Selections from Latin Prose and Poetry: An Introduction to Roman Literature [Reprint 2014 ed.] 9780674497412, 9780674497405

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Apollo Cithamdus

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN

PROSE AND POETRY AN I N T R O D U C T I O N T O R O M A N L I T E R A T U R E BY

KARL POMEROY H A R R I N G T O N E M E R I T U S P R O F E S S O R OF L A T I N IN WESLEYAN

UNIVERSITY

AND

K E N N E T H SCOTT P R O F E S S O R OF C L A S S I C S I N F L O R A S T O N E M A T H E R WESTERN RESERVE

COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY

HARVARD U N I V E R S I T Y P R E S S CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

© COPYRIGHT, 1933, BY KARL P. HARRINGTON A N D KENNETH SCOTT ALL R I G H T S R E S E R V E D P R I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STATES O F A M B R I C A

PREFACE

T

HIS book is intended especially for college freshmen, though its possible usefulness is by no means confined to such classes. Although most of the freshmen taking Latin today have studied the language at least four years "in preparation," they have but a limited knowledge of the wealth of literature for the perusal of which they have supposably been "prepared"; and from their freshman year they, usually do not gain a much fuller knowledge, because their time is spent on a few selections from two or three authors. Many, feeling that they have spent too much time for too little return in their study of Latin, are glad to drop the subject as soon as they finish their freshman year, without ever having heard of, much less read, most of the great Latin authors who have been the sources and models of modern literature. The editors of this book believe its use will achieve two desirable results. First, the college freshman who takes Latin will at the end of the year at least have learned who were the great masters of Roman literature, will have read samples of their product, and will thus have caught something of the spirit of more than a half-millennium of a great historic civilization. Secondly, an appreciable number of bright young men may gain a new interest in Latin and its literature and be more inclined to pursue the study of this literature further in advanced classes. In choosing these representative selections from more than fifty classical Latin authors of prose and poetry it has seemed wise to include a relatively large amount of matter from several authors most commonly read by freshmen, so that teachers still preferring to confine their reading mostly to Plautus, Terence, Catullus, Horace, and Livy may be able to find V

vi

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

their favorites here in sufficient amount. Of course this plan necessarily restricts the space that can be allotted to the other authors; but it is believed that the selections, if often short, give at least a correct idea of the authors in question and are in every case interesting in themselves. The editors have endeavored to avoid repeating selections already familiar from use in books intended for secondary schools; they have included no passages from Cicero's orations or Vergil's ^Eneid. While in general the order of authors represented is chronological, there is nothing to prevent any teacher from following whatever order may seem best adapted to the particular needs of his class or to any special plans he may have for the use of the book. The brief introductions to the various authors include mention of other texts and helpful books of reference. The two general books by Duff on Roman literature, as well as Mackail's Latin Literature, are especially recommended for further information and literary criticism, and exact references to them are given in the several introductory accounts of the authors. The explanatory notes are such as seem to be needed by most college freshmen, neither too copious nor too meager. They have been placed under the text, where they will be most helpful and convenient. Inasmuch as college men in these days seldom equip themselves with large and comprehensive lexicons, it has seemed wise frankly to face the situation and provide a special vocabulary under the same cover with the text, thus making a book uniquely convenient in several ways. The editors wish to express their high appreciation of the painstaking work which has been done in the preparation of this vocabulary by Miss Gertrude Grether, of the classical department of Wells College. The text of the various selections has'been drawn from the best available sources. The spelling lets the student realize that usage varied, but, for his practical use, it has been made reasonably uniform.

vii

PREFACE

A metrical index to which references are made in the notes by number facilitates the immediate identification of the verse form of the poetic selections in the book. In this connection, as well as others, valuable suggestions by Professor John W. Spaeth, Jr., are gratefully acknowledged. It is hoped that this book will help to give a new interest and enthusiasm to the study of college Latin, and will make the results obtained from this study more substantial. KARL P. HARRINGTON KENNETH SCOTT

CONTENTS PAGE

LIST OF METERS

xix

LIST OF TECHNICAL TERMS

xxiii

SELECTIONS FROM E N N I U S

1

The Dream of Ilia The Augury The Ax in the Forest Victory rather than Lucre An Epitaph for Scipio Africanus A Trustworthy Friend Q. Fabius Maximus Cunctator The Vision of Hecuba The Prophecy of Cassandra Telamon Soliloquizes

2 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 10

SELECTIONS FROM PACUVIUS

11

The Absurdity of Augury Father ^Ether Fickle Fortune

11 12 12

SELECTIONS FROM ACCIUS

13

The Argo A King's Dream and its Interpretation

13 14

SELECTIONS FROM LUCILIUS

16

Affectation Rebuked Gladiatorial Amenities The Ethics of the Forum A Definition of Virtue

16 17 18 18

SELECTIONS FROM CATO

20

The Charge of the Four Hundred Effective Paraleipsis A Good Steward

20 22 23

SELECTIONS FROM PLAUTUS

A A A A

26

Parasite's Soliloquy Liar Confounded Case of Mistaken Identity Desperate Situation

27 30 46 53 ix

X

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY PAGE

SELECTIONS FROM TERENCE

70

Simo is Worried A Clever Trickster

71 80

SELECTIONS FROM VARRO

87

Some Derivations Changing Ideals in Agriculture A Philosopher looks at Life

87 89 91

SELECTIONS FROM CATULLUS

93 1

To my Lady's Pet Sparrow . The Death of the Sparrow " Come live with me and be my Love!" The Answer A Careless Remark Ο Lovely Sirmio! Hymn to Diana Septimius and Acme Thank you, Cicero! The Lover Hymn to Hymen 'Arry? or Harry? In the Toils The Last Farewell SELECTIONS FROM LUCRETIUS

Wisdom is the Principal Thing The Perpetual but Invisible Motion of Atoms Death ends All SELECTION FROM SALLUST

Crassus and Caesar are Accused SELECTIONS FROM N E P O S

Hannibal's Oath Hannibal's Death

94 95 96 97 97 99 101 102 104 104 105 109 110 110 112

113 116 118 128

128 131

131 132

SELECTION FROM CICERO

134

A Discussion of Wit

136

SELECTION FROM C/ESAR

The Beginning of the Civil War SELECTIONS FROM VERGIL

The Return of the Golden Age Praise of Italy

146

147 150

152 156

CONTENTS

ΧΪ PAGE

SELECTIONS FROM HORACE

Tastes Differ — a Dedication To the Emperor, Savior of the State Save Vergil from the Perils of the Sea Spring is Here; Enjoy Life while you May The Coquette A Winter's Meditation Ode to Mercury Live in the Present Rome's Glory reaches its Climax in the Imperial Line Steady, Ship of State! Maecenas, accept my Modest Hospitality! Ode to Diana Even the Gods love a Lover A Dirge for Quintilius The Poet wants Little, but that Little, Long A Heavenly Warning A Triumphal Song No Fuss and Feathers! A Perilous Undertaking Live not Forgetful of Inevitable Fate Encouragement to a Lover Welcome Home, Pompeius! The Golden Mean Time Flies; Death Comes An Age of Luxury Praise of the Simple Life The Poet's Immortality The Real Patriot The Poet spared, to praise Great Caesar Jealousy and Reconciliation The Bandusian Spring The Immortality of Poetry Pindaric Strains anticipating Caesar's Victorious Return The Glorious Reign of Augustus Country Life according to Alfius Ho for the Golden West! Horace meets a Bore Life in Rome versus Life in the Country SELECTIONS FROM LIVY

160

163 165 168 170 172 173 175 176 177 181 182 183 186 187 189 190 191 193 194 196 198 200 201 203 205 207 210 211 213 218 220 221 222 225 227 231 234 240 248

T. Livi ab Urbe Condita (Selections from Books XXI and XXII) . . 249 The character of Hannibal 249 After announcing a furlough for the army, Hannibal prepares to invade Italy 251

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY PAGE

Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal is given charge of Spain Hannibal sees a vision Hannibal and his reenforced army start northward Three thousand Spaniards desert Hannibal crosses into Gaul and explains his purposes to the Gauls The crossing of the Rhone ". After skirmishes on the farther bank, the Gauls are routed . . . . How the elephants crossed the river A skirmish between Hannibal's cavalry and Scipio's Hannibal encourages his troops to press on toward Italy . . . . They march to the country of the Allobroges, where Hannibal settles a dispute Hannibal and his army advance toward the Alps After sending most of his army to Spain, Scipio sails back to Genoa Hannibal advances but is hindered by the mountaineers . . . . Only after severe fighting and serious losses does he traverse a narrow pass The mountain tribes try treachery The resistance of the natives diminishes Hannibal reaches the summit and rests two days Starting down, he finds the descent difficult The army reaches an impassable slope After camping there four days and building a new road, they reach the plain three days later Scipio's speech to the army before the battle of the Ticinus . . Hannibal gives his army an object lesson Hannibal addresses his troops Preparations for a battle The battle of the Ticinus Hannibal prepares an ambush for the Romans The battle of the Trebia The defeat of the Romans The retreat of the Romans Hannibal and his army pass through the Apennines and the marshes of the Arno with great difficulty Hannibal devastates the country Flaminius resolves on battle Hannibal sets a trap for the Roman army beside Lake Trasimenus Flaminius falls into the trap The confused battle in the morning fog After brave fighting against odds, the consul is killed, and most of his army destroyed The magnitude of the disaster How the news was received at Rome Pathetic incidents

252 253 254 254 255 256 257 258 259 261 262 263 264 264 266 267 269 269 270 270 272 273 277 278 281 283 284 286 286 288 289 291 291 293 294 294 296 297 298 298

CONTENTS

xiii PAGE

SELECTION FROM TIBULLUS

300

War and Peace

301

SELECTIONS FROM PROPERTIUS

305

The Poet's Advice to his Friend The New Temple of Apollo

306 308

SELECTION FROM OVID

310

On the Death of Tibullus

312

SELECTION FROM POMPEIUS TROGUS

316

Mithridates to his Troops: Rome's Hatred of Kings SELECTIONS FROM MARCUS VERRIUS FLACCUS AND FESTUS

316 POMPEIUS 319

Examples from the Abridgment of Festus

319

SELECTIONS FROM M A N I L I U S

321

Manilius's Undertaking The Difficulty of Manilius's Composition Perseus falls in Love at First Sight

321 322 323

SELECTIONS FROM SENECA THE ELDER

Seneca's Memory Cassius Severus loses Patience with the Bombastic Cestius Typical Themes of Conlroversiae How Cicero met Death SELECTIONS FROM VALERIUS M A X I M U S

Secrecy of Senatorial Proceedings Roman Good Faith The Sabine Cow A Pirate Raid on Scipio's Estate SELECTIONS FROM VELLEIUS PATERCULUS

Velleius assails Antony for the Murder of Cicero Strange Tricks of Fortune Mark Antony in Egypt Plancus deserts Antony and is rebuked as a Turncoat SELECTIONS FROM CURTIUS R U F U S

Alexander cuts the Gordian Knot . .. . ., The Founding of Alexandria No One Man could succeed Alexander

324

. . . .

325 326 327 327 329

329 330 330 331 332

332 333 334 334 336

336 337 338

xiv

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY PAGE

SELECTIONS FROM CELSUS

The Regimen for the Healthy Man On Antidotes SELECTIONS FROM POMPONIUS M E L A

Egypt The Druids

339

339 340 341

341 345

SELECTIONS FROM APICIUS

346

On Preserving Grapes Preparing Wild Boar

346 346

SELECTIONS FROM P H ^ D R U S

The Fox and the Tragic Mask The Old Man and the Ass ^ s o p and his Lantern The Fox and the Grapes The Battle of the Mice and the Weasels The Sack of Vices The Man and the Snake The Mountain in Labor SELECTIONS FROM COLUMELLA

Sterility of the Fields and its Cause Columella writes his Book on Gardens in Verse On the Selection of a Steward SELECTIONS FROM PETRONIUS

Agamemnon discourses on the Educational System Trimalchio comes in to the Sound of Music and continues his Game . Trimalchio on Corinthian Bronzes, Malleable Glass, and Cups and Jugs The Werewolf SELECTIONS FROM SENECA THE YOUNGER

Medea pleads with Jason Seneca gives the Time of Claudius's Demise Claudius's Coming to the Lower Regions Seneca warns Lucilius against Discursive Reading The Motive is what Counts Mercy is the Glory and Protection of the Ruler SELECTIONS FROM PERSIUS

Prayers of the Foolish Persius to his Teacher Cornutus

347

347 347 348 348 349 349 350 350 351

351 352 353 354

354 356 357 358 361

362 362 363 364 365 365 366

366 367

CONTENTS

XV PAGE

SELECTIONS FROM LUCAN

Csesar crosses the Rubicon Caesar decides on a Perilous Crossing of the Adriatic Secret Burial of Pompey by Night SELECTIONS FROM CALPURNIUS SICULUS

369

369 372 373 374

A New Golden Age will bring Peace 374 The Aged Myron tells Canthus how to care for the Flocks in the Spring 376 SELECTIONS FROM PLINY THE ELDER

Why the Sea is Salt How Medea burned Jason's Mistress Britain Men of Genius Mentor and the Lion Pliny passes Judgment on the Medical Profession Polycrates' Ring SELECTIONS FROM QUINTILIAN

The Necessity for Talent Humor and its Use Augustus's Jesting The Bypaths of Study Cicero the Model Orator The Training of the Orator Exacting but not Impossible On Study at Night Encouragement to High Achievement SELECTIONS FROM FRONTINUS

377

377 378 378 379 380 380 381 382

382 383 383 385 386 386 387 388 390

Themistocles outwits the Spartans 390 Frontinus's Admiration for the Aqueducts and his Zeal as their Curator 391 Frontinus's Detection of Illicit Tapping of the Water Mains . . . . 392 SELECTIONS FROM VALERIUS FLACCUS

Achilles greets his Father and admires the Heroes Medea prepares for Flight SELECTIONS FROM SILIUS ITALICUS

The Introduction to the Punica The Noble Spirit of Fabius Maximus

393

393 394 396

396 397

XVI

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY PAGE

SELECTIONS FROM STATIUS

The Charms of Naples Statius's Tribute to Vergil To Sleep The Altar of Mercy at Athens SELECTIONS FROM MARTIAL

After the Eruption of Vesuvius Epitaph on a Little Girl A Pretty Compliment What constitutes Happiness A Vergil in Parchment The Fortune-Hunter A Roman Sawbones Advice to a Debtor Phidias'sArt ToSabidius To Afra A Sly Taverner A Shabby Host Stingy Cinna Martial Satisfied A Quick Shave? Chloe's Work A Quick-witted Physician A Dilemma in Friendship Vanity Unmasked SELECTIONS FROM PLINY THE YOUNGER

The Writing of a Panegyricus Pliny endows a School at Comum Praise of his Wife Pliny describes one of Nature's Beauty Spots On Verginius Rufus's Epitaph SELECTIONS FROM TACITUS

The Fame of Agricola will live Forever An Adventurous Circumnavigation of Britain The Hospitality of the Germans Petilius Cerialis predicts the Consequences of Rome's Fall Germanicus visits the Scene of Vanis's Disaster The Writing of History in the Past and in Tacitus's Day Nero persecutes the Christians The Collapse of the Amphitheater at Fidenae The Burning of the Capitol

399

399 400 401 402 403

. 404 405 405 405 406 406 406 407 407 407 407 408 408 408 408 409 409 409 409 409 410

411 411 412 413 416 417

418 419 420 420 421 422 423 424 426

CONTENTS

XVÜ PAGE

SELECTIONS FROM JUVENAL

428

FROM SATIRE I The content of Juvenal's book and the avarice of the time . . . .

428 428

FROM SATIRE I I I All sciences a fasting Monsieur knows, And bid him go to hell — to hell he goes!

431

The perils of a night in Rome

431 432

FROM SATIRE V I I Freedom from care, a necessity for the poet

433 433

FROM SATIRE X The vanity of human wishes Hannibal

435 435 435

FROM SATIRE X V The difference between man and beast

437 437

SELECTIONS FROM HADRIAN Address to his Soul A Retort

439 439 439

SELECTIONS FROM SUETONIUS The Ides of March Augustus's Superstitions Tiberius's Claudian Ancestors An Imperial Auction Vespasian and the King's Touch Domitian's Pastime Augustus's Admiration for Horace

440 441 442 443 444 445 445 445

SELECTIONS FROM FLORUS Rome's History not that of a People but of the Human Race . . . . Wealth, the Ruin of the Republic The Death of Antony and Cleopatra

447 447 448 448

SELECTIONS FROM FRONTO Marcus Aurelius and Fronto on Sleep

450 450

SELECTIONS FROM GELLIUS Gellius's Method of Taking Notes Why he called his Work Nodes Atticae Vergil's Revenge on the People of Nola An Anecdote about Romulus Inter Os atque Offam

453 453 454 454 454 455

XVUL

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY PAGE

SELECTIONS FROM A P U L E I U S

Psyche falls in Love with Love The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche Lucius slays Three Blown Bladders, thinking them Robbers . . . . SELECTIONS FROM CLAUDIAN

Blessings come Mingled Rome decks herself to greet Honorius The Dismay of the Getas Roma is starved by Gildo's Revolt The Upstart Eutropius Advice to Honorius The Old Man of Verona

456

457 458 459 461

461 462 462 463 464 464 464

SELECTIONS FROM MACROBIUS

466

The Fashion in Words A Faithful Slave Vergil on his JEneid Augustus's Ajax Theocritus's Ill-Timed Jest

466 466 467 467 468

VOCABULARY

469

LIST OF METERS NOTE. The following list contains the meters, with verse schemes, found in the metrical selections of this text. The following marks, used in the verse schemes, have the significations indicated: A syllable omitted; > long syllable substituted for a short one; L_ syllable has the quantity of a long one plus a short one.

1. Dactylic hexameter, a verse consisting of six dactyls ww). The substitution of a spondee (-£-_) is regular in the sixth foot, and permissible in any other foot except the fifth (occasionally even there, in so-called spondaic verses). The verse caesura is most frequent in the third or fourth foot, and in the latter case there is often a corresponding caesura in the second foot. or II Χ σσ I J- σσ | -Lv || ^ | Χ σ σ | J-w

| i-M

||

or 2. The Elegiac strophe, or couplet. This is a strophe consisting of two verses, the first of which is a dactylic hexameter, and the second the so-called pentameter, which is really composed of two half-hexameters, each lacking its final syllable. In the fourth and fifth feet of the pentameter only dactyls appear. II J- σσ I J- σο | J-1| σσ | J. σσ | J-v w | || || J- ό ο I J- w I -L A || Χ υ υ I -£.

± A ||

3. Iambic trimeter, or senarius, a verse consisting of six iambic feet (wX) (hence called senarius) or of three measures of two feet each (hence called trimeter) with a verse caesura commonly in the third foot. There is a great freedom of substitution, according to which the irrational spondee (>-£-), or xix

XX

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

its equivalents, the apparent dactyl (> w w) and the cyclic anapaest (w w^-), may be used in the first iambus of any measure (or dipody), and a tribrach (w^w) may be used anywhere except in the last foot; in comedy we find all these substitutions, and also the proceleusmatic in any foot except the last. A normal verse runs as follows: II w - ^ w _ | w | U w _ | w-Z.w_|[

3 c. Iambic dimeter, each verse consisting of four iambic feet, or two measures, with similar substitutions. II w - i - w _ | w - i - w - | |

4. Choliambic (lame iambic), or scazon, an iambic trimeter in which a trochee ( ^ u ) is substituted for the final iambus. II w ^ - w - 1 w II X w _ I w-^._£.w ||

5. Iambic strophe, consisting of an iambic trimeter followed by an iambic dimeter. II w ^ - w _ 1 w | | - £ - w _ | w - i - w _ | | || w ^ - w _ | w ^ - w _ | |

6. Second pythiambic strophe, consisting of a dactylic hexameter followed by an iambic trimeter. ΙΙ^σσΙ^σσΙ-ί-ΙΙσσΙ^σσΙ^^Ι^ϋΙΙ II w-i-w- I ν II ι w-i-w— II 7. Trochaic tetrameter catalectic (or septenarius), a verse consisting of eight trochaic feet, the eighth being catalectic. In this verse an irrational spondee (-£->), a cyclic dactyl (-w), an apparent anapaest ( w w >), or a tribrach ( w w w ) may be substituted for any of the even (second, fourth, sixth) feet, and a tribrach for the seventh; in comedy these substitutions may be made in any of the first six feet, and the tribrach in the seventh. II J - w _ w ι

w— w II -ί-w—w I -i-w—A II

8. Fourth Archilochian strophe, consisting of an Archilochian heptameter (four dactyls followed by three trochees), alternat-

xxi

LIST OF METERS

ing with an iambic trimeter catalectic (this stanza may be considered logaoedic and grouped with those enumerated below), II -L

I J- CO ι J-11 ro \J-V V ι J- V ι J- ν | i v || || I i || X y - 1 v-C- >Λ ||

Logacedic verses are trochaic verses in which certain irrational substitutions are regularly made in certain feet. An irrational spondee is commonly followed by a cyclic dactyl (-Cw). The following varieties occur in these selections: 9. Phalaecean (hendecasyllabic), a favorite verse of Catullus. It consists of a spondee, a dactyl, and three trochees. 10. Alcaic strophe, named for the Greek poet Alcaeus, the favorite lyric meter of Horace. A four-verse stanza, consisting of two greater Alcaics, a trochaic dimeter with anacrusis, and a lesser Alcaic. II δ II II δ 11. Sapphic strophe, named for the Greek poetess Sappho. This too is a favorite verse with Horace. It is a four-verse stanza, consisting of three lesser Sapphics and an Adonic.

12. Lesser Asclepiad, a logaoedic verse of six feet (hexapody), catalectic in both halves, with a caesura in the middle. 13. Greater Asclepiad, a logacedic verse of eight feet (octapody), in three parts, each catalectic and divided from the others by a caesura. || X > I -Cw II! || - Ο υ IL- i|

I -Lw

Λ ||

xxii

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

14. First Asclepiad strophe, consisting of a Glyconic followed by a lesser Asclepiad. ] I > I —< 1 — I ώΛ|| 15. Second Asclepiad strophe, consisting of three lesser Asclepiads and a Glyconic. ||_£. > I -(/υ I l1 || -Cu I -L\J [ A |1 II J .

>

I - o ^ I Xw I ώ A II

16. Third Asclepiad strophe, consisting of two lesser Asclepiads, a Pherecratic, and a Glyconic. II — > I lL II -Cv I J-\j I ^ A || II -i. > I - ν υ ι L! II I J-W ι A II

17. Trochaic strophe, consisting of a Euripidean verse, followed by an iambic trimeter catalectic. II s ; -z-w—51 J-V—SJ ι Li—a || 18. Glyconic and Pherecratic, consisting of three catalectic Glyconics, followed by a catalectic Pherecratic.

ll^^l-Ovl-i-wlLlll II ύ δ I Ili I ^ A II

LIST OF TECHNICAL TERMS Allitera'tion, a repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of two or more words immediately succeeding each other or at short intervals. Anacolu'thon, a change in the structure of a sentence, leaving the first part grammatically incomplete. Anacru'sis, an unaccented introductory syllable or syllables to a verse. Anas'trophe, a reversal of the usual order of words, such as placing the preposition after its noun. Apoc'ope, the loss of a final letter. Aposiope'sis, leaving a sentence incomplete for rhetorical effect. As'sonance, a repetition of the same or similar sound in adjacent words. Asyn'deton, the omission of conjunctions. Catalec'tic, lacking the final syllable. Correc'tio, a change of statement for rhetorical effect. Cyc'lic dac'tyl, a dactyl substituted for a shorter foot. Ellip'sis, the omission of a necessary word or clause. Hendi'adys, the use of two nouns connected by a conjunction instead of a single noun modified by an adjective or a genitive. Hia'tus, the avoidance of elision where it should regularly occur. Hypal'lage, an interchange of constructions, for example, the use of a transferred epithet. Hyper'bole, an exaggeration for rhetorical effect. Hyper'meter, a verse with an extra syllable at the end, commonly connected by elision with the first syllable of the next verse. Irra'tional spon'dee, a spondee substituted for a shorter foot. Lacu'na, an omission in the textual transmission to our times. Meton'ymy, the use of a word suggesting a word of related meaning. Onomatopoe'ia, adapting sound to sense, that is, the use of words whose sound suggests their meaning. Oxymo'ron, a self-contradictory expression. Paraleip'sis, mentioning something under pretense of omitting to mention it. Paratax'is, the addition of an explanatory word or clause independent of syntax. Paronoma'sia, the use of words of similar sound but different meaning, producing a play on words, as in a pun. xxjjj

ΧΧΪν

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Ple'onasm, the unnecessary use of repetitious words. Pro'-elision, the elision of an initial syllable. Prolep'sis, the anticipatory use of a word before its logical place in the sentence. Synec'doche, putting a part for the whole or vice versa. Syn'esis, a construction according to sense rather than according to strict grammatical rules. Synize'sis, the pronunciation of two adjacent vowels as one, without full contraction. Tme'sis, dividing a word into two parts by one or more intervening words. Zeug'ma, the use of a verb with two nouns though it properly applies to but one of them.

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY QUINTUS ENNIUS

B

ORN in the little village of Rudise in Calabria in 23&b.c., Ennius came to know Oscan, Greek, and Latin. Cato brought him to Rome, where he became the friend of some of the most eminent men of his time, particularly the elder Scipio Africanus. He served in the /Etolian war and was ultimately given Roman citizenship. He introduced the Greek dactylic hexameter into Latin and in it wrote Annales, an epic history of Rome up to his own time, in eighteen books, of which some six hundred lines remain. He also made Latin versions of many Greek plays and composed satirical, philosophical, and other poetry. None of his works have survived entire, but hundreds of passages from them are found as quotations in many Latin authors, especially Cicero. Among them are fragments of twenty-three tragedies. Though not the earliest Latin poet, his work was so superior to previous attempts that he was commonly called the father of Roman poetry. He died of gout in 169. It was owing to Ennius that tragedy came to occupy so important a place in early Roman literature. His interest in the physical universe and in the philosophical problems arising from its contemplation evidently furnished some of the inspiration for the great poem of Lucretius, as well as for the Georgics of Vergil; and the hexameter in Lucretius is based on Ennius as a model. The Annals, in which Ennius departed from his Greek originals and developed Latin poetry for the glory of Rome, was an epoch-making work. Though it lacks the epic unity of the ^Eneid, there is plenty of evidence that it profoundly influenced Vergil in many ways. How highly appreciated, in spite of certain obvious crudities, were its author's service in naturalizing the hexameter and his genuinely poetic gift of expression, is shown not merely by repeated testimonies on the part of his liteiary successors during the succeeding centuries, but perhaps even more convincingly 1

2

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

by the almost innumerable quotations from him with which they embellished their own works, whether of prose or poetry. The complete fragments of Ennius may be found in Vahlen's edition or in Diehl's Poetae Romani Veteres. Excellent literary criticism may be found in Seller's Roman Poets of the Republic and Ribbeck's Die römische Tragödie im Zeitalter der Republik. There is an annotated edition of the Annals by Ethel Mary Steuart. [Mackail, p. 7; Duff, I, p. 136] THE DREAM OF ILIA

5

Excita cum tremulis anus attulit artubus lumen, Talia turn memorat lacrimans exterrita somno: " E u r y d i c a prognata, pater quam noster amavit, Vires vitaque corpus meum nunc deserit omne. N a m me visus homo pulcher per amoena salicta E t ripas raptare locosque novos; ita sola Postilla, germana soror, errare videbar Tardaque vestigare et quaerere te neque posse Corde capessere; semita nulla pedem stabilibat.

THE Dream of Ilia [Meter i]. Artubus (1.1), like corpus (1.4), effatus (p. 3,1.4), and somnus (p. 3, 1.8), illustrates the weakness of final s in early Latin, not making the syllable long before a following initial consonant. Characteristic alliteration is seen in almost every verse, e. g. anus attulit artubus. — As traditionally the fulfillment of this dream resulted in the birth of Romulus and Remus and the founding of Rome, Quintus Cicero, speaking in the dialogue De Divinatione, uses this story to help validate the importance of dreams for divination. 1. Excita: ' startled,' presumably by the outcries of the dreamer. — cum: temporal. — anus: 'aged attendant.' 2. exterrita: referring to Ilia (Rhea Silvia). 3. Eurydica: abl. denoting the mother. Early tradition regarded Ilia as the daughter of tineas and spoke of a Eurydice as a wife of his. — prognata: apparently the anus of line 1. — noster: Ilia and the anus may have been half-sisters, both daughters of tineas. As Ilia was a Vestal, some commentators prefer to consider anus as referring to an older Vestal, but not the person addressed in the following lines. 5. homo pulcher: Mars. 7. germana: a term of affection ('sister mine'), used in the tense emotion of the moment. 9. Corde: to be taken with quaerere; cf. note on page 3, line 5. - stabilibat (a common type of archaism) = stabiliebat.

QUINTUS ENNIUS

3

Exin compellare pater me voce videtur His verbis: Ό gnata, tibi sunt ante gerendae Aerumnae, post ex fluvio fortuna resistet.' Haec effatus pater, germana, repente recessit Nec sese dedit in conspectum corde cupitus, Quamquam multa manus ad caeli caerula templa Tendebam lacrumans et blanda voce vocabam. Vix aegro tum corde meo me somnus reliquit."

5

[Probably from Annales, Bk. I. Quoted by Cicero, De Divinatione, I, xx, 40]

THE AUGURY

Curantes magna cum cura tum cupientes Regni dant operam simul auspicio augurioque.

10

Remus auspicio se devovet atque secundam Solus avem servat. At Romulus pulcher in alto Quaerit Aventino, servat genus altivolantum. Certabant urbem Romam Remoramne vocarent. Omnibus cura viris uter esset induperator.

15

1. pater: /Eneas. 3. ex fluvio: i. e. the Tiber, whence the twins Romulus and Remus were rescued for a glorious career, while Ilia became the wife of the river god; cf. Horace, page 166, line 9. — resistet: re here has the meaning 'again.' 5. corde: 'with all my heart.' 6. multa: nom. adj. used adverbially, 'many a time.' — templa: 'the regions.' THE AUGURY [Meter 2]. Romulus and Remus, rivals for the throne and the naming of the new city, seek the settlement of these questions by augury, the old Roman divination by the flight of birds. 9. Notable alliteration and assonance in this verse. 10. Regni: obj. gen. with cupientes used adjectivally. 11. The preceding lost verse or verses presumably stated where Remus took his stand. 12. servät: 'watches for.' The final syllable is an example of many which were shortened in a later period of the language. Cf. sorör in the preceding selection. — alto: if Remus was on the Aventine at all, it must have been on a lower part of the hill.

4

5

10

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Expectant, veluti consul cum mittere signum Volt omnes avidi spectant ad carceris oras, Quam mox emittat pictis e faucibus currus, Sic expectabat populus atque ore timebat Rebus, utri magni victoria sit data regni. Interea sol albus recessit in infera noctis. Exin Candida se radiis dedit icta foras lux Et simul ex alto longe pulcherruma praepes Laeva volavit avis. Simul aureus exoritur sol, Cedunt de caelo ter quattuor corpora sancta Avium, praepetibus sese pulchrisque locis dant. Conspicit inde sibi data Romulus esse priora, Auspicio regni stabilita scamna solumque. [Probably from Annales, Bk. I. Quoted by Cicero, De Divinatione, I, xlviii, 107] T H E AX IN T H E FOREST

15

Incedunt arbusta per alta, securibus caedunt, Percellunt magnas quercus, exciditur ilex, 1. consul: custom gave him the honor of starting the races in the circus. 2. avidi: 'with eyes eager to see,' followed by the indirect question in the following verse. — ad . . . oras: 'in the direction.' 3. pictis: 'decorated.' 4. populüs: an arbitrary metrical lengthening. — atque ore timebat: 'was awestricken in silence'; cf. the common expression favete Unguis, used to forestall any ill-omened word. 5. Rebus: 'omens.' — sit: in later Latin we should expect esset. 6. sol albus: this may mean 'pale sun,' i.e. the moon. 7. foras: to be taken with dedit. 8. praepes: 'of good omen'; this seems to be what Remus saw. 9. Laeva: predicate adjective. 10. quattuor: like avium in the next verse, here treated as a dissyllable. 12. priora: 'the primacy.' THE A x IN THE FOREST [Meter 2], There are notable alliteration and assonance, imitative at times of the rustling and crashing in the forest. Spondees abound, and the last verse in the passage is spondaic. — A brilliant bit of description; Pyrrhus, after the battle of Heraclea, prepares a huge wooden pyre on which to burn the dead. 14. a r b u s t a : frequently used for ärböres, which will not fit this meter.

5

QUINTUS ENNIUS

Fraxinus frangitur atque abies consternitur alta, Pinus proceras pervortunt; omne sonabat Arbustum fremitu silvai frondosai. [Probably from Annates, Bk. VI. Quoted by Macrobius, Saturnalia, VI, ii, 27] VICTORY RATHER THAN

LUCRE

"Nec mi aurum posco nec mi pretium dederitis; Non cauponantes bellum sed belligerantes, Ferro, non auro, vitam cernamus utrique; Vosne velit an me regnare era quidve ferat Fors Virtute experiamur. Et hoc simul accipe dictum: Quorum virtuti belli fortuna pepercit, Eorundem libertati me parcere certum est. Dono, ducite, doque volentibus cum magnis dis."

5

10

[Probably from Annates, Bk. VI. Quoted by Cicero, De Officiis, I, xii, 38] AN EPITAPH FOR SCIPIO AFRICANUS

Hie est ille situs cui nemo civis neque hostis Quivit pro factis reddere opis pretium. [Put together from Cicero, De Legibus, I, xxii, 57, and Seneca, Epistolae, CVIII, 32] 2. pervortunt: archaic for pervertunt. 3. silväi frondosäi: this archaic gen. sing, is more common in the Annals than the classical form, and appears frequently in later writers, particularly Lucretius. VICTORY RATHER THAN LUCRE [Meter 2]. Pyrrhus scorns a proposal

for ransoming prisoners of war. Quoted by Cicero as a speech worthy of a king. 4. mi = mihi. — dederitis: the ut is omitted. 6. vitam cernamus: 'let us decide the question of life (or death).' 9. Quorum: the antecedent is eorundem. 10. certum e s t : Ί am resolved.' 11. Dono . . . dis: a powerful verse, from the alliterative beginning to the stunning spondees at its close. AN EPITAPH FOR SCIPIO AFRICANUS [Meter 2]. 13. opis = operae.

6

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Roman Forum Restored A TRUSTWORTHY

5

FRIEND

Haece locutus vocat quocum bene saepe libenter Mensam sermonesque suos rerumque suarum Comiter impertit, magnam cum lassus diei Partem trivisset de summis rebus regundis Consilio indu foro lato sanctoque senatu; Cui res audacter magnas parvasque iocumque Eloqueretur se cura malaque et bona dictu Evomeret, si qui vellet, tutoque locaret; Quocum multa volup ac gaudia clamque palamque, A TRUSTWORTHY FRIEND [Meter J]. Gellius says that this passage describes a friend of Geminus Servilius, a man of rank, and that L. vElius Stilo used to say that Ennius was really describing himself. 1. H a e c e : older form of haec. — quocum: sc. antecedent virum. 2. rerumque suarum: a kind of object of impertit, expressing the partitive idea of the verb, which here unites two possible constructions. 4. regundis = regendis. 7. Eloqueretur: subj. of characteristic. — se = sine. 8. Evomeret: 'blurt out.' — qui = quo, 'for any reason' or ' a t any time.' — tut o : 'safe' because he could hold his tongue. 9. gaudia: sc. some verb, like haberet.

QUINTUS ENNIUS

7

Ingenium cui nulla malum sententia suadet Ut faceret facinus levis aut malus, doctus, fidelis, Suavis homo, facundus, suo contentus, beatus, Scitus, secunda loquens in tempore, commodus, verbum Paucum, multa tenens antiqua, sepulta vetustas Quae facit, et mores veteresque novosque, tenens res Multorum veterum, leges divumque hominumque, Prudenter qui dicta loquive tacereve posset. Hunc inter pugnas conpellat Servilius sic.

5

[Annales, Bk. VII. Quoted by Aulus Gellius, Nodes Aiticae, XII, iv, 4] Q. F A B I U S M A X I M U S C U N C T A T O R

Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem. Noenum rumores ponebat ante salutem; Ergo postque magisque viri nunc gloria claret.,

10

[Annates, Bk. XII. Quoted by Macrobius, Saturnalia, VI, i, 23] T H E VISION OF HECUBA

w Mäter gravida pärere se ardentem facem Visa est in somnis Hecuba; quo facto pater Rex ipse Priamus somnio mentis metu 1. Ingenium: object of suadet. — cui: dat. of reference for a gen. of possession with ingenium. — malum: agrees with facinus. 4. in tempore: ' a t the appropriate time.' — verbum Paucum: archaic gen. plur. (of quality). Q. FABIUS MAXIMUS CUNCTATOR [Meter I]. This famous characterization is quoted by various authors. 10. homo: i.e. a mere mortal, referring to Fabius Maximus. — cunctando : he may have acquired his cognomen Cunctator from this verse of Ennius. 11. rumores: gossip against the policy of Fabius was very bitter at times. THE VISION OF HECUBA [Meter 5]. The queen's vision so alarms King Priam that he consults the oracle as to its meaning. 15. somnio: abl. of cause.

15

8

6

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Percülsus, curis sümptus suspiräntibus Exsäcrificabat hostiis baläntibus. Tum coniecturam postulat pacem petens, Ut se edoceret obsecrans Apollinem Quo sese vertant täntae sortes somnium. Ibi ex oraclo voce divina edidit Apollo: puerum primus Priamo qui foret Postilla natus temperaret tollere; Eum esse exitium Troiae, pestem Pergamo. [Attributed to the Alexander. Quoted by Cicero, De Divinatione, I, xxi, 42] T H E P R O P H E C Y O F CASSANDRA

10 Sed quid oculis räpere visa es derepente ardentibus, Aüt ubi illa paulo ante sapiens virginalis modestia ?— Mater optumä, tu multo mülier melior mülierum, Missa sum superstitiosis häriolationibus, Nämque me Apollo fätis fandis dementem invitam ciet. 15 Virgines vereör aequalis, pätris mei meum factüm pudet, Optumi viri. Mea mater, tüi me miseret, mei piget ; Optumam progeniem Priamo peperisti extra me; höc dolet; Men obesse, illos prodesse, me obstare, illos obsequi! 2. hostiis balantibus: i.e. ovibus; abl. of instrument. 5. somnium = somniorum. 7. p u e r u m : Paris (Alexander). 8. t e m p e r a r e t : representing a command in direct discourse. — tollere: 'to raise,' i.e. 'to bring up.' THE PROPHECY OF CASSANDRA [Meter 7]. Note the persistent alliteration and assonance. The first two lines are addressed by Queen Hecuba to her daughter Cassandra, who then replies. 12. melior: with the following part. gen. a superlative would be more natural. 13. superstitiosis hariolationibus: 'prophetic utterances'; dat. of purpose. 14. fatis fandis: another dat. of purpose, 'to utter what is destined to be.' 15. patris mei: gen. with pudet, 'before my father.' — mei m e u m : synizesis occurs in both mei and meum. 18. M e n : i.e. mene, exclamatory question, 'to think that I.'

QUINTUS ENNIUS

9

Ädest, adest fax öbvoluta singuine atque incendio! Mültos annos lätuit; cives, ferte opem et restinguite. Iämque mari magno classis cita Texitur, exitium examen rapit; Adveniet, fera velivoläntibus Nävibus complebit manus litora. Eheu videte: Iüdicavit inclitum iudicium inter deäs tris aliquis, Quo iudicio Läcedaemonia mülier, furiarum üna adveniet. 0 lux Troiae, germane Hector, Quid ita cum tuö lacerato Corpore abiectü's miser aut qui Te sic respectäntibus Träctavere nöbis? Nam mäximo saltü superabit grävidus armatis equus, Qui suo partu ardua perdat Pergama.

5

10

15

[Probably from the Alexander. Put together from several quotations by Cicero and Macrobius] 1. A d e s t . . . fax: m her frenzy she sees again the 'brand' (Alexander) of the previous selection (p. 7, 1.13). 3. Iamque mari: the meter changes here for four verses to dactylic tetrameter. 4. examen: nom.; figurative description of the Greek fleet. Some take it as accus, and exitium as gen. plur. 5. velivoläntibus: picturesque compounds like this abound in early Latin poetry. 6. manus: i.e. of soldiers. 8. [Trochaic octonarii.] iudicium: a new picture presents itself to Cassandra, that of the famous judgment of Paris. 9. mulier: Helen, wife of Menelaos, promised Paris by Aphrodite, to whom he gave the award in the beauty contest. 10. [Meter 3a, followed by two shorter trochaic lines, an iambic octonarius, and one of uncertain form..] Again the scene shifts; now we see the bruised body of Cassandra's heroic brother Hector, dead and dragged at the chariot wheels of Achilles. 12. abiectu's = abiectus es. — qui: abl. 13. respectäntibus . . . nobis: 'before our very eyes'; abl. abs. 15. gravidus . . . equus: one more scene in the tragedy of Troy, the wooden horse. 16. partu: i.e. the armatis of the preceding line.—perdat: purpose subj.

10

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY T E L A M O N SOLILOQUIZES

/

Ego deum genus esse semper dixi et dicam caelitum, Sed eos non curare opinor quid agat humanüm genus; Nam si curent, bene bonis sit, male malis, quod nünc abest. -i- Superstitiösi vates impudentesque härioli, 5 Aüt inertes aüt insani aut quibus egestas imperat, Qui sibi semitäm non sapiunt, älteri monstränt viam, Quibus divitias pollicentur, ab iis drachumam ipsi petunt. De his divitiis sibi deducant drachumam, reddant cetera. [From the Telamon. Put together from Cicero, De Divinatione, I, lviii, 132; II, 1, 104; and De Natura Deorum, III, xxxii, 79] TELAMON SOLILOQUIZES [Meter 7]. Telamon, after the report of the death of his sons, doubts that the gods are interested in men and scoffs at the quackery of the diviners who pretend to reveal the will of the gods. 1. caelitum: agrees with deum. 3. c u r e n t . . . sit: conditions contrary to fact in primary tenses of the subj. are not uncommon in early Latin. — abest: 'is far from being the case.' 5. quibus: dat. with imperat; sc. ei as antecedent. 6. alteri: dat.; sc. sed. 7. divitias: a popular prophecy of clairvoyants and other fakers. — drachumam: the longer form of the Greek drachma, showing the parasitic vowel. — petunt: i.e. as their fee; this is the only principal verb; the subject is the whole of lines 4 and 5. 8. deducant: 'let them subtract.' — reddant cetera: 'hand over the change.'

MARCUS PACUVIUS

P

ACUVIUS (220-132 B.C.), nephew of Ennius, was born and died in Brundisium but lived many years at Rome. He was both artist and poet. Continuing the tradition established by his famous uncle, he devoted himself to tragedy, adapting from the great Greek masterpieces not less than a dozen plays and treating them with much originality and freedom. Their high ethical tone and their oratorical style of rhetoric evidently appealed to Roman audiences and insured the popularity of tragedy at Rome for another century. His unusual mastery of diction appears in the numerous and brilliant contributions which he made to the Latin language, frequently in the form of descriptive compounds, and sometimes with startling abandon. Of this important mass of dramatic literature only such fragments remain as can be culled from the quotations of later writers. They are collected in Ribbeck's Fragmenta Poetarum Romanorum and in Diehl's Poetae Romani Veteres. Cf. also Sellar's Roman Poets of the Republic and Ribbeck's Die römische Tragödie im Zeitalter der Republik. [Mackail, p. 11; Duff, I, p. 224] T H E ABSURDITY OF AUGURY

\jj-v Nam isti qui linguam avium intellegunt Plusque ex alieno iecore sapiunt quam ex suo, Magis aüdiendum quam aüscultandum censeo. [From the Chryses. Quoted by Cicero, De Divinatione, I, lvii, 131] THE ABSURDITY OF AUGURY [Meter 3]. l. isti: scornful implication. The word stands here in an evident anacoluthon. — q u i . . . intellegunt: i.e. augurs. 2. Plusque . . . suo: i.e. haruspices. — suo: the ancients located the understanding and the emotions in various parts of the body. 3. audiendum, auscultandum: the dat. would have been expected with this impersonal construction. The old Latin grammarian Nonius cites this passage to show that auscultate meant obsequi. 11

12

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY FATHER

IETHER

H6c vide, circüm supraque quöd complexu continet Terram Id quod nostri caelum memorant, Gräi perhibent aethera; Quidquid est hoc, omnia animat format alit auget creat 5 Sepelit recipitque in sese omnia, omniumque idem est pater, Indidemque eadem aeque oriuntur de integro atque eodem OCCldunt.

[From the Chryses. Made up from quotations in Cicero and Varro] FICKLE

FORTUNE

Förtunam insanam esse et caecam et brütam perhibent philosophi, Säxoque instare in globoso praedicant volübili; Id quo saxum impülerit fors, eo cädere Fortunam aütumant. 10 Insanam autem esse äiunt, quia atrox incerta instabilisque sit; Caecam ob earn rem esse iterant, quia nil cernat quo sese ädplicet; Brütam, quia dignum ätque indignum nequeat internoscere. Sünt autem alii philosophi, qui contra Fortunam negant Esse ullam, sed temeritate r6s regi omnis aütumant. 15 Id magis veri simile esse usus reäpse experiundo edocet, Velut Orestes mödo fuit rex, fäctust mendicüs modo. [Perhaps also from the Chryses. Quoted in the Auctor ad Herennium, II, xxiii, 36]

Father ^Ether [Meter 7]. 3. nostri: the Romans. Fickle Fortune [Meter 7]. 7. perhibent: 'assert.' 8. Saxoque . . . globoso: the goddess was commonly so represented in literature and in art, to symbolize her unsteadiness, and proneness to change. 9. fors: the force is the abstract, as distinguished from the personality Fortuna. 13. contra: adverb. — negant: like autumant, indie., instead of char, subj. 14. temeritate: 'accident.'

LUCIUS ACCIUS ACCIUS, born at Pisaurum in Umbria in 170B.c. (died c. 94), had ΑΓΆ. been recognized by Pacuvius as his successor in the field of tragedy. He combined dignity of manner with brilliancy. By later writers like Horace and Ovid he is called alius and animosus. He wrote some forty-five tragedies, which, like those of his predecessors in this field, are known to us only in fragments. He enriched the Latin language and, more seriously than his predecessors, tried his hand at praetextae, or tragedies dealing with a Roman subject. Not only was he the most commanding literary figure at Rome in his day, but also, since he lived on intimate terms with the political leaders of that interesting epoch, his influence on Roman life and affairs is inestimable. Cicero knew him personally and doubtless was influenced in his own oratory by studying the lofty style of the speeches which the great dramatist put into the mouths of his leading characters. The fragments of Accius may be found in Ribbeck or Diehl, and the same books of literary criticism should be consulted as in the case of Pacuvius. [Mackail, p. 12; Duff, I, p. 227]

T H E ARGO

Tänta moles läbitur Fremibünda ex alto ingenti sonitu et spiritu. Prae se ündas volvit, vertices vi süscitat; Ruit prolapsa, pelagus respargit reflat. Ita dum interruptum credas nimbum volvier, Dum quöd sublime ventis expulsüm rapi THE ÄRGO [Meter 3]. The passage describes the impression that this first ship known to classical literature made on an Eastern rustic. 2. Fremibunda: probably the poet thinks both of the noise of the waves at the prow and on the oars and of the wind whistling by the sails. — alto: i.e. man. 5. dum . . . Dum: 'now . . . again,' an unusual use of the word. — volvier: archaic pres. inf. pass. 6. quod = aliquod, agreeing with Saxum. 13

5

14

5

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Saxum aüt procellis vel globosos türbines Existere ictos ündis concursäntibus; Nisi quäs terrestris pontus strages conciet, Aut forte Triton füscina evertens specus Supter radices penitus undante in freto Molem ex profunde säxeam ad caelum erigit. [From the Medea. Quoted by Cicero, De Natura Deorutn, II, xxxv, 89] A KING'S DREAM AND ITS

10

INTERPRETATION

Quoniäm quieti corpus nocturno impetu Dedi sopore pläcans artus länguidos, Visum est in somnis pästorem ad me adpellere Pecus lanigerum eximia pulchritüdine, Duos cönsanguineos ärietes inde eligi Praeclärioremque älterum immoläre me. Deinde eius germanum cornibus conitier, In me ärietare, eoque ictu me ad casüm dari; 1. globosos turbines: 'circling waterspouts' (Mayor's rendering). 3. N i s i : 'or it may be.' — quas = aliquas. — terrestris: 'against the land.' 4. fuscina: in art and literature a common attribute of Neptune, as well as of other sea divinities. A KING'S DREAM AND ITS INTERPRETATION [ M e t e r 3]. The first twelve lines are spoken by Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome. The rest of the passage consists of the interpretation of this dream given the king by the diviners, prophesying a startling overthrow of his kingdom by some person whom he considered half-witted. Historically this person was Lucius Junius Brutus (brutus means 'stupid'), who led the revolution, then banished the Tarquins, and who became one of the first two Roman consuls. 7. Quoniam: 'now when.' 10. P e c u s : obj. of adpellere. — eximia pulchritudine: abl. of quality. 12. a l t e r a m : ' t h e one,' i.e. of the two (Duos). Legend told how Brutus had feigned madness and thus escaped the fate of this elder brother, killed by Tarquin. 13. germanum: interpreted as representing Brutus. — conitier: archaic for coniti. 14. a d c a s u m d a r i : 'was knocked down.'

LUCIUS ACCIUS

15

Εχίη prostratum terra, graviter saücium, Resupinum in caelo contueri maximum Mirificum facinus: dextrorsum orbem flämmeum Radiätum solis liquier cursü novo. Rex, quae in vita usürpant homines, cogitant curänt vident, 5 Quaeque agunt vigilantes agitantque, ea si cui in somno äccidunt, Minus mirum est, sed di rem tantam haut temere improviso öfferunt. Proin vide ne quem tu esse hebetem deputes aeque äc pecus, Is sapientiä munitum pectus egregie gerat Teque regno expellat; nam id quod de sole ostentum est tibi, In Pöpulo commutätionem rerum portendit fore Perpropinquam. Haec bene verruncent populo! nam quod dexterum Cepit cursum ab laeva signum praepotens, pulcherrume Aüguratum est rem Romanam püblicam summäm fore. [From the Brutus. Quoted by Cicero, De Divinatione, I, xxii, 44-45] 3. dextrorsum: the meaning of this would depend on the supposed position of the observer. Eclipses, comets, and other special phenomena in the heavens were usually regarded as having grave significance for the future. 4. liquier: archaic pass. inf. of liquor: 'faded away.' 5. [Meter 7J. quae . . . homines: these are the stuff of which everyday dreams are made. 7. sed di: by contrast the king is warned that this was no common dream, but one fraught with deep meaning for him. 13. signum: referring to the sun.

GAIUS LUCILIUS

I

UCILIUS (c. 168-103 B.c.) came of a Campanian family of rank. J He is said to have served under Scipio in the war against Numantia and to have been an intimate friend of Scipio, Laelius, and other Roman nobles. Living in the society of the rapidly growing Roman metropolis, he occupied himself with writing sketches of the weaknesses of persons and manners in his time, partly in prose and partly in verse, miscellanies which were called by the old Roman term satura. He became thus the founder of a unique branch of Roman literature, satire. It was not patterned after any Greek originals, but became the basis of an important type of world literature. Horace frankly acknowledged him as his model. He left thirty books of satires, of which only fragments, mostly short, are left to us. Their keen wit and biting sarcasm reveal Lucilius as a frank and relentless critic of contemporary manners and morals. The fragments are to be found in Diehl and have been edited by Lucian Müller. Cf. also the Untersuchungen zu Lucilius by Conrad Cichorius. [Mackail, p. 33; Duff, I, p. 234]

AFFECTATION REBUKED

"Graecum te, Albuci, quam Romanum atque Sabinum, Municipem Ponti, Tritani, centurionum, Praeclarorum hominum ac primorum signiferumque, Maluisti dici. Graece ergo praetor Athenis, AFFECTATION REBUKED [Meter I ] . l. Graecum: Titus Albucius had lived so long at Athens that, quite weaned from Rome, he preferred to be called an Athenian. When Quintus Mucius Scavola, with the rank of praetor, was on his way to his province of Asia in 121 B.C., he and his staff perpetrated a practical joke on Albucius. 2. Ponti, Tritani: it may be guessed that the centurions Pontius and Tritanus were only locally famous, and even so not for the qualities that would win distinction at Athens.

3. primorum: from primores. — signiferum: gen. plur. 4. Graece: note the emphatic position. 16

GAIUS LUCILIUS

17

Id quod maluisti, te, cum ad me accedis, saluto: 'Chaere,' inquam, 'Tite.' Lictores, turma omnis chorusque, 'Chaere, Tite.' Hinc hostis mi Albucius, hinc inimicus." [Probably from Book II. Quoted by Cicero, De Fitiibus, I, iii, 9] GLADIATORIAL

AMENITIES

Aeserninus fuit Flaccorum munere quidam Samnis, spurcus homo, vita ilia dignus locoque; 5 Cum Pacideiano componitur, optimus multo Post homines natos gladiator qui fuit unus. "Occidam ilium equidem et vincam, si id quaeritis," inquit; "Verum illud credo fore: in os prius accipiam ipse Quam gladium in stomacho furiae ac pulmonibus sisto; 10 Odi hominem, iratus pugno, nec longius quicquam Nobis, quam dextrae gladium dum accommodet alter; Usque adeo, studio atque odio illius, ecferor ira." [Probably from Book IV. Quoted by Nonius and 01.8-13) Cicero, Tusculanae Disputationes, IV, xxi, 48] 2. Chaere (Xatpe): the usual Greek greeting, corresponding to the Latin salve. — turma . . . chorusque: all the staff and retainers of Scaevola. 3. Hinc: 'as a result of this.' GLADIATORIAL AMENITIES [Meterl].

4. Flaccorum munere: ' a t a

spectacle given by the Flacci' (a prominent Roman family). 5. Samnis: 'Samnite,' the technical term for a particular type of gladiator, who fought with sword and shield. See classical dictionary. — ilia: contemptuous. 6. optimus multo . . . unus: 'the most superlatively fine.' 7. Post homines natos: 'that ever was.' 8. Occidam: it is understood that ^Eserninus in a rage bit off the ear of Pacideianus, who now expresses his hatred of his low-down opponent. Cicero compares this temper unfavorably with the more equable valor of Ajax, Torquatus, Africanus, and other heroes. 9. Verum: 'but.' — in os: 'in the face.' — accipiam: sc. gladium or some similar word. 10. Quam: to be taken with prius. — furiae: 'of this fury' (an impersonation of madness); dat. of reference for gen. of possession. 11. nec longius quicquam: 'nothing is more tiresome'; sc. est. 12. Nobis: they are both of the same mind, each waiting for the other (alter).

18

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY T H E ETHICS OF THE

5

FORUM

Nunc vero a mani ad noctem, festo atque profesto Totus item pariterque die populusque patresque Iactare indu foro se omnes, decedere nusquam, Uni se atque eidem studio omnes dedere et arti, Verba dare ut caute possint, pugnare dolose, Blanditia certare, " b o n u m " simulare " v i r u m " se, Insidias facere, ut si hostes sint omnibus omnes. [Quoted by Lactantius, Divinae Instäutiones, V, ix, 20] A DEFINITION OF

VIRTUE

Virtus, Albine, est, pretium persolvere verum Quis in versamur, quis vivimus rebus, potesse, 10 Virtus est, homini scire id quod quaeque habeat res, Virtus, scire, homini rectum, utile quid sit, honestum, Quae bona, quae mala item, quid inutile, turpe, inhonestum, Virtus quaerendae finem re scire modumque, THE ETHICS OF THE FORUM [Meter 1~[. l. festo atque profesto . . . . die:' be it holiday or ordinary day.' 2. patres = senatores, i.e. the nobility. 3. Iactare . . . se: 'talk boastfully'; cf. the "bluffing" of modern business. 6. s e : sc. esse. 7. ut si . . . sint: comparative clause implying the falsity of the comparison. A DEFINITION OF VIRTUE [Meter 7], 8. Albine: there was an old patrician family bearing the name Albinus, but which Albinus the satirist here addresses is not known. — est: 'consists in.' — pretium . . . verum: 'full value,' in the larger sense of performing one's obligations, as indicated in the phrase noblesse oblige. — persolvere: complementary inf. with potesse. 9. Quis: archaic for quibus. — in: by anastrophe with Quis.— potesse: archaic form of posse; used for metrical reasons. 10. habeat: 'means'; i.e. if appraised at its real value or the opportunity it offers. 13. quaerendae: the implication may be that Albinus was avaricious and knew no better how to stop acquiring than many a more modern man.

GAIUS LUCILIUS

19

Virtus divitiis pretium persolvere posse, Virtus id dare quod re ipsa debetur honori, Hostem esse atque inimicum hominum morumque malorum, Contra defensorem hominum morumque bonorum, Hos magni facere, his bene velle, his vivere amicum, 5 Commoda praeterea patriai prima putare, Deinde parentum, tertia iam postremaque nostra. [Quoted by Lactantius, Divinae Institutiones, VI, v, 3] 1. divitiis: abl. of price. — pretium . . . posse: note the alliteration; the idea is to behave as a man of wealth should. 2. re ipsa: 'really.' 3. Hostem . . . atque inimicum: 'an enemy, nay, a bitter foe.' 5. Hos: 'the latter.' — magni: gen. of indefinite value. 6. Commoda: 'theadvantage'or'interest.' — patriai = patriae: striking alliteration.

MARCUS PORCIUS CATO

T

H E E L D E R CATO (Cato Major) was born inTusculum, 234 B.c., and enjoyed eighty-five years of almost unexampled activity and influence in the military and civic life of Rome. He is often cited as a type of the old-fashioned virtues and patriotism of the Romans at their best. He served in the wars against Hannibal, Antiochus, and the Spaniards, and later as censor strove earnestly to preserve Roman simplicity against the Hellenistic trend of the times. He also wrote Roman history under the title of Origines, and a brief treatise De Agri Cultura. Of the former, as well as of his numerous orations, only fragments remain. Cato may be regarded as the real father of Latin prose literature. In both history and oratory he blazed the way for a long line of celebrated successors. His history lacked the historic proportion of that of later writers and contained much that would not be called history today, but it was of immense value in handing down the record of many important things concerning early Rome. His oratory was permeated with the native shrewdness of the man, abounded in wit, and exhibited a passion for simple righteousness. He preferred forcefulness to elegance and cultivated a crisp and often blunt style of writing. His most famous and oft-repeated remark was "Delenda est Carthago." Quotations from the Origines are collected in the Historicorum Romanorum Fragmente, edited by Hermann Peter; from his orations, in the Oratorum Romanorum Fragmenta of Heinrich Meyer. The De Agri Cultura has been edited by Keil. [Mackail, p. 30; Duff, I, pp. 250, 255]

T H E CHARGE OF T H E FOUR H U N D R E D

Imperator Poenus in terra Sicilia bello Karthaginensi primo obviam Romano exercitu progreditur, colleis locosque idoneos prior occupat. Milites Romani, uti res nata est, in THE CHARGE OF THE FOUR HUNDRED. 2. e x e r c i t u : dat. — c o l l e i s :

archaic spelling for collis. 3. u t i . . . est: 'at the start.' 20

MARCUS PORCIUS CATO

21

locum insinuant fraudi et perniciei obnoxium. Tribunus ad consulem venit, ostendit exitium de loci importunitate et hostium circumstantia maturum. "Censeo," inquit, "si rem servare vis, faciundum, ut quadringentos aliquos milites ad verrucam illam (sic enim Cato locum editum asperumque 5 appellat) ire iubeas eamque uti occupent imperes horterisque, hostes profecto ubi id viderint, fortissimus quisque et promptissimus ad occursandum pugnandumque in eos praevertentur unoque illo negotio sese alligabunt, atque illi omnes quadringenti proeul dubio obtruncabuntur. Tunc interea occu-10 patis in ea caede hostibus, tempus exercitus ex hoc loco educendi habebis. Alia nisi haec salutis via nulla est." Consul tribuno respondit, consultum istuc quidem atque providens sibi viderier, "sed istos," inquit, "milites quadringentos ad eum locum in hostium cuneos quisnam erit qui ducat?" "Si 19 alium," inquit tribunus, "neminem reperis, me licet ad hoc periculum utare; ego hanc tibi et rei p. animam do." Consul tribuno gratias laudesque agit. Tribunus et quadringenti ad moriendum proficiscuntur. Hostes eorum audaciam demirantur, quorsum ire pergant in expectando sunt. Sed ubi 20 apparuit ad eam verrucam occupandam iter intendere, mittit adversum illos imperator Karthaginiensis peditatum equitatumque quos in exercitu viros habuit strenuissimos. Romani milites circumveniuntur, circumventi repugnant. Fit praelium diu aneeps. Tandem superat multitudo. Quadringenti 25 omnes cum uno, perfossi gladiis aut missilibus operti, cadunt. Consul interibi, dum ea pugna pugnatur, se in locos tutos atque editos subducit. 3. rem servare: 'to save the situation.' 4. faciundum = faciendum; sc. esse; the subject is the following clause. 15. ducat: subj. of purpose. 17. hanc . . . animam: 'this life of mine.' — rei p. = rei publicae. 20. quorsum . . . pergant: indir. question depending on the following words. — in expectando sunt = exspectant. 21. intendere: sc. eos. 23. quos . . . viros: referring to peditatum equitatumque. 26. omnes cum uno: 'one and all.' 27. Consul: sc. cum reliquo exercitu.

22

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Dii immortales tribuno militum fortunam ex virtute eius dedere. Nam ita evenit: cum saucius multifariam ibi factus esset, tarnen vulnus capiti nullum evenit, eumque inter mortuos defetigatum vulneribus atque quod sanguen defluxerat 5 cognovere. Eum sustulere, isque convaluit saepeque postilla operam rei p. fortem atque strenuam pörhibuit. [Quoted by Gellius, Nodes Atticae, III, vii]

EFFECTIVE PARALEIPSIS Iussi caudicem proferri ubi mea oratio scripta erat de ea re, quod sponsionem feceram cum M. Cornelio. Tabulae prolatae; maiorum bene facta perfecta, deinde quae ego pro 10 republica fecissem leguntur. Ubi id utrumque perlectum est, deinde scriptum erat in oratione: "Numquam ego pecuniam neque meam neque sociorum per ambitionem dilargitus sum." "Atat noli, noli scribere," inquam, "istud nolunt audire." Deinde recitavit: "Num quos praefectos per sociorum ves15 trorum oppida inposivi, qui eorum bona, liberos diriperent?" Istud quoque dele, nolunt audire. Recita porro: "Numquam ego praedam, neque quod de hostibus captum esset, neque 3. vulnus capiti: 'mortal wound.' EFFECTIVE PARALEIPSIS. Cato naturally made many enemies by his unyielding pursuit of those guilty of excesses in manners and morals in his day. He was frequently attacked in turn and obliged to defend himself vigorously. One of the charges brought against him included the intimation of extravagance or perhaps dishonesty, and necessitated his giving an answer De Sumptu Suo, i.e. 'about his expenses.' In replying he used with telling effect the rhetorical figure known as paraleipsis, i.e. the emphatic mention of arguments or details under the pretense of omitting them. Fronto remarks that he has never seen a more happy example of its use than this one. 7. ubi: 'in which.' — oratio: given on the occasion of some previous attack. — ea r e : i.e. the following clause of fact. 8. Tabulae: the same as caudicem. 9. maiorum: respect for ancestors was strong at Rome. 11. pecuniam . . . dilargitus: a notorious practice of Romans in public life, condemned by Cicero in his De Officiis. 13. istud nolunt: here begins the sarcastic paraleipsis. 15. inposivi = imposui; the final letter of prepositions was not generally assimilated till a later period. — diriperent: purpose subj.

MARCUS PORCIUS CATO

23

manubias inter pauculos amicos meos divisi, ut illis eriperem qui cepissent." Istuc quoque dele; nihil eo minus volunt dici; non opus est recitato. "Numquam ego evectionem datavi, quo amici mei per sumbolos pecunias magnas caperent." Perge istuc quoque uti cum maxime delere. "Num- 5 quam ego argentum pro vino congiario inter apparitores atque amicos meos disdidi, neque eos malo publico divites feci." Enimvero usque istuc ad lignum dele. Vide, sis, quo loco res publica siet, ubi quod reipublicae bene fecissem, unde gratiam capiebam, nunc idem illud memorare non audeo, ne 10 invidiae siet. Ita inductum est male facere inpoene, bene facere non inpoene licere. [ Q u o t e d b y Pronto> V a t 1Q8> 1 0 7 ] A GOOD S T E W A R D

Haec erunt vilici officia. Disciplina bona utatur. Feriae serventur. Alieno manum abstineat, sua servet diligenter. Litibus familia supersedeat; siquis quid deliquerit, pro noxa 15 1. pauculos: the apologetic diminutive which one guilty of such a deed might use. 2. Istuc: cf. istud above. 3. evectionem: such free passes on public conveyances could be made a convenient form of graft. 4. datavi: a rare frequentative verb. — sumbolos = symbolos. 5. uti cum maxime: 'most thoroughly.' 6. vino congiario: 'a largess of wine.' 7. disdidi: commonly written dididi. 8. ad lignum: i.e. absolutely, clear down to the tabulae on which the wax was spread. The detailed enumeration of these vicious practices implies that others had been guilty of such things at Rome. — loco: 'situation.' 9. siet = sit. 10. capiebam: conative sense. 11. inductum e s t : 'it has come to pass'; the subject is licere with its subject clause. •— inpoene = impune. A GOOD STEWARD. The following laconic precepts reflect the wisdom, severity, and humor of old Cato. The old Roman nobility was composed of landed gentry, who commonly farmed their estates through a steward and a familia of slaves. 13. utatur: the subjunctives are of the jussive type.—Feriae serventur: this would make for contentment in the familia.

24

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

bono modo vindicet. Familiae male ne sit, ne algeat, ne esuriat; opere bene exerceat, facilius malo et alieno prohibebit. Vilicus si nolet male facere, non faciei. Si passus erit, dominus inpune ne sinat esse. Pro beneficio gratiam referat, 6 ut aliis recte facere libeat. Vilicus ne sit ambulator, sobrius siet semper, ad cenam nequo eat. Familiam exerceat, consideret; quae dominus imperaverit fiant. Ne plus censeat sapere se quam dominum. Amicos domini eos habeat sibi amicos. Cui iussus siet auscultet. Rem divinam nisi Con10 pitalibus in conpito aut in foco ne faciat. Iniussu domini credat nemini; quod dominus crediderit exigat. Satui semen, cibaria, far, vinum, oleum mutuum dederit nemini. Duas aut tres familias habeat unde utenda roget et quibus det, praeterea nemini. Rationem cum domino crebro putet. Ope15 rarium, mercennarium, politorem diutius eundem ne habeat die. Nequid emisse velit insciente domino, neu quid dominum celavisse velit. Parasitum nequem habeat. Haruspicem, augurem, hariolum, Chaldaeum nequem consuluisse velit. Segetem ne defrudet; nam id infelix est. Opus rusticum omne 20 curet uti sciat facere, et id faciat saepe, dum ne lassus fiat; si fecerit, scibit in mente familiae quid sit, et illi animo aequiore facient. Si hoc faciet, minus libebit ambulare et 2. exerceat: sc. vilicus, and earn as obj. — facilius: i.e. by so doing, referring to the previous clause. 3. passus erit: sc. iniuriam. 4. dominus: i.e. of the estate, who should be responsible for defending or avenging him. 5. ambulator: 'gadabout.' 6. siet = sit. — considered 'let him inspect (them) carefully.' 9. Conpitalibus: cf. note on page 22, line 15. 11. credat nemini: cf. the modern shop sign "No trust." 13. utenda: 'for immediate use,' of petty neighborhood borrowing. 14. Rationem . . . putet: 'let him reckon up accounts.' — Operarium etc.: i.e. outside help. 18. Segetem: 'soil.' 19. defrudet: 'cheat' by failure to fertilize properly. 20. facere: 'perform' in person. 21. scibit: archaic for seiet 22. facient: sc. opus.

MARCUS PORCIUS CATO

25

valebit rectius et dormibit libentius. Primus cubitu surgat, postremus cubitum eat. Prius villam videat clausa uti siet, et uti suo quisque loco cubet et uti iumenta pabulum habeant. [De Agri CuUura, v] 2. cubitum: the lack of a preposition may be explained by considering this a supine; cubitus in any case is a noun derived from cubo. — Prius: i.e. 'before' going to bed. — villain videat clausa uti siet: fine oldfashioned parataxis for the syntactical sentence videat ut villa clausa sit.

TITUS MACCIUS PLAUTUS LAUTUS (c. 254-184 B.c.) came from the little village of Sarsina in northern Umbria, a man of lowly station. At Rome he was a stage hand of some kind, where he gained a good idea of what sort of drama pleased the people. After investing his small savings in a commercial venture which failed, he worked for a while in a bakery, turning such a hand mill as one can see today in the ruins of Pompeii. While occupied in this menial service he began to write plays and became the most popular Roman author of comedies. These were all of the type known as fabula palliata, that is, comedy based on the Greek originals of such authors as Diphilus, Philemon, and Menander. As many as one hundred and thirty plays were attributed to Plautus by some authorities, but probably he did not write all of these. There are twenty authentic plays, and slight fragments of another, still extant. Not without reason was Plautus the idol of the Roman masses; for it is their life that he pictures, in their own language, and with their own standards of character and of humor. Perfectly free in handling his Greek originals, at one moment he puts you in Athens, the next in Rome, and the Roman atmosphere is felt at every turn. His business is to make the people laugh. His characters are often of the middle and lower classes and represent familiar types in the society of his day. Brilliant in his powers of description, rollicking in humor, colloquial and often archaic in language, his genius appears on every page. He has a marvelous quickness of wit in word coinage. By the use of a great variety of meters, lyric as well as for dialogue, he represents the rapidly shifting moods of his characters; yet his meters are treated with great freedom and adapted to the speech of the common people. No second Plautus ever arose at Rome; but even after such comedy ceased to be acted there, his plays were the recognized models for comedy throughout the centuries, especially as the sources of well-known dramas by such modern masters as Moliere and Shakespeare. The text edition of Goetz and Schoell is a standard one, and there are many excellent editions of separate plays by Morris, Fay, Fairclough, Fowler, and others.

P

[Mackail, p. 17: Duff. I, p. 159]

26

TITUS MACCIUS PLAUTUS

27

Old Hand Mills in Pompeian Bakery A PARASITE'S

SOLILOQUY

Miser homost qui ipsüs sibi quod edit quaerit et id aegre invenit. Sed illest miserior qui et aegre quaerit et nil invenit. Ille miserrumüst qui, quom esse cüpit, tum quod edit ηόη habet. A PARASITE'S SOLILOQUY [Meter 7]. The character of a parasite is familiar in ancient comedy. The word, from the Greek, means one who eats with another, i.e. one who gets his living from a friend or lives "on him." Such men succeeded in this way of life by their wits, i.e. by furnishing amusing conversation and by doing various services and errands of a personal character. The speaker here, Ergasilus, had been thus attached to Philopolemus, son of the old man Hegio. Philopolemus had gone off to war and been captured. Hegio had bought two captives, hoping to make an exchange for his son. Ergasilus meanwhile is in sore straits, now that his young patron is not here to support him. 1. homost = homo est, a common pro-elision. — ipsus = ipse. — quod edit: purpose clause. The meaning is 'something to eat'; edit archaic for edat. 3. esse: from edo.

28

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Nam hercle ego huic die, si liceat, öculos effodiäm lubens; Ita malignitäte oneravit omnis mortalis mihi. [465] Neque ieiuniosiorem nec magis ecfertüm fame Vidi nec quoi minus procedat quicquid facere occeperit; 5 Ita venter guttürque resident esurialis ferias. Ilicet parasiticae arti mäxumam maläm crucem; Ita iuventus iäm ridiculos inopes ab se segregat. [47oj Nil morantur iäm Lacones imi subselli viros, Plägipatidas, quibus sunt verba sine penu et pecünia. 10 Eos requirunt qui lubenter quom ederint reddänt domi. Ipsi obsonant, quae parasitorum änte erat provincia; Ipsi de foro tarn aperto cäpite ad lenones eunt [4751 1. Nam: not logical, but used merely to intensify the following interjection ; not translated independently. — die = diei; treated like a person responsible, the dat. being used for a gen. of possession. 2. omnis mortalis: acc. plur. 3. ieiuniosiorem: sc. diem. — ecfertum fame: a parasite's oxymoron, 'stuffed with hunger.' 4. quoi: sc. antecedent diem. — procedat: the subject is the following clause; 'one which had less luck with.' — occeperit: the subject refers to dies. 5. ferias: cognate acc. with resident, ' are keeping a holiday' (from eating). 6. Ilicet: used in its etymological sense, ire licet. — maxumam malam crucem: with Ilicet as terminal acc. The phrase, referring to the worst punishment known in classic times, corresponds to the modern "cuss words" which consign their object to perdition. 7. iam: 'in these days.' — ridiculos: referring to himself and his class. 8. Nil morantur: 'they do not care a hang for.'— Lacones: i.e. the parasites took as many hard knocks as traditionally the Spartans would stand lashes. — imi subselli: parasites had to be contented with a bench at the foot of the table; cf. James ii, 3. The slaves, however, either stood or sat on the floor. 9. Plagipatidas: 'sons of punching bags'; the word is a characteristic Plautine invention, after the pattern of the Greek patronymic. — verba: 'promises.' 10. requirunt: 'invite,' i.e. to meals; cf. Luke xiv, 12.—reddant: 'return the compliment.' 11. Ipsi obsonant: 'they do their own marketing.' 12. aperto capite: i.e.' unblushingly,' without trying to conceal their identity under a hood. — ad lenones eunt: i.e. on some disreputable errand.

TITUS MACCIUS PLAUTUS

29

Quam in tribu sontes aperto capite condemnänt reos. Neque ridiculos iäm terrunci fäciunt; sese omnes amant. Näm ego ut dudum hinc äbii, accessi ad ädulescentea in foro: "Sälvete," inquam. "Quo imus," inquam, "ad prändium?" atque illi tacent. "Quis ait, 'Hoc'? aut quis profitetur?" inquam; quasi muti silent, > [480] 5 Neque me rident. "Ubi cenamus Liternum

C u m a d ^ p T ^ Ba/aeSpüt^He : : o c h y t a / D Misenum AENARIA I.

"tApREAE I Bay of Naples and its Environs

Nec fortuitum spernere caespitem Leges sinebant, oppida publico Sumptu iubentes et deorum Templa novo decorare saxo. 1. fortuitum caespitem: 'any chance piece of turf,' i.e. for impromptu altars. 2. oppida . . . Templa: both objects are modified by both the abl. phrases. Wealthy Romans often paid for rebuilding and redecorating public places and buildings. 4. novo . . . saxo: Augustus himself boasted that he had found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble (Suetonius, Augustus, 28). In the famous inscription called the Monumenlum Ancyranum he enumerates the following public constructions of his: the senate house and the shrine of Minerva Chalcidice; the temple of Apollo on the Palatine (with its porticoes) ; a Lupercal; the portico of the Circus Flaminius; a shrine at the Circus Maximus; the temples of the deified Julius, Juppiter Feretrius, and Juppiter Tonans on the Capitol, of Juppiter Liberias on the Aventine, of Quirinus, Minerva, and Juno Regina, of the Lares, the Dei Penates, Juventus, and the Magna Mater; also the completion of the Forum Julium and the Basilica Julia, and the building of the temple of Mars Ultor and the Forum Augusti. He adds that in his sixth consulship he repaired eighty-two temples. Every tourist admires the wealth and variety of marbles used at Rome.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

207

II, 18 PRAISE OF T H E SIMPLE L I F E

Non ebur neque aureum Mea renidet in domo lacunar, Non trabes Hymettiae Premunt columnas ultima recisas Africa, neque Attali Ignotus heres regiam occupavi, Nec Laconicas mihi Trahunt honestae purpuras clientae. At fides et ingeni Benigna venast, pauperemque dives Me petit; nihil supra Deos lacesso nec potentem amicum Largiora flagito, Satis beatus unicis Sabinis. PRAISE OF THE SIMPLE LIFE [Meter 17\. Horace contrasts his own contentment in his little Sabine villa with the feverish eagerness of a real or fancied builder of an expensive seaside villa, who is all too regardless of the means by which the wealth necessary for financing such establishments was secured. 1. ebur: poetic for eburneum, referring to lacunar. 3. Hymettiae: Mt. Hymettus, near Athens, furnished an abundance of bluish-white marble. 4. Premunt: 'rest on.' — columnas . . . recisas Africa: Horace is doubtless thinking of the favorite yellow Numidian marble {giallo antico), of which abundant remains can be seen in Rome. 5. Attali: a proverbial name for a wealthy man. Attalus Philometor of Pergamum willed his kingdom to the Romans in 133 B.c. 6. Ignotus heres: adoption was a growing practice at Rome. Many an heir had no claim of blood relationship to the riches of which he suddenly found himself possessed. 8. Trahunt: 'spin,' i.e. make. — honestae . . . clientae: i.e. clients who are themselves well off. — purpuras: "purple vestments.' 10. venast: i.e. vena ™ihi est. — pauperemque dives Me petit: the reverse of the everyday process in the mansions of the rich man, where the poor client sought his bounty. 12. lacesso: Ί importune,' used with two accusatives. — amicum: Maecenas. 14. unicis: 'with only.'

