Septimus I [9]
[A] Postrīdiē, ubi ē somnō Septimus sē excitāvit, Mucrō
uxorque eius per tabernam iam discurrēbant et labōrēs solitōs perficiēbant.
viātōrēs nōnnūllī iam intrāverant. alius tabernae aspectus iam fuit; et
Septimus, quī breve tempus silentiō iacēbat, laetus omnia spectābat
audiēbatque. omnēs dē puerō ignōtō sermōnem habēbant, quī ē Britanniā ūnā nocte
vēnerat. "immō, ūnō pūnctō temporis vēnit" inquit Mucrō, quī vīnum
fabrō cuidam effundēbat. "in Britanniā sedēbat, unde per portam in viam
Appiam īlicō ambulāvit."
[A]
[1]
[i] In which order are the following first referred to?
a change of appearance _____
keeping quiet _____
pouring wine _____
talking about the boy _____
travellers _____
waking up _____
working as usual _____
[ii] What effect do the words and phrases in bold have on
the narration of events? Give their meanings.
[a] quī ē Britanniā ūnā nocte vēnerat
[b] ūnō pūnctō temporis vēnit
[c] in Britanniā sedēbat, unde per portam in viam Appiam īlicō
ambulāvit
[iii] Explain the meanings of the prefixes:
[a] discurrēbant
[b] perficiēbant
[B] "Nōn
crēdibile est, quod dīcis, Mucrō," respondit faber. "aut facētus, ut
semper, es, aut puer tē dēcēpit. fortasse servus fugitīvus est. sī puerum
retinēbis, poenās sine dubiō dabis. aut sī vēra dīcit puer, Caesar ipse
pecūniam maximam prō mōnstrō tālī numerābit." cui caupōna "tacē"
inquit "ō stultissime. Caesar ipse, nōn puer, mōnstrum est. egone puerum
meum mōnstrō crūdēlissimō dēdam? Excēde ergō et tacē."
Itaque faber
excessit: excēdēns tamen minās dīrissimās in Mucrōnem eiusque uxōrem congessit.
Septimus autem, quī nihil adhūc dīcere audēbat, ē cubīlī iam prōsiluit et cibum
ā caupōnā poposcit.
[B]
[i] How did the workman react to what Mucro was saying? (4)
[ii] According to the workman, what would happen if:
[a] Mucro kept him?
[b] the boy was telling the truth?
[iii] “cui caupōna … tacē”
In your own words explain why the inn-keeper’s wife was
supportive of Septimus. (6)
[iv] “Itaque faber … poposcit.”
[a] What did the workman do as he was leaving?
[b] Translate: “Septimus autem, quī nihil adhūc dīcere
audēbat, ē cubīlī iam prōsiluit et cibum ā caupōnā poposcit.”
____________________
[A]
[i]
a change of appearance [4]
keeping quiet [5]
pouring wine [7]
talking about the boy [6]
travellers [3]
waking up [1]
working as usual [2]
[ii] the events happened rapidly
[a] ūna nocte | in one night
[b] ūnō pūnctō temporis | at one
moment in time; in an instant
[c] īlicō | on the spot
[iii]
[a] dis-: (here) a sense of
randomness; discurrēbant | they were running about / here and there
/ to and fro
[b] per-: (here) completion; perficiēbant
| they were carrying out
[B]
[i] (1) not credible; (1) either
Mucro was joking; (1) or the boy deceived him; (1) possibly a runaway slave
[ii]
[a] he would be punished
[b] Caesar would pay a lot of
money for such a monster
[iii] She told the workman (1)
to be quiet and that he was (1) very foolish. She stated that (1)
it was Caesar who was the monster. (1) She would not hand over
Septimus (1) to a very cruel monster. (1) She told the workman to get
out.
[iv]
[a] heaped most terrible threats
on them
[b] (1) Septimus, however, who
still did not dare (1) to say anything [who still dared to say nothing], (1) now
leapt forward out of bed and (1) demanded food (1) from the inn-keeper’s wife /
landlady.
The next day, when Septimus had
woken himself from sleep, Mucro and his wife were already rushing about the inn
and carrying out their usual tasks. Some travellers had already come in. The
inn already had a different appearance; and Septimus, who lay quietly for a
short time, happily watched and listened to everything. Everyone was talking
about the unknown boy who had come from Britain in a single night.
“Indeed, he came in a single
moment!” said Mucro, who was pouring wine for a certain craftsman. “He was
sitting in Britain, from where he immediately walked through the gate onto the
Appian Way.”
“What you say is unbelievable,
Mucro,” replied the workman. “Either you
are being amusing, as usual, or the boy has deceived you. Perhaps he is a
runaway slave. If you keep the boy, you will undoubtedly pay the penalty. Or,
if the boy is telling the truth, Caesar himself will pay a huge sum of money
for such a monster.”
But the landlady said to him,
“Be quiet, you utter fool! Caesar himself, not the boy, is the monster. Am I to
hand over my boy to a most cruel monster? So get out and be quiet!”
And so the workman left; as he went out, however, he heaped the most terrible threats upon Mucro and his wife. Septimus, meanwhile, who had not yet dared to say anything, had now leapt out of bed and asked the landlady for food.
Septimus 1 [10]
[Later in the day a stranger, dressed as a common
workman, arrives at the inn. His behaviour to the inn-keeper is so shocking
that Septimus ventures to criticise it. The boy is thereupon seized by two
slaves and carried off.]
