Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #LatinForTheday
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#LatinForTheDay – May 30 #Ovid 🧵
“[...] dum talia secum
exigit Hippomenes, passu volat alite virgo.
quae quamquam Scythica non setius ire sagitta
Aonio visa est iuveni, tamen ille decorem
miratur magis: et cursus facit ipse decorem.
aura refert ablata citis talaria plantis,...
“[...] dum talia secum
exigit Hippomenes, passu volat alite virgo.
quae quamquam Scythica non setius ire sagitta
Aonio visa est iuveni, tamen ille decorem
miratur magis: et cursus facit ipse decorem.
aura refert ablata citis talaria plantis,...
"tergaque iactantur crines per eburnea, quaeque
poplitibus suberant picto genualia limbo;
inque puellari corpus candore ruborem
traxerat, haud aliter, quam cum super atria velum...
poplitibus suberant picto genualia limbo;
inque puellari corpus candore ruborem
traxerat, haud aliter, quam cum super atria velum...
"candida purpureum simulatas inficit umbras.
dum notat haec hospes, decursa novissima meta est,
et tegitur festa victrix Atalanta corona.”
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10.586-598
dum notat haec hospes, decursa novissima meta est,
et tegitur festa victrix Atalanta corona.”
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10.586-598
#LatinForTheDay – 29 March #Virgil
“ergo aderat promissa dies et tempora Parcae
debita complerant, cum Turni iniuria Matrem
admonuit ratibus sacris depellere taedas.
hic primum nova lux oculis offulsit et ingens
visus ab Aurora caelum transcurrere nimbus...
“ergo aderat promissa dies et tempora Parcae
debita complerant, cum Turni iniuria Matrem
admonuit ratibus sacris depellere taedas.
hic primum nova lux oculis offulsit et ingens
visus ab Aurora caelum transcurrere nimbus...
"Idaeique chori; tum vox horrenda per auras
excidit et Troum Rutulorumque agmina complet:
“ne trepidate meas, Teucri, defendere navis
neve armate manus; maria ante exurere Turno
quam sacras dabitur pinus. vos ite solutae,
ite deae pelagi; genetrix iubet.” et sua quaeque...
excidit et Troum Rutulorumque agmina complet:
“ne trepidate meas, Teucri, defendere navis
neve armate manus; maria ante exurere Turno
quam sacras dabitur pinus. vos ite solutae,
ite deae pelagi; genetrix iubet.” et sua quaeque...
"continuo puppes abrumpunt vincula ripis
delphinumque modo demersis aequora rostris
ima petunt. hinc virgineae (mirabile monstrum)
reddunt se totidem facies pontoque feruntur.”
Virgil, Aeneid 9.107-121
delphinumque modo demersis aequora rostris
ima petunt. hinc virgineae (mirabile monstrum)
reddunt se totidem facies pontoque feruntur.”
Virgil, Aeneid 9.107-121
#LatinForTheDay – 28 March #Apocolocyntosis
“dumque nimis citharam fraternaque carmina laudant,
plus solito nevere manus, humanaque fata
laudatum transcendit opus. “ne demite, Parcae”
Phoebus ait “vincat mortalis tempora vitae
ille, mihi similis vultu similisque decore...
“dumque nimis citharam fraternaque carmina laudant,
plus solito nevere manus, humanaque fata
laudatum transcendit opus. “ne demite, Parcae”
Phoebus ait “vincat mortalis tempora vitae
ille, mihi similis vultu similisque decore...
"nec cantu nec voce minor. felicia lassis
saecula praestabit legumque silentia rumpet.
qualis discutiens fugientia Lucifer astra
aut qualis surgit redeuntibus Hesperus astris,
qualis cum primum tenebris Aurora solutis
induxit rubicunda diem, Sol aspicit orbem...
saecula praestabit legumque silentia rumpet.
qualis discutiens fugientia Lucifer astra
aut qualis surgit redeuntibus Hesperus astris,
qualis cum primum tenebris Aurora solutis
induxit rubicunda diem, Sol aspicit orbem...
