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Ad Alpes V Interlinear

The document summarizes a conversation between Cornelius, Drusilla, and Publius as they travel along the Via Aemilia. Cornelius explains that they will soon reach Placentia where he must open sealed orders from the emperor instructing where he must go next. When they arrive in Cremona, Cornelius provides a detailed account of the battle that took place there between the armies of Vitellius and Otho, as well as the later sacking of Cremona by Vespasian's forces.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
184 views29 pages

Ad Alpes V Interlinear

The document summarizes a conversation between Cornelius, Drusilla, and Publius as they travel along the Via Aemilia. Cornelius explains that they will soon reach Placentia where he must open sealed orders from the emperor instructing where he must go next. When they arrive in Cremona, Cornelius provides a detailed account of the battle that took place there between the armies of Vitellius and Otho, as well as the later sacking of Cremona by Vespasian's forces.

Uploaded by

im251195
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CAPUT XXXV

Cum rūrsus iter ingredī coepissent, Cornēlius: "Hodiē," inquit, "spērō nōs Placentiam 1
When again journey to-start-on they-had-begun Cornelius today said I-hope us Placentia

perventūrōs, ubi dēmum solvendae sunt litterae, quās nōbīscum obsignātās portāmus. Tum
going-to-reach where finally to-be-unfastened is letter which with-us under-seal we-are-carrying then

cognōscētur quō ab imperātōre abīre iussus sim."


will-be-learned where by emperor to-go ordered I-have-been

5 Ac Drūsilla: "Itinerī adhūc tam intenta fuī, ut paene oblīvīscerer tē brevī ā nōbīs
And Drusilla on-journey still so focssed I-was that almost I-forgot you soon from us

discessūrum. Sed nunc nihil mihi longius vidētur quam dum istae litterae solvantur, ut
going-to-depart but now nothing to-me longer seems than until that letter is-unfastened so-that

sciāmus quam longē absint loca ea, quō tibi eundum est."
we-can-know how far are-away places those to-which for-you necessary-to-go it-is

"Quam vellem," inquit Pūblius, "ut mihi tē comitārī licēret, pater!" 10


How I-would-like said Publius that to-me you to-accompany it-would-be-allowed father

"Id nūllō modō fierī potest, Pūblī," inquit Cornēlius, caput quassāns. "Sed tū mox togam
That no in-way to-happen can Publius said Cornelius had shaking but you soon toga

virīlem2 sūmptūrus es ac, dum aberō, prō patre familiās eris, tibique omnia
virilis going-to-assume are and while I-will-be-away in-place-of head of-family you-will-be and-to-you all

committō."
I-am-entrusting

Quō audītō, honōre īnspērātō ēlātus Pūblius hilariōre vultū 15 sē circumspicere coepit,
With-this haeard by-honour unexpected elated Publius with-more-cheerful face himself to-look-around began

ac paulō post: "Nōnne nunc, pater," inquit, "in eās regiōnēs pergimus, ubi Vitelliānī cum
and a-little later Not-? now father he-said into those regions we-are-going-on where Vitellians with

cōpiīs Othōnis ōlim conflīxērunt?"


forces of-Otho once clashed

"Probē dīcis," inquit Cornēlius. "Interiacet flūmen Padus; sed ā viā, quā nunc iter
Rightly you-say said Cornelius lies-between river Po but from road on-which now journey

facimus, vix decem mīlia passuum distat 20 oppidum Cremōna, apud quod commissum est
we-make hardly ten miles is-distant town Cremona near which fought was

illud proelium, dē quō mentiōnem facis.


that battle about which mention you-make

1
Placentia (Piacenza), founded in 218 on the south bank of the Po, was a communications hub at the
junction of the via Flaminia from Ariminum (Rimini) and the via Postumia, which ran from Genua
(Genoa) on the west coast to Aquileia at the head of the Adriatic.
2
The toga virīlis was a plain white toga which was the sign of adult status, replacing the toga
praetexta (crimson-bordered toga) of childhood. The age of transition depended on the father’s
judgment, but was normally between 14 and 17, i.e. at puberty or shortly afterwards
Parma on the Via Aemilia, Cremona on the Via Postumia and Placentia at the junction
https://blog.travelemiliaromagna.com/via-emilia-history-and-origins-of-a-region-in-10-points

"Vitellius tum ipse, ut forte meministī, ē Germāniā nōndum pervēnerat nec proeliō
Vitellius then himself as perhaps you-remember from Germania not-yet had-arrived nor in-battle

interfuit. Cum autem Rōmam iter faciēns in hās regiōnēs esset prōgressus, ac sepulchrum
was-present when however to-Rome way making into these regions he-had advanced and tomb

Othōnis vidēre vellet, Cremōnēnsēs, ārīs exstructīs caesīsque victimīs, 25 laurū rosāque viam
of-Otho to-see wished Cremonians with-altars erected and-slain victims with-laurel and-rose road

cōnstrāvērunt, quasi rēx ille esset Persārum.


strewed as-if king he was of-Persians

"Cuius adūlātiōnis oppidānī īnfēlīcēs posteā poenās maximās dedērunt. Nam ubi
of-this adulation townsfolk unfortunate afterwards penalties greatest paid for when

Vespasiānus, ā mīlitibus suīs imperātor salūtātus, in Italiam cōpiās praemīsit, cum hīs ad
Vespasian by soldiers his emperor having-been-hailed into Italy troops sent-ahead with these near

Cremōnam congressī,330 Vitelliānī fugātī sunt, et sē recēpērunt in urbem; hostēs autem


Cremona having-clashed Vitellians put-to-flight were and themselves withdrew into city enemy however

sub moenibus necessāriō cōnstitērunt.


beneath walls of-necessity halted

"Ibi dubitābant paulisper utrum urbs sine morā oppugnārētur necne. Tum factus est
There they-were-in-doubt a-short-while whether city without delay should-be-attacked or-not then made was

impetus ācerrimus, cui Vitelliānī et oppidānī fortiter restitērunt. Sed frūstrā; nam brevī 35
attack very-fierce to-which Vitellians and townsfolk bravely offered-resistance but in-vain for soon

īnfulās et rāmōs oleae ē mūrō ostendere coāctī sunt.


3
This battle, like the earlier one between Vitellius and Otho’s forces, actually took place at the village
of Bedriacum (modern Calvatone) just to the east of Cremona
headbands and branches of-olive from wall to-display forced they-were

"Quō animadversō, Antōnius Prīmus, quī cōpiās Vespasiānī dūcēbat, tēla suōrum
With-this noticed Antonius Primus who foreces of-Vespasian was-leading weapons of-his-men

inhibērī iussit, ac Vitelliānī victī signa et aquilās maestī extulērunt. Quōs tamen Antōnius
to-be-held-in-check ordered and Vitellians defeated standards and eagles sadly brought-out them however Antonius

clēmenter adlocūtus est, etsī dē oppidānīs nihil certī prōmīsit. 40


with-mildness addressed although about to-townsfolk nothing definite he-promised

"Ipsīus mīlītēs, praedae cupiditāte commōtī, sē in urbem nōn statim immissōs molestē
His-own soldiers of-loot by-desire moved selves into city not immediately sent badly

iam ferēbant, cum rēs fortuīta clādem imminentem Cremōnēnsibus miserīs accelerāvit.
now were-taking when thing fortuitous disaster threatening Cremonians wretched speeded-up

The four emperors of 69 A.D. , showing the provinces with whose garrisons they
launched their bids for power4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bedriacum#/media/File:Roman_Empire_69AD.PNG

"Nam Antōnius, quī ad sanguinem abluendum balneās petierat, aquae tepōrem casū
For Antonius who for blood being-washed-off the-baths had-made-for of-water tepidness by-chance

incūsāvit. Cumque servus respondīsset 45 statim fore ut incalēsceret, haec verba ambigua

4
Galba’s revolt in 68 A.D. and advance from Spain triggered Nero’s suicide and he himself then
reigned as emperor from June that year till his assassination in January 69 by the praetorian guard at
the instigation of his former ally, Otho. Bids for power were then launched by Vitellius with troops
from the German frontier, and by Vespasian, supported by forces stationed in his own province of
Judaea and in Syria and Egypt, with forces along the Danube subsequently also joining him. Seefor
further details https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Four_Emperors
criticized and-when slave had-replied at-once going-to-be that it-would-get-hotter these words ambiguous

cupidē excepta sunt; et celeriter dīvulgātum est Antōnium ipsum sīc locūtum esse, atque hīs
eagerly received were and quickly spread-about it-was Antonius himself thus spoken to-have and with-these

verbīs Cremōnae incendendae signum dedisse, quae rē vērā iam flagrābat.


