Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXVI [2] (1) deponent verbs; (2) subjunctive usage; (3) participial constructions

THE TRIUMPH OF CAESAR [1]

Pompēiō amīcīsque eius superātīs atque omnibus hostibus ubīque victīs, Caesar imperātor Rōmam rediit et extrā moenia urbis in campō Mārtiō castra posuit. Tum vērō amplissimīs honōribus adfectus est. Dictātor creātus est, et eī triumphus ā senātū est dēcrētus. Quō diē dē Gallīs triumphum ēgit, tanta multitūdō hominum in urbem undique cōnflūxit ut omnia loca essent cōnferta. Templa patēbant, ārae fūmābant, columnae sertīs ōrnātae erant. Cum vērō pompa urbem intrāret, quantus hominum fremitus ortus est! Prīmum per portam ingressī sunt senātus et magistrātūs. Secūtī sunt tībīcinēs, signiferī, peditēs laureā corōnātī canentēs: “Ecce Caesar nunc triumphat, quī subēgit Galliam,” et “Mīlle, mīlle, mīlle, mīlle Gallōs trucīdāvimus.” Multī praedam captārum urbium portābant, arma, omnia bellī īnstrūmenta. Secūtī sunt equitēs, animōsīs atque splendidissimē ōrnātīs equīs vectī, inter quōs Pūblius adulēscēns fortissimus habēbātur. Addūcēbantur taurī, arietēs, quī dīs immortālibus immolārentur. Ita longō agmine prōgrediēns exercitus sacrā viā per forum in Capitōlium perrēxit.

(1) review: deponent verbs

Deponent verbs look passive but they are active in meaning which can lead to misunderstanding since their forms are the same. You should become familiar with deponent verbs so that you recognise them when they occur in texts. A large number of them have been discussed in previous posts, but reference lists of the most common ones have also been given here.

Compare in the text [i] the passive forms of verbs and [ii] the deponent verbs:

[i]

amplissimīs honōribus adfectus est | he was bestowed with the highest honours

dictātor creātus est | he was made dictator

eī triumphus ā senātū est dēcrētus | a triumph was decreed for him by the senate

columnae sertīs ōrnātae erant | the columns had been decorated with garlands

Pūblius … fortissimus habēbātur. | Publius was regarded as the bravest

addūcēbantur taurī, arietēs, … | Bulls and rams were being led along, …

… quī dīs immortālibus immolārentur | … which were to be sacrificed to the immortal gods.

[ii]

sequor, sequī, secūtus sum [3/deponent]: follow

ingredior, ingredī, ingressus sum [3-iō / deponent]: enter

orior, orīrī, ortus sum [4/deponent]: arise

secūtī sunt equitēs | the horsemen followed; not the horsemen *were followed*

secūtī sunt tībīcinēs | the flute-players followed

ingressī sunt senātus et magistrātūs | the senate and magistrates entered

quantus hominum fremitus ortus est! | what a great roar of people arose!

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/deponent%20verbs

(2) review: subjunctive usage

[i] Cum vērō pompa urbem intrāret

[ii] arietēs, quī … immolārentur

[iii] tanta multitūdō hominum in urbem undique cōnflūxit ut omnia loca essent cōnferta

(3) review: participial constructions

[i] Pompēiō amīcīsque eius superātīs …

[ii] omnibus hostibus ubīque victīs …

[iii] equitēs … splendidissimē ōrnātīs equīs vectī

[iv] peditēs laureā corōnātī …

[v] peditēs laureā corōnātī canentēs …

[vi] Ita longō agmine prōgrediēns exercitus …

____________________

After Pompey and his friends had been defeated, and all the enemies everywhere had been conquered, Caesar the commander returned to Rome and pitched camp outside the city walls in the Campus Martius.

Then indeed he was honoured with the highest distinctions. He was made dictator, and a triumph was decreed for him by the senate. On the day on which he celebrated his triumph over the Gauls, such a crowd of people poured into the city from all directions that every place was packed. The temples were open, the altars were smoking, and the columns had been decorated with garlands.

And when the procession entered the city, what a great roar of people arose! First the senate and magistrates entered through the gate. The flute-players followed, standard-bearers, and infantry crowned with laurel, singing: “Behold Caesar now triumphs, who has conquered Gaul,” and “A thousand, a thousand, a thousand, a thousand Gauls we have slain.”