"lucidus, et primos a carcere concitat axes:
talis Caesar adest, talem iam Roma Neronem
aspiciet. flagrat nitidus fulgore remisso
vultus, et adfuso cervix formosa capillo.”
Seneca, Apocolocyntosis 4.18-32
talis Caesar adest, talem iam Roma Neronem
aspiciet. flagrat nitidus fulgore remisso
vultus, et adfuso cervix formosa capillo.”
Seneca, Apocolocyntosis 4.18-32
#LatinForTheDay – 27 March #Ovid
“est quaedam—quicumque volet cognoscere lenam,
audiat!—est quaedam nomine Dipsas anus.
ex re nomen habet—nigri non illa parentem
Memnonis in roseis sobria vidit equis.
illa magas artes Aeaeaque carmina novit...
“est quaedam—quicumque volet cognoscere lenam,
audiat!—est quaedam nomine Dipsas anus.
ex re nomen habet—nigri non illa parentem
Memnonis in roseis sobria vidit equis.
illa magas artes Aeaeaque carmina novit...
"...inque caput liquidas arte recurvat aquas;
scit bene, quid gramen, quid torto concita rhombo
licia, quid valeat virus amantis equae.
cum voluit, toto glomerantur nubila caelo;
cum voluit, puro fulget in orbe dies.
sanguine, siqua fides, stillantia sidera vidi;...
scit bene, quid gramen, quid torto concita rhombo
licia, quid valeat virus amantis equae.
cum voluit, toto glomerantur nubila caelo;
cum voluit, puro fulget in orbe dies.
sanguine, siqua fides, stillantia sidera vidi;...
"...purpureus Lunae sanguine vultus erat.
hanc ego nocturnas versam volitare per umbras
suspicor et pluma corpus anile tegi.”
Ovid, Amores 1.8.1-14
hanc ego nocturnas versam volitare per umbras
suspicor et pluma corpus anile tegi.”
Ovid, Amores 1.8.1-14
#LatinForTheDay – 11 November #Seneca
“O magne Olympi rector et mundi arbiter,
iam statue tandem gravibus aerumnis modum
finemque cladi. nulla lux umquam mihi
secura fulsit; finis alterius mali
gradus est futuri. protinus reduci novus
paratur hostis; antequam laetam domum...
“O magne Olympi rector et mundi arbiter,
iam statue tandem gravibus aerumnis modum
finemque cladi. nulla lux umquam mihi
secura fulsit; finis alterius mali
gradus est futuri. protinus reduci novus
paratur hostis; antequam laetam domum...
"contingat, aliud iussus ad bellum meat;
nec ulla requies, tempus aut ullum vacat,
nisi dum iubetur. sequitur a primo statim
infesta Iuno; numquid immunis fuit
infantis aetas? monstra superavit prius
quam nosse posset.”
Seneca the Younger, Hercules 205-216
nec ulla requies, tempus aut ullum vacat,
nisi dum iubetur. sequitur a primo statim
infesta Iuno; numquid immunis fuit
infantis aetas? monstra superavit prius
quam nosse posset.”
Seneca the Younger, Hercules 205-216
‘Mighty ruler of Olympus, master of the cosmos,
Set an end to our wearying troubles, set an end
To this ruin at long last! Each new-breaking dawn
Sees me in a cold-sweat; his every end of suffering
Is merely the beginning of the next. As soon as he...
Set an end to our wearying troubles, set an end
To this ruin at long last! Each new-breaking dawn
Sees me in a cold-sweat; his every end of suffering
Is merely the beginning of the next. As soon as he...
#LatinForTheDay – 10 November #Seneca
“Soror Tonantis—hoc enim solum mihi
nomen relictum est—semper alienum Iovem
ac templa summi vidua deserui aetheris,
locumque caelo pulsa paelicibus dedi;
tellus colenda est, paelices caelum tenent.
hinc Arctos alta parte glacialis poli...
