The Gauls Approach Rome (V.39)
The Roman army has just suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Gauls,
just outside the city of Rome. In panic many of the soldiers had fled to the
nearby city of Veii, and were thought to be dead by those at Rome. The
victorious Gauls arrive at the gates of Rome, and, trapped in the city, the
Romans anxiously await their attack.
Romani cum pars maior ex acie Veios petisset quam Romam, nemo
superesse quemquam praeter eos qui Romam refugerant crederet,
complorati omnes pariter vivi mortuique totam prope urbem lamentis
impleverunt. privatos deinde luctus stupefecit publicus pavor, postquam
hostes adesse nuntiatum est; mox ululatus cantusque dissonos vagantibus
circa moenia turmatim barbaris audiebant. omne inde tempus suspensos ita
tenuit animos usque ad lucem alteram ut identidem iam in urbem futurus
videretur impetus; primo adventu, quia accesserant ad urbem,—mansuros
enim ad Alliam fuisse nisi hoc consilii foret,—deinde sub occasum solis,
quia haud multum diei supererat,—ante noctem enim rati se invasuros;—
tum in noctem dilatum consilium esse, quo plus pavoris inferrent.
Postremo lux appropinquans exanimare, timorique perpetuo ipsum malum
continens fuit cum signa infesta portis sunt inlata.
Vocab
nemo:
supersum, esse:
quisquam:
comploro, are:
pariter:
lamenta:
impleo, ere:
luctus, us (m):
pavor, is (m):
no one
to survive, remain
anyone
to bemoan, despair of
equally
wailing, weeping
to fill
grief
panic
ululatus, us (m):
cantus, us (m):
dissonus, a, um:
turmatim (adv):
wailing, howling
song, cry
dissonant, discordant
by squadrons, in
groups
impetus, us (m): attack
occasus, us (m): setting
exanimo, are:
to scare, cause panic
infero, ferre:
bring in, enter
Notes
Romani: ‘As for the Romans…’
cum: here ‘since’
superesse quemquam: accusative and infinitive
vivi mortuique: ‘both the living and the dead’ (subj)
usque ad: ‘up until’
identidem iam: ‘at any moment now’ (lit. repeatedly now)
futurus videretur: ‘seemed to be imminent’
primo adventu… deinde sub occasum solis… ante noctem… tum in noctem…
postremo lux appropinquans: Livy describes the Romans different fears as time
passes
ad Alliam: ‘by the river Allia’ where the Gauls had defeated the Romans
nisi hoc consilii foret: ‘if this were not part of their plan’ foret = esset
rati [sunt]: ‘they thought that…’
dilatum consilium esse: accusative and infinitive
quo: ‘in order to’ (lit. by means of which)
exanimare: historic infinitive. Livy sometimes uses an infinitive in place of a main
verb to create a sense of drama.
timorique perpetuo ipsum malum continens fuit: ‘the calamity itself followed closely
upon their continual fear of it’
signa infesta: hostile battle standards
The Romans withdraw to the Capitol (V.39)
The Romans abandon all hope of defending the city and withdraw to the
fortified citadel on top of the Capitoline Hill. Those of the nobles too old to
fight elect to stay behind so as not to be a burden on the others.
Nam cum defendi urbem posse tam parva relicta manu spes nulla esset,
placuit cum coniugibus ac liberis iuventutem militarem senatusque robur
in arcem Capitoliumque concedere, armisque et frumento conlato, ex loco
inde munito deos hominesque et Romanum nomen defendere; flaminem
sacerdotesque Vestales sacra publica a caede, ab incendiis procul auferre,
nec ante deseri cultum eorum quam non superessent qui colerent. si arx
Capitoliumque, sedes deorum, si senatus, caput publici consilii, si militaris
iuventus superfuerit imminenti ruinae urbis, facilem iacturam esse
seniorum relictae in urbe utique periturae turbae. Et quo id aequiore animo
de plebe multitudo ferret, senes triumphales consularesque simul se cum
illis palam dicere obituros, nec his corporibus, quibus non arma ferre, non
tueri patriam possent, oneraturos inopiam armatorum.
