LATIN TRANSLATION AT SIGHT (continued 2)

Sentence V.—

stolide he renders by faithfully. A moment’s thought given to the English word stolid should have put him on the right track.

Sentence VII.—

concivit he renders by got, vague and inappropriate. He fails to bring out the root-meaning of cieo = to stir up.

III. Construction.

Sentence I.—

This is very bad. Analysis would at once have shown him that the logical order of the sentence was

Alia fortuna bene gerendae rei oblata est Hannibali in his locis,

though he might not see that in his locis must be closely connected with oblata est.

Sentence IV.—

brevi operae pretium facturum. Very bad: due probably to not carefully weighing the meaning of each word.

You will now see that a strict attention to analysis and to the root-meanings of words really familiar would have enabled this candidate to send up a good version.

Demonstration IV.

PART II.

Rashness justly punished.

Haud dubia res est, quippe inter Hannibalem ducem et centurionem; exercitusque, alterum vincendo veteranum, alterum novum totum, magna ex parte etiam tumultuarium et semiermem. |I| Ut conspecta inter se agmina sunt, et neutra pars detrectavit pugnam, extemplo instructae acies. |II| Pugnatum tamen, ut in nulla pari re, duas amplius horas, concitata et, donec dux stetisset, Romana acie. |III| Postquam is non pro vetere fama solum, sed etiam metu futuri dedecoris, si sua temeritate contractae cladi superesset, obiectans se hostium telis cecidit, fusa extemplo est Romana acies. |IV| Sed adeo ne fugae quidem iter patuit omnibus viis ab equite insessis, ut ex tanta multitudine vix mille evaserint, ceteri passim alii alia peste absumpti sint. |V|

Livy.

Rashness justly punished.

Haud dubia res est, [quippe inter Hannibalem ducem et centurionem; exercitusque, alterum vincendo veteranum, alterum novum totum, magna ex parte etiam tumultuarium et semiermem.] I [Ut conspecta inter se agmina sunt, et neutra pars detrectavit pugnam], extemplo instructae acies. II Pugnatum tamen, ut in nulla pari re, duas amplius horas, concitata et, [donec dux stetisset], Romana acie. III {Postquam is non pro vetere fama solum, sed etiam metu futuri dedecoris, [si sua temeritate contractae cladi superesset], obiectans se hostium telis cecidit}, fusa extemplo est Romana acies. IV Sed adeo ne fugae quidem iter patuit omnibus viis ab equite insessis, [ut ex tanta multitudine vix mille evaserint, ceteri passim alii alia peste absumpti sint]. V

Livy.

Demonstration IV.

Livy, xxv. 19.

Read through the Passage carefully.—The context will be familiar to you, as this piece is a continuation of Demonstration III; but, none the less, read the passage through very carefully. Notice, for example, the use of quippe, the various uses and meanings of ut, alterum . . . alterum, alii alia.

You can now begin to translate.

I. Haud dubia res est, quippe inter Hannibalem ducem et centurionem; exercitusque, alterum vincendo veteranum, alterum novum totum, magna ex parte etiam tumultuarium et semiermem.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

quippe = qui + pe. pe = a form of que (cf. nempe = nam-pe = indeed) = since of course.

alterum (comparative of al-ius), cf. alter, alternate, either, other.

In distributive clauses, alter—alter = the one, the other.

tumultuarium (cf. tumultus), used of troops brought hurriedly together; so, disorderly.

(ii.) Translation.—This sentence is quite simple, consisting of one main statement, Haud dubia res est, and an explanatory subordinate statement of fact introduced by quippe. Notice that the influence of inter extends over the whole of the subordinate clause.

Literally: ‘The affair was not doubtful, since, of course, it was between Hannibal as general and a centurion, and between armies, the one grown old in victory, the other wholly new, and for the most part also hurriedly raised and half-armed.’

There are several points in which this rendering must be improved. Thus:—

(a) Affair for res is too vague. You will remember what was said about res in Sentence I. of Part I. pp. 33, 34.

(b) You must try to express more strongly the contrast in generalship between Hannibal and a mere centurion. Thus:—

‘The result was not doubtful, considering that the contest was between a general such as Hannibal and a (mere) centurion; and between two armies, the one grown old in victory, the other consisting entirely of raw recruits, and for the most part undrilled and half-armed.’

II. Ut conspecta inter se agmina sunt, et neutra pars detrectavit pugnam, extemplo instructae acies.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

neuter = ne + uter (uter = eu-ter or quo-ter-us = comparative in form of quis), neither of two.

detrectavit = declined (de + traho, draw-off).

extemplo = immediately. Ex + templum (dimin. tempulum).

templum √tem = cut; cf. τέμνω = prop. a section. So

(a) a space marked out, a consecrated place, a temple.

(b) a portion of time; cf. extempore.

(ii.) Translation.—This sentence again is quite simple (in form very similar to Sentence I.), consisting of one main statement, extemplo instructae acies, and an introductory subordinate statement of time introduced by ut = when.

‘When the armies came in sight of each other, and neither side declined battle, the ranks were at once drawn up in fighting order.’

14III. Pugnatum tamen, ut in nulla pari re, duas amplius horas, concitata et, donec dux stetisset, Romana acie.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

concitata = stirred-up, roused. con + ci-eo; cf. ex-cite, incite, cĭ-tus = put in motion, swift, &c.

(ii.) Translation.—This sentence is not quite so simple and needs care. Notice—

(a) Pugnatum (est). The Impersonal Pass. serves as the principal subject and predicate.

(b) ut in nulla pari re. ut is here not a conjunction but a relative adverb of manner, referring the assertion pugnatum duas amplius horas to the particular circumstance—i.e. of a battle fought under very unequal conditions. This use of ut = considering occurs frequently—e.g. consultissimus vir ut in illa quisquam esse aetate poterat (Livy). Cf. also p. 124, l. 19.

(c) concitata Romana acie is clearly ablative absolute. To make quite sure that you understand the logical connection of the thought conveyed by this sentence, you may consult the detailed analysis on page 47.

In spite of its being such an unequal match, the battle was maintained for more than two hours; the Roman army (as well as [et] the enemy’s) being roused (to great exertions) so long as their leader survived.

IV. Postquam is non pro vetere fama solum, sed etiam metu futuri dedecoris, si sua temeritate contractae cladi superesset, obiectans se hostium telis cecidit, fusa extemplo est Romana acies.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

dedecoris = of dis-grace, for de in composition = separation, and so removal of the fundamental idea. Cf. un-, dis-, e.g. dis-par = un-equal.

contractae = brought on, caused. con + traho = bring about, cause.

(ii.) Translation.—The meaning of this sentence should be quite plain to you if you notice carefully that

(a) the principal verb is fusa est, and the principal subject Romana acies, and

(b) that Postquam . . . cecidit is a subordinate clause of time modifying the action of the principal verb fusa est.

It would perhaps be well to translate at first literally:—

After that he, not only out of regard for (pro) his old fame, but also from fear of future disgrace, if he should survive a disaster brought about by his own rashness, exposing himself to the weapons of the enemy fell, the Roman army was at once routed.

You will see that this rendering, though verbally correct, is not English, and must be considerably altered before it can be called a good translation. Thus:—

(a) It is too long. You can remedy this by taking postquam . . . cecidit as one complete sentence, and fusa . . . acies as another.

(b) Exposing himself. Better exposed himself to . . . and. Notice here the strictly accurate use of the Pres. participle in Latin.

(c) ‘future’ may be omitted, as tautological15 in English. Cf. our inexact idiom ‘he promised to come’ (Lat. ‘that he would come’).

At last, both for the sake of his old renown and from the fear of disgrace should he survive a disaster brought on by his own rashness, he threw himself among the enemy’s darts and was slain. The Roman army was routed in a moment. —Church and B.

V. Sed adeo ne fugae quidem iter patuit omnibus viis ab equite insessis, ut ex tanta multitudine vix mille evaserint, ceteri passim alii alia peste absumpti sint.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

pătuit = was open. Cf. păte-facio = to make open; păt-ulus = open, spread out; păt-era = a broad, flat dish. English, patent.

insessis = occupied; in + sed-eo = sit upon—so, occupy.

passim = hither and thither, far and wide, formed from passus (pando), expand.

(ii.) Translation.—This sentence resembles in form Sentence IV., with one principal verb patuit, and a principal subject iter, and a subordinate clause of result, ut . . . absumpti sint, modifying the action of the principal verb patuit. You may conveniently break up this sentence into two, by beginning a new sentence with Ceteri. Thus:—

So completely closed against them was every chance of escape, all the roads being beset by cavalry, that out of so numerous a host hardly a thousand escaped. The rest perished as they fled, some by one death and some by another.

Before laying aside these two passages, you should pay attention to the following points:—

(i.) Vocabulary.—Besides carefully noticing new words, try to form groups of cognates (i.e. related words). One of the best ways to enlarge your vocabulary is to group together words of common origin, and to add to each, where you can, derivative and cognate English words. To take a few examples from this passage:—

Word. Meaning. English Derivative.

ALIUS = another (of many).

ali-enus = that belong to another alien, alienate.

ali-quot = some, several aliquot (parts).

al-ter = other of two alter, alternate.

ali-bi = elsewhere alibi.

etc.

SENATUS = the Council of the Elders Senate.

sen-ex = old

sen-ior = older senior, sire, sir.

sen-ile = belonging to old people sen-ile.

sen-ectus = old age.

etc.

ITER = (i-tiner) = a going itin-erant.

amb-it-io = a going round, canvassing ambition.

comes (cum + eo) = a comrade. a Count (Fr. Comte).

in-it-ium = a going in, a beginning initial.

sed-it-io = a going apart, sedition sedition.

etc.

(ii.) Useful Phrases for Latin Prose.—You should try gradually to put together your own phrase-book. You will find this much more useful to you than any ready-made collection. A good and simple plan is to have a special note-book for this purpose. Mark in the text as you read useful phrases, and in your note-book write the Latin on the right-hand page and a good idiomatic rendering on the left. For example, from this passage you might collect the following:—

English. Latin.

A chance of achieving a success. fortuna bene gerendae rei.

After completing his term of service. perfunctus militia.

Would make it worth their while. operae pretium facturum.

Up to that time. ad id locorum.

The result was not doubtful. haud dubia res est.

Though the fight was so unequal. ut in nulla pari re.

Some by one death and some by another. alii alia peste.

(iii.) HANNIBAL.—Read some good short estimate of Hannibal as a patriot, statesman, and soldier—such as may be found in Mommsen’s or Ihne’s History of Rome. If you have time, you will find much to interest you in the Hannibal (‘Heroes of the Nations’) by O’Connor Morris.

Demonstration IV.

Sentence Kind of Sentence Con­nective Subject Predicate Object

Simple Enlarged Simple Enlarged Simple Enlarged

Sentence III.

Pugnatum tamen, ut in nulla pari re, duas amplius horas; concitata et, donec dux stetisset, Romana acie. Complex tamen (THE BATTLE) — PUGNA­TUM (EST) 1. duas amplius horas (time) 2. ut in nulla pari re (manner) 3. concitata . . . Romana acie (manner) — —

Sentence IV.

A. Postquam is non pro vetere fama solum, sed etiam metu futuri dedecoris, si sua temeritate contractae cladi superesset, obiectans se hostium telis cecidit, fusa extemplo est Romana acies. Complex Post­quam ACIES Romana FUSA EST 1. extemplo (time) 2. Postquam is . . . cecidit (time) — —

A₁. Postquam is . . . cecidit Subor­dinate adv. to FUSA EST in A Post­quam is non pro vetere . . . OBIEC­TANS telis cecidit — — —

A₂. si sua . . . superesset Subor­dinate adv. to OBIEC­TANS in A₁ si (he) — superesset — cladi sua temeri­tate con­trac­tae

Demonstration V.

The Happy Life.

Vergil.

The Happy Life.