Many were carrying the spoils of captured cities — weapons, all the equipment of war. The cavalry  followed, riding on [literally: conveyed by] spirited and most splendidly decorated horses, among whom the young man Publius was regarded as the bravest. Bulls and rams were being led along, which were to be sacrificed to the immortal gods.

Thus, advancing in a long procession, the army made its way along the Sacred Way through the Forum and on to the Capitoline.

Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXV [7] (1) impersonal passive; (2) connecting relative; (3) participial constructions; (4) subjunctive; (5) indirect statement

 CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT BETWEEN CÆSAR AND POMPEY; THE BATTLE OF PHARSALIA [2]

Plūribus leviōribus proeliīs factīs, tandem cōpiae adversae ad Pharsālum in Thessaliā sitam castra posuērunt. Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris, tamen erant multī quī veterānās legiōnēs quae Gallōs et Germānōs superāverant vehementer timēbant. Quōs ante proelium commissum Labiēnus lēgātus, quī ab Caesare nūper dēfēcerat, ita adlocūtus est: “Nōlīte exīstimāre hunc esse exercitum veterānōrum mīlitum. Omnibus interfuī proeliīs neque temerē incognitam rem prōnūntiō. Perexigua pars illīus exercitūs quī Gallōs superāvit adhūc superest. Magna pars occīsa est, multī domum discessērunt, multī sunt relictī in Italiā. Hae cōpiae quās vidētis in citeriōre Galliā nūper cōnscrīptae sunt.” Haec cum dīxisset, iūrāvit sē nisi victōrem in castra nōn reversūrum esse. Hoc idem Pompēius et omnēs reliquī iūrāvērunt, et magnā spē et laetitiā, sīcut certam ad victōriam, cōpiae ē castrīs exiērunt.

Item Caesar, animō ad dīmicandum parātus, exercitum suum ēdūxit et septem cohortibus praesidiō castrīs relictīs cōpiās triplicī aciē īnstrūxit. Tum, mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus, tubā signum dedit. Mīlitēs prōcurrērunt et pīlīs missīs gladiōs strīnxērunt. Neque vērō virtūs hostibus dēfuit. Nam et tēla missa sustinuērunt et impetum gladiōrum excēpērunt et ōrdinēs cōnservāvērunt. Utrimque diū et ācriter pugnātum est nec quisquam pedem rettulit. Tum equitēs Pompēī aciem Caesaris circumīre cōnātī sunt. Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, tertiam aciem, quae ad id tempus quiēta fuerat, prōcurrere iussit. Tum vērō integrōrum impetum dēfessī hostēs sustinēre nōn potuērunt et omnēs terga vertērunt. Sed Pompēius dē fortūnīs suīs dēspērāns sē in castra equō contulit, inde mox cum paucīs equitibus effūgit.

(1) review: impersonal passive

Utrimque diū et ācriter pugnātum est | on both sides there was a long and fierce battle

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/impersonal%20passive

pugnō, -āre: fight; it is an intransitive verb, meaning that it cannot take a direct object. Other examples of intransitive verbs include:

currō, -ere: run

dormiō, -īre: sleep

eō, īre: go

veniō, -īre: come

Intransitive verbs cannot have passive forms with a subject e.g. *he has been slept*, *they were being run*. However, passive forms of intransitive verbs without a subject are used to convey impersonal ideas.

pugnātum est | literally: it was fought

Translations will vary but focus not on who performed the action, but on the action itself:

> There was fighting going on / people were fighting / ‘they’ fought / a battle was taking place

Pugnātum est ab utrīsque ācriter (Caesar)

• There was fierce fighting on both sides [ literally: ‘it’ was fought bitterly …]

Ea mē spectātum tulerat per Dionȳsia. postquam illō ventum est, iam, ut mē collocāverat, exorītur ventus turbō (Plautus)

• She had taken me to see (the show) at the Dionysiac festival. After we’d arrived there, just as she had settled me, a storm wind arose.

Ergō ex omnibus locīs urbis in forum curritur (Livy)

• Therefore, from all parts of the city people are running into the forum.