5

10

208

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Foundations of a Villa built out into the Sea

Truditur dies die, Novaeque pergunt interire lunae; Tu secanda marmora Locas sub ipsum funus, et sepulcri Immemor struis domos, Marisque Bais obstrepentis urges Summovere litora, Parum locuples continente ripa. Quid quod usque proximos Revellis agri terminos et ultra 2. interire: 'to wane.' 3. secanda: expressing purpose. 4. sub ipsum funus: 'on the verge of the grave.' — sepulcri: i.e. the 'house' he is really soon to occupy. 6. Bais: the most fashionable and expensive of Roman seaside resorts. 7. Summovere litora: countless ruins of villas built out into the sea are visible all along the southwestern coast of Italy. 8. continente: 'adjacent.' 9. Quid quod usque . . . Revellis: 'and how about your continual pulling up ?' Stumps or sticks were early landmarks. 10. terminos: cf. Proverbs xxii, 28.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

209

Limites clientium Salis avarus ? Pellitur paternos In sinu ferens deos Et uxor et vir sordidosque natos. Nulla certior tamen Rapacis Orci fine destinata Aula divitem manet Erum. Quid ultra tendis ? Aequa tellus Pauperi recluditur Regumque pueris, nec satelles Orci Callidum Promethea Revexit auro captus. Hie superbum Tantalum atque Tantali Genus coercet, hie levare functum Pauperem laboribus Vocatus atque non vocatus audit. 1. Limites clientium Salis: a sign of mean avarice, especially in the case of clients, who by Roman law were under the special protection of their patrons. 2. Pellitur etc.: the eviction from the stolen home. — paternos . . . deos: the images which were kept over every Roman hearth, and were easily transported to a new home. .lEneas was said to have brought his household gods from Troy. 3. sinu: Roman dress in its loose folds provided a convenient way of carrying objects. 4. sordidosque natos: 'and their meanly dressed children' (in mourning garb). 6. fine destinata: abl. after certior. 7. Aula: the earthly 'palace' of the rich gives place to the palace of Pluto. 8. Quid ultra tendis: 'why strive for extremes ?' i.e. 'beyond' Horace's golden mean in wealth, home, and living. — Aequa: cf. page 171, line 9. 10. satelles Orci: Charon. 11. Promethea: everybody but Horace represents him as having escaped. 12. Revexit auro captus: 'could be bribed to ferry back.' 13. Tantali Genus: among the famous or infamous descendants of Tantalus were Pelops, Atreus, Agamemnon, Niobe, and Orestes. 14. levare: inf. of purpose. — functum . . . laboribus: 'who has finished the toil of life.' 16. non vocatus audit: notice the oxymoron.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

11,20 T H E POET'S IMMORTALITY

Non usitata nec tenui ferar Penna biformis per liquidum aethera Vates, neque in terris morabor Longius invidiaque maior 5

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Urbis relinquam. Non ego pauperum Sanguis parentum, non ego, quem vocas, Dilecte Maecenas, obibo Nec Stygia cohibebor unda. Iam iam residunt cruribus asperae Pelles et album mutor in alitem Superne, nascunturque leves Per digitos umerosque plumae. Iam Daedaleo notior Icaro Visam gementis litora Bospori Syrtisque Gaetulas canorus Ales Hyperboreosque campos. THE POET'S IMMORTALITY [Meter 10]. Horace prophesies that he shall not die but be transformed into a swan and fly over all the earth, gaining ever new fame by his song. The questionable taste of the realistic description of his coming metamorphosis has led to the suggestion that this ode was a study for an epilogue to the collection of three books, and was placed here only after the composition of the more successful III, xxx. 1. Non usitata nec tenui . . . Penna: 'on no ordinary or feeble pinion.' 2. biformis: i.e. as poet and swan. 3. Vates: an inspired bard, not merely a poet. 4. maior: 'rising above.' 5. pauperum . . . parentum: Horace repeatedly refers to his humble origin with a touch of pride in his own achievements. 6. Sanguis: 'offspring.' — vocas: 'invite,' i.e. to your hospitality and companionship. 11. Supern δ: this quantity is only occasional in the poets. 13. Daedaleo: a patronymic adjective here 14. gementis: 'moaning.' 16. Hyperboreosque campos: a mythical and paradisiacal region.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

211

Me Colchus et qui dissimulat metum Marsae cohortis Dacus et Ultimi Noscent Geloni, me peritus Discet Hiber Rhodanique potor. Absint inani funere neniae Luctusque turpes et querimoniae; Compesce clamorem ac sepulcri Mitte supervacuos honores.

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111,2 T H E R E A L PATRIOT

Angustam amice pauperiem pati Robustus acri militia puer Condiscat et Parthos ferocis Vexet eques metuendus hasta, Vitamque sub divo et trepidis agat In rebus. Ilium ex moenibus hosticis Matrona bellantis tyranni Prospiciens et adulta virgo 3. peritus Discet Hiber etc.: Roman culture was already becoming known in Gaul and Spain, which soon began to produce literary men. 5. inani: i.e. it will be only a form, as there will be no death and no body to burn. 6. turpes: 'disfiguring,' because it was a custom for relatives to tear their cheeks with their nails and pull out their hair. 7. clamorem: i.e. the conclamatio, or shouting of the dead person's name, to see if he had surely expired. 8.Mitte: 'omit.' THE REAL PATRIOT [Meter 10]. The first six odes of the third book are a group addressed seriously to the Roman people and voicing high moral sentiments. In this second one of the series patriotism is extolled, and the qualities that should be cultivated by Roman youth are described. 9. Angustam: 'pinching.' 10. Robustus . . . militia: part of the predicate. 14. Ilium: 'a youth like that'; obj of Prospiciens. 15. Matrona . . . virgo: Horace pictures the wives, mothers, and sweethearts of a beleaguered city looking out from the wall apprehensively at the invincible Roman warriors. The scene suggests Homer's Iliad.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Suspiret, eheu, ne rudis agminum Sponsus lacessat regius asperum Tactu leonem, quem cruenta Per medias rapit ira caedes. 5

Dulce et decorumst pro patria mori; Mors et fugacem persequitur virum, Nec parcit imbellis iuventae Poplitibus timidoque tergo.

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Virtus repulsae nescia sordidae, Intaminatis fulget honoribus, Nec sumit aut ponit securis Arbitrio popularis aurae. Virtus recludens immeritis mori Caelum negata temptat iter via, Coetusque volgaris et udam Spernit humum fugiente penna.

1. eheu: uttered by the royal lady whose husband or betrothed is on the battlefield below. — ne . . . lacessat: depending on the fear suggested by Suspiret. — rudis agminum: the anxiety of the lady leads her probably to do scant justice to the fighting qualities of her hero. But Horace speaks from the Roman standpoint. 2. Sponsus: the scion of some allied royal family to whom the princess is betrothed. 3. leonem: the Ilium of page 211, line 14. 5. Dulce et decorumst: the poet turns to the other contingency, death on the battlefield. 6. fugacem: there is no use in playing the coward. 8. Poplitibus . . . tergo: a wound in the back has ever meant extreme disgrace. 9. nescia: i.e. because above the common realm of political honors. 10. Intaminatis: i.e. free from the smirch too often attaching to popular honors. 11. securis: the figure is taken from the ordinary emblems of Roman office. 13. immeritis mori: 'to those who have deserved not to die.' 14. negata: i.e. to ordinary men. — iter: i.e. to immortal glory (Caelum). 15. udam . . . humum: i.e. the heavier atmosphere of earth as compared with the finer ethereal breath of the skies. 16. penna: a common example of synecdoche.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

213

Est et fideli tuta silentio Merces; vetabo qui Cereris sacrum Volgarit arcanae sub isdem Sit trabibus fragilemve mecum Solvat phaselon; saepe Diespiter Neglectus incesto addidit integrum; Raro antecedentem scelestum Deseruit pede Poena claudo.

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111,4 T H E P O E T SPARED, TO PRAISE GREAT CAESAR Descende caelo et die age tibia Regina longum Calliope melos, Seu voce nunc mavis acuta, Seu fidibus citharave Phoebi. 1. fideli . . . silentio: i.e. fidelity to friends as proved by the ability to keep a secret. Commentators would see in these verses reference to Maecenas as a loyal aid to Augustus. The expression is taken from Simonides and was often quoted by Augustus. 2. Cereris sacrum: referring to the solemn rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries as a type of secret not to be revealed to the uninitiated. 3. sub . . . trabibus: i.e. to live in the same house. 4. S i t . . . Solvat: obj. clauses with vetabo. 5. phaselon: 'bark'; the form betrays the Greek origin of the word. The poet will not risk his life with one whom the gods must detest and may probably punish. — Diespiter: cf. page 190, line 9. 7. antecedentem scelestum: 'the guilty party fleeing before her.' 8. pede . . . claudo: concessive. — Poena: 'Vengeance'; a personification. THE POET SPARED, TO PRAISE GREAT CESAR [Meter 10]. Horace acknowledges the protecting care of the Muses since early childhood. Caesar too, wearied with both military and civil cares, is refreshed by the Muses, who help him to exercise gentle and beneficent sway. How absurd for any subject to plot against him! So the giants tried to overthrow the gods, but failed miserably. 9. caelo: the Muses are here considered as goddesses who dwell in heavenly heights. — die: 'pipe,' with varying meanings with the following clauses. 10. Calliope: a representative of them all.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Auditis, an me ludit amabilis Insania ? Audire et videor pios Errare per lucos, amoenae Quos et aquae subeunt et aurae. 5

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Me fabulosae Volture in Apulo Nutricis extra limen Apuliae Ludo fatigatumque somno Fronde nova puerum palumbes Texere, mirum quod foret omnibus, Quicumque celsae nidum Acherontiae Saltusque Bantinos et arvum Pingue tenent humilis Forenti, Ut tuto ab atris corpore viperis Dormirem et ursis, ut premerer sacra Lauroque conlataque myrto, Non sine dis animosus infans. 1. Auditis: Horace addresses his imaginary audience. 2. pios: 'sacred.' 4. subeunt: 'glide through ' 5. M e : the story of this adventure of the poet's childhood is given to explain why he can so easily, under the special care of the Muses, detect their song. — fabulosae . . . palumbes: i.e. those which attend Venus. — Volture: this mountain, near the birthplace of Horace, dominates the whole countryside. 6. Nutricis: i.e. as his native land. — extra limen: the mountain was on the border of the two districts of Lucania and Apulia. 7. fatigatumque: in prose we should expect somnoque. 8. Fronde . . . Texere: a poet "babe in the woods." 9. quod foret: characteristic clause, referring to the event just described. 10. Quicumque . . . tenent: the inhabitants of the neighboring towns would repeat the gossip of the child's adventure. — celsae nidum Acherontiae: 'Acherontia (modern Acerenza) on her lofty aerie.' 11. Bantinos: 'of Bantia' (modern Banzi). 12. Forenti: the modern Forenza. 13. U t . . . Dormirem etc.: indir. question, explaining mirum. 14. premerer: 'was covered.'— sacra: both trees were sacred, the one to Phoebus, the other to Venus. 16. Non sine dis: the courage of the child was divinely inspired.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

215

Vester, Camenae, vester in arduos Tollor Sabinos, seu mihi frigidum Praeneste seu Tibur supinum Seu liquidae placuere Baiae. Vestris amicum fontibus et choris Non me Philippis versa acies retro, Devota non extinxit arbos, Nec Sicula Palinurus unda. Utcumque mecum vos eritis, libens Insanientem navita Bosporum Temptabo et urentis arenas Litoris Assyrii viator; Visam Britannos hospitibus feros E t laetum equino sanguine Concanum; Visam pharetratos Gelonos E t Scythicum inviolatus amnem. 1. Vester . . . vester: the emphatic repetition is in harmony with the spirit of the ode. Having been under the special protection of the Muses since childhood, he trusts them to care for him always and everywhere. 2. Tollor: ' I climb.' — Sabinos: i.e. to his villa in the Digentia valley. — seu: 'or if perchance.' 3. Praeneste: the famous old city where the great temple of Fortuna was. — Tibur: the most beautiful and popular of the hill resorts near Rome. Horace probably did not own a villa at Tibur, any more than he did at Prseneste or Baiae; but he must have been welcome at the homes of his wealthy friends. — supinum: 'steeply sloping.' 4. Baiae: cf. page 208, line 6. 6. Philippis: locative. —versa acies retro: 'the rout.' 7. Devota . . . arbos: 'the accursed tree' that nearly fell on Horace, which he tells about in Odes, II, xiii. 8. Palinurus: we must assume that the poet had some narrow escape from shipwreck near this promontory on the southwestern coast of Italy. 12. Assyrii = Syrii, as frequently in the Augustan poets, whose historical and geographical knowledge is vague. 13. feros: Tacitus (Annates, 30) says they used cruore captivo at their altars. 14. Concanum: a Cantabrian tribe; Vergil (Georgics, III, 461) says it was the Scythians who mixed horses' blood with their milk. 16. Scythicum . . . amnem: the Tanais (modern Don).

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Vos Caesarem altum, militia simul Fessas cohortis abdidit oppidis, Finire quaerentem labores, Pierio recreatis antro. 5

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Vos lene consilium et datis et dato Gaudetis, almae. Scimus ut impios Titanas immanemque turmam Fulmine sustulerit caduco Qui terram inertem, qui mare temperat Ventosum et urbis regnaque tristia Divosque mortalisque turbas Imperio regit unus aequo. Magnum ilia terrorem intulerat Iovi Fidens iuventus horrida bracchiis, Fratresque tendentes opaco Pelion imposuisse Olympo. 1. altum: 'great.' — simul = simul ac. 2. abdidit: a complimentary reference to the quiet return of Augustus's legions to civil life. 3. quaerentem: Augustus preferred peace to war. 4. Pierio . . . antro: perhaps true in both a figurative and, so far as antro is concerned, in a more or less literal sense. The Muses were at home in Pieria (cf. page 313, line 10); so poetry and music were Pierian. But readings of poetry were sometimes given in an antrum. 5. lene consilium: 'counsels of moderation.' 6. u t : with sustulerit; indir. question. 7. immanemque turmam: i.e. the race of the Giants, which here seems to be blended with that of the Titans. 8. sustulerit: the subject is the unexpressed antecedent of Qui, viz. that Jove who is described in the following stanza as exercising universal rule. — caduco: 'hurtling.' For a graphic artistic representation see illustrations of the great reliefs from the Zeus altar at Pergamum (now in Berlin). 10. regnaque tristia: i.e. those of the dead. 13. ilia . . . iuventus . . . bracchiis: i.e. the hundred-handed giants. 14. Fidens: here an adjective. 15. Fratresque: i.e. the AlSidae, Otus and Ephialtes. 16. Pelion imposuisse Olympo: in order to scale the heavens.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

217

Sed quid Typhoeus et validus Mimas, Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu, Quid Rhoetus evolsisque truncis Enceladus iaculator audax Contra sonantem Palladis aegida Possent ruentes ? Hinc avidus stetit Volcanus, hinc matrona Iuno et Numquam umeris positurus arcum, Qui rore puro Castaliae lavit Crinis solutos, qui Lyciae tenet Dumeta natalemque silvam, Delius et Patareus Apollo. Vis consili expers mole ruit sua; Vim temperatam di quoque provehunt In maius; idem odere viris Omne nefas animo moventis. Testis mearum centimanus Gyas Sententiarum, notus et integrae Temptator Orion Dianae, Virginea domitus sagitta. 1. Typhöeus etc.: typical examples of these monsters who undertook to wrest from Jove his power. 3. truncis: the instrument going with iaculator. 5. sonantem: 'ringing,' i.e. with the blows of the Giants. See again illustrations of the Zeus altar, where Pallas stands next to Jove. 6. Hinc . . . hinc: 'on one side . . . on the other.' The gods and goddesses rallied to the fray against the invaders. 8. arcum: the traditional weapon of Apollo. 9. Castaliae: the spring on Mt. Parnassus where Apollo and the Muses used to resort. 10. Crinis solutos: an established attribute of Apollo. — Lyciae . . . Dumeta: Apollo was said to spend the half-year of winter at Patara, in Lycia, and the summer on his native island, Delos. 13. Vis . . . ruit: the lesson of the preceding narrative of the struggle between the Giants and the gods. 16. animo moventis: 'devising.' 17. Testis: sc. est. 20. Virginea: i.e. Diana's; she shot him.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Iniecta monstris Terra dolet suis Maeretque partus fulmine luridum Missos ad Orcum; nec peredit Impositam celer ignis Aetnam. 5

Incontinentis nec Tityi iecur Reliquit ales, nequitiae additus Custos; amatorem trecentae Pirithoum cohibent catenae. 111,9 JEALOUSY AND

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"Donee gratus eram tibi Nec quisquam potior bracchia candidae Cervici iuvenis dabat, Persarum vigui rege beatior." "Donee non alia magis Arsisti neque erat Lydia post Chloen, Multi Lydia nominis Romana vigui clarior Ilia." 1. monstris suis: 'her monstrous offspring.' 3. nec peredit: i.e. the punishment endures indefinitely. 4. Impositam: i.e. on one of the notorious monsters; tradition varies as to which. 5. Incontinentis . . . Tityi: who threatened to assault Latona. 6. ales: the vulture which in Tartarus continually pecked at his liver. 8. Pirithoum: who with Theseus attempted to carry off Proserpina and with his companion was fastened eternally to a rock in the lower world. JEALOUSY AND RECONCILIATION [Meter 14\. A skeleton drama in six stanzas. The dialogue starts with two lovers who have fallen out; we hear each of them profess to prefer another flame, and then return to the original allegiance, with the expectation that they will "live happy ever afterwards." Horace neatly delineates human nature. 10. potior . . . iuvenis: 'preferred lover.' — bracchia . . . dabat: 'threw his arms around.' 13. Donee . . . Arsisti: Lydia replies. — alia: Chloe; abl. of cause. 14. erat post: 'was second to.' 15. Multi Lydia nominis: 'a Lydia of great renown' (C. L. Smith). 16. Hia: honored as the mother of the Roman people.

219

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

"Me nunc Thressa Chloe regit, Dulcis docta modos et citharae sciens, Pro qua non metuam mori, Si parcent animae fata superstiti." "Me torret face mutua Thurini Calais filius Ornyti, Pro quo bis patiar mori, Si parcent puero fata superstiti."

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"Quid si prisca redit Venus Diductosque iugo cogit aeneo? Si flava excutitur Chloe Reiectaeque patet ianua Lydiae?"

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"Quamquam sidere pulchrior Illest, tu levior cortice et improbo Iracundior Hadria, Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam libens!" 1. Me . . . regit: 'my queen is.' 2. sciens: the adj. 4. superstiti: 'to survive me,' a predicate use. 5. face: 'passion'; the torch often emblematizes the flame of love in Roman art. 9. prisca: 'the former.' 10. Diductosque: sc. nos. — iugo . . . aeneo: suggesting permanency. 11. flava: cf. page 172, lines 3-4. 13. sidere . . . Illest: Lydia is a bit "catty" as she accepts the returning lover. 14. levior cortice: a figure for fickleness. 13-16. There are many fine versions of this last stanza, e.g. Though he be fairer than a star, Thou lighter than the bark of any tree, And than rough Adria angrier far; Yet would I wish to love, live, die with thee. —

B E N JONSON

Though mine be brighter than the star. Thou lighter than the cork by far, Rough as the Adriatic Sea, yet I Will live with thee, or else for thee will die. — ROBERT Though no star in the sky So fair as he,(while thou art light as cork, And passion-tost as Hadria's angry sea, — With thee I'd live, I'd die. — G . A . R . FITZGERALD

HERRICK

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY III, 13 T H E BANDUSIAN SPRING

Ο fons Bandusiae, splendidior vitro, Dulci digne mero non sine floribus, Cras donaberis haedo, Cui irons turgida cornibus 5

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Primis et venerem et proelia destinat; Frustra; nam gelidos inficiet tibi Rubro sanguine rivos, Lascivi suboles gregis. Te flagrantis atrox hora Caniculae Nescit tangere, tu frigus amabile Fessis vomere tauris Praebes et pecori vago. Fies nobilium tu quoque fontium, Me dicente cavis impositam ilicem Saxis unde loquaces Lymphae desiliunt tuae. THE BANDUSIAN SPRING [Meter 16]. Although tradition placed this famous spring near Venusia, it is improbable that this medieval idea was correct. On the contrary, since Horace is so often enthusiastic about nature near the Digentia, it seems much more likely that he is singing the praises of one of the cool springs on or near his Sabine farm. There are several such springs near the supposed site of his villa, and others farther up toward Monte Gennaro. At one of these latter springs is a large trough for goats to drink from. Perhaps he named one of these for a spring that he had known in boyhood. The festival of the Fontanalia, on October 13, would have been a suitable time for the composition of such a poem. 1. splendidior: 'more transparent.' 2. mero: poured into the spring as a libation. 3. haedo: besides the usual offerings of wine and flowers Horace promises a more costly sacrifice. 5. destinat: 'promises.' 9. Caniculae: Sirius, which was popularly held responsible for the heat of the dog days. 14. M e dicente: 'because of my song of.' 15. loquaces Lymphae desiliunt: alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

221

III, 30 T H E IMMORTALITY OF POETRY E x e g i m o n u m e n t u m aere perennius Regalique situ p y r a m i d u m altius, Quod non imber edax, non A q u i l o impotens Possit diruere a u t innumerabilis A n n o r u m series et f u g a temporum.

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N o n omnis moriar, multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitinam;

usque ego postera

C r e s c a m laude recens, d u m Capitolium S c a n d e t c u m tacita virgine pontifex. D i c a r , q u a violens obstrepit A u f i d u s E t q u a pauper aquae D a u n u s agrestium R e g n a v i t populorum, ex humili potens,

THE IMMORTALITY OF POETRY [ M e t e r 12]. The epilogue of the three books of odes which were published together. Horace speaks with an assurance which, if not exactly in the modern manner, was justified by the success he had already achieved and the reputation he was to enjoy among posterity. There is no better example than Horace of the truth that literature lasts better than material things: Ingenio stat sine morte decus (Propertius, III, ii, 26). 1. a e r e : ' t h a n one of bronze.' 2. s i t u : 'structure.' — a l t i u s : the pyramids were still the tallest achievement of human building in Horace's time. 3. impotens: cf. page 192, line 2. 6. multaque: we should expect magna. 7. Libitinam: by metonymy for the rites of death. Venus Libitina was the goddess at whose temple funeral arrangements were made. — postera: 'of later days.' 8. Capitolium: by a Roman the idea of the Eternal City is well embodied in the temple of the Capitoline divinities. 9. virgine pontifex: the Vestals and the Pontifex Maximus represent t h e most sacred and intimate rites of the Roman religion. What particular ceremony may have been in Horace's mind is not known. 10. Dicar: use the impersonal in English. — obstrepit: used absolutely. — Aufidus: the chief river near Horace's birthplace. 11. pauper a q u a e : Apulia as a whole is a dry country. 12. populorum: the obj. gen., used here with a verb, as often with adjectives. — humili: sc. origine. — p o t e n s : probably refers to Horace as an influential writer.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Princeps Aeolium carmen ad Italos Deduxisse modos. Sume superbiam Quaesitam mentis et mihi Delphica Lauro cinge volens, Melpomene, comam. IV, 2 PINDARIC STRAINS ANTICIPATING

CESAR'S

VICTORIOUS R E T U R N

Pindarum quisquis studet aemulari, lulle, ceratis ope Daedalea Nititur pennis vitreo daturus Nomina ponto. 1. Princeps . . . Deduxisse: "that I was the leader in transferring.' Of course Catullus actually preceded him, but Horace pays no attention to his predecessor in this art. — Aeolium: Alcaeus and Sappho, the greatest of the models of Horace, spoke the yEolic dialect. 2. superbiam: 'honorable pride.' 3. Quaesitam mentis: 'well-deserved.' — Delphica: i.e. Apollo's. 4. Lauro cinge: i.e. in token of victory over the grave difficulties of his undertaking. PiNDAfcic STRAINS ANTICIPATING CESAR'S VICTORIOUS RETURN

[Meier 11]. Several years after the publication of his three books of odes, Horace collected a number of poems written on various occasions and made up a fourth book. The praise of Augustus and his family play an important part in these odes and show Horace as a poet laureate. This ode is addressed to Julius Antonius, son of the triumvir and Fulvia. He had every opportunity to achieve greatness and happiness and was treated very handsomely by Augustus, but perhaps he inherited the qualities of his father. At any rate, he was detected in an intrigue with the Emperor's daughter Julia and put to death in 2 B.C. Julius perhaps suggested to Horace that he celebrate by an" ode in Pindaric style the achievements of Augustus, who was now (16-13 B.C.) absent from the city on an expedition against the Sygambri and other northern tribes. 5. Pindarum: the classic model for heroic odes of praise and victory. 6. ceratis: ' cemented with wax,' a perilous arrangement, as the sequel proved in the case of Icarus, when the wax melted and he fell into the sea. — Daedalea: Daedalus devised this first aviation scheme. 7. daturus: 'destined to give.' 8. ponto: in the case of Icarus, it was the Icarian Sea.

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

223

Monte decurrens velut amnis, imbres Quem super notas aluere ripas, Fervet immensusque ruit profundo Pindarus ore, Laurea donandus Apollinari, Seu per audacis nova dithyrambos Verba devolvit numerisque fertur Lege solutis, Seu deos regesve canit, deorum Sanguinem, per quos cecidere iusta Morte Centauri, cecidit tremendae Flamma Chimaerae, Sive quos Elea domum reducit Palma caelestis pugilemve equumve Dicit et centum potiore signis Munere donat, Flebili sponsae iuvenemve raptum Plorat et viris animumque moresque Aureos educit in astra nigroque Invidet Oreo. 3. profundo . . . ore: 'deep-sounding utterance.' 5. donandus: 'worthy of being given.' 6. dithyrambos: originally choral songs for the worship of Dionysus, which were highly emotional and betrayed their nature in their freedom in both language sind meter. 8. Lege solutis: perhaps some of them actually seemed so to Horace. 10. Sanguinem: 'the offspring.' 12. Flamma Chimaerae: i.e. flammea Chimaera. 13. Elea: adj. with Palma. Elea refers to the Olympian games as a type indicating the various odes of Pindar in honor of athletic victors. 14. Palma: cf. page 163, line 5. — caelestis: predicate acc. with quos; cf. page 163, line 6, and page 165, line 5. — pugilemve equumve: in'apposition with quos. 15. signis: 'statues' were a common memorial of such victories. 17. Flebili sponsae . . . Plorat: Pindar's threnodies were another type of his art. Note the hypermeter in the two successive lines. 19. Aureos: cf. page 172, line 9. — educit: 'exalts.' 20. Invidet: sc. eos.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY Multa Dircaeum levat aura cycnum, Tendit, Antoni, quotiens in altos Nubium tractus. Ego apis Matinae More modoque

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Grata carpentis thyifia per laborem Plurimum circa nemus uvidique Tiburis ripas operosa parvus Carmina fingo. Concines maiore poeta plectro Caesarem, quandoque trahet ferocis Per sacrum clivum merita decorus Fronde Sygambros; Quo nihil maius meliusve terris Fata donavere bonique divi Nec dabunt, quamvis redeant in aurum Tempora priscum. Concines laetosque dies et urbis Publicum ludum super impetrato Fortis Augusti reditu forumque Litibus orbum 1. Multa: 'strong.' — Dircaeum: i.e. Theban, as the spring Dirce is near Thebes. — cycnum: i.e. Pindar. 3. apis: Horace modestly contrasts himself with Pindar.—Matinae: Matinus, in Apulia, suggests Horace's native land. 5. carpentis: 'feeding on.' 6. uvidique: on account of the spray from the falls. 7. Tiburis: a favorite resort of Horace. — operosa: Petronius speaks of Horace's curiosa felicilas. 9. maiore poeta plectro: 'as a poet of a grander style.' 10. trahet: i.e. in a triumph. 11. sacrum clivum: the part of the Via Sacra between the summit of the Velia and the Forum, an important part of the route of a triumphal procession. — merita: 'well-earned.' 15. aurum: i.e. the Golden Age of legend. 18. ludum: used for ludos. — super: 'because of.' 19. forumque Litibus orbum: technically called a iustitium. Part of this program was carried out; but the triumph was avoided by Augustus, who entered the city quietly by night.

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Tum meae, si quid loquar audiendum, Vocis accedet bona pars, et "Ο Sol Pulcher, ο laudande!" canam recepto Caesare felix. Teque dum procedis, "Io Triumphe!" Non semel dicemus, "Io Triumphe!" Civitas omnis dabimusque divis Tura benignis. Te decern tauri totidemque vaccae, Me tener solvet vitulus, relicta Matre qui largis iuvenescit herbis In mea vota, Fronte curvatos imitatus ignis Tertium lunae referentis ortum, Qua notam duxit, niveus videri, Cetera fulvus.

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IV, 15 T H E GLORIOUS R E I G N OF

AUGUSTUS

Phoebus volentem proelia me loqui Victas et urbis increpuit lyra, Ne parva Tyrrhenum per aequor Vela darem. Tua, Caesar, aetas 2. Sol = dies. 5. Teque . . . dicemus: 'and thy name we shall call,' referring to (the personified) Triumphus. 7. Civitas omnis: the subject of dicemus and dabimus. 10. Me tener . . . vitulus: emphasizing again the relatively humble circumstances of the poet. — solvet: 'absolve,' i.e. pay the vows in behalf of the Emperor's return. — relicta Matre: 'weaned.' 14. Tertium . . . ortum: i.e. the third day of the new moon. 15. notam duxit: 'he shows the mark,' the white crescent just described. THE GLORIOUS REIGN OF AUGUSTUS [ M e t e r 10].

I n this closing ode

of the fourth book Horace praises Augustus for having brought back peace and the old-time virtues. 18. lyra: despite its position, best taken with loqui; lyric poetry was ill suited to epic subjects. 19. parva . . . Vela: emphasizing again his humble art of lyric verse.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Fruges et agris rettulit uberes Et signa nostro restituit Iovi Derepta Parthorum superbis Postibus et vacuum duellis 5

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Ianum Quirini clausit et ordinem Rectum evaganti frena licentiae Iniecit emovitque culpas Et veteres revocavit artis, Per quas Latinum nomen et Italae Crevere vires famaque et imperi Porrecta maiestas ad ortus Solis ab Hesperio cubili. Custode rerum Caesare non furor Civilis aut vis exiget otium, Non ira, quae procudit ensis Et miseras inimicat urbis. Non qui profundum Danuvium bibunt Edicta rumpent Iulia, non Getae, Non Seres infidive Persae, Non Tanain prope flumen orti. 1. Fruges et agris rettulit: this was the very result aimed at by Vergil in writing the Georgics.

2. signa . . . restituit: the recovery in 20 B.C. of the standards lost to the Parthians by Crassus at Carrhae is often referred to as one of the greatest diplomatic triumphs of Augustus. — nostro . . . Iovi: commentators generally assume that these standards were first deposited in the temple of the Capitoline Juppiter and later (2 B.c.) removed to the temple of Mars Ultor. 3. D e r e p t a : only diplomatically. 4. Postibus: i.e. of the Parthian temples. — duellis: archaic for bellis. 5. Ianum Quirini clausit: the doors of this famous temple of Janus were never closed except when Rome was absolutely at peace with the world; they had not been closed before for over two hundred years. 11. Porrecta: sc. est. 12. ab Hesperio cubili: 'from where he goes to rest in the west.' 13. Custode rerum Caesare: 'so long as Casar protects our welfare.' 16. inimicat: a word coined by Horace. 18. rumpent: optimistic prophecy; none of these nations were at this time entirely under Roman sway.

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Nosque et profestis lucibus et sacris Inter iocosi munera Liberi Cum prole matronisque nostris, Rite deos prius adprecati, Virtute functos more patrum duces Lydis remixto carmine tibiis Troiamque et Anchisen et almae Progeniem Veneris canemus.

5

EPODE 2

COUNTRY LIFE ACCORDING TO ALFIUS "Beatus ille qui procul negotiis, Ut prisca gens mortalium, Paterna rura bobus exercet suis, Solutus omni faenore, Neque excitatur classico miles truci, Neque horret iratum mare, Forumque vitat et superba civium Potentiorum limina. 1. lucibus = diebus. 2. Inter munera Liberi: i.e. while drinking wine. 3. Cum prole etc.: a peaceful home scene. 5. Virtute functos . . . duces: i.e. the heroes of the past. — more patrum: this ancient custom is mentioned in the Origines of Cato. COUNTRY LIFE ACCORDING TO ALFIUS [Meter 5].

Horace p u t s a n

idyllic picture of simple country life into the mouth of the money-lender Alfius, but we do not get the satiric jest till the close of the pretty poem. How much Horace himself enjoyed the country may be seen in Satires, II, vi (pp. 240 ff.). 9. negotiis: i.e. the business of the city. 10. prisca gens: i.e. in the Golden Age. 11. Paterna rura: his ancestral estate. 12. faenore: Alfius is thinking of the bother of making his collections. 13. miles: 'as a soldier.' 14. horret: cf. page 164, lines 2-4. 15. Forumque: the center of political life. — superba . . . limina: referring to the custom of making early-morning calls on patrons and men of distinction, where many humiliations were risked. 16. Potentiorum: i.e. than himself.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Ergo aut adulta vitium propagine Altas maritat populos, Aut in reducta valle mugientium Prospectat errantis greges, Inutilisve falce ramos amputans Feliciores inserit, Aut pressa puris mella condit amphoris, Aut tondet infirmas ovis; Vel, cum decorum mitibus pomis caput Autumnus agris extulit, Ut gaudet insitiva decerpens pira Certantem et uvam purpurae, Qua muneretur te, Priape, et te, pater Silvane, tutor finium! Libet iacere modo sub antiqua ilice, Modo in tenaci gramine. Labuntur altis interim ripis aquae, Queruntur in silvis aves, Fontesque lymphis obstrepunt manantibus, Somnos quod invitet levis. 1. adulta: said to have been ready after three years of nurture. 2. maritat: a common figure of speech for training the vine on elm or poplar. Catullus in a famous simile (p. 108, 1.11) calls a vine not so supported vidua, i.e. not marita. 3. mugientium: excellent onomatopoeia. 6. Feliciores: 'more productive'; cf. fecundus.—inserit: 'ingrafts.' 7. amphoris: poetic abl. of place without a preposition. 8. infirmas: 'unresisting.' 10. Autumnus: a personification. 11. Ut: 'how.' — decerpens: instead of the inf. 12. purpurae: for the dat. cf. page 164, line 3. 13. Qua muneretur: 'suitable for offerings.'—Priape: the tutelary garden divinity. 16. tenaci: 'clinging together,' i.e. 'matted.' 17. altis . . . ripis: 'beside their high banks.' A poetic abl. without exactness of meaning. 18. Queruntur: 'sing plaintive notes.' 19. lymphis obstrepunt manantibus: 'with their babbling streams produce'; sc. a cognate acc. id, antecedent of quod. 20. invitet: characteristic suhi.

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229

At cum tonantis annus hibernus Iovis Imbris nivisque comparat, Aut trudit acris hinc et hinc multa cane Apros in obstantis plagas, Aut amite levi rara tendit retia, Turdis edacibus dolos, Pavidumque leporem et advenam laqueo gruem Iucunda captat praemia. Quis non malarum, quas amor curas habet, Haec inter obliviscitur ? Quod si pudica mulier in partem iuvet Dornum atque dulcis liberos, Sabina qualis aut perusta solibus Pernicis uxor Apuli, Sacrum vetustis exstruat lignis focum Lassi sub adventum viri, Claudensque textis cratibus laetum pecus Distenta siccet ubera, Et horna dulci vina promens dolio Dapes inemptas adparet, Non me Lucrina iuverint conchylia Magisve rhombus aut scari, 1. annus: 'season.' — Iovis: cf. page 164, line 13. 3. trudit. . . plagas: the regular method of hunting in andent times. — multa cane: the keener scent of the female is noted, as in Lucretius. 5. amite levi: 'smooth pole,' used for stretching the net. — rara: 'large-meshed.' 7. advenam: 'migratory.' Note the resolutions in the scanning of this verse. 8. captat: conative. 9. curas: antecedent in rel. clause, instead of malarum curarum quas. 11. mulier: i.e. uxor.—in partem: 'for her share.' — iuvet: protasis for the apodosis in line 21 below. 13. perusta solibus: 'well-tanned.' 16. sub: 'against,' i.e. 'in anticipation of.' 19. horna: 'the season's,' i.e. new. 20. inemptas: i.e. simple. 21. Lucrina: the oysters from the Lucrine lake were highly prized. 22. rhombus aut scari: luxuries among fishes.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Si quos Eois intonata fluctibus Hiems ad hoc vertat mare; Non Afra avis descendat in ventrem meum, Non attagen Ionicus Iucundior, quam lecta de pinguissimis Oliva ramis arborum Aut herba lapathi prata amantis et gravi Malvae salubres corpori, Vel agna festis caesa Terminalibus Vel haedus ereptua lupo. Has inter epulas ut iuvat pastas ovis Videre properantis domum, Videre fessos vomerem inversum boves Collo trahentis languido, Positosque vernas, ditis examen domus, Circum renidentis Laris!" Haec ubi locutus faenerator Alfius, lam iam futurus rusticus, Omnem redegit Idibus pecuniam, Quaerit Kalendis ponere. 1. Eois . . . ad hoc vertat: the scar, more common in the eastern Mediterranean, was supposed to be driven into Sicilian waters by storms. 3. Afra avis: 'guinea hen.' 5. Iucundior: ' more palatable.' 7. gravi: 'ailing.' 9. agna . . . Terminalibus: fresh meat was a luxury in the country, but it was occasionally eaten on special occasions. The festival of the god of boundaries fell on February 23, when a lamb or sucking pig was sacrificed. 11. pastas: 'well-fed.' 13. vomerem inversum: in this position the plow was easily dragged home after the day's work. 14. languido: 'drooping.' 15. Positosque . . . Circum: 'sitting around,' i.e. near the master and the hearth fire. — vernas: a sign of prosperity. 17. locutus: sc. est. 18. Iam iam futurus: 'always on the point of becoming.' 19. redegit: 'called in.' — Idibus . . . Kalendis: the regular days for making settlements. 20. ponere: 'to lend out,' probably hoping for a higher rate of interest

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231

EPODE 16 HO FOR T H E GOLDEN

WEST!

Altera iam teritur bellis civilibus aetas, Suis et ipsa Roma viribus ruit. Quam neque finitimi valuerunt perdere Marsi Minacis aut Etrusca Porsenae manus Aemula nec virtus Capuae nec Spartacus acer Novisque rebus infidelis Allobrox, Nec fera caerulea domuit Germania pube Parentibusque abominatus Hannibal, Impia perdemus devoti sanguinis aetas, Ferisque rursus occupabitur solum. Barbarus heu cineres insistet victor et urbem Eques sonante verberabit ungula, Quaeque carent ventis et solibus ossa Quirini, Nefas videre! dissipabit insolens Ho FOR THE GOLDEN WEST! [Meter 6]. This was probably one of the first, if not the very first, of Horace's poems. It represents the despairing state of mind natural in a young man just returned from military disaster to find his little all vanished, many of his friends dead, and the political future of the state in great uncertainty. There is no indication that he knew Maecenas, much less that he had confidence in him and his imperial patron as saviors of the state. 1. Altera . . . aetas: 'the second generation'; the first was that of Marius and Sulla. 3. Marsi: cf. page 167, line 15. 4. Porsenae: frequently spelled Porsenna; he was a famous Etruscan king, who after the expulsion of the Tarquins defeated and took Rome. 5. Capuae: this city went over to Hannibal in jealousy of Rome. 6. Novisque rebus: 'revolution'; the reference here is to the wellknown incident in the time of the conspiracy of Catiline. 7. f e r a . . . Germania: the Cimbri and Teutons whom Marius defeated in 102 and 101 B.C. 9. perdemus: sc. earn (i.e. Romam), referring to the Quam of line 3.— aetas: in apposition with the subject of perdemus. 10. Ferisque: 'by wild beasts'; dat. of agent. 13. carent: 'are protected from.' Romulus was in legend translated to heaven, but was commonly reported to have been buried behind the Rostra in the Forum. The exact place has not been surely identified. 14. insolens: adverbial.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Forte quid expediat communiter aut melior pars Malis carere quaeritis laboribus. Nulla sit hac potior sententia: Phocaeorum Velut profugit exsecrata civitas Agros atque Laris patrios habitandaque fana Apris reliquit et rapacibus lupis, Ire pedes quocumque ferent, quocumque per undas Notus vocabit aut protervus Africus. Sic placet ? an melius quis habet suadere ? Secunda Ratem occupare quid moramur alite ? Sed iuremus in haec: "Simul imis saxa renarint Vadis levata, ne redire sit nefas, Neu conversa domum pigeat dare lintea quando Padus Matina laverit cacumina, In mare seu celsus procurrerit Appenninus, Novaque monstra iunxerit libidine Mirus amor, iuvet ut tigris subsidere cervis, Adulteretur et columba miluo, Credula nec ravos timeant armenta leones, Ametque salsa levis hircus aequora." Haec et quae poterunt reditus abscindere dulcis Eamus omnis exsecrata civitas,

1. communiter: 'all of you.' 2. carere: inf. of purpose. 3. hac potior: 'preferable to the following,' referring to Ire etc., line 7. — Phocaeorum: an Athenian colony in Asia Minor. 4. exsecrata: 'after binding themselves under a curse'; they dropped a lump of iron into the sea, swearing never to return till it floated. 5. habitandaque: purpose. 9. Sic placet: the customary question in a Roman assembly. — quis = aliquis. — Secunda . . . alite: 'while the omens are favorable.' 11. in haec: 'the following oath.' 14. Matina: the promontory was in Apulia. 16. monstra iunxerit: 'produce unnatural unions.' 17. subsidere: 'to mate with.' 18. A d u l t e r e t u r : ' t o unite with.' 19. Credula: used proleptically. 20. Ametque . . . levis: 'become smooth and love.' 21. quae: 'whatever else.'

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

233

Aut pars indocili melior grege; mollis et exspes Inominata perprimat cubilia. Vos quibus est virtus muliebrem tollite luctum, Etrusca praeter et volate litora. Nos manet Oceanus circumvagus; arva beata Petamus, arva divites et insulas, Reddit ubi Cererem tellus inarata quotannis Et imputata floret usque vinea, Germinat et numquam fallentis termes olivae, Suamque pulla ficus ornat arborem, Mella cava manant ex ilice, montibus altis Levis crepante lympha desilit pede. Illic iniussae veniunt ad mulctra capellae, Refertque tenta grex amicus ubera, Nec vespertinus circumgemit ursus ovile, Nec intumescit alta viperis humus; Nulla nocent pecori contagia, nullius astri Gregem aestuosa torret impotentia. Pluraque felices mirabimur, ut neque largis Aquosus Eurus arva radat imbribus, 1. grege: 'rabble.' 2. perprimat: 'hug.' 4. Etrusca: ancient navigators followed the coast when possible. 5. circumvagus: a Horatian word, expressing the belief of ancient geographers. — arva beata: the Fortunate Islands, or Isles of the Blessed, spoken of by Hesiod, were conceived of as the heaven of heroes; but as traders brought reports of the western Madeiras or Canaries, these were identified with the earlier vague localities. 7. Reddit ubi etc.: Horace pictures the Golden Age as still persisting in these fabulous places. — Cererem: metonymy. 10. Suamque: i.e. without grafting. — pulla: 'dark,' i.e. 'purple,' 'ripe.' 12. Levis . . . pede: 'the prattling water dances lightly down.' 14. tenta: 'well-filled.' 15. vespertinus: 'at even.' 16. alta: adverbial. — viperis: a more serious pest in ancient times than today. 17. astri: the poets often attributed excessive heat to the stars that were becoming visible at the time, e.g. Sirius. 19. felices: 'in our good fortune.' — ut: 'how.'

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Pinguia nec siccis urantur semina glaebis, Utrumque rege temperante caelitum. Non hue Argoo contendit remige pinus, Neque impudica Colchis intulit pedem; Non hue Sidonii torserunt cornua nautae, Laboriosa nec cohors Ulixei. Iuppiter ilia piae secrevit litora genti, Ut inquinavit aere tempus aureum; Aere, dehinc ferro duravit saecula, quorum Piis secunda vate me datur fuga. SATIRES, I, 9 HORACE MEETS A BORE

Ibam forte via Sacra, sicut meus est mos, Nescio quid meditans nugarum, totus in illis; Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum, Arreptaque manu, "Quid agis, dulcissime rerum?" 2. Utrumque: i.e. both extreme wetness and extreme drought. — rege . . . caelitum: Jove, who was supposed to be responsible for the weather. 3. remige: ' crew of oarsmen.' — pinus: by metonymy for navis. 4. Colchis: Medea, who murdered her own brother to elope with the stranger Jason. 5. Sidonii: noted navigators of antiquity. — cornua: 'sail yards,' i.e. their course. 6. cohors Ulixei: who wandered long and widely in the Odyssey. 8. inquinavit: 'debased.' — aere: the number and kind of "ages" vary with different poets. Hesiod recognizes five; Horace is apparently living in the third. 9. quorum: obj. gen. with fuga. HORACE MEETS A BORE [Meter 2]. The humorous incident which occurred as Horace was going "down town" one morning in Rome serves to give his readers a vivid picture of some of his everyday experiences in the city. It was plausibly suggested by Postgate that the bore was the poet Propertius. 11. Ibam forte: Ί happened to be going.' 12. nugarum: i.e. poetic composition. — totus: 'quite absorbed.' 13. tantum: 'merely.' 14. Quid agis: 'how do you do?' — dulcissime rerum: 'my dear fellow.'

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

"Suaviter, ut nunc est," inquam, "et cupio omnia quae vis." Cum adsectaretur, "Numquid vis?" occupo. At ille "Noris nos," inquit; "docti sumus." Hie ego "Pluris Hoc," inquam, "mihi eris." Misere discedere quaerens, 5 Ire modo ocius, interdum consistere, in aurem Dicere nescio quid puero, cum sudor ad imos Manaret talos. "O te, Bolane, cerebri Felicem!" aiebam tacitus; cum quidlibet ille Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret. Ut illi 10 Nil respondebam, "Misere cupis," inquit, "abire; Iamdudum video; sed nil agis; usque tenebo; Persequar; hinc quo nunc iter est tibi?" "Nil opus est te Circumagi; quendam volo visere non tibi notum; Trans Tiberim longe cubat is, prope Caesaris hortos." 15 "Nil habeo quod agam, et non sum piger; usque sequar te." Demitto auriculas, ut iniquae mentis asellus, Cum gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille: "Si bene me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum, 1. Suaviter, ut nunc est: 'pretty well, for these times.'— e t . . . vis: 'and I am ever yours truly.' 2. Numquid vis: suggesting a negative answer. — occupo: Ί anticipate him by saying.' 3. Noris nos: i.e. ut noris, answering numquid: 'yes, that you should make my acquaintance.' — Pluris: gen. of indef. value. 4. Hoc: abl. of cause. 5. Ire: hist, inf., like the two next ones. 6. puero: 'slave,' Horace's personal attendant. 7. cerebri: 'hot-headedness'; gen. with Felicem. Horace impatiently wishes he might get mad enough to knock the bore down. 8. Felicem: acc. of exclamation. — quidlibet: 'all sorts of subjects'; inner ("cognate") obj. of Garriret. 10. Misere cupis: 'You're terribly anxious.' 11. nil agis: 'nothing doing!' 14. Caesaris hortos: a large park on the other side of the Tiber, extending for a mile or so southerly from near the Porta Portuensis and inclosing the temple of Fors Fortuna. In his will Julius Caesar left it to the Roman people. 15. agam: purpose. 16. Demitto auriculas: Horace adopts the figure in u t . . . asellus. 18. Viscum: Vibius Viscus, a friend of Horace.

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237

Non Varium fades; nam quis me scribere pluris Aut citius possit versus? quis membra movere Mollius ? invideat quod et Hermogenes ego canto." Interpellandi locus hie erat: "Est tibi mater, Cognati, quis te salvo est opus ? "—" Haud mihi quisquam; Omnis composui."—"Felices! Nunc ego resto. Confice; namque instat fatum mihi triste, Sabella Quod puero cecinit divina mota anus urna:

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Hunc neque dira venena, nec hosticus auferet ensis, Nec laterum dolor aut tussis, nec tarda podagra; Garrulus hunc quando consumet cumque; loquaces, Si sapiat, vitet, simul atque adoleverit aetas.'"

Ventum erat ad Vestae, quarta iam parte diei Praeterita, et casu tunc re&pondere vadato Debebat, quod ni fecisset, perdere litem. "Si me amas," inquit, "paulum hie ades." "Inteream, si Aut valeo stare aut novi civilia iura; Et propero quo scis." "Dubius sum quid faciam," inquit, 1. Varium: L. Varius Rufus, a distinguished poet. — f a d e s : 'will consider.' — pluris . . . citius: by consulting Satires, I, 4, it can be easily seen that these were the very last qualities to appeal to Horace. 2. membra movere: dancing was discredited in Horace's time. 3. Hermogenes: elsewhere Horace sneers at him and his accomplishments as foppish. 5. quis = quibus, dat. 6. composui: i.e. buried them. 7. Confice: sc. me. — instat: 'there is hanging over.' 8. cecinit: 'prophesied.' — anus: 'fortune-teller.' — urna: the method was to draw from an urn a lot with cabalistic verses on it, like the quatrain that follows (11. 9-12). 10. laterum dolor: 'pleurisy.' 11. quando . . . cumque: tmesis. 13. Ventum erat: impersonal for veneramus. — Vestae: 'Vesta's'; sc. aedem, near the corner of the Forum and the basilicas where the courts convened. 14. respondere vadato: ' t o appear, after giving bail so to d o ' ; the dat. depends on Debebat. 15. quod . . . litem: still depending on Debebat. — litem: 'case.' 16. Inteream: a colloquial oath, like our expression ' I hope to die.' 18. propero: sc. ire.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

"Tene relinquam an rem." "Me, sodes." "Non faciam," ille, Et praecedere coepit. Ego, ut contendere durum est Cum Victore, sequor. "Maecenas quomodo tecum?" Hinc repetit; "paucorum hominum et mentis bene sanae; 5 Nemo dexterius fortuna est usus. Haberes Magnum adiutorem, posset qui ferre secundas, Hunc hominem velles si tradere; dispeream, ni Summosses omnis." "Non isto vivimus illic Quo tu rere modo; domus hac nec purior ulla est 10 Nec magis his aliena malis; nil mi officii," inquam, "Ditior hie aut est quia doctior; est locus uni Cuique suus." "Magnum narras, vix credibile!" "Atqui Sic habet." "Accendis quare cupiam magis illi Proximus esse." "Velis tantummodo; quae tua virtus, 15 Expugnabis; et est qui vinci possit, eoque Difficilis aditus primos habet." "Haud mihi deero; 1. rem: 'case.' 3. Maecenas quomodo: sc. agit, i.e. 'how do you and Maecenas hit it off nowadays ?' The bore is now getting at his real purpose, viz. to secure an introduction to Maecenas through Horace's kind offices. 4. paucorum hominum: ' a rare man,' gen. of quality. — mentis bene sanae: ' has a level head.' 5. Nemo . . . usus: Horace would regard this as innuendo against the motives of his patron. 6. ferre secundas: sc. partes, i.e. 'play into your hands.' 7. Hunc hominem: i.e. me. — tradere: 'introduce.' — dispeream: 'I'll be hanged.' 8. Summosses (= summovisses): 'distance' all your rivals. — isto: 'in any such temper as that,' with the usual contemptuous force of iste. — illic: i.e. in the palace of Maecenas, where Horace was probably quite at home. 10. his: 'such.' 11. hie: 'so and so'; all this is intended as a compliment to Maecenas, as well as a justification of himself. 12. Magnum: ' a great tale.' 13. habet: sc. se, i.e. est. — Accendis quare cupiam: 'you make me all the more eager to.' 14. Velis etc.: polite sarcasm. — quae tua virtus: 'with qualities such as you possess.' 15. Expugnabis: sc. eum. 16. Difficilis . . . habet: 'he keeps himself less accessible.'

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Muneribus servos corrumpam; non, hodie si Exclusus fuero, desistam; tempora quaeram, Occurram in triviis, deducam. Nil sine magno Vita labore dedit mortalibus." Haec dum agit ecce Fuscus Aristius occurrit, mihi carus et ilium Qui pulchre nosset. Consistimus. "Unde venis?" et "Quo tendis?" rogat et respondet. Vellere coepi Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans, Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Male salsus Ridens dissimulare; meum iecur urere bilis. "Certe nescio quid secreto velle loqui te Aiebas mecum." "Memini bene, sed meliore Tempore dicam; hodie tricesima sabbata; vin' tu Curtis Iudaeis oppedere?" "Nulla mihi," inquam, "Religio est." "At mi; sum paulo infirmior, unus Multorum. Ignosces; alias loquar." Huncine solem Tam nigrum surrexe mihi! Fugit improbus ac me 1. Muneribus: i.e. bribes. 3. triviis: 'street corners.' — deducam: 'I'll attend him down town'; a common method of attaching oneself to greatness at Rome. — Nil sine magno . . . labore: a grave truism mockingly inserted by Horace in the mouth of this tiresome self-seeker. 4. Haec dum agit: 'while he was running on in this manner.' 5. Fuscus Aristius: an intimate friend of Horace; cf. Odes, I, xxii (p. 186). The reversal of the order of nomen and cognomen was already becoming a fad at Rome. 6. Qui . . . nosset: characteristic subj. —pulchre: 'perfectly.' 7. rogat et respondet: we should expect rogamus et respondemus. — Vellere: 'nudge.' 8. lentissima: 'very unresponsive.' 9. Distorquens oculos: 'winking.'—Male salsus: 'the rascal of a joker.' 10. dissimulare: hist, inf., like urere. 11. Certe nescio quid etc.: a pretended engagement. 13. tricesima sabbata: Fuscus uses the Jewish holy days for an excuse, but with no exact reference to a real occasion. 14. oppedere: 'to scandalize.' 16. Ignosces: mild command. — Huncine etc.: an exclamatory question. — solem = diem. 17. surrexe = surrexisse: a colloquial shortening.

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Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi Adversarius, et, "Quo tu, turpissime?" magna Inclamat voce, et "Licet antestari?" Ego vero Oppono auriculam. Rapit in ius; clamor utrimque, Undique concursus. Sic me servavit Apollo. SATIRES, II, 6 L I F E IN R O M E VERSUS L I F E IN T H E COUNTRY

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Hoc erat in votis: modus agri non ita magnus, Hortus ubi et tecto vicinus iugis aquae fons Et paulum silvae super his foret. Auctius atque Di melius fecere. Bene est. Nil amplius oro, Maia nate, nisi ut propria haec mihi munera faxis. Si neque maiorem feci ratione mala rem Nec sum facturus vitio culpave minorem; 1. Sub cultro: a proverbial phrase, cf. old N.E. colloquialism "on the hatchel"; it is derived from the situation of the victim just before sacrifice. 2. Adversarius: i.e. in the law case. — t u : addressed to the bore. 3. Licet antestari: addressed to Horace, 'May I call you as a witness ?' 4. Oppono auriculam: referring to a Roman custom of touching the ear in token of the consent of the desired witness; the diminutive is humorous. — Rapit: sc. ilium, referring to the bore. — clamor . . . concursus: this was probably the busiest spot in Rome at this time of day. 5. Apollo: the poet's patron divinity. LIFE IN ROME VERSUS LIFE IN THE COUNTRY [Meter Ϊ]. Born and brought up in the country, Horace chafed at the irksome routine and the never-ending demands of city life. After his patron Maecenas gave him a country estate in the valley of the Digentia among the Sabine hills, he repeatedly voiced his grateful appreciation in longer or shorter poems. In this satire he compares the distractions to which he was subject in town with the leisure and delightful companionship of his country retreat, concluding with the illustrative fable of the city mouse and the country mouse. 6. modus: ' a modest piece.' 8. foret: characteristic subj.—Auctius: 'even more generously'; this adverb is extremely rare. 9. Bene e s t : ' I'm satisfied.' 10. Maia nate: Mercury, god of gain. — propria . . . mihi: 'permanently mine.' — faxis: the archaic and colloquial equivalent of feceris. 11. S i . . . feci: the form of the condition implies, as often, the truth of the supposition. — ratione mala: 'dishonesty.' — rem: 'possessions.'

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Γ

Ruins of Horace's Sabine

Villa

Si veneror stultus nihil horum: "O si angulus ille Proximus accedat qui nunc denormat agellum! Ο si urnam argenti fors quae mihi monstret, ut illi Thesauro invento qui mercenarius agrum Ilium ipsum mercatus aravit, dives amico Hercule!"; si quod adest gratum iuvat, hac prece te oro: Pingue pecus domino facias et cetera praeter Ingenium, utque soles custos mihi maximus adsis. Ergo ubi me in montes et in arcem ex urbe removi, 3. si . . . fors quae: 'if some piece of good luck.' — illi: belongs to mercenarius, antecedent of qui but attracted into the relative clause. Horace compresses the thought; he means that the hired man discovered treasure hid in the field as he plowed (cf. Matthew xiii, 44), bought the land, and lived to plow it as its well-to-do owner. 6. Hercule: like Mercury as a giver of riches. — gratum: sc. me. — oro: the conclusion of the preceding conditions. 7. domino: i.e. Horace. 8. Ingenium: if that were pingue, it would imply stupidity. 9. Ergo: 'being thus minded.' — arcem: 'refuse.'

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Quid prius illustrem satiris musaque pedestri ? Nec mala me ambitio perdit nec plumbeus Auster Autumnusque gravis, Libitinae quaestus acerbae. A typical day in Rome

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Matutine pater, seu, lane, libentius audis, Unde homines operum primos vitaeque labores Instituunt, sic dis placitum, tu carminis esto Principium. Romae sponsorem me rapis: "Eia, Ne prior officio quisquam respondeat, urge." Sive Aquilo radit terras seu bruma nivalem Interiore diem gyro trahit, ire necesse est. Postmodo quod mi obsit clare certumque locuto, Luctandum in turba et facienda iniuria tardis. "Quid vis, insane, et quas res agis?" improbus urget Iratis precibus; "tu pulses omne quod obstat, Ad Maecenatem memori si mente recurras?" Hoc iuvat et melli est; non mentiar. At simul atras 1. prius: i.e. rather than the country. — satiris: Horace more commonly uses the title sermones for these writings; he is here thinking of the miscellaneous character of their subject matter, coupling the word with musa pedestri, referring to their simple conversational style. 3. Autumnus: traditionally the most unhealthy season in Rome. 4. libentius: i.e. when so addressed (lane). 5. Unde = a quo. 7. sponsorem: 'to go surety* for seme friend. — rapis: Janus, representing the beginning of day, is held responsible. — Eia etc.: Horace puts his own thought into the mouth of Janus. 8. prior . . . quisquam: Horace would seem derelict to duty. 9. bruma: the winter solstice (sol + sisto). 11. Postmodo: best taken with obsit. 12. Luctandum: sc. mihi est. — iniuria: i.e. the elbowing and pushing necessary to make progress. 14. precibus: 'imprecations.' 15. memori: i.e. forgetting everything else in his eagerness to see Maecenas. 16. melli: sc. mihi. — atras: because of its earlier use as a common burying ground. There are indications that heaps of corpses had sometimes, perhaps in times of pestilence, been hastily dumped into trenches near the Servian wall.

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Ventum est Esquilias aliena negotia centum Per caput et circa saliunt latus. " A n t e secundam Roscius orabat sibi adesses ad Puteal eras." " D e re communi scribae magna atque nova te Orabant hodie meminisses, Quinte, reverti." "Imprimat his, cura, Maecenas signa tabellis." Dixeris, " E x p e r i a r " : " S i vis, potes," addit et instat.

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What it means to be a friend of Mxcenas Septimus octavo propior iam fugerit annus E x quo Maecenas me coepit habere suorum In numero; dumtaxat ad hoc, quem tollere raeda 10 Vellet iter faciens et cui concredere nugas Hoc genus: " H o r a quota est? Thraex est Gallina Syro par? 1. Esquilias: where Maecenas lived. 2. Per caput et circa etc.: all sorts of people are lying in wait to get messages to Horace or pleas through to Maecenas. This satire was probably written when Octavian was away from Rome after the battle of Actium and Maecenas was in charge of affairs. — Ante secundam: sc. horam; business has always begun early in Rome. 3. orabat: the epistolary imperf. — Puteal: the Puteal Libonis {Scribonianum), an inclosed sacred spot near the east end of the Forum, near which was the tribunal of the praetor. It was a resort of money-lenders, and at this busy spot Horace's presence may have been asked for either legal or financial purposes. 4. scribae: Horace had belonged to this order for some years, though probably he had now ceased to have active regular duties as a scriba. 6. Imprimat. . . cura: parataxis for the ordinary syntactical cura ut imprimat. — signa: Maecenas had Caesar's official seal in his absenoe at this time and by using it could give authority to documents. 7. Dixeris: really a protasis, of which addit et instat is the apodosis. 8. Septimus . . . annus: indicating that Horace made the acquaintance of Maecenas about 38 B.C. 10. ad hoc: 'to this extent,' referring to the following relative clauses of characteristic; the expression is abbreviated, an antecedent clause like me habere ilium being understood before quem. 12. Hoc genus (sc. nugarum): a paratactic explanation. — Thraex: the term for a type of gladiator who was equipped with a short sword and a round shield. — Gallina: a nickname for some popular fighter.— Syro: the gladiator, probably a mirmillo, who was to be matched against Gallina. Maecenas was getting advance "points" on the approaching combat.

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Matutina parum cautos iam frigora mordent"; Et quae rimosa bene deponuntur in aure. Per totum hoc tempus subiectior in diem et horam Invidiae noster. Ludos spectaverat una, Luserat in campo: " Fortunae Alius!" omnes. Frigidus a Rostris· manat per compita rumor: Quicumque obvius est me consulit: "O bone, nam te Scire deos quoniam propius contingis oportet; Numquid de Dacis audisti?" "Nil equidem." " U t t u Semper eris derisor!" "At omnes di exagitent me Si quicquam." "Quid, militibus promissa Triquetra Praedia Caesar an est Itala tellure daturus ? " Iurantem me scire nihil mirantur ut unum Scilicet egregii mortalem altique silenti. The longing to escape to the country

15

Perditur haec inter misero lux non sine votis: Ο rus, quando ego te adspiciam? quandoque licebit Nunc veterum libris, nunc somno et inertibus horis, Ducere sollicitae iucunda oblivia vitae ? 1. M a t u t i n a . . . m o r d e n t : an everyday commonplace. 2. quae rimosa . . . a u r e : i.e. no state secrets nor other matters of importance; cf. Odes, I, xxvii, 28, depone tutis auribus. 4. n o s t e r : 'our friend,' i.e. Horace himself. —; Ludos etc.: specimens of the rumors that flew from mouth to mouth concerning Horace. — u n a : i.e. with Maecenas; understood also with Luserat. 5. o m n e s : sc. inquiunt. 6. Frigidus: i.e. 'depressing.' 8. d e o s : the men controlling the destinies of Rome. 9. D a c i s : the Dacians had sided with Antony, and whether they would advance toward Rome was a question causing apprehension. — Ut . . . derisor: 'what a joker!' 11. quicquam: sc. audivi. 12. P r a e d i a : the lands that Caesar was to give his veterans after his return. 13. u n u m : 'unique.' 15. misero: sc. mihi. 18. D u c e r e : ' t o enjoy'; some editors consider it figurative, ' t o drink deeply of.'

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Ο quando faba Pythagorae cognata simulque Uncta satis pingui ponentur holuscula lardo? Ο noctes cenaeque deum! quibus ipse meique Ante Larem proprium vescor vernasque procaces Pasco libatis dapibus. Prout cuique libido est Siccat inaequales calices conviva, solutus Legibus insanis, seu quis capit acria fortis Pocula seu modicis uvescit laetius. Ergo Sermo oritur, non de villis domibusve alienis, Nec male necne Lepos saltet; sed quod magis ad nos Pertinet et nescire malum est agitamus: utrumne Divitiis homines an sint virtute beati; Quidve ad amicitias, usus rectumne, trahat nos; E t quae sit natura boni summumque quid eius. 1. faba Pythagorae cognata: a jesting reference to the Pythagorean doctrine of transmigration of souls, according to which souls might inhabit vegetables; and therefore beans, e.g., were forbidden as food to the disciples of this school. 2. Uncta satis: ' well seasoned.' 4. Ante Larem: in the traditional arrangement of a simple Roman house the hearth was at the back of the main room {atrium), and above it stood the images of the Lares, the household gods. In front of the everburning hearth fire stood the table for food, and about the table, perhaps originally on the floor, were the most intimate slaves, especially the vernae ('slaves born in the house')» to receive such food as was given them. — proprium: 'my own.' 5. libatis: 'after eating of the viands sparingly.'—libido: 'taste.' 6. inaequales: i.e. wine and water mixed in varying proportions, instead of according to strict canons of social etiquette (Legibus). 7. seu quis:'according as one.'—capit... fortis: 'can carry.'—acria: 'strong.' 8. uvescit: cf. Eng. phrase'wets his whistle.' — Ergo: 'thereupon'; the particle is merely resumptive here. 9. non . . . alienis: i.e. gossip. 10. Lepos: said to have been a popular mime of the day. 11. nescire malum est: as contrasted with male . . . saltet (unimportant). 12. virtute beati: so taught the Stoics. 13. usus rectumne: Usus, 'advantage' (Epicurean basis); rectumne, 'or virtue' (Stoic basis). The fuller expression would be ususne an rectum. 14. n a t u r a . . . summumque: these were the topics of endless philosophical discussion, setting forth the views of the leading schools.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY The fable of the country mouse and the city mouse

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Cervius haec inter vicinus garrit aniles Ex re fabellas. Si quis nam laudat Arelli Sollicitas ignarus opes, sic incipit: "Olim Rusticus urbanum murem mus paupere fertur Accepisse cavo, veterem vetus hospes amicum, Asper et attentus quaesitis, ut tamen artum Solveret hospitiis animum. Quid multa? neque ille Sepositi ciceris nec longae invidit avenae, Aridum et ore ferens acinum semesaque lardi Frusta dedit, cupiens varia fastidia cena Vincere tangentis male singula dente superbo; Cum pater ipse domus palea porrectus in horna Esset ador loliumque, dapis meliora relinquens. Tandem urbanus ad hunc: 'Quid te iuvat,' inquit, 'amice, Praerupti nemoris patientem vivere dorso? Vis tu homines urbemque feris praeponere silvis ? Carpe viam, mihi crede, comes; terrestria quando Mortales animas vivunt sortita, neque ulla est Aut magno aut parvo leti fuga; quo, bone, circa, Dum licet in rebus iucundis vive beatus; 2. Ex r e : ' t o the point'; lit., 'arising from (and so illustrating) the subject.' — Arelli: one neighbor disapproved of the opulence of another! 3. Olim: 'once upon a time,' the usual formula for opening such fables. 4. Rusticus urbanum murem mus: the chiastic pairing of words in this verse and the next are indicative of the art of Horace. 5. veterem . . . amicum: 'friends of old, host and guest.' 6. quaesitis: 'his little store of food'; dat. with attentus. — ut tamen: sc. adeo,' only to the point where he could nevertheless.' 7. Quid multa: sc. verba dicam, 'in brief.' — ille: ' a mouse like that.' 8. ciceris . . . avenae: the genitives imitate a Greek construction. 11. singula: 'each course.' 12. Cum: 'while'; concessive. 13. Esset: from edo. 15. dorso: cf. Eng. "hogback" for a ridge. 16. Vis tu: 'why n o t ? ' 17. Carpe viam: 'come on.' — terrestria: 'earthly beings.' 18. Mortales . . . sortita: Epicurean doctrine; cf. selection on page 118. 19. quo, bone, circa: tmesis.

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Vive memor quam sis aevi brevis.' Haecubi dicta Agrestem pepulere, domo levis exsilit; inde Ambo propositum peragunt iter, urbis aventes Moenia nocturni subrepere. Iamque tenebat Nox medium caeli spatium, cum ponit uterque In locuplete domo vestigia, rubro ubi cocco Tincta super lectos canderet vestis eburnos, Multaque de magna superessent fercula cena, Quae procul exstructis inerant hesterna canistris. Ergo ubi purpurea porrectum in veste locavit Agrestem, veluti succinctus cursitat hospes Continuatque dapes nec non verniliter ipsis Fungitur officiis, praelambens omne quod affert. Ille Cubans gaudet mutata sorte bonisque Rebus agit laetum convivam, cum subito ingens Valvarum strepitus lectis excussit utrumque. Currere per totum pavidi conclave, magisque Exanimes trepidare simul domus alta Molossis Personuit canibus. Tum rusticus: 'Haud mihi vita Est opus hac,'ait,'et valeas; me silva cavusque Tutus ab insidiis tenui solabitur ervo.'" 1. quam . . . aevi brevis: 'how short-lived.' 2. levis: 'light-heartedly.' 4. nocturni: nom. plur., 'by night.' — Iamque tenebat Nox: mockepic style, as seen in various other phrases in this story. 7. canderet: 'shone brightly.' 9. procul: 'on one side'; the distance is relative. — hesterna: 'remnants of yesterday's banquet.' 11. veluti succinctus: 'playing waiter'; lit.,'as if he were the servant with tunic tucked up,' in contrast to hospes. 12. Continuatque: 'and brings on in courses.' — ipsis . . . officiis: i.e. those of the verna (from which verniliter is derived), the menial services that a host would not be expected to perform. 13. praelambens: probably to make sure the food was palatable. 14. Die: i.e. the country mouse. 15. agit: 'acts the part of.' 16. Valvarum strepitus: the slaves were coming to clear up the room. 18. Molossis . . . canibus: these huge hunting dogs from northeastern Epirus would frighten a tiny mouse almost to death. 20. valeas: a polite variation from the usual but more abrupt vale.

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TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS

T

HE GREATEST prose writer of the Augustan Age was Titus Livius Patavinus. He was born of a good family in 59 B.C., at Patavium (as his cognomen indicates), the most important city in northeastern Italy, and died there in 17 A.D. It was doubtless his interest in rhetorical studies that took him in young manhood to Rome, where he spent most of his life; and the rhetorical element is pronounced in his history. His ability was early recognized by the Emperor, who received him into his palace as a member of the notable literary group under his patronage. This imperial friendship did not prevent Livy from holding to his admiration for the Roman Republic, a characteristic so consistently maintained in his work that Augustus is said to have joked him on being such a "Pompeyite." Livy's life work was the composition of the great history of Rome from the time of ^Eneas to his own. He completed one hundred and forty-two books, bringing the story down to the death of Drusus in 9 B.C. ; and it is conjectured that he had planned to complete one hundred and fifty books, continuing the narrative to the death of Augustus. Only about thirty-five of these books are extant, the contents of the others being known only through brief surviving synopses. Livy idealized the genius of the Roman people and the Roman state. In a sense he accomplished in prose what Vergil had done in the ^Eneid, so that his history has been called the prose epic of Rome. Judged by modern historical standards he has grave faults. He often fails to seek and to use important documentary sources. He accepts too credulously the current accounts of fabulous events in the early days of Rome. He is inclined to quote conflicting authorities and leave the reader to choose between them rather than to sift the evidence himself. He follows too closely the annalistic method of earlier historians. He sometimes betrays prejudice for the Romans against their enemies, and for patricians against plebeians. But the charm of his style and the absorbing interest of his account of persons, parties, and events have given his work a unique position in literature. He tends toward the use of poetic language. He has developed to a high degree the periodic style of Cicero's prose. His brilliant descriptions of exciting occasions, reproducing times of great emotion on the part of individuals or peoples, are works of art. His analysis of motives 248

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and his moralizing on tendencies at Rome are fascinating. The speeches that he puts into the mouths of his leading characters are masterpieces of rhetoric. It is his picture of the evolution of the greatness of Rome that has prevailed to our own time. It was from his great work that later writers in prose and poetry drew their materials. He had his epitomizers in later generations, but there was no second great history of the Roman Republic written at Rome. There is no more interesting part of Livy's work than his history of the dramatic Second Punic War, portions of which have been chosen to represent their author in this book. The most important of many authorities then available for this period, the careful history of the Greco-Roman Polybius, was extensively used by Livy and may be compared by the student to advantage. The German edition of Livy by Müller-Weissenborn is valuable. There are numerous good annotated English and American editions of Books X X I and X X I I . [Mackail, p. 145; Duff, I, p. 637]

T. LIVI

AB

URBE

CONDITA

SELECTIONS FROM BOOKS X X I AND X X I I , DESCRIBING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR WITH HANNIBAL (SECOND PUNIC WAR)

[Summary of Chapters 1-3: Hannibal's early years]

Introductory. Causes of the war.

The character of Hannibal

[4] Missus Hannibal in Hispaniam primo statim adventu omnem exercitum in se convertit; Hamilcarem iuvenem redditum sibi veteres milites credere; eundem vigorem in vultu vimque in oculis, habitum oris lineamentaque intueri. Dein brevi effecit ut pater in se minimum momentum ad favorem 5 T. Livi AB URBE CONDITA. 1. Missus Hannibal in Hispaniam: in 221 B.c., on the death of Hasdrubal, son-in-law of Hamilcar, who had been for eight years in command of the Carthaginian army in Spain. 2. convertit: 'won.' — Hamilcarem: Hamilcar Barca, who had so harassed the Romans in the First Punic War; father of Hannibal; killed in battle against the Vettones in 229 B.C. — iuvenem: "in youth,' with all the charm and vigor they had known in him then. 3. credere: like intueri, a historical infinitive. — vigorem in vultu vimque: alliteration is but one of Livy's rhetorical arts. 5. brevi: sc. tempore. — pater in se: 'his likeness to his father.'

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conciliandum esset. Numquam ingenium idem ad res diversissimas, parendum atque imperandum, habilius fuit. Itaque haud facile discerneres utrum imperatori an exercitui carior esset; neque Hasdrubal alium quemquam praeficere malle, 5 ubi quid fortiter ac strenue agendum esset, neque milites alio duce plus confidere aut audere. Plurimum audaciae ad pericula capessenda, plurimum consilii inter ipsa pericula erat. Nullo labore aut corpus fatigari aut animus vinci poterat. Caloris ac frigoris patientia par; cibi potionisque desiderio 10 naturali, non voluptate modus finitus; vigiliarum somnique nec die nec nocte discriminata tempora; id quod gerendis rebus superesset quieti datum; ea neque molli strato neque silentio accersita; multi saepe militari sagulo opertum humi iacentem inter custodias stationesque militum conspexerunt. 15 Vestitus nihil inter aequales excellens; arma atque equi conspiciebantur. Equitum peditumqilfe idem longe primus erat; princeps in proelium ibat, ultimus conserto proelio excedebat. Has tantas viri virtutes ingentia vitia aequabant, inhumana crudelitas, perfidia plus quam Punica, nihil veri, nihil sancti, 20 nullus deum metus, nullum ius iurandum, nulla religio. Cum 1. diversissimäs: 'entirely opposite.' 3. discerneres: the 2d pers. sing, of the imperf. subj. used as an indef. potential is one of the constructions that increased after the Republican period. 4. malle . . . audere: more historical infinitives. 5. ubi quid . . . esset: the iterative subj., or subj. of indef. frequency, became common in Livy's time. 7. erat: sc. ei. 9. par . . . finitus: note the frequent omission of the copula. 10. vigiliarum: 'of staying awake.' 11. quod . . . superesset: the subj. belongs to the same class as agendum esset above. — gerendis rebus: gerundive construction, with superesset. 13. sagulo: i.e. the same plain dress as that of the common soldier. 15. conspiciebantur: ' were conspicuous.' 16. idem: 'alike.' 18. aequabant: 'matched.' 19. plus quam Punica: this sounds like prejudice, as well as the list of vices in which it stands. 20. nullum ius iurandum: 'no regard for an oath.'

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hac indole virtutum atque vitiorum triennio sub Hasdrubale imperatore meruit, nulla re quae agenda videndaque magno futuro duci esset praetermissa. [Summary of Chapters 5-20: Hannibal besieges Saguntum, a Spanish city and an ally of Rome. The Romans protest and in due time declare war against Carthage. But Saguntum meanwhile was stormed by Hannibal] After announcing a furlough for the army, Hannibal prepares to invade Italy

[21] Hannibal, Sagunto capto, Carthaginem Novam in hiberna concesserat, ibique auditis quae Romae quaeque Car- 5 thagine acta decretaque forent, seque non ducem solum sed etiam causam esse belli, partitis divenditisque reliquiis praedae, nihil ultra differendum ratus Hispani generis milites convocat. " Credo ego vos," inquit, " socii, et ipsos cernere, pacatis omnibus Hispaniae populis, aut finiendam nobis mili-10 tiam exercitusque dimittendos esse aut in alias terras transferendum bellum; ita enim hae gentes non pacis solum sed etiam victoriae bonis florebunt, si ex aliis gentibus praedam et gloriam quaeremus. Itaque cum longinqua a domo instet militia incertumque sit quando domos vestras et quae cuique 15 ibi cara sunt visuri sitis, si quis vestrum suos invisere volt, commeatum do. Primo vere edico adsitis, ut dis bene iuvantibus bellum ingentis gloriae praedaeque futurum incipiamus." Omnibus fere visendi domos oblata ultro potestas grata erat et iam desiderantibus suos et longius in futurum providenti- 20 bus desiderium. Per totum tempus hiemis quies inter labores 1. triennio: abl. of duration of time, developed out of the abl. of time within which. 6. acta . . . forent: 'what had been discussed'; forent = essent, as commonly in Livy. 7. causam esse belli: because the Carthaginians declined to surrender him to the Romans as being guilty in capturing Saguntum. 10. pacatis: i.e. reduced to submission to Carthage. 12. ita . . . si: 'only in case that.' 14. longinqua . . . instet: i.e. the coming campaign in Italy. 21. Per . . . quies: 'an all-winter rest.'

