Exercises to Be Translated Into Latin
[The words in brackets are not to be translated.]
I
1. Vergil used to produce his verses like a bear.
2. The verses of Vergil were at first rough and unfinished.
3. He used to polish and correct his rough verses like a bear.
4. That animal by licking gives features to its shapeless offspring.
5. All the verses of Vergil were afterwards polished and corrected.
6. The offspring of that animal is at first rough and shapeless.
7. It produces a shapeless offspring, but afterwards licks and forms it.
8. The rough verses were polished and corrected by Vergil, as (its) offspring is licked and formed by that animal.
II
1. Philemon was an author by no means equal to Menander.
2. Do you not blush, whenever you defeat me in such contests?
3. Philemon did not blush when he met Menander.
4. Philemon often defeated Menander in those contests.
5. Menander will meet Philemon by chance.
6. Menander, a writer of comedies, defeated Philemon by bribery.
7. Menander and Philemon were by no means equal.
8. How do you defeat me in these contests?
III
1. A wonderful thing is told by Plutarch about the palm.
2. Great weights were placed by the philosophers on the stem of that palm tree.
3. The tree will not yield, but will rise against the great weight.
4. They have made the palm the emblem of victory.
5. Why is this tree an emblem of victory in battle?
6. The stem of the tree was not bent by the weights placed upon it.
7. Philosophers tell many wonderful tales about this tree.
8. This tree was made by the Greeks the emblem of victory.
IV
1. It is said that Xanthippe was the wife of Socrates the philosopher.
2. Socrates had a very bad-tempered wife, Xanthippe by name.
3. He did not drive his quarrelsome wife from home.
4. I can bear the impertinence of the others more easily.
5. The wife of Socrates was very quarrelsome both day and night.
6. The friends of Socrates wondered at his bad-tempered wife.
7. Why has your quarrelsome and bad-tempered wife not been driven from home?
8. Alcibiades, the friend of Socrates, wondered at Xanthippe, the quarrelsome wife of that philosopher.
V
1. Voluntary labours used to strengthen the body of Socrates.
2. He used to stand day and night motionless.
3. Socrates lived in perfect health for almost his whole life.
4. A plague ravaged the city of Athens in the Peloponnesian war.
5. Socrates kept his bodily vigour during the plague which ravaged Athens.
6. He used to stand with his eyes directed to the same place.
7. Socrates bore very many labours to strengthen his body.
8. He directed his eyes to the same place from one sunrise to the next sunrise.
VI
1. King Alexander had a wonderful horse called Bucephalas.
2. No one, except King Alexander, could mount this horse.
3. The king, seated on this horse, performed many brave deeds in the Indian war.
4. Darts were thrown from all sides at King Alexander.
5. The king was carried back at full speed by the dying horse from the middle of the battle.
6. A town, called Bucephalon, was built by Alexander in that place.
7. The horse was pierced by many wounds and fell down almost lifeless.
8. Alexander built a town in India, which he called Bucephalon in honour of his wonderful horse Bucephalas.
VII
1. Alcibiades was educated by his uncle Pericles.
2. A flute-player endeavoured to teach Alcibiades to play the flute.
3. The flute was handed to Alcibiades by his master.
4. The flute was thrown away and broken by the boy Alcibiades.
5. The Athenians unanimously ceased to play the flute.
6. The uncle caused the boy to be taught to play the flute.
7. The wise uncle caused many masters to be summoned.
8. Flute-playing was formerly considered by the Athenians a most honourable accomplishment.
VIII
1. The Samnites sent ambassadors to C. Fabricius, the Roman general.
2. They offered the Roman general a large sum of money as a gift.
3. Many things were lacking to the magnificence of his home.
4. Fabricius could control his eyes, mouth and ears.
5. Fabricius was unwilling to receive the money from the Samnites.
6. The Samnites know (how) to use the money.
7. Fabricius did many things for the Samnites after peace had been made.
8. The Roman general was unwilling to use the Samnite money.
IX
1. The king had collected his forces on the plain.
2. King Antiochus was about to make war on his enemies, the Roman people.
3. The army of the king was glittering with gold and silver trappings.
4. He manœuvred his chariots, cavalry and elephants.
5. These things will be enough for the greedy Romans.
6. Many elephants had been collected by Antiochus.