words for-Cremona to-be-set-on-fire signal to-have-given which really now began-to-blaze

"Quadrāgintā mīlia armātōrum in urbem inrūpērunt; 50 ubi nec dignitās sua nec aetās
Forty thousand of-armed-men into city burst where neither rank one’s-own nor age

quemquam prōtegēbat. Nam grandaevī senēs fēminaeque prōvectā aetāte, vīlēs ad praedam,
anyone was-protecting for of-great-seniority old-men and-women with-advanced age worthless as booty

lūdibriō habēbantur, et pecūnia deōrum ac templōrum dōna dīrepta sunt. Cumque praeda
as-sport were-considered and money of-gods and of-temples gifts snatched-away were and-when booty

omnis ēlāta erat, mllītēs facēs in domōs ac templa vacua iaciēbant. Quattuor diēs Cremōna 55
all carried-off had-been soldiers torches into houses and temples empty started-throwing for-four days Cremona

flagrāvit, omniaque sacra et profāna ignī cōnsūmpta sunt." 5


burned and-all-things sacred and profane by-fire consumed were

Haec verba prīmō omnium animōs tristī imāgine cōnfūdērunt; cumque paulisper tacitī
These words first of-all minds with-sad picture upset and-when a-little-while silent

sēdissent, Pūblius summissā voce: "


they-had-sat Publius in-quiet voice

'Tum vēr(ō) omne mihi vīsum consīder(e) in ignīs


Then indeed all to-me seemed to-subside into fires

Īli(um), et ex īmō vertī Neptūnia Troia.' "6 60 Trojja Trōia


Ilium and from the-bottom to-be-upturned Neptunian Troy

Interim equī libenter raedās vehēbant, dōnec paulō post merīdiem viātōrēs cōnstitērunt,
Meanwhile horses gladly wahgons were-pull ing until a-little after mid-day tavellers halted

ut famēs cibō dēpellerētur. Tum līberī Annam rogāvērunt, ecquid ex annālibus


So-that hunger by-food could-be-dislodged then children Anna asked was-there-anything from annals

gentis suae nārrāre vellet.


of-race her to-tell she-wanted

5
This graphic description of the sack of Cremona is based on Tacitus’s account (Histories, III:32-3),
which has been confirmed by archaeologists’ discovery of a layer of ashes dating from that time. See
https://www.italymagazine.com/italy/lombardy/cremona-digs-confirms-tacitus-s-account-city-s-
destruction Embarrassed by his troop’s excesses, Antonius forbade the selling of Cremonian citizens
into slavery, which led to some captives being simply killed and others secretly ransomed by their
families. Vespasian encouraged survivors to return to the city and rebuild but it seems never to have
returned to its former prosperity.
6
Lines 624-5 of Aeneid II, from Aeneas’s account to Dido of the fall of Troy. The city is described as
Neptunian’ because Neptune supposedly helped build its walls. `Ilium’ is an alternative name for Troy,
form which the title of Homer’s Iliad is derived.
Illa autem: "Dum dē oppugnātiōne Cremōnae pater vester 65 loquitur," inquit, "mihi in
She however while about assault on-Cemona father your was-talking said for-me into

mentem vēnit, quō modō urbs Ierīcō ā nostrīs expugnāta esset. Sī audīre vultis, hoc vōbīs
mind came in-what way city Jericho by our-forces stormned was if to-hear you-wish this to-you

dīcere possum."
say I-can

"Iam quidem nihil magis cupimus," inquit Sextus. "Quārē incipe, sīs."70`
Now indeed nothing more we-wish said Sextus so begin please

The collapse of Jericho’s walls


https://www.ellenwhite.info/books/ellen-g-white-book-patriarchs-and-prophets-pp-45.htm

"Urbe undique obsessā," inquit Anna, "Iōsue, quī nostrōs dūcēbat, ā deō monitus,
With-city on-all-sides besieged said Anna Joshua who our-men was-leading by god advised

sacerdōtēs ē penetrālibus sacra prōlātā iussit circum moenia dūcere, cum interim clārē
priests from inner-shrine sacred-objects brought-out ordered around walls to-take whilst meanwhile clearly

tubīs canerent.
trumpets they-played

"Sacerdōtēs mīlitēs armātī7 antecēdēbant; cētera turba pōne 75 sequēbātur. Sed clāmor
Priests soldiers armed were-preceding reaming crowd behind was-following but shouting

omnīnō aberat, nec vōx ūlla est audīta.


altogether was-absent nor voice any was heard.

"Hoc idem reliquīs deinceps diēbus factum est. Sed diē septimō, māne profectī, moenia
This same-thing on-other successively days done was but on-day seventh in-morning setting-out walls

7
The nominative participle armātī shows that mīlitēs is also nominative, and thus subject of the
clause, whilst sacerdōtēs is in the accusative as object,
septiēs circumiērunt omnēs. Tum tubae cecinērunt ac clāmor maximus sublātus est. Quō
seven-times went-round all then trumpets sounded and shout very-loud raised was at-which

sonitū moenia labefactāta corruērunt; et nostrī, undique adortī, 80 per ruīnās mūrī impetum
sound walls having-crumbled collapsed and our-people from-all-sides attacking through ruins or-wall assault

fēcērunt atque urbe potītī sunt.8


made and city took possession of

"Ibi mulier, Rāhāba nōmine, quae quōsdam speculātōrēs nostrōs anteā benignē acceptōs
There woman Rahaba by-name who certain spies of-ours before kindly received

occultāverat, ūnā cum suīs omnibus servāta est; sed hostēs cēterī ad ūnum trucīdātī sunt, atque
had-hidden together with her-[relatives] all saved was but enemies other to a-man slaughtered were and

etiam pecora ferrō periērunt."


even cattle by-sword peroshed

85 "Dē speculātōribus istīs," inquit Sextus, "amplius audīre velim."


About spies those said Sexxtus more to-hear I’d like

"Illī," inquit Anna, "paucīs ante mēnsibus ad urbem vēnerant, ut loca explōrārent;
They said Anna a-few before months to city had-happened so-that places they-could-explore

quōque9 occultius id facerent, ad Rāhābam dēvertērunt. Adventū tamen eōrum cognitō,


and-so-that more-secretly this they-could-do to Rahaba they-went-to-stay with-arrival however of-them discovered

rēx 90 nūntiōs ad mulierem mīsit, ut statim trāderet eōs, quōs apud sē habēret.
king messengers to woman sent with-orders-that at-once she-should-hand-over those-who with her she-had

"Quae autem hospitēs ad sōlārium aedium dēductōs ibi occultāvit, ac nūntiīs respondit
She however guests to roof of-house taken there his and to-messengers replied

hominēs modo ad flūmen Iordānem profectōs facile comprehendī posse, sī mīlitēs statim 95
men just-recently towards river Jordan having-set-out easily to-be-caught to-be-able if soldiers at-once

īnsequī vellent.
to-follow wanted

"Mīlitibus ad flūmen dīmissīs, Rāhāba hospitēs dē sōlāriō redūxit, atque eīs pollicita est
With-soldiers to river set-off Rahaba guests from roof brought-back and to-them promised

sē exitum tūtum ostentūram esse eā condiciōne, ut iūrārent sē invicem grātiam relātūrōs,