Vergil.

Demonstration V.

Vergil, Georg. ii. 490-499.

Read the Passage carefully.—Notice as you read the many allusions and key-words in the passage, e.g. Acherontis, Pana, Silvanum, Nymphas, Dacus ab Istro, res Romanae, rerum causas, and populi fasces. These, taken in connection with the main predicates felix, fortunatus, non flexit, neque doluit, aut invidit, will readily suggest to you the main thought of the passage:—

Happy is Nature’s bard who knows and fears not: happy he too who knows the gods of the country. He is not distressed by ambition, nor wars, nor pain, nor envy.

I. Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, Atque metus omnes et inexorabile fatum Subiecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari!

(i.) Vocabulary.—

inexorabile = relentless; lit. that cannot be moved by entreaty. in (not) + ex (easily) + orabilis (entreated).

For oro cf. ōs = mouth; orator = speaker; oratio = speech.

fatum = fate, i.e. of death, as the common lot of all men, the decree of nature.

fatum = that which is said, espec. prophetically. √fa, φα. Cf. for (fā-ri), speak; fā-ma, report; fā-bula, a story; in-fans, that cannot speak; fā-cundus, eloquent.

strepitum = roar; lit. a wild, confused noise, din of any kind; cf. obstreperous.

Acherontis = Acheron = (a) a river in the Lower World; (b) the Lower World itself. Perh. Acheron = ὁ ἄχεα ῥέων = the stream of woe; cf. Κωκυτός = Cocytus, river of wailing.

(ii.) Translation.— You cannot be in doubt about the principal subject and predicate. Felix is the only word outside the subordinate clause from qui . . . avari. The sense, too, of these lines is clear, so you may translate at once; but you must take special care to use dignified and appropriate language:—

Happy the man who has availed to know the causes of things, and so trampled under foot all fears and fate’s relentless decree, and the roar of insatiate Acheron.

II. Fortunatus et ille, deos qui novit agrestes, Panaque, Silvanumque senem, Nymphasque sorores!

(i.) Vocabulary.—

agrestes = of the country; cf. ager (ἀγρός), agrarius, agrarian; peragro (per + ager), travel over. Perhaps to be traced to the same root as ag-o = drive, ager and ἀγρός being so named a pecore agendo (cf. Germ. trift = pasturage, treiben = drive).

Silvanum = Silvanus = Latin god of fields and woods (silva), sylvan.

(ii.) Translation.—This sentence closely resembles in form Sentence I, Ille Fortunatus being the principal subject and predicate.

He too is blest who knows the gods of the country, Pan, and old Silvanus, and the sisterhood of the Nymphs.

III. Illum non populi fasces, non purpura regum Flexit, et infidos agitans discordia fratres; Aut coniurato descendens Dacus ab Histro, Non res Romanae, perituraque regna;

(i.) Vocabulary.—

fasces = fasces, i.e. honours; populi, i.e. conferred by the people.

fascis = a bundle, espec. of wood.

fasces = the lictors’ rods (rods + axe in certain cases) carried before the highest magistrates, as an emblem of authority.

purpura, i.e. the purple robe worn by kings and magistrates.

Cf. 16‘Purpura Pompeium summi velabit honoris.’

Ov. Ex Ponto IV. iv. 25.

agitans = driving, i.e. moving, impelling.

discordia = discord. Notice force of dis- = separation, negation; cf. dis-crimen, dis-par.

coniurato = united by oath, sworn confederate.

Dacus, the Dacians, akin to the Thracians, N. of Danube, conquered by Trajan. Cf. modern Roumanians.

Histro = the Lower Danube.

(ii.) Translation.—You will see there is only one principal verb, flexit (or flexerunt), with several principal subjects, fasces, purpura, discordia, res Romanae, perituraque regna, and no subordinate clauses. You may therefore translate at once:—

(a) Him fasces of the people or purple of kings sway not, not maddening discord among treacherous brethren, nor the Dacians swarming down from the leagued Danube, not the Roman State, or realms destined to decay;

OR

(b) He is not (1) moved by honours that the people confer, or the purple of empire, or civil feuds, that make (2) brothers swerve from brothers’ duty; or the Dacian coming down from the Hister, his sworn (2) ally; no, nor by the great Roman State and the death-throes of subject kingdoms.

N.B.—(b) is superior to (a) in—

(1) the use of Passive for Active;

(2) the predicative use of agitans, infidos, coniurato.

IV. neque ille Aut doluit miserans inopem, aut invidit habenti.

(i.) Vocabulary.—You will probably know the meanings of the words in this sentence. Thus the meaning of—

doluit is suggested by dolor.

miserans „„ miser. Cf. miser-able.

inopem „„ in + ops. Cf. op-ulent.

invidit „„ invidia. Cf. envy.

(ii.) Translation.—You have here two principal verbs, doluit, invidit, joined by aut, and a principal subject ille.

Notice that inopem must be the object of the participle miserans, and that habenti is used as a noun.

He never felt the pang of pity for the poor, or of envy for the rich.

Copy of a rendering shown up by a boy of fifteen in a recent scholarship examination:—

‘Happy is the man who is able to discern the reason of things, and controls under his feet all changes and inexorable destiny, and the groaning of greedy Acheron! |I| Blessed also is he who knows the rustic gods, Pan and old Silvanus, and those sisters, the nymphs! |II| He is not moved by the people’s axes, nor by the regal purple, nor by discord that rouses brothers to distrust each other. He is not moved by Dacus, coming down from the sacred Danube, nor by the affairs of Rome, and the realms about to perish. |III| He neither grieves for nor pities the helpless, nor does he envy the rich.’ |IV|

The above version is fair, but notice the following points:—

Sentence I.—

is able . . . and controls. The connection in thought is not shown: ‘He is happy because he knows and ∴ fears not.’

groaning—i.e. gemitum; strepitum = roar, din.

Sentence III.—

by the people’s axes. This suggests quite a wrong idea; contrast the version, ‘by the honours that the people confer.’

sacred. This is quite wrong. con-iurato = allied by oath.

the affairs of Rome. A very weak, and inadequate rendering.

Sentence IV.—

grieves for nor pities. This quite obscures the point. Vergil says that a country life, with its absence of poverty, so commonly met with in a town, saves a man from the necessity of feeling a pang of pity for the poor.

Before you put aside this passage, try to avail yourself of some of the following suggestions. Thus:—

I. For the Poet Vergil17 (70 B.C.-19 B.C.).—The chief facts of his life and the subject of his great poems are clearly and shortly given in the Student’s Companion to Latin Authors (a useful and convenient book of reference).

II. For the Georgics, Poems on Husbandry. (The passage for translation is taken from Georgic II. lines 490-499.) See—

(i.) Student’s Companion to Latin Authors, pp. 157-8.

(ii.) Nettleship’s Vergil, pp. 37-45.

(iii.) Sellar’s Vergil, pp. 174-198.

Notice especially the political purpose of the Georgics—to help the policy of Augustus, which aimed at checking the depopulation of the country districts. Compare the alarming migration from the country to the towns in England at the present day.

III. Relation of Lucretius to the Georgics.

(i.) Sellar’s Vergil, pp. 199-243.

(ii.) Munro’s Lucretius, Notes on Book i. line 78, and Book iii. line 449.

Notice in this connection the opening lines of the passage, Felix qui potuit . . . Acherontis avari, which may be summarised as follows: ‘Happy he who knows the laws of Nature, and has therefore ceased to fear natural phenomena and has learnt to despise the fabled terrors of Hades.’ Munro says: ‘I feel that by his Felix qui Vergil does mean a poet-philosopher, who can only be Lucretius.’

Cf. also Lucretius, iii. 1-30. His address to Epicurus.

For the thought, cf. Wordsworth’s Happy Warrior—

Demonstration VI.

The Tomb of Archimedes.

I (a) Archimedis ego quaestor ignoratum ab Syracusanis, cum esse omnino negarent, saeptum undique et vestitum vepribus et dumetis, indagavi sepulcrum. |II| Tenebam enim quosdam senariolos, quos in eius monumento esse inscriptos acceperam: qui declarabant in summo sepulcro sphaeram esse positam cum cylindro. |III| Ego autem, cum omnia collustrarem oculis—est enim ad portas Agragantinas magna frequentia sepulcrorum—animadverti columellam non multum e dumis eminentem, in qua inerat sphaerae figura et cylindri. |IV| Atque ego statim Syracusanis—erant autem principes mecum—dixi me illud ipsum arbitrari esse quod quaererem. |V, VI| Immissi cum falcibus multi purgarunt locum. || Quo cum patefactus esset aditus, accessimus: |VII| apparebat in sepulcro epigramma, exesis posterioribus partibus versiculorum, dimidiatis fere. ||

Cicero.

The Tomb of Archimedes.

I (b) Archimedis ego quaestor ignoratum ab Syracusanis, [cum esse omnino negarent,] saeptum undique et vestitum vepribus et dumetis, indagavi sepulcrum. II Tenebam enim quosdam senariolos, [quos in eius monumento esse inscriptos acceperam]: [qui declarabant in summo sepulcro sphaeram esse positam cum cylindro.] III Ego autem, [cum omnia collustrarem oculis]—est enim ad portas Agragantinas magna frequentia sepulcrorum—animadverti columellam non multum e dumis eminentem, [in qua inerat sphaerae figura et cylindri]. IV Atque ego statim Syracusanis—erant autem principes mecum—dixi me illud ipsum arbitrari esse [quod quaererem]. V, VI Immissi cum falcibus multi purgarunt locum. [Quo cum patefactus esset aditus], accessimus: VII apparebat in sepulcro epigramma, exesis posterioribus partibus versiculorum, dimidiatis fere.

Cicero.

Demonstration VI.

Cicero, Tusc. v. 23. 64.

Read the Passage through carefully.—As you read you will notice many allusions and key-words, e.g. Archimedes, ego quaestor, Syracusanis, sepulcrum, etc. These, taken in connection with the heading and the author, will suggest to you the main subject of the passage—the finding of the Tomb of Archimedes by Cicero.

I. Archimedis ego quaestor ignoratum ab Syracusanis, cum esse omnino negarent, saeptum undique et vestitum vepribus et dumetis, indagavi sepulcrum.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

Quaestor (contr. from quaesītor—quaero), i.e. investigator, originally two main functions:—

(a) The preparation of evidence in public prosecutions (this about 240 B.C. transferred to the Tribunes).

(b) Treasurers of State. Of these the Quaestores urbani stayed at Rome, while the Quaestores provinciales or militares acted as financial assistants to the Consuls or Praetors for the provinces.

saeptum = hedged in; saepes = a hedge, fence.

vepribus = with bramble-bushes.

dumetis = with brushwood.

indagavi = I traced out. A metaphor from hunting. Cf.

Verg. Aen. iv. 121.

‘While the scouts (beaters) are all busy, and are encircling the coverts with nets.’

(ii.) Translation.—The form of the sentence is quite simple. The principal verb is indagavi, with subject ego quaestor, and object sepulcrum. From ignoratum . . . dumetis describes sepulcrum, and the subordinate clause cum . . . negarent emphasises ignoratum a Syracusanis. You may now translate

(a) literally: I, when Quaestor, traced out the tomb of Archimedes, not known of by the Syracusans, for they said it was not there at all, hedged in on all sides and covered with brambles and brushwood.

(b) A better rendering: When I was Quaestor I was able to trace the tomb of Archimedes, overgrown and hedged in with brambles and brushwood. The Syracusans knew nothing of it, and entirely denied its existence.

Notice here the improvement made by breaking up the one long sentence into two.

II. Tenebam enim quosdam senariolos, quos in eius monumento esse inscriptos acceperam: qui declarabant in summo sepulcro sphaeram esse positam cum cylindro.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

senariolos = some lines, i.e. of poetry—dimin. of senarius (seni) = consisting of six each, especially of the iambic senarii.

sphaeram = a sphere, globe—σφαῖρα.

cylindro = a cylinder. κύλινδρος.