[A] Reliquum diem Septimus in tabernā mansit. et prīmō
caupōnam dē fabrī verbīs rogāvit. illa autem rem cēlāre mālēbat. "sī tūtus
esse cupis" inquit, "tacēbis. in tabernā manēre dēbēs, quia tē amō.
nōlī timēre, mī puer; Nero puerum meum nōn abdūcet; monstrum illud semper
arcēbō." deinde et mulier et Mucrō, quamquam Septimus multa rogāvit,
omnīnō siluērunt. sed ambō haud dubiē metuēbant, et caupōna saepe atque iterum
Mucrōnem acerbē culpāvit, quia fabrō omnia dē Septimō narrāverat.
[A]
[i] For how long did Septimus stay at the inn?
[ii] What did Septimus ask about, and how did the
inn-keeper’s wife react? (2)
[iii] Identify the clause type: "sī tūtus esse
cupis … tacēbis.”
[iv] How do we know that the inn-keeper’s wife was
protective towards Septimus? (5)
[v] Translate the extracts:
[a] omnīnō siluērunt
[b] ambō haud dubiē metuēbant
[vi] How did the inn-keeper’s wife feel about Mucro, and
why? (3)
[B] Nihil autem nōvī Septimus ante vesperum vīdit. posteā,
dum puer amīcōrum iussū quiētus in cubīlī manet, faber īdem, quī māne dē puerō
quaesīverat, tabernam intrāvit. comitem autem iam sēcum dūcēbat, hominem
crassum, quī fabrī habitum gestābat. sed novum id genus fabrī fuit, ut Septimus
putābat: nam dextra eius, quā lacernam tenēbat, candida et tenera erat, et in
digitō ānulus splendidus fulgēbat. simul atque intrāvit, silentium fuit:
tabernāriī et omnēs quī in tabernā aderant, pavidī siluērunt. homō autem
crassus conclāve oculīs superbīs circumspicit, deinde subitō mēnsam dextrā
pulsat, et “vīnum!” exclāmat “dā mihi vīnum. ubi dominus est? quis est tabernae
dominus?”
[B]
[i] Identify the cases of the nouns in bold and explain why they
are being used in these contexts.
[a] nihil autem novī
[b] amīcōrum iussū
[ii] “faber īdem … gestābat”
Who entered the inn? Give details. (5)
[iii] “sed novum id genus fabrī fuit”
[a] What made Septimus think this? (4)
[b] Based on Septimus’ innocent observations – and your own
knowledge – who do you think this man might have been? (3)
[iv] “simul atque intrāvit … tabernae dominus?” Identify the
Latin words or phrases from this extract that refer to:
[a] the effect the man had on others (2)
[b] his physical size
[c] his character
[d] his physical and verbal aggression
[C] Lentē prōcessit Mucrō, et pōculum trepidus hominī crassō
prōposuit. ille autem “ō stultissime” inquit “vīnumne postulābam? vīnum tuum
retinē. vidē!”— et pōculum subitō ictū in terram dēiēcit. “nōn vīnum cupiō,
homo vēcors,” inquit “sed puerum illum mihi statim prōdūcere tē iubeō, quem
cēlāre temptābas.” Mucrō immōtus mansit, sed Septimus, quī omnia subitō
intellexit et amīcum servāre cupīvit, ex umbrā prōcucurrit et hominī crassō “ō
crasse,” inquit “insolens es, sī faber; sī Nero, monstrum horrendum.” nec plūra
dīxit: crassus ille dextram tollere*; intrāre* duo servī; paenulam in Septimī
caput iacere*; ē tabernā in noctis umbrās eum abripere*.
*Note: From time to time, the authors of Septimus
include a less common construction that you will come across in original
Classical Latin literature.
We have already met the historic present, i.e. a
present tense verb used in place of a past tense to give a greater sense of
immediacy to the events being described:
homō autem crassus conclāve oculīs superbīs circumspicit,
deinde subitō mēnsam dextrā pulsat, et “vīnum!” exclāmat
Now look at this extract from the text:
“crassus ille dextram tollere; intrāre duo
servī; paenulam in Septimī caput iacere; ē tabernā in noctis umbrās eum abripere”
That fat man raised his right hand, two slaves entered,
threw a cloak over Septimus’ head and snatched him away
into the darkness of night.
The verbs in bold are historical infinitives, again
replacing past tense forms and giving the four actions a greater sense of
momentum i.e. four actions happening in rapid succession.
[C]
[i] “ille autem “ō stultissime” inquit “vīnumne postulābam?
vīnum tuum retinē”
Given the man’s words in [B] above, what does this statement
tell you about his character?
