Caesar De Bello Gallico 5 44 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

May 10, 2014

Caesar DBG 5:44

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

[44]          1         Erant in ea legione fortissimi viri, centuriones, qui primis ordinibus appropinquarent, Titus Pullo et Lucius Vorenus.          2         Hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant, quinam anteferretur, omnibusque annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant.          3         Ex his Pullo, cum acerrime ad munitiones pugnaretur, "Quid dubitas," inquit, " Vorene? aut quem locum tuae probandae virtutis exspectas ?  4  hic dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit." Haec cum dixisset, procedit extra munitiones quaque pars hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit.          5         Ne Vorenus quidem tum sese vallo continet, sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur.          6         Mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit atque unum ex multitudine procurrentem traicit; quo percusso et exanimato hunc scutis protegunt, in hostem tela universi coniciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem.          7         Transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo defigitur.          8         Avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti dextram moratur manum, impeditumque hostes circumsistunt.          9         Succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit.          10         Ad hunc se confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit:          11         illum veruto arbitrantur occisum. Gladio comminus rem gerit Vorenus atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit;          12         dum cupidius instat, in locum deiectus inferiorem concidit. Huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo,  13

atque ambo incolumes compluribus interfectis summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt.          14         Sic fortuna in contentione et certamine utrumque versavit, ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset, neque diiudicari posset, uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur.

1            Erant in ea legione fortissimi viri, centuriones, qui primis ordinibus appropinquarent, Titus Pullo et Lucius Vorenus There were in this legion a pair of outstanding men competing for senior rank, named Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus; “appropinquarent” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive active of appropinquo, appropinquare, appropinquavi, appropinquatum, “to approach, come near to.” “erant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of sum, esse, fui, futurus.

2            Hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant, quinam anteferretur, omnibusque annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant They were constantly arguing about which of them was the best soldier, and annually engaged in intense rivalry for posts of honor in the legion; “contendebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of contendo, contendere, contendi, contentum, “to dispute, fight, contend.” “anteferretur” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive passive of antefero, anteferre, antetuli, antelatum, “to prefer or give preference to.”  “habebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of habeo, habere, habui, habitum.

3            Ex his Pullo, cum acerrime ad munitiones pugnaretur, "Quid dubitas," inquit, " Vorene? aut quem locum tuae probandae virtutis exspectas ?  4  hic dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit."  Now the one named Pullo, at the fiercest pitch of the battle at the wall, taunted Vorenus: “What are you waiting for?  Some better opportunity to win praise for your so-called bravery?  Today our argument will be settled once and for all.” “iudicabit” is third person singular future indicative active of iudico, iudicare, iudicavi, iudicatum, “to judge, determine.”  “expectas” is second person singular present indicative active of expecto, expectare, expectavi, expectatum.  “probandae” is future passive participle (gerundive) of probo, probare, probavi, probatum, “to demonstrate, prove.”  “inquit” is third person singular present indicative active of the defective inquam, “I say.”  “dubitas” is second person singular present indicative active of dubito, dubitare, dubitavi, dubitatum, “to waver, hesitate.”  “pugnaretur” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive passive of pugno, pugnare, pugnavi, pugnatum. 

Haec cum dixisset, procedit extra munitiones quaque pars hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit. This said, he leapt from the battlement into the midst of the enemy where the formation seemed tightest; “irrumpit” is third person singular present indicative active of irrumpo, irrumpere, irrupi, irruptum, “to storm, dash, or burst into.”  “visa est”:  see Steadman’s notes 7-8.  “procedit” is third person singular present indicative active of procedo, procedere, processi, processum, “to proceed, advance.”  “dixisset” is third person singular pluperfect subjunctive active of dico, dicere, dixi, dictum. 

5            Ne Vorenus quidem tum sese vallo continet, sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur Of course, Vorenus then didn’t remain behind the wall either, but followed right behind Pollo for fear of what the men would think otherwise; “subsequitur” is third person singular present indicative active of the deponent subsequor, subsequi, subsecutus sum; “veritus” is perfect participle of the deponent vereor, vereri, veritus sum, “to fear, dread, have respect for, stand in awe of.”  “continet” is third person singular present indicative active of contineo, continere, continui, contentum, “to hold, detain, restrain.” 