(ii.) Translation.—The only principal verb is clearly tenebam (with subject contained in the verb), and the principal object senariolos (sc. versus). From quos . . . cylindro we have two subordinate adjectival clauses enlarging senariolos.

The fact is, I remembered some iambic lines which I had been told were inscribed on his monument, and which set forth that his tomb was surmounted by a sphere and a cylinder.

III. Ego autem, cum omnia collustrarem oculis—est enim ad portas Agragantinas magna frequentia sepulcrorum—animadverti columellam non multum e dumis eminentem, in qua inerat sphaerae figura et cylindri.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

collustrarem = I was surveying on all sides; con (cum) + lustro.

lustro, perhaps akin to luc-eo, lu-men; so, il-lustris = lighted up, illustrious.

frequentia = a large number; cf. frequens, √φρακ, farc; cf. φράγ-μα = a fence, farc-io = pack close together; so, con-fer-tus = crowded, freq-uens = repeated, frequent.

columellam = a small column, dimin. of columen, √cel; cf. cel-sus = lofty; cf. ex-cello, col-umen (= cul-men) = the summit; cf. culminate.

(ii.) Translation.—This sentence is apparently not quite so simple, but if you carefully bracket the subordinate clauses you will see that the only principal verb is animadverti, with subject ego and object columellam. Notice next that—

(a) cum . . . oculis modifies the principal verb animadverti and is an adverbial clause of time.

(b) The parenthetical clause est enim . . . sepulcrorum explains collustrarem.

(c) in qua . . . cylindri is an adjectival clause enlarging columellam.

You may now translate into your best English, following closely the thought and the order of the Latin:—

Well, as I was surveying the whole place (there is a large number of tombs at18 the Agrigentine gate) I perceived a small column just showing above the undergrowth, on which appeared the figure of a sphere and a cylinder.

IV. Atque ego statim Syracusanis—erant autem principes mecum—dixi me illud ipsum arbitrari esse, quod quaererem.

(i.) Vocabulary.—The words of this sentence present no difficulty.

(ii.) Translation.—With the practice you have now had, you may translate at once; but notice carefully that—

(a) the parenthetical clause erant . . . mecum enlarges Syracusanis; and

(b) quod quaererem describes illud ipsum.

So I immediately said to the Syracusans who were with me (some people of importance) that I thought that was the very thing I was looking for.

V. Immissi cum falcibus multi purgarunt locum.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

falcibus = with bill-hooks; falx perh. akin to flect-o = bend, from its shape. Cf. falcon (from its hooked claws).

purgarunt = cleared; purgo, contr. from pur-igo = purum + ago = purge. Cf. pur-us.

(ii.) Translation.—

Some men sent in with bill-hooks cleared out the space.

VI. Quo cum patefactus esset aditus, accessimus.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

patefactus = laid open: pateo + facio. Cf. patent.

(ii.) Translation.—

As soon as the way was open, we went up to it.

VII. Apparebat in sepulcro epigramma, exesis posterioribus partibus versiculorum, dimidiatis fere.

(i.) Vocabulary.—

epigramma = inscription. Cf. epi-gram.

exesis = lit. ‘eaten out’; ex + edo. Cf. ed-ible.

dimidiatis = halved = dis + medius, i.e. divided into halves.

(ii.) Translation.—There was the inscription on the tomb: the latter part of each line was gone, nearly half the verse.

Note.—Notice here the rendering of the Lat. abl. absol., an idiom foreign to our language except for example in the so-called nom. absol. of Milton. Cf. Introduction, p. 12 (5).

Cicero adds the following reflection:—‘Ita nobilissima Graeciae civitas, quondam vero etiam doctissima, sui civis unius acutissimi monumentum ignorasset, nisi ab hoimine Arpinate didicisset.’

Thus it was that one of the most renowned of Greek cities, and in ancient times one of the most enlightened, would have remained ignorant of the monument of the greatest genius it ever produced, if it had not learnt it from a man born at Arpinum.19

Some Suggestions and Authorities.

Before you leave this passage, try to notice some of the following points, and if possible consult some of these authorities:—

(i.) Read (e.g. in Church and Brodribb’s translation) Livy’s account of the siege of Syracuse by Marcellus, 214-212 B.C., Book xxiv. cap. 34; Book xxv. caps. 23-31.

(ii.) Freeman’s History of Sicily. Notice especially the admirable plan of Syracuse illustrating the siege by Nicias.

Or Sicily—‘Story of the Nations’ Series.

(iii.) Some good Life of Archimedes. The Encyclopaedia Britannica supplies a good short life and refers to Cicero’s finding the Tomb of Archimedes, and to the still extant work of Archimedes on the Sphere and the Cylinder.

(iv.) For Cicero’s Quaestorship in Sicily, 75 B.C., consult some Life of Cicero, e.g. Forsyth’s, pp. 38-58, where reference is made to this incident.

(v.) For the Tusculanae Disputationes (conversations between Cicero and a friend at his Tusculan villa, the subject of which is the chief essentials of happiness) consult the admirable introduction to the edition by T. W. Dougan, Camb. Press.

PASSAGES FOR TRANSLATION AT SIGHT

In the original text, lines were numbered continuously on each page. For this e-text, verse selections have been renumbered to match the actual line numbers as cited in the text. Selections from the Hallam edition of Ovid’s Fasti are numbered from 1 within each passage.

Line numbers in prose have been retained for completeness, except that markings of line 1 have been omitted. Since your browser’s line breaks will not correspond to line breaks in the printed book, words mentioned in the linenotes have also been underlined.

In the “Miscellaneous Passages” section, which has no linenotes, line numbers were omitted in all prose and in the shorter verse passages. Longer verse passages have been renumbered as elsewhere.

REGAL PERIOD, 753-509 B.C.

D₁

The Vision of Anchises.—The Kings that are to be.

Vergil, Aen. vi. 777-784, 808-818.

777 Avo = grandsire, i.e. Numitor, the father of the Vestal Rhea or Ilia.

Mavortius = child of Mavors, old and poetic name for Mars.

778 Assaraci: King of Phrygia and grandfather of Anchises.

779 geminae cristae. The double-crested helm, a distinction of Mars.

780 superum = for the world above, i.e. as a god. Acc. Sing.

808 ille = Numa Pompilius (716-673 B.C.), a native of Cures (12) in Sabine country, whom the Romans regarded as the founder (fundabit, 12) of their religious and legal institutions.

813 qui = Tullus Hostilius (673-640 B.C.), a man of war, destroyed Alba.

resides = sluggish, lazy (re + sedeo).

815 Ancus Martius (640-616 B.C.), conqueror of the Latins.

817 Tarquinios reges = (i.) Tarquinius Priscus (616-578 B.C.) of Tarquinii in Etruria; (ii.) Tarquinius Superbus (534-509 B.C.), expelled by Brutus. Vergil omits Servius Tullius (578-534 B.C.).

817-818 animamque . . . receptos. Brutus, nephew of T. Superbus, roused Rome to expel the Tarquins and found the Republic: and thus the fasces (the sign of power) were recovered (receptos) by the people.—Sidgwick.

D₂

ROMULUS, 753-716 B.C.

A. The Passing of Romulus.

His immortalibus editis operibus cum ad exercitum recensendum contionem in campo ad Caprae paludem haberet, subito coorta tempestas cum magno fragore tonitribusque tam denso regem operuit nimbo, ut conspectum eius contioni abstulerit; nec 5 deinde in terris Romulus fuit. Romana pubes, sedato tandem pavore, postquam ex tam turbido die serena et tranquilla lux rediit, ubi vacuam sedem regiam vidit, etsi satis credebat patribus, qui proxumi steterant, sublimem raptum procella, tamen velut 10 orbitatis metu icta maestum aliquamdiu silentium obtinuit. Deinde a paucis initio facto deum deo natum, regem parentemque urbis Romanae salvere universi Romulum iubent; pacem precibus exposcunt, uti volens propitius suam semper sospitet progeniem. 15

Livy, i. 16.

2-3 ad Caprae paludem = near the Goat’s pool.

4 operuit = enveloped (ob + pario = get for, put upon, cover), cf. opposite a-per-io = get from, uncover.

5 abstulerit = auferret. The event is regarded simply as past, without reference to other past events.

5-6 nec deinde . . . fuit, cf. ‘Quirinus | Martis equis Acheronta fugit.’ Hor. Od. iii. 3. 15.

7 sēdato = settled, calmed. Sēd-o = cause to sit, cf. sēd-es, and our seat, settle.

11 orbitatis = of orphanhood; cf. orb-us = bereaved, and our orphan.

15 volens propitius, an ellipse of et, cf. optimus maximus.

sospitet = he may keep safe, preserve, cf. sospes = safe.

B. The Mystery explained.

Ovid, Fasti, ii. 379-384. H.

1-6 Romulus appears as a god to Proculus Julius, an honourable man, bidding him tell his people not to mourn for him, but to worship him as Quirinus, and practise valour and all warlike virtues.

1 trabea = in the (striped) robe of state.

3-5 Quirites (cf. Quirinus = the deified Romulus) = lit. spearmen. Connected with Cures and curis (Sabine word for a spear), used of Roman citizens as opposed to Roman soldiers.

D₃

NUMA POMPILIUS, 716-673 B.C.

The Gate of Janus, open in war but shut in peace.

A. Qui regno ita potitus urbem novam, conditam vi et armis, iure eam legibusque ac moribus de integro condere parat. Quibus cum inter bella adsuescere videret non posse, quippe efferari militia animos, mitigandum ferocem populum armorum 5 desuetudine ratus Ianum ad infimum Argiletum indicem pacis bellique fecit, apertus ut in armis esse civitatem, clausus pacatos circa omnes populos significaret.

Livy, i. 19.

1 Qui = Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome.

4-5 quippe . . . animos = since (he thought that) men’s tempers were made savage (brutalised) by warfare. efferari = orat. obl. part of Numa’s thoughts.

6 desuetudine = by disuse, i.e. by a cessation from the use of. Cf. de-docēre = unteach.

Ianum . . . Argiletum = (a temple of) Janus at the foot of the Argiletum, a slope to the N.E. of the Forum. (Prob. = the clayey ground, from argilla = white clay.)

8 clausus. It was closed for a short time, circ. 238 B.C., and again by Augustus 29-25 B.C.

Vergil, Aen. vii. 607-615.

609 vectes = bolts or bars, prob. from √veh = carry. Cf. vect-īgal.

612 Quir. trabea = in the state robe of Romulus, i.e. the striped robe of state, purple, with white stripes across.

cinctu Gabino = with the Gabine girdle, formed by girding the toga tight round the body by one of its loose ends.

613 reserat = un-bars. For sĕro = join, cf. our series.

Parallel Passages. Ovid, F. i. 115-132. Cf. Hor. Od. iv. 15. 9. Verg. Aen. i. 293-4.

Numa Pompilius. ‘The name of Numa is significant, and denotes an organiser or lawgiver. (For Numa cf. numerus, nummus, νόμος.) As Romulus was the founder of the State and of political and military order, so the legend regards Numa as the founder of the national religion.’—Ihne.

D₄

TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, 534-509 B.C.

The Purchase of the Sibylline Books.

In antiquis annalibus memoria super libris Sibyllinis haec prodita est. Anus hospita atque incognita ad Tarquinium Superbum regem adiit, novem libros ferens, quos esse dicebat divina oracula: eos velle venundare. Tarquinius pretium percontatus 5 est: mulier nimium immensum poposcit. Rex, quasi anus aetate desiperet, derisit. Tum illa foculum coram eo cum igne apposuit, et tres libros ex novem deussit; et, ecquid reliquos sex eodem pretio emere vellet, regem interrogavit. Sed enim 10 Tarquinius id multo risit magis dixitque anum iam procul dubio delirare. Mulier ibidem statim tres libros alios exussit; atque id ipsum denuo placide interrogavit, an tres reliquos eodem pretio emat. Tarquinius ore iam serio, atque attentiore animo fit; eam 15 constantiam confidentiamque non insuper habendam intelligit: libros tres reliquos mercatur nihilo minore pretio, quam quod erat petitum pro omnibus. . . . Libri tres in sacrarium conditi Sibyllini appellati. Ad eos, quasi ad oraculum, quindecimviri 20 adeunt, cum dii immortales publice consulendi sunt.

