Septimus, a First Latin Reader (Chambers & Robinson); 1 14-16

(work in progress: 14.10.26)

Septimus 1 [14] (1)

Note: this text will be given twice. Here, it is given in full for a general comprehension exercise. In the following two sections, it will be divided to allow for more detailed questions. The full translation is given only at the end of this section.

[Septimus is taken through the streets of Rome. There is much to interest him and he would like to stop, but his warders hurry him along till they reach the Porta Capena. Thence by the Appian way he is taken to Cumae, where he finds the Sibyl. She delivers an oracle.]

[A] (1) __________; (2) __________; (3) __________

Deinde Septimum servī Syriī excēpērunt, et iussū Nerōnis per urbem lectīcā vēxērunt. dum autem servī gradū celerī portam Capēnam petunt, omnia, quae in vīcīs vidēbat, magnam eī admīrātiōnem movēbant. dextrā Palātīnum montem habēbat, dīvitum domibus celebrem; laevā autem Caelium, ubi cīvēs minus lautī habitābant, quōrum nōnnūllī etiam in īnsulīs altīs vītam miseram agēbant.

[B] (1) __________; (2) __________; (3) __________; (4) __________

Septimus popīnās multās intrāre cupiēbat; tomaculum ā laniī puerō emere volēbat, quī in līmine tabernae magnā vōce clāmābat. praecōnis quoque vōcem audīvit: “puer nūper in balneō errāvit, crīspus et fōrmōsus, annōrum decem.” – sed dē praemiō nihil audīvit; nam Syriī lectīcam cursū tam rapidō āvehēbant. semel autem prope Circum Maximum cōnstitērunt, et puer programma lūdōrum in mūrō īnscrīptum perlegit: “Ā. Catulī aedīlis familia gladiātōria pugnābit Kal. Iūn. vēnātiō et vēla erunt.” inde ad portam Capēnam festīnant et Septimum lībertō Nerōnis committunt. ibi puer statim in cisium ascendit, et cum lībertō in Campāniam iter facere coepit. via erat longa, et prīmā nocte in tabernam dēvertērunt, sed trīduō Cūmās tandem advēnērunt.

[C] (1) __________; (2) __________; (3) __________; (4) __________; (5) __________

Cūmīs lībertus, simul ac Sibyllae cavernam Septimō mōnstrāvit, puerum relīquit. rūpēs erat alta, saxīs aspera, virgultīs opāca; in mediā rūpe Sibylla spēluncam parvam habitābat. illūc trāmite dēviō Septimus gradū tardō prōcessit. ibi fēmina annōsa in sellā eburneā sedēbat. prīmō prōrsus tacuit; tum, ubi Septimus itineris suī causam vōce timidā exposuit, puerum linguā favēre iussit. deinde lūmen incertum, quod tenebrās paullum illūstrāverat, subitō sē exstīnxit; Septimus, quasi tēmulentus, mīrum odōrem sēnsit. simul sacerdōtis mēns furōrem dīvīnum concēpit, et puer vōcem argūtam Sibyllaeque verba obscūra audīvit. sīc enim deī afflātū sacerdōs praedīxit:

“Audē, parvē puer: facilis dēscēnsus Avernī. noctēs atque diēs patet ātrī iānua Dītis. hanc intrāre potes, poteris sī discere nostrum cōnsilium (nam forsan et haec meminisse iuvābit).

—haud procul in silvīs rāmus latet arbore opācā aureus: hunc abscinde manū, rāmōque potītus ātra pererrābis tūtus per Tartara, tūtus inde retrō veniēs: tantum folia aurea possunt.”

Below are a series of headings that can be applied to each part of the passage. Match the headings – in any order.

A DIVINE FRENZY

A GAMES ANNOUNCEMENT

A GOLDEN BRANCH

A MISSING CHILD

A STRANGE SCENT

ADMIRING THE CITY

HEADING TO CAMPANIA

SOCIAL DIVIDE

TAKING ADVICE

TEMPTING FOOD

THE SIBYL’S CAVE

TRANSPORTED THROUGH ROME

____________________

[A]

(1) TRANSPORTED THROUGH ROME

(2) ADMIRING THE CITY

(3) SOCIAL DIVIDE

[B]

(1) TEMPTING FOOD

(2) A MISSING CHILD

(3) A GAMES ANNOUNCEMENT

(4) HEADING TO CAMPANIA

[C]

(1) THE SIBYL’S CAVE

(2) A STRANGE SCENT

(3) A DIVINE FRENZY

(4) TAKING ADVICE

(5) A GOLDEN BRANCH

Next, Syrian slaves received Septimus and, on Nero’s orders, carried him through the city in a litter. As the slaves made for the Capena Gate at a rapid pace, however, everything he saw in the streets filled him with great amazement. On his right he had the Palatine Hill, famous for the houses of the rich; on his left, the Caelian, where citizens who were less well-off lived, some of whom even led a wretched life in tall tenement blocks.