6            Mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit atque unum ex multitudine procurrentem traicit;  In hand-to-hand fighting, Pullo skewered one fighter  with his pike as the man ran toward him from the enemy ranks; “traicit” is third person singular present indicative active of traicio, traicere, traieci, traiectum, “to throw, hurl.” “procurrentem” is present participle of procurro, procurrere, procurri, procursum, “to run towards.”  “immittit” is third person singular present indicative active of immitto, immittere, immisi, immissum, “to hurl or throw.”  “mediocri spatio relicto”:  ablative absolute.

quo percusso et exanimato hunc scutis protegunt, in hostem tela universi coniciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem. As the man lost consciousness from this traumatic blow, his comrades covered his body with their shields and fired a volley of spears at Pullo, giving him no path of retreat; “regrediendi” is gerund of the deponent regredior, regredi, regressus sum, “to return, retreat.”  “dant” is third person plural present indicative active of do, dare, dedi, datum.  “coniciunt” is third person plural present indicative active of conicio, conicere, conieci, coniectum, “to throw, hurl.”  “protegunt” is third person plural present indicative active of protego, protegere, protexi, protectum, “to cover, protect, defend.”  “quo percusso…exanimato”:  see Steadman’s note 11. 

7            Transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo defigitur Pullo’s shield ws pierced and a javelin-point stuck in his belt; “defigitur” is third person singular present indicative passive of defigo, defigere, defixi, defixum, “to stick, embed.”  “transfigitur” is third person singular present indicative passive of transfigo, transfigere, transfixi, transfixum, “to pierce, transfix.”

8            Avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti dextram moratur manum, impeditumque hostes circumsistunt. This blocked Pullo’s sheath and made it tough to draw his sword as the enemy swarmed around; “circumsistunt” is third person plural present indicative active of circumsisto, circumsistere, circumstiti, circumstatum, “to surround, to beset.” “impeditum” is supine of impedio, impedire, impedivi, impeditum, “to hinder.”  “moratur” is third person singular present indicative active of the deponent moror, morari, moratus sum, “to delay, hinder.”  “conanti” is present participle of the deponent conor, conari, conatus sum, “to try, attempt.” “educere” is present infinitive of educo, educere, eduxi, eductum, “to draw out.”  “avertit”is third person singular perfect indicative active of averto, avertere, averti, aversum, “to divert, turn away.” 

9            Succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit But his archrival Vorenus came straight to the rescue; “subvenit” is third person singular present indicative active of subvenio, subvenire, subveni, subventum, “to assist, come to the aid of.” “laboranti” is present participle of laboro, laborare, laboravi, laboratum, “to be imperiled, afflicted.”  “succurrit” is third person singular present indicative active of succurro, succurrere, succurri, succursum, “to run to help, run to the rescue.”

10            Ad hunc se confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit: At once the Nervii turned from Pullo to attack Vorenus; “convertit” is third person singular present indicative active of converto, convertere, converti, conversum, “to turn back, turn away.” 

11 illum veruto arbitrantur occisum since they were convinced Pullo had been killed by the javelin; “occisum” is perfect passive participle of occido, occidere, occidi, occasum, “ to perish, die.”  “arbitrantur” is third person plural present indicative active of the deponent arbitror, arbitrari, arbitratus sum, “to judge, observe.”   

Gladio comminus rem gerit Vorenus atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit Wielding his sword in close combat, Vorenus killed one and drove the rest back a little; “propellit” is third person singular present indicative active of propello, propellere, propuli, propulsum, “ to drive away, ward off.” “interfecto” is perfect passive participle (in ablative absolute construction)” of interficio, interficere, interfeci, interfectum, “to kill, destroy.”  “gerit” is third person singular present indicative active of gero, gerere, gessi, gestum, “to carry on, conduct, wage.” 

12            dum cupidius instat, in locum deiectus inferiorem concidit. Huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo But in his too-hasty pursuit,Vorenus tripped and fell into a ditch; now he in his turn was surrounded, and now Pullo had to bail him out of trouble;  “fert” is third person singular present indicative active of fero, ferre, tuli, latum.  “circumvento” is perfect passive participole of circumvenio, circumvenire, circumveni, circumventum.  “concidit” is third person singular present indicative active of concido, concidere, concidi, “to fall, tumble to the ground.”  “instat” is third person singular present indicative active of insto, instare, institi, instatum, “to press, approach, threaten.” 

atque ambo incolumes compluribus interfectis summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt They killed many hostiles and both were hailed as heroes as they returned behind the walls; “recipiunt” is third person plural present indicative active of recipio, recipere, recepi, receptum, “to receive.” “interfectis” is perfect passive participle of interficio, interficere, interfeci, interfectum. 