“Soror Tonantis—hoc enim solum mihi
nomen relictum est—semper alienum Iovem
ac templa summi vidua deserui aetheris,
locumque caelo pulsa paelicibus dedi;
tellus colenda est, paelices caelum tenent.
hinc Arctos alta parte glacialis poli...
"sublime classes sidus Argolicas agit;
hinc, qua recenti vere laxatur dies,
Tyriae per undas vector Europae nitet;
illinc timendum ratibus ac ponto gregem
passim vagantes exerunt Atlantides.”
Seneca the Younger, Hercules 1-11
hinc, qua recenti vere laxatur dies,
Tyriae per undas vector Europae nitet;
illinc timendum ratibus ac ponto gregem
passim vagantes exerunt Atlantides.”
Seneca the Younger, Hercules 1-11
‘The Thunderer’s SISTER, that’s the only tag which remains
For me now! Now more widow than wife, I have left Jove the
Ever-unfaithful – that reprobate love-rat – and the abode of heaven.
Pushed from the skies, I yield my place to his trollops;...
For me now! Now more widow than wife, I have left Jove the
Ever-unfaithful – that reprobate love-rat – and the abode of heaven.
Pushed from the skies, I yield my place to his trollops;...
#LatinForTheDay – 9 November #Horace
“O navis, referent in mare te novi
fluctus! o quid agis? fortiter occupa
portum! nonne vides ut
nudum remigio latus,
et malus celeri saucius Africo,...
“O navis, referent in mare te novi
fluctus! o quid agis? fortiter occupa
portum! nonne vides ut
nudum remigio latus,
et malus celeri saucius Africo,...
"antennaeque gemant, ac sine funibus
vix durare carinae
possint imperiosius
aequor? non tibi sunt integra lintea,
non di quos iterum pressa voces malo.
quamvis Pontica pinus,
silvae filia nobilis,...
vix durare carinae
possint imperiosius
aequor? non tibi sunt integra lintea,
non di quos iterum pressa voces malo.
quamvis Pontica pinus,
silvae filia nobilis,...
"iactes et genus et nomen inutile,
nil pictis timidus navita puppibus
fidit. tu, nisi ventis
debes ludibrium, cave.”
Horace, Odes 1.14.1-16
nil pictis timidus navita puppibus
fidit. tu, nisi ventis
debes ludibrium, cave.”
Horace, Odes 1.14.1-16
#LatinForTheDay – 8 June #Tibullus
“saepe ego temptavi curas depellere vino:
at dolor in lacrimas verterat omne merum.
saepe aliam tenui: sed iam cum gaudia adirem,
admonuit dominae deseruitque Venus.
tunc me discedens devotum femina dixit,...
“saepe ego temptavi curas depellere vino:
at dolor in lacrimas verterat omne merum.
saepe aliam tenui: sed iam cum gaudia adirem,
admonuit dominae deseruitque Venus.
tunc me discedens devotum femina dixit,...
"...a pudet, et narrat scire nefanda meam.
non facit hoc verbis, facie tenerisque lacertis
devovet et flavis nostra puella comis.
talis ad Haemonium Nereis Pelea quondam
vecta est frenato caerula pisce Thetis.”
Tibullus, Elegies 1.5.37-46
non facit hoc verbis, facie tenerisque lacertis
devovet et flavis nostra puella comis.
talis ad Haemonium Nereis Pelea quondam
vecta est frenato caerula pisce Thetis.”
Tibullus, Elegies 1.5.37-46
‘Often I have tried to numb the pain with wine;
But my agony curdled every vintage to tears.
Often I held some other girl tight: but, on ecstasy’s brink,
Love conjured up my mistress and then... limped off.
My would-be paramour would then huff off, saying that I was...
But my agony curdled every vintage to tears.
Often I held some other girl tight: but, on ecstasy’s brink,
Love conjured up my mistress and then... limped off.
My would-be paramour would then huff off, saying that I was...
#LatinForTheDay – 6 June #Seneca
“et iam coeperat fugientes semper tesseras quaerere et nihil proficere:
nam quotiens missurus erat resonante fritillo
utraque subducto fugiebat tessera fundo;
cumque recollectos auderet mittere talos,
lusuro similis semper semperque petenti,...