Aulus Gellius (fl. 143 A.D.), i. 19.

1, 2 libris Sibyllinis, i.e. a collection of prophecies uttered by the legendary prophetess who lived at Cumae, near Naples.

5 venundare = to sell. Cf. ven-eo (= venum + eo), ven-do, and our vendor.

12 delirare = to be out of her mind. Lit. to make a crooked furrow in ploughing; de + lira (a furrow).

19 sacrarium = the place for the keeping of holy things, i.e. the Capitol. The original Sibylline Books were burnt in the fire on the Capitol, 82 B.C., but a fresh collection was made by Augustus, and deposited in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine.

20 quindecimviri (sacris faciundis), i.e. a college of priests who had charge of the Sibylline Books.

Parallel Passages. Verg. Aen. vi., espec. ll. 42-101, for the Cumaean Sibyl.

The Sibylline Books. ‘There existed also Etruscan libri fatales (Books of Fate), and these, together with the Sibylline Books, were kept in the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter. Nothing seemed more natural than to suppose that Tarquin, who built that temple, purchased also the sacred books of the Sibyl.’—Ihne.

D₅

TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, 534-509 B.C.

A. Sextus Tarquinius at Gabii.

Inde in consilia publica adhiberi. . . . Ita cum sensim ad rebellandum primores Gabinorum incitaret, ipse cum promptissimis iuvenum praedatum atque in expeditiones iret, et dictis factisque omnibus ad fallendum instructis vana accresceret fides, dux ad 5 ultimum belli legitur. Ibi cum inscia multitudine, quid ageretur, proelia parva inter Romam Gabiosque fierent, quibus plerumque Gabina res superior esset, tum certatim summi infimique Gabinorum Sex. Tarquinium dono deum sibi missum ducem credere. 10 Apud milites vero obeundo pericula ac labores pariter, praedam munifice largiendo tanta caritate esse, ut non pater Tarquinius potentior Bomae quam filius Gabiis esset.

Livy, i. 54.

1 Inde, i.e. after the tale he told of his father’s cruelty had gained credit with the men of Gabii.

adhiberi = he was admitted. Historic Infin.

2 ad rebellandum = to renew the war.

4-5 ad fallendum instructis = were framed to deceive.

8 Gabina res = the cause of Gabii. For res cf. p. 11 (2).

11 obeundo pariter = by facing alike . . .

B. The Sequel: the Fall of Gabii.

Ovid, Fasti, ii. 543-552. H.

1 genitorem appellat . . . = he calls on his father (to tell him) . . .

6 virga = with a switch.

summa = the tallest.

10 ducibus suis, abl., after nuda = deprived of.

Reference. Hor. Ep. ii. 1. 23-27. Horace refers to the treaty made by Tarquinius with Gabii.

Historic Parallel. Compare the extraordinary self-sacrifice of Zōpy̆rus, which enabled him to betray Babylon to his master Darius. Herod, iii. 153-158.

D₆

The Position of Rome, the future Mistress of the World.

Urbi autem locum Romulus incredibili opportunitate delegit. Neque enim ad mare admovit—quod ei fuit illa manu copiisque facillimum, ut in agrum Rutulorum Aboriginumve procederet, aut in ostio Tiberino, quem in locum multis post annis rex 5 Ancus coloniam deduxit, urbem ipse conderet,—sed hoc vir excellenti providentia sensit ac vidit, non esse opportunissimos situs maritimos urbibus eis quae ad spem diuturnitatis conderentur atque imperi. Itaque urbem perennis amnis et aequabilis et 10 in mare late influentis posuit in ripa, quo posset urbs et accipere ex mari, quo egeret, et reddere, quo redundaret: ut mihi iam tum divinasse ille videatur, hanc urbem sedem aliquando et domum summo esse imperio praebituram: nam hanc rerum tantam 15 potentiam non ferme facilius alia in parte Italiae posita urbs tenere potuisset. Urbis autem ipsius is est tractus ductusque muri cum Romuli tum etiam reliquorum regum sapientia definitus ex omni parte arduis praeruptisque montibus. Locumque delegit 20 et fontibus abundantem et in regione pestilenti salubrem.

Cicero, De Rep. ii. 3. 5, 6 (selected).

3-6 quod ei fuit . . . = lit. which he might very easily have done with that band (of men) and those forces, so that . . .

4 Rutulorum. S. of Rome. Turnus their King. Capital, Ardea.

6 coloniam, i.e. Ostia, the harbour of Rome and chief naval station.

7-8 non esse opportunissimos, e.g. as exposed to sudden attacks, and likely to contain a too large foreign element.

12-13 quo redundaret = its own superabundance.

17-18 is tractus ductusque = the plan and direction.

19 definitus = bounded.

20 arduis praeruptisque montibus. ‘The amphitheatre of seven hills which encloses the meadows (afterwards the Campus Martius) in the bend of the Tiber, varying from 120 to 180 feet above the stream, offered heights sufficiently elevated and abrupt for fortification, yet without difficulties for the builder or cultivator.’

N.B.—In this passage be careful to translate Cicero’s long, periodic sentences by two or more separate sentences in English.

The Position of Rome. ‘There was no place better fitted for an emporium of the Tiber and sea traffic, and for a maritime frontier fortress than Rome. It combined the advantages of a strong position and of immediate vicinity to the river.’ Mommsen.

D₇

THE PRAISE OF ITALY.

‘Salve, magna parens frugum, Saturnia tellus.’

Vergil, Georg. ii, 136-154.

136 silvae ditissima = most rich in forests.—Sidgwick.

137 Hermus, auriferous river of Lydia, cf. the R. Pactolus.

138 Bactra, modern Balk, N. of Afghanistan.

139 Panchaia, i.e. Arabia, the Eldorado of the Old World.

141 satis . . . hydri = where the enormous dragon’s teeth were sown. hydri (ὕδρος), lit. a water-snake.

143 Massicus umor = Massic juice, i.e. of Mt. Massicus in N.W. Campania, famous for its wine, espec. the Falernian.

144 implevere (sc. haec loca) = fill it all.

146 Clitumne. R. of Umbria, famous for its white cattle.*

146-148 White cattle were required for the sacrifices of the Triumphs.

149 alienis mensibus = in months not her own, i.e. in months properly belonging to winter.

150 bis gravidae pecudes = twice the cattle give increase, Conington.

151, 152 saeva leonum semina = the fierce lion-brood.—Mackail.

aconita, a deadly poison—monkshood.

153, 154 neque—anguis = nor with so vast a sweep gather himself into a coil, i.e. the snakes in Italy are not so large as elsewhere.

R. Clitumnus. Compare Pliny’s beautiful letter (viii. 8) describing its source.

D₈

EARLY REPUBLIC, 509-366 B.C.

ETRUSCAN INVASION UNDER PORSENA, 507 B.C. (1)

‘How well Horatius kept the Bridge In the brave days of old.’

Vergil, Aen. viii. 646-651.

Venus brings Aeneas his new armour: he gazes at the shield whereon were wrought scenes of the story of Rome to be.

646 Porsenna.

648 in ferrum ruebant = were flinging themselves on the sword. C.

651 Cloelia, a Roman hostage, who escaped by swimming the Tiber.

B. Pons sublicius iter paene hostibus dedit, ni unus vir fuisset, Horatius Cocles. . . . Qui positus forte in statione pontis, cum captum repentino impetu Ianiculum atque inde citatos decurrere hostes vidisset, 10 trepidamque turbam suorum arma ordinesque relinquere, reprehensans singulos, obsistens obtestansque deum et hominum fidem testabatur nequiquam deserto praesidio eos fugere; si transitum pontem a tergo reliquissent, iam plus hostium in Palatio 15 Capitolioque quam in Ianiculo fore. Itaque monere, praedicere, ut pontem ferro, igni, quacunque vi possint, interrumpant; se impetum hostium, quantum corpore uno posset obsisti, excepturum. Vadit inde in primum aditum pontis, insignisque inter 20 conspecta cedentium pugnae terga, obversis cominus ad ineundum proelium armis, ipso miraculo audaciae obstupefecit hostes.

Livy, ii. 10.

7 Pons sublicius = the pile-bridge, built by Ancus Marcius to connect Rome proper with the Janiculum-hill, or ridge.

8 Cocles = the one-eyed, from loss of an eye in battle.

10 citatos = at full speed. Adj. use of participle; cf. citato equo.

11 trepidamque turbam = panic-stricken and in disorder.

12 reprehensans = seizing them by the arm one after another.

14-15 si transitum . . . reliquissent = if they left the bridge free for the enemy to cross by. transitum = noun, in appos. to pontem.

21-22 obversis armis = as he faced about.

D₉

ETRUSCAN INVASION UNDER PORSENA, 507 B.C. (2)

‘How well Horatius kept the Bridge In the brave days of old.’

Duos tamen cum eo pudor tenuit, Sp. Larcium ac T. Herminium, ambos claros genere factisque. Cum his primam periculi procellam et quod tumultuosissimum pugnae erat, parumper sustinuit; deinde eos quoque ipsos, exigua parte pontis relicta, revocantibus, 5 qui rescindebant, cedere in tutum coegit. Circumferens inde truces minaciter oculos ad proceres Etruscorum nunc singulos provocare, nunc increpare omnes: servitia regum superborum, suae libertatis immemores alienam oppugnatum venire. 10 Cunctati aliquamdiu sunt, dum alius alium, ut proelium incipiant, circumspectant. Pudor deinde commovit aciem, et clamore sublato undique in unum hostem tela coniciunt. Quae cum in obiecto cuncta scuto haesissent, neque ille minus obstinatus ingenti 15 pontem obtineret gradu, iam impetu conabantur detrudere virum, cum simul fragor rupti pontis, simul clamor Romanorum alacritate perfecti operis sublatus, pavore subito impetum sustinuit. Tum Cocles ‘Tiberine pater,’ inquit, ‘te sancte precor, haec arma 20 et hunc militem propitio flumine accipias.’ Ita sic armatus in Tiberim desiluit, multisque superincidentibus telis incolumis ad suos tranavit, rem ausus plus famae habituram ad posteros quam fidei.

Livy, ii. 10.

7 ad proceres = on the chiefs. For prŏcer cf. procērus = tall.

8-9 provocare . . . increpare. Historic Infinitives = Indic.

9 servitia = the slaves = servos. Abstract for concrete, freq. in Livy. Cf. Hor. Od. ii. 8. 18. (servitus = servi.)

14 obiecto = presented, i.e. to the enemy.

15-16 ingenti gradu = with mighty (heroic) stand. Cf. ‘firm as a rock.’

18 alacritate perfecti operis = from joy at the completion of the work.

24 plus famae . . . fidei = destined to win more fame than credit with posterity.

D₁₀

ETRUSCAN INVASION UNDER PORSENA, 507 B.C. (3)

How C. Mucius lost his Hand, but won a Name.

A. Obsidio erat nihilo minus et frumenti cum summa caritate inopia, sedendoque expugnaturum se urbem spem Porsena habebat, cum C. Mucius, adulescens nobilis, . . . primo sua sponte penetrare in hostium castra constituit; dein metuens, ne, si consulum 5 iniussu et ignaris omnibus iret, forte deprehensus a custodibus Romanis retraheretur ut transfuga, fortuna tum urbis crimen affirmante, senatum adit. ‘Transire Tiberim,’ inquit, ‘patres, et intrare, si possim, castra hostium volo, non praedo nec populationum 10 in vicem ultor; maius, si di iuvant, in animo est facinus.’ Approbant patres; abdito intra vestem ferro proficiscitur. Ubi eo venit, in confertissima turba prope regium tribunal constitit.