14            Sic fortuna in contentione et certamine utrumque versavit, ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset, neque diiudicari posset, uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur So fate toyed with them in their rivalry and one-upsmanship, that each found himself in the position of saving the other, and in the end it was still impossible to say which was the better and braver man; “videretur” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive active of video, videre, vidi, visum.  “anteferendus”:  see Steadman’s note 23. 

“posset” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive active of possum, posse, potui.  “diiudicari” is present passive infinitive of diiudico, diiudicare, diiudicavi, diiudicatum, “to adjudicate, to judge.”  “esset” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive active of sum, esse, fui, futurus.  “versavit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of verso, versare, versavi, versatum, “to turn, twist.”

Caesar De Bello Gallico 5 43 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

May 7, 2014

Caesar DBG 5:43

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

[43]          1         Septimo oppugnationis die maximo coorto vento ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes fundis et fervefacta iacula in casas, quae more Gallico stramentis erant tectae, iacere coeperunt.          2         Hae celeriter ignem comprehenderunt et venti magnitudine in omnem locum castrorum distulerunt. 3 Hostes maximo clamore sicuti parta iam atque explorata victoria turres testudinesque agere et scalis vallum ascendere coeperunt.          4         At tanta militum virtus atque ea praesentia animi fuit, ut, cum undique flamma torrerentur maximaque telorum multitudine premerentur suaque omnia impedimenta atque omnes fortunas conflagrare intellegerent, non modo demigrandi causa de vallo decederet nemo, sed paene ne respiceret quidem quisquam, ac tum omnes acerrime fortissimeque pugnarent. 5         Hic dies nostris longe gravissimus fuit; sed tamen hunc habuit eventum, ut eo die maximus numerus hostium vulneraretur atque interficeretur, ut se sub ipso vallo constipaverant recessumque primis ultimi non dabant. 6 Paulum quidem intermissa flamma et quodam loco turri adacta et contingente vallum tertiae cohortis centuriones ex eo, quo stabant, loco recesserunt suosque omnes removerunt, nutu vocibusque hostes, si introire vellent, vocare coeperunt; quorum progredi ausus est nemo.  7         Tum ex omni parte lapidibus coniectis deturbati, turrisque succensa est.

[43]             1            Septimo oppugnationis die maximo coorto vento  On the seventh day of the siege a gale arose; “coorto” is participle in ablative absolute construction of the deponent coorior, cooriri, coortus sum, “to arise, break out.” 

ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes fundis et fervefacta iacula in casas, quae more Gallico stramentis erant tectae, iacere coeperunt and they began to hurl clods of glowing-hot clay and blazing missiles onto our huts, which were thatched with straw in the Gallic custom; “coeperunt” is third perfect plural perfect indicative active of the defective coepi, coepisse, coeptum.  “iacere” is present infinitive of iaceo, iacere, ieci, iactum.  “erant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of sum, esse, fui, futurus.  “ferventes” is present participle of ferveo, fervere, ferbui, fervitum, “to glow hot.” 

2            Hae celeriter ignem comprehenderunt et venti magnitudine in omnem locum castrorum distulerunt These soon burst into flame, which the strength of the wind swiftly carried to every corner of the camp; “distulerunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of differo, differre, distuli, dilatum, “to spread, carry, disperse.”  “comprehenderunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of comprehendo, comprehendere, comprehendi, comprehensum. 

3 Hostes maximo clamore sicuti parta iam atque explorata victoria turres testudinesque agere et scalis vallum ascendere coeperunt Then the enemy, with a blood-curdling cry, as if victory had already been won lock and key, began to roll forward their siege-towers and protective gear, and started to scale the wall; “coeperunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of coepi.  “ascendere” is present infinitive of ascendo, ascendere, ascendi, ascensum.  “agere” is present infinitive of ago, agere, egi, actum.  “explorata” is perfect passive participle of exploro, explorare, exploravi, exploratum, “to test, investigate.” 

4            At tanta militum virtus atque ea praesentia animi fuit But so great was the courage of our troops, and so constant their purpose…; “fuit” is third person plural perfect indicative active of sum, esse, fui, futurus. 

ut, cum undique flamma torrerentur maximaque telorum multitudine premerentur that, though they were inundated in flames and pelted with dense showers of missiles…”premerentur” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive passive of premo, premere, pressi, pressum “to press, pursue.”  “torrerentur” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive passive of torreo, torrere, torrui, tostum, “to scorch, burn, parch.”

suaque omnia impedimenta atque omnes fortunas conflagrare intellegerent and knew that all their own baggage, indeed all they possessed, was now ablaze…; “intellegerent” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive active of intellego, intellegere, intellexi, intellectum.  “conflagrare” is present infinitive of conflagro,  conflagrare, conflagravi, conflagratum, “to be on fire, to be in flames.” 

non modo demigrandi causa de vallo decederet nemo not only did no man leave the wall to desert the fighting…; “decederet” is third perfect singular imperfect subjunctive active of decedo, decedere, decessi, decessum, “to withdraw, desert, abandon.”  “demigrandi”:  see Steadman’s note.

sed paene ne respiceret quidem quisquam, ac tum omnes acerrime fortissimeque pugnarent but hardly a man so much as glanced behind him; to the contrary, every man fought with the maximum concentration and courage on that day. 