“et iam coeperat fugientes semper tesseras quaerere et nihil proficere:
nam quotiens missurus erat resonante fritillo
utraque subducto fugiebat tessera fundo;
cumque recollectos auderet mittere talos,
lusuro similis semper semperque petenti,...
"decepere fidem: refugit digitosque per ipsos
fallax adsiduo dilabitur alea furto.
sic cum iam summi tanguntur culmina montis,
inrita Sisyphio volvuntur pondera collo.”
Seneca, Apocolocyntosis 14.4-15.1
fallax adsiduo dilabitur alea furto.
sic cum iam summi tanguntur culmina montis,
inrita Sisyphio volvuntur pondera collo.”
Seneca, Apocolocyntosis 14.4-15.1
‘And already Claudius had begun to chase the ever-vanishing dice, all to no avail:
For whenever he was about to roll, rattling his shaker,
Both dice slipped out though the hole in the box’s base;
And when he dared the cast his gathered-up dice yet again,...
For whenever he was about to roll, rattling his shaker,
Both dice slipped out though the hole in the box’s base;
And when he dared the cast his gathered-up dice yet again,...
#LatinForTheDay – 25 May #Martial
“hic ubi sidereus propius videt astra colossus
et crescunt media pegmata celsa via,
invidiosa feri radiabant atria regis
unaque iam tota stabat in urbe domus.
hic ubi conspicui venerabilis Amphitheatri...
“hic ubi sidereus propius videt astra colossus
et crescunt media pegmata celsa via,
invidiosa feri radiabant atria regis
unaque iam tota stabat in urbe domus.
hic ubi conspicui venerabilis Amphitheatri...
"...erigitur moles, stagna Neronis erant.
hic ubi miramur velocia munera thermas,
abstulerat miseris tecta superbus ager.
Claudia diffusas ubi porticus explicat umbras,...
hic ubi miramur velocia munera thermas,
abstulerat miseris tecta superbus ager.
Claudia diffusas ubi porticus explicat umbras,...
"...ultima pars aulae deficientis erat.
reddita Roma sibi est et sunt te praeside, Caesar,
deliciae populi, quae fuerant domini.”
Martial, On the Shows 2
reddita Roma sibi est et sunt te praeside, Caesar,
deliciae populi, quae fuerant domini.”
Martial, On the Shows 2
#LatinForTheDay – 24 May #Catullus
“Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitiast.
mule, nihil sentis. si nostri oblita taceret,...
“Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitiast.
mule, nihil sentis. si nostri oblita taceret,...
"...sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed quae multo acrior est res,
iratast. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.”
Catullus 83
non solum meminit, sed quae multo acrior est res,
iratast. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.”
Catullus 83
‘Lesbia throws so much shade at me, whenever her husband is about:
Her sniping’s a source of great joy to that dull-witted slob.
Dumbass – you know bugger all! If she were silent, oblivious to me,...
Her sniping’s a source of great joy to that dull-witted slob.
Dumbass – you know bugger all! If she were silent, oblivious to me,...
#LatinForTheDay – 23 May #Ovid
“hos potius populos in dotem, ambage remissa,
accipe et advectas Pygmalionis opes.
Ilion in Tyriam transfer felicius urbem
resque loco regis sceptraque sacra tene!
si tibi mens avida est belli, si quaerit Iulus,...
“hos potius populos in dotem, ambage remissa,
accipe et advectas Pygmalionis opes.
Ilion in Tyriam transfer felicius urbem
resque loco regis sceptraque sacra tene!
si tibi mens avida est belli, si quaerit Iulus,...
"...unde suo partus Marte triumphus eat,
quem superet, nequid desit, praebebimus hostem;
hic pacis leges, hic locus arma capit.
tu modo, per matrem fraternaque tela, sagittas,
perque fugae comites, Dardana sacra, deos—
sic superent, quoscumque tua de gente reportat...
quem superet, nequid desit, praebebimus hostem;
hic pacis leges, hic locus arma capit.
tu modo, per matrem fraternaque tela, sagittas,
perque fugae comites, Dardana sacra, deos—
sic superent, quoscumque tua de gente reportat...
