē vītā excēdō: die, depart out of life

praebeō, -ēre [2]: show, furnish, offer

prehendō, -ere [3]: seize

recūsō, -āre [1]: refuse

salūtō, -āre [1]: greet

sentiō, -īre [4]: feel, realize

[iv]

cūr: why

nōnne: an adverb, showing that the question expects the answer "yes"

simul: at the same time; simul āc: as soon as

____________________

Accordingly, Iphigenia came to the camp of the Greeks with great hope. As soon as she saw the king, she quickly ran to her father and threw her white arms around his dear neck. But when she saw the king's sorrowful expression, she said:

“Why, my father, do you greet your daughter with a sorrowful face and downcast head? Surely you are glad to see your daughter?”

Then Agamemnon told her the whole story. But when Iphigenia heard the dreadful answer of the oracle, a cold shudder ran through all the girl's limbs. She threw herself upon the ground and clasped her father's knees and hands. With many tears she begged for mercy.

“Will no band of young men ever lead me from home to a husband? Shall I never see sweet children and hold little ones in my arms, but instead descend unwedded to the spirits of the dead?”

But when she realized that her fate was fixed and unchangeable, she strengthened her mind for death and showed herself a brave and noble girl.

“It is not death that I refuse,” she said, “but cowardice. I shall gladly descend to the spirits of the dead; by my death I shall save the Greek soldiers and my fatherland, Greece. I shall not descend to the Underworld unwedded and without sweet children. Hades will take me in marriage; the Greek soldiers and my country Greece will be my children. Thus both those below and those above will hold me in the highest honour, because I shall willingly have given up my life for my country.”

08.04.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [11] (2)

CȲRUS (2)

Post paucōs annōs Cȳrus, Persārum prīnceps, cōpiās in Mēdōrum agrōs dūxit, et tōtam regiōnem celeriter vīcit. Itaque et Mēdiae et Persiae, ingentis rēgnī, rēx erat.

Croesus, ubi cīvēs Cȳrī facta nūntiāvērunt, "Sī Cȳrus," inquit, "adhūc adolēscēns, tam celeriter Mēdōs superāvit, sine dubiō ego, rēx maximus dīvitissimusque, Cȳrum superābō."

Cōpiās igitur cito collēgit et in fīnitimōs agrōs dūxit. Sed nōn bene rem gessit. Nōn diū rēgis exercitus hostium impetum sustinēbat. Persae Croesī mīlitēs fugāvērunt. In Lȳdiam contendērunt et omnia loca ferrō et ignī vastāvērunt; hominēs necāvērunt; vīcōs et frūmentum incendērunt. Rēx perterritus rēgiam petīvit. Eō intrāvit Cȳrus. Cȳrus, vehementer īrātus, "Cūr, Ō Croese," rogāvit, "sine causā bellum in agrōs meōs intulistī? Tū igitur stultitiae tuae poenās gravissimās mihi dabis. Servī meī rogum ingentem trabibus validīs aedificābunt; tē in rogum impōnent; tum tē rogumque incendent."

Media, -ae [1/f]: Media, a country south of the Caspian Sea

[i]

cōpiae, -ārum [1/f pl.]: forces

ferrum, -ī [2/n]: iron, sword

impetus, -ūs [4/m]: attack

Medī, -ōrum [2/m pl.]: Medes

Persae, -ārum [1/m pl.]: Persians

rogus, -ī [2/m]: funeral pile

trabs, trabis [3/f]: beam

[ii]

maximus, -a, -um: greatest, very great

[iii]

colligō, -ere [3]: collect

gerō, -ere [3]: carry on; rem bene gerō: succeed

inferō, inferre: bring into, inflict on

nūntiō, -āre [1]: announce

superō, -āre [1]: overcome

sustineō, -ēre [2]: hold up, sustain

vastō, -āre [1]: devastate, destroy

____________________

After a few years Cyrus, leader of the Persians, led an army into the territory of the Medes and quickly conquered the whole region. Therefore he became king of both Media and Persia, a vast kingdom.

When the subjects of Cyrus reported these deeds, Croesus said:

"If Cyrus, still a young man, has conquered the Medes so quickly, then surely I, the greatest and richest of kings, shall conquer Cyrus."

Accordingly, he quickly gathered his forces and led them into the neighbouring territory. But he was not successful. The king's army did not withstand the enemy's attack for long. The Persians put Croesus' soldiers to flight. They advanced into Lydia and laid waste all places with fire and sword; they killed people and burned villages and grain crops. Terrified, the king made for the royal palace.

Cyrus entered it. Greatly angered, Cyrus asked:

"Why, O Croesus, did you without cause bring war upon my lands? Therefore you shall pay me the severest penalty for your folly. My slaves will build a huge funeral pyre from sturdy beams; they will place you upon the pyre; then they will set fire to both you and the pyre."

06.03.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [10] (3)

ĪPHIGENĪA (3)

Rēx, ubi ōrāculī respōnsum audīvit, diū sēcum lacrimābat. "Est mihi domī," inquit, "fīlia cāra, Īphigenīa nōmine, sēdecim annōrum puella. Sine dubiō Diāna Īphigenīam victimam petit. Dīra et crūdēlis est dea; sed nōn sine dīs immortālibus ad urbem Trōiam nāvigābimus, et Helenam ex urbe perfidā domum reportābimus."

Nūntium igitur ad Clytaemnēstram, uxōrem suam, mīsit. "Ō Rēgīna," inquit, "fīliam nostrum ad nūptiās ōrnā, et cum fīdīs cūstōdibus ad portum mitte. Achillēs, vir fortis et praeclārus, virginem in mātrimōnium dūcet."