5            Hic dies nostris longe gravissimus fuit This day was by far the most critical for our side;  “fuit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of sum, esse, fui, futurus.

sed tamen hunc habuit eventum, ut eo die maximus numerus hostium vulneraretur atque interficeretur but in the event, the enemy suffered greater casualties, counting both those who were wounded and slain, on that day than any other; “interficeretur” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive passive of interficio, interficere, interfeci, interfectum.  “vulteraretur” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive passive of vulnero, vulnerare, vulneravi, vulneratum, “to wound, injure.” “habuit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of habeo, habere, habui, habitum.  

ut se sub ipso vallo constipaverant recessumque primis ultimi non dabant as they had pressed right up to the wall, and the front ranks had been crushed into it by the rear, affording them no escape; “dabant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of do, dare, dedi, datum.  “constipaverant” is third person plural pluperfect indicative active of constipo, constipare, constipavi, constipatum, “to crowd or press together.” 

6 Paulum quidem intermissa flamma et quodam loco turri adacta et contingente vallum When the flames had died down a little, at one point a siege-tower was moved up flush with the wall; “adacta” is perfect passive participle of adigo, adigere, adegi, adactum, “to drive to, force to.”  “intermissa flamma”:  ablative absolute.

tertiae cohortis centuriones ex eo, quo stabant, loco recesserunt suosque omnes removerunt centurions of the Third Cohort moved back from their positions with their men; “removerunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of removeo, removere, removi, remotum.  “recesserunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of recedo, recedere, recessi, recessum, “to fall back, give ground.”  “stabant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of sto, stare, steti, statum. 

nutu vocibusque hostes, si introire vellent, vocare coeperunt; quorum progredi ausus est nemo and then began to taunt the enemy, inviting them to come in if they wished; but none one of them dared take up the challenge; “progredi ausus est”:  see Steadman’s notes.  “coeperunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of the defective coepi, coepisse, coeptum. “vellent” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive active of volo, velle, volui.  “introire” is present infinitive of introeo, introire, introii, introitum, “to enter, go in.” 

7            Tum ex omni parte lapidibus coniectis deturbati, turrisque succensa est Then they were routed by showers of stones from every side, and their tower was set on fire;  “succensa” is perfect passive participle of succendo, succendere, succendi, succensum, “to kindle, to set on fire.”  “deturbati (sunt)”: see Steadman’s note.  

Caesar De Bello Gallico 5 42 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

May 7, 2014

Caesar DBG 5:42

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

[42]          1         Ab hac spe repulsi Nervii vallo pedum IX et fossa pedum XV hiberna cingunt.          2         Haec et superiorum annorum consuetudine ab nobis cognoverant et, quos clam de exercitu habebant captivos, ab eis docebantur;          3         sed nulla ferramentorum copia quae esset ad hunc usum idonea, gladiis caespites circumcidere, manibus sagulisque terram exhaurire nitebantur.          4         Qua quidem ex re hominum multitudo cognosci potuit: nam minus horis tribus milium pedum XV in circuitu munitionem perfecerunt   5 reliquisque diebus turres ad altitudinem valli, falces testudinesque, quas idem captivi docuerant, parare ac facere coeperunt.

[42]             1            Ab hac spe repulsi Nervii vallo pedum IX et fossa pedum XV hiberna cingunt. Their ruse frustrated, the Nervii dug around the fort a battlement 9 feet high and a 15-foot wide ditch; “cingunt” is third person plural present indicative active of cingo, cingere, cinxi, cinctum, “to surround, encircle.”  “repulsi” is perfect passive participle of repello, repellere, reppuli, repulsum, “to reject, confute, repel.” 

2            Haec et superiorum annorum consuetudine ab nobis cognoverant et, quos clam de exercitu habebant captivos, ab eis docebantur These tactics they had picked up from our own practice of earlier years, and they received additional tips from prisoners held captive in secret; “docebantur” is third person plural imperfect indicative passive of doceo, docere, docui, doctum, “to teach, instruct.”  “habebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of habeo, habere, habui, habitum.  “cognoverant” is third person plural pluperfect indicative active of cognosco, cognoscere, cognovi, cognitum, “to learn, recognize.” 

