Caesar De Bello Gallico 6 16 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

March 15, 2014

DBG 6:16

Course Notes
© 2014 James Ransom, M.A., J.D.

[16] 1  Natio est omnis Gallorum admodum dedita religionibus,        2   atque ob eam causam, qui sunt adfecti gravioribus morbis quique in proeliis periculisque versantur, aut pro victimis homines immolant aut se immolaturos vovent administrisque ad ea sacrificia druidibus utuntur, quod, pro vita hominis nisi hominis vita reddatur,        3       non posse deorum immortalium numen placari arbitrantur, publiceque eiusdem generis habent instituta sacrificia. Alii immani magnitudine simulacra habent,        4       quorum contexta viminibus membra vivis hominibus complent; quibus succensis circumventi flamma exanimantur homines.     5       Supplicia eorum qui in furto aut in latrocinio aut aliqua noxia sint comprehensi gratiora dis immortalibus esse arbitrantur; sed, cum eius generis copia defecit, etiam ad innocentium supplicia descendunt.

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1                    Natio est omnis Gallorum admodum dedita religionibus The entire nation of Gaul has devoted itself to religious practice; “dedita” is perfect passive participle of dedo, dedire, dedidi, deditum, “to devote, dedicate.”

2                    atque ob eam causam, qui sunt adfecti gravioribus morbis quique in proeliis periculisque versantur, aut pro victimis homines immolant aut se immolaturos vovent administrisque ad ea sacrificia druidibus utuntur and for this reason, those who are stricken with a grave illness and those who are thrust into the dangers of armed conflict either make human burnt-offerings or vow to do so, engaging the druids to perform the sacrifice on their behalf; “utuntur” is third person plural present indicative passive of the deponent utor, uti, usus sum.  “vovent” is third person plural present indicative active of voveo, vovere, vovi, votum, “to vow, promise to a god.”  “immolaturos”:  see Steadman’s note.  “immolant” is third person plural present indicative active of immolo, immolare, immolavi, immolatum, “to immolate, sacrifice.”  “versantur” is third person plural present indicative active of the deponent versor, versari, versatus sum, “to move around, be engaged in.” “sunt adfecti” :  see Steadman’s note. 

quod, pro vita hominis nisi hominis vita reddatur, for they believe that unless one man’s life is redeemed with that of another;… “reddatur” is third person singular present subjunctive active of reddo, reddere, redditi, redditum, “to give back, pay back, take revenge for.”

3                    …non posse deorum immortalium numen placari arbitrantur it is  impossible to earn the favor of the immortal gods;  “arbitrantur” is third person plural present indicative active of the deponent arbitror, arbitrari, arbitratus sum, “to judge, witness, observe.”  “placari” is present passive infinitive of placo, placare, placavi, placatum, “to appease, reconcile.”  “posse” is present infinitive of the irregular possum, posse, potui.  publiceque eiusdem generis habent instituta sacrificia.

publiceque eiusdem generis habent instituta sacrificia And state-sanctioned sacrifices of the same kind have also been established;  “instituta” is perfect passive participle of instituio, instituere, institui, institutum, “to set up, establish.”  “habent” is third person plural present indicative active of habeo, habere, habui, habitum

Alii immani magnitudine simulacra habent,            4          quorum contexta viminibus membra vivis hominibus complent  Some erect huge idols with limbs wrought of woven wickerwood, and then gorge them with living men;  “complent” is third person plural present indicative active of compleo, complere, complevi, completum, “to fill up, sate, satisfy.” 

quibus succensis circumventi flamma exanimantur homines these are then set ablaze, and the men inside burn to death.  “exanimantur” is third person plural present indicative passive of exanimo, exanimare, exanimavi, exanimatum, “to suffocate, kill.”  “circumventi” is perfect passive participle of circumvenio, circumvenire, circumveni, circumventum, “to surround, engulf.”  “succensis” is perfect passive participle of succendo, succendere, succendi, succensum, “to kindle, set afire.” 

5        Supplicia eorum qui in furto aut in latrocinio aut aliqua noxia sint comprehensi gratiora dis immortalibus esse arbitrantur They believe such rites are more pleasing to the immortal gods when the victim is an apprehended thief, bandit, or other malefactor;  “arbitrantur” is third person plural present indicative active of the deponent arbitror, arbitrari, arbitratus sum, “to judge, witness, observe.”  “esse” is present infinitive of sum, esse, fui, futurus.  “comprehensi” is perfect passive participle of comprehendo, comprehendere, comprehendi, comprehensum, “to seize, detain, apprehend.”  “sint” is third person plural present subjunctive active of sum, esse, fui, futurus. 

sed, cum eius generis copia defecit, etiam ad innocentium supplicia descendunt but, when such evidoers are in short supply, they will descend so far as to punish even the guiltless; “descendunt” is third person plural present indicative active of descendo, descendere, descendi, descendum, “to lower oneself, to stoop.”  “defecit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of deficio, deficere, defeci, defectum, “to fail, run out.”