Latin for Learners 2

Friday, August 28, 2026

Level 4; literature; Bread and panthers … without the panthers [2]; text, translation with accompanying notes to lines [1] – [5]

Scr. Romae iv Non. Sept. a. 703 (51). CAELIVS CICERONI S. ¦ M. CAELIUS RUFUS TO CICERO, Rome, 2^nd September, 51BC

[1] ferē litterīs omnibus tibi dē panthērīs scrīpsī. │ In almost every letter I have written to you about panthers.

[2] turpe tibi erit ¦ Patiscum Cūriōnī decem panthērās mīsisse, ¦ tē nōn multīs partibus plūrīs; │ It will be a disgrace to you ¦ that Patiscus has sent ten panthers to Curio, (and) ¦ that you haven’t (sent) many times more.

[i] mīsisse: to have sent; perfect active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/07/191025-level-3-spartan-boys-contempt-of.html

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/05/020925-level-3-sonnenschein-pro-patria.html

[ii] Patiscus: research suggests that Patiscus was an agent working locally for Caelius to obtain panthers and, most likely, other exotic animals

[iii] Curiō i.e. Gaius Scribonius Curio: Roman politician

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Scribonius_Curio_(tribune_50_BC)

[3] quās ipsās Cūriō mihi et aliās Āfricānās decem dōnāvit │ and these very ones (i.e. beasts), as well as ten other African ones, Curio has presented to me,

quās: connecting relative; it starts the sentence and is referring back to something mentioned in the previous one. Therefore, it does not translate as ‘which’ but ‘And these … (i.e. the animals referred to in the earlier statement)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/270625-level-3-labours-of-hercules-iii.html [note (3)]

[4] … nē pūtēs ¦ illum tantum praedia rūstica dare scīre. │ so that you don’t think ¦ that he only knows how to give (gifts of) estates in the country

[i] nē + the subjunctive: the subjunctive is used to express the purpose of an action i.e. x does something ¦ in order that / so that y may happen; when nē is included, it indicates a negative purpose i.e. something is done ¦ so that something does not happen

[ii] …illum … scīre; indirect statement

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/05/310825-level-1-readings-18-damocles.html

[5] tū sī modo memoriā tenueris et Cibyrātās arcessieris itemque in Pamphȳliam litterās miseris (nam ibi plūrīs cāpī aiunt), quod volēs efficiēs. │ If only you keep (this) in mind / remember (this) [ = literally: if you will have kept in mind], and send for [ = will have sent for] some (panthers) from Cibyra, and likewise send [ = will have sent] a letter to Pamphylia – for they say they’re mostly captured there – you’ll achieve what you want.

[i] Note in this section the use of the future perfect tense which emphasises the completion of a future action; in English the literal translation sounds clumsy, but English can convey this idea e.g. If you paint the dining room by Tuesday, we can have the party = If you’ve painted the dining room = If you’ve got the dining room painted … i.e. English can use a present perfect tense to stress completion, whereas Latin uses the future perfect:

[ii] item: likewise

[iii] Pamphȳlia, -ae [1/f]: a region in Asia Minor

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

image #1: 15^th century map showing Pamphylia

[iv] Cibyra, -ae [1/f]: a town in SE Asia Minor; also: Kibyra (Gk. Κίβυρα)

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

image #2: the Roman theatre of Cibyra; if the panthers had been there, I wouldn’t have booked a seat on the front row!

Images #3 and #4: the stadium at Cibyra and a representation of a gladiatorial scene

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Level 4; literature; Bread and panthers … without the panthers [1]; text and translation

Caelius is worried. If you want to “get on” in Rome, if you want to climb the political ladder (cursus honōrum), keep the people happy. Give them bread, and give them free shows to let them see what a generous guy you are. Apart from gladiators, the Romans were treated to vēnātiōnes (hunting shows) where men (hunters: vēnātōrēs) would fight wild animals [see image]. The only problem is that, if you don’t have wild animals, you ain’t got no show!

