A SURPRISING DISCUSSION BETWEEN GENERALS
The Roman Scipio and Carthaginian Hannibal meet in their old age.
[line 1] Post Bellum Poenicum Secundum, scrīptum est et Hannibalem et Scīpiōnem simul forte (1)
[line 2] esse in Syriā. Quamquam fuerant inimīcī ācerrimī (2), tamen eō tempore saepe familiāriter
[line 3] colloquēbantur (2). Renārrābant multa et mīra dē bellō et dē virtūtibus antīquīs. Ōlim
[line 4] Scīpiō, cōgitāns dē victōriā suā Zamae, Hannibalem rogāvit, "Quis est optimus imperātor
[line 5] omnium?" Statim Hannibal respondit, "Alexander Magnus." Tum Scīpiō rogāvit,
[line 6] “Quem pōnis in secundō locō?” "Pyrrhum, sine dubiō," respondit Hannibal. Ubi Scīpiō
[line 7] tertium nōmen quaesīvit, Hannibal suum dīxit. Scīpiō cum rīsū exclāmāvit, "Mehercule!
[line 8] Ego tē vīcī!" Hannibal placidē respondit, "Vērum est. Sed sī tē vīcissem (5), nōmen meum
[line 9] suprā etiam Alexandrī nōmen posuissem! (6)"
(1) forte: by chance
(2) ācerrimī: very bitter
(3) colloquēbantur: they used to converse
(4) Zamae = at Zama
(5) vīcissem = I had defeated
(6) posuissem = I would have placed
29. We learn in lines 1-2 (Post…Syriā) that Hannibal and Scipio
A) fought their last battle in Syria
B) had agreed to meet in Syria
C) were both born in Syria many years before
D) happened to be in Syria at the same time
30. Quamquam (line 2) is best translated
A) whichever
B) however
C) although
D) still
31. According to lines 2-3, what is the relationship between the two men?
A) They were still bitter enemies and often insulted each other.
B) Despite being former enemies, they found they had a lot to discuss.
C) They were unfriendly to each other, speaking only when necessary.
D) While they lived in the same town, they only spoke through messengers.
32. In line 3, what are the two men discussing?
A) the very beautiful landscape of Asia
B) many of their fallen comrades
C) things they missed from their homelands
D) many aspects of war and courage
33. In line 4, what is the best translation of suā?
A) her
B) himself
C) their
D) his own
34. What does Scipio ask Hannibal in lines 4-5?
A) Who is the best general of all?
B) What was the greatest victory of all?
C) Who had the bravest army of all?
D) Which of their native lands is the most powerful?
35. In lines 5-6, what does Scipio do upon hearing Hannibal’s answer?
A) nods silently
B) moves to a new location
C) asks about the second position
D) offers his conflicting opinion
36. What does Hannibal give as his answer in lines 6-7 (Ubi…dīxit)?
A) Scipio himself
B) an unknown name
C) his own name
D) his father’s name
37. Why does this answer surprise Scipio?
A) Scipio was amazed Hannibal would give any credit to him.
B) Scipio expected that his own name would be placed before that of Hannibal.
C) Scipio didn't recognize the unfamiliar name.
D) Scipio didn't understand why Hannibal repeated the question.
38. Which noun is NOT in the same case as the others?
A) victōriā (line 4)
B) Scīpiō (line 5)
C) dubiō (line 6)
D) rīsū (line 7)
39. According to line 8, how does Hannibal react when Scipio shouts “Ego tē vīcī!”
A) with anger
B) with confusion
C) calmly
D) triumphantly
40. What is Hannibal’s general point in the last sentence (Sed…posuissem)?
A) If Hannibal had defeated Scipio, then Hannibal would consider himself above Alexander.
B) If Scipio had been defeated, Hannibal would be second only to Alexander.
C) If Hannibal had had the chance, he could have beaten Alexander himself.
D) If Scipio had lost, Scipio’s name would not even be on the list.
____________________
29. D; 30. C; 31. B; 32. D; 33. D; 34. A; 35. C; 36. C; 37. B; 38. B; 39. C; 40. A
29. D: happened to be in Syria at the same time; simul forte esse in Syriā
30. C: although
31. B: Despite being former enemies, they found they had a lot to discuss; Quamquam fuerant inimīcī ācerrimī tamen eō tempore saepe familiāriter colloquēbantur. │ Although they had been very bitter enemies, nevertheless at that time they often used to converse in a familiar manner.
32. D: many aspects of war and courage; Renārrābant … dē bellō et dē virtūtibus antīquīs.
33. D: his own
34. A: Who is the best general of all?; Quis est optimus imperātor omnium?
35. C: asks about the second position; Quem pōnis in secundō locō?
36. C: his own name; Hannibal suum dīxit
37. B: Scipio expected that his own name would be placed before that of Hannibal i.e. Scipio had conquered Hannibal; Scīpiō cum rīsū exclāmāvit, "Mehercule! Ego tē vīcī!"
38. B: Scipiō; nominative case; the other three are in the ablative
39. C: calmly; placidē respondit
40. A: If Hannibal had defeated Scipio, then Hannibal would consider himself above Alexander; Sed (1) sī tē vīcissem, (2) nōmen meum suprā etiam Alexandrī nōmen posuissem! │ But (1) if I had defeated you, (2) I would have placed my name above even Alexander’s name!
After the Second Punic War, it was written that both Hannibal and Scipio were by chance in Syria at the same time. Although they had been very bitter enemies, nevertheless at that time they used to converse often in a familiar manner. They were retelling many (and) wonderful things about war and about ancient virtues/courage. One day Scipio, while thinking about his victory at Zama, asked Hannibal, “Who is the best general of all?” Immediately Hannibal responded, “Alexander the Great.” Then Scipio asked, “Whom do you put in second place?” “Pyrrhus, without a doubt,” responded Hannibal. When Scipio asked a third name, Hannibal said his own (name). Scipio exclaimed with a laugh, “By Hercules! I defeated you!” Hannibal calmly responded, “It is true. But if I had defeated you, I would have placed my name above even Alexander’s name!”