Septimus wanted to enter many food shops; he wanted to buy a sausage from a butcher’s boy, who was shouting loudly on the threshold of the shop. He also heard the voice of an announcer: “A boy has recently gone missing in the baths, curly-haired and handsome, ten years old.” But he heard nothing about the reward, for the Syrians were carrying the litter away at such a rapid pace.

Once, however, near the Circus Maximus, they stopped, and the boy read through an announcement of the games written on a wall: “The gladiatorial troupe of A. Catulus, the aedile, will fight on the Kalends of June. There will be a wild-beast hunt and awnings.”

From there they hurried to the Capena Gate and entrusted Septimus to Nero’s freedman. There the boy immediately climbed into a two-wheeled carriage and began his journey to Campania with the freedman. The road was long, and on the first night they turned aside into an inn, but at last they arrived at Cumae after three days.

At Cumae, as soon as the freedman had shown Septimus the Sibyl’s cave, he left the boy behind. There was a high cliff, rough with rocks and dark with shrubs; in the middle of the cliff the Sibyl lived in a small cave. Septimus proceeded there along a winding path, with slow steps. There an aged woman was sitting on an ivory chair. At first she remained completely silent; then, when Septimus had explained the reason for his journey in a timid voice, she ordered the boy to favour her with his tongue*. Then the uncertain light, which had illuminated the darkness a little, suddenly went out; Septimus, as if intoxicated, sensed a strange smell. At the same time the priestess’s mind was seized by divine madness, and the boy heard the shrill voice of the Sibyl and her obscure words. For thus, inspired by the breath / of a god, the priestess prophesied:

“Take courage, little boy: the descent into Avernus is easy. The door of gloomy Dis stands open night and day. You can enter through it; you will be able to do so if you learn my advice (for perhaps it will also be useful to remember these things).

- Not far away, in the woods, a golden bough lies hidden on a shady tree: cut it off with your hand, and, having obtained the bough, you will wander safely through dark Tartarus; safe, you will return from there: such power lies in the golden leaves.”

Septimus 1 [14] (2)

[A] Deinde Septimum servī Syriī excēpērunt, et iussū Nerōnis per urbem lectīcā vēxērunt. dum autem servī gradū celerī portam Capēnam petunt, omnia, quae in vīcīs vidēbat, magnam eī admīrātiōnem movēbant. dextrā Palātīnum montem habēbat, dīvitum domibus celebrem; laevā autem Caelium, ubi cīvēs minus lautī habitābant, quōrum nōnnūllī etiam in īnsulīs altīs vītam miseram agēbant.

[A]

[i] How was Septimus transported through the city? (2)

[ii] Identify and translate the two-word phrase indicating that they moved quickly.

[iii] Who lived on [a] the Palatine Hill, and [b] the Caelian Hill? (2)

[iv] Do your own research. What kind of accommodation were īnsulae? Who lived in them? (3)

[B] Septimus popīnās multās intrāre cupiēbat; tomāculum ā laniī puerō emere volēbat, quī in līmine tabernae magnā vōce clāmābat. praecōnis quoque vōcem audīvit: “puer nūper in balneō errāvit, crīspus et fōrmōsus, annōrum decem.” – sed dē praemiō nihil audīvit; nam Syriī lectīcam cursū tam rapidō āvehēbant. semel autem prope Circum Maximum cōnstitērunt, et puer programma lūdōrum in mūrō īnscrīptum perlegit: “A. Catulī aedīlis familia gladiātōria pugnābit Kal. Iūn. vēnātiō et vēla erunt.” inde ad portam Capēnam festīnant et Septimum lībertō Nerōnis committunt. ibi puer statim in cisium ascendit, et cum lībertō in Campāniam iter facere coepit. via erat longa, et prīmā nocte in tabernam dēvertērunt, sed trīduō Cūmās tandem advēnērunt.

