6 min read•january 26, 2023
hunter_borg
hunter_borg
Use this study guide as a refresher after instruction from your professional Latin instructor/teacher. As it is AP Latin, you will be expected to learn the grammar in class except for questions which we will go over again. The main purpose of this study guide is to provide 80% literal, 20% interpretative translations and to break down the text, context, and grammar. What interpretative means is that it is not the literal Latin translation but that it has been restructured in some way to better fit the modern English vernacular.
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1. What is the subject of the verb "dicunt" in the first sentence of [41]?
2. What is the subject of the verb "agerat" in the fourth sentence of [41]?
3. What is the subject of the verb "cognoverant" in the second sentence of [42]?
4. What is the subject of the verb "comprehenderunt" in the second sentence of [43]?
5. What is the subject of the verb "vocare" in the sixth sentence of [43]?
1. Duces principesque Nerviorum
2. Ambiorix
3. Nervii
4. Hae (casas)
5. Centuriones
Chapter 41
Then these leaders and chiefs of the Nervii, who had any intimacy and grounds of friendship with Cicero, say they desire to confer with him. When permission was granted, they recount the same things which Ambiorix had related to Titurius, namely, "that all Gaul was in arms, that the Germans had passed the Rhine, that the winter-quarters of Caesar and of the others were attacked." They report in addition also, about the death of Sabinus. They point to Ambiorix for the purpose of obtaining credence; "they are mistaken," say they, "if they hoped for any relief from those who distrust their own affairs; that they bear such feelings toward Cicero and the Roman people that they deny them nothing but winter-quarters, and are unwilling that the practice should become constant; that through their [the Nervii's] means it is possible for them [the Romans] to depart from their winter-quarters safely and to proceed without fear into whatever parts they desire." To these Cicero made only one reply: "that it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept any condition from an armed enemy: if they are willing to lay down their arms, they may employ him as their advocate and send embassadors to Caesar: that he believed, from his [Caesar's] justice, they would obtain the things which they might request." Chapter 42 Disappointed in this hope, the Nervii surround the winter-quarters with a rampart eleven feet high, and a ditch thirteen feet in depth. These military works they had learned from our men in the intercourse of former years, and, having taken some of our army prisoners, were instructed by them: but, as they had no supply of iron tools which are requisite for this service, they were forced to cut the turf with their swords, and to empty out the earth with their hands and cloaks, from which circumstance, the vast number of the men could be inferred; for in less than three hours they completed a fortification of ten miles in circumference; and during the rest of the days they began to prepare and construct towers of the height of the ramparts, and grappling irons, and mantelets, which the same prisoners had taught them. Chapter 43 On the seventh day of the attack, a very high wind having sprung up, they began to discharge by their slings hot balls made of burned or hardened clay, and heated javelins, upon the huts, which, after the Gallic custom, were thatched with straw. These quickly took fire, and by the violence of the wind, scattered their flames in every part of the camp. The enemy following up their success with a very loud shout, as if victory were already obtained and secured, began to advance their towers and mantelets, and climb the rampart with ladders. But so great was the courage of our soldiers, and such their presence of mind, that though they were scorched on all sides, and harassed by a vast number of weapons, and were aware that their baggage and their possessions were burning, not only did no one quit the rampart for the purpose of withdrawing from the scene, but scarcely did any one even then look behind; and they all fought most vigorously and most valiantly. This day was by far the most calamitous to our men; it had this result, however, that on that day the largest number of the enemy was wounded and slain, since they had crowded beneath the very rampart, and the hindmost did not afford the foremost a retreat. The flame having abated a little, and a tower having been brought up in a particular place and touching the rampart, the centurions of the third cohort retired from the place in which they were standing, and drew off all their men: they began to call on the enemy by gestures and by words, to enter if they wished; but none of them dared to advance. Then stones having been cast from every quarter, the enemy were dislodged, and their tower set on fire.Keep going! You've got this.