[ii] “et pōculum subitō ictū in terram dēiēcit”
Translate the extract, identify the case of the noun in bold
and explain why it is used. (5)
[iii] “nōn vīnum cupiō”
What did the man actually want? Give details. (3)
[iv] What did Septimus say and why? (6)
____________________
[A]
[i] for the rest of the day
[ii] (1) the craftsman's words;
(1) the inn-keeper's wife preferred to hide the matter
[iii] conditional
[iv] she said that (1) she loved
him; ordered him to (1) stay inside (1)
for his safety; told him (1) not to be afraid; she would (1) always keep the
monster Nero away from him
[v]
[a] they were completely silent
[b] both without a doubt were
afraid
[vi] (1) she was bitter; (1)
blamed him; (1) he had told the craftsman everything about Septimus
[B]
[i]
[a] genitive; partitive
genitive; (literally) nothing of new
[b] ablative; cause; on the
command / order of his friends, i.e. Septimus stayed quiet because
his friends had told him to do so
[ii] (1) the same workman (1)
who had asked about Septimus in the morning; (1) another man; (1) fat; (1)
wearing workman’s clothing
[iii]
[a] (1) The man’s hand was
‘shining white’ / fair and (1) tender; (1) splendid ring (1) shining on his
finger
[b] (1) possibly Nero himself;
(1) ‘candida’: often used in connection with the brilliant white togas of
high-ranking Roman officials; (1) very few Romans wore rings / most likely a
signet ring, again worn by, for example, magistrates and senators
[iv]
[a] (1) silentium fuit; (1)
pavidī siluērunt
[b] crassus
[c] oculīs superbīs
[d] (1) subitō mensam dextrā
pulsat; (1) “vīnum!” exclamat
[C]
[i] erratic / contradictory /
unpredictable
[ii] and (1) with a sudden blow
(1) he threw the cup (down) (1) onto the ground; (1) ablative (1) of manner
i.e. it does not describe any ‘instrument’ used, but rather the way in which
he threw the cup
[iii] (1) wanted Septimus; (1)
ordered Mucro to produce him immediately; (1) accused Mucro of hiding him
[iv] (1) insulted the man /
called him fat; (1) said the man was arrogant / insolent
(1) if he was a workman, (1) horrible (1) if he was Nero;
(1) wanted to save his friend
For the rest of the day,
Septimus stayed in the inn. And at first, he asked the inn-keeper's wife about
the workman's words. She, however, preferred to hide the matter. "If you
wish to be safe," she said, "you will be silent. You must stay in the
inn, because I love you. Do not fear, my boy; Nero will not carry off my boy; I
will always keep that monster away." Then both the woman and Mucro,
although Septimus asked many things, remained completely silent. But both,
without a doubt, were afraid, and the inn-keeper's wife repeatedly and bitterly
blamed Mucro because he had told the workman everything about Septimus.
However, Septimus saw nothing
new before evening. Afterwards, while the boy, by order of his friends,
remained quiet in his bedroom, the same workman, who in the morning had
inquired about the boy, entered the inn. Moreover, he was now leading a
companion with him, a fat man, who was wearing the clothing of a workman. But
it was a new kind of workman, so Septimus thought: for his right hand, with
which he was holding his cloak, was fair and tender, and a splendid ring was
gleaming on his finger. As soon as he entered, there was silence: the
innkeepers and everyone who was present in the inn fell silent in fear. The fat
man, however, looked around the room with arrogant eyes, then suddenly struck
the table with his right hand, and shouted, "Wine! Give me wine. Where is
the master? Who is the master of the inn?"
Mucro advanced slowly, and,
trembling, offered a cup to the fat man. He, however, said, "O most
foolish man, was I demanding wine? Keep your wine. Look!"—and with a
sudden blow he threw the cup down onto the ground. "I do not want wine, madman,"
he said, "but I order you to produce that boy for me immediately, whom you
were trying to hide." Mucro remained motionless, but Septimus, who
suddenly understood everything and wished to save his friend, ran forward out
of the shadow and said to the fat man, "O fat man, you are insolent if you
are a workman; if you are Nero, a dreadful monster." Nor did he say more:
that fat man raised his right hand; two slaves entered; they threw a cloak over
Septimus' head; they snatched him away from the inn into the shadows of the
night.
Septimus 1 [11] (1)
[The stranger was in fact Nero, and Septimus is taken a
prisoner to the palace, where he is thrown into a dungeon.]
Septimus prīmō contrā hostēs fortiter certāvit. exclāmāre
temptābat, sed paenula vōcem eius comprimēbat. itaque, quia inūtile erat
pugnāre, quiētus in servōrum bracchiīs iacuit, et cōnsilia varia animō volvit.
dēsperāvit autem, ubi rem omnem cōgitāvit et fātum suum cognōvit. neque enim
fabrī sed Nerōnis iussū servī eum abripiēbant. dē Nerōne lūdī magister in
Britanniā Septimum multa docuerat. Nerō et imperātor erat et mōnstrum
crūdēlissimum. quia imperātor erat, imperium saevum in omnēs quōs regēbat, exercuit,
et impūne, sī volēbat, Septimum omnibus suppliciīs necāre poterat. quia
mōnstrum erat crūdēlitāte nōtissimum, supplicia taetra, supplicia saevitiae
incrēdībilis haud dubiē in animō habēbat. Septimum igitur animus paene
relīquit, dum crūdēlitātem imperātōris reputat*.
*reputat: the present tense of a verb with dum is
regularly used in a past tense narrative to emphasise that the action was
taking place simultaneously
[i] How did Septimus first behave? (3)
[ii] Why did he decide it was useless?
[iii] How do we know that he physically gave up? (2)
[iv] How did he feel and what was going through his mind? (4)
[v] “The stranger was in fact Nero …” Identify and
translate the first sentence in the passage that refers to this. (4)
[vi] In which order are the following statements first made
with reference to Nero?
could act with impunity / do whatever he pleased _____
could kill Septimus _____
had power over everybody _____
hideous punishments _____
incredible cruelty _____
Septimus had learned about him at school. _____
very cruel _____
very well known for his cruelty _____
[vii] What was Septimus’ state of mind at the end of this
passage and why?