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aut iam exhaustos aut mox exhauriendos renovavit corpora animosque ad omnia de integro patienda. Vere primo ad edictum convenere. Hannibal, cum recensuisset omnium gentium auxilia, Gades 5 profectus Herculi vota exsolvit novisque se obligat votis, si cetera prospera evenissent. Inde partiens curas simul in inferendum atque arcendum bellum, ne, dum ipse terrestri per Hispaniam Galliasque itinere Italiam peteret, nuda apertaque Romanis Africa ab Sicilia esset, valido praesidio firmare 10 earn statuit. Pro eo supplementum ipse ex Africa maxime iaculatorum, levium armis, petiit, ut Afri in Hispania, Hispani in Africa, melior procul ab domo futurus uterque miles, velut mutuis pigneribus obligati stipendia facerent. Tredecim milia octingentos quinquaginta pedites caetratos misit 15 in Africam et funditores Baleares octingentos septuaginta, equites mixtos ex multis gentibus mille ducentos. Has copias partim Carthagini praesidio esse, partim distribui per Africam iubet. Simul conquisitoribus in civitates missis, quattuor milia conscripta delectae iuventutis, praesidium eosdem et 20 obsides, duci Carthaginem iubet. Hannibal's

brother Hasdrubal is given charge of Spain

[22] Neque Hispaniam neglegendam ratus, atque id eo minus quod haud ignarus erat circumitam ab Romanis earn legatis ad sollicitandos principum animos, Hasdrubali fratri, viro impigro, earn provinciam destinat firmatque Africis 2. Vere primo: 218 B.C. — ad: 'according to.' 5. si . . . evenissent: depending on exsolvendis to be supplied with votis. 7. inferendum atque arcendum: 'offensive and defensive.' 8. Galliasque: i.e. different provinces of Gaul. 9. Africa ab Sicilia: Hannibal might well imagine that this would be a plan of offensive campaign by the Romans, but as a matter of fact it was not carried out till after some years. 10. Pro eo: 'to take its place,' i.e. that of the praesidium just mentioned. 12. futurus: 'likely to be.' — miles: used collectively. 13. stipendia facerent: 'might serve.' 19. eosdem et: 'and at the same time.'

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253

maxime praesidiis, peditum Afrorum undecim milibus octingentis quinquaginta, Liguribus trecentis, Balearibus quingentis. Ad haec peditum auxilia additi equites Libyphoenices, mixtum Punicum Afris genus, quadringenti quinquaginta et Numidae Maurique accolae Oceani ad mille octingenti et par- 5 va Ilergetum manus ex Hispania, trecenti equites, et, ne quod terrestris deesset auxilii genus, elephanti viginti unus. Classis praeterea data tuendae maritimae orae, quia qua parte belli vicerant ea tum quoque rem gesturos Romanos credi poterat, quinquaginta quinqueremes, quadriremes duae, triremes quin-10 que; sed aptae instructaeque remigio triginta et duae quinqueremes erant et triremes quinque. Hannibal sees a vision

Ab Gadibus Carthaginem ad hiberna exercitus redit; atque inde profectus praeter Onusam urbem ad Hiberum per maritimam oram ducit. Ibi fama est in quiete visum ab eo iuve-15 nem divina specie, qui se ab love diceret ducem in Italiam Hannibali missum: proinde sequeretur neque usquam a se deflecteret oculos. Pavidum primo nusquam circumspicientem aut respicientem secutum; deinde cura ingenii humani, cum quidnam id esset quod respicere vetitus esset agitaret 20 animo, temperare oculis nequivisse; tum vidisse post, sese serpentem mira magnitudine cum ingenti arborum ac virgultorum strage ferri ac post insequi cum fragore caeli nimbum. 2. Liguribus: allies of the Carthaginians in early times. They long remained enemies of Rome. 5. ad: used adverbially, 'about.' 8. tuendae . . . orae: gen. of purpose with Classis. — qua parte . . . vicerant: in the First Punic War the Romans had learned the art of naval victory at the battles of Mylae, Ecnomus, and the Agates Islands. 13. Carthaginem: sc. Novam. — exercitus: gen. — redit: sc. Hannibal. 14. Onusam: perhaps an old Spanish name for Valencia. — ducit: sc. exercitum. 15. quiete: 'sleep,' i.e. a dream. 17. proinde: his orders in indir. disc. 19. secutum: sc. esse. — cura: abl. 23. ferri: 'coming.' — fragore caeli: 'thunder.'

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Tum quae moles ea quidve prodigii esset quaerentem audisse vastitatem Italiae esse: pergeret porro ire nec ultra inquireret sineretque fata in occulto esse. Hannibal and his reenforced army start northward

[23] Hoc visu laetus tripertito Hiberum copias traiecit, 5 praemissis qui Gallorum animos, qua traducendus exercitus erat, donis conciliarent Alpiumque transitus specularentur. Nonaginta milia peditum, duodecim milia equitum Hiberum traduxit. Ilergetes inde Bargusiosque et Ausetanos et Lacetaniam, quae subiecta Pyrenaeis montibus est, subegit orae10 que huic omni praefecit Hannonem, ut fauces quae Hispanias Galliis iungunt in potestate essent. Decern milia peditum Hannoni ad praesidium obtinendae regionis data et mille equites. Three thousand Spaniards desert

Postquam per Pyrenaeum saltum traduci exercitus est 15 coeptus rumorque per barbaros manavit certior de bello Romano, tria milia inde Carpetanorum peditum iter averterunt. Constabat non tam bello motos quam longinquitate viae insuperabilique Alpium transitu. Hannibal, quia revocare aut vi retinere eos anceps erat, ne ceterorum etiam feroces animi 2. pergeret etc.: more commands in indir. disc. 4. tripertito: adv. with traiecit. — Hiberum: depends on the preposition in the verb. This river was the official boundary between Roman and Carthaginian territory; therefore he now definitely began an invasion, or offensive, against Rome. 5. praemissis: sc. eis, antecedent of qui. 6. conciliarent: purpose, like specularentur. 9. subiecta . . . est: 'lies at the foot of.' 12. obtinendae regionis: cf. note on tuendae . . . orae (p. 253,1. 8). 14. saltum: 'pass.' — est coeptus: the passive is regular with a following passive inf. 15. barbaros: i.e. the non-Carthaginians; Livy speaks like a Greek and probably borrowed the expression from his authority for the statement. — bello Romano: ' a war with Rome.' 16. iter averterunt: 'deserted.' 19. anceps: 'perilous.'

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255

inritarentur, supra septem milia hominum domos remisit, quos et ipsos gravari militia senserat, Carpetanos quoque ab se dimissos simulans. Hannibal crosses into Gaul and explains his purposes to the Gauls

[24] Inde, ne mora atque otium animos sollicitaret, cum reliquis copiis Pyrenaeum transgreditur et ad oppidum Iii- 5 berri castra locat. Galli quamquam Italiae bellum inferri audiebant, tamen, quia vi subactos trans Pyrenaeum Hispanos fama erat praesidiaque valida imposita, metu servitutis ad arma consternati Ruscinonem aliquot populi conveniunt. Quod ubi Hannibali nuntiatum est, moram magis quam bei-10 lum metuens oratores ad regulos eorum misit: conloqui semet ipsum cum iis velle; et vel illi propius Iliberrim accederent, vel se Ruscinonem processurum, ut ex propinquo congressus facilior esset; nam et accepturum eos in castra sua se laetum nec cunctanter se ipsum ad eos venturum. Hospitem enim se 15 Galliae, non hostem advenisse, nec stricturum ante gladium, si per Gallos liceat, quam in Italiam venisset. Et per nuntios quidem haec; ut vero reguli Gallorum, castris ad Iliberrim extemplo motis, haud gravate ad Poenum venerunt, capti donis cum bona pace exercitum per finis suos praeter Rusci- 20 nonem oppidum transmiserunt. [Summary of Chapters 25-26: After quelling a revolt in Cisalpine Gaul, the Romans send against Hannibal Publius Cornelius Scipio, who learns that the Carthaginians are already on the point of crossing the Rhone.] 5. reliquis copiis: amounting, we are told by Polybius, to 50,000 infantry and 9000 cavalry. — Pyrenaeum: sc. saltum. — Hiberri: here treated as indeclinable. 9. aliquot populi: a qualifying phrase in apposition with Galli. 10. moram . . . metuens: being eager to cross the Alps before winter. 11. conloqui. . . velle: indir. disc, depending on the idea of speaking in oratores. 12. Iliberrim: here declinable. — accederent: indir. disc, representing command. 15. Hospitem . . . non hostem: paronomasia. 18. haec: sc. egit.

256

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY The crossing of the Rhone

[27] Iamque omnibus satis comparatis ad traiciendum terrebant ex adverso hostes omnem ripam equites virique obtinentes. Quos ut averteret, Hannonem, Bomilcaris filium, vigilia prima noctis cum parte copiarum, maxime Hispanis, 5 adverso flumine ire iter unius diei iubet et, ubi primum possit, quam occultissime traiecto amni circumducere agmen, ut, cum opus facto sit, adoriatur ab tergo hostes. Ad id dati duces Galli edocent inde milia quinque et viginti ferme supra parvae insulae circumfusum amnem latiorem, ubi divideba10 tur, eoque minus alto alveo transitum ostendere. Ibi raptim caesa materia ratesque fabricatae in quibus equi virique et alia onera traicerentur. Hispani sine ulla mole, in utres vestimentis coniectis, ipsi caetris superpositis incubantes flumen tranavere. Et alius exercitus ratibus iunctis traiectus, castris 15 prope flumen positis, nocturno itinere atque operis labore fessus quiete unius diei reficitur, intento duce ad consilium opportune exsequendum. Postero die profecti ex loco edito fumo significant transisse et haud procul abesse. Quod ubi accepit Hannibal, ne tempori deesset, dat signum ad traicien20 dum. Iam paratas aptatasque habebat pedes lintres, eques fere propter equos naves. Navium agmen ad excipiendum 1. traiciendum: hereintransitive. — terrebant: conative imperf. 2. virique: i.e. pedites. 5. adverso flumine: 'upstream.' —iter: cognate acc. with ire. 6. traiecto: here transitive. 7. Ad id: 'for this purpose,' i.e. the proposed flank movement. 9. dividebatur: independently true, and so not in indir. disc., but indicative. 10. alto alveo: abl. of quality. —ostendere: 'offered an opportunity for.' 12. traicerentur: purpose.—mole: 'difficulty.' 13. caetris: dat. with incubantes. — superpositis: sc. utribus. 14. alius exercitus: 'the rest of the army.' — iunctis: 'by making.' 18. transisse . . . a b e s s e : note the omission of se. 19. tempori: 'opportunity.' 20. pedes . . . eques: collective use. 21. fere: 'as a rule.'— naves: i.e. boats big enough to be dignified with that name. — agmen . . . transmittens: 'by running a line.'

TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS

The Rhone near Hannibal's

257

Crossing

adversi impetum fluminis parte superiore transmittens tranquillitatem infra traicientibus lintribus praebebat. Equorum pars magna nantes loris a puppibus trahebantur praeter eos quos instratos frenatosque, ut extemplo egresso in ripam equiti usui essent, imposuerant in naves. 5 After skirmishes on the farther bank, the Gauls are routed

[28] Galli occursant in ripa cum variis ululatibus cantuque moris sui, quatientes scuta super capita vibrantesque dexteris tela, quamquam et ex adverso terrebat tanta vis navium cum ingenti sono fluminis et clamore vario nautarum mili1. impetum fluminis: 'the force of the current,' which in this part of the river is very strong. — tranquillitatem: 'quiet water.' 3. nantes: agrees with pars by synesis. 4. extemplo egresso: 'as soon as they emerged.' 8. et ex adverso: the expected corresponding et does not appear before ab tergo below. 9. nautarum militum: asyndeton.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

tum, et qui nitebantur perrumpere impetum fluminis et qui ex altera ripa traicientes suos hortabantur. Iam satis paventes adverso tumultu terribilior ab tergo adortus clamor, castris ab Hannone captis. Mox et ipse aderat, ancepsque terror 5 circumstabat, et e navibus tanta vi armatorum in terram evadente et ab tergo improvisa premente acie. Galli postquam utroque vim facere conati pellebantur, qua patere visum maxime iter, perrumpunt trepidique in vicos passim suos diffugiunt. Hannibal, ceteris copiis per otium traiectis, 10 spernens iam Gallicos tumultus castra locat. How the elephants crossed the river

Elephantorum traiciendorum varia consilia fuisse credo, certe variat memoria actae rei. Quidam, congregatis ad ripam elephantis, tradunt ferocissimum ex iis inritatum ab rectore suo, cum refugientem in aquam nantem sequeretur, 15 traxisse gregem, ut quemque timentem altitudinem destitueret vadum, impetu ipso fluminis in alteram ripam rapiente. Ceterum magis constat ratibus traiectos; id ut tutius consilium ante rem foret, ita acta re ad fidem pronius est. Ratem unam ducentos longam pedes quinquaginta latam a terra in *

3. adortus: sc. est. 4. ipse: i.e. Hanno and his flanking detachment. 7. pellebantur: descriptive imperf., 'found themselves losing the fight.' 9. diffugiunt: the hist. pres. is more vivid than the perf. would have been. —per otium: 'at his leisure.' 12. variat memoria: here, as frequently, Livy betrays his dependence on conflicting authorities, especially Cselius Antipater, the Roman annalist, and Polybius, the Greco-Roman historian. — Quidam: including at least Cselius. 14. refugientem: sc. rectorem. — nantem: awkwardly placed, as it agrees with ferocissimum, thesubj. of traxisse. 15. ut quemque . . . destitueret: 'whenever the bottom forsook each,' i.e. as each elephant was carried out of his depth. The subjunctive is iterative. 16. rapiente: sc. eum, i.e. elephantum. 17. magis constat etc.: as Polybius says. 18. foret ( = esset): the mood is explained by the condition implied in ante rem (i.e. if it had not yet happened). — ad fidem pronius: 'easier to believe.'

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259

amnem porrexerunt, quam, ne secunda aqua deferretur, pluribus validis retinaculis parte superiore ripae religatam pontis in modum humo iniecta constraverunt, ut beluae audacter velut per solum ingrederentur; altera ratis aeque lata, longa pedes centum, ad träiciendum flumen apta, huic copulata 5 est; tum elephanti per stabilem ratem tamquam viam, praegredientibus feminis, acti; ubi in minorem applicatam transgressi sunt, extemplo resolutis quibus leviter adnexa erat vinculis, ab actuariis aliquot navibus ad alteram ripam pertrahitur. Ita primis expositis, alii deinde repetiti ac traiecti 10 sunt. Nihil sane trepidabant donec continenti velut ponte agerentur; primus erat pavor cum, soluta ab ceteris rate, in altum raperentur; ibi urgentes inter se cedentibus extremis ab aqua trepidationis aliquantum edebant, donec quietem ipse timor circumspectantibus aquam fecisset. Excidere etiam 15 saevientes quidam in flumen; sed pondere ipso stabiles, deiectis rectoribus, quaerendis pedetemptim vadis in terram evasere. A skirmish between Hannibal's cavalry and Scipio's

[29] Dum elephanti traiciuntur, interim Hannibal Numidas equites quingentos ad castra Romana miserat speculatum ubi et quantae copiae essent et quid pararent. Huic alae 20 1. pluribus: 'several.' 3. in modum: 'after the fashion.' 6. viam: sc. per. 9. ab actuariis: i.e. used as towboats; the preposition implies the agency of the rowers. 11. donec . . . agerentur: 'as long as they were being driven'; the subjunctive is of the iterative nature. 12. ab ceteris: ' from their mates,' left behind for the next sailing. Many editors, however, prefer to take it as neuter. 13. altum: 'deep water.' 15. circumspectantibus: dat. 17. quaerendis pedetemptim vadis: 'by feeling for the bottom with their feet.' 19. castra Romana: Scipio's camp had been pitched near the mouth of the Rhone, and a detachment of cavalry had been sent up the river to reconnoiter. 20. alae: dat. with occurrunt

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

equitum missi, ut ante dictum est, ab ostio Rhodani trecenti Romanorum equites occurrunt. Proelium atrocius quam pro numero pugnantium editur; nam praeter multa vulnera caedes etiam prope par utrimque fuit, fugaque et pavor 5 Numidarum Romanis iam admodum fessis victoriam dedit. Victores ad centum quadraginta, nec omnes Romani, sed pars Gallorum, victi amplius ducenti ceciderunt. Hoc principium simul omenque belli ut summae rerum prosperum eventum ita haud sane incruentam ancipitisque certaminis victoriam 10 Romanis portendit. Ut, re ita gesta, ad utrumque ducem sui redierunt, nec Scipioni stare sententia poterat nisi ut ex consiliis coeptisque hostis et ipse conatus caperet, et Hannibalem incertum utrum coeptum in Italiam intenderet iter an cum eo qui primus se 15 obtulisset Romanus exercitus manus consereret, avertit a praesenti certamine Boiorum legatorum regulique Magali adventus, qui se duces itinerum, socios periculi fore adfirmantes integro bello nusquam ante libatis viribus Italiam adgrediendam censent. Multitudo timebat quidem hostem nondum 20 oblitterata memoria superioris belli, sed magis iter immensum Alpesque, rem fama utique inexpertis horrendam, metuebat. 2. atrocius quam pro numero: 'disproportionately bloody for the number.' 4. caedes: 'the number of those killed.' 5. iam admodum fessis: 'when already quite exhausted.' It was almost a drawn battle. 6. pars Gallorum: 'part of them Gauls,' i.e. Gallic auxiliaries, who, as Livy had stated, were sent with the three hundred Romans. 8. ut . . . ita: 'though . . . yet,' a common construction in Livy. — summae rerum: 'the war as a whole.' 9. ancipitisque certaminis: gen. of characteristic. 11. ad utrumque . . . sui: instead of ad suum utrique. — nec . . . poterat: 'Scipio could not decide on any policy.' 13. e t . . . avertit: correlative to nec . . . poterat — Hannibalem . . . avertit . . . adventus: translate in the passive. 15. Romanus exercitus: antecedent incorporated in the relative clause, instead of the normal arrangement, eo Romano exercitu qui. 18. integro bello nusquam ante libatis viribus: 'without starting the war or previously sapping his strength anywhere.' 21. rem: i.e. the passage of the Alps.

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261

Hannibal encourages his troops to press on toward Italy

[30] Itaque Hannibal, postquam ipsi sententia stetit pergere ire atque Italiam petere, advocata contione varie militum versat animos castigando adhortandoque: mirari se quinam pectora semper impavida repens terror invaserit. Per tot annos vincentes eos stipendia facere neque ante Hispania 5 excessisse quam omnes gentesque et terrae quas duo diversa maria amplectantur Carthaginiensium essent. Indignatos deinde quod quicumque Saguntum obsedissent velut ob noxam sibi dedi postularet populus Romanus, Hiberum traiecisse ad delendum nomen Romanorum liberandumque orbem 10 terrarum. Tum nemini visum id longum, cum ab occasu solis ad exortus intenderent iter; nunc, postquam multo maiorem partem itineris emensam cernant, Pyrenaeum saltum inter ferocissimas gentes superatum, Rhodanum, tantum amnem, tot milibus Gallorum prohibentibus, domita etiam 15 ipsius fluminis vi traiectum, in conspectu Alpes habeant, quarum alteram latus Italiae sit, in ipsis portis hostium fatigatos subsistere — quid Alpes aliud esse credentes quam montium altitudines? Fingerent altiores Pyrenaei iugis: nul1. ipsi sententia stetit: 'he decided.' 2. v a r i e : viz. castigando adhortandoque. 3. mirari se etc.: the speech is in indir. discourse introduced by the preceding gerunds. — quinam: there is a touch of impatience in the enclitic. 6. duo . . . maria: i.e. the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. 7. amplectantur . . . essent: Livy varies the tenses freely and picturesquely in this speech, regardless of any strict law of sequence. 8. quicumque . . . obsedissent: Hannibal deals in general terms; it was himself that the Romans had demanded. 9. traiecisse: sc. subject eos from Indignatos. 10. liberandumque orbem terrarum: Livy speaks from the imperial standpoint of his own time, rather than from that of Hannibal. 11. cum . . . intenderent: explanatory of id, ' t o direct their march.' 15. t o t . . . prohibentibus: abl. abs. of concession. 17. Italiae: pred. poss. gen. 18. quid . . . credentes: a sarcastic question. 19. montium altitudines = montes altos. — F i n g e r e n t : representing an imperative verb in dir. discourse, but really the protasis of which nullas . . . esse is the apodosis.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

las profecto terras caelum contingere nec inexsuperabiles humano generi esse. Alpes quidem habitari, coli, gignere atque alere animantes; pervias fauces esse exercitibus. Eos ipsos quos cernant legatos non pinnis sublime elatos Alpes trans5 gressos. Ne maiores quidem eorum indigenas, sed advenas Italiae cultores has ipsas Alpes ingentibus saepe agminibus cum liberis ac coniugibus migrantium modo tuto transmisisse. Militi quidem armato nihil secum praeter instrumenta belli portanti quid invium aut inexsuperabile esse? Saguntum ut 10 caperetur, quid per octo menses periculi, quid laboris exhaustum esse! Romam, caput orbis terrarum, petentibus quicquam adeo asperum atque arduum videri quod inceptum moretur? Cepisse quondam Gallos ea quae adiri posse Poenus desperet. Proinde aut cederent animo atque virtute genti 15 per eos dies totiens ab se victae aut itineris finem sperent campum interiacentem Tiberi ac moenibus Romanis. They march to the country of the Allobroges, where Hannibal settles a dispute

[31] His adhortationibus incitatos corpora curare atque ad iter se parare iubet. Postero die profectus adversa ripa Rhodani mediterranea Galliae petit, non quia rectior ad 20 Alpes via esset, sed quantum a man recessisset minus obvium fore Romanum credens, cum quo, priusquam in Italiam ventum foret, non erat in animo manus conserere. Quartis cas5. maiores . . . eorum: i.e. those Gallic tribes which had gone over to settle in what is now Italy. 7. tuto: adv. with transmisisse. 9. quid . . . e s s e : the inf. is used because the question is purely rhetorical and represents a statement, quid standing for nihil. 12. adeo . . . quod . . . moretur: result. 13. Cepisse . . . adiri: effective contrast. 16. campum: where Hannibal's imagination pictures his soldiers finally laying successful siege to Rome. 17. curare: 'refresh,' probably with food and sleep till the morrow. 18. adversa ripa: 'along the bank upstream.' 19. mediterranea: acc. plur., 'the interior.' 22. Quartis castris: i.e. post quattuor dies, as armies encamped every night.

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263

tris ad Insulam pervenit. Ibi Isara Rhodanusque amnes diversis ex Alpibus decurrentes agri aliquantum amplexi confluunt in unum; mediis campis Insulae nomen inditum. Incolunt prope Allobroges, gens iam inde nulla Gallica gente opibus aut fama inferior. Tum discors erat; regni certamine 5 ambigebant fratres; maior et qui prius imperitarat, Braneus nomine, minore ab fratre et coetu iuniorum, qui iure minus, vi plus poterat, pellebatur. Huius seditionis peropportuna disceptatio cum ad Hannibalem reiecta esset, arbiter regni factus, quod ea senatus principumque sententia fuerat, im-10 perium maiori restituit. Ob id meiitum commeatu copiaque rerum omnium, maxime vestis, est adiutus, quam infames frigoribus Alpes praeparari cogebant. Hannibal and his army advance toward the Alps

Sedatis Hannibal certaminibus Allobrogum cum iam Alpes peteret, non recta regione iter instituit, sed ad laevam in 15 Tricastinos fiexit; inde per extremam oram Vocontiorum agri tendit in Tricorios, haud usquam impedita via priusquam ad Druentiam flumen pervenit. Is et ipse Alpinus amnis longe omnium Galliae fluminum difficillimus transitu est. Nam cum aquae vim vehat ingentem, non tamen navium 20 4. iam inde: these were still eminent Gauls in the time of Caesar and Cicero. 5. discors: 'in a state of (political) discord' (the gens). 6. maior: sc. natu. — imperitarat = imperitaverat; Livy uses many of these contracted forms. 7. qui: referring to fratre. 9. reiecta esset: 'had been referred.' 10. quod . . . fuerat: translate after the following clause. 12. vestis: used collectively. 15. ad laevam: a phrase difficult to explain. Perhaps Livy means that as Hannibal started back southward from the Allobroges, he would go left toward the east. Perhaps it is a mere blunder, due to the attempt to reconcile conflicting authorities. Hannibal's route over the Alps has been a subject of controversy throughout the centuries. Various possible passes have their supporters for the honor. The Mont Cenis pass, better than any other, seems to suit Livy's description at least. 18. et ipse: 'likewise'; cf. Isara Rhodanusque . . . Alpibus (11.1 and 2).

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patiens est, quia nullis coercitus ripis, pluribus simul nequa isdem alveis fluens, nova semper vada novosque gurgites gignit (et ob eadem pediti quoque incerta via est), ad hoc saxa glareosa volvens nihil stabile nec tutum ingredienti prae5 bet. Et tum forte imbribus auctus ingentem transgredientibus tumultum fecit, cum super cetera trepidatione ipsi sua atque incertis clamoribus turbarentur. After sending most of his army to Spain, Scipio sails back to Genoa

[32] P. Cornelius consul triduo fere post quam Hannibal a ripa Rhodani movit, quadrato agmine ad castra hostium vene10 rat, nullam dimicandi moram facturus. Ceterum ubi deserta munimenta nec facile se tantum praegressos adsecuturum videt, ad mare ac naves rediit, tutius faciliusque ita descendenti ab Alpibus Hannibali occursurus. Ne tamen nuda auxiliis Romanis Hispania esset, quam provinciam sortitus erat, 15 Cn. Scipionem fratrem cum maxima parte copiarum adversus Hasdrubalem misit, non ad tuendos tantummodo veteres socios conciliandosque novos sed etiam ad pellendum Hispania Hasdrubalem. Ipse cum admodum exiguis copiis Genuam repetit, eo qui circa Padum erat exercitus Italiam defensurus. Hannibal advances but is hindered by the mountaineers

20

Hannibal ab Druentia campestri maxime itinere ad Alpes cum bona pace incolentium ea loca Gallorum pervenit. Tum, 2. gurgites: 'deep places.' 3. ad hoc: 'besides this.' 6. super cetera: i.e. pericula. 9. quadrato agmine: 'in solid column.' 11. tantum: it was a three days' start, but Scipio could hardly know how long Hannibal had been gone. 12. videt: he saw with his eyes the munimenta and with his mind what is stated in the rest of the sentence. — i t a : i.e. by going back to Italy. 14. provinciam sortitus erat: this was the custom at the beginning of a new consular year. 19. exercitus: antecedent in relative clause. The army had been sent to put down an outbreak of the Cisalpine Gauls, as described in Chapters 25 and 2b.

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265

Route of Hannibal over the Alps

quamquam fama prius, qua incerta in maius vero ferri solent, praecepta res erat, tarnen ex propinquo visa montium altitudo nivesque caelo prope immixtae, tecta informia imposita rupibus, pecora iumentaque torrida frigore, homines intonsi et inculti, animalia inanimaque omnia rigentia gelu, cetera 5 visu quam dictu foediora, terrorem renovarunt. Erigentibus in primos agmen clivos apparuerunt imminentes tumulos insidentes montani, qui, si valles occultiores insedissent, coorti ad pugnam repente ingentem fugam stragemque dedissent. Hannibal consistere signa iussit; Gallisque ad visenda loca 10 praemissis postquam comperit transitum ea non esse, castra inter confragosa omnia praeruptaque quam extentissima po1. prius: 'previously.' —in maius vero ferri: 'to be exaggerated.' 4. torrida: 'pinched.' 6. Erigentibus: dat., 'as the line climbed up.' 9. dedissent: 'would have caused.' 10. Gallisque: the Boii from Cisalpine Gaul who had come to implore Hannibal's aid. 11. ea: sc. via.

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test valle locat. Tum per eosdem Gallos, haud sane multum lingua moribusque abhorrentes, cum se immiscuissent conloquiis montanorum, edoctus interdiu tantum obsideri saltum, nocte in sua quemque dilabi tecta, luce prima subiit 5 tumulos, ut ex aperto atque interdiu vim per angustias facturus. Die deinde simulando aliud quam quod parabatur consumpto cum eodem quo constiterant loco castra coramunissent, ubi primum digressos tumulis montanos laxatasque sensit custodias, pluribus ignibus quam pro numero manen10 tium in speciem factis impedimentisque cum equite relictis et maxima parte peditum, ipse cum expeditis, acerrimo quoque viro, raptim angustias evadit iisque ipsis tumulis quos hostes tenuerant consedit. Only after severe fighting and serious losses does he traverse a narrow pass

[33] Prima deinde luce castra mota et agmen reliquum in15 cedere coepit. Iam montani signo dato ex castellis ad stationem solitam conveniebant, cum repente conspiciunt alios arce occupata sua super caput imminentis, alios via transire hostis. Utraque simul obiecta res oculis animisque immobiles parumper eos defixit; deinde, ut trepidationem in angustiis 20 suoque ipsum tumultu misceri agmen videre, equis maxime consternatis, quidquid adiecissent ipsi terroris satis ad perniciem fore rati, diversis rupibus iuxta in vias ac devia adsueti decurrunt. Tum vero simul ab hostibus simul ab iniquitate locorum Poeni oppugnabantur, plusque inter ipsos, sibi quo25 que tendente ut periculo prius evaderet, quam cum hostibus certaminis erat. Equi maxime infestum agmen faciebant, 2. abhorrentes: i.e. from the montani. 5. ut: 'as if.' 10. in speciem: acc. of purpose, 'for show.' 15. castellis: 'mountain homes.' 20. misceri: 'thrown into confusion.' 21. perniciem: i.e. of the Carthaginian army. 23. ab iniquitate: phrased like the preceding words. 26. certaminis: with plus.—infestum: 'dangerous'; their own marching army was a liability.

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qui et clamoribus dissonis, quos nemora etiam repercussaeque valles augebant, territi trepidabant et icti forte aut vulnerati adeo consternabantur ut stragem ingentem simul hominum ac sarcinarum omnis generis facerent; multosque turba, cum praecipites deruptaeque utrimque angustiae essent, in im- 5 mensum altitudinis deiecit, quosdam et armatos; sed ruinae maxime modo iumenta cum oneribus devolvebantur. Quae quamquam foeda visu erant, stetit parumper tarnen Hannibal ac suos continuit, ne tumultum ac trepidationem augeret; deinde, postquam interrumpi agmen vidit periculumque esse 10 ne exutum impedimentis exercitum nequiquam incolumem traduxisset, decurrit ex superiore loco et, cum impetu ipso fudisset hostem, suis quoque tumultum auxit. Sed is tumultus momento temporis, postquam liberata itinera fuga montanorum erant, sedatur, nec per otium modo sed prope silentio 15 mox omnes traducti. Castellum inde, quod caput eius regionis erat, viculosque circumiectos capit, et captivo cibo ac pecoribus per triduum exercitum aluit; et quia nec a montanis primo perculsis nec loco magno opere impediebantur, aliquantum eo triduo viae confecit. 20 The mountain tribes try treachery

[34] Perventum inde ad frequentem cultoribus alium, ut inter montanos, populum. Ibi non bello aperto sed suis artibus, fraude et insidiis, est prope circumventus. Magno natu principes castellorum oratores ad Poenum veniunt, alienis malis, utili exemplo, doctos memorantes amicitiam malle quam 25 vim experiri Poenorum; itaque oboedienter imperata factu1. repercussaeque: 'and reechoing.' 6. ruinae: 'falling structures.' 11. exutum: expresses a condition. 12. impetu ipso: "the mere onset' (before actually coming to blows). 16. Castellum: here and at various other points in this narrative it is interesting to consult Osiander's identification of the places mentioned. (Der Hannibalweg, Berlin, 1900). 21. Perventum: sc. est; this impersonal use of an intransitive verb in the pass, is common in Livy. — ut inter montanos: 'for mountaineers.' 22. suis artibus: cf. Chapter 4 (p. 250).

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ros; commeatum itinerisque duces et ad fidem promissorum obsides acciperet. Hannibal nec temere credendum nec aspernandos ratus, ne repudiati aperte hostes fierent, benigne cum respondisset, obsidibus quos dabant acceptis, et com5 meatu quem in viam ipsi detulerant usus, nequaquam ut inter pacatos composito agmine duces eorum sequitur. Primum agmen elephanti et equites erant; ipse post cum robore peditum circumspectans sollicitusque omnia incedebat. Ubi in angustiorem viam et parte altera subiectam iugo insuper 10 imminenti ventum est, undique ex insidiis barbari a fronte ab tergo coorti comminus eminus petunt, saxa ingentia in agmen devolvunt. Maxima ab tergo vis hominum urgebat. In eos versa peditum acies haud dubium fecit quin, nisi firmata extrema agminis fuissent, ingens in eo saltu accipienda 15 clades fuerit. Tunc quoque ad extremum periculi ac prope perniciem ventum est. Nam dum cunctatur Hannibal demittere agmen in angustias, quia non, ut ipse equitibus praesidio erat, ita peditibus quicquam ab tergo auxilii reliqui erat, occursantes per obliqua montani interrupto medio agmine viam 20 insedere, noxque una Hannibali sine equitibus atque impedimentis acta est. 1. fidem: 'guaranty.' 2. acciperet: representing the imperative in dir. disc. 4. cum respondisset: concessive. 5. nequaquam u t . . . agmine: 'with his line arranged very differently from the way he would have had it among subjects.' 6. Primum agmen: 'the van.' 7. erant: 'composed.' — robore: 'the best part.' 8. circumspectans sollicitusque: 'anxiously and watchfully observing.' 9. parte altera: we are not told which side. 10. a fronte . . . eminus: note asyndeton twice in this vivid narrative. 14. accipienda . . . fuerit: the tense and form of the verb depend on its being in a result clause; consult grammars. 15. Tunc quoque: 'even as it was.' — periculi: Livy's frequent use of the part. gen. becomes almost a mannerism. 17. non . . . quicquam . . . reliqui: 'no such support left for the infantry as' etc. (part. gen.). 19. agmine: the word here refers to the whole army (not as in line 17). 20. Hannibali: dat. of agent.

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The resistance of the natives diminishes

[35] Postero die iam segnius intercursantibus barbaris iunctae copiae saltusque haud sine clade, maiore tamen iumentorum quam hominum pernicie, superatus. Inde montani pauciores iam et latrocinii magis quam belli more concursabant modo in primum modo in novissimum agmen, ut- 5 cumque aut locus opportunitatem daret aut progressi morative aliquam occasionem fecissent. Elephanti sicut per artas praecipitesque vias magna mora agebantur, ita tutum ab hostibus, quacumque incederent, quia insuetis adeundi propius metus erat, agmen praebebant. 10 Hannibal reaches the summit and rests two days

Nono die in iugum Alpium perventum est per invia pleraque et errores quos aut ducentium fraus aut, ubi fides iis non esset, temere initae valles a coniectantibus iter faciebant. Biduum in iugo stativa habita, fessisque labore ac pugnando quies data militibus; iumentaque aliquot, quae prolapsa in 15 rupibus erant, sequendo vestigia agminis in castra pervenere. Fessis taedio tot malorum nivis etiam casus occidente iam sidere Vergiliarum ingentem terrorem adiecit. Per omnia nive oppleta cum signis prima luce motis segniter agmen incederet pigritiaque et desperatio in omnium vultu emineret, 20 1. intercursantibus: another of Livy's poetic words. — iunctae: 'were reunited.' 6. d a r e t . . . f e c i s s e n t . . . incederent: iterative subj. 7. s i c u t . . . ita: concessive. 8. tutum: pred. adj. with agmen. 9. insuetis: 'not used to them' (elephants). 12. quos . . . faciebant: 'the result of.' — ducentium: i.e. ducum. 13. temere initae valles: 'the unwise entering of valleys.' 14. Biduum . . . habita: only the Mont Cenis pass, of those variously conjectured, offers any suitable spot for such a camp. At the summit of this pass are water and fodder in abundance. 17. occidente iam sidere Vergiliarum: 'as it was already the season of the setting of the Pleiades,' said by Pliny the Elder to be October 26; but Hannibal must have crossed some weeks earlier than this. 19. signis . . . motis: 'as the line started at dawn.'

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praegressus signa Hannibal in promunturio quodam, unde longe ac late prospectus erat, consistere iussis militibus Italiam ostentat subiectosque Alpinis montibus Circumpadanos campos, moeniaque eos tum transcendere non Italiae modo 5 sed etiam urbis Romanae; cetera plana, proclivia fore; uno aut summum altero proelio arcem et caput Italiae in manu ac potestate habituros. Starting down, he finds the descent difficult

Procedere inde agmen coepit, iam nihil ne hostibus quidem praeter parva furta per occasionem temptantibus. Ceterum 10 iter multo quam in ascensu fuerat, ut pleraque Alpium ab Italia sicut breviora ita adrectiora sunt, difficilius fuit. Omnis enim ferme via praeceps, angusta, lubrica erat, ut neque sustinere se a lapsu possent nec qui paulum titubassent haerere adfixi vestigio suo, aliique super alios et iumenta in homines 15 occiderent. The army reaches an impassable slope

[36] Ventum deinde ad multo angustiorem rupem atque ita rectis saxis ut aegre expeditus miles temptabundus manibusque retinens virgulta ac stirpes circa eminentes demittere sese posset. Natura locus iam ante praeceps recenti lapsu 20 terrae in pedum mille admodum altitudinem abruptus erat. Ibi cum velut ad finem viae equites constitissent, miranti Hannibali quae res moraretur agmen nuntiatur rupem inviam 1. in promunturio quodam: there is such a possible point near the summit of the Mont Cenis pass. 2. Italiam ostentat etc.: the verb has a double meaning, 'he points out Italy . . . and explains that they are now crossing' etc. 5. etiam urbis Romanae: rhetorical optimism. — uno aut summum altero proelio: 'in one or at most two battles.' 9. furta: 'surprise attacks.' — per occasionem: 'as opportunity offered.' 10. ab Italia: 'on the Italian side.' 17. rectis: 'perpendicular.' — temptabundus: expressing manner. 20. altitudinem: this seems probably an error, perhaps due to a misunderstanding of Polybius, who speaks of the length rather than the depth of the place.

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271

Snowshed on the Mont Cents Pass

esse. Digressus deinde ipse ad locum visendum. Haud dubia res visa quin per invia circa nec trita antea quamvis longo ambitu circumduceret agmen. Ea vero via insuperabilis fuit. Nam cum super veterem nivem intactam nova modicae altitudinis esset, molli nec praealtae facile pedes ingredientium 5 insistebant; ut vero tot hominum iumentorumque incessu dilapsa est, per nudam infra glaciem fluentemque tabem liquescentis nivis ingrediebantur. Taetra ibi luctatio erat, lubrica glacie non recipiente vestigium et in prono citius pedes fallente, ut, seu manibus in adsurgendo seu genu se 10 adiuvissent, ipsis adminiculis prolapsis iterum corruerent; nec 3. circumduceret: 'would have to lead around'; the subjunctive here expresses obligation or necessity. 4. intactam: 'still unmelted.' — nova: sc. nix. 5. molli . . . praealtae: sc. ei, referring to the new snow. 6. insistebant: 'got a hold.' 7. dilapsa est: 'melted away.' — infra: becomes practically an adjective in this attributive position. 8. nivis: subjective gen. expressing cause or origin. 9. recipiente: 'holding.' — prono: 'sloping surface.' 11. adiuvissent: iterative subj. — adminiculis: i.e. hands or feet.

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stirpes circa radicesve ad quas pede aut manu quisquam eniti posset erant; ita in levi tantum glacie tabidaque nive volutabantur. Iumenta secabant interdum etiam infimam ingredientia nivem et prolapsa iactandis gravius in conitendo 5 ungulis penitus perfringebant, ut pleraque velut pedica capta haererent in dura et alte concreta glacie. After camping there four days and building a new road, they reach the plain three days later

[37] Tandem nequiquam iumentis atque hominibus fatigatis castra in iugo posita, aegerrime ad id ipsum loco purgato; tantum nivis fodiendum atque egerendum fuit. Inde ad 10 rupem muniendam, per quam unam via esse poterat, milites ducti, cum caedendum esset saxum, arboribus circa immanibus deiectis detruncatisque struem ingentem lignorum faciunt eamque, cum et vis venti apta faciendo igni coörta esset, succendunt ardentiaque saxa infuso aceto putrefaciunt. Ita 15 torridam incendio rupem ferro pandunt molliuntque anfractibus modicis clivos ut non iumenta solum sed elephanti etiam deduci possent. Quadriduum circa rupem consumptum iumentis prope fame absumptis; nuda enim fere cacumina sunt et, si quid est pabuli, obruunt nives. Inferiora valles 20 apricosque quosdam colles habent rivosque prope silvas et iam humano cultu digniora loca. Ibi iumenta in pabulum 2. levi tantum glacie: 'nothing but glare ice.' 3. infimam . . . nivem: apparently an old, hard crust underneath. 5. pedica: 'trap.' 9. ad rupem muniendam: 'for making a road over the cliff.' 11. arboribus . . . immanibus . . . aceto: fire and vinegar were used by the ancients to soften rock, but it is hard to believe that there were either enough large trees or enough vinegar at hand to accomplish here what Livy describes. 13. vis venti: 'a powerful wind.' 15. molliuntque . . . clivos: 'make the grades easy by moderate curves.' 18. nuda . . . cacumina: inconsistent with arboribus immanibus just above. 20. prope: the preposition. 21. iam: i.e. by this time they began to feel that they were back in a relatively civilized region.

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missa et quies muniendo fessis hominibus data. Triduo inde ad planum descensum, iam et locis mollioribus et accolarum ingeniis. [Summary of Chapters 38-{in part)39: Questions about Hannibal's march. He advances toward the river Ticinus, on the banks of which the Romans are encamped]

Occupavit tarnen Scipio Padum traicere, et ad Ticinum amnem motis castris, priusquam educeret in aciem, adhor- 5 tandorum militum causa talem orationem est exorsus: Scipio's speech to the army before the battle of the Ticinus

[40] "Si eum exercitum, milites, educerem in aciem quem in Gallia mecum habui, supersedissem loqui apud vos; quid enim adhortari referret aut eos equites qui equitatum hostium ad Rhodanum flumen egregie vicissent, aut eas legiones 10 cum quibus fugientem hunc ipsum hostem secutus confessionem cedentis ac detractantis certamen pro victoria habui ? Nunc, quia ille exercitus, Hispaniae provinciae scriptus, ibi cum fratre Cn. Scipione meis auspiciis rem gerit ubi eum gerere senatus populusque Romanus voluit, ego, ut consulem 15 ducem adversus Hannibalem ac Poenos haberetis, ipse me huic voluntario certamini obtuli, novo imperatori apud novos milites pauca verba facienda sunt. "Ne genus belli neve hostem ignoretis, cum iis est vobis, milites, pugnandum quos terra marique priore bello vicistis, 20 4. Occupavit . . . traicere: 'got the start (of Hannibal) in crossing.' Such was not the case at the Rhone, it will be remembered. 6. talem orationem: no part of Livy's narrative excels, if it equals, the masterful speeches which he puts into the mouths of the leaders. 8. supersedissem: Ί should have deemed it superfluous.' 9. referret: 'what would be the point?' — qui vicissent: military hyperbole; cf. Chapter 29. 12. pro victoria habui: Ί considered a virtual victory.' 15. ego: asyndeton; this is a part of the causal clause with quia. 17. novo imperatori: i.e. the speaker himself.—apud: 'in the presence of.* 19. Ne . . . ignoretis: parenthetical purpose clause, the purpose of a dicam ('let me say') to be supplied. 20. priore bello: the First Punic War.

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a quibus Stipendium per viginti annos exegistis, a quibus capta belli praemia Siciliam ac Sardiniam habetis. Erit igitur in hoc certamine is vobis illisque animus qui victoribus et victis esse solet. Nec nunc illi quia audent sed quia necesse 5 est pugnaturi sunt; nisi creditis, qui exercitu incolumi pugnam detractavere, eos duabus partibus peditum equitumque in transitu Alpium amissis plus spei nactos esse. At enim pauci quidem sunt, sed vigentes animis corporibusque, quorum robora ac vires vix sustinere vis ulla possit. Effigies 10 immo, umbrae hominum, fame frigore inluvie squalore enecti, contusi ac debilitati inter saxa rupesque; ad hoc praeusti artus, nive rigentes nervi, membra torrida gelu, quassata fractaque arma, claudi ac debiles equi; cum hoc equite, cum hoc pedite pugnaturi estis; reliquias extremas hostis, non 15 hostem habetis; ac nihil magis vereor quam ne, cum vos pugnaveritis, Alpes vicisse Hannibalem videantur. Sed ita forsitan decuit, cum foederum ruptore duce ac populo deos ipsos sine ulla humana ope committere ac profligare bellum, nos, qui secundum deos violati sumus, commissum ac pro20 fligatum conficere. 1. viginti: the number was reduced to ten. — exegistis: use the English derivative, 'have exacted.' 2. Sardiniam: not really a praemium; it had been dishonorably occupied by the Romans. 5. qui: anticipating the antecedent eos below. 6. duabus partibus: 'two thirds.' Livy may have known this, but Scipio could hardly have known it then. But of course Scipio would consider it his duty to make out the best possible case, and Livy would recognize this attitude. 7. plus spei: sarcasm. — At enim: 'but (you object), for (you say)'; a common ellipsis. 9. robora: passive, as vires is active. — possit: characteristic subj. — Effigies: sc. sunt; Scipio's answer to the previous objection. 11. praeusti: 'frost-bitten.' 12. artus: i.e. fingers and toes. — torrida: 'nipped.' 13. hoc: 'this kind of.' 15. vos . . . Alpes: antithetic. 17. deos: in whose name treaties were ratified, and who were outraged by their violation. 18. profligare: 'bring almost to a finish.'

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[41] "Non vereor ne quis me haec vestri adhortandi causa magnifice loqui existimet, ipsum aliter animo adfectum esse. Licuit in Hispaniam, provinciam meam, quo iam profectus eram, cum exercitu ire meo, ubi et fratrem consilii participem ac periculi socium haberem et Hasdrubalem potius quam 5 Hannibalem hostem et minorem haud dubie molem belli; tarnen, cum praeterveherer navibus Galliae oram, ad famam huius hostis in terram egressus praemisso equitatu ad Rhodanum movi castra. Equestri proelio, qua parte copiarum conserendi manum fortuna data est, hostem fudi; peditum 10 agmen, quod in modum fugientium raptim agebatur, quia adsequi terra non poteram, regressus ad naves quanta maxime potui celeritate tanto maris terrarumque circuitu in radicibus prope Alpium huic timendo hosti obvius fui. Utrum, cum declinarem certamen, improvidus incidisse videor, an 15 occurrere in vestigiis eius, lacessere ac trahere ad decernendum? Experiri iuvat utrum alios repente Carthaginienses per viginti annos terra ediderit, an iidem sint qui ad Aegates pugnaverunt insulas et quos ab Eryce duodevicenis denariis aestimatos emisistis, et utrum Hannibal hie sit aemulus itine- 20 1. vestri: this form of the gen. plur. of the personal pronoun (originally the neuter of the possessive) is commonly used in obj. gen. constructions. 2. ipsum . . . e s s e : 'but that in reality I feel' etc. 7. ad famam: 'upon hearing the report'; this temporal use of ad is common in Livy. 9. qua parte: i.e. equitatus, a case of synesis. 10. fudi: Scipio speaks like other commanders, though he was not actually present on this occasion. 14. timendo: irony. — Utrum, cum . . . videor: ' does it seem that while trying to avoid a battle I have unintentionally run upon him?' 17. alios: 'a different kind of.' 18. ad Aegates: off the western end of Sicily, where the Carthaginians suffered a famous naval defeat. 19. Eryce: at the close of the First Punic War Hamilcar still occupied the strongholds of Lilybaeum and Eryx in western Sicily. — duodevicenis denariis: somewhere about $3. 20. aestimatos: 'ransomed at the rate of.' — itinerum Herculis: Hercules was said to have crossed the Alps (hence the traditional derivation of the name Alpes Graiae) on the return from his expedition to get the cattle of Geryon.

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rum Herculis, ut ipse fert, an vectigalis stipendiariusque et servus populi Romani a patre relictus. Quem nisi Saguntinum scelus agitaret, respiceret profecto, si non patriam victam, domum certe patremque et foedera Hamilcaris scripta manu, 5 qui iussus ab consule nostro praesidium deduxit ab Eryce, qui graves impositas victis Carthaginiensibus leges fremens maerensque accepit, qui decedens Sicilia Stipendium populo Romano dare pactus est. Itaque vos ego, milites, non eo solum animo quo adversus alios hostes soletis pugnare velim, 10 sed cum indignatione quadam atque ira, velut si servos videatis vestros arma repente contra vos ferentes. Licuit ad Erycem clausos ultimo supplicio humanorum, fame, interficere; licuit victricem classem in Africam traicere atque intra paucos dies sine ullo certamine Carthaginem delere; veniam 15 dedimus precantibus, emisimus ex obsidione, pacem cum victis fecimus, tutelae deinde nostrae duximus cum Africo bello urgerentur. Pro his impertitis furiosum iuvenem sequentes oppugnatum patriam nostram veniunt. Atque utinam pro decore tantum hoc vobis et non pro salute esset 20 certamen! Non de possessione Siciliae ac Sardiniae, de quibus quondam agebatur, sed pro Italia vobis est pugnandum. Nec est alius ab tergo exercitus qui, nisi nos vincimus, hosti 1. vectigalis stipendiariusque: the former term refers to one paying taxes in kind, such as tithes; the latter, to one paying an indemnity. 2. Quem nisi: for Is enim, nisi eum. 3. agitaret: 'were driving him mad.' 4. domum: i.e. the honor of his family; cf. "house of Stuart." 5. consule nostro: Lutatius Catulus. 6. leges: "terms of surrender.' — fremens maerensque: concessive. 9. soletis: sc. pugnare. 11. licuit . . . interficere: sc. nos. 12. humanorum: sc. suppliciorum. 13. victricem: i.e. at the battle of the Agates Islands. 16. tutelae: pred. gen.; the aid given then by the Romans was slight. — Africo bello: the revolt of the Carthaginian mercenary troops in 227 B.c. 19. tantum: 'merely'; Scipio leaves his boasting and comes back to facts. 22. nisi nos vincimus: 'if we ourselves fail to be victorious.'

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277

obsistat, nec Alpes aliae sunt, quas dum superant, comparari nova possint praesidia. Hie est obstandum, milites, velut si ante Romana moenia pugnemus. Unus quisque se non corpus suum sed coniugem ac liberos parvos armis protegere putet; nec domesticas solum agitet curas sed identidem hoc 5 animo reputet, nostras nunc intueri manus senatum populumque Romanum; qualis nostra vis virtusque fuerit, talem deinde fortunam illius urbis ac Romani imperii fore," Hannibal gives his army an object lesson

[42] Haec apud Romanos consul. Hannibal rebus prius quam verbis adhortandos milites ratus, circumdato ad spec-10 taculum exercitu, captivos montanos vinctos in medio statuit, armisque Gallicis ante pedes eorum proiectis, interrogare Interpretern iussit ecquis, si vinculis levaretur armaque et equum victor acciperet, decertare ferro vellet. Cum ad unum omnes ferrum pugnamque poscerent et deiecta in id sors 15 esset, se quisque eum optabat quem fortuna in id certamen legeret, cuiusque sors exciderat alacer inter gratulantes gaudio exsultans cum sui moris tripudiis arma raptim capiebat. Ubi vero dimicarent, is habitus animorum non inter eiusdem modo condicionis homines erat sed etiam inter spectantes 20 vulgo, ut non vincentium magis quam bene morientium fortuna laudaretur. 1. quas . . . possint: for ut, dum eas superant, . . . possint. 3. corpus: 'person.' 5. hoc: refers to the following clause. 9. rebus: 'deeds.' 13. s i . . . que . . . victor: 'on condition that. . . and, if victorious.' 14. ad unum: 'to a man.' 15. in id sors esset: 'lots were cast to determine it' (i.e. the privilege of a certamen). 17. cuiusque sors exciderat: 'and when anyone's lot was drawn.' The antecedent of cuius is the subject of capiebat. Notice the variety in mood, comparing this clause with U b i . . . dimicarent in line 19. 19. U b i . . . dimicarent: iterative subj. — is = talis. — eiusdem modo condicionis: i.e. their comrades in captivity. 20. spectantes vulgo: 'the ordinary spectators.'

278

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY Hannibal addresses his troops

[43] Cum sic aliquot spectatis paribus adfectos dimisisset, contione inde advocata, ita apud eos locutus fertur: "Si, quem animum in alienae sortis exemplo paulo ante habuistis, eundem mox in aestimanda fortuna vestra habueritis, vici5 mus, milites; neque enim spectaculum modo illud, sed quaedam veluti imago vestrae condicionis erat. Ac nescio an maiora vincula maioresque necessitates vobis quam captivis vestris fortuna circumdederit: dextra laevaque duo maria claudunt nullam ne ad effugium quidem navem habentes, 10 circa Padus amnis, maior Padus ac violentior Rhodano, ab tergo Alpes urgent, vix integris vobis ac vigentibus transitae. Hie vincendum aut moriendum, milites, est, ubi primum hosti occurristis. Et eadem fortuna quae necessitatem pugnandi imposuit praemia vobis ea victoribus proponit quibus 15 ampliora homines ne ab diis quidem immortalibus optare solent. Si Siciliam tantum ac Sardiniam parentibus nostris ereptas nostra virtute reciperaturi essemus, satis tamen ampla pretia essent; nunc quidquid Romani tot triumphis partum congestumque possident, id omne vestrum cum ipsis dominis 20 futurum est. In hanc tam opimam mercedem, agite dum, diis bene iuvantibus arma capite. Satis adhuc in vastis Lusi1. sic . . . adfectos: 'in this state of mind.' — paribus: here a substantive. 2. contione: i.e. an assembly of troops corresponding to a Roman contio. 4. vicimus: emphatic perfect for future. 6. Ac nescio an: 'and it may be that.' 8. duo maria: the Tuscan and the Adriatic. 10. circa: the Po in this part of its course flows south and then east. — maior . . . Rhodano: hyperbole, to impress the soldiers. 11. integris . . . vigentibus: ' before your numbers or your vigor had been reduced'; dat. of agent, as often in Livy. 12. primum: Hannibal does not count the skirmish on the Rhone. 18. nunc: 'as a matter of fact.' 20. In . . . mercedem: purpose acc. — dum: used to emphasize the imperative. 21. Satis adhuc: 'quite long enough.'—vastis: 'rugged.' — Lusitaniae Celtiberiaeque: the western part of the Spanish peninsula and its main central j>lateau respectively.

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279

taniae Celtiberiaeque montibus pecora consectando nullum emolumentum tot laborum periculorumque vestrorum vidistis; tempus est iam opulenta vos ac ditia stipendia facere et magna operae pretia mereri, tantum itineris per tot montes fluminaque et tot armatas gentes emensos. Hic vobis termi- 5 num laborum fortuna dedit; hic dignam mercedem emeritis stipendiis dabit. "Nec quam magni nominis bellum est tam difficilem existimaritis victoriam fore; saepe et contemptus hostis cruentum certamen edidit et incluti populi regesque perlevi momento 10 victi sunt. Nam, dempto hoc uno fulgore nominis Romani, quid est cur illi vobis comparandi sint? Ut viginti annorum militiam vestram cum illa virtute, cum illa fortuna taceam, ab Herculis columnis, ab Oceano terminisque ultimis terrarum per tot ferocissimos Hispaniae et Galliae populos vin-15 centes hue pervenistis; pugnabitis cum exercitu tirone, hac ipsa aestate caeso victo circumsesso a Gallis, ignoto adhuc duci suo ignorantique ducem. An me in praetorio patris, clarissimi imperatoris, prope natum, certe eduetum, domitorem Hispaniae Galliaeque, victorem eundem non Alpina- 20 rum modo gentium sed ipsarum, quod multo maius est, Alpium, cum semestri hoc conferam duce, desertore exercitus sui ?^ Cui si quis demptis signis Poenos Romanosque hodie 1. consectando: 'while engaged in the pursuit of.' 6. emeritis stipendiis: 'when your term of service is completed'; abl. abs. 8. Nec . . . existimaritis: perf. subj. (contracted form) in negative command. — quam . . . nominis . . . est: 'as the war is supposed to be great'; gen. of quality. 10. perlevi momento: 'very slight effort.' 11. fulgore: 'glamour'; the abl. abs. is conditional. 12. Ut . . . taceam: 'not to speak of'; a parenthetical purpose clause. 13. illa: 'your well-known.' 16. exercitu tirone etc.: Scipio had the troops who had experienced the disastrous defeat under Manlius, described in Chapter 25. 22. semestri: Scipio had taken office on March 15, as was then customary at Rome. — desertore: Scipio had sent his first army into Spain, as stated in Chapter 32 (p. 264,1.15), but this epithet is of course very unfair. 23. demptis signis: translate by a coordinate clause.

280

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

ostendat, ignoraturum certum habeo utrius exercitus sit consul. Non ego illud parvi aestimo, milites, quod nemo est vestrum cuius non ante oculos ipse saepe militare aliquod ediderim facinus, cui non idem ego virtutis spectator ac testis 5 notata temporibus locisque referre sua possim decora. Cum laudatis a me milies donatisque, alumnus prius omnium vestrum quam imperator, procedam in aciem adversus ignotos inter se ignorantesque. [44] "Quocumque circumtuli oculos, plena omnia video ani10 morum ac roboris, veteranum peditem, generosissimarum gentium equites frenatos infrenatosque, vos socios fidelissimos fortissimosque, vos, Carthaginienses, cum pro patria tum ob iram iustissimam pugnaturos. Inferimus bellum infestisque signis descendimus in Italiam, tanto audacius fortiusque pug15naturi quam hostis, quanto maior spes, maior est animus inferentis vim quam arcentis. Accendit praeterea et stimulat animos dolor, iniuria, indignitas. Ad supplicium depoposcerunt me ducem primum, deinde vos omnes qui Saguntum oppugnassetis; deditos ultimis cruciatibus adfecturi fuerunt. 20 Crudelissima ac superbissima gens sua omnia suique arbitrii facit. Cum quibus bellum, cum quibus pacem habeamus, se modum imponere aequum censet. Circumscribit includitque nos terminis montium fluminumque quos non excedamus, neque eos quos statuit terminos observat. 'Ne transieris 1. certum habeo: Ί am confident.' 2. illud: i.e. the substantive clause beginning with quod. 4. ediderim: like possim (1. 5), subj. of characteristic. 5. referre: 'recall.' — decora: 'glorious deeds.' 11. frenatos: the Spanish cavalry. — infrenatosque: the famous Numidian cavalry used neither saddles nor bridles. 16. inferentis . . . arcentis: 'an attacker . . . a defender.' 19. oppugnassetis: subj. in sub. clause of indir. disc, implied in depoposcerunt. — deditos: 'if and when surrendered.' 20. gens: i.e. the Romans. — sua: pred. acc. — suique arbitrii: 'subject to its will'; pred. gen. of possession. 2L habeamus: like excedamus, expresses the idea of permission, as if it were liceat habere . . . excedere. 23. fluminumque: Hannibal is thinking of the Ebro. 24. Ne transieris: a supposed arrogant prohibition spoken by Rome.

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281

Hiberum! Ne quid rei tibi sit cum Saguntinis!' At liberum est Saguntum. 'Nusquam te vestigio moveris!' Parum est quod veterrimas provincias meas Siciliam ac Sardiniam ademisti? adimis etiam Hispanias? et inde si decessero, in Africam transcendes. 'Transcendes' autem? transcendisse 5 dico. Duos consules huius anni, unum in Africam, alterum in Hispaniam miserunt. Nihil usquam nobis relictum est nisi quod armis vindicarimus. Illis timidis et ignavis esse licet qui respectum habent, quos sua terra, suus ager, per tuta ac pacata itinera fugientes accipient; vobis necesse est 10 fortibus viris esse et, omnibus inter victoriam mortemque certa desperatione abruptis, aut vincere aut, si fortuna dubitabit, in proelio potius quam in fuga mortem oppetere. Si hoc bene fixum omnibus destinatumque animo est, iterum dicam, vicistis; nullum contemptu mortis telum ad vincen-15 dum homini ab dis immortalibus acrius datum est." Preparations for a battle

[45] His adhortationibus cum utrimque ad certamen accensi militum animi essent, Romani ponte Ticinum iungunt tutandique pontis causa castellum insuper imponunt; Poenus, hostibus opere occupatis, Maharbalem cum ala Nu- 20 midarum, equitibus quingentis, ad depopulandos sociorum 1. N e . . . sit: 'have nothing to do with.' — A t . . . Saguntum: the reply of Carthage, spoken by HannibaL 2. vestigio: 'from your tracks.' 4. Hispanias: i.e. Lusitania and Celtiberia. 5. autem . . . dico: correctto, a rhetorical device. 6. unum in Africam: Sempronius, however, did not actually cross to Africa. 8. vindicarimus: fut. perf. 10. fugientes: conditional. 11. omnibus: 'all compromises'; translate with abruptis by a coordinate clause. 12. certa desperatione: 'an unavoidable desperation.' 15. vicistis: cf. note on page 278, line 4. 18. ponte Ticinum iungunt: 'bridge the Ticinus' (a small tributary of the Po, not far from the modern Pavia). 20. Maharbalem: a successful Carthaginian commander of cavalry.

282

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

populi Romani agros mittit; Gallis parci quam maxime iubet principumque animos ad defectionem sollicitari. Ponte perfecto traductus Romanus exercitus in agrum Insubrium quinque milia passuum a Victumulis consedit. Ibi Hannibal 5 castra habebat; revocatoque propere Maharbale atque equitibus, cum instare certamen cerneret, nihil umquam satis dictum praemonitumque ad cohortandos milites ratus, vocatis ad contionem certa praemia pronuntiat in quorum spem pugnarent: agrum sese daturum esse in Italia, Africa, His10 pania, ubi quisque velit, immunem ipsi qui accepisset liberisque; qui pecuniam quam agrum maluisset, ei se argento satisfacturum; qui sociorum cives Carthaginienses fieri vellent, potestatem facturum; qui domos redire mallent, daturum se operam, ne cuius suorum popularium mutatam 15 secum fortunam esse vellent. Servis quoque dominos prosecutis libertatem proponit binaque pro iis mancipia dominis se redditurum. Eaque ut rata scirent fore, agnum laeva manu, dextra silicem retinens, si falleret, Iovem ceterosque precatus deos, ita se mactarent quem ad modum ipse agnum 20 mactasset, secundum precationem caput pecudis saxo elisit. Tum vero omnes, velut diis auctoribus in spem suam quisque acceptis, id morae quod nondum pugnarent ad potienda sperata rati, proelium uno animo et voce una poscunt. 1. Gallis parci: i.e. to win their support; the usual impersonal construction with the pass, of verbs taking the dative. 9. pugnarent: purpose. 10. velit: variations in tense from the indir.-disc. to the dir.-disc, form are common.—immunem: 'tax-free.' 13. potestatem facturum: sc. eis. 14. popularium: 'fellow citizens.' 16. mancipia: concrete use, 'slaves.' 18. silicem: conservative religious tradition required the use of flint in sacrifices long after metal knives were in general use. 19. mactarent: for the jussive in dir. disc. 20. saxo: i.e. silice. 21. quisque: to be translated with the abl. abs. clause, though agreeing 1 particularly with omnes. 22. id . . . rati: 'believing the fact that they were not yet fighting to be the only thing delaying the realization of their hopes.'

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283

The battle of the Ticinus

[46] Apud Romanos haudquaquam tanta alacritas erat, super cetera recentibus etiam territos prodigiis; nam et lupus intraverat castra laniatisque obviis ipse intactus evaserat, et examen apum in arbore praetorio imminente consederat. Quibus procuratis, Scipio cum equitatu iaculatoribusque 5 expeditis profectus ad castra hostium ex propinquo copiasque, quantae et cuius generis essent, speculandas, obvius fit Hannibali et ipsi cum equitibus ad exploranda circa loca progresso. Neutri alteros primo cernebant; densior deinde incessu tot hominum equorum oriens pulvis signum propinquantium hos-10 tium fuit. Consistit utrumque agmen et ad proelium sese expediebant. Scipio iaculatores et Gallos equites in fronte locat, Romanos sociorumque quod roboris fuit in subsidiis; Hannibal frenatos equites in medium accipit, cornua Numidis firmat. Vixdum clamore sublato, iaculatores fugerunt inter 15 subsidia ad secundam aciem. Inde equitum certamen erat aliquamdiu anceps; dein, quia turbabant equos pedites intermixti, multis labentibus ex equis aut desilientibus, ubi suos premi circumventos vidissent, iam magna ex parte ad pedes pugna venerat, donee Numidae, qui in cornibus erant, 20 circumvecti paulum ab tergo se ostenderunt. Is pavor perculit Romanos, auxitque pavorem consulis vulnus periculum2. prodigiis: others are enumerated in Chapter 62. Such things were taken seriously by the Romans. 3. lupus: always an evil omen at Rome. — obviis: here a substantive. 6. copiasque, quantae . . . essent, speculandas: prolepsis. 7. speculandas: belongs to castra as well as copias, with which it agrees. 10. propinquantium = appropinquantium: the use of the simple for the compound verb is one of Livy's stylistic fads. 13. quod roboris fuit: 'the flower'; these were heavier troops than the Gallos.— subsidiis: the word in this passage seems to mean 'supporting (i.e. second-line) troops.' 15. clamore: 'battle cry.' — sublato: from tollo. 19. vidissent: iterative. — ad pedes pugna venerat: 'had become an infantry battle.' 21. I s pavor: ' a panic produced by that.'

284

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

que intercursu tum primura pubescentis filii propulsatum. Hie erit iuvenis penes quem perfecti huiusce belli laus est, Africanus ob egregiam victoriam de Hannibale Poenisque appellatus. Fuga tamen effusa iaculatorum maxime fuit, 5 quos primos Numidae invaserunt; alius confertus equitatus consulem in medium acceptum non armis modo sed etiam corporibus suis protegens in castra nusquam trepide neque effuse cedendo reduxit. Servati consulis decus Caelius ad servum natione Ligurem delegat; malim equidem de filio 10 verum esse quod et plures tradidere auctores, et fama obtinuit. [Summary of Chapters 47-{in part)53: The armies move to the vicinity of Placentia, and Scipio encamps near the little river Trebia. Meanwhile his colleague Sempronius, after military activities in Sicily, where events favored the Romans, marches to reenforce Scipio, and is eager to fight, while Scipio advises delay] Hannibal prepares an ambush for the Romans Hannibal, cum quid optimum foret hosti cerneret, vix ullam spem habebat temere atque improvide quicquam consules acturos; cum alterius ingenium, fama prius, deinde re cognitum, percitum ac ferox sciret esse, ferociusque factum 15 prospero cum praedatoribus suis certamine crederet, adesse gerendae rei fortunam haud diffidebat. Cuius ne quod praetermitteret tempus sollicitus intentusque erat, dum tiro hostium miles esset, dum meliorem ex ducibus inutilem vulnus faceret, dum Gallorum animi vigerent, quorum ingentem 1. pubescentis: probably seventeen years of age. — filii: the young Scipio Africanus, later the conqueror of Carthage. 2. erit: i.e. we shall find him the hero when we reach that point in the story. 8. Caelius: the chronicler frequently mentioned by Livy. 10. obtinuit: here intransitive. 15. certamine: a recent cavalry skirmish which ended favorably for the Romans. 16. gerendae rei fortunam: 'a chance for a successful battle.' 17. tiro . . . miles: collective. 18. e s s e t . . . faceret... vigerent: indir. disc., the thought of Hannibal as he made his plan. — meliorem: i.e. Scipio.

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285

multitudinem sciebat segnius secuturam quanto longius ab domo traherentur. Cum ob haec taliaque speraret propinquum certamen et facere, si cessaretur, cuperet, speculatoresque Galli, ad ea exploranda quae vellet tutiores quia in utrisque castris militabant, paratos pugnae esse Romanos ret- 5 tulissent, locum insidiis circumspectare Poenus coepit. [54] Erat in medio rivus praealtis utrimque clausus ripis et circa obsitus palustribus herbis et, quibus inculta ferme vestiuntur, virgultis vepribusque. Quem ubi equites quoque tegendo satis latebrosum locum circumvectus ipse oculis per- 10 iustravit, "Hic erit locus," Magoni fratri ait, "quem teneas. Delige centenos viros ex omni pedite atque equite cum quibus ad me vigilia prima venias; nunc corpora curare tempus est." Ita praetorium missum. Mox cum delectis Mago aderat. "Robora virorum cerno," inquit Hannibal; "sed uti 15 numero etiam, non animis modo valeatis, singuli vobis novenos ex turmis manipulisque vestri similes eligite. Mago locum monstrabit quem insideatis; hostem caecum ad has belli artes habetis." Ita Magone cum mille equitibus, mille peditibus dimisso, Hannibal prima luce Numidas equites 20 transgressos Trebiam flumen obequitare iubet hostium portis iaculandoque in stationes elicere ad pugnam hostem, iniecto deinde certamine cedendo sensim citra flumen pertrahere. Haec mandata Numidis; ceteris ducibus peditum equitumque praeceptum ut prandere omnes iuberent, armatos deinde 25 instratisque equis signum exspectare. 3. facere: 'to force it.' — si cessaretur: impersonal construction, instead of si Romani cessarent. 7. in medio: i.e. between the Carthaginian camp and the little river Trebia. 9. equites . . . tegendo: the rare dat. construction of the gerund with an object. 10. circumvectus: 'riding around.' 14. praetorium: 'the council'; a technical Roman term for what in this case seems to have been a private conference between Hannibal and Mago. 17. turmis manipulisque: the Roman terms are here used for Carthaginian cavalry and infantry respectively. 23. citra: from the (probably east) side of the river where the Roman camp lay to the (probably west) side where the Carthaginian camp was.

286

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY The battle of the

Trebia

Sempronius ad tumultum Numidarum primum omnem equitatum, ferox ea parte virium, deinde sex milia peditum, postremo omnes copias ab destinato iam ante consilio avidus certaminis eduxit. Erat forte brumae tempus et nivalis dies 5 in locis Alpibus Appenninoque interiectis, propinquitate etiam fluminum ac paludium praegelidis. Ad hoc raptim eductis hominibus atque equis, non capto ante cibo, non ope ulla ad arcendum frigus adhibita, nihil caloris inerat et, quidquid aurae fluminis appropinquabant, adflabat acrior frigoris vis. 10 Ut vero refugientes Numidas insequentes aquam ingressi sunt — et erat pectoribus tenus aucta nocturno imbri —, tum utique egressis rigere omnibus corpora ut vix armorum tenendorum potentia esset, et simul lassitudine et procedente iam die fame etiam deficere. The defeat of the

Romans

15

[55] Hannibalis interim miles ignibus ante tentoria factis oleoque per manipulos, ut mollirent artus, misso et cibo per otium capto, ubi transgressos flumen hostis nuntiatum est, alacer animis corporibusque arma capit atque in aciem procedit. Baliares locat ante signa, levem armaturam, octo ferme 20 milia hominum, dein graviorem armis peditem, quod virium, quod roboris erat; in cornibus circumfudit decern milia equi1. ad tumultum: 'to meet the rushing attack.' 2. ferox: 'thoroughly confident.' 3. ab destinato: 'according to his predetermined.' 6. Ad hoc: 'moreover.' 7. hominibus . . . equis: dat. with inerat. 8. quidquid: adverbial with appropinquabant, 'the nearer they approached.' 10. insequentes: i.e. the Romans; nominative. 12. rigere . . . deficere: hist, infinitives. 15. miles: used collectively. 19. Baliares: slingers; here probably typical, standing for the whole levem armaturam, which was probably not all from the Balearic Islands. 21. circumfudit: sc. peditibus; i.e. there were 5000 cavalry on each end of the main battle line.

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287

tum, et ab cornibus in utramque partem divisos elephantos statuit. Consul effuse sequentis equites, cum ab resistentibus subito Numidis incauti exciperentur, signo receptui dato revocatos circumdedit peditibus. Duodeviginti milia Romana erant, socium nominis Latini viginti, auxilia praeterea Ceno- 5 manorum; ea sola in fide manserat Gallica gens. Iis copiis concursum est. Proelium a Baliaribus ortum est; quibus cum maiore robore legiones obsisterent, diducta propere in cornua levis armatura est, quae res effecit ut equitatus Romanus extemplo urgeretur. Nam cum vix iam per se resis-10 terent decern milibus equitum quattuor milia et fessi integris plerisque, obruti sunt insuper velut nube iaculorum a Baliaribus coniecta. Ad hoc elephanti eminentes ab extremis cornibus, equis maxime non visu modo sed odore insolito territis, fugam late faciebant. Pedestris pugna par animis magis 15 quam viribus erat, quas recentes Poenus paulo ante curatis corporibus in proelium attulerat; contra ieiuna fessaque corpora Romanis et rigentia gelu torpebant. Restitissent tarnen animis si cum pedite solum foret pugnatum; sed et Baliares pulso equite iaculabantur in latera et elephanti iam in me- 20 diam peditum aciem sese intulerant et Mago Numidaeque, simul latebras eorum improvida praeterlata acies est, exorti ab tergo ingentem tumultum ac terrorem fecere. Tarnen in tot circumstantibus malis mansit aliquamdiu immota acies, 1. ab cornibus: this probably means on the extreme right and left, beyond the cavalry. 2. equites: the equitatum of page 286, line 1. 3. receptui: dat. of purpose. 4. circumdedit peditibus: ' (he) arrayed on the flanks of the infantry.' — Romana: i.e. Romanorum. 5. socium: gen. plur. — nominis Latini: certain allies who had partial Roman-citizenship rights. — Cenomanorum: a Gallic tribe that lived in the region of the modern cities of Brescia and Verona. 6. in fide: 'loyal,' to the Romans. — lis copiis: about 40,000 Romans and 38,000 Carthaginians. 8. diducta . . . est: 'separated into two parts and withdrew.' 11. et fessi integris plerisque: 'and that too, tired soldiers pitted against those most of whom were fresh.' 13. Ad hoc: ' furthermore.'

288

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

maxime praeter spem omnium adversus elephantos. Eos velites ad id ipsum locati verutis coniectis et avertere et insecuti aversos sub caudis, qua maxime molli cute vulnera accipiunt, fodiebant. [56] Trepidantisque et prope iam in suos conster5 natos e media acie in extremam ad sinistrum cornu adversus Gallos auxiliares agi iussit Hannibal. The retreat of the Romans

Ibi extemplo haud dubiam fecere fugam. Quo novus terror additus Romanis ut fusa auxilia sua viderunt. Itaque cum iam in orbem pugnarent, decern milia ferme hominum, 10 cum alia evadere nequissent, media Afrorum acie, qua Gallicis auxiliis firmata erat, cum ingenti caede hostium perrupere et, cum neque in castra reditus esset flumine interclusis neque prae imbri satis decernere possent qua suis opem ferrent, Placentiam recto itinere perrexere. Plures deinde in 15 omnes partes eruptiones factae; et qui flumen petiere aut gurgitibus absumpti sunt aut inter cunctationem ingrediendi ab hostibus oppressi; qui passim per agros fuga sparsi erant, alii vestigia cedentis sequentes agminis Placentiam contendere, aliis timor hostium audaciam ingrediendi flumen fecit, 20 transgressique in castra pervenerunt. Imber nive mixtus et intoleranda vis frigoris et homines multos et iumenta et elephantos prope omnis absumpsit. Finis insequendi hostis Poenis flumen Trebia fuit, et ita torpentes gelu in castra rediere ut vix laetitiam victoriae sentirent. Itaque nocte insequenti, 25 cum praesidium castrorum et quod reliquum ex fuga saucio1. elephantos: not a novelty to the Romans.—velites: Roman skirmishers; not so called, however, till 211 B.C. 4. Trepidantisque: i.e. as a result of this harsh treatment. — in suos consternatos: 'stampeded into the lines of their own side.' 5. sinistrum: of the Carthaginian line. — Gallos: to whom elephants were a novelty. 10. alia: sc. via. 14. recto itinere: 'directly'; they probably crossed the Trebia near Placentia. — Plures . . . eruptiones: i.e. other attempts to fight their way to safety. 18. alii . . . aliis: referring partitively to qui.

TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS

289

rum ex magna parte militum erat ratibus Trebiam traicerent, aut nihil sensere obstrepente pluvia aut, quia iam moveri nequibant prae lassitudine ac vulneribus, sentire sese dissimularunt, quietisque Poenis tacito agxnine ab Scipione consule exercitus Placentiam est perductus, inde Pado traiecto Cremo- 5 nam, ne duorum exercituum hibernis una colonia premeretur. [Summary of Chapters 57-63 and of Book XXII, Chap. 1: Rome is alarmed. Cn. Servüius and C. Flaminius are elected consuls. After minor engagements Hannibal settles down in winter quarters. The Romans under Cn. Scipio are successful in northeastern Spain. Certain prodigies at Rome are viewed with anxiety, especially by the patricians, who regard the new plebeian consul Flaminius, who had already been consul once, as a rash and headstrong leader. Hannibal finds the Gauls treacherous] Hannibal and his army pass through the Apennines and the marshes of the Arno with great difficulty

[Book XXII, Chap. 2] Dum consul placandis Romae dis habendoque dilectu dat operam, Hannibal profectus ex hibernis, quia iam Flaminium consulem Arretium pervenisse fama erat, cum aliud longius, ceterum commodius ostendere-10 tur iter, propiorem viam per paludes petit, qua fluvius Arnus per eos dies solito magis inundaverat. Hispanos et Afros et omne veterani robur exercitus admixtis ipsorum impedimentis, necubi consistere coactis necessaria ad usus deessent, primos ire iussit, sequi Gallos, ut id agminis medium esset, 15 1. Trebiam traicerent: probably a misstatement, due to Livy's assumption that the battle took place on the east side of the Trebia. 6. duorum exercituum: Sempronius and what remained of his troops were already at Placentia. 8. dilectu: dat.; each consul had two new legions. — hibernis: north of the Apennines, in Liguria. 9. Arretium: one of the most important towns in northern Etruria, and on the Via Cassia, the direct road to Rome. 10. cum: concessive. — aliud longius: probably the road from Bononia south to Faesulae, rather than the still longer one by way of Ariminum; but Hannibal, as usual, wished to surprise his enemy. 12. solito magis: a spring freshet. Hannibal reached the plain probably near Pistoria.

