Comenius CVI; the Celestial Sphere [4]; text and vocabulary [3]

[4] The Heaven is full of stars every where. │ Cælum est stēllātum undique.

stēllātus, -a, -um < stēlla + -ātus: starry; star-filled

[5] There are reckoned above a thousand fixed stars; but of constellations towards the North: XXI, towards the South: XVI │ Stēllārum fīxārum numerantur plūs mīlle; sīderum vērō Septentriōnārium: XXI, Merīdiōnālium: XVI.

stēlla, -ae [1/f]: star

stēllae fīxae: fixed (immovable) stars; they are also referred to as:

stēllae inerrantēs: stars that are not wandering

sidus, sideris [3/n]: star; constellation

There are numerous words that refer to the compass points, winds and Gods that personified the winds:

[i]

(1) septentriō, -iōnis [3/m]: north

septentriōnēs (pl.): the North; northern regions

septentriōnālis, -e;  (rare) septentriōnārius, -a, -um: northern

(2) aquilō, -ōnis [3/m]: north

aquilōnius, -a, -um: northern

(3) boreās, -ae [1/m]: north

boreālis, -e: northern; Aurōra Boreālis: the Northern Lights

[ii] 

(1) merīdiēs, -ēī [5/m]: mid-day; south

merīdiōnālis, -e;  meridiānus, -a, -um: southern

(2) auster, austrī [2/m]: south

austrālis, -e; austrīnus, -a, -um: southern

[iii]

oriēns, orientis [3/m]: east

orientālis, -e: eastern

[iv]

occidēns, occidentis [3/m]: west

occidentālis, -e: western

Both oriēns and occidēns can also be participles:

sōl oriēns: the rising sun

sōl occidēns: the setting sun

mēnsamque extrā vēlum et contrā mēnsam candēlābrum in latere tabernāculī merīdiānō mēnsa enim stābit in parte aquilōnis (Vulgate) │ You shall place the table outside the veil, and opposite the table the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle; for the table shall stand on the north side.

ā septentriōne et occidente sicciōrēs quam ā merīdiē et oriente (Pliny the Elder)│ from the North and West they [winds] are drier than from the South and East

Further information on compass points:

20.06.25: topic; ships [7]; Comenius; XCI; a Ship-wreck (2)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/200625-topic-ships-7-comenius-xci-ship.html

Image: you need to turn the 7^th century map 90 degrees to the right so that north is at the top!

The second image turns it round to what we’d expect.

Level 3: indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [17]: the perfect passive infinitive with fuisse

The perfect passive infinitive in an indirect statement may occur with fuisse rather than esse; this is rare and, in fact, is generally not listed in verb conjugations, but should at least be recognised.

The perfect passive infinitive with esse refers to an event which took place before the verb of speaking.

[i] Nuntius dīcit ¦ urbem captam esse. │ The messenger says that the city was / has been captured.

[ii] Nuntius dīxit ¦ urbem captam esse.  │ The messenger said that the city was / had been captured.

Occasionally, however, you will come across the perfect passive participle with fuisse which emphasises that a situation had existed at a certain point in the past before the time of speaking:

Ex ōrātiōne appāret … exercitum in forō collocātum ā Gn. Pompeiō fuisse (Asconius) │ It appears from the speech that the army had been placed in the forum by Pompey

Satis est … docēre … magnam spem in Milōnis morte prōpositam … fuisse (Cicero) │ It is sufficient … to show … that great hope had been placed on Milo’s death

Populum Tanaquil adloquitur … sōpītum fuisse rēgem subitō ictū (Livy) │ Tanaquil addressed the people, [saying that] the king had been rendered unconscious by a sudden blow

Note the inclusion of ‘previously’ and ‘formerly’ in the following translations, emphasising the function of fuisse.

Cognōvī tibi eum falsō suspectum fuisse (Cicero) │ I found out that he had previously been unfairly suspected by you

Zanclē quoque iūncta fuisse dīcitur Ītaliae (Ovid) │ It is said that Zancle had formerly been joined to Italy

Level 3: indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [16]; the perfect passive infinitive [iv]; reading

[A] This is a short and sweet example of a feature to look out for when reading original Classical Latin. From Epiducus by Plautus.

[1] Look at the question:

APAECIDES

Quis [i] hoc dīcit [ii] factum? │ Who says ¦ that [i] this [ii] has been done?