____________________
[i] (1) fought bravely (1) against
the ‘enemies’ / slaves; (1) tried to shout
[ii] his mouth was muffled by
the cloak
[iii] (1) lay quietly (1) in the
slaves’ arms
[iv] (1) despaired; (1) thinking
about various plans and (1) the entire matter / the whole event; (1) learned his
fate
[v] (1) neque enim fabrī sed
Nerōnis iussū servī eum abripiēbant | (1) and the slaves were not snatching him
away (1) on the command (1) of a workman / craftsman, but of Nero
[vi]
could act with impunity / do
whatever he pleased [4]
could kill Septimus [5]
had power over everybody [3]
hideous punishments [7]
incredible cruelty [8]
Septimus had learned about him
at school. [1]
very cruel [2]
very well known for his cruelty
[6]
[vii] (1) his spirit almost
failed him; (1) thinking about the emperor’s cruelty
At first, Septimus fought
bravely against the enemies. He tried to shout, but the cloak was stifling his
voice. And so, because it was useless to fight, he lay quiet in the arms of the
slaves, and turned over various plans in his mind. However, he despaired when
he thought about the whole matter and realized his fate. For the slaves were
dragging him away not by the order of a workman / craftsman, but of Nero. The
schoolmaster in Britain had taught Septimus many things about Nero. Nero was
both an emperor and a most cruel monster. Because he was the emperor, he
exercised savage power over everyone whom he ruled, and with impunity, if he
wanted, he was able to kill Septimus with all kinds of punishments. Because he
was a monster very well known for his cruelty, he undoubtedly had hideous
punishments, punishments of incredible cruelty, in mind. Therefore, his courage
almost failed Septimus while he was considering the cruelty of the emperor.
Septimus 1 [11] (2)
Servī diū captīvum per vīcōs urbis portāvērunt. tandem
cōnstitērunt. puer armōrum sonitum vōcemque custōdis “quod signum est?”
audīvit. cui Nerō ipse magnā vōce respondit: “artifex Nerō.” deinde, ubi custōs
portam aperuit et omnēs intrāvērunt, Nerō servīs sīc imperāvit: “scelestum
illum in carcerem infimum cōnicite. illīc tōtam noctem sine cibō manēbit. crās
dē poenā satis terribilī dēlīberābō. ”
Ubi autem dominus abscessit, servī captīvum per gradūs
multōs et dūrōs trahere; iānuam ferream magnō clangōre aperīre; puerum miserum
in cellam taetram cōnicere. ibi tōtam noctem metū plēnus fame sitīque
labōrābat. nunquam tamen animum omnīnō dēmīsit, sed imperātōrī audāciā
cōnstantī resistere cōnstituit.
Plūrimās hōrās, plūrimōs diēs etiamque mēnsēs, ut putābat,
in carcere illō puer manēbat. tandem, ubi dē vītā suā paene iam dēsperābat,
portam servus aperuit, et “discessit nox, ō Septime, ” inquit. “nunc et tū
discēdēs. nec longē discēdēs, ut ego exīstimō. venī igitur. Nerō tē arcessit.”
Septimus laetus ē carcere taetrō ēvēnit: mox miserrimus ante pedēs Nerōnis
stetit.
[i] How did the slaves gain access? (3)
[ii] What order did Nero give, how was Septimus to be
treated and what did Nero intend to do? (3)
[iii]
identify and translate the adjective(s) describing:
[a] the
stairs (2)
[b] the door
[c] the jail
/ cell (2)
[iv] “nunquam
tamen animum omnīnō dēmīsit”
A, B or C? The sentence indicates that Septimus:
[A] had given
up all hope
[B] never had
any hope
[C] remained
hopeful
[v] “Plūrimās hōrās, plūrimōs diēs etiamque mēnsēs,
ut putābat, in carcere illō puer manēbat.”
A, B or C? The sentence indicates:
[A] how long Septimus was in the jail
[B] that Septimus had no sense of time
[C] that Septimus thought he would never leave the jail
[vi] In the last paragraph, at what time of the day did the
slave open the door?
[vii] “nunc et tū discēdēs. nec longē discēdēs, ut ego
exīstimō.” How might this statement be interpreted in two different ways? (2)
[viii] In the last sentence, how did Septimus’ emotions
change? (3)
[ix] Translate the phrases in bold:
[a] iānuam ferream magnō clangōre aperīre
[b] imperātōrī audāciā cōnstantī resistere cōnstituit
[c] metū plēnus [d] fame sitīque labōrābat
[x] Identify the case and explain why it is being used in
the context of the passage:
[a] tōtam noctem; plūrimās hōrās
[b] servīs
[c] imperātōrī
[d] cui
[xi] “servī captīvum … trahere; iānuam ferream … aperīre; puerum miserum … cōnicere
…” Why is the infinitive used? (See: Septimus 1 [10])
____________________
[i] the guard asked what the
‘sign’ / password was; Nero gave the password ‘craftsman Nero’; the guard opened the gate
[ii] (1) Septimus was to be
thrown into jail, and (1) given no food. (1) Nero would think about a terrible
punishment.
[iii]
[a] multōs: many; dūrōs: hard
[b] ferream: iron
[c] infimum: lowest; taetram / taetrō: hideous
[iv] C
[v] B
[vi] (early) morning; nox
discessit | the night has departed
[vii] (1) positive: Septimus
would be able to depart; (1) negative: he would not be departing far / for
long, i.e. his time on earth would be short
[viii] (1) happy at first; (1)
very wretched, (1) standing before Nero
[ix]
[a] with a great clang / clatter
[b] with staunch boldness
[c] filled with fear
[d] through hunger and thirst
(caused by …)
[x]
[a] accusative: duration of
time; ‘for the whole night’; ‘for very many hours’
[b] dative: with the verb imperō,
-āre [1]: command; give a command to …
[c] dative: with the verb resistō,
-ere [3]: resist; make resistance / opposition to …
[d] dative of quī; connecting
relative; literally: to whom, referring to a noun in the previous sentence;
cui Nerō ipse … respondit | and Nero himself replied to him
[xi] historical infinitives;
used in place of past tense verbs to give a greater sense of immediacy /
momentum
For a long time, the slaves
carried the prisoner through the streets of the city. Finally they stopped. The
boy heard the clash of weapons and the voice of a guard, “What is the sign /
password?” And Nero himself replied to him in a loud voice: “Nero the artist.”