Clytaemnēstra, ubi rēgis dicta audīvit, magnō gaudiō fīliam ad nūptiās parāvit; gemmīs pretiōsīs, vestīmentīs pictīs, puellam ōrnāvit, et tandem cum fīdīs cūstōdibus ad portum mīsit.

Achillēs, -is [3/m]: Achilles, a Greek hero, who fought at Troy

Clytaemnestra, -ae [1/f]: Clytaemnestra, wife of Agamemnon

Īphigenīa, -ae [1/f]: Iphigeneia, daughter of Agamemnon

[i]

custōs, -ōdis [3 m/f]: guard, sentinel

dubium, -ī [2/n]: doubt

gemma, -ae [1/f]: jewel

mātrimōnium, -ī [2/n]: marriage

nuptiae, -ārum [1/f pl]: marriage

[ii]

fīdus, -a, -um: faithful

immortālis, -e: immortal

pretīōsus, -a, -um: precious

[iii]

audiō, -īre [4]: I hear

____________________

The king, when he heard the oracle's answer, wept to himself for a long time.

“I have at home,” he said, “a dear daughter, a girl of sixteen years, named Iphigenia. Without doubt Diana demands Iphigenia as a sacrifice. The goddess is dreadful and cruel; but we shall not sail to the city of Troy without the immortal gods, nor shall we bring Helen home from the treacherous city.”

Accordingly he sent a messenger to Clytaemnestra, his wife.

“O Queen,” he said, “dress our daughter for a wedding and send her to the harbour with trustworthy guards. Achilles, a brave and famous man, will take the maiden in marriage.”

When Clytaemnestra heard the king's words, she prepared her daughter for the wedding with great joy; she adorned the girl with precious jewels and embroidered garments, and at last sent her to the harbour with faithful guards.

28.02.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [10] (2)

ĪPHIGENĪA (2)

Menelāus, ubi hospitis perfidiam vīdit, ad frātrem contendit et omnia nārrāvit. Agamemnōn īrā terribilī exclāmāvit, "Perfidus est Paris; perfidum est tōtum Troiānōrum genus, sed perfidiae stultitiaeque poenās dabunt. Tōtum exercitum meum ad ōram maritimam convocābō; equitēs peditēsque in nāvēs impōnēmus, et terrā marīque Troiam oppugnābimus. Ita urbem scelerātam excidēmus et genus perfidum ad Īnferōs mittēmus. Praedam quoque multam nōs domum reportābimus. Tū quoque Helenam tēcum domum ad rēgiam tuam redūcēs."

Agamemnōn igitur tōtum exercitum ad portum convocāvit. Multī equitēs multī peditēs aderant; prīncipēs quoque omnēs ē tōtā Graeciā eō convēnērunt. Sed ventī adversī nāvēs in portū diū retinēbant. Itaque Agamemnōn nūntium ad ōrāculum Delphicum mīsit, et ā deō respōnsum petīvit. Trīste et terribile respōnsum dedit Apollō; "Propter īram Diāna nāvēs Graecās in portū retinet, nec ventōs secundōs dat. Numquam Graecī ad Asiam nāvigābunt nisi virginis sanguine deae nūmen plācāverint."

Apollo, -inis [3/m]: Apollo, god of the sun

Asia, -ae [1/f]: Asia

Delphicus, -a, -um: Delphic, belonging to Delphi

Diāna, -ae [1/f]: Diana, goddess of hunting and the moon

[i]

domus, -ūs [4/f]: house, home; domī: at home

exercitus, -ūs [4/m]: army

genus, -eris [3/n]: sort, kind, race

ōrāculum, -ī [2/n]: oracle

perfidia, -ae [1/f]: treachery

poena, -ae [1/f]: penalty, punishment; poenās dō: I pay the penalty

portus, -ūs [4/m]: harbour

responsum, -ī [2/n]: answer

sanguis, -inis [3/m]: blood

stultitia, -ae [1/f]: folly

[ii]

adversus, -a, -um: adverse, hostile

terribilis, -e: terrible

tristis, -e: sad

[iii]

adsum, adesse [irreg]: am present

conveniō, -īre [4]: come together

petō, -ere [3]: seek

plācō, -āre [1]: appease

redūcō, -ere [3]: lead back; bring back

reportō, -āre [1]: carry back / off

retineō, -ēre [2]: hold back, restrain

[iv]

eō: thither

nisi: unless, except

nunquam: never

____________________

Menelaus, when he saw the treachery of his guest, hurried to his brother and told him everything. Agamemnon exclaimed in terrible anger:

“Paris is treacherous; the whole race of the Trojans is treacherous, but they shall pay the penalty for their treachery and folly. I shall summon my whole army to the seashore; we shall put cavalry and infantry aboard ships, and we shall attack Troy by land and sea. Thus we shall destroy the wicked city and send the treacherous race down to the Underworld. We shall also carry a great deal of booty home. You too will bring Helen back home with you to your palace.”

Accordingly, Agamemnon summoned his entire army to the harbour. Many horsemen and many foot soldiers were present; all the princes from the whole of Greece also gathered there. But adverse winds kept the ships in the harbour for a long time. Therefore Agamemnon sent a messenger to the Delphic oracle and sought an answer from the god.

Apollo gave a sad and terrible answer:

“Because of her anger, Diana is keeping the Greek ships in the harbour and is not giving favourable winds. The Greeks will never sail to Asia unless they appease the goddess’s divine power with the blood of a maiden.”