[2] Look at the answer:

EPIDICUS

Ego ita factum esse dīcō. │ I say that it has been done.

i.e. esse is omitted in [1]; the omission of esse in the perfect passive infinitive in indirect statements is a common feature among the authors

Frātrem interfectum audīvit (Seneca) │ He heard that his brother had been killed.

[B] From the case against Verres, prosecuted by Cicero.

First of all, here is the Latin text and the English translation:

Frequentissimī vēnērunt ad hoc iūdicium mercātōrēs, hominēs locuplētēs atque honestī, [1] quī ¦ [2] partim sociōs suōs, partim lībertōs, partim conlībertōs [3] spoliātōs in vincla coniectōs, partim in vinclīs necātōs, partim secūrī percussōs esse [1] dīcunt

Note the use of the word partim (partly; some of). Cicero uses this to indicate that those present at the trial have had different negative experiences, some of them will say X, some will say Y etc.

Merchants in crowds have come to this trial, wealthy and honourable men, [1] who say ¦ [2] that some of their comrades, some of their freedmen, some of their fellow freedmen [3] were robbed and thrown into chains, some of them were killed in chains, some of them were beheaded with an axe.

Let’s take it apart and see the way in which Cicero uses indirect statement to create a powerful piece of oratory.

[1] He begins by implying that the merchants are reliable and the sheer number of them adds considerable weight to the allegations.

Frequentissimī vēnērunt ad hoc iūdicium mercātōrēs,  │ Merchants in crowds have come to this trial

hominēs locuplētēs atque honestī, │ wealthy and honourable men

[2] He goes on to state what these merchants say

… quī … dīcunt

[3] Cicero then gives an indirect statement itemising the three groups of people who are the subject of the indirect statement; it is also worth noting Cicero’s frequent use of the tricolon i.e. a word or words which are structurally similar and delivered in a group of three:

[i] (quī) partim sociōs suōs, [ii] partim lībertōs, [iii] partim conlībertōs … (dīcunt)

[i] (who say) ¦ (some of them) that [i] their partners, [ii] (some) that their freedmen, [iii] (some) that their fellow freedmen …

[4] The verbs have become perfect passive infinitives but note that Cicero only uses esse once, and the auditory effect of the passives which all have the same ending -ōs

[i] spoliātōs, [ii] in vincla coniectōs, [iii] partim in vinclīs necātōs, [iv] partim secūrī percussōs esse [i] were robbed, [ii] thrown in chains, [iii] some murdered when in chains [iv] some struck with an axe.

Comenius CVI: the Celestial Sphere [3]; text and vocabulary [2]

[2] The globe of heaven is turned about upon an axle-tree, about the globe of the earth, in the space of XXIV hours. │ Globus cælī volvitur super axem, circā globum terræ, spaciō XXIV hōrārum.

axis, -is [3/m]: axle-tree; axle of a wheel; also: the North Pole

axis mundī: the axis of Earth between the celestial poles

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

Again, note CL: spatium, -ī [2/n] > post-CL / Med: spacium > Engl. deriv. space; the same shift is seen in, for example, CL: grātia > gracia > Engl. deriv. grace

Globus cælī volvitur │ The globe of heaven is turned about

terra, -ae [1/f]: land; in Ancient Rome Terra, -ae i.e. a proper noun referred to the goddess of the Earth and is used in Neo-Latin as the astronomical term for the Earth

Also:

tellūs, tellūris [3/f]: various meanings including Earth; globe; world

The Ancient Romans referred to:

orbis, -is [3/m] terrārum: the circle of lands 

[3] The Pole-stars, or Pole, the Arctick, the Antarctick, conclude the axle-tree at both ends. │ Stēllæ polārēs, Arcticus, Antarcticus, fīniunt Axem utrinque.

utrinque = utrimque: on / from both sides

polāris, -e (Late Latin): pertaining to the (North / South) poles

(polus) Arcticus, -ī [2/m]: Arctic; CL: arcticus, -a, -um: northern

(polus) Antarcticus, -ī [2/m]: Antarctic; CL: antarcticus, -a, -um: southern

In the image, note what it was first called, and the link takes you to why the name was changed:

23.06.25: topic; ships [9]; Comenius; XCI; a Ship-wreck (4); terra austrālis: the southern land

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/230625-topic-ships-9-comenius-xci-ship.html

Level 3: indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [15]; the perfect passive infinitive [iii]; practice (2)

[C] Complete the English translations with the words listed below.