"...Mars ferus, et damni sit modus ille tui,
Ascaniusque suos feliciter inpleat annos,
et senis Anchisae molliter ossa cubent—
parce, precor, domui, quae se tibi tradit habendam!”
Ovid, Heroides 7.149-163
Ascaniusque suos feliciter inpleat annos,
et senis Anchisae molliter ossa cubent—
parce, precor, domui, quae se tibi tradit habendam!”
Ovid, Heroides 7.149-163
#LatinForTheDay – 9 May #GarlandOfSulpicia
“Parce meo iuveni, seu quis bona pascua campi
seu colis umbrosi devia montis aper,
nec tibi sit duros acuisse in proelia dentes;
incolumem custos hunc mihi servet Amor.
sed procul abducit venandi Delia cura....
“Parce meo iuveni, seu quis bona pascua campi
seu colis umbrosi devia montis aper,
nec tibi sit duros acuisse in proelia dentes;
incolumem custos hunc mihi servet Amor.
sed procul abducit venandi Delia cura....
"...o pereant silvae deficiantque canes!
quis furor est, quae mens densos indagine colles
claudentem teneras laedere velle manus?
quidve iuvat furtim latebras intrare ferarum
candidaque hamatis crura notare rubis?”
‘Tibullus’, 3.9.1-10 (4.3)
quis furor est, quae mens densos indagine colles
claudentem teneras laedere velle manus?
quidve iuvat furtim latebras intrare ferarum
candidaque hamatis crura notare rubis?”
‘Tibullus’, 3.9.1-10 (4.3)
‘Boar, spare my beau! I don’t care if you frequent the good grazing
Of the plains or lonely haunts of the forest-shaded mountains:
Don’t go sharpening your toughened tusks for the fray.
Let my Love be his guard; let it keep him safe and unharmed... for me!...
Of the plains or lonely haunts of the forest-shaded mountains:
Don’t go sharpening your toughened tusks for the fray.
Let my Love be his guard; let it keep him safe and unharmed... for me!...
#LatinForTheDay – 1 March #Tibullus
“Memnona si mater, mater ploravit Achillem,
et tangunt magnas tristia fata deas,
flebilis indignos, Elegia, solve capillos!
a, nimis ex vero nunc tibi nomen erit!—
ille tui vates operis, tua fama, Tibullus...
“Memnona si mater, mater ploravit Achillem,
et tangunt magnas tristia fata deas,
flebilis indignos, Elegia, solve capillos!
a, nimis ex vero nunc tibi nomen erit!—
ille tui vates operis, tua fama, Tibullus...
"...ardet in extructo, corpus inane, rogo.
ecce, puer Veneris fert eversamque pharetram
et fractos arcus et sine luce facem;
adspice, demissis ut eat miserabilis alis
pectoraque infesta tundat aperta manu!
excipiunt lacrimas sparsi per colla capilli,...
ecce, puer Veneris fert eversamque pharetram
et fractos arcus et sine luce facem;
adspice, demissis ut eat miserabilis alis
pectoraque infesta tundat aperta manu!
excipiunt lacrimas sparsi per colla capilli,...
"...oraque singultu concutiente sonant.
fratris in Aeneae sic illum funere dicunt
egressum tectis, pulcher Iule, tuis;
nec minus est confusa Venus moriente Tibullo,
quam iuveni rupit cum ferus inguen aper.”
Ovid, Amores 3.9.1-16
fratris in Aeneae sic illum funere dicunt
egressum tectis, pulcher Iule, tuis;
nec minus est confusa Venus moriente Tibullo,
quam iuveni rupit cum ferus inguen aper.”
Ovid, Amores 3.9.1-16
#LatinForTheDay – 21 October
“Eripitur nobis iam pridem cara puella:
et tu me lacrimas fundere, amice, vetas?
nullae sunt inimicitiae nisi amoris acerbae:
ipsum me iugula, lenior hostis ero.
possum ego in alterius positam spectare lacerto?...