Then, when the guard opened the gate and everyone entered, Nero ordered the
slaves thus: “Throw that wicked boy into the lowest dungeon. There he will
remain the whole night without food. Tomorrow I will deliberate about a
sufficiently terrible punishment.”
When, however, the master
departed, the slaves dragged the prisoner down many hard steps, opened the iron
door with a great clang, and threw the wretched boy into a hideous cell. There,
the whole night, filled with fear, he was suffering from hunger and thirst.
Never, however, did he completely lose heart, but he decided to resist the
emperor with unwavering boldness.
For very many hours, very many
days, and even months, as he thought, the boy remained in that prison. Finally,
when he was now almost despairing of his life, a slave opened the door and
said, “The night has departed, O Septimus. Now you too will depart. And you
won’t depart far / for long, as I think. Come, therefore. Nero summons you.”
Septimus came out of the hideous prison happy: soon he stood, most wretched,
before the feet of Nero.
Septimus 1 [12] (1)
[Septimus is taken into the presence of Nero*, whom he
finds amid a scene of splendour and luxury. — The emperor tells him that he is
to be punished, but leaves it to his freedman, Polyclitus, to explain the
nature of the punishment.]
Sedēbat in sellā aureā Nerō Claudius Caesar Drūsus
Germānicus. ille, Romānōrum imperātor, multa regna, multās prōvinciās, multōs
hominēs imperiō suō sustinuit: illum ipsum pulvīnāria sustinēbant multa, quae
corporī crassō mollīque sēdem mollem praebēbant. ōtium enim et luxuriam vītae
amābat, et inter amīcōs dēlicātē et molliter vīvēbat. Septimus timidē intrāvit;
namque tanta servōrum servārumque caterva puerum miserum terruit. lībertī multī
līberīque hominēs ante pedēs Nerōnis sē prōsternēbant; citharoedī dulcī
citharae sonō imperātōris aurēs dēlectābant; servāe saltābant et rosās undique
spargēbant, quae nāribus odōrem grātum perfundēbant.
*Nero: 5th emperor of the Romans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero
[i] In which order are the following first referred to?
cushions _____
friends _____
golden chair _____
lyre _____
lyre-players _____
roses _____
slaves _____
soft seat _____
[ii] Identify and translate the word or phrase that conveys:
[a] a large number of slaves
[b] showing respect
[c] the pleasant sound of the lyre (2)
[d] dancing
[e] the large number of roses
[f] a pleasing and powerful smell (2)
[iii] “[a] lībertī multī [b] līberīque hominēs”’
What is the distinction between [a] freedmen and [b] free
men?
[iv] “multa regna, multās prōvinciās, multōs
hominēs …” Here, the authors use devices that were (and still are) common when
giving speeches (rhetorical devices). They were frequently used by Cicero.
Do your own research:
[a] The omission of conjunctions (many kingdoms, many
provinces, (and) many men) is known as __________.
[b] The use of three similar constructions (here two-word
phrases) is known as __________.
[c] Why do you think that, of the three phrases, multōs
hominēs is stated last?
____________________
[i]
cushions [2]
friends [4]
golden chair [1]
lyre [7]
lyre-players [6]
roses [8]
slaves [5]
soft seat [3]
[ii]
[a] a large number of slaves |
(tanta servōrum servārumque) caterva
[b] showing respect | (ante
pedēs Nerōnis) sē prōsternēbant
[c] the pleasant sound of the
lyre | (1) dulcī (citharae sonō imperātōris) aurēs dēlectābant
[d] dancing | saltābant
[e] the large number of roses |
undique spargēbant
[f] a pleasing and powerful
smell | (1) nāribus odōrem grātum (1) perfundēbant
[iii]
[a] former slaves who were given
freedom by their masters
[b] freeborn Roman citizens
[iv]
[a] asyndeton
[b] tricolon
[c] This is an example of a tricolon
crescēns (a growing / increasing tricolon) where the most impactful remark
is made last, i.e. Nero does not only rule over states, but also people.
Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus
Germanicus was sitting in a golden chair. He, the emperor of the Romans, held
many kingdoms, many provinces, and many people under his rule: many cushions
supported his very self, providing a soft seat for his thick and soft body. For
he loved leisure and a life of luxury, and lived luxuriously and pleasantly
among his friends.
Septimus entered timidly; for
such a great crowd of male and female slaves terrified the wretched boy. Many
freedmen and free men prostrated themselves before Nero's feet; lyre-players
delighted the emperor's ears with the sweet sound of the lyre; female slaves
danced and scattered roses everywhere, which drenched their nostrils with a
pleasing scent.
Septimus 1 [12] (2)
[A] Septimus, ubī ante sellam cōnstitit, nunc imperātōris
faciem īnspēxit, nunc oculōs ad solium convertit, quod marmoreum erat et multīs
variīsque imāginibus distinctum. tum, postquam imperātor oculōs tandem ērexit,
puer "vēnī" inquit "ō domine." cui Nero "et vīdistī, ō
scelerāte, sed nōndum vīcistī. herī in tabernā mē graviter offendistī. quam
iniūriam aegrē ferō; summō in odiō tē habeō; summō suppliciō tē afficere
cōnstituī. sed sī magna est culpa tua, magna quoque est clēmentia mea; et
suppliciī tuī aequitāte vel Rhadamanthum superāvī.* audī igitur supplicium quod
excōgitāvī. fēlīx es, ō puer, quod mansuētissimum habēs iūdicem, virum summā
clēmentiā."