290

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

novissimos ire equites, Magonem inde cum expeditis Numidis cogere agmen, maxime Gallos, si taedio laboris longaeque viae, ut est mollis ad talia gens, dilaberentur aut subsisterent, cohibentem. Primi, qua modo praeirent duces, per praealtas 5 fluvii ac profundas voragines hausti paene limo immergentesque se tamen signa sequebantur. Galli neque sustinere se prolapsi neque adsurgere ex voraginibus poterant neque aut corpora animis aut animos spe sustinebant, alii fessa aegre trahentes membra, alii, ubi semel victis taedio animis pro10 cubuissent, inter iumenta et ipsa iacentia passim morientes ; maximeque omnium vigiliae conficiebant per quadriduum iam et tres noctes toleratae. Cum omnia obtinentibus aquis nihil ubi in sicco fessa sternerent corpora inveniri posset, cumulatis in aqua sarcinis insuper incumbebant, aut iumentorum iti15 nere toto prostratorum passim acervi tantum quod exstaret aqua quaerentibus ad quietem parvi temporis necessarium cubile dabant. Ipse Hannibal, aeger oculis ex verna primum intemperie Variante calores frigoraque, elephanto qui unus superfuerat, quo altius ab aqua exstaret, vectus, vigiliis tamen 20 et nocturno umore palustrique caelo gravante caput, et quia medendi nec locus nec tempus erat, altera oculo capitur. 1. novissimos: 'last.' 2. cogere agmen: 'to bring up the rear.' 3. mollis: corresponding to our modern use of the word "soft" when we speak of a person as being soft from lack of exercise. 4. cohibentem: contains an idea of purpose. — qua modo: 'wherever.' 5. hausti: with concessive force. 7. prolapsi: ' after falling headlong.' 8. alii . . . alii: in partitive apposition with Galli. 9. procubuissent: iterative subj. 10. et ipsa iacentia: 'which were likewise prostrate.' 11. vigiliae: 'lack of sleep.' 12. nihil ubi: 'no spot where.' 13. in sicco: substantive use of the adjective with a preposition, a construction of which Livy is fond. 14. sarcinis: i.e. the personal 'luggage' of the individual soldier. 15. tantum quod exstaret aqua: 'only something above water.' 18. unus: cf. page 288, line 21. 21. capitur: 'lost the sight of.'

TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS Hannibal

devastates

the

291

country

[3] Multis hominibus iumentisque foede amissis cum tandem de paludibus emersisset, ubi primum in sicco potuit castra locat, certumque per praemissos exploratores habuit exercitum Romanum circa Arreti moenia esse. Consulis deinde consilia atque animum et situm regionum itineraque et co- 5 pias ad commeatus expediendos et cetera quae cognosse in rem erat summa omnia cum cura inquirendo exsequebatur. Regio erat in primis Italiae fertilis, Etrusci campi, qui Faesulas inter Arretiumque iacent, frumenti ac pecoris et omnium copia rerum opulenti; consul ferox ab consulatu priore et ίο non modo legum aut patrum maiestatis sed ne deorum quidem satis metuens. Hanc insitam ingenio eius temeritatem fortuna prospero civilibus bellicisque rebus successu aluerat. Itaque satis apparebat nec deos nec homines consulentem ferociter omnia ac praepropere acturum; quoque pronior 15 esset in vitia sua, agitare eum atque inritare Poenus parat, et laeva relicto hoste insidias petens, medio Etruriae agro praedatum profectus, quantam maximam vastitatem potest caedibus incendiisque consuli procul ostendit. Flaminius

resolves on battle

Flaminius, qui ne quieto quidem hoste ipse quieturus erat, 20 tum vero, postquam res sociorum ante oculos prope suos ferri agique vidit, suum id dedecus ratus per mediam iam Italiam 1. foede amissis: 'after the cruel loss of.' 3. certumque . . . habuit: 'was assured.' 6. in rem: 'to his purpose.' 8. fertilis: more true of the country around Faesulse than of that farther south. 9. inter: note the unusual anastrophe. 10. consul ferox: Flaminius had already achieved a bad reputation as a headstrong leader. 11. maiestatis . . . deorum: obj. genitives with metuens used as an adjective. 15. quoque = quo (introducing the purpose clause) + que. 20. Flaminius: Livy is apparently somewhat prejudiced against this plebeian consul.

292

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

vagari Poenum atque, obsistente nullo, ad ipsa Romana moenia ire oppugnanda, ceteris omnibus in consilio salutaria magis quam speciosa suadentibus, collegam exspectandum, ut coniunctis exercitibus communi animo consilioque rem 5 gererent, interim equitatu auxiliisque levium armorum ab effusa praedandi licentia hostem cohibendum, iratus se ex consilio proripuit signumque simul itineris pugnaeque cum proposuisset, " Immo Arreti ante moenia sedeamus," inquit; "hie enim patria et penates sunt. Hannibal emissus e mani10 bus perpopuletur Italiam vastandoque et urendo omnia ad Romana moenia perveniat, nec ante nos hinc moverimus quam, sicut olim Camillum ab Veis, C. Flaminium ab Arretio patres acciverint." Haec simul increpans cum ocius signa convelli iuberet et ipse in equum insiluisset, equus repente 15 corruit consulemque lapsum super caput effudit. Territis omnibus qui circa erant velut foedo omine incipiendae rei insuper nuntiatur signum omni vi moliente signifero convelli nequire. Conversus ad nuntium " N u m litteras quoque," inquit, " a b senatu adfers, quae me rem gerere vetent? abi, 20 nuntia, effodiant signum, si ad convellendum manus prae metu obtorpuerint." Incedere inde agmen coepit primoribus, superquam quod dissenserant ab consilio, territis etiam duplici prodigio, milite in vulgus laeto ferocia ducis, cum spem magis ipsam quam causam spei intueretur. 2. ceteris . . . suadentibus: concessive. — salutaria: viz. those in the indir.-disc. clauses below, collegam . . . cohibendum. 6. iratus: adverbial. 8. Immo: 'Oh, yes!' an ironical speech. 12. sicut olim: sc. acciverunt; when Rome was in a desperate state from the Gallic attack in 390 B.c., Camillus was summoned from exile at Ardea to be dictator, and he came to Veii to meet his army. 15. effudit: i.e. gave him a "spill." 17. moliente signifero: concessive abl. abs. 18. litteras . . . ab senatu: such a letter had been sent him in 223 B.C., urging him to give up his consulship on the ground that it had not been legally begun. This letter he had refused to read till after his victory over the Insubres. 21. primoribus: 'his officers.' 23. in vulgus: 'in general.'

TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS

Battlefield of Lake

293

Trasimenus

Hannibal sets a trap for the Roman army beside Lake

Trasimenus

[4] Hannibal quod agri est inter Cortonam urbem Trasumennumque lacum omni clade belli pervastat, quo magis iram hosti ad vindicandas sociorum iniurias acuat. Et iam pervenerat ad loca nata insidiis, ubi maxime montes Cortonenses Trasumennus subit. Via tantum interest peran- 5 gusta, velut ad id ipsum de industria relicto spatio; deinde paulo latior patescit campus; inde colles insurgunt. Ibi castra in aperto locat, ubi ipse cum Afris modo Hispanisque consideret; Baliares ceteramque levem armaturam post montes circumducit; equites ad ipsas fauces saltus tumulis apte 10 tegentibus locat, ut ubi intrassent Romani obiecto equitatu clausa omnia lacu ac montibus essent. 5. subit: 'approaches the foot of.' — Via . . . perangusta: near Borghetto. 7. campus: extending to the vicinity of Passignano, where the hills again approach the lake. — Ibi: toward Passignano. 9. post montes: probably near Tuoro, including Monte Gualandro. 10. fauces: the pass of entrance near Borghetto.

294

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY Flaminius falls into the trap

Flaminius cum pridie solis occasu ad lacum pervenisset, inexplorato postero die vixdum satis certa luce angustiis superatis, postquajm in patentiorem campum pandi agmen coepit, id tantum hostium quod ex adverso erat conspexit; ab tergo 5 ac super caput haud detectae insidiae. Poenus ubi, id quod petierat, clausum lacu ac montibus et circumfusum suis copiis habuit hostem, signum omnibus dat simul invadendi. Qui ubi qua cuique proximum fuit decucurrerunt, eo magis Romanis subita atque improvisa res fuit, quod orta ex lacu 10 nebula campo quam montibus densior sederat agminaque hostium ex pluribus collibus ipsa inter se satis conspecta eoque magis pariter decucurrerant. Romanus clamore prius undique orto quam satis cerneret, se circumventum esse sensit, et ante in frontem lateraque pugnari coeptum est quam 15 satis instrueretur acies aut expediri arma stringique gladii possent. The confused battle in the morning fog

[5] Consul perculsis omnibus ipse satis, ut in re trepida, impavidus turbatos ordines vertente se quoque ad dissonos clamores instruit, ut tempus locusque patitur, et quacumque 20 adire audirique potest adhortatur ac stare ac pugnare iubet: nec enim inde votis aut imploratione deum sed vi ac virtute evadendum esse; per medias acies ferro viam fieri, et quo timoris minus sit eo minus ferme periculi esse. Ceterum prae 1. inexplorato: this sort of abl. abs., a participle alone, is a feature of Livy's style. 3. postquam . . . coepit: note the succession of three kinds of temporal clauses. 4. tantum . . . adverso: i.e. Hannibal's troops over toward Passignano. 10. campo . . . montibus: locative abl. 11. inter s e : 'to one another.' 15. expediri . . . possent: marching accouterment was quite different from that needed for battle. 17. ut in re trepida: "considering the panic.' 18. vertente se quöque: causal abl. abs. 21. nec enim etc.: indirect report of the consul's hurried words.

TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS

295

strepitu ac tumultu nec consilium nec imperium accipi poterat, tantumque aberat ut sua signa atque ordines et locum noscerent ut vix ad arma capienda aptandaque pugnae competeret animus opprimerenturque quidam onerati magis iis quam tecti. Et erat in tanta caligine maior usus aurium quam 5 oculorum. Ad gemitus vulnerum ictusque corporum aut armorum et mixtos strepentium paventiumque clamores circumferebant ora oculosque. Alii fugientes pugnantium globo inlati haerebant, alios redeuntes in pugnam avertebat fugientium agmen. Deinde, ubi in omnes partes nequiquam 10 impetus capti, et ab lateribus montes ac lacus, a fronte et ab tergo hostium acies claudebant, apparuitque nullam nisi in dextera ferroque salutis spem esse, tum sibi quisque dux adhortatorque factus ad rem gerendam et nova de integro 1. accipi: cf. Eng. "taken in." 2. tantumque aberat . . . noscerent: 'and so far were they from recognizing'; substantive result clause. 6. vulnerum: subjective gen.; 'caused by their wounds.'—ictusque: i.e. the sound that they made. 11. impetus capti: 'they had undertaken to charge.' 12. claudebant: sc. eos. 14. factus: sc. est.

296

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

exorta pugna est, non ilia ordinata per principes hastatosque ac triarios, nec ut pro signis antesignani, post signa alia pugnaret acies, nec ut in sua legione miles aut cohorte aut manipulo esset; fors conglobabat et animus suus cuique ante ε aut post pugnandi ordinem dabat; tantusque fuit ardor animorum, adeo intentus pugnae animus ut eum motum terrae qui multarum urbium Italiae magnas partes prostravit avertitque cursu rapidos amnis, mare fluminibus invexit, montes lapsu ingenti proruit, nemo pugnantium senserit. After brave fighting against odds, the consul is killed, and most of his army destroyed

10

[6] Tres ferme horas pugnatum est, et ubique atrociter; circa consulem tamen acrior infestiorque pugna est. Eum et robora virorum sequebantur, et ipse quacumque in parte premi ac laborare senserat suos impigre ferebat opem; insignemque armis et hostes summa vi petebant et tuebantur 15 cives, donee Insuber eques — Ducario nomen erat — facie quoque noscitans consulem, "En," inquit, "hie est," popularibus suis, "qui legiones nostras cecidit agrosque et urbem est depopulatus! Iam ego hanc victimam manibus peremptorum foede civium dabo"; subditisque calcaribus equo per 20 confertissimam hostium turbam impetum facit, obtruncatoque prius armigero, qui se infesto venienti obviam obiecerat, consulem lancea transfixit; spoliare cupientem triarii obiectis scutis arcuere. Magnae partis fuga inde primum coepit; et iam nec lacus 25 nec montes pavori obstabant: per omnia arta praeruptaque velut caeci evadunt, armaque et viri super alios alii praecipitantur. Pars magna, ubi locus fugae deest, per prima vada paludis in aquam progressi, quoad capitibus umerisque ex1. principes etc.: the customary arrangement of the ranks at that period was hastati, principes, triarii. 6. motum terrae: Cicero in his De Divinatione (I, xxxv) quotes Caelius Antipater's report of this earthquake. 15. Ducario: dat. in an expression of naming. 27. Pars . . . progressi: synesis.

TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS

297

stare possunt sese immergunt. Fuere quos inconsultus pavor nando etiam capessere fugam impulerit, quae ubi immensa ac sine spe erat, aut deficientibus animis hauriebantur gurgitibus aut nequiquam fessi vada retro aegerrime repetebant atque ibi ab ingressis aquam hostium equitibus passim trucidabantur. 5 Sex milia ferme primi agminis per adversos hostis eruptione impigre facta, ignari omnium quae post se agerentur, ex saltu evasere et cum in tumulo quodam constitissent, clamorem modo ac sonum armorum audientes, quae fortuna pugnae esset neque scire nec perspicere prae caligine poterant. 10 Inclinata denique re cum incalescente sole dispulsa nebula aperuisset diem, tum liquida iam luce montes campique perditas res stratamque ostendere foede Romanam aciem. Itaque, ne in conspectos procul immitteretur eques, sublatis raptim signis quam citatissimo poterant agmine sese abripue-15 runt. Postero die, cum super cetera extrema fames etiam instaret, fidem dante Maharbale, qui cum omnibus equestribus copiis nocte consecutus erat, si arma tradidissent abire cum singulis vestimentis passurum, sese dediderunt; quae Punica religione servata fides ab Hannibale est, atque in vincula 20 omnes coniecit. The magnitude

of the

disaster

[7] Haec est nobilis ad Trasumennum pugna atque inter paucas memorata populi Romani clades. Quindecim milia Romanorum in acie caesa; decern milia sparsa fuga per omnem Etruriam diversis itineribus urbem petiere; duo milia 25 quingenti hostium in acie, multi postea ex vulneribus periere. 6. adversos hostis: apparently the main army with Hannibal near Passignano. 7. ignari: another case of synesis. — quae . . . agerentur: implied indir. discourse, dependent on ignaii. 8. tumulo quodam: perhaps near San Donato. 11. Inclinata denique re cum: 'at last, when the battle had been lost, and.' 19. passurum: sc. subject se. — Punica religione: an ironical phrase; cf. page 250, line 20. But those who live in glass houses had better not throw stones!

298

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Multiplex caedes utrimque facta traditur ab aliis; ego, praeterquam quod nihil auctum ex vano velim, quo nimis inclinant ferme scribentium animi, Fabium, aequalem temporibus huiusce belli, potissimum auctorem habui. Hannibal capti5 vorum qui Latini nominis essent sine pretio dimissis, Romanis in vincula datis, segregata ex hostium coacervatorum cumulis corpora suorum cum sepeliri iussisset, Flamini quoque corpus funeris causa magna cum cura inquisitum non invenit. How the news was received at Rome

Romae ad primum nuntium cladis eius cum ingenti terrore 10 ac tumultu concursus in forum populi est factus. Matronae vagae per vias, quae repens clades adlata quaeve fortuna exercitus esset obvios percunctantur. Et cum frequentis contionis modo turba in comitium et curiam versa magistratus vocaret, tandem haud multo ante solis occasum M. Pompo15 nius praetor " Pugna," inquit," magna victi sumus." Et quamquam nihil certius ex eo auditum est, tamen alius ab alio impleti rumoribus domos referunt consulem cum magna parte copiarum caesum, superesse paucos aut fuga passim per Etruriam sparsos aut captos ab hoste. Pathetic

20

incidents

Quot casus exercitus victi fuerant, tot in curas distracti animi eorum erant quorum propinqui sub C. Flaminio con1. Multiplex: ' far greater.' 2. auctum ex vano: 'idly exaggerated.' — quo: ' a tendency to which.' 3. Fabium: Fabius Pictor, an early Roman annalist. 5. qui: sc. antecedent eis. — Latini nominis: cf. note on page 287, line 5. These captives, Hannibal hoped, would influence their communities to revolt from Rome. 8. inquisitum: concessive. 12. obvios: 'of all whom they met.' 13. comitium: the space where contiones were commonly held, in the northern part of the Forum and adjacent to the senate house. — magistratus vocaret: to get official news. 15. praetor: he was the praetor peregrinus; his curt statement was characteristic of Roman senatorial dignity.

TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS

299

sule meruerant, ignorantium quae cuiusque suorum fortuna esset; nec quisquam satis certum habet quid aut speret aut timeat. Postero ac deinceps aliquot diebus ad portas maior prope mulierum quam virorum multitudo stetit, aut suorum aliquem aut nuntios de iis opperiens, circumfundebanturque 5 obviis sciscitantes, neque avelli, utique ab notis, priusquam ordine omnia inquisissent, poterant. Inde varios vultus digredientium ab nuntiis cerneres, ut cuique laeta aut tristia nuntiabantur, gratulantesque aut consolantes redeuntibus domos circumfusos. Feminarum praecipue et gaudia insig- 10 nia erant et luctus. Unam in ipsa porta sospiti filio repente oblatam in complexu eius exspirasse ferunt; alteram, cui mors filii falso nuntiata erat, maestam sedentem domi ad primum conspectum redeuntis filii gaudio nimio exanimatam. Senatum praetores per dies aliquot ab orto usque ad occiden- 15 tem solem in curia retinent, consultantes quonam duce aut quibus copiis resisti victoribus Poenis posset. 2. habet: the reversion to the hist. pres. paints the scene in more vivid colors. 3. Postero: sc. die. 8. cerneres: for the iterative idea here in the conclusion of a past general condition, cf. page 250, line 3 (discerneres). 11. porta: the city gate. 12. alteram: Pliny the Elder and Gellius relate this incident in connection with the account of the battle of Cannae. 15. praetores: the ranking magistrates left at Rome.

ALBIUS TIBULLUS

T

IBULLUS (c. 48-19 B.c.). the earliest of the famous group of elegiac poets of the Augustan Age, was a country gentleman, with an estate at Pedum, not far from Rome, where he spent much of his time, preferring a life of genteel retirement to the strenuous activities of war or politics. Yet he must have been a familiar figure in the group of poets that frequented the home of his patron Messalla, who was prominent in the Roman literary world of the time. He even went with Messalla on the Aquitanian campaign, and soon after (30 B.c.) started with him on an expedition to the East; but illness released the poet from further military activities, and he returned to his beloved "Delia," a pseudonym for the lady whose praises are celebrated in Book I of his elegies. In Book II he sings of another fair one, whom he calls "Nemesis." Books III and IV of the Tibullus collection were probably largely the work of other hands, Book III in particular having been written by somebody calling himself "Lygdamus," and Book IV containing several short elegies apparently by Sulpicia, probably a niece of Messalla. The short life of Tibullus and his meticulous care in writing left but a small body of poetry. But his artless art, tender sentiment, charming idyllic pictures of Italian country life, cultured style, and metrical perfection place him high in the group of Augustan writers of elegy, a type of poetry in which the Romans achieved distinguished success. The outstanding modern edition of Tibullus is by Kirby Smith. Many of the best of his poems are in Harrington's Roman Elegiac Poets. Consult also Sellar's Horace and the Elegiac Poets. [Mackail, p. 130; Duff, I, p. 551]

300

ALBIUS

TIBULLUS

WAR AND

301

PEACE

Quis fuit horrendos primus qui protulit enses ? Quam ferus et vere ferreus ille fuit! Tum caedes hominum generi, turn proelia nata, Tum brevior dirae mortis aperta viast. An nihil ille miser meruit, nos ad mala nostra Vertimus in saevas quod dedit ille feras ? Divitis hoc vitium est auri, nec bella fuerunt, Faginus adstabat cum scyphus ante dapes. Non arces, non vallus erat, somnumque petebat Securus varias dux gregis inter oves. Tunc mihi vita foret, vulgi nec tristia nossem Arma nec audissem corde micante tubam; Nunc ad bella trahor, et iam quis forsitan hostis Haesura in nostro tela gerit latere. Sed patrii servate lares; aluistis et idem, Cursarem vestros cum tener ante pedes. Neu pudeat prisco vos esse e stipite factos; Sic veteris sedes incoluistis avi. W A R AND PEACE [Meter 2]. This, probably the earliest of the elegies of Tibullus, was probably written in 32 or 31 B.c. As a young man the poet foresaw the probability that he would have to bear his part in military service, but as a lover of the simple life of the country he deprecates the idea of war and rings the changes on the blessings of peace. 2. ferus . . . ferreus: not merely alliteration, but also a mild paronomasia. 5. An: 'or perhaps, should we not say?' — nihil: i.e. no blame.•— nos: sc. autem. 6. Vertimus: best taken as perf. tense. — in . . . feras: a purpose. 8. Faginus . . . scyphus: a sign of the simple life of old times. 9. Non . . . erat: i.e. in those days of simplicity. 10. varias: sheep of different colors were herded together. — dux gregis = pastor. 11. Tunc . . . foret (= esset): a condition or wish, with particle omitted; the use of this tense instead of the pluperfect implies that the following clauses would be as true in present as in past time. 13. Nunc: 'but as it is.'— trahor: poetic license. — quis = aliquis. 14. Haesura: 'destined to rankle.' 15. servate: sc. me a bello; the poet hopes not to go.

5

10

15

302

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Tunc melius tenuere fidem, cum paupere cultu Stabat in exigua ligneus aede deus. Hie placatus erat, seu quis libaverat uvam Seu dederat sanctae spicea serta comae; Atque aliquis voti compos liba ipse ferebat Postque comes purum filia parva favum. At nobis aerata, lares, depellite tela, Hostiaque e plena rustica porcus hara. Hanc pura cum veste sequar myrtoque canistra Vincta geram, myrto vinctus et ipse caput. Sic placeam vobis; alius sit fortis in armis, Sternat et adversos Marte favente duces, Ut mihi potanti possit sua dicere facta Miles et in mensa pingere castra mero. Quis furor est atram bellis arcessere mortem? Imminet et tacito clam venit ilia pede. Non seges est infra, non vinea-culta, sed audax Cerberus et Stygiae navita turpis aquae; Illic percussisque genis ustoque capillo Errat ad obscuros pallida turba lacus. 1. t e n u e r e : sc. homines. 2. ligneus deus: cf. page 301, line 17. 3. uvam: by metonymy for vinum. 4. spicea: 'of grain.' 5. voti compos: 'whose prayers had been answered.' 6. filia: sc. ferebat. 7. nobis: 'my prayer is.' 8. porcus: a relatively costly thank offering; sc. erit. 9. canistra: containing sacrificial accessories and offerings. 11. alius etc.; so in I, i, 1, Tibullus writes, Divitias alius . . . congerat. 13. potanti . . . dicere . . . m e r o : the picture is of a pair sitting at a little white-marble-topped table over a glass of red wine, while the returned soldier boasts of his exploits and traces with wine-colored finger the plan oi the battle. 16. ilia: i.e. mors. 17. infra: Tibullus is describing Hades. 18. navita: Charon. 19. percussisque: i.e. cadaverous-looking, as at the time of death. 20. pallida t u r b a : the shades. — lacus: indicating the dark and sluggish appearance of the rivers of the lower world.

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Quam potius laudandus hie est quem prole parata Occupat in parva pigra senecta casa! Ipse suas sectatur oves, at filius agnos, E t calidam fesso conparat uxor aquam. Sic ego sim, liceatque caput candescere canis, Temporis et prisci facta referre senem. Interea Pax arva colat. Pax Candida primum Duxit araturos sub iuga curva boves, Pax aluit vites et sucos condidit uvae, Funderet ut nato testa paterna merum; Pace bidens vomerque nitent — at tristia duri Militis in tenebris occupat arma situs — Rusticus e lucoque vehit, male sobrius ipse, Uxorem plaustro progeniemque domum. Sed Veneris tum bella calent, scissosque capillos Femina perfractas conqueriturque fores ; Flet teneras subtusa genas, sed victor et ipse Flet sibi dementes tam valuisse manus. 1. laudandus: 'to be considered fortunate.' — prole parata: perhaps with grandchildren on his knee. 2. Occupat: 'overtakes.' 3. Ipse . . . aquam: with this picture cf. that of the farmer in Horace's second epode (pp. 227 ff.). 5. canis: sc. capillis. 7. Interea: Tibullus was a very young man when he wrote this, and it would naturally be a good many years before he became a senex. — P a x Candida: a shadowy personality, a personification treated as a goddess. 8. araturos: expresses purpose. 9. sucos condidit uvae: i.e. made wine, an important part of Italian rural life. 10. testa paterna: i.e. the amphora filled by the father. 11. nitent: because in constant use. 13. Rusticus . . . domum: a picture of the return of the family from a rustic festival. — male: 'hardly,' 'far from.' 15. Veneris tum bella: the poem on war and peace resolves itself at the end into a treatment of the contests of love, love being a theme to which Tibullus easily reverts. This rather violent loving is clearly more or less the result of the drinking which has preceded. 16. fores: i.e. of the loved one's domicile. 17. ipse Flet: repentance arrives with soberness.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

At lascivus Amor rixae mala verba ministrat, Inter et iratum lentus utrumque sedet. Ah lapis est ferrumque, suam quicumque puellam Verberat; e caelo deripit ille deos. Sit satis e membris tenuem rescindere vestem, Sit satis ornatus dissoluisse comae, Sit lacrimas movisse satis; quater ille beatus Quo tenera irato flere puella potest. Sed manibus qui saevus erit, scutumque sudemque Is gerat et miti sit procul a Venere. At nobis, Pax alma, veni spicamque teneto, Perfluat et pomis Candidus ante sinus. 2. iratum . . . utrumque: 'the angry pair' (Cranstoun). — lentus: 'unmoved.' 3. lapis est ferrumque: the application here of the idea on page 301, line 2. 4. e caelo deripit: 'is dethroning.' 7. quater: 'thrice and again.' 8. flere: as an indication of love. 11. spicamque teneto: as ancient representations of Peace do. The colloquial fut. imperative is weaker than the pres. 12. Perfluat: 'overflow.'

SEXTUS PROPERTIUS

P

ROPERTIUS (c. 47-c. 15 B.C.), an even more brilliant elegist than Tibullus and a member of the Maecenas circle, came from Umbria, where his paternal estate was in or near Assisi. Though destined for the law, he preferred poetry. Fond of good company, he early formed an attachment for a high-born lady named Hostia, whom he, however, always called "Cynthia." The intensity of his devotion may be seen in many of his elegies; but when she proved persistently fickle, he finally wrote her a bitter farewell. The first of his four books of elegies is concerned chiefly with this passion. A diminishing amount of space in the other books is taken up with the same theme; more and more the poet writes of his art, of the glories of the Empire, of the honor due his patron Maecenas, of the beginnings of Rome, and he addresses various real or mythical persons whose experiences call for a sympathetic treatment. Toward the end of his brief life he became the pioneer in Roman literature of the etiological poem and the imaginary amatory epistle, both of which types were admirably developed by Ovid. Propertius is an egoistic poet, whose inspiration was primarily love, which was gradually displaced by ambition. He writes with splendid imagination and poetic abandon, in a style that is brilliant, careless of conventions, often defiant of grammatical rules, sometimes even to the point of obscurity, and not infrequently pedantic — the poetry of a genius. Evidently influenced by Vergil and other contemporaries, he and Horace seem to have been mutually distasteful. His debt to the Alexandrians is heavy, and his verses are often overloaded with learning, like those of his Alexandrine models, to whom he proudly refers. His treatment of the elegiac verse shows a progressive refinement and an ultimate approximation to the Ovidian standards. The German edition of Rothstein is recommended. Cf. also Harrington's Roman Elegiac Poets and Sellar's Horace and the Elegiac Poets. [Mackail, p. 123; Duff, I, p. 561]

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY T H E POET'S ADVICE TO HIS F R I E N D

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Dum tibi Cadmeae dicuntur, Pontice, Thebae Armaque fraternae tristia militiae, Atque, ita sim felix, primo contendis Homero, Sint modo fata tuis mollia carminibus, Nos, ut consuemus, nostros agitamus amores, Atque aliquid duram quaerimus in dominam; Nec tantum ingenio quantum servire dolori Cogor et aetatis tempora dura queri. Hie mihi conteritur vitae modus, haec mea famast, Hinc cupio nomen carminis ire mei. THE POET'S ADVICE TO HIS FRIEND [Meter 2]. Addressed to Ponticus, who evidently had ambitions as an epic poet, but whose work has not survived to our time. Propertius admits that he himself is absorbed only in love and love poetry, but tells his friend that if he too should fall in love, he might wish that he had written elegies rather than epics. 1. Cadmeae: Cadmus was the traditional founder of Thebes. — Thebae: the legends connected with Thebes were the subject of many a literary work, including several epic Thebaids; only the Thebaid by Statius is now extant. 2. fraternae: refers to Eteocles and Polynices, who inherited the kingdom of Thebes, but ended with internecine strife. They were the sons of CEdipus by a second wife, Eurygania. Their father had put on them the curse that they should divide their inheritance by the sword. Polynices secured the help of Adrastus, king of Argos and Sicyon, whose daughter he had married, and with several heroes brought fatal war against his brother; Adrastus only, of all the famous warriors, escaped alive. 3. ita sim felix: an optative adjuration; cf. our familiar "So help me God!" — primo: Homer is perpetually awarded the primacy in poetry. — Homero: poetic dat. with contendis. 4. Sint . . . fata . . . mollia: this proviso has not been fulfilled. 5. consuemus = consuevimus. — agitamus: ' are constantly writing about.' — amores: i.e. love in its changing phases. 6. duram: Cynthia at times seemed very cold to her lover. — in dominam: purpose, a common construction in Propertius. 7. ingenio: the poet's tastes and ambitions, he often hints, might suggest loftier themes, were he not so deeply involved in his great passion. 8. aetatis = iuventutis. 9. Hie . . . haec . . . Hinc: all referring to his love for Cynthia. 10. nomen: i.e. the fame that he might achieve. The name of this book, Cynthia Monobiblos, realizes the wish.

SEXTUS PROPERTIUS M e laudent doctae solum placuisse puellae, Pontice, et iniustas saepe tulisse minas; M e legat adsidue post haec neglectus amator, E t prosint illi cognita nostra mala. T e quoque si certo puer hie concusserit arcu, Quod nolim nostras eviolasse deos, Longe castra tibi, longe miser agmina septem Flebis in aeterno surda iacere situ, E t frustra cupies mollem componere versum, Nec tibi subiciet carmina serus Amor. Tum me non humilem mirabere saepe poetam; Tunc ego Romanis praeferar ingeniis, Nec poterunt iuvenes nostro reticere sepulcro "Ardoris nostri magne poeta, iaces." T u cave nostra tuo contemnas carmina fastu; Saepe venit magno fenore tardus Amor.

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1. laudent . . . placuisse: 'let men laud me for having pleased.' — doctae: Cynthia too was a poet, and Propertius calls her docta several times. 2. iniustas . . . minas: one of numerous references in Propertius to the violent temper and language in which his Cynthia often indulged. 3. Me legat . . . neglectus amator: Propertius aspires to have his works become a consolation book for unhappy lovers. 4. cognita nostra mala: ' knowledge of my unhappy experiences.' 5. puer hie: Cupid. 6. Quod nolim . . . deos: parenthetical, 'though I should hope that our patron divinities would not do so to you'; quod is an acc. of inner object with the inf.; nolim is the conclusion of an implied condition. — deos: Venus and Cupid. 7. Longe: 'sorely.' — agmina septem: referring to the fierce battle of "the seven against Thebes." 8. surda: 'mute.' 9. mollem: as distinguished from heroic (epic hexameter) verse, both in subject and in form. 10. subiciet: 'suggest.' 11. non: i.e. 'no longer.' 12. ingeniis: used in our concrete sense of 'geniuses,' i.e. inspired poets. 13. sepulcro: abl. of place. 14. Ardoris: 'passion.' —iaces: 'alas, that thou shouldst lie so low!' 16. fenore: i.e. cumulative force.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY T H E N E W T E M P L E OF APOLLO

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Quaeris cur veniam tibi tardior. Aurea Phoebi Porticus a magno Caesare aperta fuit. Tota erat in speciem Poenis digesta columnis, Inter quas Danai femina turba senis. Hie equidem Phoebo visus mihi pulchrior ipso Marmoreus tacita carmen hiare lyra, Atque aram circum steterant armenta Myronis, Quattuor artifices, vivida signa, boves. Tum medium claro surgebat marmore templum, E t patria Phoebo carius Ortygia, In quo Solis erat supra fastigia currus, E t valvae, Libyci nobile dentis opus, THE NEW TEMPLE OF APOLLO [Meter 2]. An apology to Cynthia for coming late; his excuse is that he had been to see the newly opened Palatine temple of Apollo, the date being October 9, 28 B.c. Octavian (Augustus) built and dedicated this beautiful structure in honor of Apollo in return for his favor, shown particularly at the battle of Actium in 31 B.C., which decided who should rule the Roman world. The temple, with its sacred inclosure and its handsome porticus (which surrounded it), was a revelation of beauty to Rome. The precious Sibylline Books were transferred here for safekeeping under the protection of Apollo himself. 1. tibi: an ethical dat. — Aurea: because of its golden-yellow marble {giallo antico, see note on p. 207,1. 4). 2. aperta fuit: 'had just been opened and stood open,' i.e. for inspection. 3. in speciem: purpose acc. — Poenis: cf. note on Aurea, line 1. 4. Danai . . . turba: i.e. the fifty Danaides, statues of whom stood between the columns. It is stated that statues of their unlucky husbands stood in the sacred inclosure. — femina: here used as an adj. 5. Hie: 'then,' i.e. next in order as I proceeded. 6. Marmoreus: sc. Phoebus. — tacita . . . lyra: abl. abs. with concessive force. — hiare: 'to be opening his lips to sing.' Which type of the various Apollo statues this was is not known. 7. aram circum: anastrophe. — armenta: i.e. bronze figures of cattle, in which Myron excelled. —Myronis: 'by Myron.' 8. artifices: 'artistically fashioned.' 9. claro: the white marble came from Luna (Carrara). 10. Ortygia: Delos, where Apollo was born. 11. supra fastigia: an ornament in this position was called an acroterium. 12. dentis: 'ivory,' gen. of material.

SEXTUS PROPERTIUS

309

Altera deiectos Parnasi vertice Gallos, Altera maerebat funera Tantalidos. Deinde inter matrem deus ipse interque sororem Pythius in longa carmina veste sonat. ^ 1. Altera . . . Altera: in partitive apposition with valvae. — Gallos; Brennus and his Gauls tried to capture Delphi (on the slope of Parnassus), the site of Apollo's famous oracle, in 279 B.C., but were thrown back by the intervention of Apollo himself. 2. maerebat: 'presented the sad picture of.' — funera Tantalidos: i.e. the death of the children of Niobe, who were destroyed because of their mother's presumption. 3. Deinde: i.e. seen after entering the cella of the temple. — matrem: Leto, whose statue was by Cephisodotus. — deus ipse . . . Pythius . . . sonat: the famous [Apollo Citharcedus (lyre-playing), by Scopas (see frontispiece).— sororem: Artemis (Diana), by Timotheus.

PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO

O

VID, the leading poet of the closing Golden Age of Roman literature, was born at Sulmo in 43 B.c. and died in banishment at Tomi on the Black Sea in 18 A.D. He belonged to a noble equestrian family, studied widely, and while still a young man became a member of the highest literary and social circles in Rome, where his brilliant poetic gift made him ever welcome. He was thrice married and had a daughter. In the midst of his gay life and high social standing, like " a bolt from the blue" came the imperial decree of banishment to the remote Tomi, on the Black Sea, for reasons never fully explained. His banishment is generally understood to have been partly due to the somewhat questionable character of some of his writings, but doubtless there was some social faux pas the exact nature of which we can only surmise. His faithful wife remained in Rome at his request, to labor for a remission of his sentence, though all in vain. Ovid was hardly more than a boy when he began to write and publish poetry. He could no more avoid it than could Isaac Watts in more recent times help uttering his feelings in verse. His remarkable poetic facility made him a voluminous writer, most of whose product has been preserved. His earliest work was the Amores, originally published in five books, but later revised and compressed into three. They are mostly, as their name implies, love elegies, in which appears frequently the somewhat hazy form of a "Corinna," probably a kind of composite photograph of numerous lady friends. The books include, however, some other poems of special interest, like his defense of poesy and the tender dirge on the death of Tibullus. These were followed by the Heroides, a series of imaginary letters from lovelorn ladies to their absent lovers or spouses. In these epistles Ovid shows a remarkable understanding of feminine psychology. They follow the cue given him by his friend Propertius in his elegy of Arethusa addressed to Lycotas. The fifteen books of Metamorphoses (Transformations), written in hexameters, Ovid considered his masterpiece. They gave him ample opportunity to demonstrate his unusual skill in narrative poetry and in interweaving one legend with another. They have always been popular and have exerted an untold influence on later literature. Such tales as his "Phaethon," "Pyramus and Thisbe," "Echo and Nar310

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cissus," and "Baucis and Philemon" are among the most treasured inheritances of literature. From Propertius also came inspiration for the Fasti, or Roman Festivals, of which only six books were completed, an explanation in elegiac verse of the Roman calendar, giving its religious significance and traditional legends in the respective months and affording another fine opportunity to piece together stories from many sources, mostly Latin, including Livy, Verrius Flaccus, and Varro. The Ars Amatoria, in three books, and the Remedia Amoris, in one, belong to Ovid's erotic poetry and reflect the extreme license of the society in which their author moved. The former is usually picked as among the causes of his banishment. With the exception of some minor or lost works, the rest of his writings consist of the plaintive, and somewhat wearisome, groups of poems written in exile and intended to arouse the compassion of the Emperor and secure a return to Rome — the Tristia, in five books, and the Epistulae ex Ρonto, in four, addressed to Augustus, to Ovid's wife, and to other friends. Ovid is a poetical rhetorician who wrote in impeccable metrical form. His greatest fault is a certain emotional and moral superficiality, but this quality is by no means always present in his writings. His studied perfection, however, in following the ultimate canon of Roman elegy, whereby every couplet contains a complete thought and every pentameter ends in a dissyllable, tends to pall on the reader. His works enjoyed a great vogue throughout the Empire, and on into the Middle Ages, the Renaissance period, and Elizabethan England. We find them exercising an important influence not merely on such Roman poets as Manilius, Lucan, Statius, and Martial, but equally on Tasso, Ariosto, Montaigne, Chaucer, Spenser, Milton, and Shakespeare. In England they were favorites in the original and in translations, such as that of Dryden. On the art also of Italy, France, and Holland Ovid exercised a notable influence. There are many convenient annotated editions of various works of Ovid, but no noteworthy general edition, unless it be the text of Riese. The text of the Metamorphoses by Hugo Magnus should be mentioned. [Mackail, p. 133; Duff, I, p. 578]

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY ON T H E D E A T H OF

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TIBULLUS

Memnona si mater, mater ploravit Achillem E t tangunt magnas tristia fata deas, Flebilis indignos, Elegeia, solve capillos! Ah, nimis ex vero nunc tibi nomen erit! Ille tui vates opens, tua fama, Tibullus Ardet in exstructo, corpus inane, rogo. Ecce, puer Veneris fert eversamque pharetram E t fractos arcus et sine luce facem. Adspice, demissis ut eat miserabilis alis Pectoraque infesta tundat aperta manu! Excipiunt lacrimas sparsi per colla capilli, Oraque singultu concutiente sonant. Fratris in Aeneae sic ilium funere dicunt Egressum tectis, pulcher Iule, tuis. Nec minus est confusa Venus moriente Tibullo Quam iuveni rupit cum ferus inguen aper. On THE DEATH OF TIBULLUS [Meter 2\ This, an elegy in the restricted use of the term, written apparently in 19 B.C. on the all-too-early demise of the first of the remarkable group of Augustan elegists, is one of the most beautiful, and seems to be one of the most genuine in feeling, of the occasional poems of Ovid. 1. Memnona: Memnon, king of the Ethiopians, who went to help Priam in the Trojan War, but was killed by Achilles. His mother was Eos; the mother of Achilles was Thetis. 3. Flebilis: i.e. having the character of a dirge. —indignos: 'undeserving,' i.e. of such sorrow. — Elegeia: personified elegy is exalted by her devotee to a place among the magnas deas. — solve capillos: as a sign of mourning. 4. ex vero: referring to the originally sad character of this type of poetry. 5. fama: 'glory.' 7. eversamque pharetram etc.: signs of mourning; the conjunctions que . . . E t . . . et are correlative. 10. Pectoraque . . . tundat: a recognized form of mourning, as is the disheveled hair of the following line. 12. concutiente: 'convulsive.' 13. Fratris: ^Eneas and Cupid were both sons of Venus. 15. est confusa Venus: because Tibullus wrote of love. 16. iuveni: Adonis, beloved of Venus; dat. instead of gen. of possession.

PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO

At sacri vates et divum cura vocamur! Sunt etiam qui nos numen habere putent! Scilicet omne sacrum mors importuna profanat, Omnibus obscuras inicit ilia manus. Quid pater Ismario, quid mater profuit, Orpheo? Carmine quid victas obstipuisse feras ? E t Linon in silvis idem pater "aelinon!" altis Dicitur invita concinuisse lyra. Adice Maeoniden, a quo, ceu fonte perenni, Vatum Pieriis ora rigantur aquis; Hunc quoque summa dies nigro submersit Averno; Defugiunt avidos carmina sola rogos. Durat opus vatum, Troiani fama laboris, Tardaque nocturno tela retexta dolo. Sic Nemesis longum, sic Delia nomen habebunt, Altera cura recens, altera primus amor. Quid vos sacra iuvant ? quid nunc Aegyptia prosunt Sistra? Quid in vacuo secubuisse toro? Cum rapiunt mala fata bonos, — ignoscite fasso! — Sollicitor nullos esse putare deos.

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1. A t . . . vocamur: ironical, 'yet we are supposed to be.' 2. numen: ' a divine inspiration.' 3. Scilicet: here used seriously. 5. pater: Apollo. — mater: Calliope. — Orpheö: synizesis. 7. Linon: Linus was also a son of Apollo. — aelinon = αΐλινον, 'Ah! Linus!' double acc. with Linon and concinuisse. 9. Maeoniden: a not uncommon designation for Homer. 10. Pieriis . . . aquis: Aganippe, Hippocrene, Castalia. 12. carmina sola: a favorite idea of the poets; cf. Horace, Odes, III, xxx (p. 221). 13. Troiani fama laboris: the Iliad. 14. Tardaque . . . tela: of Penelope; this incident represents the Odyssey. 15. Nemesis: the name by which Tibullus designates his lady-love in Book II. — Delia: the lady celebrated in Book I. 16. cura = amata. 17. vos: Delia and Nemesis. 18. Sistra: used in the worship of Isis, whom Delia besought on behalf of her lover. — secubuisse: a part of the rite demanded by Isis. 19. ignoscite: addressed to gods in general.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Vive pius: moriere pius. Cole sacra: colentem Mors gravis a templis in cava busta trahet. Carminibus confide bonis: iacet ecce Tibullus; Vix manet e toto, parva quod urna capit. Tene, sacer vates, flammae rapuere rogales Pectoribus pasci nec timuere tuis ? Aurea sanctorum potuissent templa deorum Urere, quae tantum sustinuere nefas. Avertit vultus Erycis quae possidet arces; Sunt quoque qui lacrimas continuisse negant. Sed tamen hoc melius quam si Phaeacia tellus Ignotum vili supposuisset humo. Hinc certe madidos fugientis pressit ocellos Mater et in cineres ultima dona tulit; Hinc soror in partem misera cum matre doloris Venit inornatas dilaniata comas, Cumque tuis sua iunxerunt Nemesisque priorque Oscula nec solos destituere rogos. Delia descendens "Felicius," inquit, "amata Sum tibi; vixisti, dum tuus ignis eram." Cui Nemesis "Quid," ait, "tibi sunt mea damna dolori? Me tenuit moriens deficiente manu." 1. Vive, Cole: independent protases, to which the fut. ind. moriere and trahet are apodoses; the poet speaks bitterly, addressing nobody in particular. 4. toto: i.e. Tibullo; cf. the lines spoken by Hamlet: " Imperial Csesar, dead and turn'd to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away."

5. Tene: an exclamatory question,' can it be that you ?' etc. 7. potuissent: sc. illae referring to flammae. 9. quae: Venus Erycina, whose temple was on Mt. Eryx. 10. continuisse: sc. subject earn. 11. Phaeacia tellus etc.: Tibullus had been dangerously ill on the island of Corfu, as he tells in his elegies, I, 3. 13. fugientis: i.e. morientis.— pressit: 'closed.' 15. in partem: 'to express her share.' 16. dilaniata comas: her method of expressing grief. 17. tuis: i.e. propinquis.— priorque: i.e. Delia, his earlier "flame." 19. descendens: i.e. from the pyre.

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Si tarnen e nobis aliquid nisi nomen et umbra Restat, in Elysia valle Tibullus erit; Obvius huic venias hedera iuvenalia cinctus Tempora cum Calvo, docte Catulle, tuo; Tu quoque, si falsum est temerati crimen amici, 5 Sanguinis atque animae prodige Galle tuae. His comes umbra tua est; siqua est modo corporis umbra, Auxisti numeros, culte Tibulle, pios. Ossa quieta, precor, tuta requiescite in urna, Et sit humus cineri non onerosa tuo! 10 [.Amores, III, 9]

4. T e m p o r a : acc. of specification. — Calvo: the poetry of Calvus, who was a brilliant writer and speaker and an intimate friend of Catullus, has not survived to our time. 5. t e m e r a t i . . . amici: Augustus, against whom Gallus plotted, we are told, and committed suicide when detected; but Ovid seems to doubt the truth of the accusation. Gallus was a scholarly elegist, but his poetry is lost. 8. pios: 'of the blessed dead.' 10. sit h u m u s etc.: a common tomb inscription was sit tibi terra levis.

POMPEIUS TROGUS OMPEIUS TROGUS, of Gallic descent and the son of one of Julius Caesar's officers, was one of the encyclopedic authors of the Augustan Age. He was the author of certain scientific works and particularly of a history in forty-four books entitled Historiae Philippicae et Totius Mundi Origines et Terrae Situs, which deals especially with Macedonian history. It is preserved only in the form of an epitome made by Junianus Justinus about the beginning of the third century A.D. The latest Teubner text edition is by Rühl-De Gutschmid (1915). [Mackail, p. 162; Duff, I, p. 636]

MITHRIDATES TO HIS TROOPS: ROME'S HATRED OF KINGS

Quippe non delicta regum illos, sed vires ac maiestatem insequi, neque in uno se, sed in aliis quoque omnibus hac semper arte grassatos. Sic et avum suum Pharnacen per cognitionum arbitria succidaneum regi Pergameno Eumeni 5 datum; sic rursus Eumenen, cuius classibus primum in Asiam fuere transiecti, cuius exercitu magis quam suo et magnum Antiochum et Gallos in Asia et mox in Macedonia regem MITHRIDATES TO HIS TROOPS: ROME'S HATRED OF KINGS.

This

speech, in indirect discourse, is one of the few long passages in Justin's epitome which are taken verbatim from Pompeius Trogus. 1. illos: the Romans. 2. in uno se: Mithridates. 3. grassatos: note the contemptuous significance of the word; a grassator is a ' footpad.'—Pharnacen: Pharnaces I, who came to the throne of Pontus in 190 B.C. — per cognitionum arbitria: 'by judicial decision.' 5. Eumenen: Eumenes II, king of Pergamum from 197 to 159 B.C. 6. fuere transiecti = sunt transiecti: the fleet of Eumenes had aided the Romans to cross the Hellespont in their war with Antiochus. 7. Antiochum: Antiochus III of Syria; Eumenes helped the Romans to crush him at the battle of Magnesia in 190 B.C. — Gallos: the Gauls under their leader Ortiagon were defeated by Eumenes in 183 B.c. 316

POMPEIUS TROGUS

317

Persen domuerant, et ipsum pro hoste habitum eique interdictum Italia, et, quod cum ipso deforme sibi putaverant, cum filio eius Aristonico bellum gessisse. Nullius apud eos maiora quam Masinissae, regis Numidarum, haben merita; huic imputari victum Hannibalem, huic captum Syphacem, 5 huic Karthaginem deletam, hunc inter duos illos Africanos tertium servatorem urbis referri; tamen cum huius nepote bellum modo in Africa gestum adeo inexpiabile ut ne victum quidem patris memoriae donarent quin carcerem ac triumphi spectaculum experiretur. Hanc illos omnibus regibus 10 legem odiorum dixisse, scilicet quia ipsi tales reges habuerint quorum etiam nominibus erubescant, aut pastores Aboriginum, aut haruspices Sabinorum, aut exules Corinthiorum, aut servos vernasque Tuscorum, aut, quod honoratissimum 1. Persen: Perses or Perseus, last king of Macedon, was defeated by the Romans at Pydna in 168 B.c., gracing the triumph of his conqueror Lucius ^Emilius Paulus. He died in captivity at Alba a few years later. — interdictum Italia: Eumenes, suspected of treacherous overtures to Perseus, was forbidden by decree of the senate to enter Italy. 3. Aristonico: an illegitimate son of Eumenes, who claimed the throne after the death of his father, but was defeated by the Roman consul Perperna in 130 B.c., was led in the triumph of Manius Aquillius, and then beheaded. 5. victum Hannibalem: Masinissa and his cavalry were of great assistance to Scipio Africanus in his defeat of Hannibal at Zama in 202 B.C. — Syphacem: this king of the Numidian tribe of Massaesylians and ally of Carthage was defeated and captured by Masinissa and Laslius toward the close of the Second Punic War. 6. Karthaginem deletam: in 150 B.C. Masinissa defeated the Carthaginians, and the Romans seized this opportunity to declare war in 149 B.C., which ended in the destruction of Carthage. — Africanos: the two Scipios who led the Romans in their last two wars with Carthage. 7. nepote: Jugurtha, who was led in the triumph of Marius in 104 B.C. Sallust's history of the conflict between Rome and Jugurtha has been preserved. 12. quorum . . . erubescant: a characteristic clause introduced by the tales of line 11. — pastores Aboriginum: i.e. Romulus. 13. haruspices Sabinorum: i.e. Numa Pompilius, second king of Rome and a Sabine from Cures. — exules Corinthiorum: the elder Tarquin was the son of Demaratus, an exile from Corinth. 14. servos vernasque Tuscorum: i.e. Servius Tullius, the son of a slave woman, verna.

318

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

nomen fuit inter haec, Superbos; atque ut ipsi ferant conditores suos lupae uberibus alitos, sic omnem ilium populum luporum animos inexplebiles sanguinis atque imperii divitiarumque avidos ac ieiunos habere. [xxxvill vi 1-8] 1. Superbos: the last Tarquin, called 'the Proud.' — conditores suos: the twins, Romulus and Remus.

MARCUS VERRIUS FLACCUS AND POMPEIUS FESTUS E R R I U S FLACCUS, the composer of the De Verborum Significatu, the first alphabetically arranged encyclopedic lexicon in Latin, was a freedman who served as tutor to Augustus's grandchildren. His learned work is represented by a partially preserved abridgment made by a grammarian, Pompeius Festus, at the beginning of the third century A.D. In the eighth century the work underwent further abridgment at the hands of Paulus Diaconus. The Teubner text edition is by W. Lindsay (1913). [Mackail, p. 165; Duff, I, p. 629]

EXAMPLES FROM T H E A B R I D G M E N T OF FESTUS

Perfugam Gallus Aelius ait qui liber aut servus [aut hostis] sua voluntate ad hostes transierit; qui idem dicitur transfuga. Quamquam sunt qui credant perfugam esse non tarn qui alios fugiat quam qui ob spem commodorum ad quempiam perfugiat. [Ed. Lindsay, p. 236]

5

Qui patres, qui conscripti vocati sunt in Curiam? Quo tempore regibus Urbe expulsis, P. Valerius consul propter inopiam patriciorum ex plebe adlegit in numerum senatorum C et LX et IUI ut expleret numerum senatorum trecentorum et duo genera appellaret [esse]. [Ed . Lindsay( p. 304 ] 10 EXAMPLES FROM THE ABRIDGMENT OF FESTUS.

1. G a l l u s A e l i u s :

C. ^Elius Gallus, author of a work entitled De Verborum quae ad Ius Civile Pertinent Significatione. 2. ad hostes: early commentators, however, suggested that the distinction should be noted between perfuga (a deserter from the enemy to us) and transfuga (a deserter from us to the enemy), but acknowledged that, it was not observed. 7. Quo tempore: 509 B.c. — P. Valerius: later surnamed Publicola. 8. inopiam patriciorum: the new conscripti were probably plebeians. 319

320

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Scribas proprio nomine antiqui et librarios et poetas vocabant; at nunc dicuntur scribae equidem librari qui rationes publicas scribunt in tabulis. Itaque cum Livius Andronicus bello Punico secundo scripsisset carmen, quod a virginibus 5 est cantatum, quia prosperius respublica populi Romani geri coepta est, publice attributa est ei in Aventino aedis Minervae, in qua liceret scribis histrionibusque consistere ac dona ponere; in honorem Livi, quia is et scribebat fabulas et agebat-

10

[Ed. Lindsay, p. 446]

Scholae dictae sunt non ab otio ac vacatione omni, sed quod, caeteris rebus omissis, vacare liberalibus studiis pueri debent; ut etiam ludi appellantur, in quibus minime luditur, ne tristi aliquo nomine fug . . . [ £ d Lindsay> p 470]

1. proprio: 'special.' 6. attributa est: i.e. the use was granted as explained in the text. 10. Scholae: the Greek σχολή, 'leisure,' might suggest an incorrect interpretation of the meaning of the Latin word. But 'leisure for learning, discussion,' etc., was the origin of our meaning 'school.' 11. studiis: dat. 13. fug . . .: Joseph Scaliger suggested completing the sentence thus: iugiant pueri suo fungi munere.

MARCUS MANILIUS

T

HE AUTHOR of the Astronomica, a didactic work in five books, was probably named Manilius, though the manuscripts also give the names M. Mallius and Manlius. It was completed under Tiberius, though perhaps begun near the close of Augustus's reign. Of Mänilius's life we know nothing. His attitude is that of a Stoic. The poem is one of the longest didactic Latin works in verse. Five books are extant. The introductions to the books and occasional digressions display descriptive power and genuine beauty, as well as fine technical skill. There is an excellent annotated edition by Housman (1903-1930).

[Mackail, p. 158; Duff, I, p. 618]

MANILIUS'S UNDERTAKING

Carmine divinas artes et conscia fati Sidera diversos hominum variantia casus, Caelestis rationis opus, deducere mundo Aggredior primusque novis Helicona movere Cantibus et viridi nutantis vertice silvas Hospita sacra ferens nulli memorata priorum. Hunc mihi tu, Caesar, patriae princepsque paterque, Qui regis augustis parentem legibus orbem Concessumque patri mundum deus ipse mereris, MANILIUS'S UNDERTAKING [ M e t e r 2],

3. C a e l e s t i s r a t i o n i s :

'that

ratio which rules heaven.'—opus: in apposition to Sidera . . . variantia casus. — mundo: i.e. caelo. 4. primusque: like the words nulli memorata priorum, a claim to be the first Roman poet to deal with astronomy. — Helicona: Mt. Helicon in Bceotia, sacred to Apollo and the Muses. 7. Caesar: Augustus. — patriae princepsque paterque: Augustus held the titles princeps and pater patriae. 8. augustis . . . legibus: note the suggestion of Octavian's title Augustus in the adj. augustis. 9. patri: Julius Caesar. — deus ipse: poetic flattery such as was also indulged in by Vergil, Horace, Propertius, and Ovid. Here Augustus is invoked in place of some god or goddess or of the Muses. 321

322

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Das animum viresque facis ad tanta canenda. Iam propiusque favet mundus scrutantibus ipsum Et cupit aetherios per carmina pandere census. Hoc mihi surgit opus non ullis ante sacratum Carminibus. Faveat magno fortuna labori, Annosa et molli contingat Vita senecta, Ut possim rerum tantas emergere moles Magnaque cum parvis simili percurrere cura.

5

[I, 1-12 and 113-117] T H E DIFFICULTY OF MANILIUS'S

10

15

COMPOSITION

Non regis magni spatio maiore canenda Quam sunt acta loquar. Romanae gentis origo, Quotque duces urbis tot bella atque otia, et omnis In populi unius leges ut cesserit orbis, Differtur. Facile est ventis dare vela secundis Fecundumque solum varias agitare per artes Auroque atque ebori decus addere, cum rudis ipsa Materies niteat. Speciosis condere rebus Carmina vulgatum est, opus et componere simplex. At mihi per numeros ignotaque nomina rerum 1. tanta: 'such lofty themes.' 2. scrutantibus: sc. hominibus. — ipsum: the heavens, which are being studied. 3. census: in the sense of 'riches.' 4. sacratum: 'immortalized.' THE DIFFICULTY OF MANILIUS'S COMPOSITION [ M e t e r ΐ ] , 9. N o n :

to be taken with loquar. — regis magni: Alexander the Great, whose deeds require more time for their telling than their accomplishment consumed. But Manilius does not intend to sing of the conqueror nor of the exploits of Rome. 12. In populi unius leges: the whole world beneath Rome's sway. 14. agitare: 'to work.' 18. At: Manilius is not choosing a task that is simple and easy because of the theme. — numeros: 'mathematics.' — ignotaque nomina: Manilius had to create his terminology.

323

MARCUS MANILIUS

Temporaque et varios casus momentaque mundi Signorumque vices partesque in partibus ipsis Luctandum est. rT PERSEUS FALLS IN LOVE AT FIRST

SIGHT

Isque ubi pendentem vidit de rupe puellam, Deriguit facie, quem non stupefecerat hostis, 5 Vixque manu spolium tenuit, victorque Medusae Victus in Andromedast. Iam cautibus invidet ipsis Pelicisque vocat teneant quae membra catenas. Et postquam poenae causam cognovit ab ipsa, Destinat in thalamos per bellum vadere ponti, 10 Altera si Gorgo veniat, non territus illa. n , rfiQ_r7CT 1. Temporaque . . . mundi: 'seasons and varying changes and revolutions of the heavens.' 2. vices . . . ipsis: 'changes and divisions with the divisions themselves.' PERSEUS FALLS IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT [Meter

J]. 4. I s q u e : the

Argive hero Perseus. — puellam: Andromeda. 5. facie: of Andromeda. — hostis: the Gorgon Medusa, whose countenance had the power of turning people to stone. 6. spolium: the Gorgon's head. 9. poenae causam: the Nereids, when Andromeda's mother boasted herself to surpass them in beauty, were enraged and had Poseidon send a flood and sea monster into the land of the Ethiopian king Cepheus, father of Andromeda. The oracle of Ammon said that these curses would be removed if Andromeda were given to the monster; so her father was forced by his people to chain her to a rock, whence Perseus rescued her and married her (in thalamos). 10. bellum . . . ponti: i.e. with Poseidon.

SENECA THE ELDER (SOMETIMES CALLED "RHETOR")

I

UCIUS A N N ^ U S SENECA the Elder was born probably about 50 B.C. at Corduba in Spain and came early in life to Rome. He seems to have oscillated between Rome and Spain from time to time, but spent the larger part of his life in the country of his adoption. By his wife, Helvia, likewise a native of Spain, he had three sons, Marcus Annzeus Novatus, Lucius Annseus Seneca (the philosopher), and Marcus Annseus Mela (the father of the poet Lucan). A man of equestrian rank, wealth, and high social standing, he seems to have been possessed likewise of a high degree of culture and a character of unusual nobility and high ideals. He lived to an advanced age, his death occurring somewhere about 38 A.D. Proud of Rome and its great men, he was apparently especially interested in the achievements of famous Romans in the field of oratory. While we have no evidence that he was himself an orator or a teacher of oratory, he prepared, perhaps for the use of his sons, a reminiscent work setting forth the manner of Roman schools of declamation, an art much cultivated in the Augustan Age. The title of his work, which is only partially preserved, is Oratorum et Rhetorum Sententiae, Divisiones, Color es, that is, the notable utterances, plans of the speeches, and especial arguments of the pleaders on both sides of a number of different cases. There were ten books of Controversiae, or fictitious speeches in the trials of criminals or in civil suits, and at least two books of Suasoriae, or advice to more or less historical persons on how to act in supposed cases. Only one book of the Suasoriae is extant, and several of the valuable introductions to the various books are lost. These introductions express the ideas and observations of Seneca himself in a fine style and interesting manner, while the body of the books consists chiefly of recollections which his remarkable memory made possible, showing how famous orators had treated the various questions — one hundred and twenty of these orators, or declaimers, are mentioned or quoted in Seneca's work. There is a Teubner text edition of his works by Kiessling (1922) and an annotated one of the Suasoriae by W. A. Edwards (1928). [Mackail, p. 167; Duff, II, p. 42] 324

SENECA THE ELDER SENECA'S

325

MEMORY

Sed cum multa iam mihi ex meis desideranda senectus fecerit, oculorum aciem retuderit, aurium sensum hebetaverit, nervorum firmitatem fatigaverit, ante ea quae rettuli, memoria est res ex omnibus animi partibus maxime delicata et fragilis, in quam primam senectus incurrit. Hanc aliquando 5 adeo in me floruisse, ut non tantum ad usum sufficeret, sed in miraculum usque procederet, non nego; nam et duo milia nominum recitata quo erant ordine dicta reddebam et ab his, qui ad audiendum praeceptorem mecum convenerant, singulos versus a singulis datos, cum plures quam ducenti 10 efficerentur, ab ultimo incipiens ad primum usque recitabam. Nec ad complectenda tantum quae vellem velox mihi erat memoria sed etiam ad continenda quae acceperat solebat bonae esse fidei. Nunc et aetate quassata et longa desidia, quae iuvenilem quoque animum dissolvit, eo perducta est, ut, 15 etiamsi potest aliquid praestare, non possit promittere. Diu ab ilia nihil repetivi; nunc quia iubetis, quid possit experiar et illam omni cura scrutabor. Ex parte enim bene spero; nam quaecumque apud illam aut puer aut iuvenis deposui, quasi recentia aut modo audita sine cunctatione profert; 20 at si qua illi intra proximos annos commisi, sic perdidit et amisit, ut, etiamsi saepius ingerantur, totiens tarnen tamquam nova audiam. IControversiae, I, Praef., 2-3] SENECA'S MEMORY. 1. cum: 'although.' — mihi: Seneca is speaking. — desideranda: to be taken with multa. 3. ante: 'more than.' — rettuli: ' I have mentioned.' 5. aliquando: 'formerly.' 8. reddebam: ' I would repeat'; customary action. 11. recitabam: similar stories are told of Lord Macaulay. Among other feats of memory he is said to have been able to repeat everything on a page of the London Times after a single reading or hearing. 14. bonae esse fidei: ' to be quite reliable.' — quassata, perducta est: sc. memoria as subject. 17. ab ilia: i.e. memoria, to which refer the following illam, apud illam, and illi. — iubetis: he addresses his sons, M. Annaeus Novatus, L. Annaua Seneca, the philosopher, and M. Annaeus Mela.

326

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY CASSIUS SEVERUS LOSES P A T I E N C E W I T H BOMBASTIC

THE

CESTIUS

Memini me intrare scholam eius, cum recitaturus esset in Milonem; Cestius ex consuetudine sua miratus dicebat: " Si Thraex essem, Fusius essem; si pantomimus essem, Bathyllus essem, si equus Melissio." Non continui bilem et excla5 mavi: " Si cloaca esses, maxima esses." Risus omnium ingens; scholastici intueri me, quis essem, qui tam crassas cervices haberem. Cestius Ciceroni responsurus mihi quod responderet non invenit, sed negavit se exsecuturum, nisi exissem de domo. Ego negavi me de balneo publico exiturum, nisi lotus 10 essem.

[Controversiae,

III, Praef., 16]

CASSIUS SEVERUS LOSES PATIENCE WITH THE BOMBASTIC CESTIUS.

The speaker is Cassius Severus, a famous orator and satirical writer of the time of Augustus and Tiberius. Because of his libelous verses on distinguished people at Rome he was banished by Augustus to Crete. He continued his activity there, so that Tiberius confiscated his property in 24 A.D. and removed him to the bleak island of Seriphus, where he died in 33 A.D. 1. eius: L. Cestius Pius, distinguished rhetorician and orator of the Augustan Age. — in Milonem: Cestius was about to deliver before his audience a reply to Cicero's famous defense of T. Annius Papianus Milo, rival of Clodius, who was slain in a brawl between the two at Bo villa in 52 B.C. 2. sua: ' his own accomplishments'; acc. plur. 3. Thraex: a Thracian, a kind of gladiator. — Fusius: a famous gladiator. — Bathyllus: an Alexandrian who lived in the time of Augustus; he brought into prominence the pantomime, and his rivalry with Pylades, another favorite of the public, even led to rioting at Rome in 17 B.C. 4. Melissio: evidently a famous race horse. 5. maxima: the famous Cloaca Maxima at Rome started in the valley of the Subura, crossed the Forum, and entered the Tiber at the Forum Boarium. Note the play on the word maxima, which means 'the biggest' and also refers to the special sewer. The Cloaca Maxima is well preserved and still functions more than two thousand years after its construction, an excellent example of early Roman arch construction. 6. crassas cervices: an expression evidently meaning 'effrontery' or 'cheek.' 8. negavit se exsecuturum: 'said that he wouldn't continue his speech.' 9. balneo: the baths were a favorite center for reading or oratory. — nisi lotus essem: ' until I'd had my bath.'

SENECA THE ELDER TYPICAL THEMES OF

327

CONTROVERSIAE

The daughter of the pirate chief

Captus a piratis scripsit patri de redemptione; non redimebatur. Archipiratae filia iurare eum coegit, ut duceret se uxorem, si dimissus esset; iuravit. Relicto patre secuta est adulescentem. Rediit ad patrem, duxit illam. Orba incidit; pater imperat, ut archipiratae filiam dimittat et orbam ducat. 5 Nolentem abdicat. [Controversiae, I, vi] Non recepti ab imperatore Nocte in bello portas aperire ne liceat. Imperator in bello summam habeat potestatem.

Trecenti ab hoste captivi ad portas nocte venerunt, imperator non aperuit; ante portas occisi sunt. Imperator post 10 victoriam reus est laesae rei publicae. [Controversiae, V, vii] HOW CICERO MET DEATH

Nolo autem vos, iuvenes mei, contristari quod a declamatoribus ad historicos transeo. Satis faciam vobis et fortasse efficiam ut, his sententiis lectis, solidis et verum habentibus accedatis aequiores; hoc si tarnen recta via consequi non 15 potero, decipere vos cogar, velut salutarem daturus pueris potionem, summa parte poculi. T. Livius adeo retractationis consilium habuisse Ciceronem non dicit, ut neget tempus habuisse; ita enim ait. "M. Cicero sub adventum triumvirorum urbe cesserat pro certo habens, id quod erat, non 20 TYPICAL THEMES OF CONTROVERSIAE.

6. N o l e n t e m : sc. filium.

7. Nocte etc.: the rule is stated. 8. Imperator etc.: another, possibly conflicting, rule. H o w CICERO MET DEATH. 14. s o l i d i s : 'real.'

15. aequiores: 'in a more friendly spirit.' 17. summa . . . poculi: for sweetening with honey the rim of a bitter cup cf. Lucretius I, 936 ff. — retractationis: Cicero was said by some to have considered retracting his speeches against Antony in order to save his life. 19. triumvirorum: Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus.

328

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

magis Antonio eripi se quam Caesari Cassium et Brutum posse; primo in Tusculanum fugerat, inde transversis itineribus in Formianum ut ab Caieta navem conscensurus proficiscitur, unde aliquotiens in altum provectum cum modo 5 venti adversi rettulissent, modo ipse iactationem navis caeco volvente fluctu pati non posset, taedium tandem eum et fugae et vitae cepit, regressusque ad superiorem villam, quae paulo plus mille passibus a man abest, 'Moriar,' inquit, 'in patria saepe servata.' Satis constat servos fortiter fideliter10 que paratos fuisse ad dimicandum; ipsum deponi lecticam et quietos pati quod sors iniqua cogeret iussisse. Prominenti ex lectica praebentique immotam cervicem caput praecisum est. Nec id satis stolidae crudelitati militum fuit. Manus quoque scripsisse aliquid in Antonium exprobrantes praecide15 runt. Ita relatum caput ad Antonium iussuque eius inter duas manus in rostris positum, ubi ille consul, ubi saepe consularis, ubi eo ipso anno adversus Antonium quanta nulla umquam humana vox cum admiratione eloquentiae auditus fuerat; vix attollentes lacrimis oculos humentes intueri trun20 cata membra civis poterant." [Suasoriae, VI, 16-17] 1. Antonio: dat.— Caesari: i.e. Octavian. 2. Tusculanum: Cicero had a villa at Tusculum in Latium on the hills which form a continuation of the Alban Mount on the west. — transversis itineribus: across country, avoiding the main highways. 3. Formianum: Cicero's villa at Formise on the Via Appia between Fundi and Minturnae. — Caieta: the port of Formiae. 5. caeco: Edwards takes fluctus caecus to be a ' wave without foam or spray,' perhaps a 'ground swell.' 11. quietos: sc. servos. 17. eo ipso anno: 43 B.C., in which part of Cicero's Philippics were composed.

VALERIUS MAXIMUS

V

ALERIUS MAXIMUS, a friend of Sextus Pompeius (consul in 14 A.D.), flourished in the reign of Tiberius and is the author of Facta et Dicta Memorabilia, in nine books, a collection of anecdotes. It deals with such subjects as religion, magistracies, friendship, gratitude, and the like, and each chapter is usually divided into Roman and foreign examples. The author is pro-Caesarian. He shows a tendency for moralizing, and his style is rhetorical. [Mackail, p. 164; Duff, II, p. 65]

SECRECY OF SENATORIAL PROCEEDINGS

Adeo autem magna caritate patriae tenebantur, ut arcana consilia patrum conscriptorum multis saeculis nemo senator enuntiaverit. Q. Fabius Maximus tantum modo, et is ipse per imprudentiam, de tertio Punico bello indicendo quod secreto in curia erat actum P. Crasso rus petens domum revertenti in itinere narravit, memor eum triennio ante quaestorem factum, ignarus nondum a censoribus in ordinem senatorium allectum, quo uno modo etiam iis qui iam honores gesserant aditus in curiam dabatur. Sed, quamvis honestus error Fabii esset, vehementer tamen a consulibus obiurgatus est: numquam enim taciturnitatem, optimum ac tutissimum administrandarum rerum vinculum, labefactari volebant. Γγτ .. 1Ί SECRECY OF SENATORIAL PROCEEDINGS. 1. patriae: obj. gen. — tenebantur: sc. senatores as subject. 2. nemo: here used as an adjective. 3. Q. Fabius Maximus: probably Q. Fabius Maximus Servilianus, consul in 142 B.C. 4. tertio Punico bello: 149-146B.C.—indicendo: 'declaring.' 5. P. Crasso: P. Licinius Crassus Dives Mucianus, who was born about 180B.c. and became quaestor in 152. — rus petens:.with Fabius Maximus. 6. eum: i.e. Crassus. 329

330

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY ROMAN GOOD FAITH

Speciosa ilia quoque Romana fides. Ingenti Poenorum classe circa Siciliam devicta, duces eius fractis animis consilia petendae pacis agitabant. Quorum Hamilcar ire se ad consules negabat audere, ne eodem modo catenae sibi ini5 cerentur quo ab ipsis Cornelio Asinae consuli fuerant iniectae. Hanno autem, certior Romani animi aestimator, nihil tale timendum ratus maxima cum fiducia ad colloquium eorum tetendit. Apud quos cum de fine belli ageret et tribunus militum ei dixisset posse illi merito evenire quod Cornelio 10 accidisset, uterque consul tribuno tacere iusso "Isto te," inquit, "metu, Hanno, fides civitatis nostrae liberat." Claros illos fecerat tantum hostium ducem vincire potuisse, sed multo clariores fecit noluisse. . rVT [VI, vi,

T H E S A B I N E COW

Servio Tullio regnante cuidam patri familiae in agro Sa15 bino praecipuae magnitudinis et eximiae formae vacca nata est. Quam oraculorum certissimi auctores in hoc a dis immortalibus editam responderunt ut quisquis earn Aventinensi Dianae immolasset eius patria totius terrarum orbis imperium obtineret. Laetus eo dominus bovem summa cum festina20 tione Romam actam in Aventino ante aram Dianae constituit, ROMAN GOOD FAITH. 3. Hamilcar: a Carthaginian commander in the First Punic War, probably not identical with Hamilcar Barca, the father of Hannibal. 5. Cornelio Asinae: Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina, who foolishly went to a conference on the ship of the Carthaginian admiral and was there seized and put in chains. 11. fides: 'good faith,' subject of liberat. 13. noluisse: i.e. to have been unwilling to hold the enemy captive at the expense of their honor; the infin. is the subject of fecit. THE SABINE COW. 14. patri familiae: this form is found in the account of Livy, I, 45; the earlier form was patri familias. Legend gives the name of the Sabine as Antro Curiatus. 16. in hoc: explained by the following ut clause. 17. Aventinensi: Diana was worshiped on the Aventine hill.

VALERIUS MAXIMUS

331

sacrificio Sabinis regimen humani generis daturus. De qua re antistes templi certior factus religionem hospiti intulit, ne prius victimam caederet quam proximi amnis se aqua abluisset, eoque alveum Tiberis petente vaccam ipse immolavit et urbem nostram tot civitatium, tot gentium dominam 5 pio sacrificii furto reddidit. üi ^ A P I R A T E R A I D ON SCIPIO'S E S T A T E

Ad eundem Africanum in Liternina villa se continentem complures praedonum duces videndum eodem tempore forte confluxerunt. Quos cum ad vim faciendam venire existimasset, praesidium domesticorum in tecto collocavit eratque in 10 his repellendis et animo et apparatu occupatus. Quod ut praedones animadverterunt, dimissis militibus abiectisque armis, ianuae appropinquant et clara voce nuntiant Scipioni non vitae eius hostes sed virtutis admiratores venisse conspectum et congressum tanti viri quasi caeleste aliquod bene-15 ficium expetentes. . . . Haec postquam domestici Scipioni retulerunt, fores reserari eosque intromitti iussit. Qui postes ianuae tamquam aliquam religiosissimam aram sanctumque templum venerati cupide Scipionis dexteram apprehenderunt ac diu osculati, positis ante vestibulum donis quae deorum 20 immortalium numini consecrari solent, laeti quod Scipionem vidisse contigisset, ad lares reverterunt. rTT 9, 3. aqua abluisset: flowing water was employed for religious purification. A PIRATE RAID ON SCIPIO'S ESTATE. 7. eundem Africanum: Scipio. — in Liternina villa: Litemum was a city in a swampy district north of Cum® in Campania. 16. H a e c : i.e. the words of the pirates. 21. laeti quod . . . contigisset: 'rejoicing because it had fallen to their lot to have beheld Scipio.'

GAIUS VELLEIUS PATERCULUS

C

VELLEIUS PATERCULUS (born c. 19 B.C.). soldier and hiso torian, served as tribunus militum, and ,he acted as an officer under Tiberius for eight years. His duty took him to Thrace, Macedonia, the East, and Germany. He was quaestor elect in 6 A.D. and was nominated as candidatus Caesaris for the praetorship in 14 A.D. His Roman history, of compendious character, is dedicated to M. Vinicius, consul in 30 A.D. The eighteen extant chapters of Book I deal with early history, while the one hundred and thirty-one chapters of Book II cover the period from the time of the Gracchi through the first sixteen years of the reign of Tiberius. The author is antidemocratic and proCaesarian ; he expressed unbounded admiration for Tiberius and devoted nearly forty chapters to him. The character-drawing in the work is excellent, and in general Velleius's style has considerable color and variety. The latest and best edition is that of Bolaffi (1930) for the Paravia series. [Mackail, p. 163; Duff, II, p. 83]

VELLEIUS ASSAILS ANTONY FOR T H E M U R D E R OF CICERO

Nihil tam indignum illo tempore fuit, quam quod aut Caesar aliquem proscribere coactus est aut ab ullo Cicero proscriptus est. Abscisaque scelere Antoni vox publica est, cum eius salutem nemo defendisset, qui per tot annos et publicam 5 civitatis et privatam civium defenderat. Nihil tamen egisti, M. Antoni (cogit enim excedere propositi formam operis erumpens animo ac pectore indignatio), nihil, inquam, egisti mercedem caelestissimi oris et clarissimi capitis abscisi nuVELLEIUS ASSAILS ANTONY FOR THE MURDER OF CICERO, l . C a e s a r :

Augustus. 6. propositi formam operis: i.e. the concise outlining of the chief events of Roman history. 8. mercedem: a 'price* for the head of Cicero. 332

GAIUS VELLEIUS PATERCULUS

333

merando auctoramentoque funebri ad conservatoris quondam rei publicae tantique consulis inritando necem. Rapuisti turn Ciceroni lucem sollicitam et aetatem senilem et vitam miseriorem te principe quam sub 5 te triumviro mortem, famam vero gloriamque factorum atque dictorum adeo non abstulisti, ut auxeris. Vivit vivetque per omnem saeculorum memoriam, 10 dumque hoc vel forte vel Providentia vel utcumque constitutum rerum naturae corpus, quod ille paene solus Romanorum animo vidit, ingenio 15 complexus est, eloquentia illuMark Antony minavit, manebit incolume, comitem aevi sui laudem Ciceronis trahet omnisque posteritas illius in te scripta mirabitur, tuum in eum factum execrabitur. [II, Ixvi] S T R A N G E T R I C K S OF F O R T U N E

Quis fortunae mutationes, quis dubios rerum humanarum 20 casus satis mirari queat ? Quis non diversa praesentibus contrariaque expectatis aut speret aut timeat? Livia, nobilissimi et fortissimi viri Drusi Claudiani filia, genere, probitate, forma Romanarum eminentissima, quam postea coniugem Augusti vidimus, quam transgressi ad deos sacerdotem ac 25 2. inritando: 'by inciting' anyone by means of cruel wages to k i l l . . . See the account of the murder of Cicero in Plutarch's Cicero, 47-48. 8. adeo . . . ut auxeris: 'you were so far from taking away [famam etc.] that you (actually) increased them.' 11. hoc . . . rerum naturae corpus: 'this universe.' 19. in te scripta: the Philippics. STRANGE TRICKS OF FORTUNE. 25. transgressi: 'when passed over to' or 'when enrolled among'; sc. eius (i.e. Augusti); Livia became his priestess after his death and apotheosis.