8
Jericho in the Jordan Valley is one of the world’s earliest cities, with evidence of permanent
settlement from around 9,500 B.C. and remains of stone walls and a tower dated to c.8000 B.C.
Defensive walls destroyed around 1500 B.C. have also been discovered but the destruction probably
occurred during a documented Egyptian incursion at that time, well before the traditional 13th century
date for the Israelite invasion. Most scholars now believe that the account of the conquest of Canaan
(Palestine) in the Book of Joshua is not historical but was constructed to buttress the claim of the
kingdom of Judah to the territory of the separate kingdom of Israel that had been destroyed by the
Assyrians in 722 B.C. The narrative probably dates from the late 7th century, with revisions during or
after the Babylonian Exile of the Judaean elite (586-538). Jews as a separate ethnic group probably
emerged from among the inhabitants of Palestine rather than entering from outside. See for more
details https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jericho and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho, The
name `Joshua’ represents Hebrew Yehoshu'a (`Yahweh saves’) and in Aramaic, Jesus Christ’s native
tongue, this is abbreviated to Yeshu'a. Both these names become Ἰησοῦς (Yesus) in Greek.
9
quō (literally `by which’) is used in place of ut when a purpose clause includes a comparative The
combination of quō and que is distinguished from quoque (also) by the long first vowel.
herself way-out safe going-to-show to –be with-the condition that they-swear themselves in-turn favour going-to-repay

sī quandō urbs ā nostrīs captā esset. Condiciōne acceptā, speculātōrēs mulierem iussērunt
if ever city by our-people captured was with-condition accepted spies woman ordered

urbe captā in fenestrā fūniculum 100 coccineum ostentāre, quō facilius domus eius ex
with-city captured in window rope scarlet to-display so-that more-easily house her from

interitū ūniversō eximerētur.


destruction general might-be-exempted

"Hīs rēbus constitūtīs, hominēs per fūnem dēmissum ad terram lāpsī sunt; nam domus
With-these things decided people along rope let-down to-ground slid for house

moenibus urbis coniūncta erat. Cumque ad vada flūminis mīlītēs rēgis properāvissent,
to-walls of-city joined was and-when to shallows of-river soldiers of-king had-hastened

speculātorēs montēs 105 petiērunt, ubi sē occultārent, dōnec clam ēvādendī facultās esset
spies mountains headed-for where selves they-might-hide until secretly of-escaping opportunity had-been

oblāta."
offered

Hypothetical reconstruction of the Forum at Placentia (Piacenza)


http://m.piacenzaromana.it/percorso_01.html10

Cum Anna fīnem dīcendī faceret, accessit Pūblius. Quem cum rīdentem animadvertisset,
When Anna end of-speaking was-making there-came-up Publius him when laughing had-noticed

10
This is one of a series of reconstructed views of the Roman city available on the website.
Cornēlia: "Numquid novī factum est, frāter?" inquit. "Cūr rīdēs?"
Cornelius anything new happened brother asked why are-you-laughing

110 At ille: "Dum in agrīs vāgor," inquit, "servō cuidam et ancillae haud procul occurrī.
And he while in fields I-was-wandering said slave- a-certain and maid not far-away I-ran-into

Ille ambulābat sēcūrus, ancilla autem mulctra gravia ferēbat. Tum servō ego: 'Quō nōmine tē
He was-walking without-a-care maid however milking-pails heavy was-carrying then to-slave I by-what name you

vōcem?' inquam. Ac ille: 'Crāstinum mē vocant.'


I-am-to-call I-said and he Of-tomorrow me they-call

" 'Neque ēcastor11 sine causā ita faciunt,' inquit ancilla asperius 115. 'Tū enim tam iners
Nor by-heaven without cause thus they-do said maid quite-harshly you for so idle

es, ut numquam faciās ea, quae ullō modō in posterum diem differrī possint.'
you-are that never you-do those-things which in-any way till next day be-postponed can

" 'Ōhē, mel meum,' inquit ille. 'Cūr semper mihi tam saeva?'
Oh honey mine said he why always to-me so cruel

"At ancilla: 'Cavē mē mel tuum vocēs, stulte, aut tē statim 120 docēbō linguae
But maid Be-careful [that-not] me honey your you-call fool or you at-once I-will-teach tongue

tuae melius moderārī; quō dictō, mulctrum graviter in eius caput impēgit. Haec cum
your better to-control with-which said pail heavily onto his head she-banged this when

vīdissem, sine morā abiī, cum nescīrem quō rēs dēnique evāsūra esset."
I-had-seen without delay I-left since I-didn’t-know where affair finally going-to-turn-out was

"Eōs requīrāmus," inquit Sextus. "Fortasse rīxa nōndum 125 ad fīnem est adducta; atque
Them let’s look-for said Sextus perhaps quarrel not-yet to end has-been brought and

ego libentissimē tālia videō."


I very-gladly such-things see

"Sērō hoc rogās," inquit Pūblius; "omnia enim ad proficīscendum parāta sunt, ac pater
Too-late this you-ask said Publius all-things as for setting-out ready are and father

Placentiam quam prīmum venīre vult, ut itineris conficiendī cōnsilium hodiē cōnstituātur."
to-Placentia as-possible soon to-come wishes so-that of-journey being-finished plan to-day can-be -decided

Quae ubi dicta sunt, omnēs in raedās ēscendērunt; ac hōrā 130 ferē nōnā moenia urbis
which-things when said were all into wagons climbed and at-hour about ninth walls of-city

iam in cōnspectū erant.


already in sight were

11
Literally `By Castor’. Castor and Pollux were twin sons of Leda but from different fathers, the
Spartan king Tyndareus and Jupiter respectively (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_and_Pollux).
.The process is known as heteropaternal superfecundation, which involves the fertilisation by different
males of two eggs released in the same cycle. This occurs rarely in humans but frequently in some
other mammals. The two were regarded as protectors of mankind and their assistance to the Romans in
a legendary battle in 496 B.C. is mentioned in chapter 33.
Reconstructed view of the cemetery outside the east gate of Placentia 12
http://m.piacenzaromana.it/percorso_01.html

12
The Via Aemilia, along which Cornelius’s family were travelling, and the Via Postumia, which
crosses the River Po and then runs east through Cremona and Verona to the Adriatic both ran through
this cemetery area. The route of the Via Postumia is currently being developed as a hiking trail, linking
up with the many pilgrim routes through France and northern Spain to the shrine of St. James at
Campostella (https://www.gonomad.com/124703-italys-via-postumia-hiking-across-an-ancient-road)
CAPUT XXXVI

Ubi in oppidum perventum est, viātōrēs statim ad caupōnem dēvertērunt, ut sine morā
When to town reached it-was travellers at-once to inn went-off so-that without delay

litterae obsignātae solverentur. Intus scrīptum erat Lugdūnum 13 Cornēliō iter faciendum esse,
letter sealed could-be-unfastened inside written had-been to-Lugdunum for-Cornelius journey necessary-making to-be

eumque ibi cognitūrum quid porrō agendum esset.


and-him there going-to-learn what further to-be-done was

The Galllic provinces in the 2nd. century A.D.


"Omnia tam incerta sunt!" inquit Drūsilla suspīrāns. 5 "Fortasse, coniūnx, annum tōtum
All-things so uncertain are said Drusilla sighing perhaps husband year whole

ā nōbīs aberis."
From us you-will-be-away

"Ūnum saltem certum est," inquit Cornēlius. "Manē ad Galliam Trānsalpīnam mihi est
One-thing at-least certain is said Cornelius in-morning to Gaul Transalpine for-me is

13
Lugdunum (modern Lyon), probably `Stronghold of [the god] Lug’ in Gallic, was founded in 43 B.C.
at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone and was the birthplace. of the emperors Claudius (10 B.C.)
and Caracalla (198 A.D.) . A major urban centre, it was the capital of Gallia Lugdunensis, which,
together with Narbonensis, Aquitania and Belgica, covered most of modern France and Belgium.
Lugdunensis included both Lutetia Parisiorum (Paris) and Armorica (Brittany). Lugdunum was in 197
the site of a battle between Septimius Severus and his rival Clodius Albinus, who had made the city his
headquarters, Following Severus’s victory, Lugdunum may not have regained its earlier prosperity
though it remained an important administrative centre. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugdunum .
proficīscendum. Nunc autem ratiōnēs quaedam sunt cōnficiendae; et nōnnūlla sunt, quae
necessary-setting-out now however accounts some are necessary-finishing and some-things are which

Pūbliō nostrō praecipere volō." 10


to-Publius our to-give-as-instructions I-want

Quae cum dīxisset, Onēsimum arcessīvit, ac cum Pūbliō sē recēpit in conclāve parvum;
These-things when he-had-said Onesimus he-sent-for and with Publius self took-back into room small

ubi duās hōrās negotiīs variīs opera data est.


where two hours to-business various attention given was

Hypothetical reconstruction of Lugdunum in the Lyon-Fouviére museum


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugdunum#/media/File:Lugdunum.JPG
The Roman Theatre at Lugdunum (Lyon)
https://www.facebook.com/LugdunumMTR/
Interim līberī, quī nōn habēbant quō modo sē oblectārent, paulisper tacentēs sēdērunt.
Meanwhile the-children who not had in-what way themselves they-could-amuse short-while silent sat