* “Et suppliciō … superāvī.” | And by the fairness of your
punishment, I have surpassed even Rhadamanthus.
Rhadamanthus was, with his brother Minos, a judge in the
Underworld famous for his justice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhadamanthus
[A]
[i] Describe the throne. (2)
[ii]
[a] Translate: "vēnī" inquit "ō
domine." cui Nero "et vīdistī, ō scelerāte, sed nōndum vīcistī.”
(4)
[b] Nero has modified this phrase. To which Roman leader is
it originally attributed?
[iii] Translate the excerpt and consider in particular how quam
would be expressed in grammatically correct English. (3)
“herī in tabernā mē graviter offendistī. quam
iniūriam aegrē ferō”
[iv] Identify and translate the word that emphasises Nero’s
hatred and the punishment he would inflict.
[v] “sed sī magna … clēmentiā."
[a] Explain, in one word, how Nero wished to present
himself.
[b] ‘fēlix es’ Why did Nero say this? (3)
[B] Tālia dīxit homō quī crūdēlitāte atrōcī per orbem
terrārum nōtus erat. Septimus intereā supplicium expectat, dē veniā dēspērat;
tandem, ubi prīnceps tacuit, sīc rogat: "dīc, quaesō, ō imperātor
clēmentissime; dē aequō illō suppliciō, quod excōgitāvistī, mē docē." sed
Nerō dē sellā iam surrēxerat, et velut colloquiō molestō fessus exiit.
"dēsine" inquit. "garrulitāte tuā mē vexās. ego igitur, cum vōce
meā pulcherrimā cecinerō, ad balneum discēdam. lībertus meus, Polyclītus
nōmine, dē suppliciō tuō tē certiōrem faciet; nec laetus, ut ego exīstimō,
Polyclītī verba accipiēs.
[B]
[i] How does
the first sentence contrast with the image Nero wanted to give in passage [A]?
(3)
[ii] What did
Septimus ask Nero to do?
[iii] Identify
the clause type:
[a] homō quī crūdēlitāte atrōcī per orbem terrārum nōtus
erat
[b] tandem,
ubi prīnceps tacuit, sīc rogat
[iv] A, B or C? Why did Nero stand up?
[A] He was tired of Septimus talking.
[B] He was about to sing.
[C] He was going to take a bath.
[v] “ego igitur, cum vōce meā pulcherrimā cecinerō”
[a] Translate the excerpt. (2)
[b] Explain the difference between the most natural English
translation of the verb cecinerō, and what it literally means.
[vi] Who was Polyclitus, and what was he going to do? (2)
[vii] “nec laetus, ut ego exīstimō, Polyclītī verba
accipiēs.” Why is this statement ominous?
____________________
[A]
[i] (1) marble; (1) decorated /
inlaid with many different images
[ii]
[a] (1) "I have come, oh
master," said the boy. (1) And Nero replied to him, (1) "And you have
seen, oh scoundrel, (1) but you have not yet conquered."
[b] Julius Caesar
[iii] "(1) Yesterday you seriously
offended me (1) in the tavern. (1) This injury I bear with difficulty.
[or: …in the tavern, and this injury
…"]
[iv] summō: greatest; highest;
utmost
[v]
[a] merciful
[b] (1) Nero claimed he was a
very gentle judge; (1) a man of the utmost mercy; (1) fairer than even
Rhadamanthus
[B]
[i] (1) In the previous passage
Nero wanted to appear merciful; (1) here, he is referred to as being world-famous
for his (1) terrible cruelty
[ii] tell him about the fair
punishment
[iii] [a] relative clause; [b]
temporal clause / subordinate clause of time
[iv] A
[v]
[a] "(1) Therefore I, when
I have sung (1) with my most beautiful voice..."
[b] English would naturally use
“when I have sung” whereas the Latin uses a future perfect tense, i.e. “when I
shall have sung’; the Latin future perfect emphasises the completion of
an action in the future
[vi] (1) Nero’s freedman; (1)
tell Septimus about his punishment
[vii] Nero stated that Septimus
would not be happy when he heard Polyclitus’ words.
When Septimus stood before the
chair, now he looked closely at the emperor's face, now he turned his eyes to
the throne, which was made of marble and decorated with many different images.
Then, after the emperor finally raised his eyes, the boy said, "I have
come, oh master." And Nero replied to him, "And you have seen, oh
scoundrel, but you have not yet conquered. Yesterday you seriously offended me
in the tavern. This injury I bear with difficulty; I hold you in the greatest
hatred; I have decided to afflict you with the ultimate punishment. But if your
fault is great, my mercy is also great; and by the fairness of your punishment,
I have surpassed even Rhadamanthus. Hear therefore the punishment that I have
devised. You are fortunate, oh boy, because you have a most gentle judge, a man
of the utmost mercy."
Such things were said by a man
who was known throughout the world for his atrocious cruelty. Septimus
meanwhile awaited his punishment, despairing of mercy; at last, when the
emperor fell silent, he asked thus: "Tell me, I beg, oh most merciful emperor;
inform me about that fair punishment which you have devised." But Nero had
already risen from his chair, and he went out as if tired of a troublesome
conversation. "Stop," he said. "You annoy me with your
chattering. Therefore I, when I have sung with my most beautiful voice, shall
depart to the bath. My freedman, Polyclitus by name, will inform you about your
punishment; nor, as I think, will you happily receive Polyclitus' words / and I
do not think that you will …”
Septimus 1 [13] (1)
[Polyclitus now enters with a scroll, and explains that
Septimus is condemned to perform seven labours, six of them in the underworld.