Macte novā virtūte, puer: Sīc ītur ad astra (Vergil)

• Be blessed in your new courage, boy; this is the way to the stars / one goes to … [literally: In this way it is being gone …]

Ad arma conclāmātum est (Livy)

• The cry ‘to arms!’ was raised.

Et Rōmam inde frequenter migrātum est, ā parentibus maximē ac propinquīs raptārum (Livy)

• And from there, there was frequent migration to Rome, especially by the parents and relatives of those / the women who had been abducted.

Magnīs opibus dormītur in urbe (Juvenal)

• Only with great wealth is it possible to sleep / do people sleep in the city.

(2) review: connecting relative pronouns

[i] Quōs … Labiēnus lēgātus … ita adlocūtus est:

[ii] Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, …

(3) review: participial constructions

[i] Pompēius dē fortūnīs suīs dēspērāns …

[ii] mīlitibus studiō pugnae ārdentibus …

[iii] plūribus leviōribus proeliīs factīs, …

[iv] septem cohortibus … relictīs …

[v] pīlīs missīs gladiōs strīnxērunt …

[vi] tēla missa sustinuērunt …

(4) review: subjunctive

[i] Haec cum dīxisset, …

[ii] Cum Pompeī exercitus esset bis tantus quantus Caesaris, tamen erant multī …

(5) review: indirect statement

[i] Nōlīte exīstimāre hunc esse exercitum veterānōrum mīlitum

[ii] iūrāvit sē … in castra nōn reversūrum esse

____________________

After several lighter engagements had been fought, at last the opposing forces pitched camp at Pharsalus, situated in Thessaly. Although Pompey’s army was twice as large as Caesar’s, there were nevertheless many who greatly feared the veteran legions that had defeated the Gauls and the Germans. Before the battle was joined, Labienus, the lieutenant who had recently defected from Caesar, addressed them as follows:

“Do not suppose that this is an army of veteran soldiers. I have been present at all the battles, and I do not rashly pronounce on a matter I do not know. A very small part of that army which defeated the Gauls still survives. A large part has been killed; many have gone home; many have been left behind in Italy. These forces which you see in Cisalpine Gaul have recently been levied.”

When he had said this, he swore that he would not return to camp unless as victor. Pompey himself and all the rest swore the same, and with great hope and joy, as though victory were certain, the troops marched out from the camp.

Caesar likewise, his mind prepared for battle, led out his army and, seven cohorts having been left behind to guard the camp, drew up his forces in a triple line. Then, as the soldiers were burning with eagerness to fight, he gave the signal with the trumpet. The soldiers charged forward and once the javelins had been thrown, drew their swords. Nor indeed did courage fail the enemy: they both withstood the missiles that had been hurled, met the assault of the swords, and kept their ranks. On both sides the fighting went on long and fiercely, and no one gave ground. Then Pompey’s cavalry tried to outflank Caesar’s line. When Caesar noticed this, he ordered the third line, which up to that time had been at rest, to charge. Then indeed the exhausted enemy could not withstand the attack of fresh troops, and all turned their backs. But Pompey, despairing of his fortunes, made his way on horseback to the camp, and soon afterwards fled from there with a few horsemen.

Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [3] (1) subjunctive; (2) indirect statement; (3) participial constructions

THE STORMING OF A CITY

Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, et ad Caesaris castra sē contulit. Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, cōnstituit eīs bellum īnferre. Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum validissimum quod et nātūrā et arte mūnītum erat. Cingēbātur mūrō vīgintī quīnque pedēs altō. Ā lateribus duōbus situm, praeruptō fastīgiō ad plānitiem vergēbat; ā quārtō tantum latere aditus erat facilis. Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar. Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

Rōmānōrum autem oppugnātiō est haec. Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint; vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant; pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent; sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant. Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, deinde agger ab eā parte ubi aditus est facillimus exstruitur et cum vīneīs ad ipsum oppidum agitur. Tum turris in aggere prōmovētur; arietibus quī sub vīneīs conlocātī erant mūrus et portae discutiuntur; ballistīs, catapultīs, reliquīsque tormentīs lapidēs et tēla in oppidum coniciuntur. Postrēmō cum iam turris et agger altitūdinem mūrī adaequant et arietēs moenia perfrēgērunt, signō datō mīlitēs inruunt et oppidum expugnant.