Livy, ii. 12.

1 cum summa caritate = involving (cum) a very high price.

2 sedendo = by sitting down before, of a besieging army.

3 Mucius. From this incident surnamed Scaevola = the left-handed. After his time, a frequent surname in the Gens Mucia.

7-8 fortunā . . . affirmante = (a charge which) the present condition of the city would confirm (substantiate).

10-11 non praedo . . . ultor = not to plunder nor to retaliate on (lit. ‘an avenger in turn on’) our plunderers.

1 sătellite = the attendant, i.e. the scribe or secretary of Porsena.

2 ingessit = thrust into (in + gero).

3 tam saeva miracula = such a miracle of stern fortitude.—S.

pius = feeling, as opposed to unnatural.

7-8 i.e. to have killed Porsena would have been less glorious than to display such heroism.—Stephenson.

Porsena. Livy tells us that Mucius, in gratitude for the magnanimity of Porsena, revealed to him that 300 Roman youths had sworn to attempt the same deed that he had undertaken. Whereupon Porsena feared to distress the Romans any longer, and made peace with them.

D₁₁

LATIN WAR. BATTLE OF LAKE REGILLUS, 498 B.C.

The Dictator and his Master of the Horse.

Ibi alia inter proceres coorta pugna. Imperator Latinus, ubi cohortem exulum a dictatore Romano prope circumventam vidit, ex subsidiariis manipulos aliquot in primam aciem secum rapit. Hos agmine venientes T. Herminius legatus conspicatus, interque 5 eos insignem veste armisque Mamilium noscitans, tanto vi maiore, quam paulo ante magister equitum, cum hostium duce proelium iniit, ut et uno ictu transfixum per latus occiderit Mamilium, et ipse inter spoliandum corpus hostis veruto percussus, 10 cum victor in castra esset relatus, inter primam curationem exspiraverit. Tum ad equites dictator advolat obtestans, ut fesso iam pedite descendant ex equis et pugnam capessant. Dicto paruere; desiliunt ex equis, provolant in primum, et pro antesignanis 15 parmas obiciunt. Recipit extemplo animum pedestris acies, postquam iuventutis proceres aequato genere pugnae secum partem periculi sustinentes vidit. Tum demum impulsi Latini, perculsaque inclinavit acies. 20

Livy, ii. 20.

1 inter proceres. The Battle of Lake Regillus was, in the main, a Homeric battle of single combats between the opposing chiefs.

1-2 Imperator Latinus, i.e. Mamilius of Tusculum, son-in-law of Tarquin.

5 T. Herminius, one of ‘the dauntless Three,’ who kept the bridge.

7 magister equitum, i.e. T. Aebutius. The Master of the Horse, the second in command, was nominated by the Dictator.

10 veruto = with a javelin, cf. veru = a spit.

11-12 inter primam curationem = at the first attempt to dress his wound.—Rawlins.

13 dictator, i.e. Aulus Postumius. The Dictator (magister populi = master of the army) was appointed by one of the two Consuls (= colleagues) in a time of national danger to avoid the possible want of unity between the two consuls in time of war.

15 in primum = in primam aciem.

antesignanis, i.e. the first line fighting in front of the standards.

17 iuventutis proceres = the young noblemen, i.e. the cavalry are not only the younger men (in Livy often = iuvenes) but also patricians.

Reference. Macaulay, The Battle of Lake Regillus.

D₁₂

FIRST SECESSION OF THE PLEBS, 494 B.C.

The Fable of the Belly and the Members. Tribunes of the People.

Pavor ingens in urbe, metuque mutuo suspensa erant omnia. . . . Placuit igitur oratorem ad plebem mitti Menenium Agrippam, facundum virum et, quod inde oriundus erat, plebi carum. Is intromissus in castra prisco illo dicendi et horrido modo nihil 5 aliud quam hoc narrasse fertur: Tempore, quo in homine non, ut nunc, omnia in unum consentientia, sed singulis membris suum cuique consilium, suus sermo fuerit, indignatas reliquas partes sua cura, suo labore ac ministerio ventri omnia quaeri, ventrem in 10 medio quietum nihil aliud quam datis voluptatibus frui; conspirasse inde, ne manus ad os cibum ferrent, nec os acciperet datum, nec dentes conficerent. Hac ira dum ventrem fame domare vellent, ipsa una membra totumque corpus ad extremam tabem 15 venisse. Inde apparuisse ventris quoque haud segne ministerium esse, nec magis ali quam alere eum, reddentem in omnes corporis partes hunc, quo vivimus vigemusque, divisum pariter in venas, maturum confecto cibo sanguinem. Comparando hinc, quam 20 intestina corporis seditio similis esset irae plebis in patres, flexisse mentes hominum. Agi deinde de concordia coeptum concessumque in condiciones, ut plebi sui magistratus essent sacrosancti, quibus auxili latio adversus consules esset, neve cui patrum capere 25 eum magistratum liceret. Ita tribuni plebei creati duo, C. Licinius et L. Albinus.

Livy, ii. 32, 33.

1-2 Pavor ingens . . . omnia. One of the Roman armies (mainly recruited from Plebeians) refused to obey orders, entrenched itself on Mons Sacer, and threatened to secede from Rome altogether.

2 oratorem (i.e. legatum) = spokesman, charged with a verbal message.

4 inde, i.e. from the Plebs.

10-11 ventrem . . . quietum = whereas the belly resting calmly in their midst.—Rawlins.

13 conficerent = grind, and so aid digestion. Cf. confecto l. 20.

19-20 maturum confecto cibo = brought to perfection only when the food is digested.—R.

24 sacrosancti = consecrated and inviolable.

24-25 quibus . . . esset, i.e. as official protectors of the Plebs, by their right of veto on the official actions of all other magistrates.

For the Fable, cf. Seneca de Ira ii. 31, and 1 Corinthians, xii. 12-27.

D₁₃

WAR WITH THE VOLSCIANS, 493 B.C.

Veturia and her son Coriolanus.

Coriolanus prope ut amens consternatus ab sede sua cum ferret matri obviae complexum, mulier in iram ex precibus versa ‘Sine, priusquam complexum accipio, sciam’ inquit, ‘ad hostem an ad filium venerim, captiva mater-ne in castris tuis sim. In 5 hoc me longa vita et infelix senecta traxit, ut exulem te, deinde hostem viderem? Potuisti populari hanc terram, quae te genuit atque aluit? Non tibi, quamvis infesto animo et minaci perveneras, ingredienti fines ira cecidit? Non, cum in conspectu 10 Roma fuit, succurrit: Intra illa moenia domus ac penates mei sunt, mater, coniunx liberique? Ergo ego nisi peperissem, Roma non oppugnaretur; nisi filium haberem, libera in libera patria mortua essem.’ . . . Uxor deinde ac liberi amplexi, fletusque ab 15 omni turba mulierum ortus et conploratio sui patriaeque fregere tandem virum. Complexus inde suos dimittit; ipse retro ab urbe castra movit. Abductis deinde legionibus ex agro Romano invidia rei oppressum perisse tradunt alii alio leto. 20

Livy, ii. 40.

1 Coriolanus. Gaius Marcius received the cognomen of Coriolanus for his bravery at the capture of the Volscian town of Corioli (S.E. of Rome). After this, in a time of famine at Rome, C. advised that the corn obtained elsewhere should not be distributed, unless the Plebeians would give up their Tribunes. For this he was impeached and went into voluntary exile among the Volsci.

consternatus = in strong emotion—lit. ‘stretched on the ground.’

7 potuisti = had you the heart to—question indicated by tone of the voice.

10-11 non . . . succurrit = did it not occur to you?

19-20 invidia rei oppressum = overwhelmed by the unpopularity of his action.

20 alii alio leto, e.g. i. by a voluntary death; ii. put to death by the Volscians; iii. lived to old age in exile.

References. Cic. Brutus x. (compared to Themistocles). Plutarch, Coriolanus.

‘The germ from which the whole legend sprang is the story of the filial love of Coriolanus, and of the great authority exercised in olden times by Roman matrons over their sons and husbands.’ Ihne.

Shakespeare, Coriolanus, V. iii.

D₁₄

WAR WITH VEII, 483-474 B.C.

The Destruction of the Fabii at the Cremera, 477 B.C.

Ovid, Fasti, ii. 175-196, H.

Context. To protect their territory from the constant raids of the Veientines, the noble house of the Fabii offered to undertake the war themselves. The consul Kaeso Fabius marched out of the city at the head of his clan, followed by the blessings and good wishes of the admiring people. He erected a fortified camp near the R. Cremera (a tributary of the Tiber), and from this spot plundered Veientine territory.

1 campus. ‘Ovid here paints from fancy: there are, however, deep hollows admirably calculated to conceal an ambushed foe.’—Ramsay.

9 discursibus = runnings to and fro, of soldiers dispersing to plunder.

10 metus alter = fear of a second enemy, i.e. of one in ambush.

17 silvis Laurentibus. Laurentum on the coast of Latium between Ostia and Ardea. Wild boars are still found in the swampy thickets.

18 Fulmineo ore = with flashing tusk.—Hallam.

Parallel Passage. Livy, ii. 48, 49.

‘The story probably came from the Chronicles of the Fabian Clan, perhaps through Fabius Pictor, the first Roman annalist.’ Rawlins, Cf. Ihne, vol. i. cap. vi.

D₁₅

WAR WITH THE AEQUIANS, 458 B.C.

A. Cincinnatus called from the Plough.

Sed Aequos praecipue Quinctius Cincinnatus domuit, ille dictator ab aratro, qui obsessa et paene iam capta L. Minuci consulis castra egregia victoria recuperavit. Medium erat tempus forte sementis, cum patricium virum innixum aratro suo lictor in 5 ipso opere deprehendit. Inde in aciem profectus, ne quid a rustici operis imitatione cessaret, more pecudum victos sub iugum misit. Sic expeditione finita redit ad boves rursus triumphalis agricola. Intra quindecim dies coeptum peractumque bellum, 10 prorsus ut festinasse, dictator ad relictum opus videretur.

Florus, I. xi. 12-15.

1 Aequos, mountaineers (closely allied to the Sabines) who lived in the mountains forming the E. boundary of Latium.

Cincinnatus. ‘The true type of primeval virtue, abstinence, and patriotism.’—Ihne.

2-4 qui . . . recuperavit. The Aequian general, Gracchus Cloelius, had defeated the consul, L. Minucius, and blockaded him in his camp on Mt. Algidus, the E. spur of the Alban range. Cincinnatus makes a wonderful night march from Rome of 20 miles, blockades in turn the investing Aequian force, and compels an unconditional surrender.

4 sementis = of the seed-time. Formed from semen, cf. sero.

B. ‘In the brave days of old.’

Ovid, Fasti, iii. 729-742, H.

1 toga libera (or virilis), the man’s dress of unornamented white wool. Lībera (līber), free from the restraints of boyhood.

2 lucifero = lit. morning-star. Here poet. for die.

5 consul, e.g. Cincinnatus, who was called to be Dictator.

8 sed . . . honor, i.e. in ‘the good old days’ worship, not amusement, was the chief object of the visit to Rome.

3-8 Ovid says one reason why the toga libera was assumed at the Liberalia (the Feast of Bacchus—the vintage, festival) was because it was the most crowded festival of the year.

References. Livy, iii. 26-28. Ihne, vol. i. cap. v.

D₁₆

THE DECEMVIRATE. THE TWELVE TABLES, 451-449 B.C.