He is first to go to Cumae, from where the Sibyl will show him the way.]
The numbers
in (brackets) refer to the notes at the end of the passage.
Nerō igitur
exiit, et haud multō post Polyclītus lībertus conclāve intrāvit. chartam
magnam, litterīs multīs īnscrīptam, manū ferēbat. Septimus autem prīmus
exclāmat: “ubi longam tuam chartam videō, ō Polyclīte, longum egō supplicium ab
imperātōre crūdēlī expectō. sine dubiō velut Sīsyphus (1) erō, et longum
labōrem perficiam.”
Cui
Polyclītus: “nōn Sīsypho sed Herculī similis eris. Herculēs enim dēmens līberōs
suōs occīdit. quam ob rem Pȳthia (2) miserum hominem Argōs ad Eurystheum (3) discēdere iussit, et ibi eum omnia Eurystheī mandāta perficere cōgēbat. rex autem labōrēs
duōdecim iussū Iūnōnis imposuit. tū autem, quamquam nēminem occīdistī, tamen Nerōnis Claudiī Caesaris Drūsī Germānīcī maiestātem violāvistī.
itaque imperātor
tē labōrēs septem perficere iubet. ubi labōrēs perfēceris, salvus ēvādēs. haec autem charta, quam teneō, sex tantum ē septem labōribus
īnscrīptōs habet. sex enim in regnō Dītis (4) aut perficiēs – aut perficere
temptābis; labor septimus tē manēbit, ubi ab īnferīs revēneris.” (hōc locō
magnā vōce male cachinnāvit.) “sed prīmō Cūmās ad Sibyllam (5) prōcēde, et
ōrāculum ibi consule. Sibylla enim, sī fās est, verbīs obscūrīs tibi viam
monstrābit; sī Sibyllae verba intellegēs, Dītis ad regnum sine morā perveniēs.”
Notes:
(1) Sisyphus, a legendary king of Corinth, who was a
notorious robber. He was killed by T'heseus and punished for his sins in the
Underworld, where he was condemned to push up hill a huge rock, which always on
reaching the summit rolled down again.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus
(2) The Pythia was the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi who served as the most prestigious oracle in the ancient Greek world, delivering prophecies believed to be inspired directly by the god.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythia
(3) Eurystheus was king of Argos. It was in his service that Hercules had to perform twelve labours, as a penance for killing his children. Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena, and the strongest hero of all antiquity. It was his wonderful strength a courage that brought him through his ordeal successully.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurystheus
(4) Dis was the Roman name for Pluto, god of the Underworld.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_(god)
(5) The Sibyl lived in a cave at Cumae in Campania (south of Rome), where she delivered prophecies. 'l'he Romans respected the prophecies of the Sibyl so much that they had a special board of ten as keepers of the ''Sibylline Books," which were a collection of the prophecies deposited in the Capitol and consulted in times of danger.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibyl
Questions:
[i] When did Polyclitus come into the room? (2)
[ii] What did Policlitus have in his hand?
[iii]
[a] What kind of punishment did Septimus expect?
[b] What did Polyclitus say in reply?
[iv] “Herculēs enim … imposuit”
In which order are the following first referred to?
children killed _____
the king’s commands _____
fit of madness _____
ordered by Juno _____
ordered to leave _____
twelve labours _____
[v] “tū
autem, quamquam nēminem occīdistī, tamen Nerōnis Claudiī Caesaris Drūsī Germānīcī maiestātem violāvistī.”
[a] Translate the excerpt. (3)
[b] Identify the clause type in italics.
[c] Give the nominative singular of the word in bold.
[vi] How did Septimus’ punishment differ from Hercules? (2)
[vii] When would Septimus be able to escape safely?
[viii] “haec autem … revēneris.”
[a] What was missing from the scroll?
[b] Where would most of Septimus’ tasks be performed?
[c] Identify and translate the phrase suggesting that Polyclitus
thought Septimus might not be successful. (3)
[d] When would Septimus find out about the last task?
[ix] “hōc locō magnā vōce male cachinnāvit”
[a] Translate
the excerpt. (3)
[b] The verb
‘cachinnāvit’ is onomatopoetic. Explain the meaning of that term.
[x] “sed prīmō … perveniēs.”
[a] Why would Septimus have to go to Cumae?
[b] Explain in your own words what would happen there and
what the outcome would be. (5)
[c] Why does “sī fās est” suggest that the events at
Cumae cannot be guaranteed?
____________________
[i] (1) not long after (1) Nero
had gone out
[ii] (1) a large scroll / piece
of paper; (1) with many letters written on it
[iii]
[a] (1) a long punishment; (1)
like Sisyphus
[b] his punishment would be like that of Hercules
[iv] Herculēs enim [1] dēmens
[2] līberōs suōs occīdit. quam ob rem Pȳthia miserum hominem [3] Argōs ad Eurystheum et
ibi eum omnia discēdere iussit, [4] Eurystheī mandāta perficere cōgēbat. rex autem [5] labōrēs duōdecim [6] iussū Iūneilōnis imposuit.
children killed [2]
the king’s commands [4]
fit of madness [1]
ordered by Juno [6]
ordered to leave [3]
twelve labours [5]
[v]
[a] “But you, (1) although you
have killed nobody, (1) have nevertheless violated (1) the majesty of Nero
Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus."