(1) review: subjunctive

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar.

[ii] Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

[iii] Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint;

[iv] vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant

[v] pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent;

[vi] sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant

(2) review: indirect statement

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

Translate the following extract. Remember that the grammatical term indirect statement may not refer exclusively to what somebody said, but, here, what somebody thought or felt:

Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, …

(3) review: participial constructions

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, …

[ii] Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum …

[iii] Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit

[iv] Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, …

[v] signō datō mīlitēs inruunt …

____________________

Publius, after staying / having stayed for several days in Germany, returned to Gaul and made his way to Caesar’s camp. Caesar, because he was displeased that the Gauls of that region had refused to give hostages and had been unwilling to supply grain to the army, decided to make war upon them.

After the fields had been laid waste and the villages burned, he came to a very strongly fortified town, which was defended both by nature and by workmanship. It was surrounded by a wall twenty-five feet high. On two sides it was situated on a slope, with a steep incline falling down to the plain; from the fourth side alone was access easy.

Although it was a most difficult task to attack this town, Caesar nevertheless decided to undertake it. And, after the camp had been fortified, he assigned Publius the task of preparing [lit: so that he might prepare] the things necessary for the attack.

The Roman method of attack, however, is as follows. First, towers are built by which the soldiers may be able to climb up onto the top of the wall; mantlets are made by which the soldiers, being covered, may approach the wall; screens are prepared behind which the soldiers may operate the engines; there are also battering rams which may smash the wall and the gates.

When all these things have been prepared, then a rampart is built from that side where the approach is easiest and is pushed forward with the mantlets right up to the town. Then a tower is moved forward on the rampart; by means of the rams, which had been placed under the mantlets, the wall and gates are battered down; by ballistae, catapults, and the other engines, stones and missiles are hurled into the town.

Finally, when the tower and ramp now match the height of the wall and the rams have broken through the defences, the signal having been given, the soldiers rush in and capture the town.

Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXII [3] (1) subjunctive; (2) indirect statement; (3) participial constructions

 PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY; ITS GREAT FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS 

Initā aestāte Caesar litterīs certior fīēbat et per explōrātōrēs cognōscēbat plūrīs cīvitātēs Galliae novīs rēbus studēre et contrā populum Rōmānum coniūrāre obsidēsque inter sē dare atque cum hīs Germānōs quōsdam quoque sēsē coniūnctūrōs esse. Hīs litterīs nūntiīsque commōtus Caesar cōnstituit quam celerrimē in Gallōs proficīscī, ut eōs inopīnantīs opprimeret, et Labiēnum lēgātum cum duābus legiōnibus peditum et duōbus mīlibus equitum in Germānōs mittere. Itaque rē frūmentāriā comparātā castra mōvit. Ab utrōque rēs bene gesta est; nam Caesar tam celeriter in hostium fīnīs pervēnit ut spatium cōpiās cōgendī nōn darētur; et Labiēnus dē Germānīs tam grave supplicium sūmpsit ut nēmō ex eā gente in reliquum tempus Gallīs auxilium dare audēret.

Hoc iter in Germāniam Pūblius quoque fēcit et, cum ibi morārētur, multa mīrābilia vīdit. Praesertim vērō ingentem silvam mīrābātur, quae tantae magnitūdinis esse dīcēbātur ut nēmō eam trānsīre posset, nec quisquam scīret aut initium aut fīnem. Quā dē rē plūra cognōverat ā mīlite quōdam quī ōlim captus ā Germānīs multōs annōs ibi incoluit. Ille dē silvā dīcēns, “Īnfīnītae magnitūdinis est haec silva,” inquit; “nec quisquam est huius Germāniae quī initium eius sciat aut ad fīnem adierit. Nāscuntur illīc multa tālia animālium genera quālia reliquīs in locīs nōn inveniuntur. Sunt bovēs quī ūnum cornū habent; sunt etiam animālia quae appellantur alcēs. Hae nūllōs crūrum articulōs habent. Itaque, sī forte concidērunt, sēsē ērigere nūllō modō possunt. Arborēs habent prō cubīlibus; ad eās sē applicant atque ita reclīnātae quiētem capiunt. Tertium est genus eōrum quī ūrī appellantur. Hī sunt paulō minōrēs elephantīs. Magna vis eōrum est et magna vēlōcitās. Neque hominī neque ferae parcunt.”