334

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

filiam, tum fugiens mox futuri sui Caesaris arma ac manus bimum hunc Tiberium Caesarem, vindicem Romani imperii futurumque eiusdem Caesaris filium, gestans sinu, per avia itinerum vitatis militum gladiis uno comitante, quo facilius 5 occultaretur fuga, pervenit ad mare et cum viro Nerone pervecta in Siciliam est. MARK ANTONY IN EGYPT

Crescente deinde et amoris in Cleopatram incendio et vitiorum, quae semper facultatibus licentiaque et adsentationibus aluntur, magnitudine, bellum patriae inferre constituit, 10 cum ante novum se Liberum Patrem appellari iussisset, cum redimitus hederis crocotaque velatus aurea et thyrsum tenens cothurnisque succinctus curru velut Liber Pater vectus esset Alexandriae. [ n lxxxii] PLANCUS DESERTS ANTONY AND IS REBUKED AS A TURNCOAT

Inter hunc apparatum belli Plancus, non iudicio recta le15 gendi neque amore rei publicae aut Caesaris, quippe haec semper impugnabat, sed morbo proditor, cum fuisset humillimus adsentator reginae et infra servos cliens, cum Antoni librarius, cum obscenissimarum rerum et auctor et minister, cum in omnia et omnibus venalis, cum caeruleatus et 1. filiam: Livia was adopted in her husband's will and given the name Augusta. — sui: sc. mariti. 5. Nerone: Tiberius Nero, the father of the future emperor Tiberius. 6. in Siciliam: they sought refuge with the pirate chief Sextus Pompeius, son of Pompey the Great. MARK ANTONY IN EGYPT. 7. vitiorum: with magnitudine.

10. novum se Liberum Patrem: in posing as vtos Διόνυσο« Antony was following the custom of various Hellenistic monarchs. 13. Alexandriae: locative. PLANCUS DESERTS ANTONY AND IS REBUKED AS A TURNCOAT.

14. Plancus: in 27 B.C. he proposed in the senate that Octavian be called "Augustus." — recta: neuter acc. plur., 'the right cause.'

GAIUS VELLEIUS PATERCULUS

335

nudus caputque redimitus arundine et caudam trahens, genibus innixus Glaucum saltasset in convivio, refrigeratus ab Antonio ob manifestarum rapinarum indicia transfugit ad Caesarem. Et idem postea clementiam victoris pro sua virtute interpretabatur, dictitans id probatum a Caesare cui 5 ille ignoverat; hunc autem mox avunculum Titius imitatus est. Haud absurde Coponius, vir e praetoriis gravissimus, P. Silii socer, cum recens transfuga multa ac nefanda Plancus absenti Antonio in senatu obiceret, "Multa," inquit, "mehercules fecit Antonius pridie quam tu ilium relinqueres." 10 [II, lxxxiii] 2. Glaucum saltasset: 'represented in pantomime the part of Glaucus,' a sea divinity. — refrigeratus: 'having been given the cold shoulder.' 6. Titius: as slayer of Sextus Pompeius cordially detested by the Roman people. 7. Coponius: placed on the proscription list in 43 B.C., but spared by Antony.

QUINTUS CURTIUS RUFUS T IS believed that Q. Curtius wrote in the time of Claudius's reign, and he may have been the Curtius Rufus mentioned in Tacitus. This Curtius, the son of a gladiator, won a triumph for overworking the soldiers in German silver mines and became proconsular governor of Africa. He composed ten books on the exploits of Alexander the Great; and of these, Books I I I - X have been preserved. He mentions as his sources Clitarchus and Timagenes. Curtius is an excellent narrator, and his style is clear and vigorous. A useful study is S. Dosson's Etude sur Quinte-Curce (1887).

I

[Mackail, p. 180; Duff, II, p. 101] ALEXANDER CUTS THE GORDIAN KNOT

Alexander urbe in dicionem suam redacta Iovis templum intrat. Vehiculum, quo Gordium, Midae patrem, vectum esse constabat, aspexit, cultu haud sane a vilioribus vulgatisque usu abhorrens. Notabile erat iugum adstrictum com5 pluribus nodis in semetipsos implicatis et celantibus nexus. Incolis deinde adfirmantibus editam esse oraculo sortem Asiae potiturum qui inexplicabile vinculum solvisset, cupido incessit animo sortis eius explendae. Circa regem erat et Phrygum turba et Macedonum, ilia expectatione suspensa, haec solli10 cita ex temeraria regis fiducia; quippe serie vinculorum ita adstricta, ut, unde nexus inciperet quove se conderet, nec ratione nec visu perspici posset, solvere aggressus iniecerat curam ei ne in omen verteretur irritum inceptum. Ille, nequaquam diu luctatus cum latentibus nodis, "Nihil," in15 quit, "interest quomodo solvantur"; gladioque ruptis omnibus loris oraculi sortem vel elusit vel implevit. r i I I : 1410-, ALEXANDER CUTS THE GORDIAN KNOT. 1. urbe: Gordium in Bithynia, the ancient residence of the Phrygian kings, captured by Alexander in 333 B.C. 13. ne . . . inceptum: to try and fail would damage his prestige more than not to try, and might also have a magical effect to spoil his luck. 336

QUINTUS CURTIUS RUFUS

337

T H E FOUNDING OF ALEXANDRIA

Alexander ab Hammone rediens ad Mareotin paludem haud procul insula Pharo sitam venit. Contemplatus loci naturam primum in ipsa insula statuerat urbem novam condere; inde, ut apparuit magnae sedis insulam haud capacem esse, elegit urbi locum ubi nunc est Alexandrea, appella- 5 tionem trahens ex nomine auctoris. Complexus quidquid soli est inter paludem ac mare, octoginta stadiorum muris ambitum destinat et, qui exaedificandae urbi praeessent relictis, Memphim petit. Cupido haud iniusta quidem, ceterum intempestiva incesserat non interiora modo Aegypti sed etiam 10 Aethiopiam invisere; Memnonis Tithonique celebrata regia cognoscendae vetustatis avidum trahebat paene extra terminos solis. Sed imminens bellum, cuius multo maior supererat moles, otiosae peregrinationi tempora exemerat. Itaque Aegypto praefecit Aeschylum Rhodium et Peucesten Mace-15 donem quattuor milibus militum in praesidium regionis eius datis; claustra Nili fluminis Polemonem tueri iubet; XXX ad hoc triremes datae. Africae deinde, quae Aegypto iuncta est, praepositus Apollonius, vectigalibus eiusdem Africae AegypTHE FOUNDING OF ALEXANDRIA. 1. Hammone: the shrine of Zeus Ammon was visited by Alexander, whom the god is said to have proclaimed as his son. —Mareotin paludem: a large lake in the northern part of the Nile Delta. 2. insula Pharo: a rocky ledge about a mile from the city of Alexandria upon which was later erected the famous lighthouse. 6. trahens: 'deriving.' 8. relictis: 'leaving behind men.' 9. Memphim: a large and important city on the western bank of the Nile. — Cupido . . . invisere: another example of the construction already seen in solvere aggressus (p. 336, 1.12). 11. Aethiopiam: to the south of Egypt.—Memnonis Tithonique: Memnon, son of Tithonus and Eos, came from Ethiopia to help Priam in the Trojan War; Tithonus, represented by Homer as a brother of Priam, was beloved by Eos, who procured for him the gift of immortality but not of everlasting youth. 12. terminos solis: i.e. the Tropic of Cancer. 13. imminens bellum: with King Darius of Persia. 18. Africae . . . quae Aegypto iuncta est: part of Libya.

338

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

tique Cleomenes. Ex finitimis urbibus commigrare Alexandream iussis novam urbem magna multitudine implevit. Fama est, cum rex urbis futurae muros polenta, ut Macedonum mos est, destinasset, avium greges advolasse et polenta esse pas5 tas, cumque id omen pro tristi a plerisque esset acceptum, respondisse vates magnam illam urbem advenarum frequentiam culturam multisque earn terris alimenta praebituram. [IV, viii, 1-6] NO ONE MAN COULD SUCCEED

ALEXANDER

Huic regi ducique successor quaerebatur. Sed maior moles erat quam ut unus subire earn posset. Itaque nomen quoque 10 eius et fama rerum in totum propemodum orbem; reges ac regna diffudit; clarissimique sunt habiti qui etiam minimae parti tantae fortunae adhaeserunt. „7, 1. Cleomenes: a Greek of Naucratis in E g y p t ; placed in charge of the revenues of Egypt and part of Libya in 331 B.c., he gained a deservedly bad reputation for his greed. He was put to death by Ptolemy, who seized the vast treasure which he had extorted from the Egyptians. N o ONE MAN COULD SUCCEED ALEXANDER. 10. reges: the Diadochi, successors to Alexander's empire.

AULUS CORNELIUS CELSUS

Α

CORNELIUS CELSUS, an encyclopedist who flourished under ο Tiberius, wrote on agriculture, medicine, military tactics, rhetoric, jurisprudence, and philosophy. Of his works only the eight books of the De Medicina have survived. His medical sources were, in the main, Greek, and he presents with frankness and in a straightforward style the medical knowledge of the day. He recognizes the importance of the study of anatomy and the importance of dissection. Certain of his prescriptions, such as "the powdered liver of a fox for asthma," are most amusing. Celsus has been edited for Teubner's Corpus Medicorum Latinorum by Marx (1915). [Mackail, p. 165; Duff, II, p. 114] THE REGIMEN FOR THE HEALTHY MAN

Sanus homo, qui et bene valet et suae spontis est, nullis obligare se legibus debet; ac neque medico neque alipta egere. Hunc oportet varium habere vitae genus: modo run esse, modo in urbe, saepiusque in agro; navigare, venari, quiescere interdum, sed frequentius se exercere; siquidem 5 ignavia corpus hebetat, labor firmat; ilia maturam senectutem, hie longam adolescentiam reddit. Prodest etiam interdum balneo, interdum aquis frigidis uti; modo ungi, modo id ipsum negligere; nullum cibi genus fugere quo populus utatur; interdum in convivio esse, interdum ab eo se retra-10 here; modo plus iusto, modo non amplius assumere; bis die potius quam semel eibum capere et semper quam plurimum, dummodo hunc concoquat. Sed, ut huius generis exer-, citationes cibique necessarii sunt, sic athletici supervacui; THE REGIMEN FOR THE HEALTHY MAN. 1. suae spontis: *his own master.' 8. balneo: where the hot bath was a part of the regular regime. 11. assumere: sc. cibum. 14. athletici: sc. exercitationes cibique. 339

340

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

nam et intermissus propter civiles aliquas necessitates ordo exercitationis corpus affiigit, et ea corpora quae more eorum repleta sunt celerrime et senescunt et aegrotant. rI n ON

ANTIDOTES

Antidota raro, sed praecipue interdum, necessaria sunt 5 quia gravissimis casibus opitulantur. Ea recte quidem dantur collisis corporibus vel per ictus, vel ubi ex alto deciderunt, vel in viscerum, laterum, faucium, interiorumque partium doloribus; maxime autem desideranda sunt adversus venena, vel per morsus vel per cibos aut potiones nostris corporibus 10 inserta. . . . Nobilissimum autem est Mithridatis quod quotidie sumendo rex ille dicitur adversus venenorum pericula tutum corpus suum reddidisse: in quo haec sunt: [then follows a list of ingredients]. Haec contrita melle excipiuntur et adversus venenum quod magnitudinem nucis Graecae im15 pleat ex vino datur. In ceteris autem affectibus corporis pro modo eorum vel quod Aegyptiae fabae vel quod ervi magnitudinem impleat satis est. ^ ... . . ON ANTIDOTES. 9. per morsus etc.: the various means are mentioned by which the poisons may have been introduced into the body. 10. Mithridatis: sixth king of that name in Pontus; in 63 B.C. he tried to commit suicide by poison, but was unsuccessful because of his custom of taking antidotes. 14. nucis Graecae: 'almond.' Note the other two measures given below. 16. Aegyptiae fabae: not a real bean, but the bitter seed of a water plant with large leaves, a rose-colored flower, and an edible root. It is described by Theophrastus (Inquiry into Plants, IV, viii, 7-8); cf. note on page 201, line 6. Some authorities have believed it identical with the sacred lotus.

POMPONIUS MELA

P

OMPONIUS MELA from Tingentera in Spain wrote (in three books) in the time of the emperor Claudius (reigned 41-54 A.D.) the first Roman geography which has been preserved. In the first two books of his Chorographia, or De Situ Orbis, he describes the coasts of the Mediterranean, and in the third book he deals with countries not on the Mediterranean. Sometimes he intersperses his scientific treatment with mythology, and part of the work is very entertaining. [Mackail, p. 180; Duff, II, p. 125]

EGYPT

Asiae prima pars Aegyptus inter Catabathmon et Arabas; ab hoc litore penitus immissa donee Aethiopiam dorso contingat ad meridiem refugit. Terra expers imbrium mire tamen fertilis et hominum aliorumque animalium perfecunda generatrix. Nilus efficit, amnium in Nostrum mare permeantium 5 maximus. Hie ex desertis Africae missus nee statim navigari facilis nee statim Nilus est, et, cum diu simplex saevusque descendit, circa Meroen, late patentem insulam, in Aethiopiam diffunditur alteraque parte Astabores, altera Astape dictus est. Ubi rursus coit ibi nomen hoc capit. Inde, partim 10 EGYPT. 1. Asiae prima pars: Egypt was assigned sometimes to Asia, sometimes to Africa. — Catabathmon: a port of the Mediterranean, and the western limit of Egypt under the Ptolemies. —Arabas: Arabia marked the eastern boundary of Egypt. 2. hoc litore: the coast of the Mediterranean.—Aethiopiam: the kingdom of Meroe marked the southern frontier of Egypt. 5. efficit: the fertility of Egypt is caused by the Nile. — Nostrum mare: the Mediterranean. 7. simplex: 'in one stream.' 8. Meroen: this kingdom, described by the ancients as an island, lay between the modern Khartum, where the Astape joins the true Nile, and the influx of the river Astabores. 10. nomen hoc: i.e. the Nile. 341

342

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

asper, partim navigia patiens, in immanem lacum devenit, ex quo praecipiti impetu egressus et Tachempso alteram insulam amplexus usque ad Elephantinen, urbem Aegyptiam, atrox adhuc fervensque decurrit. Tum demum placidior et 5 iam bene navigabilis primum iuxta Cercasorum oppidum triplex esse incipit. Deinde iterum iterumque divisus ad Delta et ad Melyn it per omnem Aegyptum vagus atque dispersus septemque in ora se scindens singulis tarnen grandis evolvitur. Non pererrat autem tantum earn sed aestivo sidere exundans lOetiam irrigat, adeo efficacibus aquis ad generandum alendumque ut praeter id quod scatet piscibus, quod hippopotamos crocodilosque vastas beluas gignit, glaebis etiam infundat animas ex ipsaque humo vitalia effingat. Hoc eo manifestum est, quod, ubi sedavit diluvia ac se sibi reddidit, per 15 umentes campos quaedam nondum perfecta animalia sed tum primum accipientia spiritum et ex parte iam formata ex parte adhuc terrena visuntur. . . . In quodam lacu Chemmis insula lucos silvasque et Apollinis grande sustinens templum natat et quocumque venti agunt pellitur. Pyramides trice20 num pedum lapidibus extructae, quarum maxima, tres namque sunt, quattuor fere soli iugera qua sedet occupat, totidem in altitudinem erigitur. Moeris, aliquando campus, nunc lacus viginti milia passuum in circuitum patens, altior quam 2. Tachempso: a town south of Egypt and the Cataracts, inhabited by a mixed colony of Ethiopians and Egyptians. 3. Elephantinen: a city on an island just below the lesser cataract, at the entrance to Egypt proper, and once the seat of an independent kingdom. 8. singulis: ablative of specification. 9. earn: Egypt. — aestivo sidere: the season when it overflows. 17. terrena: the creatures still seem to consist in part of earth. 18. templum: of Horus (Apollo). 19. pellitur: the goddess Buto is said to have made the island movable in order to hide the twins Shu (Apollo) and Tefnut (Artemis) from their hostile uncle Set. — Pyramides: at Gizeh. 21. quattuor . . . iugera: this would make 115,200 square feet. — totidem in altitudinem: i.e. equal to one side of the base. 22. Moeris: a vast lake forming the western boundary of the Arsenoite borne in Middle Egypt. 23. altior quam etc.: i.e. the lake is more than deep enough.

Temple at Karnak (Thebes)

344

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

ad navigandum magnis onustisque navibus satis est. Psammetici opus, labyrinthus, domos mille et regias duodecim perpetuo parietis ambitu amplexus, maraiore extructus ac tectus, unum in se descensum habet; intus paene innumera5 biles vias, multis ambagibus hue et illuc remeantibus, sed continuo anfractu et saepe revocatis porticibus ancipites: quibus alium super alios orbem agentibus et subinde tantum redeunte flexu quantum processerat magno et explicabili tarnen errore perplexus est. Cultores regionum multo aliter 10 a ceteris agunt. Mortuos fimo obliti plangunt. Nec cremare aut fodere fas putant verum arte medicatos intra penetralia collocant. . . . Ipsi, vetustissimi ut praedicant hominum, trecentos et triginta reges ante Amasim et supra tredecim milium anno15 rum aetates certis annalibus referunt mandatumque litteris servant, dum Aegyptii sunt, quater cursus suos vertisse sidera ac solem bis iam occidisse unde nunc oritur. Viginti milia urbium Amasi regnante habitarunt et nunc multas habitant. Earum clarissimae procul a mari Sais, Memphis, Syene, Bu20 bastis, Elephantine, et Thebae utique quae ut Homero dictum est centum portas, sive ut alii aiunt, centum aulas habent, totidem olim principum domos solitasque singulas ubi negotium exegerat dena armatorum milia effundere. [I, xlix-lii, lv-lvii, lix-Ix] 1. Psammetici: Egyptian king, founder of the Saitic dynasty. Amenemhet III, who lived about 2300 B.c., and not Psammetichus, was the builder of the labyrinth. 2. labyrinthus: east of Lake Moeris, opposite the site of Arsinoe. 5. vias: sc. habet. 6. ancipites: 'deceptive'; see Vocabulary for etymology. 9. perplexus est: the subject is labyrinthus. 10. obliti: from oblino. 11. arte medicatos: 'mummified.' 19. Sais: on the right bank of the Canopic arm of the Nile in the Delta. —Memphis: first capital of all Egypt, situated on the west bank of the Nile a little south of Cercasorum. 20. Thebae: ancient city of Upper Egypt. At or near Thebes have been discovered many royal tombs. — ut Homero dictum est: Iliad IX, 381. 22. singulas: sc. portas.

POMPONIÜS MELA THE

345

DRUIDS

Manent vestigia feritatis iam abolitae, atque, ut ab ultimis caedibus temperant, ita nihilominus, ubi devotos altaribus admovere, delibant. Habent tarnen et facundiam suam magistrosque sapientiae druidas. Hi terrae mundique magnitudinem et formam, motus caeli ac siderum, et quid dii velint 5 scire profitentur. Docent multa nobilissimos gentis clam et diu, vicenis annis, aut in specu aut in abditis saltibus. Unum ex his quae praecipiunt in vulgus effluxit, videlicet ut forent ad bella meliores, aeternas esse animas vitamque alteram ad manes. Itaque cum mortuis cremant ac defodiunt apta vi-10 ventibus. Olim negotiorum ratio etiam et exactio crediti deferebatur ad inferos erantque qui se in rogos suorum velut una victuri libenter immitterent. rTTI .. 10 .„, THE DRUIDS. 1. feritatis iam abolitae: the Druids practiced human sacrifice until this was forbidden by Rome. 3. delibant: the victims are treated as though they would be sacrificed up to the last moment, when they are spared. 4. druidas: a Celtic order of religious officials who also acted as the chief instructors of the young. The /Eduan Divitiacus, friend of Caesar, was a Druid. 9. aeternas esse animas: the doctrine of the immortality of the soul was a distinctive feature of Druidism. — ad manes: 'after death.' 10. cum mortuis cremant ac defodiunt: the Egyptians also placed in the tomb articles which the deceased was to use in the next world. 11. negotiorum ratio etc.: their business affairs continue as if they were still alive.

APICIUS 'ICIUS was a celebrated gourmet who lived during the reign of Tiberius and has been considered as the author of a cookbook, the De Re Coquinaria, which in its present form must have been compiled several centuries after his time. The Teubner edition is by Vollmer-Giarratano (1922), and there is a recent German translation by R. Gellmer (1928). [Duff, II, p. 131]

ON PRESERVING GRAPES

Uvae ut diu serventur: Accipies uvas de vite inlaesas et aquam pluvialem ad tertias decoques et mittis in vas, in quo et uvas mittis. Vas picari et gypsari fades et in locum frigidum, ubi sol accessum non habet, reponi fades; et quando 5 volueris uvas virides invenies. Et ipsam aquam pro hydromelli aegris dabis. Et, si in hordeo obruas, inlaesas invenies. [1,1] PREPARING WILD BOAR

'Aper ita conditur: Spongiatur et sic aspergitur ei sal et cuminum frictum et sic manet. Alia die mittitur in furnum. Cum coctus fuerit, perfunditur piper tritum (condimentum 10 aprunum), mel, liquamen, caroenum et passum. rjCTT ON PRESERVING GRAPES. 2. tertias: sc. partes, 'to one third of its original amount.' — in quo: we should expect in quod in the language of the educated. PREPARING WILD BOAR. 8. Alia die: 'the next day.' 9. condimentum aprunum: probably a gloss — i.e. somebody's marginal note — which has crept into the text.

346

PH^DRUS

P

HIEDRUS was a slave of Thracian origin who was a freedman of Augustus and composed under Tiberius and Claudius a collection of fables in five books, to which a sixth book of thirty-two fables was added in the fifteenth century by the editor Perotti, who perhaps found them in a lost epitome of Phaedrus. The fables are largely influenced by iEsop, but there is often a Roman flavor, and the political satire behind some poems was responsible for the punishment which Sejanus, Tiberius's prime minister, inflicted upon the fabulist. Phaedrus came into great favor late in the Empire and in the Middle Ages; among later imitators the best known is La Fontaine. The fables are written in iambic senarii and in a simple, clear style. There is a Teubner text edition by Müller (1926). [Mackail, p. 160; Duff, II, p. 133]

T H E FOX A N D T H E TRAGIC MASK

Personam tragicam forte vulpes viderat: "O quanta species," inquit, "cerebrum non habet!" Hoc illis dictum est quibus honorem et gloriam Fortuna tribuit, sensum communem abstulit. ^ ^ T H E OLD M A N A N D T H E ASS

In principatu commutando saepius Nil praeter domini mores mutant pauperes. Id esse verum parva haec fabella indicat. Asellum in prato timidus pascebat senex. Is hostium clamore subito territus Suadebat asino fugere ne possent capi. THE F o x AND THE TRAGIC MASK [Meter 3]. Reference may be in-

tended to the courtiers. THE OLD MAN AND THE Ass [Meter 3]. Perhaps the fable refers to the war between Caesar and Pompey or to that between Antony and Octavian10. Suadebat: 'was trying to induce.' 34?

5

10

348

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

A t ille lentus: "Quaeso num binas mihi Clitellas impositurum victorem putas?" Senex negavit. "Ergo quid refert mea Cui serviam, clitellas dum portem meas?"

^ 15]

IESOP A N D H I S L A N T E R N

5

10

15

Aesopus domino, solus cum esset familia, Parare cenam iussus est maturius. Ignem ergo quaerens, aliquot lustravit domus Tandemque invenit ubi lucernam accenderet. Tum circumeunti fuerat quod iter longius Effecit brevius: namque recta per forum Coepit redire. Et quidam e turba garrulus: "Aesope, medio sole quid cum lumine?" "Hominem," inquit, "quaero," et abiit festinans domum. Hoc si molestus ille ad animum rettulit, Sensit profecto se hominem non visum seni, Intempestive qui occupato adluserit. [n^ ^ T H E F O X AND T H E G R A P E S

20

Fame coacta vulpes alta in vinea Uvam appetebat summis saliens viribus; Quam tangere ut non potuit, discedens ait: "Nondum matura est; nolo acerbam sumere." Qui facere quae non possunt verbis elevant, Adscribere hoc debebunt exemplum sibi. [ΐγ ; 3] 4. m e a s : 'my regular.' iEsop AND HIS LANTERN [Meter 3]. 5. Aesopus: said to have been a Greek slave who was a fabulist and a contemporary of Sappho, living from about 620 to 560 B.c. 7. lustravit domus: he 'went around to houses' until he at last found where he could get a light. 12. quid cum: 'what are you doing with.' 13. Hominem: i.e. a person worthy to be called a man. 14. ad animum rettulit: 'took to heart.' 16. qui . . . adluserit: causal. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES [Meter 3]. 17. F a m e : final -e is long.

349

PILEDRUS

THE BATTLE OF THE MICE AND THE WEASELS Cum victi mures mustelarum exercitu, Historia quorum et in tabernis pingitur, Fugerent et artos circum trepidarent cavos, Aegre recepti tamen evaserunt necem. Duces eorum, qui capitibus cornua Suis ligarant ut conspicuum in proelio Haberent signum quod sequerentur milites, Haesere in portis suntque capti ab hostibus; Quos immolatos victor avidis dentibus Capacis alvi mersit tartareo specu. Quemcumque populum tristis eventus premit, Periclitatur magnitudo principum; Minuta plebes facili praesidio latet.

5

10

[IV, 6]

THE SACK OF VICES Peras imposuit Iuppiter nobis duas: Propriis repletam vitiis post tergum dedit, Alienis ante pectus suspendit gravem. Hac re videre nostra mala non possumus; Alii simul delinquunt, censores sumus.

15

[IV, 10]

THE BATTLE OF THE MICE AND THE WEASELS [ M e t e r 5],

2. i n

tabernis: probably painted or drawn in charcoal on the walls of 'taverns.' Plenty of interesting comparisons can be seen on walls at Pompeii. 4. recepti: concessive. 5. capitibus cornua: the picture defies the imagination. But human warriors did such things, according to tradition; cf. also Livy XXVII, xxxiii, 2 : cornu alterum galeae

praefregit.

8. portis: i.e. the entrances to their holes. 9. Quos immolatos . . . specu: mock-heroic style. 10. tartareo: 'like a very Tartarus.' 13. praesidio: instrumental abl. THE SACK OF VICES [ M e t e r 3]. 14. Peras: like old-fashioned saddlebags. 15. Propriis . . . post tergum etc.: a common figure in Latin poetry; cf. Catullus, X X I I , 2 1 : non videmus manticae quod in tergo est; Persius, IV, 2 3 : praecedenti spectatur mantica tergo; Horace, Satires, II, iii, 299.

350

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY THE MAN AND THE

5

SNAKE

Qui fert malis auxilium post tempus dolet. Gelu rigentem quidam colubram sustulit Sinuque fovit, contra se ipse misericors; Namque, ut refecta est, necuit hominem protinus. Hanc alia cum rogaret causam facinoris, Respondit, "Nequis discat prodesse improbis." [IV, 20] T H E M O U N T A I N IN LABOR

10

Möns parturibat, gemitus immanes ciens, Eratque in terns maxima expectatio. At ille murem peperit. Hoc scriptum est tibi, Qui, magna cum minaris, extricas nihil.

[IV, 14]

THE MAN AND THE SNAKE

[Meter 3]. 5. Hanc: sc. colubram.

THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOR

[Meter 3]. 7. parturibat: for parturiebat.

LUCIUS IUNIUS MODERATUS COLUMELLA CIUS IUNIUS MODERATUS COLUMELLA, born at Gadee in Spain, flourished during the reign of Nero. He was at one time stationed in Syria as a legionary officer. He is the author of the De Re Rustica, in twelve books, of a manual on agriculture of which the second book, on trees, is preserved, and of an attack on the f o r t u n e - t e l l e r s {Adversus

Astrologos).

T h e De Re Rustica,

w r i t t e n in

clear, nonrhetorical style, attributes the decay of agriculture to lack of skill. Columella, using Greek sources, the Carthaginian Mago, and Latin writers among whom are Cato, Varro, and Vergil, composed eleven books in prose and one book, Book X, on gardens, in verse at the request of his friend Silvinus. K. J. Lundström has edited the text (1902) for the Upsala series of ancient authors. [Mackail, p. 181; Duff, II, p. 160]

STERILITY OF THE FIELDS AND ITS CAUSE

Saepe numero civitatis nostrae principes audio culpantis modo agrorum infecunditatem modo caeli per multa iam tempore noxiam frugibus intemperiem, quosdam etiam praedictas querimonias velut ratione certa mitigantis quod existiment ubertate nimia prioris aevi defatigatum et effetum solum 5 Require pristina benignitate praebere mortalibus alimenta. Quas ego causas, P. Silvine, procul a veritate abesse certum habeo, quod neque fas est existimare rerum naturam, quam primus ille mundi genitor perpetua fecunditate donavit, quasi qaodam morbo sterilitate adfectam, neque prudentis est ere-10 dere tellurem, quae divinam et aeternam iuventam sortita communis omnium parens dicta sit, quia et cuncta peperit semper et deinceps paritura sit, velut hominem consenuisse. STERILITY OF THE FIELDS AND ITS CAUSE. 3. praedictas: 'beforementioned.' 4. ratione certa: explained by quod existiment. 9. ille mundi genitor: Columella's attitude toward nature is religious. 351

352

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Nec post haec reor violentia caeli nobis ista sed nostro potius accidere vitio, qui rem rusticam pessimo cuique servorum velut carnifici noxae dedimus quam maiorum nostrorum optimus quisque et optime tractaverat. ^ Praej C O L U M E L L A W R I T E S HIS BOOK ON G A R D E N S IN

VERSE

5

Quare cultus hortorum, quorum iam fructus magis in usu est, diligentius nobis quam tradidere maiores praecipiendus est, isque, sicut institueram, prorsa oratione prioribus subnecteretur exordiis, nisi propositum meum expugnasset frequens postulatio tua, quae praecepit ut poeticis numeris 10 explerem georgici carminis omissas partis, quas tarnen et ipse Vergilius significaverat posteris se memorandas relinquere. Neque enim aliter istud nobis fuerat audendum quam ex voluntate vatis maxime venerandi, cuius quasi numine instigante pigre sine dubio propter difficultatem operis, verum 15 tamen non sine spe prosperi successus adgressi sumus tenuem admodum et paene viduatam corpore materiam, quae tam exilis est ut in consummatione quidem totius operis adnumerari veluti particula possit laboris nostri, per se vero et quasi suis finibus terminata nullo modo speciose conspici. 1. i s t a : ' t h a t they talk about,' with violentia. 2. cuique servorum: Columella refers to the great estates worked by slaves for absentee landlords. 3. optimus quisque: the great Roman nobles of the past had been farmers. In fact the original Roman patricians were a landed aristocracy; cf. introduction to the notes on the selection beginning on page 23. COLUMELLA WRITES HIS BOOK ON GARDENS IN VERSE. 7. prorsa oratione: Columella had intended to write on the cultivation of gardens in prose like the rest of his work. — subnecteretur: apodosis of a contraryto-fact condition. 11. posteris . . . relinquere: Vergil in Georgics, IV, 147-148, writes of the cultivation of gardens thus: Verum, haec ipse equidem spaliis exclusus iniquis PraeteTeo atque oliis post me memoranda relinquo. 12. quam ex voluntate: 'than because of the desire.'

LUCIUS IUNIUS MODERATUS COLUMELLA

353

Hortorum quoque te cultus, Silvine, docebo Atque ea, quae quondam spatiis exclusus iniquis, Cum caneret laetas segetes et munera Bacchi Et te, magna Pales, nec non caelestia mella, Vergilius nobis post se memoranda reliquit.

5

[X, Praef., 3, 4, and 5] ON T H E SELECTION OF Α S T E W A R D

Vilicum fundo familiaeque praeponi convenit aetatis nec primae nec ultimae. Nam servitia sie tirunculum contemnunt ut senem, quoniam alter nondum novit opera ruris, alter exsequi iam non potest, atque hunc adulescentia neglegentem, senectus illum facit pigrum. Media igitur aetas huic 10 officio est aptissima, poteritque ab anno quinto et tricesimo usque in sexagesimum et quintum, si non interveniant fortuita corporis vitia, satis valide fungi muneribus agricolae. Quisquis autem destinabitur huic negotio, sit oportet idem scientissimus robustissimusque, ut et doceat subiectos et ipse 15 commode faciat quae praeeipit. r x I , o^-i 1. Hortorum etc.: meter 1. 3. l a e t a s s e g e t e s : the subject of Book I of the Georgics. — munera Bacchi: the second book of the Georgics deals with the culture of trees and especially of the vine. 4. magna P a l e s : the Italic goddess of agriculture, addressed by Vergil in the first line of the third book of the Georgics, which deals with domestic animals. — caelestia mella: apiculture is the subject of the fourth book of the Georgics. ON THE SELECTION OF A STEWARD. 11. officio: sc. vilici. 13. fungi: to be taken with poteritque (1. 11).

PETRONIUS

P

ETRONIUS, novelist and poet, was probably the Petronius Arbiter mentioned by Tacitus (Annales, XVI, xvii-xix). If the identity is accepted, then the writer was in high favor under Nero and was the arbiter elegantiae of that ruler's court. When governor of the province of Bithynia, however, the director of the prince's amusements showed himself an able administrator. He aroused the jealousy of another favorite of Nero, Tigellinus, who accomplished Petronius's ruin. He committed suicide in the same frivolous way in which he had passed his life. Petronius's most important work was the Satyricon, a novel composed in prose interspersed with verse. We have some fragments of this work, of which the longest describes the banquet of a rich parvenu named Trimalchio. The novel is extremely realistic and is of the type of the picaresque romance. The characters and scenes deal, as a rule, with the seamy side of life. There is remarkable vigor and directness in Petronius's style, and his novel throws great light upon the language and manners of the lower classes in the early Roman Empire. He was likewise the author of various poems, some of which are delightful compositions. Excellent editions of the Satyricon are those of Bücheler (1904) and Sage (1929). Convenient annotated editions of the Cena Trimalchionis are those of Friedländer (1906) and Waters (1902); of a poetic fragment called the Bellum Civile, one by F . Baldwin (1911). Useful books are Collignon's Etude sur Pitrone (1892) and Thomas's Pitrone (1902). [Mackail, p. 183; Duff, II, p. 169]

AGAMEMNON DISCOURSES ON T H E EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Non est passus Agamemnon me diutius declamare in porticu, quam ipse in schola sudaverat, sed "Adulescens," inquit, "quoniam sermonem habes non publici saporis et, quod AGAMEMNON DISCOURSES ON THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

Encolpius

has been complaining about the decay of oratory and painting. He is interrupted by Agamemnon, a teacher of rhetoric. 3. non publici saporis: 'uncommon elegance.' 354

PETRONIUS

355

rarissimum est, amas bonam mentem, non fraudabo te arte secreta. Nihil nimirum in his exercitationibus doctores peccant, qui necesse habent cum insanientibus furere. Nam nisi dixerint quae adulescentuli probent, ut ait Cicero, 'soli in scholis relinquentur.' Sicut [ficti] adulatores cum cenas divi- 5 tum captant, nihil prius meditantur quam id quod putant gratissimum auditoribus fore; nec enim aliter impetrabunt quod petunt, nisi quasdam insidias auribus fecerint; sic eloquentiae magister, nisi tamquam piscator earn imposuerit hamis escam quam scierit appetituros esse pisciculos, sine 10 spe praedae morabitur in scopulo. Quid ergo est? Parentes obiurgatione digni sunt, qui nolunt liberos suos severa lege proficere. Primum enim sic ut omnia, spes quoque suas ambitioni donant. Deinde cum ad vota properant cruda adhuc studia in forum pellunt et eloquentiam, qua nihil esse maius 15 confitentur, pueris induunt adhuc nascentibus. Quod si paterentur laborum gradus fieri, ut studiosi iuvenes lectione severa irrigarentur, ut sapientiae praeceptis animos componerent, ut verba atroci stilo effoderent, ut quod vellent imitari diu audirent, ut persuaderent sibi nihil esse magnificum quod 20 pueris placeret, iam ilia grandis oratio haberet maiestatis suae pondus. Nunc pueri in scholis ludunt, iuvenes ridentur in foro, et quod utroque turpius est, quod quisque perperam didicit, in senectute confiteri non vult." 1. bonam mentem: 'common sense.' 2. his exercitationibus: i.e. the declamations of the rhetorical schools, which dealt with absurd and unreal situations. See the two examples on the upper part of page 327. 4. ut ait Cicero: in Pro Caelio, xvii, 41. Agamemnon does not bother nimself with accuracy. What Cicero actually wrote was prope soli iam in scholis sunt relicti. 8. quasdam insidias: 'something catchy.' 13. spes . . . suas: ? their young hopefuls.' 14. ad vota properant: the parents are in a hurry to have their children out in business. 18. irrigarentur: 'be nourished.' 19. atroci: 'relentless' in searching out the right word. 20. diu audirent: i.e. with the best rhetores.

356

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

TRIMALCHIO COMES IN TO T H E SOUND OF MUSIC A N D CONTINUES HIS GAME

In his eramus lautitiis, cum ipse Trimalchio ad symphoniam allatus est positusque inter cervicalia minutissima expressit imprudentibus risum. Pallio enim coccineo adrasum excluserat caput circaque oneratas veste cervices laticlaviam 5 immiserat mappam fimbriis hinc atque illinc pendentibus. Habebat etiam in minimo digito sinistrae manus anulum grandem subauratum, extremo vero articulo digiti sequentis minorem, ut mihi videbatur, totum aureum, sed plane ferreis veluti stellis ferruminatum. Et ne has tantum ostenderet 10 divitias, dextrum nudavit lacertum armilla aurea cultum et eboreo circulo lamina splendente conexo. Ut deinde pinna argentea dentes perfodit, "Amici," inquit, "nondum mihi suave erat in triclinium venire, sed ne diutius absentivos morae vobis essem, omnem voluptatem mihi negavi. Per15 mittetis tarnen finiri lusum." Sequebatur puer cum tabula terebinthina et crystallinis tesseris, notavique rem omnium delicatissimam. Pro calculis enim albis ac nigris aureos argenteosque habebat denarios. TRIMALCHIO COMES IN TO THE SOUND OF MUSIC AND CONTINUES HIS

GAME. 1. In his . . . lautitiis: Encolpius and his friends had obtained an invitation to dine with a rich freedman Trimalchio. —- ad symphoniam: Trimalchio is waited on to the sound of music. 3. imprudentibus: 'from those of us who were off our guard.' — adrasum . . . caput: slaves cut their hair short when manumitted. 4. laticlaviam . . . mappam: the right to wear the purple stripe was a privilege of the highest orders, to which Trimalchio did not belong, and to wear it on a napkin would be the height of bad taste. 6. sinistrae manus: later (74) Trimalchio is said to have changed the ring to the right hand when the cock crew, doubtless for good luck. 9. ferruminatum: Trimalchio had the right to wear a ring of pure gold only when acting as a Sevir Augustalis, a special ranking order established by Augustus from the Equites. 11. lamina splendente: 'with a shiny metal clasp.' 13. absentivos: an example of Trimalchio's plebeian speech. 17. calculis: 'pieces.' — aureos . . . denarios: denarii were silver; the gold coins were nummi.

PETRONIUS TRIMALCHIO ON CORINTHIAN BRONZES,

357 MALLEABLE

GLASS, A N D C U P S A N D J U G S

Plausum post hoc automatum familia dedit et "Gaio feliciter" conclamavit. Nec non cocus potione honoratus est et argentea corona, poculumque in lance accepit Corinthia. Quam cum Agamemnon propius consideraret, ait Trimalchio: "Solus sum qui vera Corinthea habeam." Expectabam, 3 ut pro reliqua insolentia diceret sibi vasa Corintho afferri. Sed ille melius: " E t forsitan," inquit, "quaeris, quare solus Corinthea vera possideam; quia scilicet aerarius, a quo emo, Corinthus vocatur. Quid est autem Corintheum, nisi quis Corinthum habet ? Et ne me putetis nesapium esse, valde 10 bene scio unde primum Corinthea nata sint. Cum Ilium captum est, Hannibal, homo vafer et magnus stelio, omnes statuas aeneas et aureas et argenteas in unum rogum congessit et eas incendit; factae sunt in unum aera miscellanea. Ita ex hac massa fabri sustulerunt et fecerunt catilla et parop-15 sides et statuncula. Sic Corinthea nata sunt, ex omnibus in unum, nec hoc nec illud. Ignoscetis mihi, quod dixero: ego malo mihi vitrea, certe non olunt. Quod si non frangerentur, mallem mihi quam aurum; nunc autem vilia sunt. Fuit tamen faber qui fecit phialam vitream quae non frange- 20 batur. Admissus ergo Caesarem est cum suo munere; deinde fecit reporrigere Caesarem et illam in pavimentum proiecit. TRIMALCHIO ON CORINTHIAN BRONZES, MALLEABLE GLASS, AND

CUPS AND JUGS. The banquet has been in full course, and the guests have been delighted by various ingenious dishes and surprises. 1. automatum: 'surprise.' The roast pig had apparently not been dressed; the cook was ordered to disembowel it on the table, and produced from it various prepared delicacies. — Gaio: freedmen liked to use the praenomen. 5. Corinthea - Corinthia. 10. nesapium: the following parade of misinformation belies his words. 11. Cum Ilium: Trimalchio confused Hannibal's siege of Saguntum with the siege of Troy. 18. certe non olunt: genuine Corinthian bronzes had a peculiar odor. 21. Caesarem: probably Tiberius; sc. ad. 22. fecit reporrigere Caesarem: 'he made Caesar hand it back to him.'

358

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Caesar non pote valdius quam expavit. At ille sustulit phialam de terra; collisa erat tamquam vasum aeneum; deinde martiolum de sinu protulit et phialam otio belle correxit. Hoc facto putabat se solium Iovis tenere, utique postquam 5 Caesar illi dixit:' Numquid alius seit hanc condituram vitreorum?' vide modo. Postquam negavit, iussit ilium Caesar decollari: quia enim, si scitum esset, aurum pro luto haberemus. In argento plane studiosus sum. Habeo scyphos urnales plus minus C ; quemadmodum Cassandra occidit Alios 10 suos, et pueri mortui iacent sic ut vivere putes. Habeo capides M, quas reliquit patrono meo Mummius, ubi Daedalus Niobam in equum Troianum includit. Nam Hermerotis pugnas et Petraitis in poculis habeo, omnia ponderosa; meum enim intelligere nulla pecunia vendo." [50-52] THE WEREWOLF 15

" C u m adhuc servirem, habitabamus in vico angusto; nunc Gavillae domus est. Ibi, quomodo dii volunt, amare coepi uxorem Terentii coponis; noveratis Melissam Tarentinam, pulcherrimum bacciballum. Sed ego non mehercules corporaliter illam aut propter res venerias curavi, sed magis quod 1. non pote valdius quam = quam valdissime poterat. 4. se solium Iovis tenere: i.e. was sure of an exalted position at court; cf. our "seventh heaven." 8. In argento: the usual construction would be argenti or in argentum. — urnales: an urna held about 22 pints. 9. plus minus: Trimalchio is giving round numbers. —quemadmodum Cassandra: ' showing how Cassandra'; he means Medea. 11. Mummius: the name seems to have been suggested by the preceding references to Corinth, which was sacked by Lucius Mummius in 146 B.c. — Daedalus: Trimalchio is hopelessly confused. He apparently means the thrusting of Pasiphae into the wooden cow (see Classical Dictionary). 12. pugnas: the 'contests' of the gladiators Hermeros and Petraites. 13. meum . . . intelligere: the inf. is used like an abstract noun, obj. of vendo. THE WEREWOLF. Niceros is persuaded by the host to tell a story. 15. vico: 'street.' 18. bacciballum: the word occurs only here; it seems to mean a'chubbycheeked girl' [basio-ballum?].

PETRONIUS

359

benemoria fuit. Si quid ab ilia petii, numquam mihi negatum; fecit assem, semissem habui; quicquid habui, in illius sinum demandavi, nec umquam fefellitus sum. Huius contubernalis ad villam supremum diem obiit. Itaque per scutum per ocream egi aginavi, quemadmodum ad illam pervenirem; 5 scitis autem, in angustiis amici apparent. Forte dominus Capuam exierat ad scruta scita expedienda. Nactus ego occasionem persuadeo hospi'tem nostrum ut mecum ad quintum miliarium veniat. Erat autem miles, fortis tamquam Orcus. Apoculamus nos circa gallicinia, luna lucebat tam-10 quam meridie. Venimus intra monumenta; homo meus coepit ad stelas facere, sedeo ego cantabundus et stelas numero. Deinde ut respexi ad comitem, ille exuit se et omnia vestimenta secundum viam posuit. Mihi anima in naso esse, stabam tamquam mortuus. At ille circumminxit vestimenta 15 sua, et subito lupus factus est. Nolite me iocari putare; ut mentiar, nullius Patrimonium tanti facio. Sed, quod coeperam dicere, postquam lupus factus est, ululare coepit et in silvas fugit. Ego primitus nesciebam ubi essem, deinde accessi, ut vestimenta eius tollerem: ilia autem lapidea facta 20 sunt. Qui mori timore nisi ego? Gladium tarnen strinxi et in tota via umbras cecidi, donee ad villam amicae meae 1. benemoria: this word (not in the Latin Thesaurus) seems to mean 'of good character.' 3. fefellitus = falsus. — contubernalis: i.e. Terentius. 4. per scutum per ocream: a gladiatorial expression. 5. egi aginavi: note the asyndeton; aginavi appears to be a denominative from agina, 'beam,' with the meaning here of Ί hastened.' 6. in angustiis: a sententia. 7. Capuam: a large city in Campania. — scruta scita: lit., "elegant trash'; but it may be translated as 'trifling business.' 10. Apoculamus: 'we hurried away'; a word of uncertain meaning. — gallicinia: they were leaving at the last watch of the night. 11. monumenta: the ancient roads just outside the town were lined with tombs. 12. stelas: 'the slabs,' i.e. tombstones. — facere: 'to make for.' 14. Mihi anima in naso esse: 'my heart was in my mouth.' 15. circumminxit: the purpose was to cast a spell upon the clothes. 16. ut mentiar: subjunctive of result after tanti facio.

360

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

pervenirem. Ut larva intravi, paene animam ebullivi, sudor mihi per bifurcum volabat, oculi mortui, vix umquam refectus sum. Melissa mea mirari coepit quod tam sero ambularem, et 'Si ante,' inquit, 'venisses, saltern nobis adiutasses; 5 lupus enim villam intravit et omnia pecora perculit, tamquam lanius sanguinem illis misit. Nec tamen derisit, etiam si fugit; servus enim noster lancea collum eius traiecit.' Haec ut audivi, operire oculos amplius non potui, sed luce clara Gai nostri domum fugi tamquam copo compilatus, et post10 quam veni in ilium locum, in quo lapidea vestimenta erant facta, nihil inveni nisi sanguinem. Ut vero domum veni, iacebat miles meus in lecto tamquam bovis, et collum illius medicus curabat. Intellexi ilium versipellem esse, nec postea cum illo panem gustare potui, non si me occidisses. Viderint 15 alii quid de hoc exopinissent; ego si mentior, genios vestros iratos habeam." rc1 c o . 1. animam ebullivi: a slang expression. 2. per bifurcum: 'down my crotch.' 6. sanguinem . . . misit: 'bled.' 9. Gai nostri: perhaps Trimalchio. -τ- copo compilatus: 'like a robbed landlord' or perhaps 'like a landlord after his bill.' 13. versipellem: the werewolf story is found in other literatures, notably in Celtic, German, and Greek.

SENECA THE YOUNGER ("THE PHILOSOPHER") ANN^EUS SENECA, son of the Rhetor (cf. page 324) and Ο Helvia, was born about 4 B.C. at Corduba in Spain. He was educated in Rome and became a Stoic. Because of his ill health he visited an aunt in Egypt, the wife of the governor of that domain. Through her influence he obtained a quaestorship. Soon through his eloquence he aroused the jealousy of the emperor Caligula. Because he was accused of an intrigue with Julia Livilla, Claudius banished him to Corsica, where he spent eight years (41—49 A.D.). He was guilty of the most obsequious flattery of Claudius in his attempts to win recall. In 49 A.D. Agrippina finally secured the return of the exile that he might serve as tutor to her son Nero. From 54 to 62 A.D. Seneca along with Burrus, praetorian prefect, controlled the Empire. Upon the death of Burrus in 62 A.D. and the elevation to power of Tigellinus, Seneca retired from active life. Three years later he was accused of guilty connection with Piso's conspiracy and forced to commit suicide. As a man of letters Seneca was extremely prolific and versatile, and as a moral philosopher of the Stoic school he has exerted a profound influence through succeeding ages. He wrote tragedies which are greatly influenced by Euripides, and his plays had a tremendous influence on the drama from the fourteenth century on. Besides nine tragedies, we possess a satirical essay (commonly attributed to Seneca) on the deification of Claudius, entitled the Apocolocyntosis. Other extant works are the one hundred and twenty-four Episiulae Morales ad Lucilium, on a variety of subjects, and the seven books of Quaestiones Naturales, dealing with astronomy, meteorology, and geography. Both works must have been written in the closing years of Seneca's life. There have been further preserved the twelve Dialogi, or Moral Essays, the De Clementia, in two books, and the De Beneficiis, in seven. There is an annotated edition of Books X - X I I of the Dialogues by J. D. Duff (1915). The Apocolocyntosis has been edited with notes by Ball (1902), and a commentary on it has been made by O. Weinreich (1923). A useful book is Seneca the philosopher, by R. Gummere, in the series Our Debt to Greece and Rome. [Mackail, p. 171; Duff, II, p. 196]

361

362

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY MEDEA PLEADS WITH

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10

JASON

Per spes tuorum liberorum et certum larem, Per victa monstra, per manus pro te quibus Numquam peperci, perque praeteritos metus, Per caelum et undas, coniugi testes mei, Miserere, redde supplici felix vicem. Aliena quaerens regna deserui mea; Ex opibus illis quas procul raptas Scythae Usque a perustis Indiae populis agunt, Quas quia referta vix domus gaza capit, Ornamus auro nemora, nil exul tuli Nisi fratris artus. Hos quoque impendi tibi, Tibi patria cessit, tibi pater, frater, pudor — Hac dote nupsi. Redde fugienti sua. lMtdtat SENECA GIVES T H E T I M E OF CLAUDIUS'S

15

478_489]

DEMISE

lam Phoebus breviore via contraxerat ortum Lucis et obscuri crescebant tempora somni, Iamque suum victrix augebat Cynthia regnum Et deformis hiems gratos carpebat honores Divitis autumni visoque senescere Baccho Carpebat raras serus vindemitor uvas. MEDEA PLEADS WITH JASON [Meter 3]. 1. certum larem: "estab-

lished home.' 2. monstra: the fire-breathing bulls and the dragon that guarded the golden fleece. 5. redde . . . vicem: 'give recompense.' 10. auro: the golden fleece. 11. fratris artus: in her flight from Colchis with Jason Medea slew her brother Absyrtus and scattered his limbs in the sea to delay her father. 12. patria: Colchis. — pater: king ^Eetes. SENECA GIVES THE TIME OF CLAUDIUS'S DEMISE [ M e t e r i ] , 14. I a m

Phoebus: this passage is a parody of the grand style of the epic poets, just as the whole satire "takes off" the apotheosis, or deification, of the emperor Claudius. Phoebus, the sun god, had shortened the time when he appeared above the horizon. 16. Cynthia: Diana of Mt. Cynthus, as a moon goddess. 18. visoque senescere Baccho: the time of the vintage was almost over.

SENECA THE YOUNGER

363

Puto magis intellegi, si dixero: mensis erat October, dies III. idus Octobris. Horam non possum certam tibi dicere, facilius inter philosophos quam inter horologia conveniet, tarnen inter sextam et septimam erat. "Nimis rustice!" inquies: "Sunt omnes poetae non contenti ortus et occasus describere, ut etiam medium diem inquietent; tu sic transibis horam tam bonam ?" . . , , . ττη r[Apocolocynlosis, II] CLAUDIUS'S COMING TO T H E LOWER REGIONS

Delectabatur laudibus suis Claudius et cupiebat diutius spectare. Inicit illi manum Talthybius deorum et trahit capite obvoluto, ne quis eum possit agnoscere, per campum 10 Martium, et inter Tiberim et viam Tectam descendit ad inferos. Antecesserat iam compendiaria Narcissus libertus ad patronum excipiendum et venienti nitidus, ut erat a balineo, occurrit et ait: "Quid di ad homines?" "Celerius," inquit Mercurius, "et venire nos nuntia." Dicto citius Narcissus 15 evolat. Omnia proclivia sunt, facile descenditur. Itaque quamvis podagricus esset, momento temporis pervenit ad ianuam Ditis ubi iacebat Cerberus vel, ut ait Horatius, "Belua centiceps." Pusillum perturbatur — subalbam canem in deliciis habere adsueverat — ut ilium vidit canem nigrum vil- 20 1. magis: i.e. melius.— si dixero . . . Octobris: we should have expected indirect discourse after dixero. 3. quam inter horologia: the clocks were anything but accurate. CLAUDIUS'S COMING TO THE LOWER REGIONS. 8. laudibus: on his way to the lower world Claudius had just beheld his own funeral and heard an anapaestic dirge chanted in his honor. 9. Talthybius deorum: Mercury; the real Talthybius was the herald of Agamemnon. 11. viam T e c t a m : probably a kind of arcade. 12. compendiaria: sc. via, 'a short cut.' — N a r c i s s u s : the powerful secretary of Claudius, who had been assassinated while Narcissus was absent taking baths for his gout; Narcissus was then at once put to death. 13. venienti: i.e. Claudius; it depends on occurrit. 14. Quid di: sc. veniunt. 18. ut ait Horatius: Odes, II, xiii, 34.

364

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

losum, sane non quem velis tibi in tenebris occurrere. Et magna voce, "Claudius," inquit, "veniet." Cum plausu procedunt cantantes: βύρήκαμεν, σνγχαίρομεν. (Apocolocyntosis, XIII] SENECA

WARNS LUCILIUS

DISCURSIVE

AGAINST

READING

Illud autem vide ne ista lectio auctorum multorum et 5 omnis generis voluminum habeat aliquid vagum et instabile. Certis ingeniis immorari et innutriri oportet, si velis aliquid trahere quod in animo fideliter sedeat. Nusquam est, qui ubique est. Vitam in peregrinatione exigentibus hoc evenit, ut multa hospitia habeant, nullas amicitias. Idem accidat 10 necesse est iis qui nullius se ingenio familiariter applicant sed omnia cursim et properantes transmittunt. Non prodest cibus nec corpori accedit qui statim sumptus emittitur; nihil aeque sanitatem impedit quam remediorum crebra mutatio; non venit vulnus ad cicatricem in quo medicamenta temptantur; 15 non convalescit planta quae saepe transfertur. Nihil tam utile est ut in transitu prosit. Distringit librorum multitudo. Itaque cum legere non possis quantum habueris, satis est habere quantum legas. "Sed modo," inquis, "hunc librum evolvere volo, modo ilium." Fastidientis stomachi est multa 20 degustare; quae ubi varia sunt et diversa inquinant, non alunt. Probatos itaque semper lege et, si quando ad alios deverti libuerit, ad priores redi. [Epistulae Morales, I, ii, 2-4] 1. in tenebris: note the play on the different meanings of tenebrae. 2. procedunt: his victims have been waiting for him in Hades. 3. «ύρήκαμίν, «τυγχαίρομίν: 'we have found him, and we rejoice,' the cry of the worshipers of Osiris at the annual festival of his return. SENECA WARNS LUCILIUS AGAINST DISCURSIVE READING. Seneca is addressing his friend, the eques Lucilius Junior, who was procurator of various Roman provinces and somewhat of a poet. 6. Certis ingeniis: ' a limited number of great authors.' 8. Vitam: the object of exigentibus. 9. accidat: depending on necesse est; ut is omitted. 11. transmittunt: 'pass over.'

365

SENECA THE YOUNGER T H E MOTIVE IS W H A T COUNTS

Amico aliquis aegro adsidet: probamus. At hoc hereditatis causa facit: vultur est, cadaver expectat. Eadem aut turpia sunt aut honesta; refert quare aut quemadmodum fiant. Omnia autem honesta fient, si honesto nos addixerimus idque unum in rebus humanis bonum iudicaverimus quaeque 5 ex eo sunt; cetera in diem bona sunt. [Epislulae Morales, XCV, 43] M E R C Y IS T H E G L O R Y A N D P R O T E C T I O N OF T H E RULER

Clementia ergo non tantum honestiores sed tutiores praestat ornamentumque imperiorum est simul et certissima salus. Quid enim est cur reges consenuerint liberisque ac nepotibus tradiderint regna, tyrannorum exsecrabilis ac brevis potestas 10 sit? Quid interest inter tyrannum ac regem (species enim ipsa fortunae ac licentia par est) nisi quod tyranni in voluptatem saeviunt, reges non nisi ex causa ac necessitate ? [De Clemenlia, I, xi, 4] THE MOTIVE IS WHAT COUNTS. 1. hereditatis causa: the legacyhunter was the butt of the Roman satirists. 6. in diem: 'temporarily.' MERCY IS THE GLORY AND PROTECTION OF THE RULER. 7. dementia ergo etc.: the essay on clemency was written for Nero after he had been emperor for about a year. — tutiores praestat: sc. principes or reges.

AULUS PERSIUS FLACCUS

P

ERSIUS, born at Volaterrae in 34 A.D., at the age of six lost his father, a wealthy knight. His mother was Sisennia. Until he was twelve years old he was brought up by his female relatives in Etruria, whence he went to Rome in 46 A.D. to study. Among his teachers were Remmius Palsemon, Verginius Flaccus, and above all his friend and beloved master Cornutus, to whom Persius left his library, money, and silver plate, of which the Stoic accepted only the books. Persius was a friend of many men of letters of his time and was a fellow student of Lucan. He died of a stomach disorder in November, 62 A.D. Cornutus, his literary executor, destroyed all his writings except six satires which preach the doctrines of the Stoic creed. The satires show the influence of the earlier Roman satirists, especially Horace, and are notable for their obscurity, their compression, and their vigorous metaphors. The satires met with success at once; Lucan praised them, and they found favor with the church fathers and with such later writers as Ben Jonson, Rabelais, and Montaigne. Convenient annotated editions are those by Gildersleeve (1875), Conington (1893), Nemethy (1903), Leo (1909), and Van Wageningen (1911). [Mackail, p. 178; Duff, II, p. 279]

PRAYERS OF THE FOOLISH

5

Poscis opem nervis corpusque fidele senectae. Esto, age; sed grandes patinae tuccetaque crassa Adnuere his superos vetuere Iovemque morantur. Rem struere exoptas caeso bove Mercuriumque Accersis fibra: "Da fortunare penatis, PRAYERS OF THE FOOLISH [Meter I], 1. Poscis: the typical foolish asker of boons from the gods. — fidele: 'that old age can rely on.' 2. Esto, age: 'very well, so be it.' 3. his: i.e. opem nervis corpusque fidele, or rather the prayers for them. — morantur: gluttony prevents Jove from granting good health. 4. Mercuriumque: the god of gain; Trimalchio (in Petronius's Cena) represented Mercury as helping him to success in business. 366

367

AULUS PERSIUS FLACCUS

Da pecus et gregibus fetum!" Quo, pessime, pacto Tot tibi cum in flammis iunicum omenta liquescant? Et tarnen hic extis et opimo vincere ferto Intendit: " Iam crescit ager, iam crescit ovile, Iam dabitur, iam iam"— donec deceptus et exspes, "Nequiquam!" fundo suspiret nummus in imo.

5

[II, 41-51] PERSIUS TO HIS TEACHER CORNUTUS

Non equidem hoc studeo, bullatis ut mihi nugis Pagina turgescat dare pondus idonea fumo. Secrete loquimur. Tibi nunc hortante Camena Excutienda damus praecordia, quantaque nostrae Pars tua sit, Cornute, animae, tibi, dulcis amice, Ostendisse iuvat. Pulsa, dinoscere cautus Quid solidum crepet et pictae tectoria linguae. Hic ego centenas ausim deposcere fauces, Ut quantum mihi te sinuoso in pectore fixi, Voce traham pura, totumque hoc verba resignent Quod latet arcana non enarrabile fibra. 2. iunicum = iuvencarum. 3. f e r t o : 'sacrificial cake.' 4. Iam etc.: the optimistic exclamation of the foolish farmer. 6. Nequiquam: uttered by the bottom nickel in the chest, when the rest have been wasted. PERSIUS TO HIS TEACHER CORNUTUS [Meter I\. 7. h o c : explained by ut . . . turgescat. — bullatis: 'high-sounding,' lit., 'bubbly.' 9. Camena: old Italian muse of poetry. 11. Cornute: Lucius Annaeus Cornutus, rhetorician and philosopher, the beloved teacher of Persius. 12. Pulsa etc.: metaphor from pottery. — dinoscere: depending on cautus. — cautus: 'skillful'; agreeing with tu, to be supplied as subject of Pulsa. 13. solidum crepet: 'rings t r u e ' ; solidum is one of Persius's many inner objects. — tectoria: 'plaster' or 'stucco' used to give the appearance of solidity. 14. H i c : ' at this point,' a jesting reference to the tricks of poets. 16. p u r a : 'truthful.' 17. fibra: 'heart.'

10

15

368

5

10

15

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Cum primum pavido custos mihi purpura cessit Bullaque succinctis Laribus donata pependit, Cum blandi comites totaque impune Subura Permisit sparsisse oculos iam Candidus umbo, Cumque iter ambiguum est et vitae nescius error Diducit trepidas ramosa in compita mentes, Me tibi supposui. Teneros tu suscipis annos Socratico, Cornute, sinu. Tunc fallere sollers Apposita intortos extendit regula mores E t premitur ratione animus vincique laborat Artificemque tuo ducit sub pollice vultum. Tecum etenim longos memini consumere soles E t tecum primas epulis decerpere noctes. Unum opus, et requiem pariter disponimus ambo, Atque verecunda laxamus seria mensa. Non equidem hoc dubites, amborum foedere certo Consentire dies et ab uno sidere duci. [V, 19-46] 1. purpura: a reference to the praetexta worn by boys. 2. succinctis Laribus: the Lares were represented as young men with short dress. 3. totaque . . . Subura: a busy district in Rome, full of pitfalls for the unwary; poetic abl. of place. 4. umbo: i.e. 'toga'; he is now wearing the dress of a man. 6. ramosa in compita: a reference to the "Choice of Life" which Pythagoras of Samos represented by the early form of the Greek letter upsilon: the steep path is that of virtue, and the sloping one that of pleasure and vice. 8. Socratico: 'philosophic'or'learned.' — fallere sollers: the regula, or 'rule,' is so cunningly applied that the patient does not realize it. 11. Artificem: 'finished,' a metaphor from molding in wax or clay.— ducit: 'assumes.' 13. primas . . . noctes: 'the early part of the night.' — epulis: dat. 15. laxamus seria: 'relax' or 'unbend.' 16. dubites: note the subjunctive, 'you must not doubt.' — amborum . . . duci: Persius and Cornutus have the same horoscope, which draws their lives together. Astrology was taken seriously by many in that day.

MARCUS ANN^US LUCANUS "TTUCAN, grandson of Seneca Rhetor and nephew of Seneca the II A Philosopher, was born at Corduba in Spain in 39 A.D. At the age of eight months he was taken to Rome. As a boy he showed unusual brilliance. He studied under the Stoic Cornutus and soon won the favor of Nero, who gave him the quaestorship and augural priesthood, and for whose festival, the Neronia, in 60 A.D., Lucan wrote the Landes Nerortis. Finally, however, the jealousy of the Emperor was aroused, and Lucan was forbidden to write. He took an active part in the conspiracy of Piso, was arrested, confessed to his guilt and that of many others, and died at the age of twenty-six by having his veins cut. Lucan's unfinished historical epic, the Pharsalia, in ten books, has been preserved. The real narrative begins with Caesar's crossing of the Alps and ends with Caesar in Egypt in Book X. Caesar, Pompey, and Cato are the outstanding figures of this pro-republican epic, which is daring for its leaving out of the divine machinery that was considered necessary to epic composition. Lucan's brilliant style is marked by his use of extravagant rhetoric and by his realism. A. Housman has prepared a textually annotated edition of the Pharsalia (published by Blackwell, 1926). Cf. also the edition of C. E. Haskins (1887). [Mackail, p. 175; Duff, II, p. 296]

CAESAR CROSSES T H E RUBICON lam gelidas Caesar cursu superaverat Alpes Ingentisque animo motus bellumque futurum Ceperat. Ut ventum est parvi Rubiconis ad undas, Ingens visa duci patriae trepidantis imago Clara per obscuram voltu maestissima noctem Turrigero canos effundens vertice crines Caesarie lacera nudisque adstare lacertis CJESAR CROSSES THE RUBICON [Meter I]. 1. cursu: from Gaul.

3. Rubiconis: this tiny river has recently been officially identified. 369

5

370

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15

20

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Et gemitu permixta loqui: "Quo tenditis ultra? Quo fertis mea signa, viri ? Si iure venitis, Si cives, hue usque licet." Tum perculit horror Membra ducis, riguere comae gressumque coercens Languor in extrema tenuit vestigia ripa. Mox ait: " O magnae qui moenia prospicis urbis Tarpeia de rupe Tonans Phrygiique penates Gentis Iuleae et rapti secreta Quirini Et residens celsa Latiaris Iuppiter Alba Vestalesque foci summique ο numinis instar Roma, fave coeptis. Non te furialibus armis Persequor; en, adsum victor terraque marique Caesar, ubique tuus (liceat modo, nunc quoque) miles. Ille erit ille nocens, qui me tibi fecerit hostem." Inde moras solvit belli tumidumque per amnem Signa tulit propere; sicut squalentibus arvis Aestiferae Libyes viso leo comminus hoste Subsedit dubius, totam dum colligit iram; Mox, ubi se saevae stimulavit verbere caudae Erexitque iubam et vasto grave murmur hiatu Infremuit, tum torta levis si lancea Mauri Haereat aut latum subeant venabula pectus, Per ferrum tanti securus volneris exit. 3. hue usque: it was illegal for Caesar to advance beyond the Rubicon. 7. Tarpeia de rupe: part of the Capitoline hill named after the maiden Tarpeia, who was buried there; the temple of the Thunderer, Juppiter, was situated on the Capitoline. — Phrygiique penates: the household gods brought from Troy by /Eneas, who through his son, lulus, was ancestor of the Julian family. 8. rapti . . . Quirini: Romulus, said to have been spirited away to heaven. 9. Alba: the modern Monte Cavo, where the Latins worshiped Juppiter. 10. Vestales foci: the sacred fire watched over by the Vestals had been brought from Troy by /Eneas. 14. Die: Pompey. 17. Libyes: modern Tripolitania in northern Africa, lying to the east of Tunisia and west of Egypt. 21. si: "even though.' 23. securus: ' n o t heeding.'

MARCUS ANKLEUS LUCANUS

371

Fonte cadit modico parvisque impellitur undis Puniceus Rubicon, cum fervida canduit aestas, Perque imas serpit valles et Gallica certus Limes ab Ausoniis disterminat arva colonis. Tum vires praebebat hiems atque auxerat undas 5 Tertia iam gravido pluvialis Cynthia cornu Et madidis Euri resolutae flatibus Alpes. Primus in obliquum sonipes opponitur amnem Excepturus aquas; molli tum cetera rumpit Turba vado faciles iam fracti fluminis undas. 10 Caesar, ut adversam superato gurgite ripam Attigit, Hesperiae vetitis et constitit arvis, "Hie," ait, "hic pacem temerataque iura relinquo; Te, Fortuna, sequor. Procul hinc iam foedera sunto; Credidimus satis his, utendum est iudice bello." 15 Sic fatus noctis tenebris rapit agmina ductor Impiger, et torto Balearis verbere fundae Ocior et missa Parthi post terga sagitta, Vicinumque minax invadit Ariminum, et ignes Solis Lucifero fugiebant astra relicto. [i, 183-232] 20 1. Fonte: abl. of source. 2. Puniceus: Lucan seems to imagine that Rubicon is derived from ruber. 4. Limes: in apposition to Rubicon. — Ausoniis: i.e. Italy proper, the land of the Trojan exiles. 5. Tum: at the end of January. 6. Tertia . . . Cynthia: perhaps the third night after the change of the moon. Three nights of rain had melted the snows on the Alps. 7. Alpes: Lucan's geography does not equal his rhetoric; the Rubicon does not rise in the Alps. 8. in obliquum sonipes: the cavalry at an acute angle across the current. 12. Hesperiae: used like the Ausoniis colonis above to signify * Italy.' 14. Procul hinc iam: 'now away with.' 17. Balearis . . . fundae: the inhabitants of the Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Spain, were famous slingers. 18. Parthi: the Parthians would wheel their horses in flight and discharge their arrows at the foe. 19. Ariminum: modern Rimini, some nine miles south of the Rubicon, and a strategic point because of its position, commanding two great highways to Rome.

372

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

C.ESAR DECIDES ON A PERILOUS CROSSING OF THE ADRIATIC

5

10

15

20

Solverat armorum fessas nox languida curas, Parva quies miseris, in quorum pectora somno Dat vires fortuna minor; iam castra silebant, Tertia iam vigiies commoverat hora secundos: Caesar sollicito per vasta silentia gressu Vix famulis audenda parat, cunctisque relictis Sola placet Fortuna comes. Tentoria postquam Egressus vigilum somno cedentia membra Transiluit questus tacite, quod fallere posset, Litora curva legit, primisque invenit in undis Rupibus exesis haerentem fune carinam. Rectorem dominumque ratis secura tenebat Haud procul inde domus, non ullo robore fulta Sed sterili iunco cannaque intexta palustri Et latus inversa nudum munita phaselo. Haec Caesar bis terque manu quassantia tectum Limina commovit. Molli consurgit Amyclas Quem dabat alga toro. "Quisnam mea naufragus," inquit, "Tecta petit, aut quem nostrae fortuna coegit Auxilium sperare casae ?" ^ „,™ C^SAR

DECIDES

ON

A

PERILOUS

CROSSING

OF

THE

ADRIATIC

[Meter 7], 1. languida: active. 3. fortuna minor: 'their lower station.' 4. Tertia . . . secundos: ' the third hour had roused the second watch'; approximately nine o'clock at night, which the Romans divided into four watches of three hours each, beginning at sundown. The second watch was either beginning or about to begin. 6. Vix famulis audenda: his servants would not dare what Caesar was attempting, and fortune is his only comrade. 9. questus: because the guards did not keep watch.— tacite: i.e. in his heart. — fallere: sc. eos. 10. Litora curva legit: 'he followed the curve of the shore.' 12. secura: to be taken with domus. 15. latus: acc. of specification. 16. tectum: obj. of quassantia. 20. casae: subjective genitive.

MARCUS ANNjEUS LUCANUS

373

SECRET BURIAL OF POMPEY BY NIGHT

Haec ubi fatus, Excitat invalidas admoto fomite flammas. Carpitur et lentum Magnus destillat in ignem Tabe fovens bustum. Sed iam percusserat astra Aurorae praemissa dies; ille ordine rupto 5 Funeris attonitus latebras in litore quaerit. Quam metuis, demens, isto pro crimine poenam Quo te fama loquax omnis accepit in annos ? Condita laudabit Magni socer impius ossa: I modo securus veniae fassusque sepulchrum 10 Posce caput. Cogit pietas imponere finem Officio. Semusta rapit resolutaque nondum Ossa satis nervis et inustis plena medullis Aequorea restinguit aqua congestaque in unum Parva clausit humo. Tunc, ne levis aura retectos 15 Auferret cineres, saxo compressit harenam, Nautaque ne bustum religato fune moveret Inscripsit sacrum semusto stipite nomen: "Hie situs est Magnus." Placet hoc, Fortuna, sepulchrum Dicere Pompei, quo condi maluit illum 20 Quam terra caruisse socer? Temeraria dextra, Cur obicis Magno tumulum manesque vagantis Includis? Situs est qua terra extrema refuso Pendet in Oceano; Romanum nomen et omne Imperium Magno tumuli est modus. ^ ^ 775_799] 25 Secret Burial of Pompey by Night [Meter i], 2. Excitat... flammas: Cordus, a quaestor and former officer of Pompey, is here represented as burning his remains with pieces of a wrecked boat. In reality it was a freedman Philippus who was chiefly responsible for burying Pompey, though he was joined and aided by Cordus. Pompey, fleeing from Caesar, had been treacherously slain at the orders of King Ptolemy on landing in Egypt. 3. lentum: 'slowly burning.'—Magnus: Pompey 'the Great.' 5. Aurorae: dat. — ille: Cordus. 8. Quo: abl. of cause. 9. Condita: 'the burial of.' — socer: Pompey had married Caesar's daughter. 13. Ossa: modified by Semusta, resoluta, plena, and congesta.

CALPURNIUS SICULUS ALPURNIUS SICULUS, the author of seven eclogues, refers to himself, after the fashion of Vergil, whose influence on his poems is marked, as "Corydon" and "Tityrus." He seems to have had a brother who was also a poet. Calpurnius's verses brought him little profit, and he was in dire straits and on the point of emigrating to Spain when he attracted the notice of "Meliboeus," a name which probably disguises that of Seneca the Philosopher, who seems to have secured for the poet some position in Rome. The Eclogues, consisting of over seven hundred and fifty hexameters, are pleasing in style, and their flattery of the Emperor and other references make it probable that they were composed under Nero. There is a text edition by Giarratano (1910) and an earlier annotated edition by C. Keene (1887). LMackail, p. 181; Duff, II, p. 330]

A NEW GOLDEN AGE WILL BRING PEACE

5

Aurea secura cum pace renascitur aetas Et redit ad terras tandem squalore situque Alma Themis posito iuvenemque beata sequuntur Saecula, maternis causam qui vicit in ulnis. D u m populos deus ipse reget, dabit impia vinctas Post tergum Bellona manus spoliataque telis In sua vesanos torquebit viscera morsus Et modo quae toto civilia distulit orbe Secum bella geret. Nullos iam Roma Philippos A N E W GOLDEN AGE WILL BRING PEACE [Meter I]. The shepherd Ornitus relates to another shepherd the field god's prophecy of a golden age. 4. causam qui vicit: in his thirteenth year Nero pleaded successfully for the people of Ilium. 5. deus ipse: the cult of the ruler flourished under Nero. 9. Philippos: in 42 B.C. occurred the battle of Philippi, in northern Macedonia, at which Brutus and Cassius were defeated by Antony and Octavian.

374

CALPURNIUS SICULUS

375

Deflebit, nullos ducet captiva triumphos. Omnia Tartareo subigentur carcere bella Immergentque caput tenebris lucemque timebunt. Candida pax aderit, nec solum Candida vultu Qualis saepe fuit, quae, libera Marte professo, 5 Quae, domito procul hoste, tarnen grassantibus armis Publica diffudit tacito discordia ferro. Omne procul vitium simulatae cedere pacis Iussit et insanos dementia contudit enses. Nulla catenati feralis pompa senatus Carnificum lassabit opus nec carcere pleno Infelix raros numerabit curia patres. Plena quies aderit, quae, stricti nescia ferri, Altera Saturni referet Latialia regna, Altera regna Numae, qui primus ovantia caede 15 Agmina, Romuleis et adhuc ardentia castris, Pacis opus docuit iussitque silentibus armis Inter sacra tubas, non inter bella, sonare. rI 42_e«i 1. captiva: the triumphs celebrated by Octavian after his return from the East were really for civil wars, and so Rome is called 'captive.' Cf. note on page 168, line 5. 2. Tartareo: of a place beneath the earth, here used as equivalent to 'of Hades.' 3. tenebris: cf. note on page 364, line 1. 4. Candida pax: cf. page 303, line 7. 5. libera Marte professo: i.e. when Rome was not officially at war. 9. dementia: Seneca, probably the patron of Calpurnius, had written a De Clemerttia addressed to Nero. A sample of this essay is to be found on page 365. 12. raros . . . patres: it is stated in Seneca's Apocolocyntosis that Claudius put to death thirty-five senators. 13. stricti ferri: i.e. war. 14. Saturni: it was during the Golden Age that Saturn reigned in Latium. Latin poetry abounds in references to this fabulus period; cf., e.g., page 233, lines 5ff., and page 152. 15. Numae: the second king of Rome was a great lawgiver and man of peace. 16. Romuleis: the founder of Rome was a warrior. 17. silentibus armis: translate as a coordinate clause. 18. Inter sacra: i.e. at formal religious ceremonies or festivals.