[1] Cicerō crēdidit praemium Nerōnī ā magō vēnditum esse. │ Cicero __________ that the prize __________ to Nero by a magician.

[2] Mōnstrum nūntiāvit sē līberātum esse. │ The monster __________ that it __________.

[3] Illae putābant plaustrum agricolae trāditum esse. │ They __________ that the cart __________ to the farmer.

[4] Dīcēbās dōnum servō fidēlī datum esse. │ You __________ that a gift __________ to the faithful servant.

[5] Mōnstra dīcunt sē ad oppidum ducta esse. │ The monsters say that they were led to the town.

announced; believed; say; thought; were saying

had been freed; had been given; had been handed over; had been sold; were led

[C]

[1] Cicero believed that the prize had been sold to Nero by a magician.

[2] The monster announced that it had been freed.

[3] They thought that the cart had been handed over to the farmer.

[4] You were saying that a gift had been given to the faithful servant.

[5] The monsters say that they were led to the town.

[D] Give the Latin translation by putting the words into the correct word order.

[1] They knew that the Gauls had been conquered by Caesar.

Ā; CAESARE; ESSE; GALLŌS; SCĪVĒRUNT; VĪCTŌS

[2] Everybody heard that the twins had been found by a wolf.

Ā; AUDĪVĒRUNT; ESSE; GEMINŌS; INVENTŌS; LUPŌ; OMNĒS

[3] They said that they had been led to Asia.

AD; ĀSIAM; DĪXĒRUNT; DUCTŌS; ESSE; ILLĪ; SĒ

[4] The god believed that the foods had been given to Sextus.

CIBŌS; CRĒDIDIT; DATŌS; DEUS; ESSE; SEXTŌ

[5] We announce that you were called back to Italy.

AD; ESSE; ITALIAM; NŪNTIĀMUS; REVOCĀTŌS; VŌS

[D]

[1] Scīvērunt Gallōs ā Caesare vīctōs esse.

[2] Omnēs audīvērunt geminōs ā lupō inventōs esse.

[3] Illī dīxērunt sē ad Āsiam ductōs esse.

[4] Deus crēdidit cibōs Sextō datōs esse.

[5] Nūntiāmus vōs ad Italiam revocātōs esse.

[E] Choose the correct translation.

[1] Sciēbam vōs ad Aegyptum revocātās esse.

[a] I know that you (pl.) have been recalled to Egypt.

[b] I knew that you (pl.) had been recalled to Egypt.

[c] I knew that you (sg.) were being recalled to Egypt.

[2] Puellae clamābant sē ad Aegyptum ductās esse.

[a] The girls were shouting that she had been led to Egypt.

[b] The girls are shouting that they were led to Egypt.

[c] The girls were shouting that they had been led to Egypt.

[3] Putābāmus eās ad īnsulam missās esse.

[a] We thought that they had been sent to the island.

[b] We think they have been sent to the island.

[c] We thought they were being sent to the island.

[4] Prōserpina crēdidit vōs ā mē dēspectās esse.

[a] Prosperina believed that you (sg.) had been despised by me.

[b] Prosperina believed that I had despised you (pl.)

[c] Prosperina believed that you (pl.)  had been despised by me.

[5] Magistrī sciunt discipulās ā nōbīs laudātās esse.

[a] The teachers knew that the pupils had been praised by us.

[b] The teachers know that the pupils were praised by us.

[c] The teachers know that the pupils are praised by us.

[E]

[1] Sciēbam vōs ad Aegyptum revocātās esse. │ [b] I knew that you (pl.) had been recalled to Egypt.

[2] Puellae clamābant sē ad Aegyptum ductās esse. │ [c] The girls were shouting that they had been led to Egypt.

[3] Putābāmus eās ad īnsulam missās esse. │ [a] We thought that they had been sent to the island.

[4] Prōserpina crēdidit vōs ā mē dēspectās esse. │ [c] Prosperina believed that you (pl.)  had been despised by me.

[5] Magistrī sciunt discipulās ā nōbīs laudātās esse. │ [b] The teachers know that the pupils were praised by us.

Level 3: indirect statement; the accusative-infinitive [14]; the perfect passive infinitive [ii]; practice (1)

Complete the Latin translations with the words listed below each section.