[b] concessive
[c] nemō
[vi] (1) Hercules had twelve
labours, whereas (1) Septimus had seven.
[vii] When the labours are
completed.
[viii]
[a] the seventh labour
[b] in the kingdom of Pluto / in
the Underworld
[c] (1) aut perficiēs – aut
perficere temptābis | (1) either you will complete – (1) or will try to
complete
[d] when he came back (from the
Underworld)
[ix]
[a] (1) At this point (1) he
cackled evilly (1) in a loud voice.
[b] a word which imitates the
sound it describes
[x]
[a] to consult the Sybil /
oracle
[b] (1) the oracle would show
him the way (1) with vague words; (1) if he understood the words (1) he would
reach the Kingdom of Pluto / the Underworld (1) without delay
[c] sī fās est: if it is right
(in the eyes of the gods), i.e. only the gods would determine what might be
done
Therefore Nero went out, and not
long after, the freedman Polyclitus entered the room. He was carrying in his
hand a large sheet of paper, inscribed with many letters. Septimus, however,
first shouted: "When I see your long sheet of paper, O Polyclitus, I
expect a long punishment from the cruel emperor. Without a doubt, I will be
like Sisyphus, and I will perform a long labour.
To him Polyclitus said:
"You will be like Hercules, not Sisyphus. For Hercules, out of his mind,
killed his own children. For this reason, Pythia ordered the wretched man to
depart to Argos, to Eurystheus, and there she compelled him to perform all the
commands of Eurystheus. Moreover, the king imposed twelve labours by the order
of Juno. You, however, although you have killed no one, have nevertheless
violated the majesty of Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus. And so the
emperor orders you to perform seven labours. When you have performed the
labours, you will escape safe. Furthermore, this sheet of paper, which I am
holding, has only six of the seven labours written down. For six of them you
will either perform – or attempt to perform – in the kingdom of Pluto; the
seventh labour will await you when you have returned from the underworld."
(At this point, he laughed wickedly in a loud voice.) "But first, proceed to
Cumae to the Sibyl, and consult the oracle there. For the Sibyl, if it is
permitted, will show you the way in obscure words; if you understand the words
of the Sibyl, you will arrive at the kingdom of Pluto without delay."
Septimus 1 [13] (2)
Respondit
Septimus: “prō summō beneficiō grātiās tibi agō, ō Polyclīte. sed mē multum
adiuvābis, sī plūra dē regnō Dītis mē docēbis. proculne est regnum?
difficilisne est via? et quandō mihi chartam explicāre et verba legere
licēbit?” at Polyclītus “dē Dīte” inquit “multa discēs, cum ad regnum Dītis
advēneris. illō dē regnō ūnum tē docēbo: rex ibi terribilis est regiōnemque
omnem dīrā sub potestāte tenet. lēgēs igitur rēgis servā, ō puer; aut, sī lēgēs
ignōrābis, cavē. dē viā quoque ūnum tē docēbo: ut poēta dīxit, ‘facilis est
dēscēnsus Avernī*;’ sed reditus, ut existimō, est difficilis. chartae autem
verba tum legēs, cum Sibyllae responsa audīveris.”
* Avernus
was a lake in ltaly near which was a cave supposed to be the entrance to the
Underworld.
[i] Why did Septimus thank Polyclitus?
[ii] How could Polyclitus help him more? (2)
[iii] Translate:
“et quandō mihi chartam explicāre et verba legere licēbit?”
[iv] When
would Septimus learn more about Pluto? (3)
[v] What
warnings and advice did Polyclitus give him about Pluto? (6)
[vi] How did
Polyclitus describe the way to and from the Underworld?
[vii] What
final instruction did Polyclitus give Septimus?
[viii] Give the nominative singular of the following nouns:
[a] regiōnem
[b] potestāte
[c] lēgēs
[ix] Identify from the passage one example of each of
the following
[a] 4th declension noun
[b] future perfect tense
[c] 3rd declension adjective
[d] imperative
[e] perfect tense
____________________
[i] a very great kindness
[ii] (1) by teaching him more (1)
about the kingdom of Pluto
[iii] (1) And when will I be
allowed (1) to unfold the scroll / paper (1) and read the words?
[iv] When he has arrived at the
kingdom of Pluto.
[v] (1) the king was terrible; (1)
held the whole region (1) with dreadful power; (1) Septimus had to keep the
laws and (1) be careful (1) if he ignored them
[vi] (1) the descent was easy;
(1) the return was difficult.
[vii] (1) He would read the
words of the scroll (1) when he had heard the replies of the Sibyl.
[viii]
[a] regiō
[b] potestās
[c] lēx
[ix] (any one)
[a] dēscēnsus / reditus
[b] advēneris / audīveris
[c] terribilis / difficilis /
facilis
[d] servā / cavē
[e] dīxit / respondit (could be
present or past tense)
Septimus replied: "I give
you the greatest thanks for this supreme kindness, O Polyclitus. But you will
help me a lot if you teach / tell me more about the kingdom of Pluto. Is the
kingdom far away? Is the path difficult? And when will I be allowed to unfold
the sheet of paper and read the words?"
But Polyclitus said: "You
will learn many things about Pluto when you arrive at Pluto's kingdom. I will
teach you just one thing about that kingdom: the king there is terrible, and he
holds the entire region under his dreadful power. Therefore, keep the king's
laws, boy; or, if you ignore the laws, beware. I will also teach you one thing
about the path: as the poet said, 'easy is the descent to Avernus'; but the
return, as I think, is difficult. Furthermore, you will read the words of the
sheet of paper only when you have heard the Sibyl's answers."