Tum Annae Sextus: "Lepida 15 fuērunt ea, quae hodiē nōbīs nārrāvistī," inquit; "et ūnum
Then to-Anna Sextus cool were those-things which today us you-told said and one-thing

adhūc restat, quod ego rogāre velim. Dīxistī etiam pecora esse trucīdāta, cum Ierīcō captā
still remains which I to-ask would-like you-said even cattle to-have-been slaughtered when Jericho captured

esset . Quid, obsecrō, dē aurō argentōque et cēterīs opibus incolārum est factum?"
What please about gold and-silver and other wealth of-inhabitants was done

"Urbs tōta est incēnsā," inquit Anna; "sed aurum argentumque 20 et vāsa aut aēnea aut
City whole was burned said Anna but gold and-silver and vessels either of-bronze or

ferrea in aerārium deī suprēmī dēlāta sunt omnia; nam ita praeceptum erat." Dēleō dēferrō
of-iron into treasury of-god supreme brought were all for thus ordered had-been

"Nihilōminus," inquit Sextus, "mihi mīrandum vidētur mīlītēs voluisse tantam praedam
Nevertheless said Sextus to-me amazing it-seems soldiers to-have-wanted so-much loot

ē manibus suīs dīmittere."


from hands own to-let-go

"Ūnus erat, Āchān nōmine," inquit Anna, "quī cupiditātī 25 suae moderārī nōn potuit, ac
One there-was Achan by-name said Anna who greed own to-control not was-able and

quandam vestem splendidam magnamque vim aurī et argentī in tabernāculum reportāvit suum
a-certain garment splendid and-great quantity of-gold and silver into tent brought-back his

ibique humī operuit.


and-there in-ground buried

"Nec vērō deus īrae suae signa dubia dedit. 14 Cum enim nostrī iterum cum hostibus
Nor indeed god of-anger his signs doubtful gave when for our-people again with enemy

proeliō congressī essent, magnā caede fūsī 30 terga vertērunt; nam nōn diūtius aspectum
in-battle met had with-great slaughter routed backs they-turned for not any-longer sight

adversāriōrum ferre poterant.


of-adversaries to-bear were-able

"Hāc mūtātiōne rērum vehementer commōtus, Iōsue deum cōnsuluit quam ob causam
By-this alteration of-things greatly disturbance Joshua god consulted what for reason

hoc tantum malum incidisset. Cui respōnsum est aliquem, cupiditāte inductum, aurum 35
this so-great evil had-occurred to-him replied it-was someone by-greed influenced gold

argentumque sacrum in suum tabernāculum reportāsse; 15 quī ut ēligerētur, sortēs


and-silver sacred into own tent to-have-brought-back who so-that could-be-picked-out

dūcendās esse
14
ie. God left nobody in doubt about his anger,
15
A contraction of perfect infinitive reportāvisse
necessary-drawn to-be

"Hōc respōnsō acceptō, Iōsue populum per gentēs familiāsque ēvocāvit; ac, sortibus
With-this reply received Joshua people by clans and-families called-out and with-lots

ductīs, Āchān dēsignātus est. Tum 40 ille dīxit sē, praedā optimā oblātā, temperāre nōn
drawn Achan picked-out was then he said self with-lot excellent offered restrain-himself not

potuisse quīn vestem et aurum argentumque sibi auferret.


to-have-been-able so-not garment and gold and-silver for-himself he-carry-off

"Quae ubi cognita sunt, missī ad tabernāculum praedam absconditam invēnērunt. Tum
These-things when learned were those-sent to tent booty hidden found

Iōsue et populus ūniversus in quandam vallem cīvem scelestum et fllīōs flliāsque ūna cum
Joshua and people whole to a-certain valley citizen wicked and sons and-daughters together with

bōbus et asinīs dedūxērunt. 45


cattle and asses brought

"Ibi cum sontēs saxīs obrutī essent, strue factā, Āchān et līberī, ūnā cum pecudibus et
There when the-guilty with-stones overwhelmed had-been with-heap made Achan and children together with cattle

ipsō tabernāculō tōtāque praedā, ignī cōnsūmptī sunt. Sīc īra deī plācāta est."
itself tent and-all loot by-fire consumed were thus anger of-god appeased was

The stoning of Achan and his family


https://www.boomerinthepew.com/2009/07/what-are-we-to-learn-from-the-stoning-and-burning-of-achans-whole-family.html

Tum Drūsilla, quae quoque haec attentē audierat 16: "In avāritiā," 50 inquit, "quantum est
Then Drusilla who also these-things attentively had-heard in greed said how-much there-is

malī! Profectō ā poētā probē dictum est:


of-evil of-course by poet rightly said it-was

“'Quid nōn mortālia pectora cōgis,


What not mortal hearts you-compel [to-do]

Aurī sacra famēs!'"17


Of-gold accursed hunger

Postquam grātiae Annae actae sunt, līberī paulisper cum Lūciō lūsērunt. Tum cēnae
After thanks to-Anna made were children a-short-while with Lucius played then of-dinner

tempus haud aequō animō18 exspectābant; 55 sed postrēmō pater et Pūblius, negōtiō
time not with-balanced mind were-waiting-for but finally father and Publius with-business

cōnfectō, ad cēterōs rediērunt, ac simul nūntiātum est cēnam adpositam esse.


finished to others returned and at-same-time announced it-was dinner served to-have-been

Interim Stasimus sē immiscuerat sermōnibus servōrum, quī in dēversōriō habitābant; et


Meanwhile Stasimus himself had-involved in-conversation of-slaves who in inn were-living and

post cēnam in culīnā clārē resonābant frequentēs cachinnī. Postrēmō intrat senex mōrōsus, quī
after dinner in kitchen clearly were-ringing-out frequently bursts-of-laughter finally there-enters old-man grumpy who

60 ab omnibus cōnservīs suīs lūdibriō habēbātur; quem ut lūdificāret, hōc modō


by all fellow-slaves his as-a-laughing-stock was-regarded whom so-that he-could- -make—fun-of in-this way

incipit Stasimus:
begins Stasimus

Stasimus. Quid nunc, pater? Quid agis?


What now father how are-you-doing

Senex. Iuvenem scelestum atque adeō impudīcum aspiciō.


Youth wicked and so shameless I’m looking-at

Stasimus. Itane vērō? Ubi est ille, obsecrō? Nam ego 65 quidem eum nusquam videō.
Thus-? really where is he please for I indeed him nowhere see

Senex. Sī nōn vidēs, at sentiēs dēmum, cum prō dēlictīs tuīs tergum virgīs caedētur.
If not see still you-will-feel eventually when for crimes your back by-rods will-be-cut

Stasimus. Nōlī maledīcere. Quid, obsecrō, hodiē fēcistī?


Don’t be-insulting what please today have-you-done

Senex. Nēmō mē miserior vīvit! Duās hōrās tōtās aquam 70 ē fonte ferre coāctus sum;
16
audierat is the reduced form of the pluperfect audīverat
17
Vergil, Aeneid III 56ff. Aeneas, telling Dido his adventures after escaping from Troy, refers to the
murder by a Thracian king of Polydorus, who had been sent to him by his father, King Priam of Troy,
for safety. The murderer wanted both to ingratiate himself with Agamemnon and the Greeks and to
seize the gold Polydorus had brought with him. The adjective sacer (sacred) could also mean
`accursed’, i.e. dedicated to a god for destruction.
18
aequō animō: patiently, calmly
Nobody than-me more-miserable lives two hours whole water from spring to-bring forced I-was

nec quisquam mē adiuvāre voluit.


and-not anyone me to-help was-willing

Stasimus. Quō modō tē nunc adiuvāre possumus?


In-what way you now help we-can

Senex. Ēheu!
Oh dear!

Stasimus. Ēheu? Ita quidem tē libenter adiuvābō.


Oh dear? That way indeed you gladly I will help

Senex. Miser sum; argentī19 nihil habeō— 75


Miserable I-am of-silver nothing I-have

Stasimus. Ēheu!
Oh dear!

Senex. Nec mihi ūlla grātia est.


And-not to-me any gratitude is

Stasimus. Ēheu! 80
Oh dear!

Senex. Cotīdiē labōribus adsiduīs cōnficior.