7. Hannibal jeered at the cowardice of Antiochus’ soldiers.
8. The king had collected chariots with sickles and elephants with turrets.
X
1. The death of Milo was wonderful and pitiable.
2. Athletics were abandoned by Milo (when) advanced in age.
3. A large oak was standing near the road.
4. He thrust his fingers into the hollows of the tree.
5. Milo endeavoured with his fingers to tear open the oak.
6. The tree returned to its natural position and shut in his hands.
7. The man was torn to pieces by wild beasts.
8. The oak was torn open by the hands of Milo.
XI
1. The Roman senators used to enter the senate house with their sons.
2. The senators were consulting about a very important matter.
3. No one spoke about the matter, (which had been) adjourned to the next day.
4. The mother of the boy Papirius was very anxious to hear the matter.
5. It is advantageous to the state for one man to have two wives.
6. The boy was unwilling to tell his mother those matters.
7. In that city one woman was not married to two men.
8. I must be silent, for I am not allowed to tell you this.
XII
1. On hearing this she betook herself in alarm to the other women.
2. Next day a crowd of women came to the senate-house.
3. What is this crowd of women, and what do these demands mean?
4. The boy advances into the middle of the senate-house and says these things.
5. Afterwards no boy entered the senate-house except Papirius.
6. The name (of) “Praetextatus” was given to the boy.
7. The women were frightened and surrounded the senate-house weeping and praying.
8. The senators wondered, when they saw the crowd of matrons.
XIII
1. Sertorius was an energetic general, skilled in commanding an army.
2. In times of difficulty he used to pretend dreams and tell lies to the soldiers.
3. A certain man gave Sertorius a white doe of remarkable beauty.
4. This doe has been presented to me by heaven.
5. The doe used to converse with Sertorius and advise him.
6. He announced that the doe had given him this advice.
7. The soldiers willingly obeyed Sertorius as if (he were) a god.
8. The doe, which had been given him as a gift, was of remarkable beauty and extraordinary speed.
XIV
1. The doe, alarmed by an inroad of the enemy, took to flight.
2. The doe one day hid in a neighbouring marsh, and was searched for in vain.
3. It was believed that Sertorius’ doe had perished.
4. Sertorius ordered the man, who found the doe, to be silent.
5. The doe appeared to me in the middle of the night and foretold what must be done.
6. The doe was suddenly let loose into the room, in which Sertorius and his friends were sitting.
7. The credulity of these barbarians was very useful to the general.
8. No one deserted Sertorius, though he was often conquered.
XV
1. An old woman brought nine books to King Tarquin.
2. She said that she wished to sell the books, which she had brought.
3. The woman demanded an immense (sum of) money, and therefore the king laughed.
4. Three out of the nine books were burnt before the king’s face.
5. The king said that the old woman was certainly mad.
6. She sold these books for the same price that she had demanded for all.
7. Tarquin at first despised the old woman, but afterwards bought the three remaining books.
8. The books, which this old woman sold to Tarquin, are called the Sibylline (books).
XVI
1. Scipio Africanus did not receive money from King Antiochus.
2. Scipio made peace with Antiochus on favourable terms.
3. Many charges were made against Scipio by M. Naevius.
4. This is the day on which Scipio conquered Hannibal in a very great battle in Africa.
5. This victory of Scipio in the land of Africa was very famous.
6. They went to the Capitol, to give thanks to Jupiter.
7. The assembly did not pass sentence on Scipio.
8. They all followed Scipio to his house with rejoicings and congratulations.
XVII
1. Cato, Scipio’s enemy, won over a certain tribune, named Petilius.
2. He was unwilling to give an account of the money and spoil to the senate.
3. Scipio produced a book, in which was written an account of the money and the spoil.
4. He tore the book to pieces with his own hands.
5. The safety of the state ought to be ascribed to Scipio.
6. He rose and produced a book, in which were the accounts.
7. I will not read the accounts to you, for I am unwilling to insult myself.
8. Scipio had taken much money and spoil in the war against Antiochus, and had written an account of it in a book.
XVIII
1. Old writers have told many (tales) about the life and deeds of Africanus.
2. Before dawn Scipio used to go to the temple of Jupiter.