3            sed nulla ferramentorum copia quae esset ad hunc usum idonea, but lacking the specialized tools needed for this sort of operation… “esset” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive active of sum, esse, fui, futurus.

gladiis caespites circumcidere, manibus sagulisque terram exhaurire nitebantur they were struggling to cut around clods of earth with swords, and to excavate the soil with bare hands and cloaks; “nitebantur” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of the deponent nitor, niti, nixus sum, “to struggle, strain.”  “exhaurire” is present infinitive of exhaurio, exhaurire, exhausi, exhaustum, “to take out, remove.”  “circumcidere”is present infinitive of circumcido, circumcidere, circumcidi, “to cut around or off.” 

4            Qua quidem ex re hominum multitudo cognosci potuit And this activity enabled us to count the number of the enemy force; “potuit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of possum, posse, potui. “cognosci” is present infinitive passive of cognosco, cognoscere, cognovi, cognitum. 

nam minus horis tribus milium pedum XV in circuitu munitionem perfecerunt for in under three hours they completed a trench 15 miles in circumference; “perfecerunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of perficio, perficere, perfeci, perfectum, “to achieve, execute, complete.” 

5 reliquisque diebus turres ad altitudinem valli, falces testudinesque, quas idem captivi docuerant, parare ac facere coeperunt And on the following days they began to prepare the assault: they fashioned towers matching the height of our walls, and made grappling hooks and tortoise-style shelters, under the guidance of the same captive advisors; “coeperunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of the defective coepi, coepisse, coeptum.  “facere” is present infinitve of facio, facere, feci, factum.  “parare” is present indicative of paro, parare, paravi, paratum.  “docuerant” is third person plural pluperfect indicative active of doceo, docere, docui, doctum.   

Caesar De Bello Gallico 5 41 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

May 5, 2014

Caesar DBG 5:41

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

[41]          1         Tunc duces principesque Nerviorum qui aliquem sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae cum Cicerone habebant colloqui sese velle dicunt.          2         Facta potestate eadem quae Ambiorix cum Titurio egerat commemorant: omnem esse in armis Galliam;          3         Germanos Rhenum transisse; Caesaris reliquorumque hiberna oppugnari.         4     Addunt etiam de Sabini morte: Ambiorigem ostentant fidei faciendae causa.          5         Errare eos dicunt, si quidquam ab his praesidi sperent, qui suis rebus diffidant; sese tamen hoc esse in Ciceronem populumque Romanum animo, ut nihil nisi hiberna recusent atque hanc inveterascere consuetudinem nolint:          6         licere illis incolumibus per se ex hibernis discedere et quascumque in partes velint sine metu proficisci.          7         Cicero ad haec unum modo respondit: non esse consuetudinem populi Romani accipere ab hoste armato condicionem:          8         si ab armis discedere velint, se adiutore utantur legatosque ad Caesarem mittant; sperare pro eius iustitia, quae petierint, impetraturos.

         1            Tunc duces principesque Nerviorum qui aliquem sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae cum Cicerone habebant colloqui sese velle dicunt Now, the leaders and influential men among the Nervii with access to Cicero and claims of friendship with him said they wished to discuss the situation; “dicunt” is third person plural present indicative active of dico, dicere, dixi, dictum.  “velle” is present infinitive of volo, velle, volui, “to wish, want.”  “colloqui” is present infinitive of colloquor, colloqui, collocutus sum, “to speak together, parley.”  “habebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of habeo, habere, habui, habitum. 

2            Facta potestate eadem quae Ambiorix cum Titurio egerat commemorant: Once given the chance, they rehashed all the same talking points Ambiorix had used with Sabinus, i.e.: omnem esse in armis Galliam             3            Germanos Rhenum transisse; Caesaris reliquorumque hiberna oppugnari All Gaul is risen in arms, the Germans have already crossed the Rhine, and Caesar’s other winter forts are all under attack; “oppugnari” is present infinitive of oppugno, oppugnare, oppugnavi, oppugnatum, “to attack, assault, besiege.”  “transisse” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive active of transeo, transire, transii, transitum, “to traverse, go across.”  “esse” is present infinitive of sum, esse, fui, futurus. 

4 Addunt etiam de Sabini morte: Ambiorigem ostentant fidei faciendae causa They added a grim reminder of the death of Sabinus and summoned the spectre of Ambiorix to drive home their point; “faciendae” is future passive participle (gerundive) of facio, facere, feci, factum. 