Ambiorix
: Ambiorix was a leader of the Eburones, a Celtic tribe in Gaul during the time of Julius Caesar. He is known for his resistance against Roman rule and his successful ambush on a Roman legion.Comentarii de Bello Gallico
: Comentarii de Bello Gallico is a Latin phrase that translates to "Commentaries on the Gallic War." It refers to a firsthand account written by Julius Caesar about his military campaigns in Gaul.Ferramentorum copia
: This term refers to an abundance or variety of tools and equipment. In the context of AP Latin, it can refer to the range of weapons and armor available to Roman soldiers.Ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes fundis et fervefacta iacula
: This term refers to the heated clay bullets shot from slings and the fiery javelins that were made red-hot.Gallia
: Gallia, also known as Gaul, was an ancient region located in Western Europe that encompassed present-day France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. It was inhabited by Celtic tribes before being conquered by the Roman Empire.Germanos
: Germanos refers to the ancient Germanic tribes that lived in what is now modern-day Germany. They were known for their fierce warrior culture and played a significant role in the history of the Roman Empire.Gladiis caespites circumcidere
: This term refers to the act of cutting grass with swords. It is often used metaphorically in Latin literature to describe excessive violence or unnecessary destruction.Impedimenta atque omnes fortunas conflagrare
: This term describes the baggage train or supplies carried by an army during a campaign. It also refers to all possessions being burned or destroyed.Militum virtus atque ea praesentia animi
: This term refers to the courage and presence of mind of soldiers. It encompasses their bravery, valor, and mental fortitude in the face of adversity.More Gallico stramentis erant tectae
: This term refers to the fact that the Gauls' walls were covered with straw.oppugnationis die
: This term refers specifically to the day on which an attack or assault takes place during a siege. It marks the culmination of preparations and planning.Sabini morte
: The death of the Sabines, a neighboring tribe of ancient Rome. This event is significant because it led to the integration and assimilation of the Sabines into Roman society.sagulisque terram exhaurire
: This term refers to the practice of using shovels to dig and remove earth from a site. It is often done during military sieges to create trenches or tunnels.Tertiae cohortis centuriones
: This term refers to the centurions of the third cohort. Centurions were officers in the Roman army who commanded a century, a unit of around 80 soldiers.Titurio
: Titurio was one of the centurions serving under Quintus Tullius Cicero during his defense against Ambiorix's attack on Cicero's camp.turres ad altitudinem valli, falces testudinesque
: This term refers to towers built by attackers during a siege that match the height of defensive walls. Falces testudinesque are tools used by attackers to break down gates and doors.Turres testudinesque agere et scalis vallum ascendere
: This term refers to building towers and tortoises and climbing over ramparts using ladders.Vallo pedum IX et fossa pedum XV
: This term refers to a defensive structure used by the Romans, consisting of a wall that was 9 feet high and a ditch that was 15 feet wide. It served as a barrier to protect Roman military camps or settlements.6 min read•january 26, 2023
hunter_borg
hunter_borg
Use this study guide as a refresher after instruction from your professional Latin instructor/teacher. As it is AP Latin, you will be expected to learn the grammar in class except for questions which we will go over again. The main purpose of this study guide is to provide 80% literal, 20% interpretative translations and to break down the text, context, and grammar. What interpretative means is that it is not the literal Latin translation but that it has been restructured in some way to better fit the modern English vernacular.
[
[
[
1. What is the subject of the verb "dicunt" in the first sentence of [41]?
2. What is the subject of the verb "agerat" in the fourth sentence of [41]?
3. What is the subject of the verb "cognoverant" in the second sentence of [42]?
4. What is the subject of the verb "comprehenderunt" in the second sentence of [43]?
5. What is the subject of the verb "vocare" in the sixth sentence of [43]?
1. Duces principesque Nerviorum
2. Ambiorix
3. Nervii
4. Hae (casas)
5. Centuriones
Chapter 41
Then these leaders and chiefs of the Nervii, who had any intimacy and grounds of friendship with Cicero, say they desire to confer with him. When permission was granted, they recount the same things which Ambiorix had related to Titurius, namely, "that all Gaul was in arms, that the Germans had passed the Rhine, that the winter-quarters of Caesar and of the others were attacked." They report in addition also, about the death of Sabinus. They point to Ambiorix for the purpose of obtaining credence; "they are mistaken," say they, "if they hoped for any relief from those who distrust their own affairs; that they bear such feelings toward Cicero and the Roman people that they deny them nothing but winter-quarters, and are unwilling that the practice should become constant; that through their [the Nervii's] means it is possible for them [the Romans] to depart from their winter-quarters safely and to proceed without fear into whatever parts they desire." To these Cicero made only one reply: "that it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept any condition from an armed enemy: if they are willing to lay down their arms, they may employ him as their advocate and send embassadors to Caesar: that he believed, from his [Caesar's] justice, they would obtain the things which they might request." Chapter 42 Disappointed in this hope, the Nervii surround the winter-quarters with a rampart eleven feet high, and a ditch thirteen feet