3. The dogs did not attack Scipio as he went to the Capitol.
4. The attendants of the temple wondered that the dogs did not bark at Scipio.
5. Scipio was attacking a very strong town, situated in Spain.
6. There was small hope of taking this strong town.
7. He ordered bail to be given by the soldier for (his appearance on) the third day.
8. Scipio stretched out his hand towards the town, which he was attacking.
XIX
1. The man must be condemned by the law.
2. I consulted about the life of my friend with the judges.
3. I persuaded the other judges to acquit my friend.
4. He silently gave his vote for condemning the man.
5. The duty of a friend and of a judge was thus safe.
6. He consulted with himself about the life of his friend.
7. Two out of the three judges acquitted my friend.
8. It is the duty of a judge to condemn a man, who ought by the law to be condemned.
XX
1. A certain young man was very fond of old words.
2. In his daily conversations he used old-fashioned expressions.
3. The Pelasgi were the first who inhabited Italy.
4. He used old-fashioned words, as though he were talking with the mother of Evander.
5. He did not wish any one to understand what he said.
6. You ought to be silent, and thus you would gain what you wish for.
7. You ought to use modern expressions, if you wish to be understood.
8. I love the old Aurunci, for they were honourable and good.
XXI
1. Titus Manlius took a necklace from an enemy, whom he had killed.
2. He was named Torquatus in honour of a necklace, which he had taken from an enemy.
3. A certain Gaul advanced with a shield and two swords.
4. A Gaul advanced, who surpassed the other in height and strength.
5. He beckoned with his hand, and cried with a very loud voice.
6. The others dared not fight against this enemy, on account of his dreadful appearance.
7. The barbarian began to jeer at them, because no one dared to advance.
8. T. Manlius was grieved that the others dared not fight against the Gaul.
XXII
1. The two soldiers, the Roman and the Gaul, fought on the bridge in the sight of both armies.
2. Manlius trusted in his courage, the Gaul in his skill.
3. The enemy’s shield was struck again by Manlius.
4. Manlius wounded the Gaul’s shoulder with his Spanish sword.
5. The Roman threw his enemy down and cut off his head.
6. The bloodstained necklace was taken from the neck of the Gaul by Manlius.
7. The son of Manlius killed an enemy, who had challenged him, although he had been forbidden to fight by his father.
8. Harsh commands are called “Manlian,” because this Manlius beheaded his own son.
XXIII
1. The consul drew up the Roman lines facing the vast forces of the Gauls.
2. The arms of the Gallic leader shone with gold.
3. The Gaul, a man of enormous height, advanced shaking his spear.
4. He haughtily ordered any Roman to come, who dared to fight against him.
5. Whilst the others were wavering between shame and fear, Valerius advanced boldly against the enemy.
6. A raven suddenly attacked the eyes of the Gaul.
7. The raven, having torn the hands and face of the Gaul, perched on the head of Valerius.
8. Thus, helped by the bird, he killed his enemy, and in honour of the victory was named Corvinus.
XXIV
1. Aesop, who lived in Phrygia, was a very wise writer of fables.
2. He invented amusing stories, and thus gave useful advice.
3. Philosophers give useful advice, but what they say is not amusing.
4. Aesop invented an amusing story about a lark.
5. This fable about the lark warned men that their hopes ought to be placed in themselves.
6. Q. Ennius composed many verses about this story of Aesop.
7. This is a proof that our confidence ought to be placed in ourselves.
8. It is the custom with philosophers to give useful advice, with writers of fables amusing advice.
XXV
1. It is said that a lark built in the corn.
2. The corn was ripening when the young ones were unfledged.
3. The lark went to search for food, and left her young ones in the nest.
4. If anything unusual happens, said she, tell me when I return home.
5. The young ones saw the owner of the crops calling his son.
6. The owner’s friends were unwilling to assist him in the harvest.
7. Make haste, mother, and carry us to another nest.
8. The lark said that it was not necessary to take her young ones to another home.
XXVI
1. When the mother had flown to seek food, the owner returned to the field with his son.
2. He told his son that the friends were loiterers, for they had not come.
3. Let us go, said he, and ask our relations to help us to-morrow.
4. The young ones told their mother that the master had sent for his relations.