(1) review: subjunctive

[i] cum-clauses: circumstantial

cum ibi morārētur, …

• while he was lingering / remained there, …

[ii] purpose

Caesar cōnstituit … proficīscī, ut eōs … opprimeret, …

• Caesar decided to set out, in order to overwhelm them ...

[iii] result

nam Caesar tam celeriter in hostium fīnīs pervēnit ut spatium cōpiās cōgendī nōn darētur;

• for Caesar reached the enemy’s territory so quickly that no time was given for mustering forces.

… quae tantae magnitūdinis esse dīcēbātur (1) ut nēmō eam trānsīre posset, nec quisquam (2) scīret aut initium aut fīnem.

• … which was said to be of such great size (1) that no one could cross it, (2) nor would anyone know either its beginning or its end.

et Labiēnus dē Germānīs tam grave supplicium sūmpsit ut nēmō … dare audēret.

And Labienus inflicted such severe punishment on the Germans that no one … dared … to give …

• [iv] characteristic

nec quisquam est huius Germāniae (1) quī initium eius sciat aut ad fīnem (2) adierit.

• Nor is there anyone in this Germany (1) who knows its beginning or (2) has reached its end.

(2) review: indirect statement

[1] Two principal clauses with constructions that regularly signal indirect statements:

… Caesar litterīs (1) certior fīēbat ¦ et per explōrātōrēs (2) cognōscēbat | Caesar (1) was informed by letter(s) and (2) learned from scouts …

[2] 4 indirect statements all dependent upon the principal clauses:

plūrīs cīvitātēs Galliae novīs rēbus (1) studēre … | (that) several states of Gaul were eager for revolution

et contrā populum Rōmānum (2) coniūrāre … | and were conspiring against the Roman people

obsidēsque inter sē (3) dare … | and were giving hostages among themselves

atque cum hīs Germānōs quōsdam quoque sēsē (4) coniūnctūrōs esse. | and (that) certain Germans as well were going to join themselves with them.

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

(3) review: participial constructions

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Ille dē silvā dīcēns, … inquit;

[ii] Caesar cōnstituit … proficīscī, ut eōs inopīnantīs opprimeret, …

[iii] Hīs litterīs nūntiīsque commōtus Caesar cōnstituit …

[iv] ā mīlite quōdam quī ōlim captus ā Germānīs

[v] … atque ita reclīnātae quiētem capiunt.

[vi] Itaque rē frūmentāriā comparātā …

____________________

At the beginning of summer, Caesar was being informed by letters and was learning through scouts that several states of Gaul were eager for revolution, were conspiring against the Roman people, were giving hostages among themselves, and that certain Germans as well were going to join themselves with them. Moved by these letters and reports, Caesar decided to set out against the Gauls as quickly as possible, in order to crush them while they were unprepared, and to send the legate Labienus into Germany with two legions of infantry and two thousand cavalry.

Accordingly, after the grain supplies had been arranged, he moved camp. The operation succeeded well on both sides; for Caesar reached the enemy’s territory so rapidly that no time was given for assembling forces; and Labienus inflicted such severe punishment on the Germans that no one of that people dared thereafter to give assistance to the Gauls.

This journey into Germany was also made by Publius, and while he stayed there he saw many remarkable things. He especially admired a vast forest, which was said to be of such great size that no one could cross it, nor did anyone know either its beginning or its end.

On this matter he had learned more from a certain soldier who, having been captured by the Germans at one time, lived there for many years. Speaking about the forest, he said: “This forest is of infinite extent; and there is no one in this part of Germany who knows its beginning or has reached its end.

Many kinds of animals are born there which are not found in other places. There are oxen which have a single horn; there are also animals called elks. These have no joints in their legs. Therefore, if by chance they fall down, they cannot by any means get up again. They use trees as resting places; they lean against them and, thus supported, take their rest.

There is a third kind of animal called urus. These are slightly smaller than elephants. They are very powerful and very fast. They spare neither man nor wild beast.”

Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXI [2] (1) subjunctive; (2) participial constructions

THE ENEMY BESIEGING THE CAMP ARE REPULSED

Cum iam sex hōrās pugnātum esset ac nōn sōlum vīrēs sed etiam tēla Rōmānōs dēficerent, atque hostēs ācrius instārent, et vāllum scindere fossamque complēre incēpissent, Caesar, vir reī mīlitāris perītissimus, suīs imperāvit ut proelium paulisper intermitterent, et, signō datō, ex castrīs ērumperent. Quod iussī sunt faciunt, et subitō ex omnibus portīs ērumpunt. Atque tam celeriter mīlitēs concurrērunt et tam propinquī erant hostēs ut spatium pīla coniciendī nōn darētur. Itaque reiectīs pīlīs comminus gladiīs pugnātum est. Diū et audācter hostēs restitērunt et in extrēmā spē salūtis tantam virtūtem praestitērunt ut ā dextrō cornū vehementer multitūdine suōrum aciem Rōmanam premerent. Id imperātor cum animadvertisset, Pūblium adulēscentem cum equitātū mīsit quī labōrantibus auxilium daret. Eius impetum sustinēre nōn potuērunt hostēs et omnēs terga vertērunt. Eōs in fugam datōs Pūblius subsecūtus est ūsque ad flūmen Rhēnum, quod ab eō locō quīnque mīlia passuum aberat. Ibi paucī salūtem sibi repperērunt. Omnibus reliquīs interfectīs, Pūblius et equitēs in castra sēsē recēpērunt. Dē hāc calamitāte fīnitimae gentēs cum certiōrēs factae essent, ad Caesarem lēgātōs mīsērunt et sē suaque omnia dēdidērunt.

(1) review: subjunctive usage

[1] cum-clauses: circumstantial

Id imperātor cum animadvertisset, … | When / since the commander had noticed this, …

fīnitimae gentēs cum certiōrēs factae essent … | When the neighbouring tribes had been made aware …

[2] purpose

Pūblium … mīsit quī …auxilium daret. | He sent … Publius … to give help

[3] result

[i] tantam virtūtem praestitērunt ut …  aciem Rōmanam premerent.

(they) showed such great courage that … they were pressing the Roman line

[ii] In this sentence, two phrases introduce a result clause:

Atque (1) tam celeriter mīlitēs concurrērunt et (2) tam propinquī erant hostēs ut spatium pīla coniciendī nōn darētur.

And the soldiers ran together (1) so quickly and the enemy were (2) so close that no space was given for throwing javelins.

[4] This text gives examples of lengthier sentences containing multiple clauses, a common feature of Classical Latin literature:

The first sentence of the text uses multiple subjunctive forms; look out for the conjunctions that introduce subordinate clauses, in this case [A] cum and [B] ut

[A] Cum iam sex hōrās pugnātum esset ac nōn sōlum vīrēs sed etiam tēla Rōmānōs dēficerent, atque hostēs ācrius instārent, et vāllum scindere fossamque complēre incēpissent, Caesar, vir reī mīlitāris perītissimus, suīs imperāvit [B] ut proelium paulisper intermitterent, et, signō datō, ex castrīs ērumperent.

[A] All four subjunctive verbs are dependent upon cum (circumstantial) i.e. cum does not need to be repeated.

Cum iam sex hōrās (1) pugnatum esset ac nōn sōlum vīrēs sed etiam tēla Rōmānōs (2) dēficerent, atque hostēs ācrius (3) instārent, et vāllum scindere fossamque complēre (4) incēpissent, …

When (1) the fighting had already gone on for six hours, and not only strength but also weapons (2) were failing the Romans, and the enemy (3) were pressing on more fiercely, and (4) had begun to tear apart the rampart and fill in the ditch …

[B] Both verbs are dependent upon ut (introducing purpose clauses) i.e. ut does not need to be repeated

… Caesar, vir reī mīlitāris perītissimus, suīs imperāvit ut proelium paulisper (1) intermitterent, et, signō datō, ex castrīs (2) ērumperent.

Caesar, a man most skilled in military affairs, gave orders to his men that (1) they should pause the battle for a short time and, once the signal had been given, (2) burst out from the camp.

(2) review: participial constructions

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Pūblium … mīsit quī labōrantibus auxilium daret.