Every-day by-labours unceasing I-m-worn-out

Stasimus. Ēheu!
Oh dear!

Senex. Istō modō mē adiuvās, mastīgia?


In-that way me you-help rogue

Stasimus. Dō quod mihi est; dīvitiās aliās nūllās habeō.


I’m-giving what to-me there-is riches other none I-have

Senex. Apage20 ā mē istās dīvitīās.


Get-away from me those riches

Stasimus. Hoc animadverte, senex. Nōnne vīs nunc sāltāre? 85


This mark-well old-man Don’t you-want now to-dance

Senex. Abī in maximam mālam crucem.21 Mēne īnsānīre putās?


Go-away onto greatest bad cross me-? to-be-mad you-think

Stasimus. Nōnne igitur manibus ambulāre vīs?


Don’t-you therefore on-hands to-walk wish?

Senex. Papae! Dēlīrat profectō. Quid nunc nōbīs faciēndum est? 90


19
Because the most commonly used coins were of silver, argentum could also refer to money in
general, the sense which it retains in French argent. This meaning makes better sense here, though
Nutting, in the vocabulary gives only `silver, silver plate’ as translation equivalents.
20
The Greek imperative ἄπαγε (`Take away!) was frequently used as an interjection (`Away with it!’)
in both Greek and Latin
21
Abī in malam rem and abī in (maximam) malam crucem (referring to death by crucifixion) are
both functionally equivalent to `Go to hell!’
Waah He’s-crazy obviously What now by-is to-be-done is

Stasimus. Bacchus22 mē in montēs vocat; sed abīre nōn possum quod domus sīmiīs
Bacchus me into mountains is-calling but leave not I-can because house with-apes

opplēta est, et portam occupat hic canis rabidus.


filled is and gate occupies this dog rabid

Senex. Vae mihi! Canem rabidum mē esse dīcit. Ut oculī 95 scintillant! Male metuō nē
Woe to-me dog rabid me to-be he-says how eyes flash badly I-fear lest

in mē inruat.
at me he-may-rush

Stasimus. Nunc manū fustem capiō, quō caput illī canī rabidō comminuam.
Now in-hand club I’m-taking with-which head for-that dog rabid I-can-smash

Quae cum dīxisset, scīpīōne arreptō, in senem impetum tam subitō fēcit, ut ille terrōre
Which-things when-he-had-said with-staff grabbed on old-man attack so sudden he-made that he with-terror

āmēns forās maximīs clāmōribus 100 ērumperet, cum reliquī semel atque iterum tollerent
out-of-his-mind outside with-very-loud shouts he-rushed whilst the-rest once and again raised

cachinnōs.
chuckles

Hōc tumultū audītō, Cornēlius: "Suspicor," inquit, "Stasimum istum scelestum rūrsus
With-this uproar heard Cornelius I-suspect said Stasimus that villain again

dolōs suōs versāre. Abī, Pūblī, atque exquīre quid factum sit."
tricks his to-be-up-to Go-off Publius and enquire what happened

Paulō post reversus Pūblius rīdēns: "Stasimus lūdificāns, 105 ut solet," inquit, "sē
a-little after having-retuned Publius laughing Stasimus playing-jokes as he-normally-does said himself

īnsānum esse simulābat, et cuidam senī mōrōsō tantum iniēcit terrōrem, ut ille summō cursū
insane to-be was-pretending and in-a-certain old-man grumpy such-great instilled fear that he at-top speed

forās effugeret.
outside fled

"Cēterī autem, quī maximā dēlectātiōne haec omnia vīderant, cum senex perterritus
The-rest however who with-greatest delight these al-things had-seen when old-man terrified

forās fūgisset, in cachinnōs tantōs ērūpērunt, ut subitō corrueret subsellium, in quō sedēbant
outside had-fled into laughter so-great burst that suddenly collapsed bench on which were-sitting

duo 110 servī obēsī; quī ita humī effūsī sunt supīnī."
two slaves fat who thus on-ground sprawled were on-backs

"Hahahae!" inquit Sextus. "Vellem adfuissem. Profectō nihil est Stasimō nostrō
Ha-ha-ha sadi Sextus I-wish I-had-been-there Of-course nothing is than-Stasimus our

facētius."
22
The god Bacchus was supposed to lead bands of followers – Bacchantes – in wild revels through the
countryside.
funnier

Tum Cornēlius, quī ipse vix rīsum continēre potuerat: "Facētus certē est," inquit; "sed, ut
Then Cornelius who himself scarcely laughter refrain-from was-able Funny certainly he-is he-said but as

saepe iam dīxī, maximē 115 metuō nē quandō in aliquod malum magnum incidat. Nam haud
often already I-have-said greatly I-fear lest some-time into some trouble great he-may-fall for not

omnēs tam toleranter eius argūtiās ferent."


all so tolerantly his fooling-around will-bear

Haec ubi sunt dicta, omnēs libenter ēgressī sunt in hortum, ubi subsellia complūra
These-things when were said all gladly went-out into garden where benches several

collocāta erant; nam tempestās erat serēna. 120


placed had-been for weather was calm

Cum ibi cōnsēdissent, patrī Sextus: "Utinam," inquit, "Cremōnae adeundae facultās
When there they-had-sat-down to-father Sextus If-only he-said of-Cremona going-to opportunity

darētur! Ego enim urbem ignī dēlētam numquam vīdī."


was-given I for city by-fire destroyed never have-seen

"Metuō nē tū in errōrem magnum incideris23, mī fīlī," inquit Cornēlius. "Nam post


I-fear that you into error great have-fallen my son said Cornelius for after

incendium imperātor Vespasiānus ut 125 Cremōnā restituerētur hortātus est, et mūnicipia 24


fire emperor Vespasian that Cremona be-restored urged and country-towns

fīnitima omnibus modīs adiūvērunt oppidānōs, quī domōs et templa reficere volēbant. Sīc
neighbouring by-all means helped townspeople who homes and temples to-repair wanted thus

factum est ut urbs brevī dēnuō flōrēret."25


it-came-about that city soon again was-flourishing

"Nōnne etiam secundō bellō Pūnicō quaedam in hīs regiōnibus ācta sunt?" inquit
Not-? also in-second war Punic certain-things in these regions done were asked

Pūblius. 130
Publius

"Maximē vērō," inquit Cornēlius. "Quīn etiam Placentia ipsa tum Rōmānīs aliquamdiū
Very-much indeed said Cornelius Indeed even Placentia itself then for-Romans for-some-time

erat sēdēs bellī, atque hūc sē recēpit Scīpiō vulnerātus, cum ad flūmen Tīcīnum 26 equestrī

23
From its context and use in a clause of fearing, incideris is clearly perfect subjunctive, not future
perfect. The alternative form, inciderīs, which is unambiguously perfect subjunctive, is the older one
and was sometimes used in poetry in the classical period but the vowel was regularly short in ordinary
conversation.
24
A mūnicipium was a self-governing urban centre whose inhabitants had some or all of the rights of
Roman citizens. After Caracalla extended Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire in
212, the term simply meant a town with its own local government.
25
Although the city was indeed quickly rebuilt, it probably never returned to its full former prosperity.
26
The battle was fought in November 218 B.C. north of the Po by the river Ticinus (now the Ticino),
near the town of Ticinum (modern Pavia). The Roman commander, Publius Cornelius Scipio had to be
rescued by his son the future Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, who was to defeat Hannibal
decisively in Africa at Zama in 202. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ticinus
was base for-war and to-here self brought-back Scīpiō wounded when at river Ticinus in-cavalry

proeliō victus esset."


fight defeated he-had-been

Battle of the Trebia, 18 December 2018 B.C.. showing the Roman attack across the
Trebia river south of the Po.
https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2015/11/14/battle-of-the-trebia-river/

"Quid deinde ā nostrīs factum est?" inquit Sextus. 135


What then by our-men done was said Sextus

"Cum cōpiae Hannibalis quoque Padum transīssent," inquit pater, "Scīpiō obviam iit
When troops of-Hannibal also Po had-crossed said father Scipio to-meet went

usque ad flūmen Trebiam, quod hinc minus quīnque mīlia passuum abest. Ibi castra posuit,
up to river Trebia which from-here lees-than five thousand paces is-away there camp he-placed

ut adventum Semprōnī,27 collēgae suī, exspectāret. 140


so-that arrival of-Sempronius colleague his he-could-await

"Collēga, cum pervēnisset, coniūnctīs cōpiīs statim dēcertāre voluit; Scīpīō autem,