The introduction to this excerpt is from Reading Latin by Jones and Sidwell (pp239ff); the translation, vocabulary and notes are my own. The extensive work by Jones and Sidwell is outstanding: they cover short and manageable excerpts from a wide range of Latin literature of different periods and genres; although there are three separate books, the ‘Text and Vocabulary’ can stand alone. Texts are accompanied by notes which contextualise the excerpts and, by working through the book (which starts with Plautus), you gain insight into significant events. I went through the book from start to finish, and I found it extremely helpful in beginning to find my way through the authors. I would recommend buying the latest edition of this book although an older, and far less detailed edition is at:

https://archive.org/details/jones-peter-sidwell-keith-reading-latin/mode/2up

Image: the text and my own translation

I’ve divided the post itself into three parts:

[i] text and translation

[ii] text, translation with accompanying notes to lines [1] – [5]

[iii] text, translation with accompanying notes to lines [6] – [10]

Links are given to aspects of Level 3 grammar that have been covered earlier. References will be made to the use of the subjunctive without, at this stage, going into detail.

“Caelius was elected curule aedile, an important step on the cursus honōrum. One of his new duties was to stage public games. Caelius became anxious about the animals to appear in the vēnātiōnes (wild animal hunts). He was eager to increase his prestige by putting on an extravagant show. So he wrote to Cicero requesting help. He had already made several mentions of these animals in earlier letters.” (Jones and Sidwell)

Scr. Romae iv Non. Sept. a. 703 (51). CAELIVS CICERONI S.

ferē litterīs omnibus tibi dē panthērīs scrīpsī. turpe tibi erit Patiscum Cūriōnī decem panthērās mīsisse, tē nōn multīs partibus plūrīs; quās ipsās Cūriō mihi et aliās Āfricānās decem dōnāvit, nē putēs illum tantum praedia rūstica dare scīre. tū sī modo memoriā tenueris et Cibyrātās arcessieris itemque in Pamphȳliam litterās miseris (nam ibi plūrīs cāpī aiunt), quod volēs efficiēs. hoc vehementius labōrō nunc, quod seorsus ā collēgā putō mihi omnia paranda. amābō tē, imperā tibi hoc. cūrāre solēs libenter, ut ego maiōrem partem nihil cūrāre. in hōc negōtiō nūlla tua nisi loquendī cūra est, hoc est imperandī et mandandī; nam simulatque erunt captae, quī alant eās et dēportent habēs eōs… putō etiam, sī ūllam spem mihi litterīs ostenderis, mē istō missūrum aliōs.

M. CAELIUS RUFUS TO CICERO, Rome, 2^nd September, 51BC

I’ve written to you about panthers in almost every letter. You’ll find it disgraceful that Patiscus has sent ten panthers to Curio and you haven’t sent far, far more. And those very beasts, as well as ten others from Africa, Curio’s given to me as a gift, so you don’t think that he only knows how to give gifts of country estates. If only you bear this in mind, and send for some (panthers) from Cybyra, and likewise send a letter to Pamphylia – for they say they’re mostly captured there – you’ll manage to do what you want. I’m getting increasingly concerned about this now, because, apart from my colleague, I think I’ll have to prepare everything. Please tell yourself to do this. You’re usually willing to take care of things, in the same way that I mostly take none. In this business all you have to do is speak, that is, give an order and a commission, for as soon as they’ve been captured, you have the men to feed and transport them .. If you offer me any hope in your letters, I even think I’ll send others to where you are.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Topic / Level 4; transport [3]: wheeled vehicles (3) currus [ii]

The divine status which the chariot could represent is illustrated by Ovid as he describes the chariot of the Sun. Phoebus has been warning Phaethon not to drive the sun chariot because the task is too dangerous. After finishing these warnings, he still reluctantly leads his son to the chariot.