5            Errare eos dicunt, si quidquam ab his praesidi sperent, qui suis rebus diffidant They continued that the Romans would be making a big mistake to count on assistance from those whose own situation is desparate; “diffidant” is third person plural present subjunctive active of diffido, diffidere, diffisus sum, “to despair, distrust.”  “sperent” is third person plural present subjunctive active of spero, sperare, speravi, speratum, “to hope, expect.”  “dicunt” is third person plural present indicative active of dico, dicere, dixi, dictum.  “errare” is present infinitive of erro, errare, erravi, erratum, “to err, go astray.” 

sese tamen hoc esse in Ciceronem populumque Romanum animo, ut nihil nisi hiberna recusent atque hanc inveterascere consuetudinem nolint but they themselves, as far as Cicero and the Roman people are concerned, would refuse nothing—except the provision of winter quarters, which they would prefer not set a precedent; “nolint” is third person plural present subjunctive active of the deponent nolo, nolle, nolui, “to be unwilling, to not want.”  “inveterascere” is present infinitive of inveterasco, inveterascere, inveteravi.  “recusent” is third person plural present subjunctive active of recuso, recusare, recusavi, recusatum, “to refuse, decline.” “esse” is present infinitive of sum, esse, fui, futurus. 

6            licere illis incolumibus per se ex hibernis discedere et quascumque in partes velint sine metu proficisci but they’d be quite willing to allow the Romans to depart from their camp and go wherever they wanted without fear; “proficisci” is present infinitive of the deponent proficiscor, proficisci, profectus sum.  “velint” is third person plural present subjunctive active of volo.  “discedere” is present infinitive of discedo, discedere, discessi, discessum, “to leave, depart.” “licere” is present infinitive of the impersonal licet, licere, licuit, licitum, “it is allowed, permitted.” 

 7            Cicero ad haec unum modo respondit: non esse consuetudinem populi Romani accipere ab hoste armato condicionem Cicero had just one thing to say in reply to all this:  that it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept conditions from an armed enemy; “accipere” is present infinitive of accipio, accipere, accepi, acceptum, “to receive, accept.”  “esse” is present infinitive of sum, esse, fui, futurus.  “respondit” is third perfect singular perfect indicative active of respondeo, respondere, respondi, responsum, “to reply, respond.”   

 8            si ab armis discedere velint, se adiutore utantur legatosque ad Caesarem mittant; sperare pro eius iustitia, quae petierint, impetraturos but if they were willing to lay down their arms, he promised to facilitate their sending a team of negotiators to Caesar.  He had reason to hope, in view of Caesar’s sense of fairness, that what they sought, they would obtain;  “impetraturos” is future active participle of “impetro, impetrare, impetravi, impetratum, “to obtain, procure.”  “petierint” is third person plural perfect subjunctive active of peto, petere, petivi, petitum, “to seek, desire.”  “sperare” is present infinitive of spero, sperare, speravi, speratum.  “utantur” is third person plural present subjunctive active of the deponent utor, uti, usus sum, “to use, employ.”  “velint” is third person plural present subjunctive active of volo. “discedere” is present infinitive of discedo, discedere, discessi, discessum.

Caesar De Bello Gallico 5:40 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

May 5, 2014

Caesar DBG 5:40

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

[40]          1         Mittuntur ad Caesarem confestim ab Cicerone litterae magnis propositis praemiis, si pertulissent: obsessis omnibus viis missi intercipiuntur.          2         Noctu ex materia, quam munitionis causa comportaverant, turres admodum CXX excitantur incredibili celeritate; quae deesse operi videbantur, perficiuntur.          3         Hostes postero die multo maioribus coactis copiis castra oppugnant, fossam complent. Eadem ratione, qua pridie, ab nostris resistitur.          4         Hoc idem reliquis deinceps fit diebus.          5         Nulla pars nocturni temporis ad laborem intermittitur; non aegris, non vulneratis facultas quietis datur.          6         Quaecumque ad proximi diei oppugnationem opus sunt noctu comparantur; multae praeustae sudes, magnus muralium pilorum numerus instituitur; turres contabulantur, pinnae loricaeque ex cratibus attexuntur.          7         Ipse Cicero, cum tenuissima valetudine esset, ne nocturnum quidem sibi tempus ad quietem relinquebat, ut ultro militum concursu ac vocibus sibi parcere cogeretur.