Vocab
robur, oris (nt):
frumentum, i (nt):
confero, ferre:
munitus, a, um:
caedis, is (f):
incendium, i (nt):
aufero, ferre:
core heart strength
grain
gather together
fortified
slaughter
flame
bear away
cultus, us (m):
arx, arcis (f):
imminens, tis:
iactura, ae (f):
palam (adv):
tueri (dep):
inopia, ae (f):
worship
citadel
approaching
loss
openly
defend
poverty, scarcity
Notes
cum: here ‘since’
urbem posse: accusative and infinitive
placuit: ‘they decided that’ (lit. it pleased them) Most of the rest of the passage is in
indirect speech, depending on this verb.
iuventutem militarem: ‘the young men of military age’
flaminem sacerdtesque Vestales: ‘the chief priest and the Vestal Virgins’
sacra publica: ‘the sacred objects of public worship’
quam non superessent qui colerent: ‘until there was no one left to worship them’
sedes: literally means ‘seat’ but can also mean ‘place’ or ‘home’
utique periturae: ‘about to die anyway’ (future participle)
Et quo id aequiore animo de plebe multitudo ferret: ‘and in order that those from the
great crowd of plebs might bear this with a calmer spirit’
senes triumphales consulares: ‘the old men who had had triumphs and been consuls’
dicere: historic infinitive
obituros, nec… oneraturos: ‘that they would die, and that they would not burden…’
A Pious Young Man (V.46)
With the citadel surrounded by Gauls, Gaius Fabius Dorsuo dares to leave
the Capitol and go to the nearby Quirinal Hill in order to carry out a
traditional sacrifice.
Romae interim plerumque obsidio segnis et utrimque silentium esse, ad id
tantum intentis Gallis ne quis hostium evadere inter stationes posset, cum
repente iuvenis Romanus admiratione in se cives hostesque convertit.
Sacrificium erat statum in Quirinali colle genti Fabiae. Ad id faciendum C.
Fabius Dorsuo Gabino cinctu sacra manibus gerens cum de Capitolio
descendisset, per medias hostium stationes egressus nihil ad vocem
cuiusquam terroremve motus in Quirinalem collem pervenit; ibique
omnibus sollemniter peractis, eadem revertens similiter constanti vultu
graduque, satis sperans propitios esse deos quorum cultum ne mortis
quidem metu prohibitus deseruisset, in Capitolium ad suos rediit, seu
attonitis Gallis miraculo audaciae seu religione etiam motis cuius
haudquaquam neglegens gens est.
Vocab
interim (adv):
obsidio, nis (f):
segnis, e:
nequis:
evado, ere:
statio, nis (f):
repente (adv):
collis, is (m):
meanwhile
siege
slow
none
to slip by, past
guard post
suddenly
hill
spero, are:
propitius, a, um:
cultus, us (m):
metus, us (m):
haudquaquam:
neglegens, tis:
gens, tis (f):
to hope
favourably-inclined
worship
fear
by no means
negligent
race, tribe, family
Notes
Romae: ‘at Rome’
plerumque: ‘in general’, ‘for the most part’
utrimque: ‘on both sides’
esse: historic infinitive
ad id tantum: on this one thing only
intentis Gallis: abl. abs; ‘with the Gauls intent’
statum: ppp, ‘established’
erat… genti Fabiae: dat. of possession. lit ‘there was for the Fabian family’ or ‘The
Fabian family had…’
ad id faciendam: gerundive of purpose- ‘In order to do this…’
Gabino cinctu: ‘with his toga wrapped around him in the Gabine manner’ ie tightly
around the body, with the arms free- a style used in some religious ceremonies.
sacra: nt pl ‘the sacred objects’
nihil… motus: ‘not at all moved’
ad vocem cuiusquam terroremve: by anyone’s calls or threats
eadem… constanti vultu graduque: ‘with the same firm face and gait’
ne… quidem: ‘not even’
ad suos: ‘to his own [men/people]’
seu attonitis Gallis…. seu... motis: abl. abs. ‘with the Gauls either astonished at… or
moved by…’
A Messenger from Veii (V.46)
The remnants of the Roman army at Veii send a message to the senate
(besieged in the Capitol) asking them to reinstate Camillus as the general
and dictator of Rome. The messenger’s request is granted, and he returns
to Veii.