23.02.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [10] (1)

ĪPHIGENĪA (1)

In Graeciā frātrēs duo, Agamemnōn et Menelāus nōmine, ōlim habitābant. Graecī frātrēs Atrīdās vocābant, quod Atreī fīliī erant, Agamemnōn omnium Argīvōrum rēx erat. Menelāus Lacedaemoniōs regēbat. Helenē, uxor Menelāī, praeclāra et fōrmōsa rēgīna, cum virō in rēgiā multōs annōs habitābat. Sed tandem Paris, Troiānōrum prīnceps, ad hospitium Menelāī vēnit.

Perfidus et ignāvus erat hospes, sed pictīs vestīmentīs, nitidīs capillīs fulgēbat. Diū in rēgiā manēbat, et grātus rēgīnae animō erat hospes fōrmōsus. Tandem nocte obscūrā Helenam fūrtim raptāvit et in nāvem imposuit. Vēla candida ventīs secundīs dedit, et trāns mare ad urbem Trōiam properāvit.

Agamemnōn, -onis [3/m]: Agamemnon, king of Argos

Argīvus, -ī [2/m]: Argive, native of Argos

Atreus, -ī [2/m]: Atreus, father of Agamemnon and Menelaus

Atrīdae, -ārum [1/m pl]: sons of Atreus

Graecia, -ae [1/f]: Greece

Helenē, -ēs [1/f]: Helen of Troy, wife of Menelaus

Lacedaemonius, -ī [2/m]: a Lacedaemonian, Spartan

Menelāus, -ī [2/m]: Menelaus, king of Sparta

Paris, -idis [3/m]: Paris, a prince of Troy

Trōia, -ae [1/f]: Troy, a town at the entrance to the Dardanelles

Trōiānus, -ī [2/m]: a Trojan

[i]

hospes, -itis [3 m/f]: guest, host

hospitium, -ī [2/n]: hospitality

nox, noctis [3/f]: night

rēgia, -ae [1/f]: palace

vestīmentum, -ī [2/n]: dress, garment

[ii]

nitidus, -a, -um: shining

obscūrus, -a, -um: dark, dim

perfidus, -a, -um: treacherous

pictus, -a, -um: painted, embroidered

[iii]

veniō, -īre [4]: come

____________________

Once upon a time in Greece there lived two brothers named Agamemnon and Menelaus. The Greeks called the brothers the Atreidae because they were the sons of Atreus. Agamemnon was king of all the Argives. Menelaus ruled the Lacedaemonians (Spartans).

Helen, the wife of Menelaus, a famous and beautiful queen, lived with her husband in the royal palace for many years. But at last Paris, prince of the Trojans, came as a guest to the house of Menelaus.

The guest was treacherous and cowardly, but he shone in colourful clothing and with gleaming hair. He stayed in the palace for a long time, and the handsome guest was pleasing to the queen's heart. At last, on a dark night, he secretly abducted Helen and placed her on a ship. He gave the white sails to favourable winds and hastened across the sea to the city of Troy.

03.02.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (6)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (6)

Horātius iam in hostibus sōlus manēbat. Sed adhūc impavidus in flūminis rīpā stābat, et Tiberim ōrāvit: "Ō Tiberīne pater, tē omnēs Rōmānī adōrāmus; tē patrem vocāmus; tū hodiē Rōmānī mīlitis vītam cōnservābis, et undīs tuīs tūtum portābis."

Dīxit, et in spūmōsās Tiberīs undās dēsiluit. Multīs vulneribus et onere armōrum fessus, vix in undīs spūmōsīs natāvit, sed Tiberīnus pater tam fortem Rōmānum ad alteram rīpam tulit et tūtum ad cīvēs sollicitōs portāvit.

Magna fuit īra Etrūscōrum, magnum gaudium Rōmānōrum. Nōmen igitur Horātiī inter Rōmānōs et per tōtum orbem terrārum semper erat nōtum et praeclārum, quod prō patriā fortiter pugnāverat. Et omnēs Rōmānī Tiberim flūmen semper adōrābant, et ad flūminis rīpās dōna libenter ferēbant, quia omnium Rōmānōrum est pater, et urbem Rōmam fortemque Rōmānum ē ferōcibus Etrūscīs cōnservāvit.

Amātīsne Graecās Rōmānāsque fābulās? Sī fābulae vōs dēlectant, vōs verba mea in tabulīs scrībite, et magistrō vestrō recitāte. Ita fābulās praeclārās semper memoriā tenēbitis. Post paucōs annōs vōs, iam adolēscentēs, multās aliās fābulās lēgētis.

Horatius was now left alone among the enemy. But still, unafraid, he stood on the river bank and prayed to the Tiber: “O father Tiberinus, all the Romans worship you; we call you father. You today will preserve the life of a Roman soldier, and you will carry me safely on your waters.”

Hanc ōlim veterēs vītam coluēre Sabīnī,

hanc Remus et frāter, sīc fortis Etrūria crēvit

scīlicet et rērum facta est pulcherrima Rōma,

septemque ūna sibi mūrō circumdedit arcēs.

Vergilius, Geōrgicon II.532-535

[i]

nōmen, nōminis [3/n]: name

onus, oneris [3/n]: burden

rīpa, -ae [1/f]: bank

Tiberīnus, -ī [2/m]: the god of the river Tiber

vulnus, vulneris [3/n]: wound

[ii]

dēsiliō, -īre [4]: jump down

dīcō, -ere [3]: say

tulī: part of ferō (I carried / I brought)

[iii]

hodiē: today

vix: scarcely

____________________

He spoke, and leapt into the foaming waves of the Tiber. Weakened by many wounds and the weight of his armour, he scarcely swam in the foaming waters, but Father Tiberinus carried so brave a Roman to the opposite bank and brought him safely to the anxious citizens.