in depth. These military works they had learned from our men in the intercourse of former years, and, having taken some of our army prisoners, were instructed by them: but, as they had no supply of iron tools which are requisite for this service, they were forced to cut the turf with their swords, and to empty out the earth with their hands and cloaks, from which circumstance, the vast number of the men could be inferred; for in less than three hours they completed a fortification of ten miles in circumference; and during the rest of the days they began to prepare and construct towers of the height of the ramparts, and grappling irons, and mantelets, which the same prisoners had taught them. Chapter 43 On the seventh day of the attack, a very high wind having sprung up, they began to discharge by their slings hot balls made of burned or hardened clay, and heated javelins, upon the huts, which, after the Gallic custom, were thatched with straw. These quickly took fire, and by the violence of the wind, scattered their flames in every part of the camp. The enemy following up their success with a very loud shout, as if victory were already obtained and secured, began to advance their towers and mantelets, and climb the rampart with ladders. But so great was the courage of our soldiers, and such their presence of mind, that though they were scorched on all sides, and harassed by a vast number of weapons, and were aware that their baggage and their possessions were burning, not only did no one quit the rampart for the purpose of withdrawing from the scene, but scarcely did any one even then look behind; and they all fought most vigorously and most valiantly. This day was by far the most calamitous to our men; it had this result, however, that on that day the largest number of the enemy was wounded and slain, since they had crowded beneath the very rampart, and the hindmost did not afford the foremost a retreat. The flame having abated a little, and a tower having been brought up in a particular place and touching the rampart, the centurions of the third cohort retired from the place in which they were standing, and drew off all their men: they began to call on the enemy by gestures and by words, to enter if they wished; but none of them dared to advance. Then stones having been cast from every quarter, the enemy were dislodged, and their tower set on fire.Keep going! You've got this.
Ambiorix
: Ambiorix was a leader of the Eburones, a Celtic tribe in Gaul during the time of Julius Caesar. He is known for his resistance against Roman rule and his successful ambush on a Roman legion.Comentarii de Bello Gallico
: Comentarii de Bello Gallico is a Latin phrase that translates to "Commentaries on the Gallic War." It refers to a firsthand account written by Julius Caesar about his military campaigns in Gaul.Ferramentorum copia
: This term refers to an abundance or variety of tools and equipment. In the context of AP Latin, it can refer to the range of weapons and armor available to Roman soldiers.Ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes fundis et fervefacta iacula
: This term refers to the heated clay bullets shot from slings and the fiery javelins that were made red-hot.Gallia
: Gallia, also known as Gaul, was an ancient region located in Western Europe that encompassed present-day France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. It was inhabited by Celtic tribes before being conquered by the Roman Empire.Germanos
: Germanos refers to the ancient Germanic tribes that lived in what is now modern-day Germany. They were known for their fierce warrior culture and played a significant role in the history of the Roman Empire.Gladiis caespites circumcidere
: This term refers to the act of cutting grass with swords. It is often used metaphorically in Latin literature to describe excessive violence or unnecessary destruction.Impedimenta atque omnes fortunas conflagrare
: This term describes the baggage train or supplies carried by an army during a campaign. It also refers to all possessions being burned or destroyed.Militum virtus atque ea praesentia animi
: This term refers to the courage and presence of mind of soldiers. It encompasses their bravery, valor, and mental fortitude in the face of adversity.More Gallico stramentis erant tectae
: This term refers to the fact that the Gauls' walls were covered with straw.oppugnationis die
: This term refers specifically to the day on which an attack or assault takes place during a siege. It marks the culmination of preparations and planning.Sabini morte
: The death of the Sabines, a neighboring tribe of ancient Rome. This event is significant because it led to the integration and assimilation of the Sabines into Roman society.sagulisque terram exhaurire
: This term refers to the practice of using shovels to dig and remove earth from a site. It is often done during military sieges to create trenches or tunnels.Tertiae cohortis centuriones
: This term refers to the centurions of the third cohort. Centurions were officers in the Roman army who commanded a century, a unit of around 80 soldiers.Titurio
: Titurio was one of the centurions serving under Quintus Tullius Cicero during his defense against Ambiorix's attack on Cicero's camp.turres ad altitudinem valli, falces testudinesque
: This term refers to towers built by attackers during a siege that match the height of defensive walls. Falces testudinesque are tools used by attackers to break down gates and doors.Turres testudinesque agere et scalis vallum ascendere
: This term refers to building towers and tortoises and climbing over ramparts using ladders.Vallo pedum IX et fossa pedum XV
: This term refers to a defensive structure used by the Romans, consisting of a wall that was 9 feet high and a ditch that was 15 feet wide. It served as a barrier to protect Roman military camps or settlements.© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
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