Ingenti periculo transeundum per hostium custodias erat. Ad eam rem
Pontius Cominus impiger iuvenis operam pollicitus, incubans cortici
secundo Tiberi ad urbem defertur. Inde qua proximum fuit a ripa, per
praeruptum, eoque neglectum hostium custodiae, saxum in Capitolium
evadit, et ad magistratus ductus mandata exercitus edit. Accepto inde
senatus consulto ut comitiis curiatis revocatus de exsilio iussu populi
Camillus dictator extemplo diceretur militesque haberent imperatorem
quem vellent, eadem degressus nuntius Veios contendit; missique Ardeam
legati ad Camillum Veios eum perduxere.
Vocab
impiger, gra, grum:
polliceor, eri (dep):
opus, eris (n):
secundus, a, um:
evado, ere:
enthusiastic
to promise
work, task
favourable
to slip by, past
magistratus, us:
exercitus, us (m):
consultum, i (n):
extemplo (adv):
legatus, i (m):
magistrates, senate
army
advice, instructions
immediately
ambassador
Notes
transeundum… erat: gerundive of obligation- ‘they had to pass through…’
ad eam rem: ‘for this purpose’
incubans cortici: ‘lying on [a piece of] bark
qua proximum fuit a ripa: ‘where it was closest to the bank’
per praeruptum… saxum: ‘over a craggy bit of rock’
eoque: ‘and for that reason’
ut… diceretur: indirect command ‘that Camillus… be named’
comittiis curiatis: the curiate assembly, or assembly of the people who had the power
to appoint Camillus dictator
iussu populi: by order of the people
eadem: ‘by the same route’
perduxere: short for ‘perduxerunt’
The Gauls Attack by Night (V.47)
The Gauls attempt to storm the Capitol by night. Livy describes their silent
ascent up the steep cliffs of the Capitol.
Dum haec Veiis agebantur, interim arx Romae Capitoliumque in ingenti
periculo fuit. Namque Galli, seu vestigio notato humano, qua nuntius a
Veiis pervenerat, seu sua sponte animadverso ad Carmentis saxo in
adscensum aequo, nocte sublustri cum primo inermem, qui temptaret viam,
praemisissent, tradentes inde arma ubi quid iniqui esset, alterni innixi
sublevantesque in vicem et trahentes alii alios, prout postularet locus, tanto
silentio in summum evasere ut non custodes solum fallerent, sed ne canes
quidem, sollicitum animal ad nocturnos strepitus, excitarent.
Vocab
interim (adv):
arx, arcis (m):
sublustris, e:
postulo, are:
fallo, ere:
sollicitus, a, um:
strepitus, us (m):
meanwhile
citadel
faintly lit, dim
demand
to deceive
accustomed
din, noise
Notes
dum haec Veiis agebantur: ‘while these things were being done at Veii’ ie the
appointment of Camillus as general and dictator.
vestigio notato humano: abl abs ‘with a human footprint having been noticed’
qua: where
animadverso… saxo… aequo: abl abs ‘with the easy cliff having been noticed’
in adscensum: ‘on the way up’
sua sponte: ‘of their own accord’
inermem: ‘an unarmed man’
qui temptaret viam: purpose clause ‘to try the way’. lit ‘who might try the way’
ubi quid iniqui esset: ‘wherever there was an uneven patch of ground’
alterni innixi sublevantesque in vicem: ‘alternately supported by and supporting one
another in turns’
prout: ‘as’
evasere: short for ‘evaserunt’ (from evadere)
Saved by Geese (V.47)
The sacred geese of Juno hear the approaching Gauls and sound the
alarm. Marcus Manlius comes to the rescue.
Anseres non fefellere quibus sacris Iunonis in summa inopia cibi tamen
abstinebatur. Quae res saluti fuit; namque clangore eorum alarumque
crepitu excitus M. Manlius qui triennio ante consul fuerat, vir bello
egregius, armis arreptis simul ad arma ceteros ciens vadit et dum ceteri
trepidant, Gallum, qui iam in summo constiterat, umbone ictum deturbat.