“Eripitur nobis iam pridem cara puella:
et tu me lacrimas fundere, amice, vetas?
nullae sunt inimicitiae nisi amoris acerbae:
ipsum me iugula, lenior hostis ero.
possum ego in alterius positam spectare lacerto?...
"...nec mea dicetur, quae modo dicta meast?
omnia vertuntur: certe vertuntur amores:
vinceris a victis, haec in amore rotast.
magni saepe duces, magni cecidere tyranni,
et Thebae steterunt altaque Troia fuit....
omnia vertuntur: certe vertuntur amores:
vinceris a victis, haec in amore rotast.
magni saepe duces, magni cecidere tyranni,
et Thebae steterunt altaque Troia fuit....
"munera quanta dedi vel qualia carmina feci!
illa tamen numquam ferrea dixit ‘amo.’”
Propertius 2.8.1-12
illa tamen numquam ferrea dixit ‘amo.’”
Propertius 2.8.1-12
#LatinForTheDay – 20 October
“O me felicem! nox o mihi candida! et o tu
lectule deliciis facte beate meis!
quam multa apposita narrâmus verba lucerna,
quantaque sublato lumine rixa fuit!
nam modo nudatis mecumst luctata papillis,
interdum tunica duxit operta moram...
“O me felicem! nox o mihi candida! et o tu
lectule deliciis facte beate meis!
quam multa apposita narrâmus verba lucerna,
quantaque sublato lumine rixa fuit!
nam modo nudatis mecumst luctata papillis,
interdum tunica duxit operta moram...
"illa meos somno lapsos patefecit ocellos
ore suo et dixit ‘sicine, lente, iaces?’
quam vario amplexu mutâmus bracchia! quantum
oscula sunt labris nostra morata tuis!”
Propertius 2.15.1-10
ore suo et dixit ‘sicine, lente, iaces?’
quam vario amplexu mutâmus bracchia! quantum
oscula sunt labris nostra morata tuis!”
Propertius 2.15.1-10
‘Damn me, I’m blessed! What a night! And you,
My bed, became a shrine to the delights of love!
How many sweet nothings we whispered in the lamplight;
What a kerfuffle when the light burned low!
Sometimes my love’s bare breasts pressed against my chest,...
My bed, became a shrine to the delights of love!
How many sweet nothings we whispered in the lamplight;
What a kerfuffle when the light burned low!
Sometimes my love’s bare breasts pressed against my chest,...
#LatinForTheDay – 18 October
“Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi
finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios
temptaris numeros. ut melius, quidquid erit, pati,
seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,
quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare...
“Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi
finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios
temptaris numeros. ut melius, quidquid erit, pati,
seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,
quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare...
"...Tyrrhenum! sapias, vina liques, et spatio brevi
spem longam reseces. dum loquimur, fugerit invida
aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.”
Horace Odes 1.11
spem longam reseces. dum loquimur, fugerit invida
aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.”
Horace Odes 1.11
'Do not ask what fate the gods have given to us,
To you and me - It's not right that we know, Leuconoe.
Don't go meddling with Babylonian horoscopes.
How much better to endure it, whatever IT might be:
Whether Jupiter has granted us more winters,...
To you and me - It's not right that we know, Leuconoe.
Don't go meddling with Babylonian horoscopes.
How much better to endure it, whatever IT might be:
Whether Jupiter has granted us more winters,...
#LatinForTheDay - 6 September
"Omnis avet quae iam bellis spectataque fama
turba ducum, primae seu quos in flore iuventae
temptamenta tenent necdum data copia rerum.
at quibus arvorum studiumque insontis aratri,
hos stimulant magnaque ratem per lustra viasque...
"Omnis avet quae iam bellis spectataque fama
turba ducum, primae seu quos in flore iuventae
temptamenta tenent necdum data copia rerum.
at quibus arvorum studiumque insontis aratri,
hos stimulant magnaque ratem per lustra viasque...