[B]

[i] A, B or C? Septimus wanted to try a type of:

[A] vegetable

[B] fruit

[C] meat

[ii] A, B or C? There was an announcement that a child:

[A] had gone missing

[B] had drowned

[C] had been born

[iii] A, B or C? The child:

[A] was 12 years old and handsome

[B] was handsome and had straight hair

[C] was 10 years old with curly hair

[iv] A, B or C?

[A] no reward was mentioned

[B] Septimus did not hear a reward mentioned

[C] a reward was mentioned

[v] Which of the following statements are true (T) or false (F)?

[a] Septimus was given a programme for the games. _____

[b] A notice was posted on a wall. _____

[c] Septimus heard an announcement about the games. _____

[d] The games were sponsored by the poet Catullus. _____

[e] The games were sponsored by a Roman official. _____

[f] The games were to take place on the 1^st of June. _____

[g] The games were to take place on the 5^th of June. _____

[h] The games were to take place on the 13^th of June. _____

[i] The games included a hunting / wild beast show. _____

[j] The spectators would be protected from the heat. _____

[k] Septimus got on a boat at the Porta Capena. _____

[l] They reached Campania in one night. _____

[m] The journey to Campania took three days. _____

____________________

[A]

[i] (1) in a litter (1) carried by Syrian slaves.

[ii] gradū celerī:  with a fast pace / at a quick step.

[iii] [a] the wealthy; [b] less wealthy citizens

[iv] (1) multi-story apartment buildings in ancient Roman cities, (1) typically occupied by poorer citizens; (1) rented out room by room

[B]

[i] C; [ii] A; [iii] C; [iv] B

[v] [a] F; [b] T; [c] F; [d] F; [e] T; [f] T; [g] F; [h] F; [i] T; [j] T; [k] F; [l] F; [m] T

Septimus 1 [14] (3)

[C] Cūmīs lībertus, simul ac Sibyllae cavernam Septimō mōnstrāvit, puerum relīquit. rūpēs erat alta, saxīs aspera, virgultīs opāca; in mediā rūpe Sibylla spēluncam parvam habitābat. illūc trāmite dēviō Septimus gradū tardō prōcessit. ibi fēmina annōsa in sellā eburneā sedēbat. prīmō prōrsus tacuit; tum, ubi Septimus itineris suī causam vōce timidā exposuit, puerum linguā favēre iussit*. deinde lūmen incertum, quod tenebrās paullum illūstrāverat, subitō sē exstīnxit; Septimus, quasi tēmulentus, mīrum odōrem sēnsit. simul sacerdōtis mēns furōrem dīvīnum concēpit, et puer vōcem argūtam Sibyllaeque verba obscūra audīvit. sīc enim deī afflātū sacerdōs praedīxit:

* linguā favēre: ‘keep silence’; the phrase means ‘to say nothing unfavourable’, i.e. the easiest way was to say nothing

[C]

[i] “rūpēs erat … tardō prōcessit” In your own words, describe the cave and surroundings. (6)

[ii] Identify and translate the two-word phrase that describes how Septimus was walking.

[iii] Where was the lady sitting?

[iv] When did the lady start to speak?

[v] Translate: “deinde lūmen incertum, quod tenebrās paullum illūstrāverat, subitō sē exstīnxit” (4)

[vi] “Septimus, quasi tēmulentus, mīrum odōrem sēnsit.”

How do we know that the smell was overpowering?

[vii] “simul sacerdōtis … praedīxit”

Describe in your own words the behaviour of the priestess. (3)

[viii] Cūmīs: Identify the case and explain why it is being used. (2)

[ix] Give the nominative singular of the following nouns:

[a] trāmite

[b] itineris

[c] afflātū

[x] give the first person singular present tense of:

[a] exposuit

[b] exstīnxit

[c] sēnsit

[d] concēpit

[D]

(1) “Audē, parvē puer: facilis dēscēnsus Avernī.

(2) noctēs atque diēs patet ātrī iānua Dītis.

(3) hanc intrāre potes, poteris sī discere nostrum cōnsilium

(4) (nam forsan et haec meminisse iuvābit).

(5) - haud procul in silvīs rāmus latet arbore opācā aureus:

(6) hunc abscinde manū,

(7) rāmōque potītus ātra pererrābis tūtus per Tartara,

(8) tūtus inde retrō veniēs:

(9) tantum folia aurea possunt.”