Iam redierant legati cum Atticis legibus. Eo intentius instabant tribuni, ut tandem scribendarum legum initium fieret. Placet creari decemviros sine provocatione, et ne quis eo anno alius magistratus esset . . . Tum legibus condendis opera dabatur; 5 ingentique hominum expectatione propositis decem tabulis populum ad contionem advocaverunt et, quod bonum, faustum felixque rei publicae, ipsis liberisque eorum esset, ire et legere leges propositas iussere. Se, quantum decem hominum ingeniis provideri 10 potuerit, omnibus, summis infimisque, iura aequasse; plus pollere multorum ingenia consiliaque. Versarent in animis secum unamquamque rem, agitarent deinde sermonibus atque in medium, quid in quaque re plus minusve esset, conferrent. . . . Cum ad 15 rumores hominum de unoquoque legum capite editos satis correctae viderentur, centuriatis comitiis decem tabularum leges perlatae sunt, qui nunc quoque in hoc immenso aliarum super alias acervatarum legum cumulo, fons omnis publici privatique 20 est iuris.

Livy, iii. 32, 34.

1 cum Atticis legibus, i.e. with a copy of the Laws of Solon (the great Athenian Lawgiver, 594 B.C.).

1-3 Eo intentius . . . fieret, because up to this time the knowledge of law and its interpretation was confined to the Patricians (cf. the Scribes of the N.T.). This could only be remedied by writng the laws down and making them public.

3-4 sine provocatione = without appeal. Lit. ‘challenging.’

4-5 ne quis . . . esset. The Decemvirs were to supersede temporarily both Consuls and Tribunes.

14-15 quid . . . conferrent = ‘Should point out in the interest of all (lit. should contribute to the public good) any faults of excess or defect in the several articles.’—Stephenson.

15-17 ad rumores hominum = in accordance with (ad) public opinion.

17 centuriatis comitiis. Servius Tullius divided the people into five classes, according to the value of their property. The people (Patricians and Plebeians alike) voted by centuries; but as 98 centuries (and ∴ 98 votes) were allotted to the richest class and only 95 to the other four classes, the influence of wealth was decisive in the elections.

Parallel Passages. Cic. De Republica ii. 33-37, and De Legibus ii. 23.

The Twelve Tables. ‘They were essentially only a written embodiment of the existing public and private law.’—Mommsen. Cf. Magna Carta.

D₁₇

SECOND SECESSION OF THE PLEBS, 448 B.C.

The Death of Verginia not in vain.

Concitatur multitudo partim atrocitate sceleris, partim spe per occasionem repetendae libertatis. In contionem Appius escendit; sequuntur Horatius Valeriusque. Eos contio audit; decemviro obstrepitur. Iam pro imperio Valerius discedere a privato 5 lictores iubebat, cum fractis animis Appius vitae metuens in domum se propinquam foro insciis adversariis capite obvoluto recipit. M. Duillius deinde tribunus plebis plebem rogavit plebesque scivit, qui plebem sine tribunis reliquisset quique magistratum 10 sine provocatione creasset, tergo ac capite puniretur. Haec omnia ut invitis, ita non adversantibus patriciis transacta, quia nondum in quemquam unum saeviebatur. Fundata deinde et potestate tribunicia et plebis libertate tum tribuni aggredi singulos tutum 15 maturumque iam rati accusatorem primum Verginium et Appium reum deligunt. Spe incisa, priusquam prodicta dies adesset, Appius mortem sibi conscivit. M. Claudius assertor Verginiae, die dicta damnatus ipso remittente Verginio ultimam poenam 20 dimissus Tibur exulatum abiit; manesque Verginiae, mortuae quam vivae felicioris, per tot domos ad petendas poenas vagati nullo relicto sonte tandem quieverunt.

Livy, iii. 49, 55, 56, 58 (sel.)

Context. Verginius, seeing no way of saving his daughter from disgrace and dishonour at the hands of Appius Claudius, killed her before the judgment-seat of the tyrant and before the eyes of the people.

2 per occasionem = by such a favourable opportunity.—Rawlins.

3 In contionem = to the rostra (the platform for speakers).

3-4 Horatius Valeriusque. The first Consuls after the abolition of the Decemvirate in 449 B.C.

5 pro imperio, i.e. usurping the authority of a magistrate.

9 plebesque scivit (scisco) = and the people approved (i.e. voted for) it.

11 provocatione = right of appeal.

18 prodicta = adjourned, from the first hearing.—R.

19 assertor V. = who claimed V. as his slave.

Results of the Secession. ‘The Valerian Laws, by the second of which it was ordained that in criminal trials, when the life of a citizen was at stake, the sentence of the Consul should be subject to an appeal to the people. This Valerian Law of Appeal was the Roman Habeas Corpus Act.’—Ihne.

D₁₈

WAR WITH THE ETRUSCANS OF FIDENAE AND VEII.

Cossus wins the Spolia Opima, 437 B.C.

Erat tum inter equites tribunus militum A. Cornelius Cossus, eximia pulchritudine corporis, animo ac viribus par memorque generis, quod amplissimum acceptum maius auctiusque reliquit posteris. Is cum ad impetum Tolumni, quacumque se intendisset, 5 trepidantes Romanas videret turmas insignemque eum regio habitu volitantem tota acie cognosset, ‘Hicine est’ inquit ‘ruptor foederis humani violatorque gentium iuris? Iam ego hanc mactatam victimam, si modo sancti quicquam in terris esse di 10 volunt, legatorum manibus dabo.’ Calcaribus subditis infesta cuspide in unum fertur hostem; quem cum ictum equo deiecisset, confestim et ipse hasta innixus se in pedes excepit. Adsurgentem ibi regem umbone resupinat repetitumque saepius cuspide 15 ad terram affixit. Tum exsangui detracta spolia, caputque abscisum victor spiculo gerens terrore caesi regis hostes perfudit. Ita equitum quoque fusa acies, quae una fecerat anceps certamen. Dictator legionibus fugatis instat et ad castra compulsos 20 caedit.

Livy, iv. 19.

3 par = equally distinguished by, equal, that is, to his beauty.—S.

5 Tolumni = Lars Tolumnius, King of the Veientos, in alliance with Fidenae (about 5 miles N.E. of Rome).

quacumque se intendisset = wherever he directed his charge.

8-11 Hicine . . . manibus dabo. Fidenae had frequently been colonised by Rome, and had as frequently revolted. When the Romans sent four ambassadors to Fidenae to demand satisfaction for this last revolt, the people of Fidenae murdered them. Tolumnius is associated with their crime.

12 infesta cuspide = with couched lance.

13-14 hasta . . . excepit = with the help of his spear leapt to the ground. Lit. ‘resting on his spear caught himself on his feet.’—Stephenson.

15 umbone resupinat = he throws him back with the boss of his shield.

repetitum = piercing him again and again.—S.

19 Dictator = Mamercus Aemilius, a man of energy and ability.

The spolia opima (spoils of honour) were the arms taken on the field of battle by the victorious from the vanquished general. They were won on only three occasions:—

i. by Romulus, ii. by Cossus, iii. by Marcellus (the Conqueror of Syracuse), who in his first consulship, 222 B.C., slew with his own hand Viridomarus, King of the Insubrian Gauls. Cf. Prop. V. x.

D₁₉

THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (1)

First Pay given to Citizen Soldiers, 406 B.C.

Additum deinde omnium maxime tempestivo principum in multitudinem munere, ut ante mentionem ullam plebis tribunorumve decerneret senatus, ut stipendium miles de publico acciperet, cum ante id tempus de suo quisque functus eo munere esset. 5 Nihil acceptum umquam a plebe tanto gaudio traditur. Concursum itaque ad curiam esse prensatasque exeuntium manus et patres vere appellatos, effectum esse fatentibus, ut nemo pro tam munifica patria, donec quicquam virium superesset, corpori 10 aut sanguini suo parceret. Cum commoditas iuvaret, rem familiarem saltem acquiescere eo tempore, quo corpus addictum atque operatum rei publicae esset, tum quod ultro sibi oblatum esset, non a tribunis plebis agitatum, non suis sermonibus efflagitatum, 15 id efficiebat multiplex gaudium cumulatioremque gratiam rei. . . . Et lege perlata de indicendo Veientibus bello exercitum magna ex parte voluntarium novi tribuni militum consulari potestate Veios duxere. 20

Livy, iv. 59, 60.

1 tempestivo = seasonable (timely), in view of the coming struggle with Veii, and the necessity for winter campaigns.

2 munere. Livy tells us (cap. 60) that the Senate did not provide the pay as a present, but simply paid punctually their proper share of the war-tax (tributum) in accordance with their assessment (cum senatus summa fide ex censu contulisset).

4 de publico = out of the Public Treasury.

9 fatentibus = while men admitted.—R.

11-12 Cum . . . acquiescere = While the comfortable thought (commoditas = lit. advantage) pleased them (namely) that their private property at least was undisturbed— i.e. that they paid no war-tax while they were in the field.—Rawlins.

12-13 quo corpus . . . esset = when they were impressed (devoted to) and actively employed in the public service.—S. addictus, properly of an insolvent debtor made over to his creditor = a bondman.

16-17 id . . . gratiam rei in apposition to quod . . . efflagitatum.

19 tribuni . . . potestate. Military tribunes with consular power instead of Consuls were elected occasionally from 444 to 367 B.C.

20 Veios. The capture of Veii by Camillus (396 B.C.), in consequence of the introduction of military pay, was enormously important to Rome.

Reference. Ihne, Hist. vol. i. pp. 243-4.

D₂₀

THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (2)

A. Lament over Veii.

Propertius, IV. (V.) x. 27-30.

27 Veii (Isola Farnese) on R. Cremera, about 12 miles N.W. of Rome.

28 aurea sella, i.e. the official seat of the King. Cf. the Sella Curulis at Rome, introduced from Etruria.

29 bucina = horn.

30 et . . . metunt = and reapers gather the harvests from fields (metunt arva) enriched by the bones of your buried heroes (in ossibus vestris).

B. The Rise of the Alban Lake.

Quid, quod in annalibus habemus, Veienti 5 bello, cum lacus Albanus praeter modum crevisset, Veientem quemdam ad nos hominem nobilem profugisse, eumque dixisse, ex fatis, quae Veientes scripta haberent, Veios capi non posse, dum lacus is redundaret: et, si lacus emissus lapsu et cursu suo ad 10 mare profluxisset, perniciosum populo Romano: sin autem ita esset eductus, ut ad mare pervenire non posset, tum salutare nostris fore? Ex quo illa admirabilis a maioribus Albanae aquae facta deductio est. Cum autem Veientes bello fessi legatos ad 15 senatum misissent, tum ex his quidam dixisse dicitur, non omnia illum transfugam ausum esse senatu dicere: in iisdem enim fatis scriptum Veientes habere, ‘Fore ut brevi a Gallis Roma caperetur:’ quod quidem sexennio post Veios captos esse factum 20 videmus.

Cicero, de Divinatione, I. xliv. 100.

5 in annalibus, e.g. in Livy, v. 15.

6 crevisset, perh. partly due to the excessive snows of the preceding winter, 397 B.C.

7 profugisse. Livy says he was treacherously made prisoner.

8-9 ex fatis . . . haberent, i.e. the Etruscan Libri fatales, Books of fate, cf. the Libri Sibyllini = the Roman Books of fate.

10 lapsu et cursu suo = in its natural course and stream.

14 deductio = draining (lit. a leading off). The tunnel then cut still carries off the superfluous waters of the lake.

20 sexennio post = six years after, i.e. 390 B.C. For the 10 years’ siege of Veii, cf. the Trojan War.

Reference. Plutarch, Camillus, iii.-v. Livy, v. 15.

D₂₁

THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (3)

The Conquest of Veii.