[1] Fīnierat monitūs; dictīs tamen ille repugnat

he had finished the warnings; but he (Phaeton) resists his words,

[2] prōpositumque premit flagratque cupīdine currūs.

persists in his purpose, and burns with desire for the chariot.

[3-4] ergō, quā licuit, genitor cunctātus ad altōs / dēdūcit iuvenem, Vulcānia mūnera, currūs.

Therefore, delaying as long as he could, the father leads the youth up to the lofty chariot, the gift of Vulcan.

[5-6] aureus axis erat, tēmō aureus, aurea summae / curvātūra rotae, radiōrum argenteus ordō;

The axle was of gold, the pole of gold, the wheelrim of gold; the row of spokes of silver;

[7] per iuga chrȳsolithī positaeque ex ōrdine gemmae

Chrysolites and gems placed along the yoke in order,

[8] clāra repercussō reddēbant lūmina Phoebō.

gave a bright light from the reflected sun.

Note the following poetic features:

[i] metre: dactylic hexameter

Dactylic hexameter comprises two possible rhythmic patterns:

[ — ◡ ◡ ]: dactyl; fī-nĭ-ĕ | rāt mŏ-nĭ- |

[ — — ]: spondee; | -tūs; dīc- |

Each single pattern is known as a foot, six of which appear in a line, hence hexameter.

[ii] vowels lengthened by position:

Line 1: The /a/ of fīnierat is not naturally long, but in poetic metre, vowels are lengthened before 2 consonants:

fī-nĭ-ĕr- | āT Mŏ-nĭ - |

Similarly:

[l1] īL-Lĕ rĕ - |

[l2] prō-po-si-tūM-QUe

[l2] flā- | grāT-QUĕ cŭ-

[l7] gēM-Mae

[iii] elision: the vowel of -que is dropped before the vowel of the following word:

[iv] poetic plurals: the use of a plural to refer to a singular noun is a feature of CL poetry, creating a more elevated tone

[ll3-4] ad altōs … currūs; the adjective clearly marks the noun as plural although only one chariot is being referred to

Compare line 2: flagratque cupīdine currūs where the same noun is being used as a genitive singular

flagratque cupīdine currūs | and burns with desire for the chariot.

[l4]: mūnera (rather than the singular mūnus)

[l8]: lūmina (rather than the singular lūmen)

As you explore Classical Latin poetry in greater depth, you will come across specific terms to describe poetic devices. There are many such terms and it is advisable to note them when they occur since they are consistently used. Two of them are in Line 5:

aureus axis erat, tēmō aureus, aurea summae / curvātūra rotae,

[i] asyndeton: the omission of conjunctions

[ii] polyptoton: words derived from the same root are used together i.e. aureus / aurea

Both features allow for a rapid accumulation of images, emphasising the quantity of gold and mirroring the way in which Phaeton’s eyes dart about upon seeing this treasure.

Topic / Level 4; transport [2]: wheeled vehicles (2) currus [i]

(1) Often reinforced by our contemporary movie makers, the image of the chariot epitomises velocity, volatility and power. However, it is an image that was already conveyed by Virgil:

saevit tōtō Mars impius orbe, | Wicked Mars rages throughout the whole world,

ut cum carceribus [i] sēsē effūdēre quadrīgae, | just as when four-horse chariots have burst forth from the barriers,

addunt in spatia [ii], et frūstrā retinācula tendēns | they quicken their pace lap after lap, and, tugging vainly at the harnesses,

fertur equīs aurīga neque audit currus habēnās | the charioteer is swept along by the horses, nor does the chariot heed the reins.

currus, -ūs [4/m]: chariot

quadrīga, -ae [1/f]: chariot pulled by four horses

aurīga, -ae [1/m]: charioteer

Virgil associates the chariots and charioteers with the Circus Maximus:

[i] carcerēs: the enclosed starting stalls at the wide straight end of the Circus Maximus where each chariot team was held prior to the commencement of the race

[ii] spatium, -ī [2/n]: (here) one lap of a race; addunt in spatia is a compressed expression which would normally require a direct object such as gradum (pace) i.e. the horses are adding to the pace with every lap they run.