27
Tiberius Sempronius Longus, Scipio’s fellow consul for 218, had to travel north from Sicily, where
he had been campaigning when news of Hannibal’s arrival in Italy was received.
Colleague when he-had-arrived having-been-combined at-once to-have-decisive-fight wanted Scipio however

quī modo equestrī proeliō victus et vulnerātus esset, ut bellum traherētur hortātus est.
who just-before in-cavalry battle defeated and wounded had-been that war be-dragged-out urged

"Hiems erat et tempestās perfrīgida. Sed subitō manē equitēs Numidae flūmen
Winter it-was and weather very-cold but suddenly in-morning cavalry Numidian river

trānsgressī, ad castra Rōmānōrum accessērunt, 145 sī forte nostrōs ad pugnam ēlicere possent.
having-crossed to camp of-Romans came-up if by-chance out-troops into battle to-entice they-could

"Tum Semprōnius, morae impatiēns et cupiditāte pugnandī ēlātus, cōnsiliō


Then Sempronius of-delay impatient and by-eagerness for-fighting carried-away with-advice collēgae

repudiātō, mīlitēs ē castrīs ēdūxit; cumque cōnsultō Numidae cessissent et aquam


of-colleague rejected soldiers from camp led-out and-when deliberately Numidians had-withdrawn and water

ingressī essent, omnibus cōpiīs ille secūtus est. 150


entered had with-all troops he followed

"Vīs frīgoris tanta erat, ut nostrīs, cum ē flūmine ēmersissent, manūs gelū rigidae arma
Intensisty of-cold so-great was that for-our-men when out-of river they-had-emerged hands from-cold stiff weapons

vix tenēre possent. Nihilōminus refugientēs Numidās cōnstanter īnsequēbantur, cum subitō
scarcely to-hold they-were-able nevertheless fleeing Nunidians constsntly they-kept-pursuing when suddenly

occurrit maior pars hostium, quae adhūc quiēta exspectāverat.


appeared greater part of-enemy who till-then quietly had-been-waiting

"Cum hīs quoque Rōmānī congressī fortiter pugnāvērunt. 155 Sed iam ex lateribus
With these also Romans having-met bravely fought but already from sides

equitēs hostium fēcērunt impetum; ac Māgō,28 quī in īnsidiīs collocātus erat, ā tergō quoque
cavalry of-enemy made attack and Mago who in ambush stationed had-been from rear also

aggressus, maximum tumultum ac terrōrem intulit. Quibus rēbus nostrī in orbem


having-attacked greatest confusion and terror brought on-this situation our-men in circular-formation

pugnāre coāctī sunt.


to-fight forced were

"Postrēmō circiter decem mīlia, impetū ācerrimō factō, per 160 mediam aciem
Finally around ten thousand with-attack most-furious made through middle of-battle-line

perrūpērunt hostium, ac Placentiam sē recēpērunt. Multī in proeliō iam perierant ; aliī autem
broke of-enemy and to-Placentia themselves took-back many in battle already had-perished others however

aut aquā haustī sunt aut in rīpīs flūminis ab hostibus oppressī. 29


28
Mago was Hannibal’s brother.
29
The movements of forces before and after the battle and the location of camps are uncertain: see the
complex account at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Trebia Many of the Gallic inhabitants
of the Po Valley, resentful over the colonies that the Romans were establishing in the region, went over
to Hannibal and Scipio had had to withdraw to the hills south of Placentia. When Sempronius arrived
he apparently pitched his own camp nearer the Po but it is unclear whether all of Scipio’s forces joined
him there and whether this camp was on the east bank of the Trebia, as assumed at
https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2015/11/14/battle-of-the-trebia-river/ In addition to the ten thousand
Roman troops (out of a total force of around 40,000) who broke out of encirclement and reached
Placentia, Scipio may have still had a separate force of his own, which would explain why he had one
either by-water swallowed-up were or on banks of-river by enemy overwhelmed

"Poenī tamen dīcuntur in castra sua tam torpentēs gelū rediisse, ut vix laetitiam victōriae
The Carthaginians are-said into camp own so numb from-cold to-have-returned that scarcely joy of-victory

sentīrent. Rōmānī dissipātī, quī ex proeliō supererant, Padum trānsvectī, ā Scīpīōne 165
they-felt Romans scattered who from battle survived Po led-across by Scipio

Cremōnam dēductī sunt, nē duōrum exercituum hībernīs ūna urbs premerētur."


To-Cremona brought were lest of-two armies with winter-quarters one city might-be-burdened

Cisalpine Gaul at the start of the 2nd Punic War30


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ticinus#/media/File:218_aC_GALLIA_CISALPINA.png

Cum tandem nox tenebrās suās attulisset, māter līberōs hortāta est ut cubitum īrent, quod
When at-last night darkness its had-brought mother children urged that to-bed they-go because

pater posterō diē māne abitūrus esset; illī autem ōrāvērunt ut sibi hāc nocte ultimā 170 diūtius
father on-next day early going-to-leave was they however begged that to-them on-this night last longer

morārī licēret. Potestāte factā, ad multam noctem tempus sermōne variō trahēbātur;
to-delay it-might-be-allowed with-permission granted till late-at night time with-talking various was-spent

tum omnēs sē quiētī dedērunt.


Then all themselves to-rest gave

army to put in winter quarters at Placentia and another at Cremona. It has also even been suggested (at
https://www.jstor.org/stable/296005) that Placentia itself was originally west of the Trebia!

30
A recent account of the region is Carolynn E. Roncaglia’s Northern Italy in the Roman World: From
the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity(Baltimore John Hopkins University Press, 2018,
https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Italy-Roman-World-Antiquity/dp/142142519X There is also
relevant information in Timothy Potter’s broader survey, Roman Italy (Berkeley and Los Angeles:
University of California Press 1987).
CAPUT XXXVII

Prīmā lūce Cornēlius, cum mandāta ultima Pūbliō dedisset, uxōrem lībērōsque
At-first light Cornelius when instructions final to-Publius he-had-given wife and-children

amplexūs, in raedam cum Onēsimō ēscendit, ac celeriter profectus est; nec Drūsilla aut
having-embraced into wagon with Onesimus climbed-up and quickly set off and-not Drusilla or

Cornēlia lacrimīs eum abeuntem prōsequī prius dēstitit quam omnīnō ē cōnspectū discessit.5
Cornelia with-tears him going-away to-follow earlier ceased than[when] completely out-of sight he-departed

Tum Pūblius, suā auctōritāte īnsolitā laetus, tabellāriō Cōmum 31 citō equō ad patruum
Then Publius with-own authority unaccustomed happy with-courier to-Comum on-swift horse to uncle

praemissō, in raedās omnēs ēscendere iussit, atque ex oppidō cursum dīrēxit. Cui Sextus, dum
sent-ahead into wagons all to-climb ordered and out-of town journey directed to-whom Sextus while

flūmen Padum ponte trānseunt: "Quō nunc tendimus, 10 frāter?" inquit. "Quam longē abest
river Po by-bridge they-crossed where now are-we-heading brother asked how far is-away

Cōmum et patruī vīlla?"


