Rōmānī lēgātōs Carthāginem mīsērunt. Hōrum ūnus, sinum vestis mōnstrāns, tālia dīxit: "Sunt mihi in hōc sinū pāx et bellum; utrum pācem an bellum māvultis?" Respondērunt Carthāginiēnsēs, "Utrumlibet accipiēmus." Tum dīxit Rōmānus, "Bellum dō vōbīs." Contrā Carthāginiēnsēs: "Lubenter bellum accipimus."
sinus, -ūs [4/m]: curve; fold; hollow
[1] utrum pācem an bellum māvultis? │ Do you prefer peace or war?
utrum … an …: introduces an alternative or double question e.g. Is it X or Y? Do you have A or B? In this type of question utrum is not translated into English.
LINK: 25.07.25: Level 3; pronominal adjectives [6](2); utrum … an …; double questions
https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/04/250725-level-3-pronominal-adjectives-62.html
[2] Utrumlibet accipiēmus │ We will accept whichever (of the two) you please.
[i] LINK: 25.07.25: Level 3; pronominal adjectives [6]; uter, utra, utrum: which (of two); whichever / either
https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/04/250725-level-3-pronominal-adjectives-6.html
[ii] uterlibet, utralibet, utrumlibet: whichever / either of the two you please
-libet and -vīs, which both have the same function, are discussed in the next post
____________________
The Romans sent ambassadors to Carthage. One of these, showing the fold of his dress, said as follows: ‘I have in this fold peace and war: do you prefer peace or war?’ The Carthaginians replied: ‘We will accept whichever you please.’ Then the Roman said, ‘I give you war.’ In reply, the Carthaginians (said), ‘We accept war willingly.’