[ii] Eōs in fugam datōs Pūblius subsecūtus est

[iii] signō datō

[iv] Itaque reiectīs pīlīs comminus gladiīs pugnātum est.

[v] omnibus reliquīs interfectīs

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When they had already been fighting for six hours, and not only their strength but also their weapons were failing the Romans, and the enemy were pressing more fiercely and had begun to cut through the rampart and fill up the ditch, Caesar, a man most skilled in military affairs, ordered his men to suspend the battle for a short time and, when the signal was given, to burst out from the camp.

They do what they have been commanded, and suddenly break out from all the gates. And the soldiers ran together so quickly and the enemy were so close that no space was given for throwing javelins. Therefore, the javelins having been thrown aside, they fought hand-to-hand with swords.

For a long time and bravely the enemy held their ground and, in their final hope of safety, showed such great courage that from their right wing they were strongly pressing the Roman line with a multitude of their own men.

When the commander had noticed this, he sent the young Publius with the cavalry to give help to those who were struggling. The enemy were not able to withstand his charge and all turned in flight. Publius pursued them, after they had been put to flight, as far as the River Rhine, which was five miles distant from that place. There few found safety for themselves. All the rest having been killed, Publius and the cavalry returned into the camp.

When the neighbouring tribes had been made aware of this disaster, they sent envoys to Caesar and surrendered themselves and all their possessions.

Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXX [4] participial constructions

THE RIVAL CENTURIONS

Illīs in castrīs erant duo centuriōnēs, fortissimī virī, T. Pullō et L. Vorēnus, quōrum neuter alterī virtūte cēdere volēbat. Inter eōs iam multōs annōs īnfēnsum certāmen gerēbātur. Tum dēmum fīnis contrōversiae hōc modō factus est. Diē tertiō postquam Pūblius pervēnit, hostēs, maiōribus cōpiīs coāctīs, ācerrimum impetum in castra fēcērunt. Tum Pullō, cum Rōmānī tardiōrēs vidērentur, “Cūr dubitās,” inquit, “Vorēne? Quam commodiōrem occāsiōnem exspectās? Hic diēs dē virtūte nostrā iūdicābit.” Haec cum dīxisset, extrā mūnītiōnēs prōcessit et in eam hostium partem quae cōfertissima vidēbātur inrūpit. Neque Vorēnus quidem tum vāllō sēsē continet, sed Pullōnem subsequitur. Tum Pullō pīlum in hostīs immittit atque ūnum ex multitūdine prōcurrentem trāicit. Hunc percussum et exanimātum hostēs scūtīs prōtegunt et in Pullōnem omnēs tēla coniciunt. Eius scūtum trānsfīgitur et tēlum in balteō dēfīgitur. Hic cāsus vāgīnam āvertit et dextram manum eius gladium ēdūcere cōnantis morātur. Eum ita impedītum hostēs circumsistunt.

Tum vēro eī labōrantī Vorēnus, cum sit inimīcus, tamen auxilium dat. Ad hunc cōnfestim ā Pullōne omnis multitūdō sē convertit. Gladiō comminus pugnat Vorēnus, atque, ūnō interfectō, reliquōs paulum prōpellit. Sed īnstāns cupidius īnfēlīx, pede sē fallente, concidit.

Huic rūrsus circumventō auxilium dat Pullō, atque ambō incolumēs, plūribus interfectīs, summā cum laude intrā mūnītiōnēs sē recipiunt. Sic inimīcōrum alter alterī auxilium dedit nec dē eōrum virtūte quisquam iūdicāre potuit.

review: participial constructions

Participial constructions are very common in Classical Latin literature. English may be able to translate them literally but, most often, they require some type of subordinate clause.

[i] present active participle

īnstāns cupidius īnfēlīx | the unfortunate man (who is) pressing forward too eagerly

ūnum [acc.] ex multitūdine prōcurrentem [acc.] trāicit | pierces one man (who is) rushing forward from the crowd

dextram manum eius [gen.] gladium ēdūcere cōnantis [gen.] morātur.