Veientes ignari se iam a suis vatibus, iam ab externis oraculis proditos, iam in partem praedae suae vocatos deos, alios votis ex urbe sua evocatos hostium templa novasque sedes spectare, seque ultimum illum diem agere, nihil minus timentes 5 quam subrutis cuniculo moenibus arcem iam plenam hostium esse, in muros pro se quisque armati discurrunt mirantes, quidnam id esset, quod, cum tot per dies nemo se ab stationibus Romanus movisset, tum velut repentino icti furore improvidi currerent ad 10 muros. . . . Cuniculus delectis militibus eo tempore plenus in aedem Iunonis, quae in Veientana arce erat, armatos repente edidit, et pars aversos in muris invadunt hostes, pars claustra portarum revellunt, pars, cum ex tectis saxa tegulaeque a mulieribus ac 15 servitiis iacerentur, inferunt ignes. Clamor omnia variis terrentium ac paventium vocibus mixto mulierum ac puerorum ploratu complet. Momento temporis deiectis ex muro undique armatis patefactisque portis cum alii agmine irruerent, alii 20 desertos scanderent muros, urbs hostibus impletur; omnibus locis pugnatur; deinde multa iam edita caede senescit pugna, et dictator praecones edicere iubet, ut ab inermi abstineatur.

Livy, V. 21.

1 a suis vatibus, i.e. by the captured Etruscan soothsayer (haruspex).

1-2 ab externis oraculis, i.e. by the Delphic Oracle.

2-3 iam in partem . . . (alios) deos. Camillus had vowed to give to Apollo the tenth part of the spoils of Veii.

3-4 alios . . . spectare, i.e. Juno. ‘It was a Roman practice to invite the patron deity of a place or country to leave it, and to promise a more honourable worship at Rome.’—Whibley.

5-6 subrutis cunīculo = undermined. Camillus had a tunnel (cuniculum—rabbit-burrow, cf. cony) cut from the Roman camp under the wall to the Temple of Juno on the citadel of Veii.

7 discurrunt = run every man to his post, cf. ad arma discurritur.

15 tēgulae = tiles, roof-tiles (tĕgo).

23 senescit = abates, lit. grows old, becomes exhausted.

Results of the War. ‘By the Conquest of Veii, Rome’s territory, wealth, and population were largely increased. Rome was now emerging from the position of a federal capital of the Latins to become the mistress of a large country, when she was suddenly and unexpectedly overtaken by a disaster (the Invasion of the Gauls) which threatened not only her growth but her life.’—Ihne.

D₂₂

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (1)

The Battle of the Allia.

Ibi tribuni militum non loco castris ante capto, non praemunito vallo, quo receptus esset, non deorum saltem, si non hominum, memores, nec auspicato nec litato instruunt aciem diductam in cornua, ne circumveniri multitudine hostium possent; 5 nec tamen aequari frontes poterant, cum extenuando infirmam et vix cohaerentem mediam aciem haberent. Paulum erat ab dextera editi loci, quem subsidiariis repleri placuit; eaque res ut initium pavoris ac fugae, sic una salus fugientibus fuit. Nam Brennus, regulus 10 Gallorum, in paucitate hostium artem maxime timens, ratus ad id captum superiorem locum, ut, ubi Galli cum acie legionum recta fronte concurrissent, subsidia in aversos transversosque impetum darent, ad subsidiarios signa convertit, si eos loco depulisset, 15 haud dubius facilem in aequo campi tantum superanti multitudine victoriam fore; adeo non fortuna modo sed ratio etiam cum barbaris stabat. In altera acie nihil simile Romanis, non apud duces, non apud milites erat. Pavor fugaque occupaverat animos et 20 tanta omnium oblivio, ut multo maior pars Veios, in hostium urbem, cum Tiberis arceret, quam recto itinere Romam ad coniuges ac liberos fugerent.

Livy, V. 38.

4 nec litato = without obtaining favourable omens (= καλλιερεῖν).

4-5 diductam in cornua = extended (drawn out) towards the wings.

6-7 cum . . . haberent = though they made, concessive subjunctive.

8 Paulum . . . editi loci = lit. a little piece of rising ground.

10 Brennus = lit. King of the army. Cf. the Saxon Heretoga.

13 recta fronte = front to front.—Whibley.

14 in aversos transversosque = on their rear and flank.

16-17 superanti multitudine = i. (the victory) would be (easy) to him superior (superanti) in point of numbers, or ii. abl, of cause—as he was so much superior in numbers.

21-22 Veios, in hostium urbem. An exaggeration as Veii was in ruins.

22 cum T. arceret = though the Tiber stood in their way.

The Invasion of the Gauls. ‘The most advanced tribe of the Gauls were the Senones who had settled on the Adriatic to the E. of Central Etruria. While the Romans reduced S. Etruria to a state of subjection, these Gauls suddenly crossed the Apennines, threatened Clusium, and then marched on Rome. Thus for the first time the Gallic race was brought to the knowledge of the civilised world. The two armies met on July 18 at the small R. Allia, only 15 miles from Rome.’—Ihne.

D₂₃

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (2)

A. The Battle of the Allia (cont.)

Parumper subsidiarios tutatus est locus; in reliqua acie simul est clamor proximis ab latere, ultimis ab tergo auditus, ignotum hostem prius paene quam viderent, non modo non temptato certamine sed ne clamore quidem reddito integri intactique 5 fugerunt; nec ulla caedes pugnantium fuit; terga caesa suomet ipsorum certamine in turba impedientium fugam. Circa ripam Tiberis, quo armis abiectis totum sinistrum cornu refugit, magna strages facta est, multosque imperitos nandi aut invalidos, 10 graves loricis aliisque tegminibus, hausere gurgites. Maxima tamen pars incolumis Veios perfugit, unde non modo praesidii quicquam, sed ne nuntius quidem cladis Romam est missus. Ab dextro cornu, quod procul a flumine et magis sub monte steterat, 15 Romam omnes petiere et ne clausis quidem portis urbis in arcem confugerunt.

Livy, v. 38.

2-3 simul (= simul ac) . . . auditus = as soon as the shout was heard, by those nearest on the flank, by the most distant in the rear.

‘Proximi denotes the Romans on the right wing, who were the first to be attacked; the Gauls after routing them pressed on to the rear of the Romans and attacked the centre and left wing (ultimi) from behind.’—Whibley.

7-8 suomet . . . fugam = as they hindered their own flight by their struggling with one another in the crush.

11 graves = weighed down with, equivalent to a pass. partic.

hausere gurgites = the currents sucked down.—W

15 sub monte, i.e. the Colles Crustumini, which run parallel to the South bank of the Tiber.

B. July 18th, a Dies Nefastus.

Lucan, Phars. vii. 407-9.

407 Pharsalia, Battle of, 48 B.C. Caesar signally defeated Pompey.

408 feralia = fatal (= funesta).

409 fastis, i.e. Fasti consulares, the registers of the higher magistrates. Cf. the Saxon Chronicle.

The Battle. ‘The defeat of the Allia was never forgotten by the Romans. The panic (due to the strange appearance of the barbarians and their unwonted method of fighting) which alone had caused the defeat, struck so deep into their minds that for centuries afterwards the name and the sight of Gauls inspired them with terror.’—Ihne.

D₂₄

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (3)

Roman Dignity and Courage.

Romae interim satis iam omnibus ut in tali re ad tuendam arcem compositis turba seniorum domos regressi adventum hostium obstinato ad mortem animo exspectabant. Qui eorum curules gesserant magistratus, ut in fortunae pristinae honorumque ac 5 virtutis insignibus morerentur, quae augustissima vestis est tensas ducentibus triumphantibusve, ea vestiti medio aedium eburneis sellis sedere. Galli autem ingressi postero die urbem patente Collina porta in forum perveniunt; ubi eos plebis aedificiis 10 obseratis, patentibus atriis principum, maior prope cunctatio tenebat aperta quam clausa invadendi; adeo haud secus quam venerabundi intuebantur in aedium vestibulis sedentes viros, praeter ornatum habitumque humano augustiorem maiestate etiam, 15 quam vultus gravitasque oris prae se ferebat, simillimos dis. Ad eos velut ad simulacra versi cum starent, M. Papirius, unus ex eis, dicitur Gallo barbam suam, ut tum omnibus promissa erat, permulcenti scipione eburneo in caput incusso iram 20 movisse, atque ab eo initium caedis ortum, ceteros in sedibus suis trucidatos; post principum caedem nulli deinde mortalium parci, diripi tecta, exhaustis inici ignes.

Livy, v. 41 (sel.)

1 ut in tali re = considering the circumstances.

3 obstinato ad = firmly resolved on. . .—Rawlins.

4-5 curules magistratus = curule magistracies, i.e. of Dictator, Censor, Consul, Praetor, Curule Aedile, who possessed the right of using sellae curules (the ivory chairs of State), originally an emblem of kingly power.

5-6 in fortunae . . . insignibus = in the emblems of their old rank (fortunae) and office (honorum) and prowess (virtutis i.e. prizes for valour; e.g. phalerae = bosses, coronae = crowns).

7 tensas = state cars in which the statues of the gods were drawn in solemn procession to the Circensian games.

11 obseratis = shut up, lit. barred, ob + sera, cf. sĕro = join.

14 vestibulis = entrance-courts, only found in large houses.

14-15 praeter ornatum habitumque = not only in their garb and bearing.—Whibley.

19 ut tum . . . erat = worn long (promissa) as was then the custom with all, or worn long in accordance with the fashion of the time.—R.

20 scipione eburneo = the ivory staff, one of the insignia of the triumphator.

23 exhaustis (sc. aedibus) = when completely pillaged.

Reference. Plutarch, Camillus, xxi. xxii.

D₂₅

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (4)

A. Manlius Capitolinus and the Sacred Geese.

Vergil, Aen. viii. 652-662.

Context. Venus brings Aeneas his new armour: he gazes at the shield whereon were wrought scenes of the story of Rome to be.

652 in summo (sc. clipeo), on the top of the shield, as held in position.

654 Romuleoque . . . culmo = lit. and the palace was stiff freshly covered (recens) with the thatch of Romulus.

655-656 auratis . . . porticibus = the gilded colonnades of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus of Vergil’s day, restored 69 B.C.

660 virgatis sagulis = with striped cloaks—virgatus = with bands or bars like shoots (virgae)—an effect produced by inlaying. C.

661-662 Alpina gaesa = Alpine (i.e. native) javelins.

B. The Fate of Manlius, 384 B.C.

M. Manlius, unde Gallos depulerat, inde ipse praecipitatus est, quia fortiter defensam libertatem nefarie opprimere conatus fuerat. Cuius iustae ultionis nimirum haec praefatio fuit: ‘Manlius eras 15 mihi, cum praecipites agebas Senones; postquam imitari coepisti, unus factus es ex Senonibus.’ Huius supplicio aeternae memoriae nota inserta est: propter illum enim lege sanciri placuit ne quis patricius in arce aut Capitolio habitaret, quia domum eo loco 20 habuerat, ubi nunc aedem Monetae videmus.

Valerius Maximus, vi. De Severitate.

13-14 quia . . . fuerat. Manlius in reality fell a victim to his sympathies with the Plebeians. Cf. the fate of Sp. Cassius 485 B.C.

18 nota = a mark (brand) of infamy.

20-21 quia . . . habuerat. His house on the Capitol was razed to the ground.

21 aedem Monetae, a surname of Juno, in whose temple on the Arx money was coined. Cf. our Mint.

‘Thus ended the life of Manlius, the deliverer of Rome, the humane friend of an oppressed people, condemned by this very people to die the death of a traitor.’—Ihne.

D₂₆

THE INVASION OF ROME BY THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (5)

Camillus, Parens Patriae.