5. The master said that he would himself reap the corn with his sickle.
6. The relations neglected to come, and so the master and his son themselves reaped the corn.
7. The mother said that it was time to go; for what he had ordered would now be done.
8. The matter now depends on the master himself, not on his friends.
XXVII
1. Pyrrhus fought many battles with success in the land of Italy.
2. Timochares, a friend of Pyrrhus, wished to kill the king by poison.
3. If we agree about the reward, I promise to kill the king by poison.
4. My son is the king’s cup-bearer, and so he will easily be able to give poison to the king.
5. Fabricius wrote to the Roman Senate, that Timochares wished to kill King Pyrrhus by poison.
6. The Senate advised the king to act more cautiously.
7. Your friends wish to kill you by poison; therefore it is necessary to act very cautiously.
8. The king wrote to the Roman Senate, thanking and praising them, and restored all the prisoners whom he had taken.
XXVIII
1. A lion of enormous size was brought into the circus.
2. Many slaves had been given by their masters to fight wild beasts.
3. An enormous and terrible lion attracted the attention of all by its roaring.
4. It is said that the lion, seeing Androclus, suddenly stood still.
5. It is said that the lion wagged its tail like a dog, and licked the man’s hands.
6. The slave recovered his lost courage and turned his eyes on the lion.
7. You might have seen the lion licking the legs and hands of the slave.
8. A mimic hunt was given in the circus, for which many wild-beasts had been sent from Africa.
XXIX
1. Loud shouts were aroused by this wonderful sight.
2. Caesar asked why the lion spared Androclus alone.
3. A wonderful and marvellous story was told Caesar by the slave.
4. The slave, driven to flight by his master’s daily blows, took refuge in the desert.
5. At mid-day the slave hid in a cave, to which a lion came.
6. An enormous lion was coming to the cave, with one foot lame, groaning and sighing.
7. He was at first terrified by the sight of the lion, but soon recovered his courage.
8. The slave pulled a large thorn out of the lion’s foot; the lion then placed its foot in his hands and slept.
XXX
1. He said that for three years he had lived in the same cave as the lion.
2. I used to cook my food by the mid-day sun, because I had no fire.
3. I am weary of this wild-beast’s life, and I will leave the cave.
4. His master arrested him and sent him from Africa to Rome.
5. My master had me condemned to death and given to the wild-beasts in the Circus.
6. The lion, after I was separated from it, was taken and sent to Rome.
7. Androclus, after telling this wonderful tale, was pardoned and presented with the lion.
8. They gave money to the slave and flowers to the lion, which had been the host of the man.
XXXI
1. Polus, a famous actor in Greece, had a well-loved son.
2. Polus lost his son, and mourned for him many days.
3. Polus was about to act the “Electra” of Sophocles, and to carry the bones of Orestes in his hands.
4. Electra carried the remains of her brother in an urn, and wept for his death.
5. Electra, the sister of Orestes, was dressed in mourning and carried the remains of her brother.
6. She took the urn from the tomb and carried it in her hands.
7. The urn, which Electra was carrying, had been placed in a tomb.
8. Polus carried in his hands the remains of his own son, and wept for his, not Orestes’, death.
XXXII
1. It is said that ambassadors came from Athens to Miletus to ask for help.
2. They pleaded for the Milesians, but Demades replied that help ought not to be given to them.
3. Demades maintained that the Milesians were not worthy of help.
4. He said that it would not be advantageous to the state to give help.
5. It is said that Demades received from the Milesian ambassadors as much money as he asked for.
6. I am suffering from an inflamed throat and therefore I cannot oppose the Milesian demands.
7. He did not conceal what he had done, but said he had received much money.
8. You received three talents for acting, I received more for being silent.
XXXIII
1. Cicero wished to buy a house on the Palatine, but had no money at the time.
2. P. Sulla lent Cicero 5,000,000 sesterces secretly.
3. You have received, said they, money from Sulla for buying a house.
4. Cicero afterwards bought the house with the money which he had received from Sulla.
5. I said that I did not wish to buy that house, because I was a cautious father of a family.
6. Cicero’s friends reproached him with this lie.
7. Cicero told that lie, because he had received money from a defendant.