Great was the anger of the Etruscans, great the joy of the Romans. Therefore the name of Horatius was always known and celebrated among the Romans and throughout the whole world, because he had fought bravely for his country. And all the Romans always worshipped the river Tiber and gladly brought gifts to its banks, because it is the father of all Romans, and it preserved the city of Rome and a brave Roman from the savage Etruscans.

Do you love Greek and Roman stories? If stories delight you, write my words in your notebooks and recite them to your teacher. In this way you will always keep famous stories in your memory. After a few years, you, now adolescents, will read many other stories.

Hanc ōlim veterēs vītam coluēre Sabīnī, | At one time ancient Sabines led this life,

hanc Remus et frāter, sīc fortis Etrūria crēvit | and Remus and his brother, thus Etruria grew strong,

scīlicet et rērum facta est pulcherrima Rōma, | no doubt, and Rome became the finest of all things,

septemque ūna sibi mūrō circumdedit arcēs. | and surrounded with a single wall her seven citadels.

Vergilius, Geōrgicon II.532-535

27.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (5)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (5)

Cīvēs Rōmānī intereā pontem summīs vīribus excīdunt. Mox pontem in flūmen prōsternent. Tum Lartius et Herminius hastās in hostem iaciunt, et summīs vīribus per pontem in tūtum locum ruunt. Horātius autem adhūc in extrēmō ponte stat, et sōlus in Etrūscōs ferōciter pugnat.

Rōmānī autem, iam terrōris plēnī, "Ō Horātī retrō," exclāmant, "retrō – nunc tūta est via; mox nūllus pōns trāns flūmen erit, et hostēs tē vincent et necābunt." Sed magnō fragōre pōns in flūmen cecidit, et inter undās spūmōsās omnia ad pontum natābant.

[i]

vīs, vīs [3/f]: force; (plural) vīrēs, -ium: (overwhelming) force, strength; summīs vīribus:  with all one’s strength

[ii]

iaciō, -ere [3-iō]: I throw

[iii]

spūmōsus, -a, -um: foamy

tūtus, -a, -um: safe

[iv]

retrō: back, backward

____________________

The Roman citizens meanwhile are cutting down the bridge with all their strength. Soon they will cast the bridge into the river. Then Lartius and Herminius throw their spears at the enemy, and with all their strength rush across the bridge to a safe place. But Horatius still stands at the end of the bridge, and alone he is fighting fiercely against the Etruscans.

But the Romans, now full of fear, cry out: “O Horatius, go back! Go back – now the way is safe; soon there will be no bridge across the river, and the enemy will defeat and kill you.” But with a great crash the bridge fell into the river, and among the foaming waves everything was floating toward the sea.

20.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (4)

 HORĀTIUS COCLES (4)

Trēs igitur Rōmānī in angustō locō stetērunt. Nec Etrūscī pugnam dētrectāvērunt. Trēs prīncipēs contrā Rōmānōs prōcēdunt. Superbī et splendidī sunt prīncipēs; gladiīs coruscīs in Horātium et comitēs prōcēdunt. Horātius autem in hostem fulminis modō ruit, et prīnceps Etrūscus magnō fragōre ad terram cecidit. Lartius quoque et Herminius hostēs validīs hastīs vulnerāvērunt et humī prōstrāvērunt. Iterum Etrūscī mīlitēs fortēs ferōcēsque in Rōmānōs mīsērunt; iterum Rōmānī Etrūscōs necāvērunt.

Diū et ācriter pugnābant. Iam multa hostium corpora humī iacēbant. Etrūscī timēbant, et Sextum, Tarquiniī fīlium, incitāvērunt. Sed Sextus quoque Horātium timēbat et pugnam dētrectāvit, nec in Rōmānōs, tam dīrōs hostēs, prōcessit.

[i]

comes, comitis [3 m/f]: companion

humus, -ī [2/f]: ground; humī: on the ground

prīnceps, principis [3 m/f]: chief, prince

[ii]

cadō, -ere [3]: fall

dētrectō, -āre [1]: shirk, refuse

mittō, -ere [3]: send

procēdō, -ere [3]: advance; go forward

vulnerō, -āre [1]: wound

[iii]

dīrus, -a, -um: dreadful

[iv]

ācriter: keenly

modō: after the manner of; abl. of modus, -ī [2/m]: manner; way

____________________

So the three Romans stood in a narrow place. And the Etruscans did not avoid the battle. Three leaders advance against the Romans. The leaders are proud and splendid; they advance against Horatius and his companions with flashing swords. But Horatius rushed at the enemy like a thunderbolt, and the Etruscan leader fell to the ground with a great crash. Lartius and also Herminius wounded the enemy with strong spears and threw them to the ground. Again the Etruscan soldiers sent brave and fierce men against the Romans; again the Romans killed the Etruscans.

For a long time they fought fiercely. Now many bodies of the enemy were lying on the ground. The Etruscans were afraid, and they urged on Sextus, the son of Tarquin. But Sextus too was afraid of Horatius and avoided the battle, and did not advance against the Romans, such terrible enemies.

13.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (3)

 HORĀTIUS COCLES (3)

Hostēs ante urbis mūrōs castra posuērunt. Castra vāllō et fossā firmāvērunt. Tum ē castrīs excessērunt et moenia Rōmāna oppugnāvērunt. Fortiter et ferōciter pugnābant Rōmānī, sed Etrūscī validī Rōmānōs paene vīcērunt. Iam ē parte urbis Rōmānōs fugāverant; iam omnia trāns flūmen vīcerant. Terrōris plēnī cōnsulēs, "Ecce!" inquiunt, "prope pontem sunt! Sī pontem tenēbunt, tōtam urbem vincent."