[A]

[1] I believe that you were heard. │ [i] __________ [ii] __________ [iii] __________ esse.

[2] Flavius thought that I had been freed. │ Flāvius __________ __________ __________ esse.

[3] Somebody announced that Marcus had been elected consul. │ Aliquis __________ __________ cōnsulem __________ esse.

[4] Cornelia and Flavia hope that the wolf has been driven away. │ Cornēlia et Flāvia __________ __________ __________ esse.

[5] Do you believe that the brave man has been killed? │ __________ne fortem __________ __________ esse?

[6] They say that the book was read. │ __________ __________ __________ esse.

[7] Horatius was saying that he had been deceived. │ Horātius __________ __________ __________ esse.

[8] Epicurus thought that people had been ruled by fear of the gods. │ Epicūrus __________ __________ metū superōrum __________ esse.

[i] cōgitāvit; crēdis; crēdō; dīcēbat; dīcunt; nūntiāvit; putāvit; spērant

[ii] librum; lupum; Mārcum; mē; populum; sē; tē; virum

[iii] auditum; creātum; falsum; interfectum; lēctum; līberātum; rectum; repulsum

[A]

[1] Crēdō tē auditum esse.

[2] Flāvius putāvit mē līberātum esse.

[3] Aliquis nūntiāvit Mārcum cōnsulem creātum esse.

[4] Cornēlia et Flāvia spērant lupum repulsum esse.

[5] Crēdisne fortem virum interfectum esse?

[6] Dīcunt librum lēctum esse.

[7] Horātius dīcēbat sē falsum esse.

[8] Epicūrus cōgitāvit populum metū superōrum rectum esse.

[B]

[1] Mother said that dinner had been prepared. │ Māter dīxit cēnam __________.

[2] Cornelia knows that the woman was praised. │ Cornēlia scit fēminam __________.

[3] The goddess announced that she had been scolded by me. │ Dea nūntiāvit sē ā mē __________.

[4] Juno said that Claudia had been helped. │ Iūnō dīcēbat Claudiam __________.

[5] You knew that the money had been given to Diana. │ Scīvistī pecūniam Diānae ā rēgīnīs __________.

datam esse; iūtam esse; laudātam esse; parātam esse; reprehēnsam esse

[B]

[1] Māter dīxit cēnam parātam esse.

[2] Cornēlia scit fēminam laudātam esse.

[3] Dea nūntiāvit sē ā mē reprehēnsam esse.

[4] Iūnō dīcēbat Claudiam iūtam esse.

[5] Scīvistī pecūniam Diānae ā rēgīnīs datam esse.

Level 3: Reading (review); [27](b) Romulus and Remus

The twins Romulus and Remus were exposed on the order of the king Amulius. A wolf fed them at first.

Fābula est pāstōrem Rōmulum et Remum in Palātiō spectāvisse et ad sē trānsportāvisse. Nōn ignōrāmus geminōs ibi ēducātōs esse. Lēgimus geminōs eum locum posteā rūrsus quaesīvisse ibique ā Rōmulō mūrōs oppidī novī aedificātōs viāsque strātās esse. Rēmus autem parvōs mūrōs sprēvit et trānsiluit. Rōmulus ā Remō irrīsus eum necāvit. 

[1] perfect active infinitive

Fābula est ¦ pāstōrem Rōmulum et Remum in Palātiō spectāvisse et ad sē trānsportāvisse. │ The story is ¦ that the shepherd saw Romulus and Remus on the Palatine Hill and carried them home.

Lēgimus ¦ geminōs eum locum posteā rūrsus quaesīvisse… │ We (have) read ¦ that the twins again sought out that place

[2] perfect passive infinitive

Nōn ignōrāmus ¦ geminōs ibi ēducātōs esse. │ We are not unaware ¦ that the twins were raised there.

Lēgimus ¦ … ibique ā Rōmulō mūrōs oppidī novī aedificātōs viāsque strātās esse. │ We (have) read ¦ that … the walls of a new town were built and the roads (were) paved by Romulus.

____________________ 

The story goes that the shepherd saw Romulus and Remus on the Palatine Hill and carried them home. We know that the twins were raised there. We have read that the twins again sought that place, and that there the walls of a new town were built and the roads were paved by Romulus. But Remus scorned the low walls and leapt over them. Romulus, mocked by his brother, killed him.