8. Cicero wished to buy that house, but he said that he did not wish to buy it.
XXXIV
1. Many friends accompanied Julianus home.
2. A block, many stories high, was blazing.
3. He said that property in the city gave great returns.
4. There is no remedy to prevent houses at Rome burning.
5. He sold all his country property and bought city property.
6. The philosopher said that alum was the best remedy for fire.
7. A wooden tower, which had been built to defend the city, was smeared with alum by Archelaus.
8. Q. Claudius says that this tower, smeared with alum, could not burn.
XXXV
1. Arion of Lesbos lived at Corinth, and was loved by Periander.
2. Arion went to Italy and charmed the ears of all in that land.
3. He gained much money by playing, and afterwards wished to return to King Periander at Corinth.
4. He chose a Corinthian ship, because he thought the sailors would be more friendly to him.
5. Arion gave all his money to the sailors, but prayed them to spare his life.
6. The sailors ordered Arion to spring down into the sea, in order that they might take possession of his money.
7. In a loud voice he sang this song, and then threw himself into the sea.
8. He took his lyre in his hand and, standing on the stern, began to sing a song.
XXXVI
1. The sailors thought that Arion had perished in the sea, and held on their course to Corinth.
2. It is said that a dolphin carried the man safe to Taenarum.
3. Arion went from Taenarum to Corinth and related what had happened to himself.
4. The king believed that Arion was deceiving him, and ordered him to be guarded for two days.
5. The king ordered the sailors to be sent for, and asked them if they had heard anything about Arion.
6. The sailors told the king that Arion was living in Italy.
7. Arion stood forth before the astounded sailors, who thought that he had perished in the sea.
8. At Taenarum two bronze figures stand as a proof of this tale.
XXXVII
1. A certain barbarian bought a large farm planted with olives and vines.
2. The Thracian saw his neighbour pruning his trees.
3. He asked his neighbour why he pulled up the vine suckers.
4. The trees of his neighbour were more fruitful than his own.
5. He thanked his neighbour and went home rejoicing.
6. The ignorant Thracian took a sickle, and began to cut off the most luxuriant foliage of the trees.
7. He cut off all the fruitful twigs of the apple-trees.
8. The ignorant man thought that he was pruning his trees, as his neighbour had done.
XXXVIII
1. The King of Pontus was very skilled in medicine.
2. It is said that these medicines are good for dissipating poisons.
3. The King of Pontus for his whole life was on his guard against secret treachery.
4. Mitridates often drank poison to show that it was harmless to him.
5. He slew himself with his own sword, (after) having in vain tried the strongest poisons.
6. Ennius could speak Greek, Latin and Oscan, and so he used to say that he had three hearts.
7. The King of Pontus knew the languages of all the nations under his dominion, twenty-two in number.
8. Mitridates used to talk with the men of each nation, whom he had under his dominion, in the language of that nation, and not through an interpreter.
XXXIX
1. He gave Protagoras half of the money which he asked for, and promised to give the remaining half afterwards.
2. I will give you, said he, the remaining half on the first day on which I win a case.
3. He was a pupil of Protagoras for a long while, but did not undertake any case.
4. He did not undertake any case, in order to avoid paying the rest of the money.
5. Protagoras thought that his plan for gaining the money was very clever.
6. If the verdict is given in your favour,* it will be necessary for you to pay me the money.
7. The judges left the matter unsettled, because they did not know what sentence they ought to give.
8. The wise judges adjourned the law-suit to a very distant day.
XL
1. Hannibal chose ten prisoners and sent them to Rome.
2. He wished after the battle of Cannae to make an exchange of prisoners with his enemies.
3. The Roman prisoners promised with an oath to return to Hannibal.
4. They told the senators what Hannibal had said about an exchange of prisoners.
5. Their relations embraced them and prayed them with tears not to return to Hannibal.
6. Of the ten prisoners eight returned to Hannibal, and two only remained at Rome.
7. The two prisoners, who remained at Rome, were despised by all.
8. The censors branded with every mark of infamy the prisoners, who had refused to return to Hannibal.
Notes
* The verdict is given in my favour: pronuntiatum est pro me.