376

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

T H E A G E D M Y R O N TELLS C A N T H U S HOW TO C A R E FOR T H E FLOCKS I N T H E S P R I N G

5

10

15

Sed qua lege regas et amantes lustra capellas Et melius pratis errantes mollibus agnas, Percipe. Vere novo, cum iam tinnire volucres Incipient nidosque reversa lutabit hirundo, Protinus hiberno pecus omne movebis ovili. Tunc etenim melior vernanti gramine silva Pullat et aestivas reparabilis inchoat umbras; Tunc florent silvae viridisque renascitur annus, Tunc Venus et calidi scintillat fervor amoris Lascivumque pecus salientes accipit hircos. Sed non ante greges in pascua mitte reclusos Quam fuerit placata Pales. Tum caespite vivo Pone focum Geniumque loci Faunumque Laresque Salso farre voca; tepidos tunc hostia cultros Imbuat; hac etiam, dum vivit, ovilia lustra. Nec mora, tunc campos ovibus, dumeta capellis Orto sole dabis, simul hunc transcendere montem Coeperit et primae spatium tepefecerit horae. ^ 1 . „ THE AGED MYRON TELLS CANTHUS HOW TO CARE FOR THE FLOCKS IN THE SPRING [ M e t e r 2], The shepherd Myron has presented Canthus with flocks and gives him instructions as to the care of them. 1. lustra: 'forests,' obj. of amantes. 7. reparabilis: 'coming to life again,' with silva. 13. Genium loci: tutelar deity of the place. — L a r e s : these tutelar gods were represented as two young men. 14. Salso farre: 'salted meal' was used in sacrifice.

PLINY THE ELDER

G

AIUS PLINIUS SECUNDUS, who was probably bom at Novum Comum about 23 A.D., was a man of tremendous ability. At the age of twenty-three he served as a cavalry officer under Corbulo in Germany, and was later the recipient of many official appointments at the hands of the emperors Nero and Vespasian. He was procurator of Gallia Narbonensis, Africa, Gallia Belgica, and Hispania Citerior, and he held the post of admiral in 79 A.D., when he perished during the eruption of Vesuvius. The letters of his nephew, the younger Pliny, tell most entertainingly of the busy life of the uncle and his untiring industry and of the tragic death he met near Pompeii. Pliny's colossal learning produced a variety of works. He wrote De Iaculatione Equestri; De Vita Pomponii Secundi, in two books; twenty books on the German wars; the Studiosi, consisting of three books on the education of the orator; Dubius Sermo, which in eight books treated doubtful forms in language; a history in thirty-one books entitled A Fine Aufidi Bassi; and finally the Naturalis Historia, in thirty-seven books, which has alone been preserved. It was completed in 77 A.D. and is a vast encyclopedia. The contents are drawn from over five hundred authors, and an infinite number of subjects are treated. The work is entertaining and of great importance for its contents. The Teubner edition is by C. Mayhoff. [Mackail, p. 195; Duff, II, p. 347]

WHY T H E SEA IS SALT

Itaque solis ardore siccatur liquor et hoc esse masculum sidus accepimus, torrens cuncta sorbensque. Sic mari late patenti saporem incoqui salis, aut quia exhausto inde dulci tenuique, quod facillime trahat vis ignea, omne asperius crassiusque linquatur (ideo summa aequorum aqua dulciorem 5 profundam, hanc esse veriorem causam asperi saporis quam WHY THE SEA IS SALT. 3. incoqui: depending on accepimus above. 6. esse: the infinitive is to be taken with both parts of the parenthetical statement and depends on accepimus. 377

378

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

quod mare terrae sudor sit aeternus), aut quia plurimus ex arido misceatur illi vapor, aut quia terrae natura sicut medicatas aquas inficiat. Est in exemplis Dionysio Siciliae tyranno, cum pulsus est ea potentia, accidisse prodigium ut uno die in 5 portu dulcesceret mare. [H c] H O W M E D E A B U R N E D JASON'S M I S T R E S S

Similis est natura naphthae. Ita appellatur circa Babylonem et in Astacenis Parthiae profluens bituminis liquidi modo. Huic magna cognatio ignium transiliuntque in earn pfotinus undecumque visam. Ita fertur a Medea paelicem 10 crematam, postquam sacrificatura ad aras accesserat, corona igne rapto. [ n , cv] BRITAIN

Ex adverso huius situs Britannia insula clara Graecis nostrisque monumentis inter septentrionem et occidentem iacet, Germaniae, Galliae, Hispaniae, multo maximis Europae par15 tibus magno intervallo adversa. Albion ipsi nomen fuit, cum Britanniae vocarentur omnes de quibus mox paulo dicemus. [IV, xvi] 1. plurimus . . . vapor: the greatest part of dry vapor. 3. D i o n y s i o : dat. depending on accidisse; Dionysius II, tyrant of Syracuse, was twice forced to leave this city, first in 355 B.C., and for the second time in 345 B.c., when he turned over the state to the Corinthian Timoleon. H o w MEDEA BURNED JASON'S MISTRESS. 6. Similis: to maltha, our petroleum, which was just discussed in the preceding section. 8. transiliunt: sc. ignes as subject. 9. fertur: see, for example, the Medea of Euripides. — paelicem: daughter of Creon, king of Corinth. The veil sent her by Medea is here considered as having been treated with naphtha. BRITAIN. 12. huius situs: Pliny has just referred to islands lying between the mouths of the Rhine. 13. monumentis: 'records.' 15. Albion: supposedly so called from the whiteness of its chalk cliffs opposite France. 16. o m n e s : sc. insulae.

PLINY THE ELDER M E N OF

379

GENIUS

Ingeniorum gloriae quis possit agere delectum per tot disciplinarum genera et tantam rerum operumque varietatem, nisi forte Homero vate Graeco nullum felicius extitisse convenit, sive operis fortuna sive materie aestimetur? Itaque Alexander Magnus — etenim insignibus iudiciis optume citra- 5 que invidiam tam superba censura peragetur — inter spolia Darii Persarum regis unguentorum scrinio capto, quod erat de auro margaritis gemmisque pretiosum, varios eius usus amicis demonstrantibus, quando taedebat unguenti bellatorem et militia sordidum, "Immo Hercule," inquit, "librorum 10 Homeri custodiae detur," ut pretiosissimum humani animi opus quam maxime diviti opere servaretur. Idem Pindari vatis familiae penatibusque iussit parci, cum Thebas raperet, Aristotelis philosophi patriam condidit, tantaeque rerum claritati tam benignum testimonium miscuit. Archilochi poetae 15 interfectores Apollo arguit Delphis. Sophoclem tragici cothurni principem defunctum sepelire Liber pater iussit, obsidentibus moenia Lacedaemoniis, Lysandro eorum rege in quiete saepius admonito ut pateretur humari delicias suas. Requisivit rex quis supremum diem Athenis obisset nec diffi- 20 culter ex his quem deus significasset intellexit pacemque funeri

MEN OF GENIUS. 1. possit: potential subj. — agere delectum: 'make a distinction.' 6. censura: abl. — peragetur: the subject is Homerus.—inter spolia: the vast army of Darius III was defeated in 331 B.C. 12. Idem: 'he also.' 13. cum . . . raperet: in 335 B.C. 14. Aristotelis: the tutor of Alexander. —patriam condidit: Stagirus had suffered in 348 B.C. and was restored at the King's expense. 15. Archilochi: founder of the Greek lyric, who lived c. 680-c. 640 B.C. 16. interfectores: a Naxian who had slain Archilochus in combat went to Delphi; the god rebuked him and ordered him out of the temple. 17. Liber pater: Dionysus. 18. Lysandro: this legend about the order given to the Spartan general Lysander by Dionysus is also found in Plutarch and Pausanias. 19. delicias suas: Sophocles, the favorite of Dionysus.

380

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY MENTOR A N D T H E LION

Sunt vero et fortuita eorum quoque clementiae exempla: Mentor Syracusanus in Syria leone obvio suppliciter volutante attonitus pavore, cum refugienti undique fera opponeret sese et vestigia lamberet adulanti similis, animadvertit in 5 pede eius tumorem vulnusque. Extracto surculo liberavit cruciatu. Pictura casum hunc testatur Syracusis. [VIII, xvi, 56]

PLINY PASSES J U D G M E N T ON T H E

MEDICAL

PROFESSION

Solam hanc artium Graecarum nondum exercet Romana gravitas, in tanto fructu paucissimi Quiritium attigere et ipsi statim ad Graecos transfugae, immo vero auctoritas aliter 10 quam Graece earn tractantibus etiam apud imperitos expertesque linguae non est, ac minus credunt quae ad salutem suam pertinent si intellegunt. Itaque, Hercules, in hac artium sola evenit ut cuicumque medicum se professo statim credatur, cum sit periculum in nullo mendacio maius. Non 15 tamen illud intuemur, adeo blanda est sperandi pro se cuique dulcedo. Nulla praeterea lex quae puniat inscitiam earn, capitale nullum exemplum vindictae. Discunt periculis nostris et experimenta per mortes agunt medicoque tantum homiMENTOR AND THE LION. 1. eorum: i.e. leonum. 2. obvio: dat. 6. Syracusis: locative. PLINY PASSES JUDGMENT ON THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 7. h a n c :

medicine. 8. in tanto fructu: the profession was profitable. 9. transfugae: in that they abandoned Latin for Greek. 10. tractantibus: dat. of possessor. 12. Hercules: an oath; sc. ita me iuvet, to make it plain, but not for translation. 14. credatur: impersonal governing cuicumque . . . professo. 18. per mortes: 'by killing us.' —medicoque tantum: 'and it is only a doctor who can.'

PLINY THE ELDER

381

nem occidisse impunitas summa est. Quin immo transit convitium et intemperantia culpatur ultroque qui periere ar

SUUntUr·

[XXIX, i, 17-18] POLYCRATES'

RING

His initiis coepit auctoritas in tantum amorem elata ut Polycrati Samio insularum ac litorum tyranno felicitatis suae, 5 quam nimiam fatebatur etiam ipse qui felix erat, satis piamenti in unius gemmae voluntario damno videretur si cum Fortunae volubilitate paria fecisset planeque ab invidia eius abunde se redimi putaret si hoc unum doluisset assiduo gaudio lassus. Ergo provectus navigio in altum anulum mersit. At 10 ilium piscis eximia magnitudine regi donatus escae vice raptum ut faceret ostentum in culina domino rursus Fortunae insidiantis manu reddidit. Sardonychem earn gemmam fuisse constat ostenduntque Romae, si credimus, in Concordiae delubro cornu aureo Augustae dono inclusam et novissimum 15 prope locum tot praelatis optinentem. 1. transit: blame is shifted to the patient. POLYCRATES* RING. 4. His initiis: Prometheus is said to have inclosed a piece from the rocks of Caucasus in iron and to have fashioned thus the first ring. 5. felicitatis: obj. gen. depending on piamenti. 8. paria fecisset: 'balance accounts.' — eius: i.e. Fortunae. 12. ut faceret ostentum: 'that it might serve as a portent.' 13. Sardonychem: other ancient writers say that the gem was an emerald. 14. Concordiae delubro: the temple of Concord in the Forum. 16. tot praelatis: most of the other jewels were more highly esteemed.

MARCUS FABIUS Q U I N T I L I A N U S Λ Τ CALAGURRIS in Spain was born, about 35 A.D., Quintilian, the author of the Institutio Oratorio. His father, a distinguished rhetorician, sent him to Rome, where he studied under Remmius Palsemon and Domitius Afer. He seems to have returned to Spain after the completion of his studies, for he was brought to Rome in 68 A.D. by Galba. Quintilian set up a school at Rome and was the first rhetorician to receive a salary from the state. He spent an active life in teaching, having among his pupils the sons of Domitilla. He attained consular rank and great wealth and died about 100 A.D. He published only three works, of which the De Causis Corruptee Eloquentiae and his defense of Naevius Arpinianus, who was accused of murder, are both lost. The surviving Institutio Oratorio, in twelve books, is written in excellent style and is of great importance for the history of rhetoric and of education. Quintilian would train the orator from the cradle. He is thoroughly committed to the doctrine that an essential to great success in his chosen field is virtue; the good orator must be not only a wellinformed but also a good man. His historical account of Roman literature is for us one of the most valuable portions of the work. Quintilian was popular in his own time, though later his popularity waned. He is, however, mentioned from time to time in the Middle Ages. In 1416 Poggio discovered a complete text of the Institutio, and Quintilian had tremendous vogue with the humanists. The Teubner collection has a convenient text, edited by Rodermacher (Bks. I-VI) and Bonnell (Bks. VII-XII). There is an annotated edition of Book I by F. Colson (1924) and of Book X by W. Peterson (1891). [Mackail, p. 197; Duff, II, p. 387]

T H E NECESSITY FOR TALENT

Illud tamen in primis testandum est, nihil praecepta atque artes valere nisi adiuvante natura. Quapropter ei, cui deerit ingenium, non magis haec scripta sint quam de agrorum cultu THE NECESSITY FOR TALENT. 3. scripta sint: potential. 382

MARCUS F A B I U S QUINTILIANUS

383

sterilibus terris. Sunt et alia ingenita cuique adiumenta, vox, latus patiens laboris, valetudo, constantia, decor; quae si modica obtigerunt, possunt ratione ampliari, sed nonnunquam ita desunt, ut bona etiam ingenii studiique corrumpant; sicut et haec ipsa sine doctore perito, studio pertinaci, scri- 5 bendi, legendi, dicendi multa et continua exercitatione per se nihil prosunt. t I Prooemiumi 26-27] H U M O R A N D ITS U S E

Huic diversa virtus, quae risum iudicis movendo et illos tristes solvit affectus et animum ab intentione rerum frequenter avertit et aliquando etiam reficit et a satietate vel a 10 fatigatione renovat. . . . Cum videatur autem res levis et quae ab scurris, mimis, insipientibus denique saepe moveatur, tarnen habet vim nescio an imperiosissimam et cui repugnari minime potest. Erumpit etiam invitis saepe, nec vultus modo ac vocis exprimit 15 confessionem, sed totum corpus vi sua concutit. Rerum autem saepe (ut dixi) maximarum momenta vertit, ut cum odium iramque frequentissime frangat. ^ ^ 1 AUGUSTUS'S

JESTING

Adhibetur autem similitudo interim palam, interim inseri solet parabolae; cuius est generis illud Augusti, qui militi 20 libellum timide porrigenti, "Noli," inquit, "tanquam assem elephanto des." . . . Eques Romanus, ad quem in spectaculis bibentem cum misisset Augustus qui ei diceret, "Ego si prandere volo, 4. bona: acc. HUMOR AND ITS USE. 8. Huic: the power to arouse the emotions of pity and sorrow. 12. videatur: the subject is risus, 'laughter.' 17. momenta vertit: 'turns the scales.' AUGUSTUS'S JESTING. 21. Noli: sc. porrigere.

384

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

domum eo," " T u enim," inquit, "non times, ne locum perdas." Ex contrario non una species. Neque enim eodem modo dixit Augustus praefecto, quem cum ignominia mittebat, subinde interponenti precibus, "Quid respondebo patri 5 meo?" " Die me tibi displicuisse." Ex omnibus argumentorum locis eadem occasio est. Nam et finitione usus est Augustus de pantomimis duobus, qui alternis gestibus contendebant, cum eorum alterum saltatorem dixit alterum interpellatorem. 10

Defensionem imitatus est eques Romanus, qui obiicienti Augusto quod Patrimonium comedisset, "Meum," inquit, "putavi." Et Augustus nuntiantibus Tarraconensibus palmam in ara eius enatam, "Apparet," inquit, "quam saepe accendatis."

15

Sic eluditur et ridiculum ridiculo: ut divus Augustus, cum ei Galli torquem aureum centum pondo dedissent, et Dolabella per iocum, temptans tamen ioci sui eventum, dixisset, "Imperator, torque me dona," "Malo," inquit, " t e civica donare." 1. locum perdas: 'you'll lose your seat.' The Emperor, of course, had a reserved seat. 2. Ex contrario:' from contraries,' as illustrated twice in this paragraph. —Neque enim eodem modo: 'not in the same form' (as did Galba in an anecdote which follows the one about Augustus). 7. finitione: 'definition' used to produce a jest. 9. interpellatorem: 'one who interrupts' (the show). 13. in ara eius: the altar was doubtless used in connection with the joint worship of Augustus and Roma. 14. Apparet: this suggestion of a reason is given as a method of making light of a statement. 15. divus: ' the deified,' a title applied to Augustus after his death and official deification, and sometimes in the provinces even in his lifetime. 16. Dolabella: Cornelius Dolabella, probably the same who told Cleopatra that Octavian intended to send her to Rome and thus caused her to commit suicide. 18. civica: the 'civic' crown of oak leaves, intrinsically of no value, was given for saving the life of a fellow citizen in war.

MARCUS FABIUS QUINTILIANUS

385

Interim de se dicere ridiculum et quod in alium si absentem diceretur urbanum non erat, quoniam ipsi palam exprobratur, movet risum: quale Augusti est, cum ab eo miles nescio quid improbe peteret et veniret contra Marcianus, quem suspicabatur et ipsum aliquid iniuste rogaturum: "Non 5 magis," inquit, "faciam, commilito, quod petis, quam quod Marcianus a me *petiturus est." ,rT ... . „„ „. r[VI, n co in, r59, 63,c r65,n 74, 77, 79, 94] T H E B Y P A T H S OF S T U D Y

Declamationes vero, quales in scholis rhetorum dicuntur, si modo sunt ad veritatem accommodatae et orationibus similes, non tantum dum adolescit profectus sunt utilissimae, quia 10 inventionem et dispositionem pariter exercent, sed etiam cum est consummatus ac iam in foro clarus. Alitur enim atque enitescit velut pabulo laetiore facundia et assidua contentionum asperitate fatigata renovatur. Quapropter historiae nonnunquam ubertas in aliqua exercendi stili parte ponenda et 15 dialogorum libertate gestiendum. Ne carmine quidem ludere contrarium fuerit, sicut athletae, remissa quibusdam temporibus ciborum atque exercitationum certa necessitate, otio et iucundioribus epulis reficiuntur. Ideoque mihi videtur M. Tullius tantum intulisse eloquentiae lumen, quod in hos 20 quoque studiorum secessus excurrit. Nam si nobis sola materia fuerit ex litibus, necesse est deteratur fulgor et durescat articulus et ipse ille mucro ingenii cotidiana pugna retundatur. [X, v, 14-16] 4. contra: 'toward him.'—Marcianus: otherwise unknown. THE BYPATHS OF STUDY. 9. ad veritatem accommodatae: the themes, as in the Controversiae of Seneca Rhetor, were often impossible in real life. 10. profectus: 'the beginner.' 15. ubertas: of language. — stili: 'written composition.' — ponenda: 'employed.' 16. gestiendum: impersonal. 20. M . Tullius: Cicero. — lumen: 'luster.' 23. articulus: 'joints' or 'limbs.'

386

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY CICERO THE MODEL

ORATOR

Cum interim haec omnia, quae vix singula quisquam intentissima cura consequi posset, fluunt illaborata, et ilia, qua nihil pulchrius auditum est, oratio prae se fert tamen felicissimam facilitatem. Quare non immerito ab hominibus aeta5 tis suae regnare in iudiciis dictus est, apud posteros vero id consecutus, ut Cicero iam non hominis nomen, sed eloquentiae habeatur. Hunc igitur spectemus, hoc propositum nobis sit exemplum, ille se profecisse sciat cui Cicero valde placebit. [X, i, 111-112] T H E T R A I N I N G OF T H E ORATOR BUT NOT

EXACTING

IMPOSSIBLE

Vereor tamen ne aut magna nimium videar exigere, qui 10 eundem virum bonum esse et dicendi peritum velim, aut multa, qui tot artibus in pueritia discendis morum quoque praecepta et scientiam iuris civilis praeter ea, quae de eloquentia tradebantur, adiecerim quique haec open nostro necessaria esse crediderint velut moram rei perhorrescant et 15 desperent ante experimentum. Qui primum renuntient sibi quanta sit humani ingenii vis, quam potens efficiendi quae velit, cum maria transire, siderum cursus numerosque cognoscere, mundum ipsum paene dimetiri, minores, sed difficiliores artes potuerint. Tum cogitent quantam rem petant 20 quamque nullus sit hoc proposito praemio labor recusandus. Quod si mente conceperint, huic quoque parti facilius accedent ut ipsum iter neque impervium neque saltern durum Putent·

[XII, xi, 9-11]

CICERO THE MODEL ORATOR. 2. p o s s e t : potential.

3. prae se fert: 'exhibits'; the subj. is oratio, sc. Ciceronis. 8. profecisse: 'has made progress.' THE TRAINING OF THE ORATOR EXACTING BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

11. 15. 18. 2Ϊ.

multa: also governed by nimium. renuntient: jussive. minores: 'lesser,' i.e. less accomplished than oratory. huic . . . parti: i.e. training and preparation.

MARCUS FABIUS QUINTILIANUS ON STUDY AT

387

NIGHT

Namque ilia quae ipsa delectant necesse est avocent ab intentione operis destinati. Neque enim se bona fide in multa simul intendere animus totum potest, et quocumque respexit, desinit intueri quod propositum erat. Quare silvarum amoenitas et praeterlabentia flumina et inspirantes ramis arborum 5 aurae volucrumque cantus et ipsa late circumspiciendi libertas ad se trahunt, ut mihi remittere potius voluptas ista videatur cogitationem qüam intendere. Demosthenes melius, qui se in locum ex quo nulla exaudiri vox et ex quo nihil prospici posset recondebat, ne aliud agere mentem cogerent 10 oculi. Ideoque lucubrantes silentium noctis et clausum cubiculum et lumen unum velut tectos maxime teneat. Sed cum in omni studiorum genere, tum in hoc praecipue bona valetudo, quaeque eam maxime praestat, frugalitas necessaria est, cum tempora ab ipsa rerum natura ad quietem refec-15 tionemque nobis data in acerrimum laborem convertimus. Cui tarnen non plus inrogandum est quam quod somno supererit, haud deerit; obstat enim diligentiae scribendi etiam fatigatio, et abunde, si vacet, lucis spatia sufficiunt; occupatos in noctem necessitas agit. Est tarnen lucubratio, quo- 20 tiens ad eam integri ac refecti venimus, Optimum secreti genus. [X, iii, 23-27] ON STUDY AT NIGHT, l. quae ipsa: i.e. per se. 2. bona fide: a legal expression meaning 'conscientiously.' 7. remittere . . . intendere: the figure is taken from archery. 8. Demosthenes: the famous Athenian orator of the fourth century B.c. 12. velut tectos: perhaps a military figure meaning' guarded,' or perhaps the meaning is 'covered,' with a reference to the underground room in which Demosthenes worked. — teneat: jussive. — cum . . . turn: 'not only . . . but also.' 13. in hoc: work at night. 15. cum . . . convertimus: temporal clause, but with causal force. 16. data: with tempora. 17. Cui: the antecedent is laborem. — quod . . . deerit: i.e. sufficient time must be devoted to sleep at night, and labor must take only what is not needed for sleep. 19. si vacet: ' if one has nothing else to do.' — occupatos:' busy people.'

388

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY ENCOURAGEMENT TO HIGH A C H I E V E M E N T

At perficere tantum opus arduum, et nemo perfecit. Ante omnia sufficit ad exhortationem studiorum, capere id rerum naturam, nec quidquid non est factum ne fieri quidem posse; tum omnia quae magna sunt atque admirabilia tempus ali5 quod quo primum efficerentur habuisse; nam et poesis ab Homero et Vergilio tantum fastigium accepit et eloquentia a Demosthene atque Cicerone. Denique quidquid est optimum ante non fuerat. Verum etiamsi quis summa desperet (quod cur faciat cui ingenium, valetudo, facultas, praeceptores non lodeerunt?), tamen est, ut Cicero ait, pulchrum in secundis tertiisque consistere. Neque enim, si quis Achillis gloriam in bellicis consequi non potest, Aiacis aut Diomedis laudem aspernabitur, nec qui Homeri non, Tyrtaei. Quin immo si hanc cogitationem homines habuissent, ut nemo se meliorem 15 fore eo qui optimus fuisset arbitraretur, hi ipsi qui sunt optimi non fuissent, neque post Lucretium ac Macrum Vergilius nec post Crassum et Hortensium Cicero, sed nec illi qui post eos fuerunt. Verum ut transeundi spes non sit, ENCOURAGEMENT TO HIGH ACHIEVEMENT, i. A t : 'but perhaps you say,' an objection introduced and answered immediately in the next sentence. 2. capere: 'allows.' — id: perficere tantum opus. 3. naturam: subject of capere. 4. tempus . . . habuisse: the meaning is that great works have 'required' time for their accomplishment; cf. our proverb, "there must be a first time for everything." 6. fastigium accepit: poetry reached its height only with Homer and Vergil; before them in Greece and Rome it had fallen short of such perfection. 8. quod: a reference to desperet. 10. ut Cicero ait: Orator, i, 4 : prima enim sequentem honestum est in secundis tertiisque consistere. 13. Tyrtaei: he introduced the Ionic elegy into Sparta. 16. Lucretium: see pages 112-127. — Macrum: ^Emilius Macer, the Roman poet of Verona, who died in 16 B.C. 17. Crassum: Lucius Licinius Crassus, distinguished Roman orator, who died in 91 B.C. 18. u t : concessive.

MARCUS FABIUS QUINTILIANUS

389

magna tarnen est dignitas subsequendi. An Pollio et Messalla, qui iam Cicerone arcem tenente eloquentiae agere coeperunt, parum in vita dignitatis habuerunt, parum ad posteros gloriae tradiderunt? Alioqui pessime de rebus humanis perductae in summum artes mererentur, si quod optimum idem 5 ultimum fuisset. Adde quod magnos modica quoque eloquentia parit fructus, ac, si quis haec studia utilitate sola metiatur, paene illi perfectae par est. Neque erat difficile vel veteribus vel novis exemplis palam facere, non aliunde maiores opes, honores, amicitias, laudem praesentem, futuram hominibus 10 contigisse, nisi indignum litteris esset ab opere pulcherrimo, cuius tractatus atque ipsa possessio plenissimam studiis gratiam refert, hanc minorem exigere mercedem, more eorum qui a se non virtutes, sed voluptatem, quae fit ex virtutibus, peti dicunt. Ipsam igitur orandi maiestatem, qua nihil dii 15 immortales melius homini dederunt, et qua remota muta sunt omnia et luce praesenti ac memoria posteritatis carent, toto animo petamus nitamurque semper ad optima, quod facientes aut evademus in summum aut certe multos infra nos videbimus. 20 [XII, xi, 25-30]

1 . Pollio: Gaius Asinius Pollio ( 7 5 B . C - 4 A . D . ) , celebrated orator, historian, and poet; see page 194. — Messalla: see page 300. 5. mererentur . . . fuisset: mixed contrary-to-fact condition. 8. perfectae: sc. eloquentiae. — Neque erat difficile: 'and it would not have been difficult/ 14. qui . . . dicunt: the schools of Aristippus and Epicurus. 18. petamus nitamurque: hortatory.

SEXTUS IULIUS FRONTINUS

F

RONTINUS was born about 40 A.D. of a good family. He had a long career of public service, acting as praetor urbanus in 70, consul in 73 or 74, in 98, and in 100. During his governorship of Britain, from 75 to 78, he subdued the Silures in Wales and began the Via Iulia. Nerva appointed him curator aquarum in 97, and he held the post of augur till 103, when he probably died. Frontinus was an able and honest official, devoted to his work, most unassuming. Frontinus's works were intended to be of practical use and were of a technical nature. One is a book on land-surveying and land laws, of which excerpts are preserved. His De Re Militari is lost; but the supplementary Strategemata, three books of examples of successful stratagems for the instruction of officers, has been preserved. The two books of the De Aquis are a mine of information on the aqueducts of Rome and the regulations concerning them. C. Herschel has edited the De Aquis Urbis Romae with a translation and commentary (1925). The latest Teubner text of the Strategemata is by G. Gundermann (1888). [Mackail, p. 197; Duff, II, p. 422]

THEMISTOCLES OUTWITS T H E SPARTANS

Themistocles exhortans suos ad suscitandos festinanter muros quos iussu Lacedaemoniorum deiecerant, legatis Lacedaemone missis qui interpellarent respondit venturum se ad diluendam hanc existimationem; et pervenit Lacedae5 monem. Ibi simulato morbo aliquantum temporis extraxit; et, postquam intellexit suspectam esse tergiversationem suam, THEMISTOCLES OUTWITS THE SPARTANS.

1. T h e m i s t o c l e s :

famous

Greek commander and statesman, who induced the Athenians to build the great navy which defeated the Persian king Xerxes at Salamis. 2. Lacedaemoniorum: the Spartans were jealous of Athens and pretended to fear that the wall of Athens would be useful to the Persians if they should take the city. 5. simulato morbo: the more common version is that he pretended to await the arrival of other Athenian envoys who were to have followed him. 390

391

SEXTUS IULIUS FRONTINUS

contendit fa] sum allatum ad eos rumorem et rogavit mitterent aliquos ex principibus quibus crederent de munitione Athenarum. Suis deinde clam scripsit ut eos qui venissent retinerent, donee refectis operibus confiteretur Lacedaemoniis munitas esse Athenas neque aliter principes eorum redire 5 posse quam ipse remissus foret. Quod facile praestiterunt Lacedaemonii, ne unius interitum multorum morte pensarent. [Strategemata, FRONTINUS'S A D M I R A T I O N FOR T H E A N D HIS Z E A L AS T H E I R

I, i, 10]

AQUEDUCTS

CURATOR

Tot aquarum tarn multis necessariis molibus pyramidas videlicet otiosas compares aut cetera inertia sed fama celebrata opera Graecorum. 10 Non alienum mihi visum est longitudines quoque rivorum cuiusque ductus etiam per species operum complecti. Nam, cum maxima huius officii pars in tutela eorum sit, scire praepositum oportet quae maiora impendia exigant. Nostrae quidem sollicitudini non suffecit singula oculis subiecisse; 15 formas quoque ductuum facere curavimus, ex quibus apparet ubi valles quantaeque, ubi flumina traicerentur, ubi montium lateribus specus applicitae maiorem assiduamque tuendi ac muniendi rivi exigant curam. Hinc ilia contingit utilitas ut rem statim veluti in conspectu habere possimus et deliberare 20 tamquam assistentes. i D e Aquis< It 16 _ 17] 1. mitterent: indirect command. FRONTINUS'S ADMIRATION FOR THE AQUEDUCTS AND HIS ZEAL AS

THEIR CURATOR. 8. pyramidas... otiosas: 'the idle pyramids' of Egypt. 10. opera Graecorum: referring doubtless to some of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Note the scorn of the Roman for pretty but "useless" works. 12. per species operum: 'according to the kinds of construction.' Part of the aqueducts would be supported on arches and part would be underground. 13. huius officii: Frontinus was curator aquarum. —praepositum: 'the man in charge of the aqueducts.' 16. formas: 'plans.'

392

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE A N D POETRY

Aqua Marcia {Ponte

Lupo)

FRONTINUS'S D E T E C T I O N OF ILLICIT OF THE WATER

TAPPING

MAINS

Etiam ille aquariorum tollendus est reditus quern vocant puncta. Longa ac diversa sunt spatia per quae fistulae tota meant urbe latentes sub silice. Has comperi per eum qui appellabatur a punctis passim convulneratas omnibus in transi5 tu negotiationibus praebuisse peculiaribus fistulis aquam, quo efficiebatur ut exiguus modus ad usus publicos perveniret. Quantum ex hoc modo aquae surreptum sit, aestimo ex eo quod aliquantum plumbi sublatis eiusmodi ramis redactum est. [De Aquis, II, 115] FRONTINUS'S DETECTION OF ILLICIT TAPPING OF THE WATER

MAINS. 1. reditus: 'revenue.' 2. puncta: 'puncturing.' 3. silice: 'pavements.'—Has: sc. fistulas.—per eum qui appellabatur a punctis: ' b y those who were called borers' (or 'tappers'). 8. ramis: 'branch pipes.'

GAIUS VALERIUS FLACCUS

V

ALERIUS FLACCUS, probably a native of Setia in Campania, began soon after 70 A.D. his epic, the Argonautica. The work, which we still have, breaks off in the eighth book, and it was probably interrupted by the death of the poet about 90 A.D. The theme had been treated previously, notably by Apollonius Rhodius in Greek and by Varro Atacinus in Latin. Valerius's composition shows originality and descriptive power. There are good editions by P. Langen (1896) and O. Krämer (Teubner, 1913). [Mackail, p. 190; Duff, II, p. 433]

ACHILLES G R E E T S HIS F A T H E R A N D A D M I R E S T H E HEROES Iamque aderat summo decurrens vertice Chiron Clamantemque patri procul ostendebat Achillen. Ut puer ad notas erectum Pelea voces Vidit et ingenti tendentem bracchia passu, Adsiluit caraque diu cervice pependit. Ilium nec valido spumantia pocula Baccho Sollicitant veteri nec conspicienda metallo Signa tenent; stupet in ducibus magnumque sonantes Haurit et Herculeo fert comminus ora leoni. Laetus at impliciti Peleus rapit oscula nati Suspiciensque polum, "Placido si currere fluctu ACHILLES

GREETS

HIS

FATHER

AND

ADMIRES

THE

HEROES

[Meter J]. Jason and his companions are at a banquet just before sailing in quest of the Golden Fleece. Various notables attend, including the youthful Achilles. 1. Chiron: tutor of Achilles. 2. patri: Peleus. 8. Signa: the 'figures' on the cups. — magnum sonantes: 'magniloquent guests,' in talking over their great enterprise. 9. Haurit: 'listens eagerly to.'— Herculeo . . .leoni: Hercules had slain the Nemean lion and wore its hide. 393

5

10

394

5

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Pelea vultis," ait, "ventosque optare ferentes, Hoc, superi, servate caput. Tu cetera, Chiron, Da mihi. Te parvus lituos et bella loquentem Miretur; sub te puerilia tela magistro Venator ferat et nostram festinet ad hastam." Omnibus inde mero calor additus; ire per altum Magna mente volunt. Phrixi promittitur absens Vellus et auratis Argo reditura corymbis. ^ MEDEA PREPARES FOR

10

15

255_2,

FLIGHT

At trepidam in thalamis et iam sua facta paventem Colchida circa omnes pariter furiaeque minaeque Patris habent; nec caerulei timor aequoris ultra Nec miserae terra ulla procul; quascumque per undas Ferre fugam, quamcumque cupit iam scandere puppem. Ultima virgineis tunc flens dedit oscula vittis, Quosque fugit complexa toros, crinemque genasque Acta per antiqui carpsit vestigia somni Atque haec impresso gemuit miseranda cubili: "O mihi si profugae genitor nunc ille supremos 1. Pelea: subject of currere and optare. — ferentes: 'fair.' 2. cetera: Chiron will train Achilles, if the gods preserve the boy. 5. nostram . . . ad hastam: 'to the strength which will enable him to wield my spear.' 7. Phrixi: son of Athamas and Nephele; he sacrificed to Zeus the ram which had brought him to Colchis, and gave the fleece to King /Eetes. 8. corymbis: carved decorative clusters on the ship which will have the fleece hanging over them or lending a golden luster to them, and will indicate that the expedition has been a success. MEDEA PREPARES FOR FLIGHT [Meter 2], Medea is about to leave

her father and elope with Jason. 10. Colchida: Medea. 11. Patris: i£etes. 14. vittis: regarded as symbols of maidenhood. 16. Acta . . . somni: Tyrrell suggests acta for the traditional ante, and translates, ' driven over the tracks of her old dream,' referring to a murder dream related elsewhere. 17. haec . . . miseranda: sc. verba.

GAIUS VALERIUS FLACCUS

395

Amplexus, Aeeta, dares fletusque videres Ecce meos! Ne crede, pater, non carior ille est Quem sequimur; tumidis utinam simul obruar undis! Tu, precor, haec longa placidus mox sceptra senecta Tuta geras, meliorque tibi sit cetera proles." Dixit et Haemonio numquam spernenda marito Condita letiferis promit medicamina cistis, Virgineosque sinus ipsumque monile venenis Implicat, ac saevum super omnibus addidit ensem. [VIII, 1-19] 1. Aeeta: her father, /Eetes. 2. ille: Jason. 5. melior: 'better' than Medea has proved to be. 6. Haemonio: the adjective is here applied to Jason, who came from Haemonia. — spernenda: agreeing with medicamina; when later she was cast off by Jason, who took to wife the daughter of the king of Corinth, Medea used the very means which she had prepared to avenge such an injury. 8. sinus ipsumque monile: a safe place for the poisoned presents by which she destroyed Jason's bride. 9. Implicat: i.e. she hides the poison away thus. — saevum . . . ensem: the 'sword' is called 'savage' because with it she slew her own children by Jason.

5

TIBERIUS CATIUS SILIUS ITALICUS

T

HE epic poet, Silius Italicus, who was born about 25 or 26 A.D., is mentioned as an informer under Nero. He was the last consul in the reign of that emperor, and in the disturbances of 69 he favored Vitellius. Under Vespasian he served as proconsular governor of Asia and later retired to his Campanian estate, where he lived in affluence and wrote his epic, the Punica, which in seventeen books deals with the Second Punic War. Because of an incurable tumor Silius starved himself to death early in the reign of Trajan; he was survived by a son who became consul. His work was, as the younger Pliny said, composed with greater care than genius, and is characterized by its amateurish imitations of earlier epics and by its prolixity. Ed. Bauer, 1890. [Mackail, p. 191; Duff, II, p. 452]

T H E INTRODUCTION TO THE

5

PUNICA

Ordior arma quibus caelo se gloria tollit Aeneadum patiturque ferox Oenotria iura Carthago. Da, Musa, decus memorare laborum Antiquae Hesperiae quantosque ad bella crearit Et quot Roma viros, sacri cum perfida pacti Gens Cadmea super regno certamina movit; Quaesitumque diu qua tandem poneret arce Terrarum Fortuna caput. Ter Marte sinistra Iuratumque Iovi foedus conventaque patrum THE INTRODUCTION TO THE PUNICA [Meter I ] . 2. Aeneadum: the Romans, who traced their descent from Troy through vEneas.— Oenotria: here used to mean ' Italian.' 4. Hesperiae: 'the western land,' i.e. 'Italy.' 5. perfida: the faithlessness of the Carthaginians was proverbial at Rome; cf. Livy, page 250, line 19. 6. Gens Cadmea: i.e. the Carthaginians, who were of Phoenician origin, as was the Theban Cadmus. 8. Ter: the three Punic wars. 9. Iovi: 'in the name of Juppiter.' 396

TIBERIUS CATIUS SILIUS ITALICUS

397

Sidonii fregere duces atque irapius ensis Ter placitam suasit temerando rumpere pacem. Sed medio finem bello excidiumque vicissim Molitae gentes propiusque fuere periclo Quis superare datum; reseravit Dardanus arces Ductor Agenoreas; obsessa Palatia vallo Poenorum ac muris defendit Roma salutem. Tantarum causas irarum odiumque perenni Servatum studio et mandata nepotibus arma Fas aperire mihi superasque recludere mentes. Iamque adeo magni repetam primordia motus.

5

10 [1,1-20]

T H E NOBLE SPIRIT OF FABIUS

MAXIMUS

Atque ea Cunctator pensabat ab aggere valli, Perlustrans campos oculis, tantoque periclo Discere quinam esset Fabius te, Roma, dolebat. Cui natus, iuncta arma ferens: "Dabit improbus," inquit, "Quas dignum est poenas, qui per suifragia caeca Invasit nostros haec ad discrimina fasces. 1. Sidonii: Sidon was in Phoenicia; but the adjective here means 'Carthaginian,' i.e. descended from the Phoenicians. 3. medio . . . bello: the Second Punic War. 4 propiusque fuere periclo: Livy, XXI, i, 2, writes, "propius pericu· lumfuerint qui vicerunt." 5. Quis: for Quibus. — Dardanus: Scipio is here called Dardanus Ductor because of the Roman claim to descent from Dardanus, ancestor of the royal Trojan line. 6. Agenoreas: 'Carthaginian'; Agenor was the father of Cadmus. — obsessa: sc. sunt. — Palatia: the Palatine hill at Rome. 10. superasque: i.e. of the gods. THE NOBLE SPIRIT OF FABIUS MAXIMUS [ M e t e r J]. 12. Cunctator:

Q. Fabius Maximus Cunctator, who by his policy of avoiding battle wore out Hannibal in the Second Punic War; cf. page 7. 15. natus: his elder son, who served with distinction in the war.— improbus: M. Minucius Rufus, master of horse to the dictator Fabius in 217 a c . 16. suffragia caeca: the people, dissatisfied with the policy of Fabius, had passed a bill giving Minucius equal powers with the dictator. Minucius and his army were quickly trapped by Hannibal.

15

398

5

10

15

20

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Insanae spectate tribus! Pro lubrica rostra Et vanis fora laeta viris! Nunc munera Martis Aequent imperio et solem concedere nocti Sciscant imbelles. Magna mercede piabunt Erroris rabiem et nostrum violasse parentem." Tum senior, quatiens hastam lacrimisque coortis: "Sanguine Poenorum, iuvenis, tam tristia dicta Sunt abolenda tibi. Patiarne ante ora manusque Civem deleri nostras ? Aut vincere Poenum, Me spectante, sinam? Non aequavisse minorem Solventur culpa, si sunt mihi talia corda ? Iamque hoc, ne dubites, longaevi, nate, parentis Accipe et aeterno fixum sub pectore serva: Succensere nefas patriae; nec foedior ulla Culpa sub extremas fertur mortalibus umbras. Sic docuere senes. Quantus qualisque fuisti, Cum pulsus lare et extorris Capitolia curru Intrares exul! Tibi corpora caesa, Camille, Damnata quot sunt dextra! pacata fuissent Ni consulta viro mensque impenetrabilis irae, Mutassentque solum sceptris Aeneia regna Nullaque nunc stares terrarum vertice, Roma. Pone iras, ο nate, meas. Socia arma feramus Et celeremus opem." [VII, 536-565] 1. lubrica: because of the fickleness of popular favor. 10. Non aequavisse . . . culpa: 'will they not be freed from blame for making an inferior man my equal ?' 14. patriae: obj. of Succensere. 17. pulsus lare: M. Furius Camillus was driven into exile in 391 B.C. because of the hostility of the people, before whom he was accused of having made an unfair distribution of booty. — Capitolia: the Capitoline hill. 18. corpora caesa: Camillus left Rome, praying that his ungrateful country might soon be reduced to such a state that it would need his services. 20. Ni: governing fuissent; when Rome was taken by the Gauls and sacked, Camillus was appointed dictator, in 390 B.C., and his wrath was appeased. He drove out the Gauls and gave the Romans new courage. 21. Aeneia regna: Rome. 23. meas: 'on my account.' — Socia arma . . . opem: Fabius rescued Minucius and his army.

PUBLIUS PAPINIUS STATIUS

T

HE POET STATIUS, born at Naples about 40 A.D., was the son of a prominent teacher and poet who had taken prizes at the great Greek contests. The younger Statius won prizes for his verse in the contest of the Augustalia at Naples and in the competition in honor of Minerva at Domitian's Alban palace, but he was unsuccessful in the Capitoline contest at Rome. At Rome Statius married a widow, Claudia, and lived on terms of familiarity with distinguished and wealthy people. He held recitations and, on one occasion at least, wrote a libretto, the Agave, for the actor Paris. He returned to Naples about 94 A.D. and died a year or two later. Of his writings we have the epic, the Thebais, in twelve books, the unfinished epic entitled the Achilleis, and the five books of Silvae, a collection of occasional poems, some in lyric meters, though for the most part in hexameters. The length and detail of the Thebais make it forbidding to the reader; yet it exhibits numerous characteristics of an excellent poetic style and finish and many passages of real inspiration. It was regarded as a masterpiece for many centuries and was studied and translated by poets down to comparatively modern times. Statius was the first notable poet after Horace to venture again into the lyric field, but the Silvae are greatly marred by an excessive adulation of the Emperor. The Silvae have been edited with notes by Vollmer (1898), and there are Oxford texts of the Thebais and the Achilleis by Garrod (1906) and of the Silvae by Phillimore (1914). [Mackail, p. 187; Duff, II, p. 467]

T H E CHARMS OF NAPLES

Has ego te sedes — nam nec mihi barbara Thrace Nec Libye natale solum — transferre laboro, Quas et mollis hiems et frigida temperat aestas, Quas imbelle fretum torpentibus adluit undis. T H E CHARMS OF NAPLES [Meier ϊ\. 1. H a s . . . s e d e s : Naples; acc. of place to which. — t e : Claudia, his wife. — Thrace: to the poets this was a vague, wild, and cold region to the northeast. 2. Libye: the modern Tripolitania, in Africa. 399

400

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Naples with the Bay

Pax secura locis et desidis otia vitae Et numquam turbata quies somnique peracti. Nulla foro rabies aut strictae in iurgia leges; Morum iura viris solum et sine fascibus aequum. [Silvae, III, v, 81-88] STATIUS'S T R I B U T E TO VERGIL

5

En egomet somnum et geniale secutus Litus, ubi Ausonio se condidit hospita portu Parthenope, tenues ignavo pollice chordas Pulso Maroneique sedens in margine templi Sumo animum et magni tumulis accanto magistri. [Silvae, IV, iv, 51-55] 1. Pax secura: by contrast with Rome; cf. Juvenal's third satire. 4. Morum iura: the idea expressed is that the only laws at Naples are those of custom and justice and that there is no need of Roman rod or ax. STATIUS'S TRIBUTE TO VERGIL [Meter J]. 6. Ausonio . . . portu: Naples. — hospita = hospes. 8. Maroneique . . . templi: the reputed tomb of Vergil, on the outskirts of Naples on the road to Puteoli.

FUBLIUS PAPINIUS STATIUS

401

TO SLEEP Crimine quo merui, iuvenis placidissime divum, Quove errore miser, donis ut solus egerem, Somne, tuis? Tacet omne pecus volucresque feraeque Et simulant fessos curvata cacuroina somnos Nec trucibus fluviis idem sonus; occidit horror Aequoris et terris maria acclinata quiescunt. Septima iam rediens Phoebe mihi respicit aegras Stare genas; totidem Oetaeae Paphiaeque revisunt Lampades et totiens nostros Tithonia questus Praeterit et gelido spargit miserata flagello. Unde ego sufficiam? Non si mihi lumina mille, Quae sacer alterna tantum statione tenebat Argus et haud umquam vigilabat corpore toto. At nunc heu! Si aliquis longa sub nocte puellae Brachia nexa tenens ultro te, Somne, repellit, Inde veni nec te totas infundere pennas Luminibus compello meis — hoc turba precetur Laetior —; extremo me tange cacumine virgae, Sufficit, aut leviter suspenso poplite transi. [Sihae, V, iv] To SLEEP [Meter ϊ\. 1. iuvenis: Sleep, personified, is represented as a youth, to whom this delightful poem is addressed. 4. cacumina: 'tree-tops.' 5. horror: 'the raging.' 7. Phoebe: surname of Artemis as goddess of the moon. 8. genas: here meaning'eyes.' — Oetaeae: Mt. (Eta, in Thessaly, was thought to be the home of the evening star. —Paphiae: Paphos, in Cyprus, was a favorite haunt of Venus, here considered the morning star. 9. Tithonia: Aurora, spouse of Tithonus. 10. gelido . . . flagello: Aurora guides the horses of the sun, and her whip is cold because of the chill that precedes the sunrise. 11. sufficiam: potential. — lumina mille: Argus traditionally had only a hundred eyes. 12. sacer: ' devoted' to his duty as imposed on him by Juno. — alterna . . . statione: 'by relays.' 13. Argus: made guardian over Io, who was metamorphosed into a cow. 17. hoc: referring to totas pennas. 19. suspenso poplite: 'with hovering knee.'

402

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY T H E ALTAR OF M E R C Y AT ATHENS

5

10

15

Urbe fuit media nulli concessa potentum Ara deum; mitis posuit dementia sedem Et miseri fecere sacram; sine supplice numquam Ilia novo, nulla damnavit vota repulsa. Auditi quicumque rogant, noctesque diesque Ire datum et solis numen placare querellis. Parca superstitio; non turea flamma, nec altus Accipitur sanguis; lacrimis altaria sudant Maestarumque super libamina secta comarum Pendent et vestes mutata sorte relictae. Mite nemus circa cultuque insigne verendo Vittatae laurus et supplicis arbor olivae. Nulla autem effigies, nulli commissa metallo Forma dei; mentes habitare et pectora gaudet. Semper habet trepidos, semper locus horret egenis Coetibus, ignotae tantum felicibus arae. [Thebais, X I I , 481-496] THE ALTAR OF MERCY AT ATHENS [Meter 2]. l. U r b e : Athens. This passage led some to think that Statius was a Christian. 4. nulla . . . repulsa: 'she condemned none, nor did she refuse their petitions.' 6. datum: sc. est. 7. superstitio: 'religious rites.' — altus: 'deep-welling* (J. H. Mozley). 12. Vittatae laurus: suppliants often carried branches with vittae, or 'fillets,' tied on them. — supplicis . . . olivae: the olive branch was borne by suppliants. 16. a r a e : subject of sunt, to be supplied, with ignotae as predicate.

MARCUS VALERIUS MARTIALIS

M

ARTIAL, the great epigrammatist, was born at Bilbilis in Spain between 38 and 41 A.D. His parents, Fronto and Flaccilla, gave him an excellent education, and about 64 he set out for Rome, where he became a friend of Lucan, Quintilian, and the Senecas. At first he seems to have lived in needy circumstances, though later he acquired a house on the Quirinal and a villa at Nomentum. Titus granted him the ius triurn liberorum, a privilege which Domitian confirmed, adding a tribunatus semestris which invested its possessor with the title of eques. About 100 Martial returned to his birthplace in Spain with financial assistance from his friend the younger Pliny. A Spanish lady, Marcella, gave Martial a country estate, where he died not later than 104. His writings are extensive. In 80 his Liber Spectaculorum was published in celebration of the opening of the Colosseum, and it was followed by the Xenia (gifts for guests), the Apophoreta (poems for guests to take home), and Book I of the Epigrams, all published about 84 or 85. Martial brought out books of epigrams from time to time until his death. The last book which he wrote, the twelfth, was finished in Spain about 103. Martial was a great observer of life in all its manifold forms. On occasion he can be tender in his verse, but as a rule his tone is flippant and frequently indecent; yet, though he admits that his verse is wanton, he maintains that his life was pure. In the epigrams we see reflected almost every phase of the intimate life of the imperial capital, from the princeps himself down to the meanest wretch of the Roman slums. Whoever or whatever would interest his audience is pictured witfi almost photographic accuracy. His adulation is often disgusting, but it was a necessary adjunct of poetry under Domitian, and one in which Martial's friends Statius and Lucan had a share. His work won him great fame in his own day and in all succeeding ages, for at his best he is unrivaled in his chosen field of epigram. The Oxford text is by W. Lindsay (1902), and the Teubner by Heraeus (1925). There is an annotated edition by Friedländer (1886). For annotated editions of selections see those by Paley and Stone (1875), by Stephenson (1887), and by Post (1908). [Mackail, p. 192; Duff, II, p. 498]

403

404

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Pompeii, General View AFTER T H E ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS

5

Hie est pampineis viridis modo Vesbius umbris; Presserat hie madidos nobilis uva lacus; Haec iuga quam Nysae colles plus Bacchus amavit; Hoc nuper Satyri monte dedere choros; Haec Veneris sedes, Lacedaemone gratior illi; Hie locus Herculeo numine clarus erat. Cuncta iacent flammis et tristi mersa favilla: Nec superi vellent hoc licuisse sibi. π AFTER THE ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS [Meter 2],

2. P r e s s e r a t : ' h a d

filled.' — lacus: 'vats.' 3. Nysae: legendary birthplace of Dionysus, in India. 5. Haec Veneris sedes: Pompeii, the seat of Venus Pompeiana.— Lacedaemone: referring to the island Cythera, whence Venus had her name Cytherea. 6. Hie locus: Herculaneum, said to have been founded by Hercules. 7. flammis . . . favilla: from the eruption of 79 A.D. vellent: potential.

405

MARCUS V A L E R I U S MARTIALIS

EPITAPH ON A LITTLE GIRL Hanc tibi, Fronto pater, genetrix Flaccilla, puellam Oscula cominendo deliciasque meas, Parvola ne nigras horrescat Erotion umbras Oraque Tartarei prodigiosa canis. Impletura fuit sextae modo frigora brumae, Vixisset totidem ni minus ilia dies. Inter tarn veteres ludat lasciva patronos Et nomen blaeso garriat ore meum. Mollia non rigidus caespes tegat ossa nec illi, Terra, gravis fueris: non fuit ilia tibi.

5

EV.34]

10

A PRETTY COMPLIMENT Arctoa de gente comam tibi, Lesbia, misi, Ut scires quanto sit tua flava magis.

col I», böj

WHAT CONSTITUTES HAPPINESS Vitam quae faciunt beatiorem, Iucundissime Martialis, haec simt: Res non parta Iabore sed relicta; Non ingratus ager, focus perennis; EPITAPH ON A LITTLE GIRL [Meter Z\.

15

1. Fronto . . . Flaccilla:

father and mother of Martial, both then in the other world. 4. Tartarei. . . canis: Cerberus. 5. Impletura etc.: she lived just six days less than six years. 7. patronos: Fronto and Flaccilla. 9. non: we should normally have ne. — n e c . . . fueris: the customary formula on the tombstones was S.T.T.L., " sit tibi terra levis." 10. noa fuit: sc. gravis. A PRETTY COMPLIMENT [Meter 2J. 11. Arctoa de gente: northern, fair-haired people; the name comes from that of the northern constellation Arctos, "the Bear." WHAT CONSTITUTES HAPPINESS [Meter 9]·

14. Martialis:

Iulius

partialis, a friend of the poet. 16. Non ingratus: repaying the pains taken in cultivating it. — focus perennis: constant supply of fuel and food.

406

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Lis numquam, toga rara, mens quieta; Vires ingenuae, salubre corpus; Prudens simplicitas, pares amici, Convictus facilis, sine arte mensa; Nox non ebria sed soluta curis, Non tristis torus et tarnen pudicus; Somnus qui faciat breves tenebras: Quod sis esse velis nihilque malis; Summum nec metuas diem nec optes. A VERGIL IN

10

PARCHMENT

Quam brevis immensum cepit membrana Maronem! Ipsius vultus prima tabella gerit. £XIV THE

15

[X, 47]

lgg

FORTUNE-HUNTER

Petit Gemellus nuptias Maronillae Et cupit et instat et precatur et donat. Adeone pulchra est ? immo foedius nil est. Quid ergo in ilia petitur et placet ? tussit. A ROMAN

[I, 10]

SAWBONES

Nuper erat medicus, nunc est vispillo Diaulus: Quod vispillo facit, fecerat et medicus.

^ 47]

1. toga: troublesome and expensive dress. 2. ingenuae: 'sufficient,' or 'suiting a gentleman.' 4. sine arte: a 'simple' table. 6. Non tristis torus: i.e. a wife who is merry and yet virtuous. 8. velis: subj. of wish, like malis, metuas, and optes. A VERGIL IN PARCHMENT [ M e t e r 2\

T h i s is one of M a r t i a l ' s p o e m s

written to accompany dinner favors, and called apophorela; in this case the present was a pocket edition of Vergil. 11. Ipsius vultus: a picture of Vergil is on the first page. THE FORTUNE-HUNTER [ M e t e r 4\.

12. M a r o n i l l a e : obj. gen.

15. tussit: i.e. she will probably not live long; it is her money Gemellus is after. A ROMAN SAWBONES [Meter 2]. The quack doctor turns undertaker.

MARCUS VALERIUS MARTIALIS

407

ADVICE TO A DEBTOR Et iudex petit et petit patronus. Solvas censeo, Sexte, creditori.

[II, 13]

PHIDIAS'S ART

Artis Phidiacae toreuma darum Pisces aspicis. Adde aquam, natabunt.

[III, 35]

TO SABIDIUS

Non amo te, Sabidi, nec possum dicere quare; Hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te.

5 [I, 3 2 ]

TO AFRA

Mammas atque tatas habet Afra, sed ipsa tatarum Dici et mammarum maxima mamma potest. [1,100] ADVICE TO A DEBTOR {Meter 9].

1. patronus: ' your counsel.'

PHIDIAS'S ART [ M e t e r ff], 3 . Artis Phidiacae: a reference to the work of Phidias, the famous Athenian sculptor. — toreuma: 'raised work,' or 'relief.' 4. natabunt: the representation is so lifelike.

T o SABIDIUS [ M e t e r 2]. These lines were translated as follows by Tom Brown, to whom forgiveness for some offense had been promised by Dr. John Fell, dean of Christ Church, Oxford, on condition t h a t Tom translate the epigram extempore: I do not love thee, Dr. Fell, The reason why I cannot tell; But this alone I know full well, I do not love thee, Dr. Fell. Cf. Catullus, LXXXV, page 110. 5. q u a r e : sc. non te amem. T o AFRA [ M e t e r 2\ The lady, Afra, is of uncertain age and wishes to give the impression t h a t she is young by speaking of " m a m m a " and "papa." 7. t a t a s : tata was a Roman baby name for ' father.' 8. m a x i m a : sc. natu.

408

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY A SLY T A V E R N E R Callidus imposuit nuper mihi copo Ravennae: Cum peterem mixtum, vendidit ille merum. [Ill, 57] A SHABBY HOST Nos bibimus vitro, tu murra, Pontice. Quare ? Prodat perspicuus ne duo vina calix.

j-IV

STINGY C I N N A 5

Profecit poto Mithridates saepe veneno, Toxica ne possent saeva nocere sibi. T u quoque cavisti cenando tam male semper N e posses umquam, Cinna, perire fame.

^

7g

MARTIAL S A T I S F I E D 10

Laudat, amat, cantat nostros mea Roma libellos, Meque sinus omnis, me manus omnis habet. Ecce rubet quidam, pallet, stupet, oscitat, odiL Hoc volo: nunc nobis carmina nostra placent. [VI, 60] A SLY TAVERNER [Meier 2]. 1. Ravennae: this town in northern Italy was situated among marshes, where fresh water was difficult to obtain and more costly than wine, and perhaps better too. 2. mixtum: the Romans usually drank their wine mixed with water; A SHABBY HOST [Meter 2], 3. murra: perhaps 'porcelain.' 4. duo vina: Ponticus drank a different and better wine than his guests. STINGY CINNA [Meter 2]. 5. Mithridates: on this king of Pontus and his custom of taking poisons to make his system immune to their effect, see the last selection from Celsus, on page 340. MARTIAL SATISFIED [Meter 2]. 10. sinus: the book would be carried in the fold, or pocket, of the toga. 11. E c c e . . . quidam: ' see! there's a fellow who.' — oscitat: the reader pretends to be bored. Martial is convinced that his shot has hit the mark, that the reader recognizes himself in the poet's picture.

MARCUS VALERIUS MARTIALIS

409

Α QUICK SHAVE?

Eutrapelus tonsor dum circuit ora Luperci Expingitque genas, altera barba subit.

[VII, 83]

CHLOE'S WORK

Inscripsit tumulis septem scelerata virorum Se fecisse Chloe. Quid pote simplicius?

[IX, 15]

A QUICK-WITTED PHYSICIAN

Clinicus Herodes trullam subduxerat aegro: 5 Deprensus dixit, "Stulte, quid ergo bibis?" |-ιχ ^ Α DILEMMA IN FRIENDSHIP

Difficilis facilis, iucundus acerbus es idem: Nec tecum possum vivere, nec sine te.

rVTT

LAU, 4/J

VANITY UNMASKED

Quod lana caput alligas, Ch,arine, Non aures tibi, sed dolent capilli.

j- x n

A QUICK SHAVE? {Meter 2]. 1. Eutrapelus: the Greek άτράπΐΧβς means 'lively' or 'dexterous.' 2. Expingit: 'rouges.' CHLOE'S WORK [Meter 2]. 3. scelerata: she had poisoned her husbands. 4. Se fecisse: the words are ambiguous; Chloe intends them as a statement that she had erected the tombs. — pote: sc. est. A QUICK-WITTED PHYSICIAN [Meter 2\ The doctor would excuse his theft of the cup by pretending that drinking would be bad for the patient. A DILEMMA IN FRIENDSHIP [ M e t e r 2].

VANITY UNMASKED [Meter 3]. Charinus would conceal his baldness with a wrapper, pretending he had an earache. 10. dolent capilli: because they are few.

10

PLINY THE YOUNGER

P

UBLIUS Csecilius Secundus was born of a noble provincial family at Novum Comum about 61 A.D. Upon the death of his father he came under the guardianship of Verginius Rufus, and at Rome he studied under Quintilian. His distinguished uncle, Gaius Plinius Secundus, the author of the Natural History, who perished during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D., left him sole heir and adopted him by will. According to the Roman custom the nephew took his uncle's name, but kept his own family name also, so that he was henceforth known as Gaius Plinius Csecilius Secundus. From his father, his mother, and his uncle he inherited wealth, including estates in various parts of Italy. He was a good manager of this property, and liberal in various ways — for example, in endowing a school in his native town, contributing handsomely to the dowry of a friend's daughter, and remitting part of the dues from his tenants in hard times. From his uncle he acquired studious habits. At the age of eighteen he began to plead cases and entered upon a brilliant public career under Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan, in the course of which he held the consulship in 100 (and before that the offices which led to it), as well as honorable and important special appointments. His last position was that of governor of Bithynia, which he held for about two years, beginning in 111. He died before 115, leaving no children, though he had been thrice married. We have ten books of letters, the first nine books of which he wrote with the intent of publishing them, while Book X, consisting of official correspondence with Trajan, must have been published after his death; the others he had published between 98 and 109. Cicero was the ideal of Pliny in both oratory and epistolary composition. Sometimes we feel a little too conscious of his imitative methods, but the letters reveal in many interesting and often delightful ways the temper of his time and the details of the life of a high-minded country gentleman at about the end of the first century. Noteworthy are the Teubner texts of the Letters, by Ε. T. Merrill (1922) and Kekula (1929; the Panegyricus is included). There is an annotated edition of the Correspondence with Trajan, by E. Hardy (Macmillan, 1889). See E. Allain, Pline le Jeune (1891). [Mackail, p. 225; Duff, II, p. 531]

410

PLINY THE YOUNGER THE

WRITING OF A

411

PANEGYRICUS

C . PLINIUS CURIO SEVERO SUO S.

Officium consulatus iniunxit mihi ut reipublicae nomine principi gratias agerem. Quod ego in senatu cum ad rationem et loci et temporis ex more fecissem, bono civi convenientissimum credidi eadem ilia spatiosius et uberius volumine am- 5 plecti; primum, ut imperatori nostro virtutes suae veris laudibus commendarentur, deinde, ut futuri principes non quasi a magistro, sed tamen sub exemplo praemonerentur qua potissimum via possent ad eandem gloriam niti. Nam praecipere qualis esse debeat princeps pulchrum quidem, sed 10 onerosum ac prope superbum est, laudare vero optimum principem ac per hoc posteris veli^jt e specula lumen quod sequantur ostendere idem utilitatis habet, adrogantiae nihil. [Letters, III, 18 (in part)] PLINY

ENDOWS A SCHOOL AT

COMUM

C . PLINIUS CORNELIO TACITO SUO S.

Proxime cum in patria mea fui, venit ad me salutandum 15 municipis mei filius praetextatus. Huic ego " S t ü d e s ? " inquam. Respondit, " E t i a m . " " U b i ? " "Mediolani." "Cur THE WRITING OF A PANEGYRICUS. AS consul suffectus Pliny delivered in the senate in September 100 A.D. a speech of thanks to the emperor Trajan. This letter is addressed to a friend, Curius Severus. 1. S . : abbreviation for Salutem; sc. dicit. This is a regular form of greeting in a letter. 3. ad rationem: 'to meet the requirement.' 6. s u a e : referring to imperatori. 11. optimum principem: the senate, delighted by Trajan's deference to it, bestowed upon him the title optimus, later accepted as a regular cognomen. 13. idem utilitatis: equivalent to eandem utilitatem. P L I N Y ENDOWS A SCHOOL AT COMUM.

T h i s letter is addressed t o

Tacitus, the historian. 16. praetextatus: a young boy who had not yet assumed the toga virilis. 17. E t i a m : 'yes.'—Mediolani: about twenty-five miles from Comum.

412

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

non hie?" Et pater eius (erat enim una atque etiam ipse adduxerat puerum): "Quia nullos hie praeceptores habemus." "Quare nullos? nam vehementer interest vestra, qui patres estis" (et opportune complures patres audiebant), "liberos 5 vestros hie potissimum discere. Ubi enim aut iueundius morarentur quam in patria aut pudicius continerentur quam sub oculis parentum aut minore sumptu quam domi ? Quantulum est ergo collata pecunia conducere praeceptores, quodque nunc in habitationes, in viatica, in ea quae peregre 10 emuntur (omnia autem peregre emuntur) impenditis adicere mercedibus? Atque adeo ego, qui nondum liberos habeo, paratus sum pro republica nostra, quasi pro filia vel parente, tertiam partem eius quod conferre vobis placebit dare. Totum etiam pollicerer, nisi tinjerem ne hoc munus meum quando15 que ambitu corrumperetur, ut accidere multis in locis video, in quibus praeceptores publice conducuntur. Huic vitio uno remedio occurri potest, si parentibus solis ius conducendi relinquatur iisdemque religio recte iudicandi necessitate collationis addatur." {Letters, IV, 13 (in part)] PRAISE OF HIS

WIFE

20

Summum est acumen, summa frugalitas; amat me, quod castitatis indicium est. Accedit his Studium litterarum, quod ex mei caritate concepit. Meos libellos habet, lectitat, ediscit etiam. Qua ilia sollicitudine, cum videor acturus, quanto, cum egi, gaudio adficitur! Disponit qui nuntient sibi quem 25 adsensum, quos clamores excitarim, quem eventum iudicii 2. 11. 15. 16. 18.

praeceptores: i.e. rhetores, who taught oratory and judicial pleading. mercedibus: 'salaries.' ambitu corrumperetur: ' b e wrongly used for private ends.' publice: ' b y the government,' i.e. that of the town. religio: 'conscientiousness.' — collationis: 'contribution.'

PRAISE OF HIS WIFE. This letter is written to Calpurnia Hispulla, paternal aunt of Calpurnia, Pliny's third wife. 22. mei: obj. gen. 23. acturus: sc. causam-

PLINY THE YOUNGER

413

tulerim. Eadem, si quando recito, in proximo discreta velo sedet laudesque nostras avidissimis auribus excipit. Versus quidem meos cantat etiam formatque cithara non artifice aiiquo docente sed amore, qui magister est optimus. His ex causis in spem certissimam adducor perpetuam 5 nobis maioremque in dies futuram esse concordiam. Non enim aetatem meam aut corpus, quae paulatira occidunt ac senescunt, sed gloriam diligit. [L€//ers , IV , 1 9 ( m ^ P L I N Y D E S C R I B E S O N E O F N A T U R E ' S B E A U T Y SPOTS C. PLINIUS ROMANO SUO S.

Vidistine aliquando Clitumnum fontem? Si nondum (et 10 puto nondum; alioqui narrasses mihi), vide, quem ego (paenitet tarditatis) proxime vidi. Modicus collis adsurgit, antiqua cupresso nemorosus et opacus. Hunc subter exit fons et exprimitur pluribus venis sed imparibus, eluctatusque quem facit gurgitem lato gremio patescit purus et vitreus, ut nu-15 merare iactas stipes et relucentis calculos possis. Inde non loci devexitate sed ipsa sui copia et quasi pondere impellitur. 1. in proximo: 'in the next room.' 3. format: 'puts to music.' 7. aetatem: ' y o u t h ' ; Pliny was much older than his wife. PLINY DESCRIBES ONE OF NATURE'S BEAUTY SPOTS. Pliny owned a number of villas in especially beautiful spots, e.g. on Lake Como, in the hill country of Umbria, and at Laurentum by the sea. His descriptions of these and of his gardens show his appreciation of the charms of nature. This letter he devotes to a detailed account of the lovely source of the river Clitumnus, which gushes from the hillside at Le Vene (cf. venis in line 14), a few miles north of Spoleto. 9. Romano: C. Licinius Voconius Romanus, an intimate friend of Pliny's, to whom he addresses many letters. 12. antiqua cupresso: used collectively for a grove. In sacred groves the trees sometimes attained a great age. 13. H u n c : i.e. collem. — subter: anastrophe. — fons: 'the source.' 15. gurgitem: antecedent incorporated in the relative clause. — lato gremio: see illustration on page 414. 16. stipes: 'coins' thrown in for an offering to the genius of the stream.

414

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Source of the Clitumnus

Fons adhuc et iam amplissimum flumen atque etiam navium patiens, quas obvias quoque et contrario nisu in diversa tendentes transmittit et perfert, adeo validus ut ilia qua properat ipse, quamquam per solum planum, remis non adiuvetur, 5 idem aegerrime remis contisque superetur adversus. Iucundum utrumque per iocum ludumque fluitantibus, ut flexerint cursum, laborem otio, otium labore variare. Ripae fraxino multa, multa populo vestiuntur, quas perspicuus amnis ut 1. Fons adhuc et iam . . . flumen: 'while still a source it becomes forthwith a broad river.' 2. obvias: 'meeting each other.' 3. transmittit: 'permits to pass.' — ilia: sc. via, i.e. in the direction of its current. 4. quamquam: frequently used by Pliny without a finite verb. — non adiuvetur: ' needs no help.' 5. adversus: 'when the current is against you.' 6. utrumque: 'both experiences.' — per . . . fluitantibus: 'floating about to amuse themselves.' 7. variare: appositive with utrumque.

PLINY THE YOUNGER

415

mersas viridi imagine adnumerat. Rigor aquae certaverit nivibus, nec color cedit. Adiacet templum priscum et religiosum; stat Clitumnus ipse amictus ornatusque praetexta; praesens numen atque etiam fatidicum indicant sortes. Sparsa sunt circa sacella complura totidemque dei. Sua cuique ve- 5 neratio, suum nomen, quibusdam vero etiam fontes. Nam praeter ilium quasi parentem ceterorum sunt minores capite discreti; sed flumini miscentur, quod ponte transmittitur. Is terminus sacri profanique: in superiore parte navigare tantum, infra etiam natare concessum. Balineum Hispel-10 lates, quibus ilium locum divus Augustus dono dedit, publice praebent, praebent hospitium. Nec desunt villae, quae secutae fluminis amoenitatem margini insistunt. In summa, nihil erit ex quo non capias voluptatem. Nam studebis quoque; leges multa multorum omnibus columnis, omnibus parietibus 15 inscripta, quibus fons ille deusque celebratur. Plura laudabis, nonnulla ridebis; quamquam tu vero, quae tua humanitas, nulla ridebis. Vale. [Letters, vm, si 1. viridi imagine: note the reflection in the photographic illustration. — Rigor: ' coolness.' — certaverit: subjunctive of modest statement. 2. color: so clear and white is the water that the ancients believed it made the cattle that drank it white; cf. note on page 157, line 4. 3. stat Clitumnus: i.e. a standing statue of the river god; in many similar cases the figure was a reclining one, e.g. the statues of the Nile and the Tiber. 4. sortes: i.e. oracular answers to petitioners. 5. totidemque dei: i.e. a statue of a divinity is in each shrine. 6. fontes: i.e. special springs. 7. capite discreti: 'starting from different points.' 8. ponte: the highway bridge is at present the best place to survey the scenery that Pliny here describes. 9. superiore parte: where the river was considered sacred. 10. Hispellates: Hispellum (modern Spello) was a town about 12 miles north of the Clitumnus. 11. Augustus dono dedit: probably to the Colonia Iulia, which he established at Hispellum. — publice: 'at the cost of the community.' 12. hospitium: i.e. a place to lodge. 15. parietibus inscripta: like the often unsightly scratches with which visitors to famous places still seek to perpetuate their names. 17. quae tua humanitas: 'such is your native courtesy.'

416

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE A N D

POETRY

O N VERGINIUS RUFUS'S EPITAPH C . PLINIUS RUSONI SUO S.

Significas legisse te in quadam epistula mea iussisse Verginium Rufum inscribi sepulcro suo: 5

Hie situs est Rufus, pulso qui Vindice quondam Imperium adseruit non sibi sed patriae.

Reprehendis quod iusserit, addis etiam melius rectiusque Frontinum, quod vetuerit omnino monumentum sibi fieri, meque ad extremum quid de utroque sentiam consulis. Utrumque dilexi, miratus sum magis quem tu reprehendis, atque 10 ita miratus ut non putarem satis umquam laudari posse cuius nunc mihi subeunda defensio est. Omnes ego qui magnum aliquod memorandumque fecerunt non modo venia verum etiam laude dignissimos iudico si immortalitatem quam meruere sectantur victurique nominis famam supremis etiam titulis 15 prorogare nituntur. Nec facile quemquam nisi Verginium invenio cuius tanta in praedicando verecundia quanta gloria ex facto. Ipse sum testis, familiariter ab eo dilectus probatusque, semel omnino me audiente provectum ut de rebus suis hoc unum referret, 20 ita secum aliquando Cluvium locutum: "Scis, Vergini, quae historiae fides debeatur; proinde si quid in historiis meis legis aliter ac velis, rogo ignoscas." Ad hoc ille: "Time, Cluvi, ignoras ideo me fecisse quod feci, ut esset liberum vobis scribere quae libuisset ? " [Letters> IX> 19 (in p ^ O N VERGINIUS R U F U S ' S EPITAPH. 1. Rusoni: probably the young lawyer Cremutius Ruso. 2. in quadam epistula: VI, 10. — Verginium Rufum: he had been Pliny's guardian. 4. Vindice: after putting down a revolt led by Julius Vindex, Verginius refused the throne offered him by his troops. 7. Frontinum: S. Julius Frontinus, the author (see pages 390-392). 14. victuri: with nominis. — supremis . . . titulis: their epitaphs. 20. Cluvium: M. Cluvius Rufus, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis under Nero, wrote a history of the reigns from Nero through Vitellius. 23. ut esset liberum: he may mean that he wished to make it possible for the republic to be restored.

PUBLIUS CORNELIUS TACITUS

T

ACITUS, born about 55 A.D., was perhaps the son of the knight Cornelius Tacitus, who was procurator of Belgic Gaul. He held offices under Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, became consul suffectus in 97, and was proconsul of Asia from 112 to 116. He studied under M. Aper and Julius Secundus and was an eloquent orator. His wife, whom he married in 78, was the daughter of Agricola, governor of Britain. Of his works the first in point of time is the Dialogus de Oratoribus, which is represented as taking place in 74-75 A.D. and was probably composed before the reign of Domitian. In the form of a discussion it deals with the decay of oratory. The Agricola, a laudatory biography of Tacitus's father-in-law, is a splendid piece of prose which centers particularly upon Agricola's achievements in Britain. In praising Agricola, however, he does not fail to condemn the political tyranny under which his hero lived. In the Germania we have an ethnographic study of the origin, abode, and customs of the peoples of Germany, which is of great interest for its subject matter. Tacitus wrote two great historical works, the Historiae and the Annales. The former, which consisted of perhaps fourteen books, dealt with the emperors from Galba to Domitian and was published between 104 and 109. Only the first four books and part of the fifth book are preserved. Of the Annales, or Ab Excessu Divi Au%usti, we have Books I-IV, parts of V and VI, XI-XV, and part of XVI. They treat of the events from the death of Augustus through the reign of Nero. Tacitus is a laudator temporis acti with Stoic leanings, and probably paints too blackly the character of Tiberius, in spite of his claim to be free from prejudice. His style is terse, powerful, sustained, and rich in poetic words and phrases. His works were for some time not regarded with special favor, but the emperor Tacitus, a descendant of the historian, required every library to have a copy. Ammianus Marcellinus continued in thirtyone books Tacitus's historical compositions. The text of Tacitus has an interesting history; and, since the discovery of what we now possess, his writings have had great influence upon European writers from the sixteenth century on. Convenient annotated editions are the follow417

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ing: Diatogus, Gudeman (1898); Agricola, Furneaux-Anderson (1922); Germania, Furneaux (1894) and Gudeman (1916); Annates, Furneaux (1891); Histories, Spooner (1891). [Mackail, p. 205; Duff, II, p. 559]

THE FAME OF AGRICOLA WILL LIVE FOREVER Si quis piorum manibus locus, si, ut sapientibus placet, non cum corpore extinguuntur magnae animae, placide quiescas, nosque et domum tuam ab infirmo desiderio et muliebribus lamentis ad contemplationem virtutum tuarum voces, quas 5 neque lugeri neque plangi fas est. Admiratione te potius et immortalibus laudibus et, si natura suppeditet, similitudine colamus; is verus honos, ea coniunctissimi cuiusque pietas. Id filiae quoque uxorique praeceperim, sic patris, sic mariti memoriam venerari, ut omnia facta dictaque eius secum re10 volvant, formamque ac figuram animi magis quam corporis complectantur, non quia intercedendum putem imaginibus quae marmore aut aere finguntur, sed, ut vultus hominum, ita simulacra vultus imbecilla ac mortalia sunt, forma mentis aeterna, quam tenere et exprimere non per alienam materiam 15 et artem, sed tuis ipse moribus possis. Quidquid ex Agricola amavimus, quidquid mirati sumus, manet mansurumque est in animis hominum, in aeternitate temporum, fama rerum; nam multos veterum velut inglorios et ignobilis oblivio obruit; Agricola posteritati narratus et traditus superstes erit. [Agricola, 46] THE FAME OF AGRICOLA WILL LIVE FOREVER.