(it) hinders the right hand of him / of the man (who is) attempting to draw his sword = (it) hinders his right hand, while he is trying to draw his sword

eī [dat.] labōrantī [dat.] Vorēnus … auxilium dat | Vorenus gives help to him while he is struggling

[ii] perfect passive participle

Eum ita impedītum hostēs circumsistunt. | The enemy surround him (who has been) hindered in this way.

Hunc percussum et exanimātum hostēs scūtīs prōtegunt | With their shields the enemy protect this man (who has been) struck and killed

Huic rūrsus circumventō auxilium dat Pullō | Pullo again gives help to him when he has been surrounded

[iii] ablative absolute

Remember the basic formula of the two parts of an ablative absolute construction:

(1) with present active participle = with X ¦ Y-ing

Pede [ablative] ¦ sē fallente [ablative] | literally: with (his) foot ¦ deceiving itself

While it sounds clumsy in style, it is correct. Most often, however, the translation will use ‘when’, ‘since’ or ‘after’ depending on the context. In this case:

pede sē fallente | his foot slipping / since his foot slips / when his foot slips …

(2) with perfect passive participle = with X ¦ having been Y-ed

… ūnō ¦ interfectō… | with one (man) ¦ having been killed > after one man had been killed …

Be careful with the translation since the ablative absolute does not in itself indicate who performed the action:

Gladiō comminus pugnat Vorēnus, atque, ūnō interfectō, reliquōs paulum prōpellit.

Vorenus fights hand-to-hand with his sword, and, with one (man) having been killed, drives back the rest a little.

In this context, since Vorenus is fighting hand-to-hand, it is obviously Vorenus who is being referred to. Therefore, it would be possible to translate the ablative absolute as:

…and having killed one man / after he killed one man, …

Likewise:

maiōribus cōpiīs ¦ coāctīs | with larger forces ¦ having been assembled > after larger forces had been …

hostēs, maiōribus cōpiīs coāctīs, … impetum … fēcērunt.

The enemy, after larger forces had been assembled,  … made an attack.

Again, here, it is obvious that it was the enemy who had gathered the forces. Therefore, the following translations are possible:

After the enemy had assembled larger forces, they made an attack.

Having assembled larger forces, the enemy made an attack.

Compare:

plūribus ¦ interfectīs | with many ¦ having been killed > after many had been killed …

atque ambō incolumēs, plūribus interfectīs, summā cum laude intrā mūnītiōnēs sē recipiunt.

And with the highest praise both return unharmed within the fortifications, after many had been killed

It is not implied that both of them killed many men; the ablative absolute simply describes the circumstances under which they return. To translate the ablative absolute as: “After they had killed …” or “Having killed …” would be an assumption that is not conveyed.

If in doubt, keep the impersonal and passive nature of the ablative absolute i.e. do not refer to a subject. In the translation of the entire text below, all the ablative absolutes have been expressed in that way.

____________________

In that camp there were two centurions, very brave men, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus, neither of whom was willing to yield to the other in courage. Between them there had been for many years a hostile rivalry. At last the end of the dispute was brought about in the following way.

On the third day after Publius arrived, the enemy, after larger forces had been gathered, made a very fierce attack on the camp.

Then Pullo, when the Romans seemed to be too slow, said: “Why do you hesitate, Vorenus? What more favourable opportunity are you waiting for? This day will judge our courage.” When he had said this, he advanced beyond the fortifications and burst into that part of the enemy which seemed most densely packed.

Nor did Vorenus at that time keep himself within the rampart but follows Pullo.

Then Pullo hurls his javelin at the enemy and pierces one man rushing forward from the crowd. With their shields the enemy protect this man, who has been struck and killed, and they throw all their weapons at Pullo.

His shield is pierced through and a spear is driven into his belt. This accident turns aside / dislodges his scabbard and hinders his right hand, while he is trying to draw his sword. The enemy surround him who has been impeded in this way.

Then indeed Vorenus, although he is his enemy, nevertheless gives assistance, to him while he is struggling.

At once all the crowd turns from Pullo to him. Vorenus fights hand-to-hand with his sword, and, one man having been killed, drives back the rest a little.

But the unfortunate man, pressing forward too eagerly, his foot slipping, falls.

To him again, when surrounded, Pullo gives aid, and both return within the fortifications unharmed, after many had been killed, with the highest praise.

Thus each of the enemies gave help to the other, and no one could judge between their courage.