Note: alternating between ‘galloping’ dactyls [ — ◡ ◡ ] and ‘straining’ spondees [ — — ], the rhythm of the words in the final line literally mimics the erratic, terrifying speed of the runaway vehicle which the charioteer is attempting to control:

(2) The chariot is also associated with triumphal processions even if such processions were sometimes considered controversial. Here we have Livy’s description of the triumphant arrival of Camillus after the conquest of Veii in 396 BC in which he refers to the appearance of the chariot as a political flashpoint:

adventus quoque dictātōris omnibus ōrdinibus obviam effūsīs celebrātior quam ūllius unquam anteā fuit, triumphusque omnem cōnsuētum honōrandī diēī illīus modum aliquantum excessit. maximē cōnspectus ipse est, currū equīs albīs iūnctō urbem inuectus, parumque id nōn cīuīle modō sed hūmānum etiam vīsum. Iovis Solīsque equīs aequiperātum dictātōrem in religiōnem etiam trahēbant, triumphusque ob eam ūnam maximē rem clārior quam grātior fuit.

adventus quoque dictātōris

The arrival also of the dictator

omnibus ōrdinibus obviam effūsīs

with all classes having poured out to meet him

celebrātior quam ūllius unquam anteā fuit,

was more celebrated than that of anyone ever before,

triumphusque omnem cōnsuētum honōrandī diēī illīus modum aliquantum excessit.

and his triumph considerably exceeded the entire customary manner of honoring that day.

maximē cōnspectus ipse est,

He himself was the object of greatest attention

currū equīs albīs iūnctō urbem invectus,

borne into the city by a chariot yoked to white horses,

parumque id nōn cīvīle modō sed hūmānum etiam vīsum.

And it seemed not only uncharacteristic of a citizen but even a mortal man

Iovis Sōlīsque equīs aequiperātum dictātōrem in religiōnem etiam trahēbant,

They also interpreted it as an offense against religion that the dictator was made equal to the horses of Jupiter and the Sun,

triumphusque ob eam ūnam maximē rem clārior quam grātior fuit.

and for that one reason above all, the triumph was more spectacular than it was pleasing.

Triumph of Furius Camillus: Francesco Salviati (1545)

Monday, August 24, 2026

Level 4; literature; Cicero against Verres, ‘the art thief’

Gaius Verres was a Roman senator and former governor of Sicily who was accused of abuse of power. Cicero, serving as prosecutor on behalf of the Sicilians, took the case against Verres. In this extract, Cicero accuses Verres of relentless and widespread theft:

negō in Siciliā tōtā, tam locuplētī, tam vetere prōvinciā, tot oppidīs, tot familiīs tam cōpiōsīs, ūllum argenteum vās, ūllum Corinthium aut Dēliacum fuisse, ūllam gemmam aut margarītam, quicquam ex aurō aut ebore factum, signum ūllum aēneum, marmoreum, eburneum, negō ūllam pictūram neque in tabulā neque in textilī quīn conquīsierit, īnspexerit, quod placitum sit abstulerit.

Below is the translation by Peterson (1917)

I say that in all Sicily, in all that wealthy and ancient province, that in that number of towns and families of such exceeding riches, there was no silver vessel, no Corinthian or Delian plate, no jewel or pearl, nothing made of gold or ivory, no statue of marble or brass or ivory, no picture whether painted or embroidered, that he did not seek out, that he did not inspect, that, if he liked it, he did not take away.

gemma, -ae [1/f]: jewel; gem
margarita, -ae [1/f]: pearl
pictūra, -ae [1/f] (1) in tabulā / (2) in textilī: a picture (1) on a panel i.e. painted (2) on cloth (the translator gives this as ‘embroidered’)
textile, -is [3/n]: cloth; canvas; fabric

However, we can take a second look at a slightly more precise translation because this well-known extract is a typical example of Cicero’s oratory style. There are three features discussed: [a] rhetorical anaphora [b] alliteration [c] tricolon