"...visi laude canunt manifesto in lumine Fauni
silvarumque deae atque elatis cornibus amnes."
Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 1.100-106
silvarumque deae atque elatis cornibus amnes."
Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 1.100-106
'That whole host of heroes, their renown in war well-known,
Were ablaze; as were that collection whom, still in their
First flush of youth, quests have not yet exhausted.
The Fauns, seen cavorting in the thickets and along the roads
In the clear light of day, sang of the Argo...
Were ablaze; as were that collection whom, still in their
First flush of youth, quests have not yet exhausted.
The Fauns, seen cavorting in the thickets and along the roads
In the clear light of day, sang of the Argo...
#LatinForTheDay - 9 August
"Exercitum cum militari more ad pugnam cohortaretur suaque in eum perpetui temporis officia praedicaret in primis commemoravit: testibus se militibus uti posse quanto studio pacem petisset, quae per Vatinium in colloquiis, quae per Aulum Clodium cum...
"Exercitum cum militari more ad pugnam cohortaretur suaque in eum perpetui temporis officia praedicaret in primis commemoravit: testibus se militibus uti posse quanto studio pacem petisset, quae per Vatinium in colloquiis, quae per Aulum Clodium cum...
"...Scipione egisset, quibus modis ad Oricum cum Libone de mittendis legatis contendisset; neque se umquam abuti militum sanguine neque rem publicam alterutro exercitu privare voluisse."
Caesar, Civil War 3.90.1-2
Caesar, Civil War 3.90.1-2
'As he was exhorting the army to battle with his usual militaristic style, and dropping in mentions of his unceasing services to the troops, Caesar stressed these points in particular: that his soldiers could bear witness to the fact that he had always sought peace with the...
#LatinForTheDay - 8 August
"divinitatem principis nostri, an humanitatem temperantiam facilitatem, ut amor et gaudium tulit, celebrare universi solemus? iam quid tam civile tam senatorium, quam illud additum a nobis Optimi cognomen?"
Pliny, Panegyricus 2.7
"divinitatem principis nostri, an humanitatem temperantiam facilitatem, ut amor et gaudium tulit, celebrare universi solemus? iam quid tam civile tam senatorium, quam illud additum a nobis Optimi cognomen?"
Pliny, Panegyricus 2.7
'Is it our leader's divine quality, his humanity, his temperance, or his easy-going nature that accustom us to laud him with one single voice, as love and gladness bring about? What now can show him more as citizen and senator than that title bestowed on him by us - 'The Best'?'
Ah, Pliny the Younger on Trajan... Our correspondent knows how to gild the lily! Pliny here speaks of the qualities of Trajan - here implicitly contrasting them with those of Domitian - mentioning the bestowing of the title 'Optimus', which appeared on Trajan's coins from AD 103.
#LatinForTheDay - 7 June
"Urbem neque pro maiestate imperii ornatam et inundationibus incendiisque obnoxiam excoluit adeo, ut iure sit gloriatus marmoream se relinquere, quam latericiam accepisset."
Suetonius, Divus Augustus 28.3
"Urbem neque pro maiestate imperii ornatam et inundationibus incendiisque obnoxiam excoluit adeo, ut iure sit gloriatus marmoream se relinquere, quam latericiam accepisset."
Suetonius, Divus Augustus 28.3
'As the City was not architecturally grand enough for the dignity of the empire - and was moreover prone to both fire and flooding - he beautified it to such a degree that he could rightly boast that he left marble what had been mere brick when it had come to him.'
One of those oft-quoted snippets about Augustus' urban development of Rome, which perhaps disguises the fact that his reorganisation of the city was a key means of his exerting both conscious and subconscious control over its inhabitants.
#LatinForTheDay - 8 March
"par volucer superis, stellas qui vividus aequat
durando membrisque terit redeuntibus aevum,
non epulis saturare famem, non fontibus ullis
adsuetus prohibere sitim; sed purior illum
solis fervor alit ventosaque pabula potat...