Cuius casus prolapsi cum proximos sterneret, trepidantes alios armisque
omissis saxa quibus adhaerebant manibus amplexos trucidat. Iamque et alii
congregati telis missilibusque saxis proturbare hostes, ruinaque tota
prolapsa acies in praeceps deferri.
Vocab
anser, is (m):
fallo, ere:
salus, tis (f):
clangor, is (m):
crepitus, us (m):
egregius, a, um:
cio, ere:
goose
to deceive
salvation
honking
flapping
outstanding
rousing, stirring
umbo, nis (m):
sterno, ere:
congrego, are:
telum, i (n):
missile, is (m):
deturbo, are:
praeceps:
shield (boss)
scatter
assemble
weapon
projectile
dislodge
straight down
Notes
quibus… abstinebatur: ‘from which they had abstained’ (ie which they had not eaten)
quae res: ‘this fact’
trienno ante: ‘three years before’
armis arreptis: abl abs ‘with his weapons snatched up’
cuius casus: ‘this man’s fall...’
prolapsi: ‘as he slipped’
saxa…amplexos: ‘embracing the rocks to which they were clinging with their hands’
perturbare… deferri: historic infinitives.
tota prolapsa acies: ‘the whole army, having lost their footing…’
The Aftermath (V.47)
Manlius is rewarded by the whole army, while the guards who had fallen
asleep face the death penalty.
Luce orta vocatis classico ad concilium militibus ad tribunos, cum et recte
et perperam facto pretium deberetur, Manlius primum ob virtutem laudatus
donatusque non ab tribunis solum militum sed consensu etiam militari; cui
universi selibras farris et quartarios vini ad aedes eius quae in arce erant
contulerunt,—rem dictu parvam, ceterum inopia fecerat eam argumentum
ingens caritatis, cum se quisque victu suo fraudans detractum corpori atque
usibus necessariis ad honorem unius viri conferret. Tum vigiles eius loci
qua fefellerat adscendens hostis citati; et cum in omnes more militari se
animadversurum Q. Sulpicius tribunus militum pronuntiasset, consentiente
clamore militum in unum vigilem conicientium culpam deterritus, a ceteris
abstinuit, reum haud dubium eius noxae adprobantibus cunctis de saxo
deiecit.
Vocab
classicum, i (n):
ob (prep):
dono, are:
tribunus, i (m):
consensus, us (m):
universus, a, um:
selibra, ae (f):
far, rris (n):
quartarius, i (m):
aedes, is (f):
arx, is (f):
trumpet call
because of
to give gifts
tribune (officer)
agreement
all as one
about a kilo
wheat, grain
about 150 ml
temple, house
citadel
inopia, ae (f)
argumentum, i (n):
caritas, atis (f):
quisque:
victus, us (m):
fraudo, are:
vigil, is (m):
cito, are:
consentiens, tis:
deterreo, ere:
noxa, ae (f):
poverty
proof, evidence
love, esteem
each one
provisions, diet
cheat, deprive
guard, sentry
to urge, summon
unanimous
discourage, deter
crime
Notes
luce orta vocatis… militibus: two ablative absolutes, translate ‘when…. and when…’
et recte et perperam facto: ‘for both good deeds and bad’
pretium deberetur: ‘the consequences were being handed out’
laudatus donatusque: perfect passive verbs with est understood
non… solum… sed… etiam: ‘not only… but also”
rem dictum parvam: ‘a small enough amount to speak of’
ceterum: as an adverb (like here) means ‘but’
cum: in this context means ‘since’
detractum: ‘that which detracted from...’
qua: ‘where’
more militari: ‘in the military manner’ ie by putting them to death
se... animadvertsurum: indirect speech, with fut inf; animadverto with in+acc means
‘to punish’
conicientium: genitive plural, agreeing with militum
abstinuit: ‘he refrained [from punishing]...’
reum haud dubium: ‘the one doubtlessly guilty’
adprobantibus cunctis: abl abs; ‘with the approval of all’