[D] To which part of the passage (1) – (9) do the following refer?

[a] a door always open _____

[b] a golden branch _____

[c] being bold _____

[d] being in possession of a branch _____

[e] cutting off (a branch) _____

[f] powerful leaves _____

[g] remembering _____

[h] returning safely _____

[i] taking advice _____

____________________

[C]

[i] (1) high cliff; (1) rough with rocks; (1) thick with shrubs; (1) small cave (1) in the middle; (1) winding path

[ii] gradū tardō: with a slow step

[iii] on an ivory chair

[iv] When Septimus had explained the reason for his journey.

[v] (1) Then the uncertain light, (1) which had illuminated the darkness (1) a little, (1) suddenly went out

[vi] Septimus acted as if intoxicated.

[vii] (1) seized by divine madness; (1) spoke in a shrill voice, (1) uttered obscure words

[viii] (1) locative; (1) used without a preposition with place-names to indicate ‘in’ or ‘at’ that place

[ix]

[a] trāmes

[b] iter

[c] afflātus

[x]

[a] expōnō

[b] exstinguō

[c] sentiō

[d] concipiō

[D]

[a] a door always open (2)

[b] a golden branch (5)

[c] being bold (1)

[d] being in possession of a branch (7)

[e] cutting off (a branch) (6)

[f] powerful leaves (9)

[g] remembering (4)

[h] returning safely (8)

[i] taking advice (3)

Septimus 1 [15]

[Septimus goes with the Sibyl to get the Golden Bough. A sacrifice is made to Hecate. Septimus is then told to enter the cave, which is, in fact, the entrance to the Underworld.]

[A] Conticuit Sibylla et in sēde tandem quiēta manēbat. Septimus autem nec silēbat nec favēbat iam linguā, sed "nōlī sīc vultum inānī hiātū fixum tenēre" inquit, "sed festīnā, ō Sibylla, festīnā. nam aureum rāmum quam celerrimē dēcerpere volō. tū igitur tē excitā mēque in silvam dūc ubi hāc mīrā in arbore rāmus est aureus."

Paulātim sē colligit Sibylla; ē sēde lentē surgit; Septimō tandem "venī igitur mēcum" inquit "et ego nemus opācum tibi mōnstrābō, ubi inter folia rāmus pendet aureus. tū ibi rāmum manū fortī abscinde."

[A]

[i] “Conticuit Sibylla … iam linguā”

Compare the Sibyl and Septimus at the beginning of the passage. (3)

[ii] What four instructions did Septimus give the Sibyl? (4)

[iii] Identify and translate the two-word phrase showing Septimus’ eagerness to complete the task.

[iv] A, B or C? The Sibyl calmed herself [A] slowly [B] gradually [C] a little.

[v] Where exactly can the golden bough be found? (4)

[vi] To which conjugations do the imperatives belong?

[a] dūc

[b] venī

[c] tē excitā

[d] abscinde

[B] Statim ē specū excēdunt, in silvam prōveniunt. laevā lacus ingēns aquās horrendās tendēbat; dextrā densissima erat silva. nullam ibi pecudem vīdērunt, nullam avem audīvērunt, sed silentium dīrum loca cuncta tenēbat. puer trepidus paullum haesitābat, sed Sibylla cursū eum corripiēbat. mox via ā lacū in lūcum declīnāvit, ubi in mediō arborem aspexērunt rāmumque aurō fulgentem.

[B]

[i] What was [a] on the left? (2), and [b] on the right? (1)

[ii] What could be not be seen or heard? (2)

[iii] How is the silence emphasised? (2)

[iv] Translate: “puer trepidus paullum haesitābat, sed Sibylla cursū eum corripiēbat” (4)

[v] A, B or C? The road:

[A] led down from the lake to the grove

[B] led away from the forest to a lake

[C] led around the grove to a forest

[vi] A, B or C? The tree was:

[A] in the middle of the forest

[B] in the middle of the road

[C] in the middle of the grove

[vii] How is the bough described?

[C] Tum Septimus vultū audācī, corde pavidō ad arborem contendit, rāmum aureum abscīdit, praedam ad sacerdōtem rettulit. cui illa “ūnum hoc facile perēgistī; deus, ut vidētur, adhūc favet. audē igitur et, ubi Hecatēn*, deam horribilem, trifōrmem, sacrīs plācāverimus, inde iānuam rēgnī Dītis temptā.” haec ubi dīxit, ambō ad antrum Sibyllae rediērunt. ibi sacerdōs canem, mel, agnam nigram Hecatē sacrificāvit. tum “patet via” inquit. “iam vērō rāmum aureum prēnsā, animum cōnfirmā, ad īnferōs per antrum prōcēde.”