Comum and uncle’s villa

Modern Como (ancient Comum)


At Pūblius: "Sī omnia prōsperē prōcēdent," inquit, "hodiē Mediolānum 32 usque iter
And Publius if all-things well will-go said today Mediolanum up-to journey

31
Comum (modern Como), formally known as Novum Comum as it was founded by Julius Caesar in
59 B.C. to replace an earlier hilltop settlement, is situated at the south-west end of Lake Como (ancient
Larius Lacus), near the modern Swiss border. It was the birthplace of Pliny the Elder (c 23-79 A.D.)
and his nephew, Pliny the Younger,(c.61-113 A.D.) whose benefactions to the city are recorded in a
famous inscription. See https://comocompanion.com/2017/02/28/novum-comum-roman-como/ for
details of the city’s Roman heritage, and also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Como
32
Said to have been founded by the Celtic Insubres at the end of the 7th century B.C. Mediolanum
(modern Milan), whose name was probably a Latinisation of the Gallic `Mediolanon’ (`in the middle of
the plain’) was conquered by Rome in 222 B.C. In 286 A.D. it became the capital of the Western half of
the Roman Empire. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediolanum
faciēmus. Crās spērō nōs ad fīnem itineris perventūrōs esse."
we-will-make tomorrow I-hope us to end of-journey going-to-get to-be

"Mīror quam mox litterae ā patre adferantur," inquit Cornēlia.15 "Lacrimīs vix teneō,
I-wonder how soon letter from father will-be-brought said Cornelia from-tears scarcely I-hold

dum cōgitō eum fortasse multōs mēnsēs āfutūrum .”


while I-think him perhaps many months going-to-be-away

"Bonō es animō," inquit Drūsilla, quae vultū laetitiam simulābat, cum dolōrem magnum
With-good be heart said Drusilla who with-face happiness was-feigning although sorrow great

mente sentīret. "Pollicitus est sē certīs intervāllīs missūrum tabellāriōs, et litterās aliās quoque
in-mind felt he-promised himself ar-fixed intervals going-to-send couriers and letters other also

20 datūrum, quotiēnscumque occurrisset aliquis, quī in Ītaliam iter faceret. Cum dēmum
going-to-give whenever had-met-up ntone who into Italy journey was-making when at-last

Lugdūnum pervēnerit, tum dēnique ille coniectūram facere poterit, quam mox ad nōs redīre
Lugdunum [Lyon] he-will-have-reached finally he estimate to-make will-be-able how soon to us to-return

possit."
He-will-be-able

Tum Sextus: "Pūblius," inquit, "onere officī susceptī tam 25 occupātus esse vidētur, ut
Then Sextus Publius said with-burden of-duty undertaken so busy to-be seems that

nōbīscum vix colloquī velit. Quārē necessāriō ad tē, māter, spectāmus, ut aliquid nārrēs,
with-us hardly to-talk wants so necessarily to you mother we-look so-that something you-can-relate

quō iūcundius diēs trānseat."


in-order-that more-pleasantly day may-pass

Ac Drūsilla, quae mentēs līberōrum ā discessū patris āvertere volēbat: "Meminī," inquit,
And Drusilla who minds of-children from departure of-father divert wanted I-remember said

"mē saepe audīre fābulam dē iuvene et puellā, quī Babylōne abhinc multōs annōs inīquō fātō
me often to-hear story bout youth and girl who in-Babyon ago many years by-unfair fate

periērunt. 30 Dē hīs audīre vultis?"


perished about these-things to-hear do-you-wish?

"Ego audīre volō," inquit Cornēlia, "nisi fābula nimis trīstis est."
I to-hear want said Cornelia if-not story too sad is

"Exitum certē haud laetum habet," inquit māter; "sed rēs ipsa memorātū dignissima
Ending certainly not happy it-has said mother but story itself of-relating most-worthy

est."35
is

"Ecquid inest," inquit Sextus, "dē elephantīs aut aliīs bēluīs, quae in illīs regiōnibus
There-anything is-in said Sextus about elephants or other monsters which in those regions

longinquīs reperiuntur?"
far-off are-found
"Brevī sciēs," inquit Drūsilla, cum Lūcium Annae trāderet: "Pȳramus et Thisbē, dē
Soon you-will-know said Drusilla when Lucius toAnna she-was-handing-over Pyramus and Thisbe about

quibus haec fābula nārrātur, domōs habēbant vīcīnās. Diū inter sē amābant; cum autem
whom this story is-told houses had neighbouring for-long-time beteeen selves they-loved when however

Pȳramus 40 virginem in mātrimōnium dūcere33 vellet, pater vetuit.


Pyramus maiden into marriage to-take wanted father forbade

"Prīmō amantēs, ab omnī spē destitūtī, quid facerent nōn habēbant. Tum forte
At-first lovers by all hope abandoned what they-could-do not had then by-chance

animadvertērunt parietem utrīque domuī commūnem fissum esse tenuī rīmā, quam dūxerat
they-noticed wall to-each house common split to-be by-narrow crack which it-had-acquired

multō ante, cum fieret.45


long before when it-was-being-built

"Quam rīmam verbōrum iter fēcērunt. Cumque cōnstiterant, 34 hinc Thisbē, illinc
This crack of-words route they-made and-whenever they-had-halted[there) on-this-side Thisbe on-that

Pȳramus, summissā vōce inter sē multa loquēbantur. Tum sub vesperum, postquam uterque
Pyramus in-subdued voice between selves many-things used-to-speak then towards-evening after each

suae partī parietis ōscula dederat, 'valē' maestī dīcēbant.


to-own part of-wall kisses had-given farewell sad used-to-say

"Postrēmō, huius morae tam longae impatientēs, silentiō 50 noctis cūstōdēs fallere
Finally of-this delay so long impatient in-silence of-night guards to-give-slip-to

cōnstituērunt et forās exīre, ut dēmum nūllō prohibente lībere colloquerentur. Atque in


they-decided and outside to-go-out so-that at-last with-nobody preventing freely they-could-talk-together and in

tenebrīs nē errārent, locus certus haud procul ā fonte gelidō cōnstitūtus est, quō convenīre
darkness lest they-went-astray place definite not far from cold spring fixed was at-which meet

possent.
they-could

55 "Thisbē prior ēgressa, incolumis ad locum dēstinātum pervēnit. Dum autem ibi sub
Thisbe first having-gone-out safe to place designated reached while however there under

arbore sedet, ecce leō, quī modo bovem dīlaniāverat, ut sitim dēpelleret, ad fontem accessit.
tree sits see! lion which just-before ox had-torn-apart so-that thirst it-might-quench to spring came-up

Quō vīsō, Thisbē pavida in spēluncam vīcīnam refūgit, vēlāmine relictō, quod ā tergō
With-which seen Thisbe frightened into cave nearby fled with-wrap abandoned which from back

dēlāpsum erat.
fallen-down had

60 "Leō, sitī dēpulsā, dum in silvās redit, vēlāmen forte inventum ōre cruentō discerpsit;
Lion with-thirst quenched while into woods was-returning wrap by-chance found eith-mouth bloody tore-up

quod sanguine tīnctum cum Pȳramus, sērius ēgressus, per lūnam animadvertisset, perterritus
33
In matrim…. nūbere
34
which with-blood stained when Pyramus later having-gone-out through moon had-noticed terrified

sē circumspiciēns in altō pulvere ferae certa vestīgia vīdit.


self looking-around in deep dust of-wild-animal distinct tracks he-saw

"Tum iuvenis, vix compos mentis, Thisbēn sine dubiō 65 dīlaniātam esse ratus, sē
Then young-man scarcely in-possesion-of-mind Thisbe without doubt ripped-apart to-have-been thinking self

vehementer incūsāns, quod puellam teneram in loca tam perīculōsa sōlam prodīre passus
vehemently accusing because girl tender into places so dangerous alone to-poceed allowed

esset, vēlāmen sublātum ad arborem sēcum tulit; atque ibi, cum vestī notae lacrimās et ōscula
he-had wrap lifted-up to tree with-self carried and there when to-garment familiar tears and kisses

multa dedisset, in gladium suum incubuit.35


many had-given onto sword own fell

Pyramus and Thisbe , attributed to Jasper van der Laanen (1585-1634)


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jasper_van_der_Laanen_(attr)_Landscape_with_Pyramus_and_Thisbe.jpg

70 "Dum ille humī moribundus iacet, Thisbē, nē amantem falleret, ē spēluncā rediit,
While he on-ground dying lay Thisbe so-that-not lover she-would-disappoint out-of cave returned

etsī magnō ex metū nōndum sē recreāverat. Quae cum Pȳramum moribundum et vagīnam
although great from fear not-yet self she-had-composed she when Pyramus dying and sheath

gladīō vacuam36 vīdisset, capillō discissō clārē clāmāvit, corpusque amantis amplexa, ad
sword without she- had-seen with-hair torn loudly cried-out and-body of-lovder having-embraced to

vītam eum revocāre cōnāta est. Sed 75 frūstrā.


35
incubo (-ere, incubuī, incubitum) normally means `lie down on’ but the meaning here is clear.
36
Literally `empty from sword’
life him to-recall tried but in-vain

"Tum: 'Tua manus,' inquit, 'amorque tē perdidit, īnfēlīx. Et mihi est manus fortis et amor.
Then your hand she-said and-love you destroyed unhappy-man also to-me is hand brave and love

Cōnsequar tē mortuum, nec vērō morte ipsā ā mē dīvellī poteris.'