            1            Mittuntur ad Caesarem confestim ab Cicerone litterae magnis propositis praemiis, si pertulissent Cicero promptly sent word to Caesar, and promised the messengers a huge bonus if they got through to him; “pertulissent” is third person plural pluperfect subjunctive active of perfero, perferre, pertuli, perlatum, “to bear or convey news.”  “propositis” is perfect passive participle of propono, proponere, proposui, popositum, “to set forth, declare.”  “mittuntur” is third person plural present indicative passive of mitto, mittere, misi, missum. 

obsessis omnibus viis missi intercipiuntur but all the roads were blocked and the messengers were waylaid; “intercipiuntur” is third person plural present indicative passive of intercipio, intercipere, intercepi, interceptum, “to intercept, cut off.”  “obsessis” is perfect passive participle of obsideo, obsidere, obsedi, obsessum, “to watch closely, beset, beseige.” 

2            Noctu ex materia, quam munitionis causa comportaverant, turres admodum CXX excitantur incredibili celeritate that night, with unbelievable speed, Cicero’s men constructed at least 120 towers out of the timber they had harvested for the camp’s defense; “excitantur” is third person plural present indicative passive of excito, excitare, excitavi, excitatum, “to raise, build.”  “comportaverant” is third person plural pluperfect indicative active of comporto, comportare, comportavi, comportatum, “to amass, collect.”  quae deesse operi videbantur, perficiuntur and any deficiencies in defensive preparations were identified and corrected; “perficiuntur” is third person plural present indicative passive of perficio, perficere, perfeci, perfectum, “to execute, complete, perfect.” “videbantur” is third person plural imperfect indicative passive of video, videre, vidi, visum.  “deesse” is present infinitive of desum, deesse, defui, defuturus, “to be wanting, lacking.” 

3            Hostes postero die multo maioribus coactis copiis castra oppugnant, fossam complent on the following day the enemy attacked the camp with far larger forces, and filled in the ditch; “complent”is third person plural present indicative active of compleo, complere, complevi, completum, “to fill up, fill in.”  “oppugnant” is third person plural present indicative active of oppugno, oppugnare, oppugnavi, oppugnatum, “to attack, assault, storm, besiege.”  “coactis” is perfect passive participle of cogo, cogere, coegi, coactum, “to collect, assemble, gather together.”

Eadem ratione, qua pridie, ab nostris resistitur but our resistance was equal to that of the previous day;  “resistitur” is third person singular present indicative passive of resisto, resistere, restiti, “to withstand, resist.” 

4            Hoc idem reliquis deinceps fit diebus This pattern continued from day to day; “fit” is third person singular present indicative passive of facio, facere, feci, factum. 

5            Nulla pars nocturni temporis ad laborem intermittitur Nor was their any break from work at night; “intermittitur” is third person singular present indicative passive of intermitto, intermittere, intermisi, intermissum, to interrupt, stop (temporarily).”

non aegris, non vulneratis facultas quietis datur. Neither the ill nor the wounded were given leave for recuperation; “datur” is third person singular present indicative passive of do, dare, dedi, datum. 

6            Quaecumque ad proximi diei oppugnationem opus sunt noctu comparantur Anything needed for battle the next day was assembled during the night; “comparantur” is third person plural present indicative passive of comparo, comparare, comparavi, comparatum, “to place together, prepare.”  “sunt” is third person singular present indicative active of sum, esse, fui, futurus. 

multae praeustae sudes, magnus muralium pilorum numerus instituitur They prepared many stakes with tempered points, and many javelins suited for fighting from the walls; “instituitur” is third person singular present indicative passive of instituo, instituere, institui, institutum, “to set up, prepare, build.”  turres contabulantur, pinnae loricaeque ex cratibus attexuntur the towers were lined with planks, and fitted with battle stations and breastworks made of woven wickerwood;  “attexuntur” is third person plural present indicative passive of attexo, attexere, attexui, attextum, “to join on, link to (as in weaving).  “contabulantur” is third person plural present indicative passive of contabulo, contabulare, contabulavi, contabulatum, “to cover with boards.”

7            Ipse Cicero, cum tenuissima valetudine esset Cicero himself, though in very uncertain health…; “esset” is third person singular imperfect subjunctive active of sum, esse, fui, futurus. See Steadman’s note.

ne nocturnum quidem sibi tempus ad quietem relinquebat denied himself any rest, even at night; “relinquebat” is third person singular imperfect indicative active of relinquo, relinquere, reliqui, relictum, “to abandon, relinquish, leave behind.” 

ut ultro militum concursu ac vocibus sibi parcere cogeretur till finally he was compelled to yield to the insistent pleas of the troops that he try to get some sleep; “cogeretur” is third perfect singular imperfect passive subjunctive of cogo, cogere, coegi, coactum, “to force, compel, urge.”  