T h i s epilogue is t h e

last chapter in the Agricola. 1. S i . . . animae: the doctrine of immortality. 2. quiescas: addressed to the soul of Agricola; subj. of wish, as voces below. 6. immortalibus: perhaps'lifelong.' — suppeditet: 'suffices.' 8. I d : explained by venerari. 11. non quia . . . imaginibus: 'not that I think likenesses should be forbidden.' 14. exprimere: 'reproduce.' — alienam: 'of another.' 19. narratus et traditus: through the biography which Tacitus has written.

PUBLIUS CORNELIUS TACITUS A N A D V E N T U R O U S CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF

419 BRITAIN

Eadem aestate cohors Usiporum per Germanias conscripta et in Britanniam transmissa magnum ac memorabile facinus ausa est. Occiso centurione ac militibus, qui ad tradendam disciplinam immixti manipulis exemplum et rectores habebantur, tris liburnicas adactis per vim gubernatoribus ascen- 5 dere; et uno regente remigantes, suspectis duobus eoque interfectis, nondum vulgato rumore ut miraculum praevehebantur. Mox ad aquandum atque utilia raptum egressi et cum plerisque Britannorum sua defensantium proelio congressi ac saepe victores, aliquando pulsi, eo ad extremum 10 inopiae venere, ut infirmissimos suorum, mox sorte ductos vescerentur. Atque ita circumvecti Britanniam, amissis per inscitiam regendi navibus, pro praedonibus habiti, primum a Suebis, mox a Frisiis intercepti sunt. Ac fuere quos per commercia venumdatos et in nostram usque ripam mutatione 15 ementium adductos indicium tanti casus inlustravit. [Agricola, 28] A N ADVENTUROUS CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF BRITAIN.

T h i s episode

is a digression from the main subject of the Agricola. 1. Eadem aestate: 83 A.D. —Usiporum: the Usipi, or Usipetes, who dwelt at this time along the river Lahn, in Nassau. — Germanias: Upper and Lower Germany. 3. militibus: such legionaries drilled the recruits. 4. habebantur: 'were assigned' or 'were serving.' 5. liburnicas: these light warships were biremes. 7. ut miraculum: Tacitus seems to call attention to the miraculous escape of these ships from the fleet or port. 8. raptum: supine. 10. ad extremum: 'at length.' 11. inopiae: partitive gen. depending on eo. 12. vescerentur: the verb more frequently governs the ablative. — circumvecti: they seem to have started from the west coast and sailed north. — per inscitiam regendi: the one pilot may have perished. 14. Suebis: this name, meaning 'wanderers,' is assigned to different tribes by Tacitus. The group here mentioned may have been situated on the Schleswig coast. — Frisiis: the inhabitants of northern Holland. 15. in nostram usque ripam: the Gallic bank of the Rhine. 16. indicium . . . inlustravit: the indicative is used instead of the normal subjunctive after sunt qui because the reference is to a definite group.

420

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY T H E HOSPITALITY OF T H E GERMANS

Convictibus et hospitiis non alia gens effusius indulget. Quemcumque mortalium arcere tecto nefas habetur; pro fortuna quisque apparatis epulis excipit. Cum defecere, qui modo hospes fuerat, monstrator hospitii et comes; proximam 5 domum non invitati adeunt. Nec interest: pari humanitate accipiuntur. Notum ignotumque quantum ad ius hospitis nemo discernit. Abeunti, si quid poposcerit, concedere moris; et poscendi in vicem eadem facilitas. Gaudent muneribus, sed nec data imputant nec acceptis obligantur. [Germania, 21 (in part)] PETILIUS CERLALIS P R E D I C T S T H E CONSEQUENCES OF ROME'S F A L L

10

" . . . Octingentorum annorum fortuna disciplinaque compages haec coaluit, quae convelli sine exitio convellentium non potest. Sed vobis maximum discrimen, penes quos aurum et opes, praecipuae bellorum causae. Proinde pacem et urbem, quam victi victoresque eodem iure obtinemus, 15 amate colite; moneant vos utriusque fortunae documenta THE HOSPITALITY OF THE GERMANS. 1. Convictibus: a reference to entertainment at a banquet. — hospitiis: the care of a stranger. 2. habetur: 'is considered.' Such hospitality is characteristic of primitive society and may be found in varying degrees in remote districts today. 3. fortuna: i.e. one's means or ability. —defecere: sc. epulae. 4. monstrator: the host indicates to his guest the next place where he will be entertained. 6. quantum ad: 'as far as concerns.' 7. moris: sc. est = mos est. 8. facilitas: 'freedom from constraint.' PETILIUS CERIALIS PREDICTS THE CONSEQUENCES OF ROME'S FALL. The Roman general Petilius Cerialis is represented as delivering in 70 A.D. this address to the Treveri and Lingones, in which he points out their own interest in the preservation of the Roman state. 10. Octingentorum: round numbers. 12. vobis: the Gauls themselves. 13. pacem et urbem: the Pax Romana and Rome. 14. eodem iure: Claudius had admitted the Gauls to citizenship. 15. utriusque fortunae: explained by what follows.

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ne contumaciam cum pernicie quam obsequium cum securitate malitis." Tali oratione graviora metuentis composuit erexit( Ue

l

·

{Historiae, IV, 74]

G E R M A N I C U S VISITS T H E S C E N E OF VARUS'S DISASTER

Igitur cupido Caesarem invadit solvendi suprema militibus ducique, permoto ad miserationem omni qui aderat exercitu 5 ob propinquos, amicos, denique ob casus bellorum et sortem hominum. Praemisso Caecina ut occulta saltuum scrutaretur pontesque et aggeres umido paludum et fallacibus campis imponeret, incedunt maestos locos visuque ac memoria deformis. Prima Vari castra lato ambitu et dimensis principiis 10 trium legionum manus ostentabant; dein semiruto vallo, humili fossa accisae iam reliquiae consedisse intellegebantur. Medio campi albentia ossa, ut fugerant, ut restiterant, disjecta vel aggerata. Adiacebant fragmina telorum equorumque artus, simul truncis arborum antefixa ora. Lucis propinquis 15 barbarae arae, apud quas tribunos ac primorum ordinum centuriones mactaverant. Et cladis eius superstites, pugnam aut vincula elapsi, referebant hie cecidisse legatos, illic raptas aquilas; primum ubi vulnus Varo adactum, ubi infelici dexGERMANICUS VISITS THE SCENE OF VARUS'S DISASTER. Germanicus

with his army visits the Teutoburg Forest, where in 9 A.D. the Roman commander Quintilius Varus with three legions had been trapped by th6 German Arminius. 4. Caesarem: Germanicus. 5. ducique: Varus. 7. Caecina: an able Roman commander who won the triumphal insignia. 8. aggeres: 'causeways.' — umido paludum = umidis paludibus. 9. locos: acc. of place to which. 10. principiis: 'headquarters.' 11. manus: 'the work.' — dein: i.e. the next camp. — semiruto: 'halfleveled' or 'half-finished.' 12. accisae: 'reduced' or 'diminished.' 17. superstites: eyewitnesses, either those rescued by the force commanded by Asprenas or those ransomed later.

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tera et suo ictu mortem invenerit; quo tribunali contionatus Arminius, quot patibula captivis, quae scrobes, utque signis et aquilis per superbiam inluserit. [Annates, I, 61] T H E W R I T I N G OF HISTORY IN T H E PAST A N D I N TACITUS'S D A Y

Pleraque eorum quae rettuli quaeque referam parva forsi5 tan et levia memoratu videri non nescius sum. Sed nemo annalis nostros cum scriptura eorum contenderit qui veteres populi Romani res composuere. Ingentia illi bella, expugnationes urbium, fusos captosque reges, aut si quando ad interna praeverterent, discordias consilium adversum tribunos, 10 agrarias frumentariasque leges, plebis et optimatium certamina libero egressu memorabant: nobis in arto et inglorius labor; immota quippe aut modice lacessita pax, maestae urbis res et princeps proferendi imperi incuriosus erat. Non tamen sine usu fuerit introspicere ilia primo aspectu levia ex 15 quis magnarum saepe rerum motus oriuntur. Nam cunctas nationes et urbes populus aut primores aut singuli regunt; delecta ex iis et consociata rei publicae forma laudari facilius quam evenire, vel si evenit, haud diuturna esse potest. Igitur ut olim plebe valida, vel cum patres pol20 lerent, noscenda vulgi natura et quibus modis temperanter haberetur, senatusque et optimatium ingenia qui maxime perdidicerant, callidi temporum et sapientes credebantur, sic 2. patibula: 'crosses' or perhaps a kind of 'pillory.'—scrobes: 'ditches,' here employed as graves. THE WRITING OF HISTORY IN THE PAST AND IN TACITUS'S DAY. Tacitus explains the difficulty of his historical composition. His task is different from that of those who write of the distant past and of the glorious wars and conquests of Republican times. 6. contenderit: 'compare.' 11. libero egressu: generally believed to mean 'with freedom to enlarge,' but Furneaux's suggestion 'with freedom to escape [from treating internal affairs]' is perhaps better. 13. proferendi imperi incuriosus: this was the fixed policy of Tiberius. 20. noscenda: sc. erat and in the next clause noscendum.

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converso statu neque alia re Romana quam si unus imperitet, haec conquiri tradique in rem fuerit, quia pauci prudentia honesta ab deterioribus, utilia ab noxiis discernunt, plures aliorum eventis docentur. Ceterum ut profutura, ita minimum oblectationis adferunt. Nam situs gentium, varietates 5 proeliorum, clari ducum exitus retinent ac redintegrant legentium animum; nos saeva iussa, continuas accusationes, fallaces amicitias, perniciem innocentium et easdem exitii causas coniungimus, obvia rerum similitudine et satietate. Tum quod antiquis scriptoribus rarus obtrectator, neque refert 10 cuiusquam Punicas Romanasne acies laetius extuleris; at multorum qui Tiberio regente poenam vel infamias subiere posteri manent. Utque familiae ipsae iam extinctae sint, reperies qui ob similitudinem morum aliena malefacta sibi obiectari putent. Etiam gloria ac virtus infensos habet, ut 15 nimis ex propinquo diversa arguens. Sed ad inceptum redeo. [Annales, IV, 32-33] NERO PERSECUTES THE

CHRISTIANS

. . . Sed non ope humana, non largitionibus principis aut deum placamentis decedebat infamia quin iussum incendium crederetur. Ergo abolendo rumori Nero subdidit reos et quaesitissimis poenis adfecit quos per flagitia invisos vulgus 20 Christianos appellabat. Auetor nominis eius Christus Tiberio imperitante per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum supplicio 1. neque alia . . . imperitet: 'and when the Roman state was virtually a monarchy.' 2. in rem: 'useful.' 4. ut profutura: 'however profitable.' 9. obvia: 'which thrusts itself upon one's attention.' 16. diversa: 'the opposite qualities,'which suffer from too close contrast. NERO PERSECUTES THE CHRISTIANS. The great fire at Rome and the persecution of the Christians occurred in 64 A.D. 18. iussum: by Nero. 19. abolendo rumori: dat. of purpose. 20. flagitia: they were charged with infanticide, incest, cannibalism, and magic.

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adfectus erat; repressaque in praesens exitiabilis superstitio rursum erumpebat, non modo per Iudaeam, originem eius mali, sed per urbem etiam quo cuncta undique atrocia aut pudenda confluunt celebranturque. Igitur primum correpti 5 qui fatebantur, deinde indicio eorum multitudo ingens haud proinde in crimine incendii quam odio humani generis convicti sunt. Et pereuntibus addita ludibria, ut ferarum tergis contecti laniatu canum interirent, aut crucibus adfixi aut flammandi, atque ubi deYecisset dies in usum nocturni luminis 10 urerentur. Hortos suos ei spectaculo Nero obtulerat et circense ludicrum edebat, habitu aurigae permixtus plebi vel curriculo insistens. Unde quamquam adversus sontis et novissima exempla meritos miseratio oriebatur, tamquam non utilitate publica sed in saevitiam unius absumerentur. [Annales, X V , 44]

T H E COLLAPSE OF T H E A M P H I T H E A T E R A T

FIDENJE

15

M. Licinio L. Calpurnio consulibus ingentium bellorum cladem aequavit malum improvisum; eius initium simul et finis exstitit. Nam coepto apud Fidenam amphitheatro Atilius quidam libertini generis, quo spectaculum gladiatorum celebraret, neque fundamenta per solidum subdidit, neque 20 firmis nexibus ligneam compagem superstruxit, ut qui non abundantia pecuniae nec municipali ambitione, sed in sordi6. generis: obj. gen.; the idea probably arose because of the non-social attitude of Jews and Christians. 12. sontis: of other crimes, though not responsible for the conflagration. — novissima exempla: ' the most severe punishment.' THE COLLAPSE OF THE AMPHITHEATER AT FIDEN^;. 15. M . Licinio

. . . consulibus: 27 A.D. 17. Fidenam: Fidena, or Fidense, was situated in the Sabine country about five miles northeast of Rome. 18. quo . . . celebraret: purpose clause. 19. per solidum: 'on solid ground.' 21. abundantia: abl. of cause. — municipali ambitione: ' a desire to win votes in his municipium.' — in: expressing purpose or intention. Atilius was giving the show only to make money.

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dam mercedem id negotium quaesivisset. Adfluxere avidi talium, imperitante Tiberio procul voluptatibus habiti, virile ac muliebre secus, omnis aetas, ob propinquitatem loci effusius; unde gravior pestis fuit, conferta mole, dein convulsa, dum ruit intus aut in exteriora effunditur immensamque vim 5 mortalium, spectaculo intentos aut qui circum adstabant, praeceps trahit atque operit. Et illi quidem, quos principium stragis in mortem adflixerat, ut tali sorte, cruciatum effugere; miserandi magis quos abrupta parte corporis nondum vita deseruerat; qui per diem visu, per noctem ululatibus et gemitu 10 coniuges aut liberos noscebant. lam ceteri fama exciti, hie fratrem, propinquum ille, alius parentes lamentari. Etiam quorum diversa de causa amici aut necessarii aberant, pavere tamen; nequedum comperto quos ilia vis perculisset, latior ex incerto metus. 15 Ut coepere dimoveri obruta, concursus ad exanimos complectentium, osculantium; et saepe certamen, si confusior fades, sed par forma aut aetas errorem agnoscentibus fecerat. Quinquaginta hominum milia eo casu debilitata vel obtrita sunt; cautumque in posterum senatus consulto, ne quis gladi- 20 atorium munus ederet, cui minor quadringentorum milium 2. procul. . . habiti: Tiberius never gave such shows. 3. secus: probably an acc. of description. — ob propinquitatem loci: the crowd was drawn because of the proximity of Fidenae to Rome. 4. convulsa: 'shaken' or 'wrecked.' 7. praeceps: adverbial usage. 8. ut tali sorte: abl. absolute, 'in consideration of such a lot.' 11. noscebant: some were so maimed or pinned down that they could not move and were trying to make out members of their family who were near them and in the same condition. — fama: the rumor of the disaster must have quickly reached Rome. 13. diversa de causa: Tacitus refers to people who had left Rome for other reasons, not to see the spectacle. 14. nequedum = neque dum, 'and not yet.' 16. obruta: the mass of fallen material. 17. certamen: often, when the features had been completely obliterated, people were deceived by the age or build of a corpse, and the body would be an object of dispute. 21. minor . . . res = minor res quam res quadringentorum milium· The amount would be the rating of an eques.

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res, neve amphitheatrum imponeretur nisi solo firmitatis spectatae. Atilius in exilium actus est. Ceterum sub recentem cladem patuere procerum domus, fomenta et medici passim praebiti, fuitque urbs per illos dies quamquam maesta facie 5 veterum institutis similis, qui magna post proelia saucios largitione et cura sustentabant. lAnnales, IV, 62-63] T H E B U R N I N G OF T H E

CAPITOL

Vixdum regresso in Capitolium Martiale furens miles aderat, nullo duce, sibi quisque auctor. Cito agmine forum et imminentia foro templa praetervecti erigunt aciem per ad10 versum collem usque ad primas Capitolinae arcis fores. Erant antiquitus porticus in latere clivi dextrae subeuntibus, in quarum tectum egressi saxis tegulisque Vitellianos obruebant. Neque illis manus nisi gladiis armatae, et arcessere tormenta aut missilia tela longum videbatur. Faces in promi15 nentem porticum iecere et sequebantur ignem ambustasque Capitolii fores penetrassent, ni Sabinus revulsas undique statuas, decora maiorum, in ipso aditu vice muri obiecisset. Tum diversos Capitolii aditus invadunt iuxta lucum asyli et qua 2. s u b : 'immediately after.' 3. medici: physicians were often Greek slaves orfreedmenin the service of noble families. 4. quamquam: 'notwithstanding,' 'in spite of.' THE BURNING OF THE CAPITOL. The followers of Vespasian, including his son Domitian, were besieged on the Capitoline hill at Rome by Vitellius and his troops. Martialis, a centurion, had been sent by the besieged to remonstrate with Vitellius. 9. templa: a number of temples surrounded the Forum. — erigunt: 'lead up.' 11. dextrae: 'on the right,' limiting porticus. — subeuntibus: dative of reference. 13. illis: the followers of Vitellius, who were in too great a hurry to wait for siege engines. 16. Sabinus: Flavius Sabinus was commander of the forces on the Capitoline. 18. diversos: the Vitellians now assail the Capitol from two opposite points. — lucum asyli: about the modern Piazza del Campidoglio. Romulus, according to legend, established there a place of asylum.

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Tarpeia rapes centum gradibus aditur. Improvisa utraque vis; propior atque acrior per asylum ingruebat. Nec sisti poterant scandentes per coniuncta aedificia, quae ut in multa pace in altum edita solum Capitolii aequabant. Hie ambigitur, ignem tectis oppugnatores iniecerint, an obsessi, quae 5 crebrior fama, dum nitentis ac progressos depellunt. Inde lapsus ignis in porticus appositas aedibus; mox sustinentes fastigium aquilae vetere ligno traxerunt flammam alueruntque. Sic Capitolium clausis foribus indefensum et indireptum conflagravit. 10 Id facinus post conditam urbem luctuosissimum foedissimumque rei publicae populi Romani accidit, nullo externo hoste, propitiis, si per mores nostros liceret, deis, sedem Iovis Optimi Maximi auspicato a maioribus pignus imperii conditam, quam non Porsenna dedita urbe neque Galli capta teme-15 rare potuissent, furore principum excindi. Arserat et ante Capitolium civili bello, sed fraude privata: nunc palam obsesstlm, palam incensum, quibus armorum causis ? Quo tantae cladis pretio stetit ? Pro patria bellavimus ? [Historiae, III, 71-72] 1. Tarpeia rapes: probably on the western side of the Capitoline. 3. in multa pace: long-continued peace had removed the necessity of using the Capitol as a place of defense, and hence buildings had been erected to a level with that of the Capitoline. 7. aedibus: depending on appositas. It contained the shrines of Juppiter, Juno, and Minerva, and therefore is in the plural. 8. aquilae: supports which perhaps were carved in the form of eagles. 14. auspicato: 'after proper auspices,' i.e. with good omen obtained by the rite of augury. — pignus imperii: there was a belief that the duration of the Roman state depended upon that of the temple. 15. Porsenna: according to our sources the Tuscan invader did not actually take the city. Tacitus is apparently following a different legend. — Galli: in 387 B.c. the Gauls captured all the city except the Capitoline. 16. principum: perhaps obj. gen.; the mad rage of the parties which were struggling to see who should be emperor. — excindi: in apposition to facinus. 17. civili bello: in 83 B.C. in the battle between Marius and Sulla.— fraude privata: the author of the crime was unknown. 18. Quo . . . stetit: 'what compensation was there for so great a disaster?'

DECIMUS IUNIUS IUVENALIS

T

HE SATIRIST JUVENAL seems to have come from a well-todo family at Aquinum. He was probably born between 60 and 70 A.D. At Rome he practiced declamation until middle life. In the capital he became a friend of Martial, who mentions him three times, once calling him facundus. It seems that verses composed against the deceased pantomimic actor Paris and inserted in the seventh satire aroused the anger of some actor at the court of Hadrian, and that the histrio brought about the banishment of Juvenal to Egypt, where the oldest biography says he soon died from grief and weariness, probably not long after 127. His sixteen satires, inspired by indignation and filled with grim humor and startlingly vivid pictures of Rome's decay, have placed Juvenal among the greatest satirists of all time. In spite of his frequent bitterness and his unsparing frankness concerning details of folly and vice in the society of the Empire, he is the most fascinating writer of this peculiarly Roman type of literature; and if he exaggerates the sad state of things in the world's capital of his day, his representations have sunk deep into the thought and literature of all succeeding centuries, and many a telling phrase of his will continue to be quoted for all time. There [are excellent annotated editions by Friedländer (1895), J. Mayor (1888), and J. D. Duff (1900). [Mackail, p. 221; Duff, II, p. 599]

FROM SATIRE I The content of Juvenal's book and the avarice of the time

Ex quo Deucalion nimbis tollentibus aequor Navigio montem ascendit sortesque poposcit, Paulatimque anima caluerunt mollia saxa FROM SATIRE I [Meter i]. 1. Ex quo: sc. tempore. — Deucalion: the Noah of the Greeks. 2. montem: Parnassus. — sortes: Deucalion asks Themis how he may restore mankind. 3. anima: 'the breath of life.' — mollia: predicate adj. — saxa: those thrown by Deucalion and Pyrrha, which became men and women. 428

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Et maribus nudas ostendit Pyrrha puellas, Quidquid agunt homines, votum timor ira voluptas Gaudia discursus, nostri farrago libelli est. Et quando uberior vitiorum copia? Quando Maior avaritiae patuit sinus? Alea quando Hos animos? Neque enim loculis comitantibus itur Ad casum tabulae, posita sed luditur area. Proelia quanta illic dispensatore videbis Armigero! Simplexne furor sestertia centum Perdere et horrenti tunicam non reddere servo? Quis totidem erexit villas, quis fercula septem Secreto cenavit avus? Nunc sportula primo Limine parva sedet turbae rapienda togatae; Ille tarnen faciem prius inspicit et trepidat ne Suppositus venias ac falso nomine poscas; 3. discursus: 'running to and fro.' —farrago: 'medley' (satura). 4. E t : expressive of indignation. 5. patuit: i.e. in order to receive. — sinus: fold of the toga where the purse was kept; hence'pocket.' 6. Hos animos: sc. habuit or sumpsit, 'have such spirit as now.' — Neque enim: 'for it is n o t . . . that.' 7. tabulae: sc. lusoriae or aleatoriae. — posita: probably'is staked' with luditur, as Burke seems to have taken this clause, which he quotes in his speech "On Conciliation." 8. dispensatore: the 'steward,' probably a freedman or slave, acts as armor-bearer, since the battle is fought with money. 9. Simplex: probably 'common' or 'ordinary,' though perhaps the loss and abuse of the slave are thought of as making the madness double. 10. reddere: evidently the master was under obligation to provide his slave with a tunic. 11. villas: the wealthy Roman liked to own many villas. — fercula septem: an unusually large number of courses. 12. Secreto: such dining alone increases the guilt. — avus: a reference to the frugality of the Romans of olden days. — sportula: the food distributed in baskets as a dole to clients was later replaced by a sum of money. — primo Limine: the dependents get no farther than the vestibule. 13. togatae: used contemptuously of the Romans who thus demeaned themselves. The toga had to be worn by those receiving the dole. 14. Die: the patron. — tamen: he is careful even though the dole is scanty (parva). 15. Suppositus: 'in another's place.'

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Agnitus accipies. Iubet a praecone vocari Ipsos Troiugenas, nam vexant limen et ipsi Nobiscum. " D a praetori, da deinde tribuno." Sed libertinus prior est. "Prior," inquit, "ego adsum. Cur timeam dubitemve locum defendere ? Quamvis Natus ad Euphraten, molles quod in aure fenestrae Arguerint, licet ipse negem, sed quinque tabernae Quadringenta parant. Quid confert purpura maior Optandum, si Laurenti custodit in agro Conductas Corvinus oves, ego possideo plus Pallante et Licinis ? " Expectent ergo tribuni, Vincant divitiae, sacro ne cedat honori Nuper in hanc urbem pedibus qui venerat albis, Quandoquidem inter nos sanctissima divitiarum Maiestas, etsi funesta pecunia templo Nondum habitat, nullas nummorum ereximus aras, 2. Troiugenas: 'the aristocrats,' a scornful reference to the Romans who claimed descent from the Trojan followers of /Eneas. — et: 'too.' 3. praetori: the patron orders his steward to give the dole to the magistrates first in order of rank. 4. libertinus: the freedman, one of a class which attained great wealth and high positions of responsibility under the Empire, feels that the first come should be first served. 6. molles: the wearing of earrings would be a sign of Oriental effeminacy. — fenestrae: the holes for earrings. 7. Arguerint: potential subj. 8. Quadringenta: sc. sestertia. An income of 400,000 sesterces would give him the census of a knight. — purpura maior: the latus clams, or broad purple stripe, of a senator. 9. Laurenti: a district on the coast of Latium, about 16 miles from Rome. It was a good grazing country. 10. Conductas oves: he is working for hire. — Corvinus: a member of the aristocratic Valerian family, here given as typical of a nobleman in reduced circumstances. 11. Pallante: wealthy freedman and treasurer of the emperor Claudius. — Licinis: Licinus was a Gallic captive whom Augustus made the head of the tax collections in Gaul. 12. sacro . . . honori: the tribunes were sacrosanct. 13. pedibus . . . albis: foreign slaves on sale were marked with chalk on their feet. 15. pecunia: money is treated as deified.

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Ut colitur Pax atque Fides Victoria Virtus Quaeque salutato crepitat Concordia nido. Sed cum summus honor finito computet anno Sportula quid referat, quantum rationibus addat, Quid facient comites quibus hinc toga, calceus hinc est 5 Et panis fumusque domi ? Densissima centum Quadrantes lectica petit, sequiturque maritum Languida vel praegnas et circumducitur uxor. Hie petit absenti nota iam callidus arte Ostendens vacuam et clausam pro coniuge sellam. 10 "Galla mea est," yiquit, "citius dimitte. Moraris? Profer, Galla, caput. Noli vexare, quiescit." ^ 81_126] FROM SATIRE

III

All sciences a fasting Monsieur knows, And bid him go to hell — to hell he goes! JOHNSON, " L o n d o n "

"Ingenium velox, audacia perdita, sermo Promptus et Isaeo torrentior. Ede quid ilium Esse putes? Quemvis hominem secum attulit ad nos: 15 Grammaticus rhetor geometres pictor aliptes Augur schoenobates medicus magus: omnia novit Graeculus esuriens; in caelum, iusseris, ibit." j- m ^ ^ 2. nido: storks nested on the roof, it seems, and made a clatter when disturbed by people passing by. 3. summus honor: i.e. the consul. 5. comites: the clients have only the dole as a means of support. 6. Densissima . . . lectica: 'a close-packed throng of litters.' — centum Quadrantes: worth about 25 or 30 cents. 9. absenti: sc. uxori. 10. sellam: the sedan chair or perhaps a litter, which is, of course, empty. FROM SATIRE I I I [Meter i ] . 13. Umbricius (see page 432) describes the clever Greeks, who had overrun the city and would do anything for money. 14. Isaeo: an Assyrian rhetorician who came to Rome about 97 A.D.; his eloquence created a sensation. — Ede: 'tell me.' 15. secum: 'in his person.' 18. iusseris: si is understood.

432

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY The perils of β night in Rome

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"Respice nunc alia ac diversa pericüla noctis, Quod spatium tectis sublimibus unde cerebrum Testa ferit, quotiens rimosa et curta fenestris Vasa cadant, quanto percussum pondere signent Et laedant silicem. Possis ignavus haberi Et subiti casus improvidus, ad cenam si Intestatus eas; adeo tot fata, quot ilia Nocte patent vigiles te praetereunte fenestrae. Ergo optes votumque feras miserabile tecum, Ut sint contentae patulas defundere pelves. " Ebrius ac petulans, qui nullum forte cecidit, Dat poenas, noctem patitur lugentis amicum Pelidae, cubat in faciem, mox deinde supinus; Ergo non aliter poterit dormire; quibusdam Somnum rixa facit. Sed quamvis improbus annis Atque mero fervens, cavet hunc quern coccina laena Vitari iubet et comitum longissimus ordo, Multum praeterea flammarum et aenea lampas; [Meter ΐ\. Umbricius, who is leaving Rome to dwell at Cumae, tells of the dangers of the metropolis at night. 2. Quod spatium: sc. sit. The tenement houses were very high at Rome, and the regulation of Augustus limiting their height to 70 feet was probably often evaded. — tectis: 'roofs.' 3. Testa: 'tile,' for the more common tegula. — fenestris: the use of the preposition de, which is more common, is sometimes omitted in poetry. 5. silicem: the reference is to hard paving blocks of volcanic basalt. 8. vigiles: i.e. where the people inside are still awake. 10. contentae: with fenestrae understood. — patulas . . . pelves: 'the contents of the capacious jars,' i.e. nothing more deadly than slops. 12. Dat poenas: the restlessness of the rake is compared to that of Achilles grieving for his slain friend Patroclus. 13. Pelidae: 'like that of the son of Peleus,' i.e. Achilles. 14. Ergo: the δ is long. — aliter: i.e. unless he has killed someone. 15. annis: i.e. his youth. 16. coccina laena: the scarlet cloak would be worn by a wealthy and influential person. 18. Multum . . . flammarum: 'many lights' or 'torches'; there were no street lamps.

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Me, quem luna solet deducere vel breve lumen Candelae, cuius dispenso et tempero filum, Contemnit. Miserae cognosce prohoemia rixae, Si rixa est, ubi tu pulsas, ego vapulo tantum. Stat contra starique iubet; parere necesse est; Nam quid agas, cum te furiosus cogat et idem Fortior? 'Unde venis?' exclamat, 'Cuius aceto, Cuius conche tumes ? Quis tecum sectile porrum Sutor et elixi vervecis labra comedit? Nil mihi respondes ? Aut die aut accipe calcem. Ede ubi consistas; in qua te quaero proseucha?' Dicere si temptes aliquid tacitusve recedas, Tantumdem est: feriunt pariter, vadimonia deinde Irati faciunt. Liberias pauperis haec est: Pulsatus rogat et pugnis concisus adorat Ut liceat paucis cum dentibus inde reverti." r m 9fi FROM

SATIRE

Freedom from care, a necessity

VII

for the poet

Sed vatem egregium, cui non sit publica vena, Qui nil expositum soleat deducere nec qui 1. deducere: 'accompany on my way home.' 3. prohoemia: 'beginnings.' 4. pulsas: vapulo is the passive of pulso. 5. stari: impersonal. 7. aceto: the poorer class drank a sour wine mixed with water. 8. sectile porrum: leeks were cut when young and eaten; sometimes they were also allowed to grow a head (capitatum). 11. consistas: 'where you have your stand (for begging).' — quaero: 'am I to seek?' — proseucha: a Jewish praying-house in a^settlement where there was no synagogue. 13. Tantumdem = idem. — vadimonia . . . faciunt: i.e. they force you to give bail for appearance in court, as if you were the guilty party. 15. adorat: he 'worships' the bully in order to escape. FROM SATIRE V I I [Meter J ] . 17. publica vena: 'current (i.e. ordinary) vein'; the figure taken from veins of metal. 18. expositum: 'common'or'vulgar.'

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Communi feriat carmen triviale moneta, Hunc, qualem nequeo monstrare et sentio tantum, Anxietate carens animus facit, omnis acerbi Impatiens, cupidus silvarum aptusque bibendis Fontibus Aonidum. Neque enim cantare sub antro Pierio thyrsumque potest contingere maesta Paupertas atque aeris inops, quo nocte dieque Corpus eget. Satur est cum dicit Horatius "euhoe!" Quis locus ingenio, nisi cum se carmine solo Vexant et dominis Cirrhae Nysaeque feruntur Pectora vestra duas non admittentia curas ? Magnae mentis opus, nec de lodice paranda Attonitae, currus et equos faciesque deorum Aspicere et qualis Rutulum confundat Erinys. Nam si Vergilio puer et tolerabile desset Hospitium, caderent omnes a crinibus hydri, Surda nihil gemeret grave bucina. 1. Communi . . . moneta: a metaphor from coining; the Roman mint was in the temple of Juno Moneta. 2. nequeo: Juvenal can actually find no such poet in his day. 4. Impatiens: 'unable to endure,' i.e. sensitive. 6. Pierio: Pierus was said to have been the father of the Muses. — thyrsum: the staff of Dionysus and a source of inspiration. — maesta Paupertas: abstract for the concrete poeta maestus pauperque. 8. euhoe: tioC is the Bacchic cry. The meaning of the line is that before Horace is in a mood to write a poem in praise of Bacchus he has been well "dined and wined." 10. dominis: probably poetic dat. of agent. — Cirrhae: the harbor of Delphi (where Apollo dwelt). — Nysae: a haunt of Dionysus on Mt. Helicon. 11. vestra: referring to poets. — curas: poverty and poetry. 12. paranda: 'buying.' 13. Attonitae: a play on the meanings 'distressed' and 'inspired.' — currus et equos etc.: themes of poetry. 14. Rutulum: in the /Eneid, VII, 445-466, Vergil tells how the RutuHan Turnus is driven to madness by the Fury Alecto. 15. puer: ' a slave.' 16. hydri: a reference to the snaky locks of the Fury in Vergil's jEneid, VII, 415 and 447. 17. Surda: 'unheard.' — bucina: Alecto's trumpet.

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F R O M SATIRE X The vanity of human wishes

Eloquium ac famam Demosthenis aut Ciceronis Incipit optare et totis quinquatribus optat Quisquis adhuc uno parcam colit asse Minervam, Quem sequitur custos angustae vernula capsae. Eloquio sed uterque perit orator, utrumque 5 Largus et exundans leto dedit ingenii fons. Ingenio manus est et cervix caesa, nec umquam Sanguine causidici maduerunt rostra pusilli. "O fortunatam natam me consule Romam": Antoni gladios potuit contemnere, si sic 10 Omnia dixisset. Ridenda poemata malo Quam te, conspicuae divina Philippica famae, Volveris a prima quae proxima. 114_12g] Hannibal

Expende Hannibalem; quot libras in duce summo Invenies ? Hie est quem non capit Africa Mauro FROM SATIRE X [Meter!]. 2. Incipit: the schoolboy's awakening ambition; the subject is the implied antecedent of Quisquis and Quem. — totis: all five days of the quinquatrus, the festival of Minerva, from March 19 to 23, a vacation for the schoolboy. 3. adhuc: the child is small and can make the offering only of an as. — Minervam: goddess of wisdom and eloquence. 4. vernula: ' a poor little slave,' who followed the Roman boy to school and carried his capsa, or box for books. 7. Ingenio: dat. for ingeniosi (i.e. Ciceronis); Antony had the head and hand of Cicero cut off and nailed to the Rostra in the Forum. Demosthenes took poison because of the triumph of Macedon. 9. Ο fortunatam . . . Romam: an unfortunate line from Cicero's epic in three books on his own consulate; it was justly ridiculed by ancient critics. 13. Volveris: 'are unrolled' or 'read.' — a prima . . . proxima: 'the next to the first' is the famous second Philippic written by Cicero against Mark Antony. [Meter I]. Juvenal illustrates the theme by tracing the disappointing career of Hannibal. 14. Expende: i.e. 'weigh' his greatness. 15. non capit: 'cannot contain.'

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Percussa oceano Niloque admota tepenti, Rursus ad Aethiopum populos aliosque elephantos? Additur imperils Hispania, Pyrenaeum Transilit; opposuit natura Alpemque nivemque: Diducit scopulos et montem rumpit aceto. Iam tenet Italiam, tarnen ultra pergere tendit: "Acti," inquit, "nihil est, nisi Poeno milite portas Frangimus et media vexillum pono Subura." Ο qualis fades et quali digna tabella, Cum Gaetula ducem portaret belua luscum! Exitus ergo quis est ? Ο gloria, vincitur idem Nempe et in exilium praeceps fugit atque ibi magnus Mirandusque cliens sedet ad praetoria regis, Donee Bithyno libeat vigilare tyranno. Finem animae, quae res humanas miscuit olim, Non gladii, non saxa dabunt nec tela, sed ille Cannarum vindex et tanti sanguinis ultor Anulus. I demens et saevas curre per Alpes, Ut pueris placeas et declamatio fias! i47_i67] 2. Rursus: 'backwards,' to the south. — aliosque elephantos: ' a second race of elephants' to the south. 4. opposuit: sc. ei. 5. aceto: cf. Livy, page 272, line 14. 7. A c t i . . . nihil: Juvenal is very fond of this part. gen. construction. 9. facies: 'sight.' 10. G a e t u l a . . . belua: the elephant; cf. Livy, p. 290,1.18. — luscum: Hannibal lost the use of an eye in 217 B.c.; cf. Livy, p. 290, 1.21. 11. vincitur: at Zama in 202 B.C. 13. regis: Prusias I of Bithynia; cf. page 132, line 4. 14. vigilare: "to wake up,' as though he were a Roman noble whose clients were waiting for him to rise in the morning. 15. animae . . . olim: 'that life which once brought confusion to mankind.' 17. Cannarum: a Roman army was almost annihilated by Hannibal at Cannae in Apulia in 216 B.C. 18. Anulus: when Hannibal was about to be surrendered to the Roman general Flamininus, he took poison which he carried in his ring; cf. page 133, line 14. — I demens: mockingly addressed to Hannibal. 19. declamatio: Hannibal served as a subject for declamations in the schools of rhetoric, as he does for freshman Latin study even to our own day.

DECIMUS IUNIUS IUVENALIS FROM SATIRE

437

XV

The difference between man and beast Mollissima corda Humano generi dare se natura fatetur, Quae lacrimas dedit; haec nostri pars optima sensus. Plorare ergo iubet causam dicentis amici Squaloremque rei, pupillum ad iura vocantem Circumscriptorem, cuius manantia fletu Ora puellares faciunt incerta capilli. Naturae imperio gemimus, cum funus adultae Virginis occurrit vel terra clauditur infans E t minor igne rogi. Quis enim bonus et face dignus Arcana, qualem Cereris vult esse sacerdos, Ulla aliena sibi credit mala? Separat hoc nos A grege mutorum, atque ideo venerabile soli Sortiti ingenium divinorumque capaces FROM SATIRE XV [Meter J], In this satire Juvenal, having described the savage cruelty of an Egyptian mob which slew and devoured the corpse of an enemy, sets forth the difference between man and beast. 3. Quae lacrimas dedit: 'by giving tears.' — haec: ability to sympathize. 5. Squaloremque: the noun is the object of Plorare, and que connects dicentis and rei; defendants wore hair and beard unkempt in order to win sympathy. — ad iura: in ius is more common; a female ward might sometimes sue her guardians. 6. cuius: the antecedent is pupillum. 7. incerta: the girlish locks cast doubt on the sex of the plaintiff. 10. minor: children who were too small were generally not cremated. — face dignus Arcana: a reference to initiation into the Eleusinian mysteries, on the fifth day of whose celebration a torchlight procession went from Athens to Eleusis. Initiation required purity. 11. Cereris: i.e. Demeter, the goddess whose mysteries were celebrated at Eleusis. 12. aliena: cf. Terence, Heauton Timorumenos, 77: Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto. — sibi: the final i is long here. — hoc: possession of sympathy for others. 13. ideo: 'for this reason,' with a reference to hoc. — venerabile: generally interpreted as meaning 'worthy of reverence,' but by some as 'reverential.' 14. capaces: 'capable of understanding.'

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Atque exercendis pariendisque artibus apti Sensum a caelesti demissum traximus arce, Cuius egent prona et terram spectantia. Mundi Principio indulsit communis conditor illis Tantum animas, nobis animum quoque, mutuus ut nos Adfectus petere auxilium et praestare iuberet, Dispersos trahere in populum, migrare vetusto De nemore et proavis habitatas linquere silvas, Aedificare domos, laribus coniungere nostris Tectum aliud, tutos vicino limine somnos Ut collata daret fiducia, protegere armis Lapsum aut ingenti nutantem vulnere civem, Communi dare signa tuba, defendier isdem Turribus atque una portarum clave teneri.

[XV, 131-158]

2. Sensum: 'sympathy' or 'feeling.' 3. Cuius: gen. obj. of egent. — prona . . . spectantia: i.e. animals. 4. communis conditor: the creator of both men and beasts. 5. animas: 'breath of life.' — animum: 'the faculty of reasoning,' or 'soul.' 6. Adfectus: 'a feeling of friendship,' or 'fellow feeling.' 9. laribus: 'household,' since each home had a lar ('household god') or lares. 11. collata . . . fiducia: 'confidence arising from union.' 13. defendier: archaic pres. pass, infin.

P U B L I U S MELIUS H A D R I A N U S

H

ADRIAN, the cousin of the emperor Trajan, was adopted by him and made his heir two days' before Trajan's death in 117 A.D. Hadrian ruled from that date to his death in 138. The government of Hadrian was extremely efficient; and besides being an excellent administrator and soldier, he was keenly interested in painting, philosophy, literature, and above all in travel. He wrote quantities of prose and verse in both Latin and Greek, of which only a few poems have been preserved. The whimsical lines given below (11.1-5), addressed on his deathbed to his departing spirit, are strikingly tender and graceful. They are found in the twenty-fifth chapter of the life of Hadrian by iElius Spartianus, in the Scriptores Historiae Augustae (Teubner edition by E. Hohl, 1927). [Duff, II, p. 628] ADDRESS TO H I S SOUL

Animula vagula blandula, Hospes comesque corporis, Quae nünc abibis in loca Pallidula rigida nüdula? Nec üt soles dabis iocos! A RETORT

Ego nolo Floras esse, Ambulare per tabernas, Lätitare per popinas, Cülices pati rotundos. ADDRESS T O HIS S O U L [Meter 3d\. 1. Animula: a diminutive, which is here modified by five adjectives, most of them likewise diminutives. 3. Quae: with loca. A R E T O R T [Trochaic Dimeter']. Said to have been composed in reply to a four-line skit by Annius Floras, beginning Ego nolo Caesar esse. 439

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C

SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS, who was born about 69 A.D., ο was the son of a knight. From the letters of his good friend the younger Pliny we learn that he practiced for a time in the law courts. Pliny obtained for him a military tribuneship, which Suetonius passed on to a friend. Suetonius did, however, receive from Trajan, again through the offices of Pliny, the ius trium liberorum, though (like Pliny himself, who enjoyed the same privilege) he seems to have had no children. Those who had this standing enjoyed certain immunities and preferences in the state. Spartianus, the author of a biography of Hadrian, informs us that Suetonius was Hadrian's secretary (ab epistulis); but, along with his patron Gaius Septicius Clarus, praetorian prefect, Suetonius was dismissed by the Emperor because of some violation of court etiquette with regard to the empress Sabina. It is, then, in 121 that Suetonius is last mentioned, but he probably lived to an old age under Antoninus Pius. Suidas lists various writings of Suetonius in the field of biography and on grammar, natural history, and antiquities. Of his great literary output we possess only fragments of his De Viris Illustribus and nearly the whole of his De Vita Caesarum, published in 120, the omissions consisting of a few chapters at the beginning of the life of Julius Caesar. The De Viris Illustribus, which was published probably about 113, treated of the achievements of Roman men of letters, including poets, historians, orators, philosophers, and grammarians. The De Vita Caesarum gives the biographies of twelve Caesars from Julius to Domitian. The Lives draw upon many sources now lost to us, and the biographer often displays critical judgment. His account of the emperors is extremely vivid and readable, abounding in details and even in gossip, and is an invaluable source of information on the first century of the Empire. Suetonius had great influence upon later writers, especially upon the Scriplores Historiae Augustae, and enjoyed wide popularity. There is a Teubner text by Ihm (1907), and many of the separate lives have been edited with notes. Fragments from his other writings were edited by Reifferschied (1860). [Mackail, p. 229; Duff. II. D. 631] 440

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Cxsar's

441

Assassination

T H E IDES OF MARCH

Dein pluribus hostiis caesis, cum litare non posset, introiit curiam spreta religione Spurinnamque irridens et ut falsum arguens, quod sine ulla sua noxa Idus Martiae adessent; quamquam is venisse quidem eas diceret, sed non praeterisse. Assidentem conspirati specie officii circumsteterunt, ilico- 5 que Cimber Tillius, qui primas partes susceperat, quasi aliquid rogaturus propius accessit renuentique et gestu in aliud tempus differenti ab utroque umero togam apprehendit; deinde clamantem, "Ista quidem vis est!" alter e Cascis THE IDES OF MARCH. 1. introiit: sc. Caesar, whose assassination is here described. 2. Spurinnam: a soothsayer with an Etruscan name. 3. Idus Martiae: Spurinna had warned him of danger on this date. 4. is: i.e. Spurinna. — diceret: the subjunctive with quamquam belongs to late Latin. 6. Cimber Tillius: L. Tillius Cimber, once an ardent supporter of Caesar and designated by him as governor of Bithynia. — aliquid rogaturus: Plutarch says he requested the recall of his exiled brother. 9. alter e Cascis: the tribune Publius Servilius Casca.

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SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

aversum vulnerat paulum infra iugulum. Caesar Cascae brachium arreptum graphio traiecit conatusque prosilire alio vulnere tardatus est; utque animadvertit undique se strictis pugionibus peti, toga caput obvolvit, simul sinistra manu 5 sinum ad ima crura deduxit, quo honestius caderet etiam inferiore corporis parte velata. Atque ita tribus et viginti plagis confossus est uno modo ad primum ictum gemitu sine voce edito, etsi tradiderunt quidam Marco Bruto irruenti dixisse, καΐ συ, τ ί κ ν ο ν . Exanimis diffugientibus cunctis ali10 quamdiu iacuit, donee lecticae impositum, dependente brachio, tres servoli domum rettulerunt. „ TT Q11

Julius Csesar, 81]

AUGUSTUS'S

SUPERSTITIONS

Auspicia et omina quaedam pro certissimis observabat: si mane sibi calceus perperam ac sinister pro dextro induceretur, ut dirum; si terra marive ingrediente se longinquam profec15 tionem forte rorasset, ut laetum maturique et prosperi reditus. Sed et ostentis praecipue movebatur. Enatam inter iuncturas lapidum ante domum suam palmam in compluvium deorum Penatium transtulit, utque coalesceret magno opere curavit. Apud insulam Capreas veterrimae ilicis demissos iam ad ter20 ram languentisque ramos convaluisse adventu suo adeo laetatus est, ut eas cum re p. Neapolitanorum permutaverit Aenariadata. [Augustus, 92] 1. aversum: 'as Caesar turned away.' 9. καΐ aii, τίκνον: et tu, Brute? has become proverbial; Suetonius records the word τίκνον, which means *my child.' Caesar had been very indulgent to Brutus. Gossip sometimes whispered that the word τίκνον was literally correct. AUGUSTUS'S SUPERSTITIONS. 13. perperam: explained by sinister pro dextro. 15. reditus: sc. omen; Westcott and Rankin call this a gen. of quality. 17. compluvium: the open space in the atrium. — deorum Penatium: the household gods of the state or family. 19. Apud insulam Capreas: in classical Latin we should expect in with the abl.

GAIUS SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS

443

TIBERIUS'S CLAUDIAN ANCESTORS

Multa multorum Claudiorum egregia merita, multa etiam sequius admissa in rem p. exstant. Sed ut praecipua commemorem, Appius Caecus societatem cum rege Pyrrho ut parum salubrem iniri dissuasit. Claudius Caudex primus freto classe traiecto Poenos Sicilia expulit. Tiberius Nero ad- 5 venientem ex Hispania cum ingentibus copiis Hasdrubalem, prius quam Hannibali fratri coniungeretur, oppressit. Contra Claudius Regillianus, decemvir legibus scribendis, virginem ingenuam per vim libidinis gratia in servitutem adserere conatus causa plebi fuit secedendi rursus a patribus. Claudius 10 Russus statua sibi diademata ad Appi Forum posita Italiam per clientelas occupare temptavit. Claudius Pulcher apud Siciliam non pascentibus in auspicando pullis ac per contemptum religionis mari demersis, quasi ut biberent quando esse nollent, proelium navale iniit; superatusque, cum dictatorem 15 dicere a senatu iuberetur, velut iterum inludens discrimini publico Glycian viatorem suum dixit. Exstant et feminarum exempla diversa aeque, siquidem gentis eiusdem utraque Claudia fuit, et quae navem cum sacris Matris deum Idaeae obhaerentem Tiberino vado ex- 20 traxit, precata propalam, ut ita demum se sequeretur, si sibi TIBERIUS'S CLAUDIAN ANCESTORS. 4. dissuasit: after the defeat of the Romans at Heraclea in 280 B.C. — Claudius . . . expulit: 264 B.C. 5. Tiberius . . . oppressit: 207 B.C., at the battle of the Metaurus. 8. Claudius . . . conatus: 449B.C. — virginem: Virginia. 10. secedendi rursus: the first secession was in 494 B.C.— Claudius Russus: perhaps Russus stands for Drusus, cognomen of Caecus's eldest son. 12. Claudius Pulcher: P. Claudius Pulcher, defeated at Drepana in 249 B.c. by the Carthaginian admiral Atarbas. 14. esse: from edo. 17. Glycian: this attendant, M. Claudius Glycia, was immediately deposed. 20. Matris deum: Cybele, whose cult was introduced into Rome in 204 B.c. in compliance with orders of the Sibylline oracle which suggested this as a means of driving Hannibal from Italy. Claudia was probably a Vestal virgin.

444

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

pudicitia constaret; et quae novo more iudicium maiestatis apud populum mulier subiit, quod in conferta multitudine aegre procedente carpento palam optaverat, ut frater suus Pulcher revivisceret atque iterum classem amitteret, quo 5 minor turba Romae foret. Praeterea notatissimum est Claudios omnis, excepto dum taxat P. Clodio, qui ob expellendum urbe Ciceronem plebeio homini atque etiam natu minori in adoptionem se dedit, optimates adsertoresque unicos dignitatis ac potentiae patriciorum semper fuisse atque adversus 10 plebem adeo violentos et contumaces, ut ne capitis quidem quisquam reus apud populum mutare vestem aut deprecari sustinuerit; nonnulli in altercatione et iurgio tribunos plebi pulsaverint. Etiam virgo Vestalis fratrem iniussu populi triumphantem ascenso simul curru usque in Capitolium prose15 cuta est, ne vetare aut intercedere fas cuiquam tribunorum ·

[Tiberius, 2]

eSSet

AN IMPERIAL

AUCTION

Auctione proposita reliquias omnium spectaculorum subiecit ac venditavit, exquirens per se pretia et usque eo extendens, ut quidam immenso coacti quaedam emere ac bonis 20 exuti venas sibi inciderent. Nota res est, Aponio Saturnino inter subsellia dormitante, monitum a Gaio praeconem ne praetorium virum crebro capitis motu nutantem sibi praeteriret, nec licendi finem factum, quoad tredecim gladiatores sestertium nonagies ignoranti addicerentur. rr , 3. palam o p t a v e r a t : because of this prayer Claudia was fined. 6. Clodio: he was adopted by Fonteius in order to be eligible to the plebeian tribunate; as tribune he was able to introduce a measure banishing Cicero. 12. tribunos . . . pulsaverint: the person of a tribune was sacrosanct. 13. f r a t r e m : Cicero and Valerius Maximus say that it was her father, not her brother, whose triumph was forbidden by the tribune. AN IMPERIAL AUCTION. 19. immenso: sc. pretio. 21. Gaio: Gaius Caligula, the emperor. 24. sestertium nonagies: about half a million dollars-

GAIUS SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS

445

VESPASIAN A N D T H E K I N G ' S T O U C H

Ε plebe quidam luminibus orbatus, item alius debili crure sedentem pro tribunali pariter adierunt orantes opem valitudini demonstratam a Serapide per quietem: restituturum oculos, si inspuisset; confirmaturum crus, si dignaretur calce contingere. Cum vix fides esset ullo modo rem successuram 5 ideoque ne experiri quidem auderet, extremo hortantibus amicis palam pro contione utrumque temptavit; nec eventus defuit.

[Vespasian,

7]

DOMITIAN'S PASTIME

Inter initia principatus cotidie secretum sibi horarum sumere solebat nec quicquam amplius quam muscas captare ac io stilo praeacuto configere, ut cuidam interroganti, essetne quis intus cum Caesare, non absurde responsum sit a Vibio Crispo, ne muscam quidem. [Domitian, 3] AUGUSTUS'S A D M I R A T I O N F O R H O R A C E

Scripta quidem eius usque adeo probavit mansuraque perpetuo opinatus est, ut non modo Saeculare carmen com-15 ponendum iniunxerit sed et Vindelicam victoriam Tiberii Drusique, privignorum suorum, eumque coegerit propter hoc VESPASIAN AND THE KING'S TOUCH. 3. Serapide: the cult of Serapis was introduced into Alexandria by Ptolemy Soter. Serapis was thought to have the power of healing. 4. inspuisset: spittle was believed to possess medicinal and magical virtues. The power of healing was frequently attributed to rulers. Compare the similar aires effected by Jesus. DOMITIAN'S PASTIME. 12. Caesare: Domitian. — Vibio Crispo: Q. Vibius Crispus, thrice consul and an intimate friend of the emperor Vespasian. He was noted for his pleasant and witty nature. AUGUSTUS'S ADMIRATION FOR HORACE. 15. Saeculare carmen: composed for the Secular Games celebrated by Augustus in 17 B.c. and sung by twenty-seven boys and twenty-seven girls of patrician family. 16. Vindelicam victoriam: the Vindelici were a Celtic people to the north of Raetia; see Horace, Odes, IV, iv, 18.

446

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

tribus Carminum libris ex longo intervallo quartum addere; post Sermones vero quosdam lectos nullam sui mentionem habitam ita sit questus: "Irasci me tibi scito, quod non in plerisque eius modi scriptis mecum potissimum loquaris; an 5 vereris ne apud posteros infame tibi sit, quod videaris familiaris nobis esse ? " Expressitque eclogam ad se, cuius initium est: Cum tot sustineas et tanta negotia solus, . .. [Vila Horatit]

6. Expressitque eclogam ad se: i.e. he made him write a poem addressed to himself (Augustus). 7. Cum tot: Horace, Epistles, II, i.

LUCIUS ANN^US FLORUS

T

HE AUTHOR of the two books of the Epitome is probably Lucius Annseus Floras. This Floras may have been related to Seneca, Lucan, and Pomponius Mela, and he is probably identical with P. Annius Floras, poet, historian, and friend of Hadrian. The author was born in Africa and at an early age took part unsuccessfully in the Capitoline competition for poets under Domitian. He traveled for some time and settled down as a writer at Tarraco in Spain. His history is an epitome of Livy (though he used Caesar, Sallust, and perhaps the Histories of Seneca) with reference to the wars of Rome from Romulus to Julius Caesar. Florus marks off the evolution of Rome into these four periods: (1) infancy, two hundred and fifty years of regal government; (2) youth, a like number of years of warfare on Italian soil; (3) maturity, two centuries of world conquest to the time of Augustus; (4) old age and decline, with a revival under Trajan, another two centuries from the Augustan Age to Florus's own day. The work is marked by excessive condensation, frequent inaccuracy, and a tendency to rhetoric. Florus's Epitome was popular for centuries, and it is freely used by Lucius Ampelius, Ammianus, Orosius, Festus, Jordanes, and Malalas. Floras was the author of five hexameters on the roses of spring, of twenty-five trochaic tetrameters on " T h e Tranquillity of Life," and of a lost work entitled Virgilius, Orator an Poeta. Text edited by O. Rossbach (1896). [Mackail, p. 229; Duff, II, p. 644]

ROME'S HISTORY N O T T H A T OF A PEOPLE BUT OF T H E H U M A N RACE Populus Romanus a rege Romulo in Caesarem Augustum septingentos per annos tantum operum pace belloque gessit, ut, si quis magnitudinem imperii cum annis conferat, aetatem ultra putet. Ita late per orbem terrarum arma circumtulit ROME'S HISTORY NOT THAT OF A PEOPLE BUT OF THE HUMAN RACE.

2. tantum operum: 'so much'; operum is a partitive genitive. 4. ultra: anastrophe. 447

448

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE A N D POETRY

ut qüi res illius legunt non unius populi, sed generis humani facta condiscant. Tot in laboribus periculisque iactatus est, ut ad constituendum eius imperium contendisse Virtus et Fortuna videantur. Qua re cum, si quid aliud, hoc quoque 5 operae pretium sit cognoscere, tamen quia ipsa sibi obstat magnitudo rerumque diversitas aciem intentionis abrumpit, faciam quod solent qui terrarum situs pingunt: in brevi quasi tabella totam eius imaginem amplectar, non nihil, ut spero, ad admirationem principis populi conlaturus, si pariter atque 10 insemel universam magnitudinem eius ostendero. . [I, l, 1-3] WEALTH, T H E R U I N OF T H E

REPUBLIC

Ac nescio an satius fuerit populo Romano Sicilia et Africa contento fuisse, aut his etiam ipsis carere dominanti in Italia sua, quam eo magnitudinis crescere ut viribus suis conficeretur. Quae enim res alia civiles furores peperit quam nimiae 15 felicitates? Syria prima nos victa corrupit, mox Asiatica Pergameni regis hereditas. Illae opes atque divitiae adflixere saeculi mores mersamque vitiis suis quasi sentina rem publicam pessum dedere. [I, xivii, 6-8] T H E D E A T H OF A N T O N Y A N D

CLEOPATRA

Prior ferrum occupavit Antonius, regina ad pedes Caesaris 20 provoluta temptavit oculos ducis. Frustra quidem; nam pulchritudo infra pudicitiam principis fuit. Nec ilia de vita, 4. Qua re: 'wherefore.' WEALTH, THE RUIN OF THE REPUBLIC.

13. quam: ' t h a n . ' — e o

magnitudinis: 'to such greatness.' 15. Syria . . . victa: the conquest of Syria as an element of corruption doubtless refers to the defeat of King Antiochus in 190 B.C. at Magnesia and the war indemnity of ten thousand talents which he had to pay to Rome. — Asiatica . . . hereditas: Attalus III of Pergamum died in 133 B.C. and left his kingdom to Rome. THE DEATH OF ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 19. C a e s a r i s : A u g u s t u s .

20. Frustra: she was more successful with Julius Caesar.

LUCIUS ANN^US FLORUS

449

quae offerebatur, sed de parte regni laborabat. Quod ubi desperavit a principe servarique se triumpho viäit, incautiorem nancta custodiam in mausoleum se (sepulchra regum sie vocant) reeepit. Ibi maximos, ut solebat, induta cultus iii referto odoribus solio iuxta suum se conlocavit Antonium 5 admotisque ad venas serpentibus sie morte quasi somno soluta est. [II, xxi, 9-11]

MARCUS CORNELIUS FRONTO

F

was born about the beginning of the second century A.D. at Cirta in Numidia. He held various offices, among which was the praetorship, and he was appointed consul suffectus in 143. Ill health compelled him to refuse the governorship of Asia. As tutor to Marcus and Lucius, the adopted sons of Antoninus Pius, Fronto stood high at court and acquired considerable wealth. He died in 166 or 167. During his lifetime Fronto held a leading position as a critic among the literary men of his day and was recognized as a leader in law and oratory. In language he showed an archaistic tendency known as the elocutio novella, expressing itself in enthusiasm for such writers as Plautus, Terence, Ennius, and Cato. His followers, the Frontoniani, followed his methods in oratory and language. The only important thing of Fronto's that is extant is some correspondence which consists mainly of letters to and from his imperial pupils, Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius. His style is clear but marred by an overfondness for similes. A convenient text is that by Haines in the Loeb series (1919-1920). A useful reference book is D. M. Brock's Studies in Fronto and his Age (1911). RONTO

[Mackail, p. 234; Duff, II, p. 650] MARCUS

AURELIUS

A N D

FRONTO

ON

SLEEP

M . CAESAR FRONTONI MAGISTRO SALUTEM

Accipe nunc perpaucula contra somnum pro insomnia: quamquam, puto, praevaricor, qui assidue diei ac noctis somno adsum, neque eum desero neque is me deserat, adeo 5 sumus familiares. Sed cupio hac sua accusatione offensus paulisper a me abscedat et lucubratiunculae aliquam tandem facultatem tribuat. Igitur επιχειρήματα ποικίλα: . . . M A R C U S A U R E L I U S AND FRONTO ON S L E E P . 2. contra somnum: Fronto had probably written pro somno. 7. Ιπιχίΐρήματα ποικίλα: 'intricate arguments'; there follow some based on the experiences of Ulysses, Agamemnon, Q. Ennius, and Hesiod. 450

MARCUS CORNELIUS FRONTO

451

Haec satis tui amore potius quam meae fiduciae luserim. Nunc bene accusato somno dormitum eo; nam vespera haec ad te detexui. Opto ne mihi somnus gratiam referat. [Loeb edn., Vol. I, pp. 90, 96] Μ . CAESARI DOMINO SUO FRONTO

Dornum reverso mihi epistula reddita est, quam tu vide- 5 licet Romam mihi scripseras, et erat lata Romam; deinde hodie relata et paulo ante mihi est reddita; in qua pauca quae ego pro somno dixeram tu multis et elegantibus arguments refutasti ita scite, ita subtiliter et apte, ut si vigilia tibi hoc acuminis et leporis adfert, ego prorsus vigilare te 10 mallem. Sed enim vespera scripsisse te ais, quom paulo post dormiturus esses. Igitur appropinquans et imminens tibi somnus tarn elegantem hanc epistulam fecit. Namque ut crocus, ita somnus, priusquam prope adsit, longe praeolet longeque delectat. 15 Ut a principio igitur epistulae tuae incipiam, elegantissime praevaricari te ais, quod . . . (verbum adeo proprium) est ut eo sublato aliud subdi eiusdem usus et ponderis non possit. Illud vero dictum elegans . . . aut a via tua quae ais, " neque alia omnia quae Όδνσσααν faciunt." 20 Enimvero omnia istaec inter Graecos versus Latina ita scite alternata sunt a te et interposita, ut est ille in pyrrica 1. meae fiduciae: there is no correct syntactical construction for these words in the text as it stands, though the meaning is that Marcus has written to please Fronto rather than from a conviction of the truth of his own arguments. 2. dormitum: supine. 3. gratiam referat: like Eng. 'return the favor.' 10. hoc: 'such.' 17. proprium: 'apt.' But the word is lost to which Fronto refers, as that referred to in line 19 is also; verbum adeo proprium is supplied by editors. 19. a via: 'beside the point.' — tua quae ais: 'your remarks.' — neque . . . faciunt: Marcus had written that 'Ulysses would not have undergone all the adventures which form the Odyssey unless sweet sleep had come upon him in his weariness.' 22. ille . . . discursus: 'those movements.'

452

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

versicolorum discursus, quom amicti cocco alii, alii luteo et ostro et purpura, alii aliisque cohaerentes concursant. Iam a Laertio ad Atridam eleganter transisti. Ecce autem circa Q. Ennium malitiosam pilam dedisti, cum ais, nisi ex 5 somno exsuscitatus esset, numquam somnium suum narrasset. (Eruat) aliquid Marcus meus Caesar, si pote, argutius. Praestigiae nullae tam versutae, nulla, ut ait Laevius, decipula tam insidiosa. Qui(d), si ego id postulo, ne expergiscare ? Quin postulo ut dormias. Aliud scurrarum proverbium: 10 " En cum quo in tenebris mices." Sed sumne ego beatus qui haec intellego et perspicio et insuper agnomine magister appellor? Quo pacto ego "magister"? qui unum hoc quod te docere cupio, ut dormias, non impetro. Perge uti libet, dummodo di te mihi, sive prodormias sive pervigiles, protegant. 15 Vale, meum gaudium, vale. ^ ^ Vol I( pp ^ ^ m

1. versicolorum: the dancers wear various colors in the Pyrrhic dance. 2. alii aliisque cohaerentes: 'coming together now with one group and now with another.' 3. Laertio: Marcus had first illustrated his point by the adventures of Odysseus, son of Laertes. —Atridam: Agamemnon. 4. circa: 'with respect to.'—malitiosam pilam: *a knavish ball' (translated by Haines as 'a nasty return'; a tennis figure). — ex somno: Ennius dreamed that the poet Homer appeared to him in his sleep. 7. Laevius: of his work we possess only a few fragments. 10. in tenebris mices: the game is called mora, and it depends on the attempt of each player to guess instantly the number of fingers his opponent raises quickly (' flashes' before his eyes). To play this in the dark would certainly call for honesty.

AULUS GELLIUS AULUS GELLIUS, who was probably born about 123 A.D., was J r i L mistakenly referred to as Agellius during the Middle Ages. When he assumed the toga virilis, he was in Rome, where he studied under Sulpicius Apollinaris, perhaps the teacher of the emperor Pertinax. He was in Athens after 143 for at least a year, and there he studied Plato and Aristotle, visited ^Egina and Delphi, and enjoyed the friendship of Tiberius Claudius Herodes Atticus, later the teacher of Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius. Upon his return to Rome he was appointed iudex, and he lived in friendship with many intellectual men of his day. It is likely that he died shortly after 169. Gellius's Nodes Atticae consists of twenty books of notes on many different topics. They were culled from a large number of Greek and Roman writers in the hope that the excerpts might create in Gellius's readers a desire for learning and save from shameful ignorance those who were already engaged in business. His style is, as Erasmus remarked, "terse and learned," and he was widely used by later writers. The Teubner text is by Hosius (1903), the Loeb by Rolfe (1927). [Mackail, p. 231; Duff, II, p. 651]

GELLIUS'S M E T H O D OF T A K I N G NOTES N a m proinde ut librum quemque in manus ceperam seu Graecum seu Latinum vel quid memoratu dignum audieram, ita quae libitum erat, cuius generis cumque erant, indistincte atque promisee annotabam eaque mihi ad subsidium memoriae quasi quoddam litterarum penus recondebam, ut quando 5 usus venisset aut rei aut verbi, cuius me repens forte oblivio tenuisset, et libri ex quibus ea sumpseram non adessent, facile inde nobis inventu atque depromptu foret. , „, rPr GELLIUS'S METHOD OF TAKING NOTES. 3. cuius... cumque: tmesis. 5. penus: metaphor from putting away provisions in the household larder. 8. inventu, depromptu: Gellius is fond of these supines; cf. line 2. 453

454

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

WHY HE CALLED HIS WORK NOCTES

ATTICAE

Sed quoniam longinquis per hiemem noctibus in agro, sicuti dixi, terrae Atticae commentationes hasce ludere ac facere exorsi sumus, idcirco eas inscripsimus Noctium esse Atticarum, . . . [Praef > sec. 4] VERGIL'S REVENGE ON THE PEOPLE OF NOLA 5

Scriptum in quodam commentario repperi versus istos a Vergilio ita primum esse recitatos atque editos: Talem dives arat Capua et vicina Vesevo Nola iugo;

postea Vergilium petisse a Nolanis, aquam uti duceret in 10 propinquum rus, Nolanos beneficium petitum non fecisse, poetam offensum nomen urbis eorum, quasi ex hominum memoria, sic ex carmine suo derasisse, "oram "que pro " N o l a " mutasse atque ita reliquisse; et vicina Vesevo 15

0 r a i u g

[VI, XX, 1]

°·

AN ANECDOTE ABOUT ROMULUS Simplicissima suavitate et rei et orationis L. Piso Frugi usus est in primo Annali, cum de Romuli regis vita atque WHY HE CALLED HIS WORK NOCTES ATTICAE. editorial 'we.'

3. exorsi sumus:

VERGIL'S REVENGE ON THE PEOPLE OF NOLA. 5. versus: Georgics, II, 224 f. 6. recitatos: it was customary for poets to give preliminary readings of their verses. 7. Talem: ' s u c h ' (soil). — Capua: capital of Campania and one of the most celebrated cities of ancient Italy. — Vesevo . . . iugo: volcanic M t . Vesuvius. AN ANECDOTE ABOUT ROMULUS. 16. L . Piso Frugi: L. Calpuraius Piso Frugi, tribune of the people in 149 B.C. and later praetor and consul. His Annates, of which only a few fragments remain, dealt with the history of Rome from the earliest times down to his own day. I t was used by Livy, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, the elder Pliny, Varro, and others.

455

AULUS GELLIUS

victu scriberet. Ea verba, quae scripsit, haec sunt: "Eundem Romulum dicunt, ad cenam vocatum, ibi non multum bibisse, quia postridie negotium haberet. Ei dicunt: 'Romule, si istud omnes homines faciant, vinum vilius sit.' His respondit: ' Immo vero carum, si quantum quisque volet bibat; nam ego 5 bibi quantum volui.'" [XI xiv] I N T E R OS A T Q U E

OFFAM

Erucius Clarus, qui praefectus urbi et bis consul fuit, vir morum et litterarum veterum studiosissimus, ad Sulpicium Apollinarem scripsit, hominem memoriae nostrae doctissimum, quaerere sese et petere uti sibi rescriberet quaenam 10 esset eorum verborum sententia. Tum Apollinaris, nobis praesentibus, nam id temporis ego adulescens Romae sectabar eum discendi gratia, rescripsit Claro ut viro erudito brevissime, vetus esse proverbium "inter os et offam," idem significans quod Graecus ille παροψιώΖ-ης versus: 15 Πολλά μ«τα|ύ ττέλίΐ

KVKLKOS

καΐ XfiXtos άκρου. [XIII, xviii, 2-3]

INTER OS ATQUE OFFAM. 7. Erucius Claras: Sextus Erucius Clarus, prefect of Rome under Antoninus Pius, was consul suffectus in 117 A.D. and consul in 149 A.D. He was interested in literature and caused the younger Pliny to publish his letters, while it is to Erucius that Suetonius dedicated his Lives of the Caesars. 8. Sulpicium Apollinarem: a learned grammarian often cited by Gellius; perhaps he was the teacher of the emperor Pertinax. 11. eorum verborum: inter os atque offam, 'between the mouth and the morsel.' 12. id temporis: the id is adverbial acc., ' a t that time.' 13. u t : depending on brevissime and meaning 'as was fitting' or 'as was natural.' 15. παροιμιώδη«: 'proverbial.' 16. iroXXA . . . άκρον: 'there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip.'

LUCIUS APULEIUS Λ PULEIUS, who was born about 125 A.D., was the son of a wealthy magistrate of Madaura in Africa. He studied as a young man at Athens and seems to have gone to Rome about 150 and to have been successful there in pleading cases. Returning to Africa and setting out for Alexandria he fell sick at (Ea, where he met a young friend Pontianus, whose mother, a wealthy widow named Pudentilla, he married. Her relatives accused him of gaining her love by magic, and he apparently successfully defended himself in his Apologia, which is preserved. He settled in Carthage and lectured in various African cities. The date of his death is not known. Besides the Apologia we have the Florida,—selections from his lectures and speeches, dealing with a wide variety of subjects, — some short essays on the Platonic philosophy, which Apuleius prefers to the growing Christianity of his day and combines with a vague mysticism and Orientalism, and the Metamorphoses, or Golden Ass. This work is a diverting tale taken from a Greek original, relating a congeries of adventures, amusing, horrible, voluptuous, and magical, supposed to have been experienced by a traveler in Thessaly and other parts of the Near East, including the transformation of the hero for a time into an ass. Into this story Apuleius inserted many entertaining narratives, such as the story of Cupid and Psyche. The novel, for so it may be called, is written in a strange kind of Latin, which, however, is not surprising if one realizes that Latin was not the native language of Apuleius. There is, however, a rich exuberance and quaintness that makes the style of the Metamorphoses delightful as well as unusual. Apuleius is a brilliant exponent of the new Latin style (elocutio novella) advocated by Fronto, combining archaistic, poetical, colloquial, and provincial elements, and a new type of rhythm withal, so that this Latin often seems to be a strange tongue. The Teubner texts of the Metamorphoses (1907), the Apologia (1912), and the Florida (1921) are by Helm, and the De philosophia by P. Thomas (1921). The latest text of the Metamorphoses is by Giarratano (1929). There is an annotated edition of the Apologia by H. Butler and A. Owen (1914) and one of the Cupid and Psyche story by L. Purser (1910). This story is finely used by Walter Pater in his Marius the Epicurean. fMackail, p. 238; Duff, II. p. 652]

456

LUCIUS APULEIUS

457

P S Y C H E FALLS I N LOVE W I T H LOVE

"Tunc Psyche, et corporis et animi alioquin infirma, fati tarnen saevitia subministrante, viribus roboratur et prolata lucerna et arrepta novacula sexum audacia mutatur. Sed cum primum luminis oblatione tori secseta claruerunt, videt omnium ferarum mitissimam dulcissimamque bestiam, ipsum 5 ilium Cupidinem formosum deum formose cubantem, cuius aspectu lucernae quoque lumen hilaratum increbruit et acuminis sacrilegi novaculam paenitebat. At vero Psyche tanto aspectu deterrita et impos animi, marcido pallore defecta tremensque desedit in imos poplites et ferrum quaerit abs-10 condere, sed in suo pectore; quod profecto fecisset, nisi ferrum timore tanti flagitii manibus temerariis delapsum evolasset. Iamque lassa, salute defecta dum saepius divini vultus intuetur pulchritudinem, recreatur animi; videt capitis aurei genialem caesariem ambrosia temulentam, cervices lac-15 teas genasque purpureas pererrantes crinium globos decoriter impeditos, alios antependulos, alios retropendulos, quorum splendore nimio fulgurante iam et ipsum lumen lucernae vacillabat; per umeros volatilis dei pinnae roscidae micanti PSYCHE FALLS IN LOVE WITH LOVE. In the fourth, fifth, and sixth books of the Metamorphoses an old woman tries to console a bride who has been captured by robbers by recounting to her the charming story of Cupid and Psyche. Psyche, the youngest daughter of a certain king, had been exposed on a barren mountain at the command of an oracle which foretold that she should wed a dreadful beast. The beast, however, is Cupid, who carries Psyche to a luxurious palace where he visits her only at night. Her wicked sisters, jealous of her good fortune, persuade her to spy upon her husband at night — contrary to his express orders — and to slay him if he proves to be a dreadful beast. Psyche carries out the plan they have suggested; for Cupid has concealed his identity from her, and she fears that her sisters' suspicions about her husband may be true. 3. sexum: an accusative of specification as in poetry. — audacia: abl. 4. luminis oblatione: 'after she brought in the light.' 9. marcido: 'languishing.' 10. in imos poplites: 'upon her knees.' 14. animi: locative. 15. genialem: 'delightful.' — temulentam: 'dripping.' J 6. elobos: 'ringlets.'

458

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

flore candicant et quamvis alis quiescentibus extimae plumulae tenellae ac delicatae tremule resultantes inquieta lasciviunt; ceterum corpus glabellum atque luculentum et quale peperisse Venerem non paeniteret. Ante lectuli pedes iacebat 5 arcus et pharetra et sagittae, magni dei propitia tela; quae dum insatiabili animö Psyche, satis et curiosa, rimatur atque pertrectat et mariti sui miratur arma, depromit unam de pharetra sagittam et puncto pollicis extremam aciem periclitabunda trementis etiam nunc articuli nisu fortiore pupugit 10 altius, ut per summam cutem roraverint parvulae sanguinis rosei guttae; sic ignara Psyche sponte in Amoris incidit amorem." [Metamorphoses, V, 22-23] T H E MARRIAGE OF CUPID A N D PSYCHE

"Nec mora, cum cena nuptialis affluens exhibetur; accumbebat summum torum maritus, Psychen gremio suo com15 plexus; sic et cum sua Iunone Iuppiter ac deinde per ordinem toti dei. Tunc poculum nectaris, quod vinum deorum est, Iovi quidem suus pocillator, ille rusticus puer, ceteris vero Liber ministrabat, Vulcanus cenam coquebat, Horae rosis et ceteris floribus purpurabant omnia, Gratiae spargebant 20 balsama, Musae quoque canora personabant, Apollo cantavit ad citharam, Venus suavi musicae superingressa formosa saltavit. Scaena sibi sic concinnata, ut Musae quidem chorum canerent et tibias inflarent, Satyrus et Paniscus ad fistulam dicerent. Sic rite Psyche convenit in manum Cu25 pidinis, et nascitur illis maturo partu filia, quam Voluptatem nominamus." [Metamorphoses, VI, 24] 2. inquieta: used adverbially with lasciviunt. 8. periclitabunda: she was 'trying' the point of the arrow. THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHE, A drop of oil from Psyche's lamp burned Cupid, who departed in a rage. His mother, Venus, caused the unfortunate Psyche to undergo many hardships and trials, but in the end became reconciled to her son's beloved, and the wedding of Cupid and Psyche is celebrated. 17. pocillator: Ganymede was the cupbearer of Juppiter.

LUCIUS APULEIUS L U C I U S SLAYS T H R E E B L O W N B L A D D E R S , THEM

459 THINKING

ROBBERS

Cum primum Thelyphron hanc fabulam posuit, compotores vino madidi rursum cachinnum integrant. Dumque bibere solita Risui postulant, sic ad me Byrrhaena: "Solemnis," inquit, "dies a primis cunabulis huius urbis conditus crastinus advenit, quo die soli mortalium sanctissimum deum Risum 5 hilaro atque gaudiali ritu propitiamus. Hunc tua praesentia nobis efficies gratiorem; atque utinam aliquid de proprio lepore laetificum honorando deo comminiscaris, quo magis pleniusque tanto numini litemus." "Bene," inquam, "et fiet ut iubes. Et vellem Hercule materiam repperire aliquam, 10 quam deus tantus affluenter indueret." Post haec monitu famuli mei, qui noctis admonebat, iam et ipse crapula distentus, protinus exsurgo et appellata prospere Byrrhaena titubante vestigio domuitionem capesso. Sed cum primam plateam invadimus, vento repentino lumen, quo 15 nitebamur, extinguitur, ut vix improvidae noctis caligine liberati, digitis pedum detunsis ob lapides, hospitium defessi rediremus dumque iam iunctim proximamus, ecce tres quidam vegetis et vastulis corporibus fores nostras ex summis viribus irruentes ac ne praesentia quidem nostra tantillum 20 conterriti, sed magis cum aemulatione virium crebrius insultantes ut nobis ac mihi potissimum non immerito latrones Lucius SLAYS THREE BLOWN BLADDERS, THINKING THEM ROBBERS. Lucius, the hero of the Metamorphoses, went from Corinth to Thessaly, where he lodged at the home of a certain Milo. His cousin, Byrrhaena, invited him to a banquet, where she induces one of the guests, Thelyphron, to entertain them with a story. 3. solita: acc.; they were accustomed to drink a toast to the god Laughter. 8. d e o : dat. 11. quam d e u s . . . indueret: 'with which so great a god may be abundantly rejoiced.' 12. noctis: 'of the lateness of the hour.' 16. improvidae: the word may be translated as though modifying caligine, 'the sudden darkness.' 17. digitis pedum detunsis: i.e. they were stubbing their toes.