Tum Horātius, vir fortis, "Ō cōnsulēs," inquit, "in extrēmō ponte angustus est locus; multī sunt hostēs, sed paucī sōlum ibi intrābunt. Vōs pontem cito excidētis, ego cum duōbus amīcīs contrā hostēs in angustō locō pugnābō. Ita omnēs prō ārīs templīsque Rōmānīs, prō uxōribus līberīsque, prō sacrīs virginibus pugnābimus. Ita urbem Rōmam cōnservābimus. Quis mēcum in extrēmō ponte stābit et contrā Etrūscōs pugnābit?"

Tum Lartius, "Ego," inquit, "ā dextrā stābō, et pontem tēcum cōnservābō"; et magnā vōce Herminius, "Ego," inquit, "ā sinistrā stābō et pontem tēcum cōnservābō."

[i]

castra, -ōrum [2/n/pl]: camp

flūmen, flūminis [3/n]: river

fossa, -ae [1/f]: ditch

Herminius, -ī [2/m]: Herminius

Lartius, -ī [2/m]: Lartius

Both referred to at:

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

mūrus, -ī [2/m]: wall

pars, partis [3/f]: part

pons, pontis [3/m]: bridge

vallum, -ī [2/n]: rampart

[ii]

excedō, -ere [3]: go out

intrō, -āre [1]: enter

oppugnō, -āre [1]: attack

pōnō, -ere [3]: put, place

vincō, -ere [3]: conquer

[iii]

angustus, -a, -um: narrow

fortis, -e: brave

[iv]

ferōciter: fiercely

paene: almost

contrā + acc: against

quī, quae, quod: who? what?

____________________

The enemy set up camp in front of the city walls. They strengthened the camp with a rampart and ditch. Then they went out from the camp and attacked the Roman walls. The Romans were fighting bravely and fiercely, but the strong Etruscans nearly defeated the Romans. Already they had driven the Romans from part of the city; already they had conquered everything beyond the river. The consuls, full of terror, say: “Look! They are near the bridge! If they hold the bridge, they will conquer the whole city.”

Then Horatius, a brave man, said: “O consuls, at the end of the bridge there is a narrow place; there are many enemies, but only a few will enter there. You will quickly cut down the bridge; I with two friends will fight against the enemy in the narrow place. Thus we shall fight for the Roman altars and temples, for our wives and children, for the sacred Vestal virgins. Thus we shall preserve the city of Rome. Who will stand with me at the end of the bridge and fight against the Etruscans?”

Then Lartius said, “I will stand on the right side and preserve the bridge with you”; and with a loud voice Herminius said, “I will stand on the left side and preserve the bridge with you.”

07.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (2)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (2)

Intereā Porsennae facta Rōmānōs nōn fefellērunt. Virginēs vestālēs prope ignem sacrum deōs ōrābant; mātrōnae cum līberīs suīs dōna ad templa ferēbant; senēs victimās in ārīs mactābant; iuvenēs in Campō Mārtiō sē ad arma proeliumque parābant, et moenia multō labōre firmābant; vigilēs in moenibus stābant et campōs clīvōsque spectābant.

Subitō vigilēs corusca Etrūscōrum arma procul vīdērunt. Mox inter hostēs Porsennam, et Porsennae ā dextrā Sextum, vīdērunt. Deinde cīvēs odiī et terrōris plēnī magnā vōce clāmāvērunt et animōs ad proelium firmāvērunt. Sed cōnsulēs timēbant, quod paucī erant Rōmānī, multī et validī hostēs.

[i]

cōnsul, -is [3/m]: consul, chief magistrate at Rome

dextra, -ae [1/f]: right hand; ā dextrā: on the right

hostis, -is [3 m/f]: enemy

ignis, -is [3/m]: fire

mātrōna, -ae [1/f]: matron

moenia, -ium [n pl]: town walls

odium, -ī [2/n]: hatred

proelium, -ī [2/n]: battle

senex, senis [3 m/f]: old person

vigil, -is [3/m]: sentinel

[ii]

firmō, -āre [1]: strengthen

[iii]

paucī, -ae, -a: few

sacer, -cra, -crum: sacred

Vestālis, -e: Vestal, belonging to Vesta

____________________

Meanwhile Porsenna’s actions did not deceive / escape the Romans’ notice. The Vestal Virgins were praying to the gods near the sacred fire; the matrons were carrying gifts to the temples together with their children; the old men were sacrificing victims on the altars; the young men were preparing themselves on the Campus Martius for weapons and battle, and were strengthening the walls with great effort; the watchmen stood on the walls and observed the fields and slopes.

Suddenly the watchmen saw the flashing weapons of the Etruscans in the distance. Soon they saw Porsenna among the enemy, and on Porsenna’s right Sextus. Then the citizens, full of hatred and fear, cried out loudly and steeled their spirits for battle. But the consuls were afraid, because the Romans were few, and the enemy many and strong.

01.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (1)

It stands in the Comitium,

Plain for all folk to see ;

Horatius in his harness.

Halting upon one knee :

And underneath is written.

In letters all of gold.

How valiantly he kept the bridge

In the brave days of old.

(Macaulay)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (1)

Rōmānī alterum Horātium memoriā tenēbant et in summō honōre habēbant. Post Rōmulum sex rēgēs deinceps in urbe rēgnābant. Sed Tarquinius, ultimus rēgum, superbus et crūdēlis erat. Nec iūra bona populō dabat, nec cīvitātem bene gubernābat. Itaque Rōmānī Tarquinium et Sextum, Tarquiniī fīlium, crūdēlem ferōcemque adolēscentem, ex urbe expulērunt. "Nōn iam," inquiunt, "Rōmānīs rēgēs erunt. Cīvēs Rōmānī, nōn rēgēs, urbem cīvitātemque regent."