Sed diique et homines prohibuere redemptos vivere Romanos. Nam forte quadam, priusquam infanda merces perficeretur, per altercationem nondum omni auro appenso dictator intervenit auferrique aurum de medio et Gallos submoveri iubet. Cum 5 illi renitentes pactos dicerent sese, negat eam pactionem ratam esse, quae, postquam ipse dictator creatus esset, iniussu suo ab inferioris iuris magistratu facta esset, denuntiatque Gallis, ut se ad proelium expediant . . . Instruit deinde aciem, ut 10 loci natura patiebatur, in semirutae solo urbis et natura inaequali, et omnia, quae arte belli secunda suis eligi praepararive poterant, providit. Galli nova re trepidi arma capiunt, iraque magis quam consilio in Romanos incurrunt. Primo concursu haud 15 maiore momento fusi Galli sunt, quam ad Alliam vicerant. Iustiore altero deinde proelio ad octavum lapidem Gabina via, quo se ex fuga contulerant, eiusdem ductu auspicioque Camilli vincuntur. Ibi caedes omnia obtinuit; castra capiuntur, et ne 20 nuntius quidem cladis relictus. Dictator recuperata ex hostibus patria triumphans in urbem redit, interque iocos militares, quos inconditos iaciunt, Romulus ac parens patriae conditorque alter urbis haud vanis laudibus appellabatur. 25

Livy, v. 49 (sel.)

Context. The Romans on the Capitol, despairing of outside help, agreed with Brennus that Rome should be redeemed by a ransom of 1000 pounds of gold. Nondum omnni auro appenso, Camillus appeared at the head of his troops.

3 per altercationem = owing to the dispute. When the Consular Tribune Sulpicius complained that the Gauls used unjust weights, Brennus in derision threw his sword into the scale and said Vae victis!

13-14 nova re = at the change in their fortunes.—Whibley.

15-16 haud maiore momento = with no greater difficulty (effort).

17 Iustiore altero proelio = in a second and more regular engagement.— W.

23 incondītos = rough, unpolished.

D₂₇

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (6)

A. The Migration to Veii abandoned.

Movisse eos Camillus cum alia oratione tum ea, quae ad religiones pertinebat, maxime dicitur; sed rem dubiam decrevit vox opportune missa, quod, cum senatus post paulo de his rebus in curia Hostilia haberetur, cohortesque ex praesidiis revertentes forte 5 agmine forum transirent, centurio in comitio exclamavit: ‘Signifer, statue signum; hic manebimus optime.’ Qua voce audita et senatus accipere se omen ex curia egressus conclamavit, et plebs circumfusa approbavit. Antiquata deinde lege promiscue 10 urbs aedificari coepta.

Livy, v. 55.

1 cum alia tum = especially

ea = ea parte orationis.

3 vox opportune missa = a phrase seasonably let fall.

10 Antiquata deinde lege (= rogatione) = the proposed law was then rejected, antiquare = to leave in its former state.

B. Juno forbids the Rebuilding of Troy.

Horace, Odes, III. iii. 57-64.

58 hac lege = on this condition, i.e. that Rome should always be the capital.

nimium pii = too dutiful to their mother-city Troy.

58-60 ne . . . reparare Troiae. There was a rumour, even in Caesar’s time (v. Suet. Iul. Caes. 79) that he meant to migrate to Alexandria or Ilium. Horace, prob. with the sanction of Augustus, sets himself to discourage it. Cf. the Speech of Camillus, Livy, v. 51-54.

61-62 Troiae . . . iterabitur = the fortunes of Troy, if with evil omen it is called to life again (renascens), shall be repeated in an overthrow as sad as before.—Wickham.

‘The Burning of Rome by the Gauls involved the destruction of all the existing records, and great loss of property. Yet in spite of all the damage done, the Romans set to work to establish the state anew, to rebuild the City, and to reassert their commanding position among their allies and neighbours.’—Ihne.

The Speech of Camillus. Its object was to show the growth of Rome under the guidance of Providence. Cf. the purpose of the Aeneid.

D₂₈

THE LICINIAN LAWS, 376-366 B.C. (1)

First Plebeian Consul, 366 B.C.

Occasio videbatur rerum novandarum propter ingentem vim aeris alieni, cuius levamen mali plebes nisi suis in summo imperio locatis, nullum speraret: accingendum ad eam cogitationem esse; conando agendoque iam eo gradum fecisse plebeios, unde, 5 si porro annitantur, pervenire ad summa et patribus aequari tam honore quam virtute possent. In praesentia tribunes plebis fieri placuit, quo in magistratu sibimet ipsi viam ad ceteros honores aperirent. Creatique tribuni C. Licinius et L. Sextius promulgavere 10 leges omnes adversus opes patriciorum et pro commodis plebis, unam de aere alieno, ut deducto eo de capite, quod usuris pernumeratum esset, id, quod superesset, triennio aequis pensionibus persolveretur; alteram de modo agrorum, ne quis plus quingenta 15 iugera agri possideret; tertiam, ne tribunorum militum comitia fierent, consulumque utique alter ex plebe crearetur; cuncta ingentia et quae sine certamine maximo obtineri non possent. . . . Ita ab diutina ira tandem in concordiam redacti sunt ordines. 20

Livy, vi. 35.

1 Occasio. This, so Livy tells us, was the jealousy between the Fabian sisters, the one married to the patrician Sulpicius, the other to the plebeian Licinius Stolo.

1-2 propter . . . alieni. The old Roman law of debt was very harsh and severe.

3 in summo imperio, i.e. the Consulate.

4 accingendum . . . esse = they must brace themselves to the execution of that idea.—R. accingendum, reflexive here.

5 iam eo, i.e. to the office of Consular Tribune, created 444 B.C.

6 si porro annitantur = if they now make a further effort. This use of Pres. Subj. in Or. Obl. frequent in Livy.

7 tam honore quam virtute = in official rank as (they were already) in merit.—Rawlins.

12-14 ut deducto . . . persolveretur = ‘after deducting from the amount of the loan (capite = principal) what had been paid in interest, the balance should be paid in three equal instalments.’—Cluer and Matheson.

15 de modo agrorum = relating to the limitation of land-holding.

16-17 tribunorum militum (sc. cum consulari potestate) created 444 B.C., but no plebeian obtained that honour till 400 B.C., and only two after that date.

17 utique = one at any rate.

Result. ‘The principle was established that Patricians and Plebeians were both citizens of the State, and equally eligible to the honours and dignities of the Republic.’—Ihne.

D₂₉

THE LICINIAN LAWS, 376-366 B.C. (2)

The Origin of the Floralia, 238 B.C.

Ovid, Fasti, v. 237-254, H.

2 illa, i.e. Flora, the Roman goddess of Flowers and Spring.

3 luxuriae instrumenta = appliance of luxury.

5 locuples (locus + plenus) = rich in lands.

pecunia from pecus, cattle being in olden time the chief form of wealth and the chief medium of exchange. For pecus, cf. fee, fief, feudal.

7 Venerat . . . saltus = it had grown into a custom to feed (cattle) on the public forest-pastures. (Cf. the ager publicus.) H.

9 sua publica = their common property, i.e. their interest in the public land.

vulgus here = the commons, not the plebs as opposed to the populus.

10 inertis erat = it was the mark of a man wanting in spirit.

12 Publicios. L. and M. Publicius Malleolus,* plebeian aediles, B.C. 241.

animus . . . viris, i.e. information had before been given but no aedile dared to act upon it.

13 recipit = takes up the charge at the Comitia.

multam = a fine. Cf. to mulct = to fine.

14 publica cura = their public spirit.—H.

15 multa . . . mihi, i.e. a new Temple was built to Flora near the Circus Maximus.

16 ludos novos = the Floralia.

17 Parte locant (sc. muniendum) Clivum = with the (other) part they contract for (the making of) the Clivus, a sloping road, called the Clivus Publicius, which led up to the Aventine.

D₃₀

THE CONQUEST OF ITALY, 366-266 B.C.

SECOND INVASION OF THE GAULS, 361 B.C.

Manlius and his son Torquatus.

L. Manlio, cum dictator fuisset, M. Pomponius tribunus plebis diem dixit, quod is paucos sibi dies ad dictaturam gerendam addidisset; criminabatur etiam, quod Titum filium, qui postea est Torquatus appellatus, ab hominibus relegasset et ruri habitare 5 iussisset. Quod cum audivisset adulescens filius negotium exhiberi patri, accurrisse Romam et cum prima luce Pomponii domum venisse dicitur. Cui cum esset nuntiatum, qui illum iratum allaturum ad se aliquid contra patrem arbitraretur, surrexit e 10 lectulo remotisque arbitris ad se adulescentem iussit venire. At ille, ut ingressus est, confestim gladium destrinxit iuravitque se illum statim interfecturum, nisi ius iurandum sibi dedisset se patrem missum esse facturum. Iuravit hoc terrore coactus Pomponius; 15 rem ad populum detulit, docuit cur sibi causa desistere necesse esset, Manlium missum fecit. Tantum temporibus illis ius iurandum valebat. Atque hic T. Manlius is est, qui ad Anienem Galli, quem ab eo provocatus occiderat, torque detracto cognomen 20 invenit, cuius tertio consulatu Latini ad Veserim fusi et fugati.

Cicero, de Officiis, iii. § 112.

1 L. Manlio, i.e. L. Manlius Capitolinus Imperiosus, appointed Dictator 363 B.C. ‘to drive in a nail (clavi figendi causa) on the right side of the Temple of Jupiter, to mark the number of the year, because written documents were rare in those times.’

2 diem dixit = named a day (for his trial before the Comitia).

4-6 quod Titum filium . . . iussisset. Livy, vii. 4, says ‘And for what offence? Because he was a little slow of speech and not ready with his tongue.’

4 Torquatus, Dictator 353 and 349 B.C., and three times Consul.

6 negotium exhiberi patri = lit. that trouble was being brought upon his father, i.e. that his father was in trouble.

9-10 qui arbitraretur = inasmuch as he thought. Adject. causal clause.—Holden.

11 remotis arbitris = when he had put out of the room all witnesses.—H. arbiter* = (ar = ad + bito = eo) = spectator, umpire.

14-15 missum facturum = would set at liberty.

19 ad Anienem Galli. On this, their second invasion, the Gauls advanced as far as the Anio. Livy tells us that after the death of their champion the Gauls fled under cover of night.

21-22 cuius . . . fugati, i.e. the great battle of Vesuvius fought 340 B.C. by the Veseris, a R. in Campania near Mount Vesuvius, which established for ever the supremacy of Rome over Latium.

Parallel Passage. Livy, vii. 4, 5, 9, 10.

D₃₁

FIRST SAMNITE WAR, 343-341 B.C. (1)

An Important Epoch in Roman History.

Maiora iam hinc bella et viribus hostium et longinquitate vel regionum vel temporum, quibus bellatum est, dicentur. Namque eo anno adversus Samnites, gentem opibus armisque validam, mota arma; Samnitium bellum ancipiti Marte gestum 5 Pyrrhus hostis, Pyrrhum Poeni secuti. Quanta rerum moles! quoties in extrema periculoram ventum, ut in hanc magnitudinem, quae vix sustinetur, erigi imperium posset! Belli autem causa cum Samnitibus Romanis, cum societate amicitiaque iuncti essent, 10 extrinsecus venit, non orta inter ipsos est. Samnites Sidicinis iniusta arma, quia viribus plus poterant, cum intulissent, coacti inopes ad opulentiorum auxilium confugere Campanis sese coniungunt. Campani magis nomen ad praesidium sociorum quam 15 vires cum attulissent, fluentes luxu ab duratis usu armorum in Sidicino pulsi agro, in se deinde molem omnem belli verterunt. Namque Samnites, omissis Sidicinis ipsam arcem finitimorum Campanos adorti, unde aeque facilis victoria, praedae atque gloriae 20 plus esset, Tifata, imminentes Capuae colles, cum praesidio firmo occupassent, descendunt inde quadrato agmine in planitiem, quae Capuam Tifataque interiacet. Ibi rursus acie dimicatum; adversoque proelio Campani intra moenia compulsi, cum robore iuventutis 25 suae acciso nulla propinqua spes esset, coacti sunt ab Romanis petere auxilium.