460

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

esse, et quidem saevissimi, viderentur. Statim denique gladium, quem veste mea contectum ad hos usus extuleram, sinu liberatum arripio nec cunctatus medios latrones involo ac singulis, ut quemque colluctantem offenderam, altissime de5 mergo quoad tandem ante ipsa vestigia mea vastis et crebris perforati vulneribus spiritus efflaverint. Sic proeliatus, iam tumultu eo Fotide suscitata, patefactis aedibus anhelans et sudore perlutus irrepo meque statim utpote pugna trium latronum in vicem Geryoneae caedis fatigatum lecto simul et somno 10 tradidi. [Metamorphoses, II, 31-32] 4. altissime demergo: 'plunge my sword into them.' 7. Fotide: the maid, of whom Lucius was enamored, was named Fotis, and now she comes to let him in. 9. Geryoneae caedis: Lucius compares his own fight against the three robbers with that of Hercules against the three-formed Spanish giant, Geryon. — somno tradidi: in the following book Lucius is brought to trial for murder; but at length they go to view the corpses and find them nothing but deflated bladders pierced with the sword of the valiant defendant!

CLAUDIUS CLAUDIANUS

T

H E P O E T CLAUDIAN was born about 370 A.D., probably in the neighborhood of Alexandria. He wrote at first in Greek, and first composed in Latin in 395, when he was very likely in Rome. Early in that year he went to Milan. There he spent five years at court, becoming a vir clarissimus, tribunus et notarius, and probably serving on the staff of the great general Stilicho, whom he celebrated in his poems. He returned to Rome about the end of 399, and there a statue was dedicated to him at the order of the Emperor and the senate. In 404 Claudian appears to have married, and to have died in the same year. Among his works are panegyrics on the consuls Probinus and Olybrius, on the third, fourth, and sixth consulships of Honorius, on the consulship of Manlius, and on the consulship of Stilicho, violent invectives against Rufinus and Eutropius, the De Bello Gildonico, the De Bello Gothico, the De Raptu Prosperpinae, and numerous shorter poems. Claudian is one of the last as well as one of the best of the poets of the later Empire. The perfection of his verse in form and Latinity is noteworthy in view of the fact that Latin was not his native tongue. Good texts are those of Birt (1892) and of Platnauer (in the Loeb series, 1922). [Mackail, p. 267; Duff, II, p. 656] BLESSINGS COME M I N G L E D

Etenim mortalibus ex quo Tellus coepta coli, numquam sincera bonorum Sors ulli concessa viro. Quem vultus honestat, Dedecorant mores; animus quem pulchrior ornat, Corpus destituit. Bellis insignior ille, Sed pacem foedat vitiis. Hie publica felix, BLESSINGS COME MINGLED [Meter I ] . These lines are taken from a

poem written on the consulship of the general Stilicho in 400 A.D. 1. mortalibus: dat. of agent with coli. 2. sincera: 'entirely composed of.' 6. publica: acc. of specification; so privata in the next line. 461

5

462

5

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Sed privata minus. Partitum; singula quemque Nobilitant; hunc forma decens, hunc robur in armis, Hunc rigor, hunc pietas, ilium sollertia iuris, Hunc suboles castique tori. Sparguntur in omnes, In te mixta fluunt; et quae divisa beatos Efficiunt, collecta tenes. [Stilichonis Consulate, 1,24-35] ROME DECKS HERSELF TO GREET HONORIUS

10

15

Ac velut officiis trepidantibus ora puellae Spe propiore tori mater sollertior ornat Adveniente proco vestesque et cingula comit Saepe manu viridique angustat iaspide pectus Substringitque comam gemmis et colla monili Circuit et bacis onerat candentibus aures; Sic oculis placitura tuis insignior auctis Collibus et nota maior se Roma videndam Obtulit. [ F / consulates Honorii,

523-531]

T H E D I S M A Y O F T H E GETJE

Prospera sed quantum nostrae spes addita menti, Tantum exempta Getis; qui vertice proximus astris Post Alpes iam cuncta sibi promisit apertas Nil superesse ratus, postquam tot lumina pubis, 1. Partitum: sc. est. 4. castique tori:.'faithful wife.'—omnes: sc. ceteros, contrasted with te. ROME DECKS HERSELF TO GREET HONORIUS [Meter Ϊ]. The following description of Rome preparing to greet Honorius is taken from a panegyric on that emperor's sixth consulship in 404 A.D. 7. trepidantibus: the meaning evidently is that the mother's hands are 'trembling' as she attends her daughter. 8. tori: 'husband.' THE DISMAY OF THE GET,® [Meter Ϊ], The host of the barbarian Alaric marching on Rome begins to feel uneasy, and the leader calls a council of war. 17. G e t i s : the Visigoths. If this reading is correct, qui is collective. 18. a p e r t a s : with Alpes.

CLAUDIUS CLAUDIANUS

463

Tot subitos pedites, equitum tot conspicit alas Cinctaque fluminibus crebris ac moenibus arva Seque velut clausuni laqueis, sub pectore furtim Aestuat et nimium prono fervore petitae Iam piget Italiae, sperataque Roma teneri Visa procul. Magni subeunt iam taedia coepti. Occultat tarnen ore metum primosque suorum Consultare iubet bellis annisque verendos. Crinigeri sedere patres, pellita Getarum Curia, quos plagis decorat numerosa cicatrix Et tremulos regit hasta gradus et nititur altis Pro baculo contis non exarmata senectus. [.De Bello Gothico, 469-484] ROMA IS S T A R V E D B Y GILDO'S REVOLT

Exitium iam Roma timens et fessa negatis Frugibus ad rapidi limen tendebat Olympi Non solito vultu nec qualis iura Britannis Dividit aut trepidos summittit fascibus Indos. Vox tenuis tardique gradus oculique iacentes Interius; fugere genae; ieiuna lacertos Exedit macies. Umeris vix sustinet aegris Squalentem clipeum; laxata casside prodit Canitiem plenamque trahit rubiginis hastam. [De Bello Gildonico, 1,17-25] 1. subitos: 'quickly levied.' 4. petitae: participle containing the main idea. 5. teneri: with sperata. 6. Visa: sc. est. 7. Occultat: Alane is the subject of the verbs. 8. bellis: 'for their prowess in war.' 12. non exarmata: the old men even use spears in place of canes. ROMA IS STARVED BY GILDO'S REVOLT [ M e t e r I]. This is a vivid

picture of the goddess Roma, starved by the refusal of Gildo, Honorius's general, to send grain supplies to the city in 398 A.D. 14. rapidi: 'swiftly revolving.' 17. oculique . . . Interius: 'sunken eyes.' 18. fugere: 'have wasted away' or 'have become sunken.'

464

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY THE UPSTART

5

EUTROPIUS

Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in altum: Cuncta ferit dum cuncta timet, desaevit in omnes Ut se posse putent, nec belua taetrior ulla Quam servi rabies in libera terga furentis; Agnoscit gemitus et poenae parcere nescit, Quam subiit, dominique memor, quem verberat, odit. [/« Eutropium, 1,181-186] ADVICE TO

10

HONORIUS

" I n commune iubes si quid censesque tenendum, Primus iussa subi; tunc observantior aequi Fit populus nec ferre negat, cum viderit ipsum Auctorem parere sibi. Componitur orbis Regis ad exemplum, nec sic inflectere sensus Humanos edicta valent quam vita regentis; Mobile mutatur semper cum principe vulgus." [IV Consulatus Honorii, 296-302] T H E OLD M A N OF

15

VERONA

Felix, qui propriis aevum transegit in arvis, Ipsa domus puerum quem videt, ipsa senem; Qui baculo nitens in qua reptavit harena Unius numerat saecula longa casae. Ilium non vario traxit fortuna tumultu, Nec bibit ignotas mobilis hospes aquas. THE UPSTART EUTROPIUS [Meter J]. The bitter invective from which this selection is taken is directed against the eunuch Eutropius, who became commander in chief and consul under Arcadius. Arcadius was, however, soon forced to behead his minister in 399 A.D. 4. libera: 'free-born.' ADVICE TO HONORIUS [Meter ΐ\. The poem on the fourth consulship of the emperor Honorius (398 A.D.), from which this selection is taken, contains this observation: 'people pattern their ways after those of the ruler.' 7. In commune: 'for the public good.' Theodosius is speaking. — iubes: the reference is to law, while censes refers to custom. THE OLD MAN OF VERONA [Meter 2], 17. saecula: 'life.'

465

CLAUDIUS CLAUDIANUS

Non freta mercator tremuit, non classica miles, Non rauci lites pertulit ille fori. Indocilis rerum, vicinae nescius urbis Aspectu fruitur liberiore poli. Frugibus alternis, non consule computat annum; Autumnum pomis, ver sibi flore notat. Idem condit ager soles idemque reducit, Metiturque suo rusticus orbe diem, Ingentem meminit parvo qui germine quercum Aequaevumque videt consenuisse nemus. Proxima cui nigris Verona remotior Indis Benacumque putat litora Rubra lacum. Sed tarnen indomitae vires firmisque lacertis Aetas robustum tertia cernit avum. Erret et extremos alter scrutetur Hiberos: Plus habet hic vitae, plus habet ille viae. [,Shorter Poems, No. 20] 8. suo orbe: 'by the routine of his own life.' 12. Htora Rubra: i.e. mare Rubrum. 15. Hiberos: 'the Spaniards.'

5

10

15

AMBROSIUS THEODOSIUS MACROBIUS

M

ACROBIUS, a grammarian of the fourth century A.D., was a vir clarissimus et illustris, governor of Africa in 410 and propositus sacri cubiculi. We have his Saturnalia in seven books composed in the form of a table conversation on various topics, especially on Vergil. His two books of commentary on the Somnium Scipionis are preserved and also an abridgment of his grammatical treatise De Dtfferentiis et Societatibus Graeci Latinique Verbi. The Teubner text (second edition) has been edited by Eyssenhardt (1893). An interesting book is T. Whittaker's Macrobius (1923). See also T. R. Glover's Life and Letters in the Fourth Century (1901). THE FASHION IN WORDS

Sed antiquitatem vobis placere iactatis, quod honesta et sobria et modesta sit; vivamus ergo moribus praeteritis, praesentibus verbis loquamur. Ego enim id quod a C. Caesare, excellentis ingenii ac prudentiae viro, in primo Analo5 giae libro scriptum est habeo semper in memoria atque in pectore, ut tamquam scopulum, sic fugiam infrequens atque insolens verbum. Mille denique verborum talium est, quae cum in ore priscae auctoritatis crebro fuerint, exauctorata tarnen a sequenti aetate repudiataque sunt. [Saturnalia, I, v, 2-3] A FAITHFUL SLAVE

10

Caepionem quoque, qui in Augusti necem fuerat animatus, postquam detecto scelere damnatus est, servus ad Tiberim in cista detulit pervectumque Hostiam inde in agrum LaurenTHE FASHION IN WORDS. 4. in primo Analogiae libro: Caesar's work on Analogy, composed while he was crossing the Alps, consisted of two books. A FAITHFUL SLAVE. 12. agrum Laurentem: Lavinium at the modern Prattica di Mare. 466

AMBROSIUS THEODOSIUS MACROBIUS

467

tem ad patris villam nocturno itinere perduxit. Cumis deinde navigationis naufragio una expulsum dominum Neapoli dissimulanter occuluit exceptusque a centurione nec pretio nec minis ut dominum proderet potuit adduci. [Saturnalia I χί 21] V E R G I L ON HIS

MNEID

"Si in hac opinione es," inquit Symmachus, "ut Maro tibi 5 nihil nisi poeticum sensisse aestimetur, licet hoc quoque eidem nomen invideris, audi quid de operis sui multiplici doctrina ipse pronuntiet. Ipsius enim Maronis epistula, qua compellat Augustum, ita incipit: 'Ego vero frequentes a te litteras accipio,' et infra: ' De Aenea quidem meo, si mehercle iam 10 dignum auribus haberem tuis, libenter mitterem, sed tanta inchoata res est ut paene vitio mentis tantum opus ingressus mihi videar, cum praesertim, ut scis, alia quoque studia ad id opus multoque potiora impertiar.'" Saturnalia, I , xxiv, 10-11] AUGUSTUS'S

AJAX

Et ille: "Augustus, inquam, Caesar adfectavit iocos, salvo 15 tamen maiestatis pudorisque respectu nec ut caderet in scurram. Aiacem tragoediam scripserat eandemque, quod sibi displicuisset, deleverat. Postea L. Varius, tragoediarum scriptor, interrogabat eum quid ageret Aiax suus. Et ille: 'In spongiam,' inquit, 'incubuit.'" [Saturnalia, II, iv, 1-2] 2 0 1. Cumis: abl. 2. navigationis naufragio: note the pleonasm. — una: 'together with him.' — Neapoli: loc. VERGIL ON HIS JENEID. 5. Symmachus: Q. Aurelius Symmachus, the scholar, statesman, and orator, was a champion of the pagan religion. He is used by Macrobius as an interlocutor in the dialogues. — tibi: Evangelus, who has just sarcastically suggested that Symmachus, who has already classed Vergil as a philosopher, will now pronounce him an orator too. 10. infra: 'below' in the letter. 13. ad id opus . . . impertiar: Ί devote to that work.' AUGUSTUS'S AJAX. 15. ille: Avienus, a friend of Symmachus and Evangelus. 20. spongiam: the real Ajax fell upon his sword.

468

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY THEOCRITUS'S ILL-TIMED

JEST

Contra oculorum orbitas non sine excitatione commotionis obicitur; quippe Antigonus rex Theocritum Chium, de quo iuraverat quod ei parsurus esset, occidit propter scomma ab eodem de se dictum. Cum enim quasi puniendus ad Antigo5 num raperetur, solantibus eum amicis ac spem pollicentibus quod omni modo clementiam regis experturus esset, cum ad oculos eius venisset, respondit: "Ergo impossibilem mihi dicitis spem salutis." Erat autem Antigonus uno orbatus oculo. Et importuna urbanitas male dicacem luce privavit. [,Saturnalia, VII, iii, 12] THEOCRITUS'S

ILL-TIMED JEST.

1. C o n t r a :

'on

the

contrary';

there had just been reference to minor physical blemishes, jests on which would be only mildly irritating. 2. Antigonus: surnamed "the One-eyed," a general of Alexander the Great and later king of Asia. — Theocritum: noted for his satirical wit. 3. quod ei parsurus esset: classical Latin would have used indirect discourse. The quod here, and again a few lines farther on, is used to introduce an indirect statement, like our "that." 6. ad oculos: 'before his eyes.' 9. luce: i.e. vita.

VOCABULARY Α., abbreviation for Aulus ä, ab, abs (archaic aps), prep, with abl. from, by; on, on the side of; in composition from, away abdicö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, renounce, disinherit abdö, -ere, -didi, -ditum [do], hide abdücö, -ere, -düxi, -ductum, lead away, take away, take aside abed, -ire, -ϊνϊ or -ii, -itum, go away, depart abhinc, temp. adv. hence, henceforth ; of past time ago, since abhorred, -ere, -ui, —, shudder at, shrink back from, shun; differ from abiciö, -ere, -ieci, -iectum [iacio], cast away, cast aside; humble, degrade abies, -etis, f . the silver fir abluö, -ere, -ui, -ütum, purify abnuö, -ere, -ui, -uitum or -ütum, deny, refuse aboleö, -ere, -evi or -ui, -itum, destroy, efface, abolish aböminor, -äri, -ätus sum (also aböminö, -äre), abhor, detest Aborigines, -um [ab + origo], m. the primeval Romans, the Aborigines abripiö, -ere, -pui, -eptum [rapio], take by violence; drag off or away; with se, hasten away abrumpö, -ere, -üpi, -upturn, rend, break off, tear, cut off; abruptus, -a, -um, adj. broken off from, steep, precipitous abscedö, -ere, -cessi, -cessum, depart, go off abscidö, -ere, -cidi, -cisum [caedo], cut off, cut away

abscindö, -ere, -scidi, -scissum, tear away, tear asunder, separate, cut off abscondö, -ere, -di or -didi, -ditum, hide, put away absens, -entis [ab-sum], adj. absent absentivus, -a, -um [absens], long absent absinthium, -i, n. wormwood absterreö, -ere, -ui, -itum, deter, frighten off, take away abstineö, -ere, -ui, -tentum, keep off, hold back absum, abesse, äfui, äfutürus, be absent, be away absümö, -ere, -sümpsi, -sümptum, consume; annihilate, kill, ruin absurde, adv. irrationally, absurdly abunde, adv. in abundance, abundantly acanthus, -i, m. the plant acanthus accantö, -äre, —, —, sing at accedö, -ere, -cessi, -cessum, approach, draw near; be added, become; be like accendö, -ere, -cendi, -censum, inflame, set on fire, kindle; incite, rouse up accersö, see arcessö accessus, -üs [ac-cedo], m. access, approach accidö, -ere, -cidi, — [cado], fall upon; befall, happen; happen t o ; turn out accidö, -ere, -cidi, -cisum [caedo], cut, cut down, fell; use up; impair; diminish

470

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

acciö, -ire, -ivl, -itum [cieo], call or summon accipiö, -ere, -cepi, -ceptum, take, receive, receive as a guest, entertain ; accept, approve; hear, perceive, learn accipiter, -tris, m. a bird of prey, sparrow hawk acclinö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, lean on or against (something) accola, -ae [ac-colo], m. dweller by or near (a place), neighbor accommodö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, lay on, put on, hang on; adapt to, conform to accredö, -ere, -didi, -ditum, believe unconditionally accubö, -are, —, —, recline (esp. at table) accumbö, -ere, -cubui, -cubitum, lie down, recline (at table) accfirö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, take care of, do (a thing) with care accurrö, -ere, -cucurri or -curri, -cursum, run to, hasten t o ; come up, present oneself accüsätiö, -önis, / . accusation, complaint, indictment äcer, -cris, -ere, sharp; violent, severe, fierce; eager, spirited, brave; high-pitched, shrill acerbus, -a, -um, bitter, sour; rough, harsh acervus, -i, m. heap, multitude acetum, -i, n. vinegar, sour wine Acheron (-üns), -ntis, m. a river in the Lower World; the Lower World Acherontia, -ae, / . a small town in Apulia near the frontiers of Lucania Achilles, -is, m. the celebrated Grecian hero of the Trojan War, son of Peleus and Thetis Atidinus, -i, m. a cognomen of Lucius Manlius Fulvianus

acies, -ei, / . sharpness, keenness, point; line of battle, battle acinus, -i, m., and acinum, -i, n., berry, grape Acme, -ae or -es, / . a Greek girl's name aconitum, -i, n. a poisonous plant, monkshood, aconite aequieseö, -ere, -evi, -etum, become quiet, repose, rest; find rest in, find pleasure in, rejoice in acre, adv. strongly, vehemently Acroceraunia, -drum, n. a very rocky promontory in Epirus äctuärius, -a, -um, that which is easily moved, swift, agile äetütum, adv. quickly, instantly acfimen, -inis [acuo], n. keenness, cunning, subtlety acuöj -ere, - u i , -ütum, make sharp, whet aeüte, adv. sharply, keenly, acutely aeütus, -a, -um [acuo], sharp, acute, pointed; shrill ad, prep, with acc. to, up to, besides, toward, near, at, at the house of, on, about, till, for, in regard to, according to, for the purpose of adeommodö, see accommodö adeurrö, see accurrö addicö, -ere, -dixi, -dictum, give one's assent to, favor; award, judge, sentence addö, -ere, -didi, -ditum, put to or with, add addücö, -ere, -düxi, -ductum, lead to, bring to or into, prevail upon, persuade adeö, -ire, -ii, -itum, go to, approach adeö [eo, adv.], adv. thus far, to such an extent; indeed, very, precisely, truly adesdum [adsum + dum], come hither! adfectö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [ad-

VOCABULARY ficio], strive after, aspire to; imitate, feign adfectus, -üs [ad-flcio], m. state of body or mind; disposition, mood; affection, sympathy adferö, -ferre, attuli, adlätum, bring, carry, convey to adficiö, -ere, -feci, -fectum [facio], affect, influence; inflict w i t h ; adfectus, -a, -um, disposed, affected adfigö, -ere, -ϊχϊ, -ixum, fasten to, affix t o ; adfixus, -a, -um, impressed on, fixed to adfirmö, -äre, -ävl, -ätum, declare, affirm, maintain adfligö, -ere, -ϊχϊ, -ictum, ruin, weaken; reduce, lessen; throw down, dash down adilö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, blow on, breathe on adfluens, -entis [ad-fluo], abundant, rich adfluenter, adv. richly, copiously adgredior, -gredi, -gressus sum [gradior], approach; a t t a c k ; undertake, begin adhaereö, -ere, -haesi, -haesum, cling to, adhere t o ; be close to (a person or thing) adhibeö, -ere, -ui, -itum [habeo], hold to, bring, add t o ; use, apply, employ adhortätiö, -önis [ad-hortor], /. exhortation, encouragement adhortätor, -öris [ad-hortor], m. exhorter, encourager adhortor, -äri, -ätus sum, encourage, urge, exhort adhüc, adv. thus far, hitherto; yet, still adiaceö, -ere, -ui, — , lie near adiciö, -ere, -ieci, -iectum [iacio], throw or cast (a thing) to, place near; add to b y way of increase, add, increase

471

adigö, -ere, -egi, -actum [ago], drive, plunge, thrust; compel, force adimö, -ere, -emi, -emptum [emo], take away, snatch, carry off adipiscor, -i, -eptus sum [apiscor], arrive at, reach; acquire aditus, -üs [ad-eo], m. approach, access adiümentum, - ϊ , η. help, assistance, support adiungö, -ere, -iünxi, -iünctum, join to, add t o ; apply to, direct to adiütö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [adiuvo], help, assist adiütor, -öris [ad-iuvo], m. helper, aider, promoter adiuvö, -äre, -iüvi, -iütum, help, assist, support adlabörö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, labor at or toil at (a thing), add to with labor adlegö, -ere, -legi, -lectum, choose, elect to adligö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, bind, put under obligation adloquor, -i, -locütus sum, address, exhort; speak in consolation, console adlüdö, -ere, -lüsi, -lüsum, jest w i t h ; joke, sport adluö, -ere, -lui, — , flow near, wash against, bathe adminiculum, -i [ad + manus], n. prop, stay, support administrö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, manage, conduct, administer admiräbilis, - e [ad-miror], admirable, wonderful admirätiö, -önis [ad-miror], f. admiration, wonder admirätor, -öris [ad-miror], m. admirer admisceö, -ere, -miscui, -mixtum, mingle, mix w i t h ; add to, join to

472

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

admittö, -ere, -misi, -missum, suffer to come or go (to a place), admit; commit admodum [modus], adv. to a high degree, very much; completely, fully, quite admoneö, -ere, -ui, -itum, warn, admonish admoveö, -ere, -mövi, -mötum, bring, conduct, lead, carry t o , pass, lie near, be situated near adnectö, -ere, -nexui, -nexum, bind, connect, annex adnotö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, note down adnumerö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, add to, include with, count to adolescö, -ere, -evi, -ultum, mature, grow up adoptiö, -önis,/. adopting, adoption ador, -oris and -oris, n. spelt adorior, -iri, -ortus sum, approach with hostile intent, assault, assail adörö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, supplicate, beseech adp-, see appadq-, see acqadrädö, -ere, -si, -sum, shave adrectus, -a, -um, see arrectus adrideö (arrideö), -ere, -risi, -risum, smile at or upon, laugh at adripiö, see arripiö adrogantia, see arrogantia adscribö, see ascribö adsector, -äri, -ätus sum, attend with zeal, accompany, wait upon adsensus, - ü s [sentio], m. approval, approbation adsentätiö, -önis, f . flattery, adulation adsentätor, -oris [ad-sentor], m. flatterer adsentor, -äri, -ätus sum [sentio], assent to, agree with adsequor, -i, -secütus sum, follow, pursue, overtake

adserö, -ere, -serux, -sertum, appropriate, claim, declare, declare free, free; aliquem in servitutem adserere, declare one to be a slave, claim as a slave adsertor, -oris, m. protector, defender adsideö, -ere, -sedi, -sessum [sedeo], sit by or near adsidö (assido), -ere, -sedi, —, sit down adsiliö (assiliö), -ire, -silui, -sultum [salio], leap upon, spring upon adsimulö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, imitate, counterfeit adsistö, -ere, adstiti, —, stand by or a t ; help, defend, assist adsp-, see aspadstö (astö), -äre, -stiti, —, stand by, stand near; await adstringö, see astringö adsuescö, -ere, -evi, -etum, accustom oneself t o ; be wont adsuetus, -a, -um, accustomed adsum, - e s s e , -fui, -futürum, be near or present, appear, be at hand; assist, defend adsümö, -ere, -sümpsi, -sümptum, take, receive adsurgö, -ere, -surrexi, -surrectum, rise, rise up adülätor, -öris [adulor], m. flatterer, sycophant adulescens, -entis [ad-olesco], c. a young man or young woman adulescentia, -ae [adulescens], / . youth adulescentula, -ae [adulescens], f . a very young maiden adulescentulus, -i [adulescens], m. a very young man adülö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, fawn like a dog, cringe, adulate adulterium, -i, n. adultery adulterö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [adulter], pollute; unite with

VOCABULARY adultus, -a, -um [ad-olesco], adult, mature adurgeö,-ere,—,—.press against; pursue closely advehö, -ere, -vexi, -vectum, conduct, carry, convey, bring advena, -ae [cf. ad-venio], c. foreigner, stranger adveniö, -ire, -venl, -ventum, come to, arrive, be present adventö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, /re?, come continually nearer, approach adventus, -üs [ad-venio], m. arrival, approach adversärius, -ϊ, m. antagonist, enemy adversor (advorsor), -äri, -ätus sum, resist, oppose adversum (advorsum) [ad-verto], prep, toward, opposite, against; adv. opposite, before adversus (advorsus), -a, -um [ad-verto], over against, opposite, contrary to; in hostile opposition; adversum, -ϊ, η. the opposite; the opposite direction; ex adversö, opposite to, over against, in front adversus (advorsus) [ad-verto], adv. opposite, over against, toward; prep, with acc. toward, against advertö (advortö), -ere, -ti, -sum, direct, turn; with animum, direct the mind to, pay attention to, observe, notice, punish advesperäscit, -ere, -perävit [vesper], impers. it approaches evening, twilight is coming on advocö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, call or summon advolö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, fly to or toward advorsor, see adversor advorsum, see adversum advorsus, see adversus

473

aedes, -is, f . building; sanctuary, temple (usually in sing.); house, habitation (usually in plur.) aedificium, -i [aedifico], n. building, edifice, structure aedificö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [aedes + facio], build, erect aedQis, -is [aedes], m. sedile (a Roman magistrate who had police functions) Aeetes, -ae, m. king of Colchis, father of Medea Aegätes, -um, f . the Agates, three islands in the Mediterranean west of Sicily aeger, -gra, -grum, sick, diseased, suffering, sad aegis, -idis, / . aegis, the shield of Minerva aegre [aeger], adv. with difficulty or effort; uncomfortably; unwillingly, reluctantly; aegre ferens, grieved (at) aegrötö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, be ill, sick aegrötus, -a, -um [aeger], ill, sick Aegyptius, -a, -um, Egyptian Aegyptus, -i, / . Egypt aelinos, -i, m. song of lament, dirge Aelius, -a, name of a Roman gens aemulätiö, -önis, f . emulation, a striving to equal or excel aemulor, -äri, -ätus sum, emulate, equal aemulus, -a, -um, striving to imitate, rivaling Aenäria, -ae, f . an island on the western coast of Campania, now called Ischia Aeneades, -ae, m. descendant of jEneas Aeneäs, -ae, m. son of Venus and Anchises, the hero of Vergil's epic poem Aeneius, -a, -um, of ^Eneas

474

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

aeneus, -a, -um [aes], of bronze, of copper Aeoüdes, -ae, m. pair, a male descendant of ^Eolus; his son Sisyphus Aeolius, -a, -um, .lEolian; Aeolium carmen, a Sapphic or Alcaic ode aequaevus, -a, -um, of equal age aequälis, -e [aequus], equal, even, level; contemporary, of the same age; aequäles, -ium, c. comrades aeque [aequus], adv. in like manner, equally, just as; aeque . . . ac, as . . . as aequo, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [aequus], make (one thing) equal (to another), equal aequor, -oris [aequus], n. even surface; sea aequoreus, -a, -urn [aequor], of the sea aequum, -i, n. justice, what is right aequus, -a, -urn, level, equal; calm; just, equitable, right; aequo animö, patiently, calmly, with equanimity äer, äeris, m. air, the lower atmosphere ; vapor, mist aerärius, -a, -um [aes], pertaining to copper or bronze; aerärius, -ϊ, m. coppersmith; aerärium, -ϊ, η. treasury aerätus, -a, -um [aes], made of bronze aerumna, -ae,/. trouble, toil, hardship; calamity, need aes, aeris, n. bronze, money Aeschinus, -i, m. elder son of Demea, in the Adelphoe of Terence Aeschylus, -I, m. one of Alexander's subordinates aesculetum, -i [aesculus], η. a forest of Italian oaks Aeserninus, -ϊ, m. native of iEsernia, a town in Samnium on the river Vulturnus

Aesöpus, -ϊ, m. iEsop, the Greek fabulist of Phrygia in the time of Croesus aestäs, -ätis, /. summer, summer heat; year aestifer, -fera, -ferum [aestus + fero], heat-bringing, sultry, hot aestimätor, -oris [aestimo], m. valuer, appraiser aestimö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, weigh, judge, value, estimate aestivus, -a, -um [aestas], of or pertaining to summer, summer-like aestuö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [aestus], burn, rage, be in violent commotion aestuösus, -a, -um [aestus], very hot, burning aestus, -üs, m. a boiling, waving, billowing motion; swell, surge, tide; heat aetäs, -ätis [aevitas, cf. aevum], /. age; old age; youth; lifetime, age, generation, time aeternitäs, -ätis [aetemus], /. eternity aeternus, -a, -um, eternal, everlasting; aeternum or aeternö, adv. forever aether, -eris, m. the upper, pure air; ether; heaven aetherius, -a, -um [aether], ethereal, heavenly, celestial Aethiopia, -ae, /. Ethiopia, a country in Africa lying along the upper Nile Aethiops, -opis, m. an Ethiopian aevum, -ϊ, η. age or generation; lifetime, life; never-ending time, _ eternity Äfer, -fra, -frum, adj. African; Äfer, -fri, m. an African Afra, -ae, /. a woman's name Africa, -ae, f. Africa Äfricänus, -ϊ, m. surname of two famous Scipios

VOCABULARY Äfricus, -ϊ, m. the southwest wind Agamemnon, -onis, m. a guest at Trimalchio's dinner; a king of Mycenae Agathocles, -is, m. a king of Sicily agedum [ago + dum], interj. well then, well agellus, -i, m. little field Agenoreus, -a, -urn, pertaining to Agenor; Phoenician, Carthaginian ager, -gri, m. territory, district, domain, land; fields, the open country agger, -eris [ad-gero], m. rampart; causeway aggerö, -äre, -ävl, -ätum [agger], heap up, pile up aggressus, -üs, m. beginning, attempt aginö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, hasten agitätiö, -önis [agito], / . movement, agitation agitö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [ago], drive, disturb, excite; weigh, consider, discuss, deliberate upon; celebrate; conduct, do, be employed at, work; agitare vigilias, keep watch agmen, -inis [ago], n. army on the march, line of battle, march, movement agna, -ae, /. ewe lamb agnitus, -a, -um, see agnöscö agnomen, -inis, n. surname agnöscö, -ere, -növi, -nitum, recognize, know, perceive agnus, -x, m. lamb ago, -ere, egi, actum, drive, do, act; talk about, plead (a case); render (thanks), spend (time), lead (life), celebrate; come, come on; effect; quid agis? how do you do ? how are you ? agrärius, -a, -um [ager], pertaining to land agrestis, -e [agerl rural, rustic

475

agricola, -ae [ager + colo], m. farmer, countryman Agricola, -ae, m. Cn. Julius Agricola, a celebrated Roman commander, father-in-law of Tacitus Äiäx, -äcis, m. Ajax, the son of Telamon, who contended with Ulysses for possession of the arms of Achilles aiö, defect, verb, say "yes," assert äla, -ae, / . wing; wing of an army alacer, -cris, -ere, quick, eager, active alacritäs, -ätis [alacer],/. liveliness, eagerness Alba, or Alba Longa, -ae, / . the mother city of Rome, built by Ascanius albeö, -ere, —, — [albus], be white albicö, -äre, —, — [albus], be white Albinus, -ϊ, m. a Roman family name Albiön, -önis, f . an ancient name for Britain albitüdö, -inis [albus], f . whiteness albus, -a, -um, white, bright Alcides, -ae, tn. a male descendant of Alceus; usually his grandson Hercules älea, -ae, / . a game with dice, a game of chance; hazard, chance äleätörius, -a, -um [aleator], of or belonging to a gamester äles, älitis, c. bird; augury, omen; adj. winged Alexander, -dri, m. son of Philip and Olympias, surnamed Magnus Alexandrea, see Alexandria Alexandria, -ae, / . a city built by Alexander on the north coast of Egypt Alfius, -i, m. a money-lender mentioned by Horace alga, -ae, / . seaweed algeö, -ere, alsi, —, be cold Algidus, -i, m. a mountain southeast of Rome

476

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

aliä, adv. in another way aliäs, adv. at another time, on another occasion alienus, -a, -um [alius], belonging to another person, place, or object; • alien, foreign to, inappropriate alimentum, -ϊ [alo], n. food, provisions alimönia, -ae [alo], / . nourishment, food aliöqui (aliöquin), adv. otherwise, in other respects aliptes, -ae, τη. master in a school for wrestlers, master of wrestling or of the ring; masseur aliquamdiü, adv. for some time, for a while aliquandö, adv. sometime, sometimes ; once, at one time aliquantus, -a, -um, some, considerable, moderate aliqui, aliqua, aliquod [alius + qui], indef. adj. some, any aliquis, aliqua, aliquid [alius + quis], indef. pron. someone, anyone, something, anything aliquot [alius + quot], indef. indecl. num. some, several, a few, not many aliquotiens [aliquot], adv. several times, at different times aliter [alius], adv. otherwise aliunde [alius + unde], adv. from some other place or source alius, -a, -ud, adj. and subst. other, another; alii . . . alii, some . . . others; alio . . . alio, in one way . . . in another; hither . . . thither all-, see adlAllobroges, -um, m. a warlike people in Gallia Narbonensis {sing. Allobrox, -ogis) almus, -a, -um, nourishing, genial, propitious alö, -ere, alui, altum or alitum, feed, nourish, raise, cherish, support Alpes, -ium, f . the Alps

Alpinus, -a, -um, Alpine altäria, -ium, n. high altar alte, adv. high, on high alter, -era, -erum [alius], the other (of two), the one (of two); correl. the one . . . the other altercätiö, -önis [altercor], / . strife; contest in words, dispute alternö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [alternus], do (a thing) by turns, alternate alternus, -a, -um [alter], by turns, alternate altitüdö, -inis [altus], f . height, altitude; depth altivoläns, -antis [alte + volo], flying high, soaring altus, -a, -um [alo], high, deep; subst. n. sea, sky alumnus, -i [alo], m. nursling, pupil, foster son; legiönum alumnus, a child brought up in the camp alveus, -ϊ [alvus], m. hollow, cavity; channel or bed (of a river) alvus, -ϊ, / . belly, stomach amäbilis, - e [amo], lovable, amiable amärus, -a, -um, bitter Amäsis, -is, m. a king of Egypt amätor, -oris [amo], m. lover ambi-, amb-, am-, an-, insep. prefix, around, about ambages, -is [ambi- + ago], / . a going about; the windings (of a labyrinth) ambigö, -ere [ambi- + ago], —, —, argue, dispute, wrangle ambiguus, -a, -um, doubtful, uncertain, ambiguous; ambiguum, -ϊ, η. doubt, uncertainty, ambiguity ambitiö, -önis [amb-io], f . a going about (of a candidate to sue for election); flattery, adulation; a desire to succeed, ambition ambitus, -üs [amb-io], m. a going round a circuit; unlawful canvassing; bribery

VOCABULARY ambö, -bae, -bö, both ambrosia, - a e , / . ambrosia, the food of the gods; also the unguent of the gods ambulator, -oris [ambulo], m. an idler, lounger ambulö, -are, -ävi, -ätum, go about, walk about, travel ambürö, -ere, -ussx, -üstum, burn, scorch ames, -itis, m. pole or fork (especially for holding and spreading bird nets) amice, adv. in a friendly, kindly, pleasing manner; cheerfully amiciö, -ire, -icui, -ictum [ambi- + iacio], throw around, wrap about amxcitia, -ae, /. friendship amicus, -a, -um [amo], friendly, amicable, kind; subst. c. friend ämittö, -ere, -misi, -missum, dismiss, let go, let slip, lose amnis, -is, m. stream, river amö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, love, cherish ; also used like precor, I pray you, I entreat you amoenitäs, -ätis, f . pleasantness, delightfulness amoenus, -a, -um [amo], pleasant, lovely, charming ämölior, -ΪΓΪ, -itus sum (sometimes act.), pack off, take away amömum, -ϊ, η. an aromatic shrub amor, -oris [amo], m. love, desire; amores, a beloved object or person; Amor, the god of love, Cupid amoved, -ere, -mövl, -mötum, move from, take away, take away by stealth amphitheätrum, -χ, n. amphitheater amphora, -ae, /. flagon, pitcher, jar amplector, -i, -plexus sum, surround, encompass ampliö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, extend, increase, amplify

477

amplius, adv. more, further, besides amplus, -a, -um, great, large, ample amputö, -äre, -ävx, -ätum [ambi—l·· puto], cut away, lop of!, prune Amycläs, -ae, m. the skipper who took Caesar across the Adriatic an, interrog. conj. or, or rather; whether analogia, -ae, /. the resemblance or agreement of several things; in grammar, the analogy of language anceps, -cipitis [an- (— ambi-) + caput], two-headed, double; doubtful, uncertain Anchises, -ae, m. father of ./Eneas ancilla, -ae [ancula], /. maidservant Andria, -ae, f . Andrian, a woman of Andros Andromeda, -ae, /. a daughter of the Ethiopian king Cepheus Andronicus, -i, m. the cognomen of several Romans; L. Livius Andronicus, an early Roman poet Andros, -x, /. one of the largest of the Cyclades änfräctus, -üs, m. a breaking round; bending,recurving, turning angiportum, - ! [c/. angustus], n. alley angor, -oris, m. anguish, trouble angulus, -Ϊ, m. angle, corner angustia, -ae [angustus], /. strait, defile; plur. strait, defile; want, difficulty, distress angustö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [angustus], make narrow, circumscribe, encircle angustus, -a, -um [ango], narrow, strait, straitened anhelö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, pant, gasp anüis, -e [anus], of or like an old woman anima, -ae, f . breath, spirit, soul; breeze, wind; the vital principle, breath of life; the animal principle, living being

478

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

animadverts (-vortö), -ere, -ti, -sum, take heed, give attention to; notice, observe, remark; censure, punish animal, -älis, η. living being, animal animätus, -a, -um, minded, inclined, disposed animö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, quicken, animate; animäns, -antis, adj. animate, and subst. c. any living being animösus, -a, -um [animus], spirited, bold, undaunted animula, -ae [anima], /. dim. little soul, life aiiimus, -i, m. spirit, soul, heart, mind; courage; disposition (toward anyone), kindly feeling; mihi in animo est, it is my intention, I have it in mind annäles, -ium, n. a historical work in which occurrences are recorded by years, annals annöna, -ae [annus], f . corn, grain; food, crop annösus, -a, -um [annus], of many years, aged annus, -i, m. year, season annuus, -a, -um [annus], yearly, annual ante, prep, with acc. before; adv. first, first of all, before; formerly; in front; ante . . . quam, sooner than, before anteä [ante + ea], adv. formerly, earlier, before anteäctus, -a, -um, previous antecedö, -ere, -cessi, -cessum, go before, precede antefixus, -a, -um, fixed before, fastened before, nailed to antehäc, adv. formerly, before this time antemna, -ae, /. sail-yard antependulus, -a, -um, hanging before

antepönö, -ere, -posui, -positum, place before; particularly set (food) before (one) antequam, conj. before, sooner than antesignänus, -ϊ [signum], m. one that is before the standard; plur. a chosen band of soldiers who fought in front of the standards antestor, -äri, -ätus sum, call as witness anteveniö, -veni, -ventum, to come before, anticipate antidotum, -i, n. counterpoison, antidote, remedy Antigonus, -i, m. the name of several kings after Alexander the Great Antiochus, -i, m. the name of several Syrian kings; Antiochus Magnus was the most famed antique, adv. in former times, of old, from ancient times antiquitäs, -ätis [antiquus], /. ancient time, antiquity [old antiquitus, adv. in former times, of antiquus, -a, -um, old, ancient; antiqui, -örum, m. the ancients, especially the ancient writers antistes, -itis, m. and f . priest Antonius, -ϊ, m. the name of a Roman gens; M. Antonius, the distinguished triumvir antrum, -i, n. cave, grotto änulus, -ϊ, m. ring, seal ring anus, -üs, f . old woman anxietäs, -ätis [anxius], /. anxiety, fear anxius, -a, -um, troubled, anxious; troublesome Äonis, -idis, Theban; plur. Äonides, -um, /. patr. the Muses as dwellers by Mt. Helicon and the fountain Aganippe in Aonia, a part of Bceotia apage {Greek), interj. away! begone! or with acc. apage te

VOCABULARY aper, -pri, m. wild boar aperiö, -Ire, -erui, -ertum, uncover, make bare, lay bare, open aperte, adv. openly apertus, -a, -um, open, uncovered, exposed, unobstructed; subst. n. an open clear space apex, -icis, m. point, summit; (the flamen's) cap; helmet, crown apis, -is, /. bee apium, -i [apis], n. parsley apoculö, -are, —,·—, hasten forth apodyterium, -i, n. an undressingroom (in a bathing house) Apollinaris, - e [Apollo], sacred to Apollo, of Apollo Apollinaris, -is, m. Sulpicius Apollinaris, a grammarian cited by Gellius Apollo, -inis, m. god of the sun, of divination, of healing, of music Apollönius, -ϊ, m. son of Charinus, put in charge of Africa by Alexander Apönius, -i, m. Aponius Saturninus, a praetorian under Caligula apparatus, -a, -um [ap-paro], sumptuous, beautiful apparatus, -üs [ap-paro], m. preparing, preparation, provision, equipment; splendor, pomp appäreö (adpäreö), -ere, -ui, -itum, come in sight, appear, be evident apparitor, -oris [ap-pareo], m. public servant, lictor, scribe, military aid, etc. apparö (adparö),-äre,-ävi, -ätum, prepare, make ready appellätiö, -önis [appello], / . title, name appellö(adpellö),-äre,-ävi,-ätum, call upon, name; sue, accuse appellö (adpellö), -ere, -pull, -pulsum, drive, move; bring to or toward

479

Appenninus, -I, m. the Apennines, the mountain chain that passes through the length of Italy appetö (adpetö), -ere, -ϊνϊ or -il, -itum, strive after, grasp after; desire; attack; have an appetite for Appil (Appi) Forum, -I, n. a small market town in Latium on the left side of the Via Appia applied (adplicö), -äre, -ävi or -ui, -ätum or -itum, attach to, affix to; devote (oneself or one's mind to a thing or person); applicants, -a, -um, lying upon, attached to appönö (adpönö), -ere, -posui, -positum, place or put or lay at or near; count, reckon; apply to apportö (adportö), -äre, -ävi, -ätum, bring to, convey to apprecor, -äri, —, pray to, worship apprehendö (adprehendö), -ere, -di, -hensum, seize, take hold of, grasp apprime (adprime), adv. first of all, especially approbätiö, -önis [ap-probo], / . approbation, acquiescence approbe, adv. very well appropinquö (adpropinquö), -äre, -ävi, -ätum, draw nigh to, approach apricus, -a, -um, lying open, uncovered, sunny aprünus, -a, -um, of the wild boar aps, see ä apsens, see absens apsinthium, see absinthium apte, adv. rightly, suitably, nicely aptö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, fit, adapt, adjust, prepare; aptätus, -a, -um, suitable, fit, appropriate aptus, -a, -um, joined, fitted, suitable, proper, appropriate

480

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

apud, prep, with acc. near, with, a t ; at the house of; before, in the _ presence o f ; in the writings of Äpülia, -ae, /. a province in lower Italy, north of Calabria and east of Samnium Äpulus, -a, -um, Apulian aqua, -ae,/. water; stream, river aquärius, -ϊ, m. an inspector of conduits aquila, -ae, /. eagle; standard; plur. the highest parts of a building, supporting a gable Aquilö, -önis, m. the north wind aquor, -äri, -ätus sum [aqua], get or fetch water aquösus, -a, -um [aqua], watery, rainy ära, -ae, /. altar Arabia, -ae, /. the country Arabia, divided into Petraea, Deserta, and Felix Arabs, -abis, m. an Arab, an Arabian arätor, -oris [aro], m. plowman arätrum, -i [aro], n. plow arbiter, -tri [ad + bito], m. judge, arbiter, ruler, master arbiträtus, -üs [arbitror], m. judgment, free will, inclination arbitrium, -i [arbiter], n. the judgment of an arbitrator, decision; mastery, dominion, authority arbitror, -äri, -ätus sum [arbiter], observe, perceive; testify, declare, think arbor (arbös), -oris,/, tree arbustum, -i [arbor], n. orchard, plantation, vineyard; poetic for arbores arbutus, -ϊ, /. the wild strawberrytree, the arbutus-tree area, -ae, /. box, chest, safe Arcadia, -ae, /. a mountainous province in the center of the Peloponnesus

areänus, -a, -um, hidden, concealed, secret arceö, -ere, -cui, — , shut up, inclose ; keep off, hold off, prevent arcera, -ae, /. a covered carriage for sick persons arcessö, -ere, -ϊνϊ, -itum, call, summon, fetch, invite; summon from far; arcessitum dictum, an expression far-fetched or forced Archilochus, -ϊ, m. a Greek poet of Paros archipiräta, -ae, m. leader of the pirates Arctos, -ϊ, /. the Great {and the Little) Bear; the north pole; the north Arctöus, -a, -um, northern arcus, -üs, m. bow ärdeö, -ere, ärsi, ärsürum, burn, be on fire; burn with love; ardens, -entis, burning, fiery ärdor, -oris [ardeo], m. flame, fire, ardor, passion arduus, -a, -um, high, lofty, steep; difficult, laborious; proudly elevated, proud ärea, -ae, /. a court in front of a house, forecourt, an open space; threshing floor Arellius, -Ϊ, m. a neighbor of Horace, near the Sabine farm arena, -ae, /. see harena argentärius, -a, -um, of silver; elecebrae argentäriae, moneygetting spongers, gold-diggers argenteus, -a, -um [argentum], of silver argentum, -ϊ, η. silver, silver money Argö, -üs, /. the name of the ship in which the Greek heroes, under the guidance of Jason, sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece Argöus, -a, -um, pertaining to the Argo and in general to the Argonauts

VOCABULARY argümentum, -ϊ, η. argument, theme, subject arguö, -ere, -ul, -ütum, prove, show; censure, blame, denounce Argus, -I, m. the hundred-eyed keeper of Io after she was changed into a heifer by Juno argütus, -a, -um, bright, witty; adv. argute, wittily äridum, -i, n. dry land äridus, -a, -um, withered, parched, arid, dry aries, -ietis, m. a male sheep, ram arietö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [aries], strike violently, ram Ariminum, -ϊ, η. a town in Umbria on the shore of the Adriatic at the mouth of a river of the same name arista, -ae, /. ear of grain Aristius, -a, -urn, the name of a Roman gens; Aristius Fuscus, a rhetorician, grammarian, and poet, friend of Horace Aristonicus, -ϊ, m. a son of Eumenes II, king of Pergamum Aristoteles, -is, m. Aristotle, the distinguished and learned pupil of Plato arma, -örum, η. plur. arms, armor, weapons; fig. for troops, soldiers armätüra, -ae [armo], /. armor, equipment; by melon, soldiers armätus, -ϊ [armo], m. armed man, soldier armentärius, -a, -urn [armentum], pertaining to a herd of cattle; armentärius, -ϊ, m. herdsman armentum, -i, n. cattle for plowing; herd, drove armiger, -eri [arma + gero], m. armor-bearer armilla, -ae, /. bracelet, armlet Arminius, -ϊ, m. a Cheruscan prince who defeated Varus in the Teutoburg Forest, 9 A.D.

481

armö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, arm, furnish with weapons Arnus, -ϊ, m. a river of Etruria, now the Arno arö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, plow, till arrectus (adrectus), -a, -um, steep, precipitous Arretium, -ϊ, η. a large town in Etruria, now Arezzo arrigö (adrigö), -ere, -rexi, -rectum [rego], erect, animate, excite arripiö (adripiö), -ere, -ripui, -reptum [rapio], seize, snatch, lay hold of arrogantia, -ae [arrogans], /. presumption, arrogance, conceitedness ars, artis, / . skill, art articulus, -i [artus], m. dim. joint, knuckle, limb artifex, -icis [ars + facio], m. artist, artificer, master; adj. skillful, ingenious ; skillfully made, artistic, finished artum, -x, n. a narrow space or passage; a tight place artus, -a, -um, close, narrow; short, brief; closely woven artus, -üs, m. joint, limb, frame; strength, power arundö (harundö), -inis, / . reed, cane; the shaft of an arrow arvum, -i [aro], n. arable field, plowed land arx, arcis, / . stronghold, citadel, fortress; height, summit as, assis, m. the as (a copper coin); penny, farthing ascendö, -ere, -scendi, -scensum [scando], ascend, mount up, climb ascensus, -üs, m. an ascending, ascent, approach Ascraeus, -a, -um, Ascrsean, of Ascra, a village in Bceotia, near Mt. Helicon, the birthplace of Hesiod

482

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

ascribö (adscribö), -ere, -scrips!, asylum, -ϊ, η. place of refuge, sanctuary -scriptum, impute to, ascribe to, add to, write down at, conj. moreover, but, yet asellus, -i [asinus], m. dim. little ass, atat (attat, atatae, etc.), interj. oh! ass's colt ah! Asellus, -i, m. a cognomen men- atavus, -ϊ, m. ancestor, forefather äter, -tra, -trum, black, sable, tioned by Cicero Asia, -ae, f. Asia Minor (usually); dark, dismal; deadly the Roman province compre- Athenae, -ärum, /. Athens hended Mysia, Lydia, Caria, and Athenodörus, -ϊ, m. the name of Phrygia two Stoic philosophers Asiäticus, -a, -um, Asiatic äthleta, -ae, m. wrestler, athlete Asina, -ae, m. a Roman cognomen äthleticus, -a, -um, athletic asinus, -i, m. ass AtOius, -i, m. a freedman who built at Fidenae a theater which aspectus, -üs, m. look, sight; fell in ruins aspect, appearance asper, -era, -erum, hard, harsh, Atlanticus, -a, -um, of or pertaining to Mt. Atlas, as a designation wild, fierce; severe, austere, asfor western; Atlanticum mare, Atcetic lantic Ocean aspergö, -ere, -ersi, -ersum [ad + Atläs, -antis, m. a king of Maurespargo], scatter, sprinkle, strew tania, changed into a mountain asperitäs, -ätis [asper], /. harshbecause he refused hospitality to ness, asperity Perseus äspernor, -äri, -ätus sum, disdain, spurn atque or ac (before a consonant) aspiciö (adspiciö), -ere, -spexi, [ad + que], conj. and also, and; -spectum, behold, look at, see in a comparison than, as assidue, adv. continually, constantly atqui, conj. but anyhow, nevertheassiduus, -a, -um, unremitting, less, notwithstanding, and yet Atrides, -ae, m. a male descendant incessant, perpetual of Atreus; Atridae, the sons of Assyrius, -a, -um, Assyrian, of Atreus, i.e. Agamemnon and MenAssyria elaus, leaders of the expedition Astabores, -ae, m. a branch of the against Troy Nile in Ethiopia, now the Atbara Astaceni, -drum, m. a people sup- ätrium, -ϊ, η. forecourt, hall, entrance room posedly dwelling near the sources atröciter, adv. violently, fiercely of the Indus, in modern Kabul Astape, -ae, m. a branch of the Nile atröx, -öcis [ater], gloomy, violent, dreadful; unyielding, relentless, in Ethiopia, now the Blue Nile cruel, stubborn astö, see adstö astringö, -ere, -ϊηχϊ, -ictum, bind, attagen, -enis, m. a meadow bird, tie the hazel hen or heath cock astrum, -i, n. star, constellation; Attalicus, -a, -um, of Attalus Attalus, -i, m. any of several kings heaven of Pergamum, famous for wealth astus, -üs, m. craft, cunning, attat> see atat dexterity

VOCABULARY attendö, -ere, -tendi, -tentum, give heed to, direct the attention to, devote oneself to attenuö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, enfeeble, weaken, lessen, diminish, abase Atticus, -a, -um, Attic, Athenian attigö, see attingö attineö, -ere, -tinui, -tentum, hold to, bring to; relate to, pertain to attingö (anteclass. attigö), -ere, -tigi, -täctum [tango], touch, touch upon (in speaking), mention attollö, -ere, —, —, lift, raise attonitus, -a, -urn [ad + tono], thunderstruck, crazed, bewildered, amazed attribuö, -ere, -ui, -ütum, assign, bestow, give aucte [augeo], adv. abundantly auctiö, -önis [augeo], /. auction auctor, -oris [augeo], m. author, voucher, supporter auctörämentum, -ϊ [auctoro], η. wages, reward, pay aucupor (archaic aucupö, -äre), -äri, -ätus sum [avis + capio], be on the lookout for, lie in wait for audäcia, -ae [audax], f . boldness, daring audäcter, adv. boldly, bravely audäx, -äcis [audeo], courageous, spirited, bold audeö, -ere, ausus sum (subj. side form ausim) [avidus], semi-dep. be bold, dare; be eager audiö, -ire, -ϊνϊ, -itum, hear, listen to, attend, hear of or about; hearken to, grant; with bene or male, have good or ill repute auditor, -oris [audio], m. hearer, auditor aufer ö, -ferre, abstuli, ablätum [ab + fero], take away, carry off Aufidus, -ϊ, m. a river in Apulia

483

augeö, -ere, auxi, auctum, increase, enlarge, augment, embellish augur, -uris [avis+gero?], c. soothsayer, diviner, augur augurium, -ϊ, η. augury, omen auguror, -äri, -ätus sum, take auguries, observe and interpret omens, prophesy augustus, -a, -um [augeo], august, venerable; Augustus, -i, m. a surname of Caesar Octavianus (i.e. Octavian, adopted son of Julius) after he became emperor aula, -ae, / . the front court of a Grecian house; palace, castle aura, -ae, / . breath of air, breeze; aura populäris, popular favor Aurelius, -ϊ, m. M. Aurelius Antoninus, a Roman emperor aureolus, -a, -um [aureus], of gold, golden aureus, -a, -um [aurum], of gold, golden; beautiful, splendid auricula, -ae [auris], f . the external ear, the earlap auris, -is, /. ear auritus, -a, -um [auris], attentive, listening aurö, -äre, —, —, gild aurum, -ϊ, η. gold auscultö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, listen to, hear obediently, obey, heed Ausetänus, -a, -um, of or pertaining to the city Ausa in Hispania Tarraconensis; Ausetäni, -örum, m. the Ausetani Ausonius, -a, -um, Ausonian, Italian, Latin auspicätus, -a, -um, prosperous, auspicious, lucky auspicium, -i [auspex=avis + spex], n. divination, augury; guidance, command auspicor, -äri, -ätus sum, take the auspices

484

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Auster, -tri, m. the south wind aut, conj. or; in negative context sometimes a n d ; correl. either . . . or autem, conj. on the other hand, but, moreover, nevertheless automatus, -a, -um, voluntary, spontaneous autumnus, -i, m. autumn autumö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [aio], think, believe, assert, say auxiliäres, -ium, m. auxiliary troops auxilium, -Ϊ [augeo], n. help, aid, assistance; plur. auxiliaries, reinforcements aväritia, -ae [avarus], /. avarice, greed a v ä r u s , - a , - u m , avaricious, greedy, covetous ävellö, -ere, -velli or -vulsi, -vulsum or -volsum, tear away, take away by force avena, -ae, /. oats, wild oats Aventinus, -i, m. the Aventine, one of the seven hills of Rome aveö, -ere, — , — , wish, desire earnestly, crave; be well, fare well; a v e ! hail! God bless thee! farewell! Avernus (sc. lacus), - ϊ , m. a lake near Cumae, thought to be near the entrance to the Lower World; Avernus, - a , -um, belonging to Lake Avernus äversus, -a, -urn, turned off or a w a y ; opposed, averse; et adversus et aversus, before and behind ävertö, -ere, -ti, -sum, turn off, divert; iter avertere, turn aside one's march, desert avia, -ae [avus], /. grandmother avidus, -a, -um [aveo], desirous, eager; avaricious, covetous avis, -is, /. bird avitus, -a, -um [avus], ancestral avium, -ϊ, η. b y w a y , wilderness

ävocö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, withdraw, divert, hinder avunculus, -ϊ, m. uncle (mother's brother) avus, -ϊ, m. grandfather, ancestor Babylon, -önis, /. an ancient city Babylönius, -a, -um, Babylonian bäca, -ae, /. b e r r y ; pearl baccar, -aris, n. a plant having a fragrant root from which oil was expressed bacchor, -äri, -ätus sum, celebrate the festival of Bacchus; rave and revel like the Bacchse Bacchus, - i , m. the god of wine bacciballum, -ϊ, η. chubby-cheeked girl Bactra, -örum, η. the chief city of Bactria baculum, -ϊ, η. cane, walking stick Bäiae, -ärum, /. a small town on the coast of Campania, a favorite resort of the Romans balatrö, -önis, m. babbler Baliäris, -e, Balearic; Baliäres, -ium, tn. inhabitants of the Balearic Islands balineum, see balneum balneum, -ϊ, η. bath, place for bathing bälö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, bleat balsamum, -ϊ, η. the fragrant gum of the balsam tree Bantinus, -a, -um, of or pertaining to Bantia, a town of Apulia barathrum, -ϊ, η. abyss, deep p i t ; Lower World barba, - a e , / . beard barbaricus, -a, -um, foreign, outlandish barbarus, -x, m. foreigner, stranger, barbarian barbitos, -ϊ, m. lyre Bargüsii, -örum, m. a people in Hispania Tarraconensis

VOCABULARY bäsiätiö, -önis [basio], / . kissing, kiss bäsiö, - ä r e , -ävi, -ätum [basium], kiss bäsium, -i, n. kiss Bathyllus, -i, m. a celebrated pantomime of Alexandria Battus, - i , m. the founder of Cyrene baxea or baxa, -ae, f . a kind of woven shoe worn on the comic stage and by philosophers beätus, - a , -um, happy, prosperous, blessed, fortunate bellätor, -oris [bello], m. warrior, soldier belle, adv. prettily, neatly, well bellicus, - a , -um [bellum], pertaining to war, military belligerö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [bellum + gero], carry on war, wage war bellö, - ä r e , -ävi, -ätum, wage war, fight Bellöna, - a e , f . the Italic goddess of war bellum {archaic duellum), -ϊ, η. war bellus, - a , -um, lovely, beautiful belua, - a e , / . beast, monster, elephant Benäcus, -ϊ, m. a deep and rough, but very beautiful, lake in Gallia Transpadana near Verona, the modern Lago di Garda bene, adv. well; bene sperare, have good hopes; bene gerere, be well, be doing well; adv. of intensity, very beneficium, -ϊ [beneficus], n. kindness, favor, service benigne, adv. kindly, graciously; abundantly, lavishly benignus, - a , -um, kindly, good, friendly beö, - ä r e , -ävi, -ätum, make happy, gladden, bless

485

bestia, - a e , / . beast bibö, - e r e , bibi, —, drink bidens, -entis [bis + dens], adj. with two teeth; subst. f . an animal for sacrifice; m. a heavy hoe biduum, -ϊ [bis + dies], n. a period or space of two days, two days biförmis, - e [bis + forma], twoformed, two-shaped, double bifurcum, -i, n. fork; used of the connection of two veins in the heads of cattle·, per bifurcum, over the cheek and down the neck or down the crotch b3is, -is, / . bile; anger bimus, -a, -um [bis + hiems?], two years old bxni, - a e , - a , distr. num. two by two, two to each bis, adv. twice, two times Bithynia, - a e , f . a province in Asia Minor between the Propontis and the Black Sea Bithynus, -a, -um, Bithynian bitumen, -inis, n. bitumen (a kind of mineral pitch found in Palestine and Babylonia) blaesus, - a , -um, lisping, stammering blanditia, -ae, / . flattery, blandishment blandulus, - a , -um, adj. dim. pleasing, charming blandus, - a , -um, pleasant, charming, enticing, smiling; persuasive; blande, charmingly, persuasively blitum, -i, n. a vegetable Boii, -örum, m. a people partly in Gallia Lugdunensis and partly in Gallia Cisalpina Bomilcar, -aris, m. a Carthaginian general bonus, - a , -um, good, excellent, worthy, honorable, loyal; subst. plur. m. good men or citizens; subst. plur. n. goods, property

486

S E L E C T I O N S FROM L A T I N P R O S E A N D P O E T R Y

bös {orig. form of nom. bovis), bovis, c. ox, bull, cow Bosporus, -ϊ, m. the strait between Thrace and Asia Minor brächium (bracchium), -i, n. arm Braneus, - i , m. a chieftain of the Allobroges brevis, -e, short, brief; shortlived; brew, adv. briefly, in a few words, in a little while Briseis, -idos, /. Hippodamia, daughter of Brises, slave of Achilles, from whom she was taken by Agamemnon Britanni, -örum, m. the Britons, inhabitants of Great Britain Britannia, -ae, /. Great Britain brüma, -ae [for brevima or breuma =brevissima], /. the shortest day (in the year), the winter solstice; wintertime, winter brütus, -a, - u m , dull, brute, dumb Brütus, -ϊ, m. M. Junius Brutus, an intimate friend of Cicero and one of the murderers of Caesar; L . Junius Brutus, one of the two first consuls Bübastis, -is,/, a town in E g y p t on the Pelusian arm of the Nile bubulcus, -ϊ [bos, bubulus], m. one who plows with oxen, plowman bficina, -ae, /. trumpet bullätus, -a, -um [bulla], highsounding, bombastic bfistum, - ΐ , n. the place where the bodies of the dead were burned and buried; later tomb Byrrhaena, -ae,/. the cousin of the hero (Lucius) of the Metamorphoses of Apuleius C., an abbreviation for the prsenomen Gaius C , one hundred cachinnus, -x [cachinno], m. laugh; plashing, rippling, roaring

cacümen, -inis, n. top, peak, extremity cadaver, -eris [cado], n. dead body, corpse, carcass Cadmeus, -a, -urn, of Cadmus, Cadmean; Carthaginian cadö, -ere, cecidi, casum, fall, perish; happen, occur; cecidi, I'm lost cadücus, -a, -um [cado], falling cadus, - ΐ , m. wine jar, wine flask Caecina, -ae, m. A. Carina Severus, a Roman officer under Germanicus Caecubus, - a , -um, of Caecubum (in southern Latium), Csecuban; Caecubum (sc. vmum), -ϊ, η. Csecuban wine caecus, -a, -um, blind, blinding, black; unseen, hidden Caecus, - i , m. agnomen of Appius Claudius, as being blind caedes, -is, /. slaughter, massacre, carnage caedö, -ere, cecidi, caesum, fell, cut down; slay caelebs, -libis, unmarried, single caeles, -itis [caelum], heavenly, celestial; subst. c. caelites, -um, the inhabitants of heaven, the gods caelestis, -e [caelum], of or in the heavens; heavenly, celestial; exalted to heaven, godlike Caelius, -i, m. a Roman name caelum, -ϊ, η. sky, heaven, heavens; air Caepiö, -önis, m. Fannius Csepio, chief of a conspiracy against Augustus in 22 B.C. caeruleätus, -a, -um [caeruleus], dark-colored, dark blue; Plancus . . . , i.e. the color of a sea god caeruleus, -a, -um [caerulus], dark blue, blue-eyed caerulus, see caeruleus

VOCABULARY Caesar, -ans, m. a cognomen in the gens Iulia. (1) In this gens C. Julius Caesar was the most celebrated — the name was thereafter used by the Roman emperors; (2) C. Julius Caesar Octavianus, the emperor Augustus; (3) C. Caesar Caligula, the emperor Caligula caesaries, —, acc. -em, / . hair caesius, -a, -um, blue-gray; cateyed caespes, -itis, m. turf, sod; hut, hovel caeterus, see ceterus caetra, -ae, / . short Spanish shield caeträtus, -a, -urn, armed with a caetra, shield-bearing Cäieta, -ae, / . a town and harbor in Latium Calabria, -ae, f . the country in lower Italy from Tarentum to the projnontory Iapygium Calais, -is, m. the name of a youth calcar, -äris [calx], n. spur calceus, -i [calx], m. shoe, half-boot calculus, -ϊ [calx], m. dim. stone, pebble; a counter or piece (used in playing draughts or checkers) Calendae, see Kalendae Calenus, -a, -urn, of Cales (in Campania), Calenian; Calenum (sc. vinum), -ϊ, η. Calenian wine caleö, -ere, -ux, —, be warm, glow; be inflamed with desire, be enamored, be ardent calidus, -a, -urn, warm, hot, burning cäligö, -inis, / . mist, vapor, fog calix, -icis, m. cup, goblet Calliäs, -ae, m. a name found in the Trinummus of Plautus Callicles, -is, m. a character in the Trinummus of Plautus Callidamates, -is, m. a character in the Mostellaria of Plautus

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Callidemides, -is, m. a name found in the Trinummus of Plautus callidus, -a, -urn [calleo], ingenious, crafty, cunning Callimarclius, -i, m. a name found in the Trinummus of Plautus Callinicus, -ϊ, m. a name found in the Trinummus of Plautus Calliopea,-ae (also Calliope,-es),/, chief of the Muses, goddess of epic poetry and sometimes (in the poets) of other kinds of poetry* Callippus, -x, m. a name found in the Trinummus of Plautus calor, -oris [caleo], m. warmth, heat Calpurnius, -Ϊ, m. L. Calpurnius, consul in 27 A.D. Calvinus, -ϊ, m. a Roman cognomen Calvus, -ϊ, m. C. Licinius Calvus, poet and orator calx, calcis, /. heel; kick Camena, -ae, /. Muse Camillus, -x, m. a cognomen in the gens Furia; the most distinguished bearer of this cognomen was M. Furius Camillus, who conquered Veii and freed Rome from the Gauls campester (-tris), -tris, -tre, of or pertaining to a level field; flat, level campus, -ϊ, m. plain, field; battlefield; the Campus Martius at Rome candela, -ae [candeo], / . candle, taper candens, -entis, shining, glowing, dazzling candeö, -ere, -ui, —, glow, be hot; gleam, glitter candescö, -ere, candux, — [candeo], be bright, be white, radiate candied, -are, —, — [candeo], be white Candidus, -a, -urn [candeo], shining, white, fair, beautiful

488

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

candor, -oris [candeo], m. a dazzling whiteness, radiance, bright-, ness Canicula, -ae [canis], f . dim. the lesser Dog Star canis, -is, c. dog canistrum, -i, n. basket canities, -em, -e [canus] (other cases not in use), / . hoariness, old age; gray hair Canius, -ϊ, m. a Roman family name canna, - a e , / . reed, cane Cannae, -ärum, /. a village in Apulia, famous for the neighboring victory of Hannibal over the Romans canö, -ere, cecini, cantum, sing, celebrate in song; prophesy, foretell canor, -öris [cano], m. tune, song, melody canörum, -ϊ [canor], η. melody; charm canörus, -a, -um [canor], singing, melodious cantäbundus, -a, -um [canto], singing canterinus (cantherinus), -a, -um, of a horse or a mule cantharus, -ϊ, m. a large, widebellied drinking vessel, tankard, pot cantö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, sound, sing; declaim; write poetry about cantus, -üs, m. song, music; incantation, charm cänus, -a, -um, white, hoary; cänl, -örum, m. white hair, gray hairs capäx, -äcis [capio], containing or holding much; spacious, capacious ; capable of understanding capella, -ae [caper], /. she-goat capessö, -ere, -ivi, -itum, take hold of with zeal, take upon oneself ; attain to, reach (a person or thing)

capillus, -i, m. the hair of the head, hair capiö, -ere, cepi, captum, take, seize, capture, receive; comprehend, grasp; allow, admit capis, -idis, / . a bowl or jug of one handle capitälis, - e [caput], pertaining to the head or to life; punishable by death Capitölinus, -a, -um, pertaining to the Capitol, Capitoline Capitölium, -ϊ, η. the Capitol, the temple of Juppiter at Rome; the hill on which it was built; the citadel of any town Capreae, -ärum, /. an island in the Tyrrhene Sea near Campania, now Capri caprificus, -ϊ, /. wild fig-tree capsa, -ae [capio], / . bookcase, satchel captivus, -a, -um [capio], ttaken prisoner, captured captivus, -ϊ, m. captive, prisoner capto, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [capio], take, seize, lay hold of, entrap, capture Capua, -ae, /. the chief city of Campania caput, -itis, n. head; source, spring, fount; leader, chief; person, life; capitis reus, a defendant in a capital suit; one condemned to capital punishment; si res capitis sit, if it were a matter of life and death carcer, -eris, m. prison; the barrier or starting point (on the race course) careö, -ere, -ui, -itum, be without, be cut off from, be in want of, be free from; abstain from, not go to carina, -ae,/. keel, boat, ship; huU cäritäs, -ätis [carus], / . regard, esteem, affection

VOCABULARY carmen, -inis, n. song, incantation, p o e m ; verse carnifex, -ficis [caro + facio], m. executioner, hangman, murderer; adj. murderous, deadly caroenum, - i , n. a sweet wine boiled d o w n one third carpentum, -ϊ, η. a two-wheeled covered carriage or chariot Carpetäni, - ö r u m , m. a people in Hispania Tarraconensis carpö, -ere, -si, -tum, pick, p l u c k ; enjoy, make use o f ; carp at, slander, revile Carthäginiensis (Karthäginiensis), - e , Carthaginian; Carthäginienses, - i u m , m. the inhabitants of Carthage Carthägö (Karthago), -inis, /. C a r t h a g e , the capital city of the C a r t h a g i n i a n s ; Carthägö Nova, a t o w n in Hispania Tarraconensis cärus, - a , -urn, dear, precious, expensive Carvilius, -i, m. t h e name of a R o m a n gens casa, - a e , /. cottage, hut, cabin Casca, - a e , m. a R o m a n cognomen in the gens Servilia Cassandra, -ae, /. a daughter of P r i a m and H e c u b a cassis, -idis, /. a helmet of metal Cassius, - i , m. C . Cassius Longinus, one of the murderers of Caesar cassus, -a, -um, empty, vain, useless Castalia, - a e , /. a fountain on Parnassus, sacred t o Apollo and the Muses castellum, -i, n. fort, stronghold castigö, -are, -ävx, -ätum [castum + ago], chastise, punish, hold in check, restrain castitäs, -ätis [castus], /. purity, chastity Castrum, - ϊ , η. any fortified place,

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castle, f o r t ; castra, -örum, camp, e n c a m p m e n t ; quärtis castris, on the fourth d a y castus, - a , -um, pure, chaste cäsü, adv. b y chance, b y accident casus, - ü s [cado], m. fall, overt h r o w ; chance, e v e n t ; accident, misfortune, calamity, death Catabathmos, -ϊ, m. a tract of land in L i b y a , between E g y p t and C y r e n a i c a ; a city of the same name cate, adv. wisely, cleverly catena, - a e , /. fetter, chain catenätus, - a , -um, chained, fettered Catilina, -ae, m. L . Sergius C a t i line, notorious for his conspiracy catillus, -i[catinus], m. (filur. catilla, -örum, η.) a small bowl, dish, or plate Catö, -önis [catus], m. a cognomen of several celebrated R o m a n s ; M . Porcius C a t o the Elder, distinguished as a rigid moralist; M . Porcius C a t o the Younger, w h o committed suicide at Utica Catullus, - ΐ , m. a celebrated R o m a n writer of elegies and epigrams catulus, -ϊ [catus, a male cat], m. the y o u n g of an a n i m a l ; a young dog, p u p p y Catulus, - i , m. a cognomen in the gens L u t a t i a catus, - a , -um, intelligent, cunning, artful Caucasus, -I, m. a chain of mountains between the B l a c k Sea and the Caspian Sea in Asia cauda, -ae, /. tail caudex (codex), -icis, m. tree trunk, block of w o o d ; thin sheets or tablets of wood covered with w a x and written on with a stylus — when bound together, making a b o o k ; book, writing

490

SELECTIONS FROM LATIN PROSE AND POETRY

Caudex, -icis, m. a Roman cognomen; Appius Claudius Caudex, consul 264 B.C. caupö (cöpö), -önis, m. tradesman, huckster, innkeeper caupönor, -ärl, — [caupo], trade or traffic (in anything), play the huckster causa, -ae, / . cause, reason, excuse; case, lawsuit; causä with gen. or poss. adj. for the sake of, on account of; causam agere or dicere, make a defense; meä causa, so far as I'm concerned causidicus, -i [causa + dico], m. advocate, lawyer caute, adv. cautiously, carefully cautes, -is,/, a rough, pointed rock cautus, -a, -um, careful, cautious caveö, -ere, cävi, cautum, be on one's guard, avoid, beware of, take care of cavum, -i, n. a hollow, cavity, hole cavus, -a, -um, hollow, concave; subst. m. cave, hole -ce, an tnsep. particle, strengthener of demonstratives, hice, haece, etc. Cecropius, -a, -um, of or pertaining to Cecrops; Athenian cedö, -ere, cessi, cessum, move, walk; leave, withdraw; give up, yield, permit cedö, old imperative form, hither, out with it, tell, say; give, hand over; often with dum: cedödum celebrö, -äre, -ävl, -ätum [celeber], practice, engage in; praise, celebrate celer, -eris, -ere, swift, fleet celeritäs, -ätis [celer], /. swiftness, speed celeriter, adv. quickly, speedily celerö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, hasten, execute quickly celia, -ae, f . cell, cellar, doset, chamber

celö, -fire, -ävl, -ätum, hide, conceal; celare aliquem, hide from someone celsus, -a, -um, high, lofty Celtibeiia, -ae, / . Celtiberia, land of the Celtiberians in middle Spain cena, -ae, / . dinner, supper, food cenäticus, -a, -um, pertaining to a dinner cenö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, dine, eat Cenomänl, -örum, τη. a Celtic people in Gallia Cisalpina censed, -ere, censui, censum, rate, estimate; tax, assess; be of an opinion, propose, vote, decide censor, -oris [censeo], m. censor, a Roman magistrate; a rigid judge of morals, critic censüra, -ae [censor],/, censorship; judgment, opinion census, -üs [censeo], m. the register or rating of Roman citizens, property, etc.; the registered property of Roman citizens; wealth, riches, property centaurus, -ϊ, m. centaur centeni, -ae, -a [centum], a hundred each centiceps, -cipitis [centum+caput], hundred-headed centimanus, -üs [centum + manus], having a hundred hands centum, indecl. num. a hundred centuria, -ae, / . division of a hundred; century or company (of soldiers) centuriö, -önis, m. commander of a century, centurion cera, -ae, / . wax; a writing tablet covered with wax cerätus, -a, -um [cera], covered with wax, waxed Cerberus, -i, m. the hundredheaded monster Cerberus, which guarded the entrance to Hades

VOCABULARY Cercasörum, -ϊ, η. a city in Egypt, on the western arm of the Nile, at the apex of the Delta Cercopia, -ae, /. a fictitious name in Plautus's Trinummus cerebrum, -i, n. brain; understanding ; passion, anger Ceres, -eris, /. goddess of agriculture, of the cultivation of corn, and of fruit bearing in general; melon, corn, grain Ceriälis, -is, m. Petilius Cerialis, a Roman general cernö, - e r e , crevi, cretum, perceive, discern, comprehend; decide, decide by fighting certämen, -inis,«. contest, struggle, battle certe, adv. certainly, surely, undoubtedly certö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum [cerno], fight, struggle; contend, vie with; decide certus, -a, -um [cerno], determined, resolved, fixed; certain, true, sure, unerring; certum habere, also pro certo habere, reckon certain, ascertain; certiorem facere, inform, appraise cerva, -ae, f. hind cervical, -älis [cervix], n. pillow or bolster Cervius, -f, m. a friend of Horace cervix, -ids,/, neck cervus, -i, m. stag cessö, -äre, -ävi, -ätum, be slack, hesitate, linger, stop, do nothing Cestius, -i, m. L. Cestius Pius, a rhetorician of the Augustan Age ceterum, adv. in other respects, otherwise; but, yet, notwithstanding ceterus, -a, -um, the other, the remainder, the rest Cethegus, -i, m. a Roman cognomen in the gens Cornelia; C .

491

Cornelius Cethegus, a companion of Catiline ceu, adv. as, just as; as if, as it were Ceus, -a, -um, of Cea, an island of the Cyclades chaere, interj. = χαΐρ