[1] negō in Siciliā tōtā, tam locuplētī, tam vetere prōvinciā, tot oppidīs, tot familiīs tam cōpiōsīs, (1) ūllum argenteum vās, (2) ūllum Corinthium aut Dēliacum fuisse, (3) ūllam gemmam aut margarītam, quicquam ex aurō aut ebore factum, signum ūllum (1) aēneum, (2) marmoreum, (3) eburneum, [2] negō ūllam pictūram neque in tabulā neque in textilī quīn (1) conquīsierit, (2) īnspexerit, quod placitum sit (3) abstulerit.

[1] I say that in all Sicily — so rich, so ancient a province, with so many towns and so many wealthy households — there was not any / not a single silver vessel, not one piece of Corinthian or Delian ware, not one gem or pearl, not anything made of gold or ivory, not any (1) bronze, (2) marble, or (3) ivory statue;

[2] I say there was no painting, neither on panel nor on fabric / cloth, that he did not (1) search out, (2) examine, and, if it pleased him, (3) carry off.”

[a] He repeats the opening verb (negō: I say … not), a technique known as rhetorical anaphora, the same word or phrase repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or phrases.

[b] alliteration, the repetition of initial consonants:

in Siciliā tōtā, tam locuplētī, tam vetere prōvinciā, tot oppidīs, tot familiīs tam cōpiōsīs
neque in tabulā neque in textilī

[c] The tricolon: this is a common rhetorical device in Cicero’s speeches, and has been used by politicians and advertisers ever since - three parallel words, phrases, or clauses that are roughly equal in length and structure. If you’ve ever been to a London market, the stallholders will loudly attract you with their wares using the same technique that Cicero uses!

“(1) I’m not asking for £20, (2) I’m not asking for £15, (3) I’m not even asking for £8 …D’you know what I’m asking for? £6, you can’t say fairer than that!”

When the three parts increase in length or intensity, it’s called a tricolon crescēns (ascending tricolon or climax).

Cicero repeats words and grammatical endings (ūllum / ūllam; -um; -am; -eum; -erit):

(1) ūllum argenteum vās, (2) ūllum Corinthium aut Dēliacum … (3) ūllam gemmam aut margarītam
signum ūllum (1) aēneum, (2) marmoreum, (3) eburneum

This last one is a good example of a tricolon crescēns

conquīsierit, (2) īnspexerit, … (3) abstulerit i.e. (1) he looked for it (2) he inspected it and, the last word in the entire statement – the climax of the denunciation – (3) he stole it

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/290524-level-2-side-note.html

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/05/290424-tomb-of-scipio-barbatus-im-lovin.html

The entire statement is ‘encircled’ by his opening and closing remarks which essentially summarise his argument:

in Siciliā tōtā │ in all of Sicily … absulerit │ he stole

We’re overwhelmed by the list of precious metals and objects: silver, jewels, pearls, gold, ivory, marble, brass, painted and embroidered pictures. In other words, if Verres saw it, he took it. Not unlike that the old London market stall holder wanting you to buy what’s on offer, Cicero wants to ‘sell’ his argument.

Do you think Cicero won the case?

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Topic / Level 4; transport [1]: wheeled vehicles (1) vehiculum; cisium; essedum

NOTE: the topic can be used simply to make a list of vocabulary and the basic translations. However, to illustrate the vocabulary a large number of excerpts from original literature are used.

[1] vehiculum, -ī [2/n] a general term for any form of vehicle / conveyance / means of transport i.e. with no direct indication as to its physical appearance or function.

Vehiculum ascendō. Ibi quoque īdem quod ambulāns aut iacēns (Pliny the Younger)

I get into my vehicle. There too I do the same as when walking or lying down...

i.e. his focus is on what he does in the means of transport rather than giving any detail as to its type.