Intereā Tarquinius ad Porsennam, omnis Etrūriae rēgem, contendit, et omnia nārrāvit. Porsenna, "Ō amīce," inquit, "nōn ferendae sunt iniūriae tuae, nōn ferendae sunt fīliī tuī iniūriae. Multī equitēs, multī peditēs mihi sunt. Equitēs peditēsque meōs omnēs convocābō, et cum multīs mīlitibus tē tuumque fīlium ad urbem scelerātam dūcēmus. Iterum in urbe rēgnābis."

Itaque per tōtam Etrūriam, per clīvōs et agrōs nūntiī contendērunt, et ex omnibus vīcīs Etrūscōs ad arma convocāvērunt. Splendida erant arma Etrūscōrum; cristae rubrae in galeīs horrēbant; scūta lūce coruscā fulgēbant. Porsenna cum mīlitibus Rōmam contendit. Per omnēs vīcōs agricolae vehementer timēbant. Etrūscī frūmentum casāsque incendērunt, arborēs excidērunt, mulierēs līberōsque necāvērunt, multam praedam raptāvērunt.

[i]

amīcus, -ī [2/m]: friend

crista, -ae [1/f]: crest

eques, equitis [3/m]: horseman, knight

Etrūria, -ae [1/f]: Etruria (district of Italy)

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

Etruscus, -ī [2/m]: an Etruscan

Horātius Cocles [3/m]: Horatius Cocles (Roman hero)

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

iniūria, -ae [1/f]: injury, wrong

mulier, mulieris [3/f]: woman

nūntius, -ī [2/m]: messenger

pēs, pedis [3/m]: foot soldier

Porsenna, -ae [1/m]: Porsenna (king of Clusium in Etruria)

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

Tarquinius, -ī [2/m]: Tarquin (last king of Rome)

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

vīcus, -ī [2/m]: village

[ii]

alter, -a, -um: the other

coruscus, -a, -um: flashing

crūdēlis, -e: cruel

ferendus, -a, -um: bearable, to be borne

ferōx, ferōcis: fierce

omnis, -e: all, every

superbus, -a, -um: proud

ultimus, -a, -um: last

[iii]

dūcō, -ere [3]: lead

excīdō, -ere [3]: cut down, destroy

expellō, -ere [3]: drive out

incendō, -ere [3]: burn

regō, -ere [3]: rule

[iv]

deinceps: in turn

____________________

The Romans kept the other Horatius in memory and held him in the highest honour. After Romulus, six kings ruled in succession in the city. But Tarquin, the last of the kings, was proud and cruel. He gave the people no good laws, nor did he govern the state well. Therefore the Romans drove out Tarquin and Sextus, the son of Tarquin, a cruel and fierce young man, from the city. “No longer,” they say, “will there be kings for the Romans. Roman citizens, not kings, will rule the city and the state.”

Meanwhile Tarquin went to Porsenna, king of all Etruria, and told him everything. Porsenna said, “O friend, your wrongs are not to be borne, your son’s wrongs are not to be borne. I have many horsemen, many foot-soldiers. I will gather all my horsemen and foot-soldiers, and with many soldiers we will lead you and your son to the wicked city. You will rule again in the city.”

And so through all Etruria, through the hills and fields, messengers hurried, and from all the villages they summoned the Etruscans to arms. The weapons of the Etruscans were splendid; red crests bristled on their helmets; their shields shone with flashing light. Porsenna marched to Rome with his soldiers. Through all the villages the farmers were greatly afraid. The Etruscans burned grain and houses, cut down trees, killed women and children, and carried off much plunder.

27.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [8] (3)

BACCHUS ET PĪRĀTAE (3)

Ubi autem Bacchus ē somnō sē excitāvit, et undās caeruleās undique vīdit, tum nec īrātus nec perterritus, "Nōn ego," inquit, "stultōs ignāvōsque timeō; mox tamen pīrātae nūmen meum vidēbunt et vehementer timēbunt."

Tum ē mediā nāve vītis flōrēbat et in altum ascendēbat. Ē vīte rāmī, ē rāmīs pampinī flōrēbant, et dē summīs rāmīs ūvae purpureae pendēbant. Nōn iam candida erant vēla, sed lūce purpureā fulgēbant.

Ubi nautae vītem mīram in mediā nāve vīdērunt, tum magnō timōre deum spectāvērunt; capillī in capitibus horruērunt. Subitō ex undīs tigrēs leōnēsque saevī in nāvem ascendērunt et in nautās perterritōs cucurrērunt. Pīrātae, terrōris plēnī, ē nāve in mare sē prōstrāvērunt. Deinde Iuppiter propter misericordiam hominēs in delphīnōs convertit.

Intereā Neptūnus vēla purpurea ventīs secundīs implēvit, et sōlus sub vītium umbrā Bacchus ad terrās longinquās nāvigāvit.

[i]

delphīn, -inis [3/m]: dolphin

ego: I

leō, leōnis [3/m]: lion

lūx, lūcis [3/f]: light

misericordia, -ae [1/f]: pity

Neptūnus, -ī [2/m]: Neptune, god of the sea

rāmus, -ī [2/m]: branch

terror, -ōris [3/m]: terror

tigris, -is [3 m/f]: tiger

vēlum, -ī [2/n]: sail

[ii]

ascendō, -ere [3]: climb

convertō, -ere [3]: turn, change

currō, -ere [3]: run

impleō, -ēre [2]: fill

pendeō, -ēre [2]: hang

[iii]

candidus, -a, -um: white

secundus, -a, -um: favourable

____________________

But when Bacchus roused himself from sleep and saw the blue waves on every side, he was neither angry nor afraid. “I,” he said, “do not fear foolish and cowardly men; soon, however, the pirates will see my divine power and will be greatly afraid.”