I-wil-follw you dead and-not indeed by-death itself from me to-be-torn-away you-will-be-able

"Quō dictō, ea quoque in gladium incubuit. Sīc illī, quōs 80 parentēs dīiungere
With-wgich said she also onto sword fell thus they whom parents to-divide

voluerant, in morte coniūnctī sunt, atque ambōrum cinis ūnā in urnā requiēscit." 37
had-wanted in death joined were and of-both ashes one in urn rest

Mosaic from Nea Paphos, Cyprus, with Pyramus as river god (2nd or 3rd cent. A.D.)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Thisbe_and_Pyramus-House-of-Dionysos.jpg

Līberī animīs intentīs mātrem haec nārrantem audierant, Cornēliā vērō vultū haud hilarī,
Children with-minds attentive mother these-things narrating had-heard Cornelia indeed with-face not cheerful

sed Sextus: "Mīror, māter," inquit, "tē tālia nārrāre audēre, cum Pūblius adest. Semper enim
but Sextus I-am-surprised mother said you such-things to-tell to-dare when Publius is-present always for

ille dē puellīs cōgitat, ac metuō nē quandō Pȳramum 85 aemulārī cōnētur."


He about girls is-thinking and I-fear lst at-some-time Pyramus to-imitate may-try

37
Drusilla’s story is based closely on Ovid, Metamorphoses IV: 55-166, which is also summarised in
chapters 15 and 16 of Latin via Ovid, with accompanying PowerPoint available at
https://linguae.weebly.com/latin--greek.html An earlier version of the myth, in which there is no
mulberry tree and Pyramus and Thisbe are transformed into a river and a neighbouring spring in Cilicia
in southern Asia Minor, is alluded to in Greek sources and probably illustrated by a mosaic at Nea
Paphos in Cyprus. For a full discussion see Peter E. Knox, `Pyramus and Thisbe in Cyprus,’ Harvard
Studies in Classical Philology, Vol. 92 (1989), pp. 315-328 (https://www.jstor.org/stable/311365) See
also the `Origins’ section in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramus_and_Thisbe
"Etiam tacēs?"38 inquit Pūblius ērubēscēns. "Puerum tē procāciōrem numquam vīdī! Sī
Will you shut up said Publius blushing boy than-you more-impudent never I-have-seen if

sapiēs,39 malum cavēbis."


you-are-wise something-unpleasant you-will-be-careful[to-avoid]

"Nōlī īrāscī, mī fīlī," inquit Drūsilla; "id enim nihil prōficit. Nam aliquis bene dīxit:
Don’t get-angry my son said Drusilla it for nothing profits for someone well said

'Sprēta exolēscunt; sī īrāscāre, agnita videntur.' "


Things-disregarded fade-away if you-are-angry acknowledged they-seem

"Haec verba nōn intellegō, māter," inquit Cornēlia. "Nōnne plānius sententia dīcī
These words not I-understand mother said Cornelia not-? more-plainly opinion be-stated

potest?"
can

"Multō vērō," inquit Drūsilla. "Vidē sī hoc facilius intellegī potest: 'Sī maledicta
Yes indeed said Drusilla see if this more-easily be-understood can if insults

neglegās, omnēs ea oblīvīscuntur; sīn 95 autem īāscāre, tum omnēs crēdunt vēra esse ea,
you-ignore all them forget but-if however you-get-angry then all believe true to-be those-things

quae dicta sunt.' "


which said were

"Iam intellegō," inquit Cornēlia; "et hīs verbīs bene praecipī ego quoque exīstimō."
Now I-understand said Cornelia and b-these words well instruction-to-be-given I also think

Viātōrēs, cum complūra mīlia passuum40 iter fēcissent, paulō 100 ante merīdiem
Travellers when several thousand paces journey they- had-made a-little before midday

cōnstitērunt hōramque ferē in umbrā arborum morātī sunt, ut equī reficerentur.


They-halted and-hour about in shade of-trees stayed so-that horses could-be-refreshed

Interim Sextus, quī lātius vagātus erat, ad Pūblium accessit, et: "Cum tū," inquit, "nunc
Meanwhile Sextus who further wandered had to Publius came-up and since you said now

tē prō patre familiās gerās, cēnseō omnia ad tē referenda esse. In agrō haud procul est
yourself in-place-of head of-family conduct I-consider all-things to you needing-refering to-be in field not far-off is

105 arbor, cuius in rāmīs cōpiam maximam pōmōrum optimōrum animadvertī. Rogō ut
tree whose in branches quantity very-great of-apples excellent I-noticed I-request that

mihi liceat in hanc arborem ēscendere, ut pōma pauca inde legam."


to-me it-be-permitted into this tree to-climb so-that allpes a-few from-there I-may-pick

Pūblius, frātris obsequentiā tam īnsolitā gaudēns: "Licet," inquit. "Agricola profectō
Publius brother’s in-deference to unusual rejoicing it’s-permitted said farmer of-course

nōbīs pauca pōma nōn invidēbit." 110


us a-few apple not will-begrudge

38
etiam can be used to mark an indignant question, equivalent to a sharp command.
39
Literally `If you will be wise’.
40
A thousand paces (mīlle passūs) was one Roman mile (hence the English word `mile’ itself).
Tum Sextus: "Maximās tibi grātiās agō, frāter," inquit, "quī potestātem mihi tam cōmiter
Then Sextus very-great to-you thanks I-give brother he-said who permission to-me so considerately

fēceris.41 Nunc aequō animō confitērī possum mē iam paulō ante ēscendisse in arborem, et,
gave now with-calm mind confess I-can me already a-little earlier to-have-climbed into tree and

pede fallente, rāmōs aliquot frēgisse. Gaudeō id nōn iniussū 115 tuō factum esse."
with-foot slipping branches some to-have-broken I-am-glad it not without-authorization your done to-have-been

Quō audītō: "Quid est, puer nēquam?" inquit Pūblius īrā incēnsus. "Itane mē
With-which hears what is[this] boy worthless said Publius with-anger burning in-this-way-? me

impūne ludificārī posse putās? Moriar, nisi efficiam ut tē paeniteat 42 umquam in istum
with-impunity to-be,made-fun-of to-be-able you-think I’ll-die if-not I-make-sure that you regret ever into that

agrum pervēnisse!" 120


field to-have-got

Corinthian pillars in Mediolanum (Milan), perhaps originally part of a 2nd. cent A.D.
temple or baths complex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonne_di_San_Lorenzo

"Cūr, obsecrō, frāter?" inquit Sextus, quasi iniūriā increpitus; "nōnne tū ipse mihi
Why please brother said Sextus as-if wrongly rebuked not-? you yourself to-me

permīsistī, ut in arborem ēscenderem?"

41
Pluperfect subjunctive in a relative clause of characteristic, Sextus is thanking Publius for being the
kind of brother to show consideration,
42
Impersonal verb paenitet with the accusative of person feeling regret or repentance
gave-permission that into tree I-could-climb

Priusquam Pūblius respondēre posset, advēnit agricola, quī prō damnō inlātō
Before Publius reply could there-arrived farmer who for damage caused

satisfactiōnem postulābat. Quem cum Pūblius aureō contentum dīmīsisset, omnēs iterum in
compensation started-to-demand whom when Publius with-gold content had sent-away all again into

raedās ēscendērunt, 125 et lēniter Mediolānum versus vectī sunt.


Wagons climbed and gently Mediolanum towards carried were

Interim Sextus, āstūtiā suā ēlātus, interdum ex intervāllō rīdēbat. Sed Pūblius,
Meanwhile Sextus with-smartness own elated sometimes at intervals kept-smiling but Publius

auctōritātem suam ita lūdibriō habitam dolēns, duās per hōrās cum cēterīs vix colloquī voluit.
authority own thus as-joke treated grieving two throughout hours with others scarcely to-talk wanted

Haud multō ante vesperum in oppidum perventum est; ubi 130 viātōrēs ad quendam
Not muich before evening into town arrived was where travellers at a-certain

caupōnem, cuius fāma ad eōs Placentiam usque pervēnerat, libenter dēvertērunt.


inn whose reputation to tham in-Placentia all-the-way had-reached gladly went-to-stay

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

https://comocompanion.com/2017/02/28/novum-comum-roman-como/
For artists impression of Porta Pretoria

https://news.stanford.edu/news/2012/may/orbis-roman-empire-051512.html
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