Similarly, the following two quotations do not attach any relevance to the type:

Cum paucissimīs servīs, quōs ūnum capere vehiculum potuit (Seneca the Younger)

With the very few slaves whom a single vehicle could hold...

...mulīs ē proximō pistrīnō ad vehiculum iūnctīs... (Suentonius)

after mules from a nearby mill had been yoked to the vehicle.

We can regard vehiculum as a generic term since, in the Roman world, the specific terms for wheeled vehicles were most often distinguished by purpose (e.g. freight vs. passengers), distance, and the number of wheels.

[2] cisium, -ī [2/n]: a light, open, two-wheeled carriage constructed for speed. Available for hire and driven by a cisiārius, -ī [2/m], they were used by travellers between towns and by couriers with urgent mail.

(1) decem hōrīs nocturnīs sex et quīnquāgintā mīlia passuum cisiīs pervolāvit (Cicero)

Within 10 hours of darkness, he flew 56 miles in light carriages.

The first quotation from Cicero emphasises both the speed of the vehicles and the distance they managed to cover, i.e. over five miles per hour which, during the night on Roman roads, was exceptional. The noun is plural which would indicate that not one, but a series of carriages in relay were used, hired at different posting-houses (statiōnēs) along the route since such a long distance would have exhausted a single team of horses.

(2) inde cisiō celeriter ad urbem advectus domum vēnit capite involūtō (Cicero)

From there, carried quickly to the city in a light carriage, he came home with his head wrapped.

Image #1: Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

Image #2: two-wheeled cisium from the floor mosaic at the Baths of the Cisiarii (Terme dei Cisiarii) in Ostia Antica

[3] essedum, -ī [2/n]: a two-wheeled war chariot of Celtic origin, particularly associated with the Britons [image #3]

essedārius, -ī [2/m]: a fighter in a (British / Gallic) war-chariot

The first attested references to this type of chariot are by Caesar:

(1) Genus hoc est ex essedīs pugnae. Primō per omnēs partēs perequitant et tēla coniciunt atque ipsō terrōre equōrum et strepitū rotārum ordinēs plerumque perturbant (Caesar)

This is the nature of fighting from chariots. First, they drive around through all areas and hurl spears, and generally disturb the ranks by the very fear of the horses and the noise of the wheels.

(2) The Celtic war chariots became a symbol of prestige in Rome. In the following quotation, Cicero mocks Mark Antony as he flamboyantly parades through the streets:

Vehebātur in essedō tribūnus plēbis; lictōres laureātī antecēdēbant, inter quōs apertā lectīcā mīma portābātur...

The tribune of the people was being carried along in a war-chariot; lictors crowned with laurel preceded him, among whom an actress was being carried in an open litter...

(3) These lines from Martial would suggest that the essedum, like the cisium, was also available for hire. Here he personifies his work, describing it undertaking a lengthy journey to reach his reader, first by sea and then overland.

Ī nostrō comes, ī, libelle, Flāvō | Go as a companion to our friend Flavus, go, little book,

longum per mare, sed faventis undae, | across the long sea, but with a favouring wave,

et cursū facilī tuīsque ventīs | and with an easy course and your own winds,

Hispānae pete Tarracōnis arcēs: | seek the citadels of Spanish Tarraco [i]:

Illinc tē rota tollet et citātus | from there a wheel [ii] will lift you up and swiftly sped

altam Bilbilin [iii] et tuum Salōnem [iv] / quīntō forsitan essedō vidēbis. | you will see high Bilbilis and your Salo, perhaps on a fifth chariot.

[i] Tarragona

[ii] tē rota tollet | a ‘wheel’ will lift you up: an example of metonymy, i.e. part of an object being used to refer to something larger, in this case a carriage or overland travel

[iii] high Bilbilis: Martial’s home town, located in the mountains

[iv] the Salo – now the Jalón: the river flowing at the base of the mountain where Bilbilis was located

Note that Martial refers to a fifth vehicle; again, the journey would have comprised – like by cisium – a relay of carriages.