Then from the middle of the ship a vine began to grow and climbed high. From the vine branches spread, from the branches vine-leaves grew, and from the topmost branches purple grapes were hanging. The sails were no longer white, but were gleaming with a purple light.

When the sailors saw the strange vine in the middle of the ship, then with great fear they looked at the god; their hair stood on end. Suddenly from the waves savage tigers and lions climbed onto the ship and ran at the terrified sailors. The pirates, full of terror, threw themselves from the ship into the sea. Then Jupiter, out of pity, changed the men into dolphins.

Meanwhile Neptune filled the purple sails with favourable winds, and Bacchus, alone beneath the shade of the vine, sailed on to distant lands.

22.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [8] (2)

BACCHUS ET PĪRĀTAE (2)

Deus, ubi trāns mare Aegaeum quondam nāvigābat, ad īnsulam parvam nāvem gubernāvit, et errōribus longīs fessus, sē in ōrā maritimā prōstrāvit et somnō placidō corpus animumque recreābat. Mox autem pīrātae quoque, malī hominēs, nāvem ad īnsulam impulērunt.

Ubi iuvenem fōrmōsum in ōrā vīdērunt, tum vērō magnō gaudiō, "Ecce!" inquiunt, "nōn sine praedā ad patriam nostram nāvigābimus. Hominem raptābimus et in nāvem fūrtim impōnēmus, tum cito cum captīvō ad Āfricam nāvem impellēmus. Āfricae incolae servōs dēsīderant, et pecūniam multam nōbīs dabunt, sī nōs iuvenem tam pulchrum trādiderimus."

Tum pīrātae, malī ignāvīque hominēs, deum raptāvērunt et in nāvem imposuērunt; nec tamen iuvenem fessum ē somnō excitāvērunt.

[i]

Africa, -ae [1/f]: Africa

captīvus, -ī [2/m]: captive

incola, -ae [1 m/f]: inhabitant

mare, -is [3/n]: sea

nāvis, -is [3/f]: ship

praeda, -ae [1/f]: plunder

[ii]

excitō, -āre [1]: arouse

impellō, -ere [3]: impel, drive

impōnō, -ere [3]: put in or on

prosternō, -ere [3]: prostrate, overthrow

trādō, -ere [3]: hand over

[iii]

Aegaeus, -a, -um: Aegean

ignāvus, -a, -um: cowardly, base

[iv]

nōs: we

sē: himself, herself, itself (reflexive)

sī: if

sine (+ abl.): without

tam: so

trans (+ acc.): across

vēro: indeed

quondam: once upon a time

____________________

Once, when the god was sailing across the Aegean Sea, he steered his ship toward a small island, and, weary from long wanderings, he stretched himself out on the seashore and refreshed both body and mind with peaceful sleep. Soon, however, pirates also—wicked men—drove their ship to the island.

When they saw the handsome young man on the shore, then indeed with great delight they said, “Look! We shall not sail to our homeland without plunder. We shall seize the man and secretly put him on board the ship; then we shall quickly drive the ship with the captive to Africa. The inhabitants of Africa desire slaves, and will give us much money if we hand over so handsome a young man.”

Then the pirates, wicked and cowardly men, carried off the god and put him on the ship; and yet they did not rouse the weary youth from sleep.

18.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [8] (1)

BACCHUS ET PĪRĀTAE (1)

Inter deōs Rōmānōs agricolae nōn sōlum Cererem sed Bacchum quoque adōrābant et in summō honōre habēbant. Bacchus enim vīnum hominibus dedit et multās artēs docuit. Ad Bacchī ārās agricolae dōna multa, et in prīmīs ūvās vīnumque iūcundum ferēbant, et ārās flōribus laetīs pampinīsque ōrnābant.

Deus igitur vītēs Italicās cūrābat, et ā perīculō dēfendēbat. Fōrmōsus erat deus, et, quod vītēs amābat, capillōs suōs pampinīs saepe ōrnābat. Nec Italōs Graecōsque sōlum docēbat, sed ad longinquās terrās nāvigābat, aliīsque gentibus vīnum dabat, artēsque rūsticās docēbat.

[i]

Bacchus, -ī [2/m]: Bacchus, the god of the vine

gēns, gentis [3/f]: race

homō, -inis [3 m/f]: man, human being

honor, -ōris [3/m]: honour

pampinus, -ī [2/m]: vine leaf or tendril

vītis, -is [3/f]: vine

[ii]

dēfendō, -ere [3]: defend

ferō, ferre [irreg]: bear, carry

nāvigō, -āre [1]: sail

[iii]

summus, -a, -um: highest, very great

[iv]

ā/ab (+ abl.): from

in prīmīs: especially

____________________

Among the Roman gods, farmers worshipped not only Ceres but Bacchus as well, and held him in the highest honour. For Bacchus gave wine to mankind and taught many arts. At the altars of Bacchus the farmers used to bring many gifts, and above all grapes and pleasant wine, and they adorned the altars with bright flowers and vine-leaves.

The god, therefore, tended the Italian vines and protected them from danger. The god was handsome, and, because he loved the vines, he often adorned his hair with vine-leaves. Nor did he teach only the Italians and the Greeks, but he sailed to distant lands and gave wine to other peoples, and taught the arts of the countryside.