"par volucer superis, stellas qui vividus aequat
durando membrisque terit redeuntibus aevum,
non epulis saturare famem, non fontibus ullis
adsuetus prohibere sitim; sed purior illum
solis fervor alit ventosaque pabula potat...
"Tethyos, innocui carpens alimenta vaporis.
arcanum radiant oculi iubar. igneus ora
cingit honos. rutilo cognatum vertice sidus
attollit cristatus apex tenebrasque serena
luce secat."
Claudian, Shorter Poems 27 (XLIV).11-20
arcanum radiant oculi iubar. igneus ora
cingit honos. rutilo cognatum vertice sidus
attollit cristatus apex tenebrasque serena
luce secat."
Claudian, Shorter Poems 27 (XLIV).11-20
'That bird is akin to the gods, whose lifespan equals the
Stars and whose renewing limbs wear away the ages.
No food is needed to sate its hunger, nor is its thirst
Quenched by any spring. Rather the bright ray of the
Sun is its nourishment, the spray of the sea its drink....
Stars and whose renewing limbs wear away the ages.
No food is needed to sate its hunger, nor is its thirst
Quenched by any spring. Rather the bright ray of the
Sun is its nourishment, the spray of the sea its drink....
#LatinForTheDay - 28 December
"Cerberus haec ingens latratu regna trifauci
personat, adverso recubans immanis in antro.
cui vates, horrere videns iam colla colubris,
melle soporatam et medicatis frugibus offam
obicit. ille fame rabida tria guttura pandens...
"Cerberus haec ingens latratu regna trifauci
personat, adverso recubans immanis in antro.
cui vates, horrere videns iam colla colubris,
melle soporatam et medicatis frugibus offam
obicit. ille fame rabida tria guttura pandens...
"corripit obiectam, atque immania terga resolvit
fusus humi totoque ingens extenditur antro.
occupat Aeneas aditum custode sepulto
evaditque celer ripam inremeabilis undae."
Virgil, Aeneid 6.417-425
fusus humi totoque ingens extenditur antro.
occupat Aeneas aditum custode sepulto
evaditque celer ripam inremeabilis undae."
Virgil, Aeneid 6.417-425
'The immense Cerberus barks loud for his three throats,
Shaking the very realm, squeezing his bulk into the cave opposite.
The Sibyl, seeing the snakes bristling on his necks, throws
To him a honeycake, but one steeped in soporific elixirs.
Shaking the very realm, squeezing his bulk into the cave opposite.
The Sibyl, seeing the snakes bristling on his necks, throws
To him a honeycake, but one steeped in soporific elixirs.
#LatinForTheDay - 27 December
"Hinc via, Tartarei quae fert Acherontis ad undas.
turbidus hic caeno vastaque voragine gurges
aestuat, atque omnem Cocyto eructat harenam.
portitor has horrendus aquas et flumina servat
terribili squalore Charon, cui plurima mento...
"Hinc via, Tartarei quae fert Acherontis ad undas.
turbidus hic caeno vastaque voragine gurges
aestuat, atque omnem Cocyto eructat harenam.
portitor has horrendus aquas et flumina servat
terribili squalore Charon, cui plurima mento...
"canities inculta iacet, stant lumina flamma,
sordidus ex umeris nodo dependet amictus.
ipse ratem conto subigit velisque ministrat
et ferruginea subvectat corpora cumba,
iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus."
Virgil, Aeneid 6.295-304
sordidus ex umeris nodo dependet amictus.
ipse ratem conto subigit velisque ministrat
et ferruginea subvectat corpora cumba,
iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus."
Virgil, Aeneid 6.295-304
'From here winds the road which leads to the waters of Tartarean Acheron.
Here, choked with mud and of abyssal depth, a whirlpool
Seethes and spews its sand into the Cocytus.
A grim ferryman tends these waterways - Charon -
Garbed in foul squalor, with a chin bristling with...
Here, choked with mud and of abyssal depth, a whirlpool
Seethes and spews its sand into the Cocytus.
A grim ferryman tends these waterways - Charon -
Garbed in foul squalor, with a chin bristling with...