Caesar DBG 5 39 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

May 1, 2014

Caesar DBG 5:39

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

[39]          1         Itaque confestim dimissis nuntiis ad Ceutrones, Grudios, Levacos, Pleumoxios, Geidumnos, qui omnes sub eorum imperio sunt, quam maximas manus possunt cogunt et de improviso ad Ciceronis hiberna advolant nondum ad eum fama de Tituri morte perlata.          2         Huic quoque accidit, quod fuit necesse, ut nonnulli milites, qui lignationis munitionisque causa in silvas discessissent, repentino equitum adventu interciperentur.          3         His circumventis magna manu Eburones, Nervii, Aduatuci atque horum omnium socii et clientes legionem oppugnare incipiunt. Nostri celeriter ad arma concurrunt, vallum conscendunt. 4 Aegre is dies sustentatur, quod omnem spem hostes in celeritate ponebant atque hanc adepti victoriam in perpetuum se fore victores confidebant.

[39]             1            Itaque confestim dimissis nuntiis ad Ceutrones, Grudios, Levacos, Pleumoxios, Geidumnos Similarly, messengers were sent at once the Ceutrones, Grudii, Levaci, Pleumoxii, and Geidumni; “dimissis” is perfect passive participle of dimitto, dimittere, dimisi, dimissum, “to send, send away, dismiss.”  qui omnes sub eorum imperio sunt who all were under the Nervian power;             quam maximas manus possunt cogunt et de improviso ad Ciceronis hiberna advolant and they gathered every available man and hastened unforeseen to the winter camp of Cicero; “advolant” is third person plural present indicative active of advolo, advoare, advolavi, advolatum, “to fly to or toward.” “cogunt” is third person plural present indicative active of cogo, cogere, coegi, coactum, “to collect, gather together.”  “possunt” is third person plural present indicative active of possum, posse, potui.              nondum ad eum fama de Tituri morte perlata who had not yet received any report of Sabinus’ death.  “perlata” is perfect passive participle (in ablative absolute construction) of perfero, perferre, pertuli, perlatum. 

2            Huic quoque accidit, quod fuit necesse inevitably it befell Cicero; “accidit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of accido, accidere, accidi, accisum, “to fell, cut down.” ut nonnulli milites, qui lignationis munitionisque causa in silvas discessissent that not a few soldiers, who had gone in a detail to the woods in search of timber for the camp; “discessissent” is third person plural pluperfect subjunctive active of discedo, discedere, discessi, discessum, “to leave, depart.”            repentino equitum adventu interciperentur. were cut off by the sudden arrival of enemy cavalry; “interciperentur” is third person plural imperfect subjunctive passive of intercipio, intercipere, intercepi, interceptum, “to intercept, cut off.”

3            His circumventis magna manu Eburones, Nervii, Aduatuci atque horum omnium socii et clientes legionem oppugnare incipiunt They were surrounded, and a great army of Eburones, Nervii, Aduatuci, and their hangers-on and dependents began to attack the legion; “incipiunt” is third person plural present indicative active of incipio, incipere, incepi, inceptum, “to begin.”  “oppugnare” is present infinitive of oppugno, oppugnare, oppugnavi, oppugnatum.  “circumventis” perfect passive participle (in ablative absolute) of circumvenio, circumvenire, circumveni, circumventum, “to surround.” 

Nostri celeriter ad arma concurrunt, vallum conscendunt But our side rapidly armed and scaled the rampart; “conscendunt” is third person plural present indicative active of conscendo, condscendere, conscendi, conscensum, “to climb, scale.”  “concurrunt” is third person plural present indicative active of concurro, concurrere, concurri, concursum. 

4 Aegre is dies sustentatur They barely made it through the day; “sustenatur” is third person singular present indicative passive of sustento, sustentare, sustentavi, sustentatum, “to endure, hold out.”              quod omnem spem hostes in celeritate ponebant

for all enemy hope was placed on a lightning victory; “ponebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of pono, ponere, posui, positum.                        atque hanc adepti victoriam in perpetuum se fore victores confidebant and they were confident that this one triumph would make them conquerors through eternity; “confidebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of the deponent confido, confidere, confisus sum, “to be confident, believe in, trust in.” “fore” is alternative future infinitive active of sum, esse, fui, futurus.  See Steadman’s note.   “adepti” is perfect participle of the deponent adipiscor, adipicis, adeptus sum, “to attain, achieve.”