14.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [7] (2)

HORĀTIUS PUER (2)

Tandem in caelō columbās albās vidēbant. Columbae per caelum undique volābant et folia ad locum herbōsum portābant. Parentēs ad locum contendērunt et ecce! īnfāns in herbā placidus impavidusque dormītābat; columbae in terrā, in arboribus passim sedēbant; columbae per caelum volābant, et parvulī corpus foliīs tegēbant. Nec lupī nec ursī īnfantem necāverant, quia Mūsae poētam etiam īnfantem semper cōnservant.

Post multōs annōs Horātius, iam adolēscēns, Rōmam, magnam urbem, incolēbat. Sed dīvīna rūra et vītam rūsticam semper laudābat. Mūsae per multa perīcula poētam cōnservāvērunt. Horātiī carmina per tōtum orbem terrārum etiam nunc nōta et praeclāra sunt. Vōs quoque Horātiī carmina mox lēgētis et in memoriae tabulīs scrībētis.

[i]

adolēscēns, -entis [3 m/f]: young; just grown up

arbor, -oris [3/f]: tree

carmen, -inis [3/n]: song

columba, -ae [1/f]: dove

folium, -ī [2/n]: leaf

infāns, -fantis [3 m/f]: infant

Mūsae, -ārum [1/f pl.]: Muses, nine goddesses

orbis, -is [3/m]: circle; orbis terrārum: the whole world

perīculum, -ī [2/n]: danger

vīta, -ae [1/f]: life

[ii]

cōnservō, -āre [1]: save, protect

contendō, -ere [3]: hasten

legō, -ere [3]: read

scrībō, -ere [3]: write

tegō, -ere [3]: cover

volō, -āre [1]: fly

[iii]

nōtus, -a, -um: well known; famous

[iv]

passim: everywhere

quia: because

____________________

At last they caught sight of white doves in the sky. The doves were flying everywhere through the sky and carrying leaves to a grassy spot. The parents hurried to the place—and look! the child was lying on the grass, calm and fearless, asleep; doves were sitting here and there on the ground and in the trees; doves were flying through the sky, and they were covering the little body with leaves. Neither wolves nor bears had killed the child, because the Muses always protect the poet, even as an infant.

After many years Horace, now a young man, was living at Rome, a great city. But he always praised the divine countryside and the rustic life. The Muses preserved the poet through many dangers. The poems of Horace are even now known and famous throughout the whole world. You too will soon read the poems of Horace and will write them on your tablets of memory.

09.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [7] (1)

HORĀTIUS PUER (1)

...carmina nōn prius

audīta Mūsārum sacerdōs

virginibus puerīsque cantō.

Horātius, Carmina, III.i.2-4

Fābulam dē Horātiō, poētā praeclārō, nunc vōbīs nārrābō. Āpūlia regiō est Italiae. Multās silvās, multōs et amoenōs campōs habet. In prātīs herbōsīs multī gregēs, multa equōrum boumque armenta errant.

Hīc ōlim Horātius habitābat, parvulus adhūc et mātrī patrīque cārus. Forte servōs, forte patrem mātremque fefellit, et sōlus per prāta amoena errābat. Grātī puerō erant flōrēs et herba et rūra dīvīna. Mox autem puer, lūdō et errōribus fessus, in valle herbōsā iacuit et animum somnō profundō laxāvit. Intereā parentēs sollicitī puerum dīligenter quaerēbant. Et parentēs et servī vehementer timēbant.

"Lupī saevī," inquiunt, "et ursī silvās incolunt. Lupus fortasse puerum etiam nunc crūdēliter necat." Itaque diū et dīligenter puerum quaerēbant.

Vocabulary XVII

[i]

Apūlia, -ae [1/f]: Apulia, a district of Italy

armentum, -ī [2/n]: herd

bōs, bovis [3 m/f]: ox

error, -ōris [3/m]: wandering

flōs, flōris [3/m]: flower

grex, gregis [3/m]: flock

Horātius, -ī [2/m]: Horatius, a brave Roman

lupus, -ī [2/m]: wolf

parēns, -entis [3 m/f]: parent

poēta, -ae [1/m]: poet

rēgiō, -ōnis [3/f]: region, district

rūs, rūris [3/n]: country

servus, -ī [2/m]: slave

ursus, -ī [2/m]: bear

vallis, -is [3/f]: valley

[ii]

fallō, -ere [3]: deceive, escape the notice of

incolō, -ere [3]: inhabit, dwell in

quaerō, -ere [3]: seek, look for

[iii]

amoenus, -a, -um: pleasant; lovely

praeclārus, -a, -um: splendid; famous

saevus, -a, -um: savage; cruel

sollicitus, -a, -um: anxious

sōlus, -a, -um: alone; only

[iv]

crūdēliter: cruelly

fortasse: perhaps

vōs: you (plural)

____________________

I, a priest of the Muses, sing songs not heard before to maidens and boys.

Now I shall tell you a story about Horace, a famous poet. Apulia is a region of Italy. It has many forests and many beautiful fields. In the grassy meadows many flocks and many herds of horses and cattle wander.

Here once Horace used to live, still a little boy and dear to his mother and father. By chance he slipped away from the slaves, perhaps from his father and mother too, and wandered alone through the pleasant meadows. Flowers and grass and the divine countryside were pleasing to the boy. But soon the boy, tired by play and wandering, lay down in a grassy valley and relaxed his mind in deep sleep. Meanwhile his anxious parents were carefully searching for the boy. Both parents and slaves were greatly afraid.

“The savage wolves,” they say, “and bears inhabit the forests. A wolf perhaps is even now cruelly killing the boy.” And so for a long time and carefully they were searching for the boy.