*Hecatēn … trifōrmem; Hecate: a goddess associated with, for example, the night, magic and witchcraft; often depicted as triple-bodied or with three heads

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

[i] Describe Septimus at the beginning of the passage. (2)

[ii]

[a] Translate: cui illa “ūnum hoc facile perēgistī; deus, ut vidētur, adhūc favet.” (5)

[b] What form of the verb is vidētur? What does it literally mean?

[iii] What needed to be done before they could try the door of the Underworld?

[iv] “haec ubi … ‘patet via’, inquit”

[a] What precisely did the priestess use to placate Hecate? (3)

[b] Where did this take place?

[c] How do we know that this was successful?

[v] What three instructions are given at the end of the passage? (3)

[vi] Give the 1^st person singular present tense of:

[a] rettulit

[b] peregistī

[c] rediērunt

____________________

[A]

[i] (1) Sybil: remained quiet; (1) Septimus: was neither silent (1) nor did he ‘hold his tongue’

[ii] (1) don’t  keep your face fixed (like that) in an empty stare; (1) hurry; (1) rouse yourself; (1) take me to the forest

[iii] quam celerrimē: as quickly as possible

[iv] B

[v] in a (1) dark (1) grove; (1) hanging (1) among the leaves

[vi]

[a] dūc: 3^rd conjugation

[b] venī: 4^th conjugation

[c] tē excitā: 1^st conjugation

[d] abscinde:  3^rd conjugation

[B]

[i] [a] huge lake (1) with dreadful waters (1)

[b] very dense forest (1)

[ii] livestock / cattle (1); birds (1)

[iii] (1) described as ‘dreadful’; (1) it permeated everywhere / everywhere was filled with it [literally: it was holding all places]

[iv] (1) The fearful boy hesitated (1) a little, (1) but the Sibyl took hold of him (1) at a run

[v] A

[vi] C

[vii] gleaming with gold

[C]

[i] (1) a bold face; (1) a terrified heart

[ii]

[a] (1) And she (said) to him (1) “You have easily accomplished (1) this one thing / task; (1) it seems that (1) the god still favours (you) [literally: the god, as it seems, …]

[b] (1) (present) passive; (1) it is seen

[iii] (1) appease Hecate / the goddess (1) with sacrifices

[iv]

[a] (1) a dog; (1) honey; (1) a black lamb

[b] in the cave

[c] the way was opened up / revealed

[v] (1) grasp the bough; (1) take courage; (1) proceed through the cave (to the Underworld)

[vi]

[a] referō

[b] peragō

[c] redeō

The Sybil fell silent and at last remained quiet in her seat. Septimus, however, was neither silent nor did he hold his tongue anymore, but said, “Do not keep your face fixed like that in an empty stare, but hurry, oh Sybil, hurry! For I want to pluck the golden bough as quickly as possible. Therefore, rouse yourself and lead me into the forest where the golden bough is on this wondrous tree.'"

"Little by little the Sybil collected herself; she rose slowly from her seat; at last she said to Septimus, 'Come then with me, and I will show you the dark grove where the golden bough hangs among the leaves. There, break off the bough with a brave hand.”

They immediately leave the cave and emerge into the forest. On the left, a huge lake stretched out its dreadful waters; on the right was a very dense forest. They saw no animal there and heard no bird, but a terrible silence held all the places in its grip. The frightened boy hesitated for a little while, but the Sibyl took hold of him at a run. Soon the path sloped down from the lake into a clearing, where in the middle they saw a tree and a bough gleaming with gold.

Then Septimus, with a bold expression but a fearful heart, hurried towards the tree, cut off the golden bough and carried his prize back to the priestess. She said to him, “You have easily accomplished this one task; the god, it seems, is still favouring you. So be bold, and when we have appeased Hecate, the dreadful, three-formed goddess, with sacrifices, then try the entrance to the kingdom of Dis.”

When she had said this, they both returned to the Sibyl’s cave. There the priestess sacrificed a dog, honey and a black lamb to Hecate. Then she said, “The way is open. Now take hold of the golden bough, take courage, and proceed through the cave to the Underworld.”