| linguae |
|
QUESTIONS ARISING FROM 136th. MEETING – 24/6/22
(the record of earlier meetings can be downloaded from the main Circulus page as can the version of Ciceronis Filius with illustrations added. The illustrated text of Genesis is available on the Genesis page, of Kepler's Somnium on the Somnium page and of Nutting's Ad Alpes on the Ad Alpes page)
After consuming the usual variety of food, washed down with vīnum rubrum, cervisia and other beverages, our plan was to read chapters 6 to 14 in Book II of Eutropius’ Breviarium (see text below). However, with 14 members attending we divided into two sections, Stuart managing one and John the other. Stuart’s group finished the allotted task but John allowed his to get side-tracked and they only got as far as chapter 8.
John had also managed earlier in the day to drop his laptop on the floor in HKU Library. Fortunately most of the force was absorbed by the zip fastener on the case and Chris Y managed to get the case to open again. Subsequent problems were limited to failures of time management rather than hardware!
We had the bad news that the school project which Chris C had been working on has now had to be abandoned and that Chris himself will be relocating back to South Africa after the small number of students currently enrolled in the school’s pilot stage have graduated. He mentioned the large number of South African Caucasians who have left the country in recent years, mainly because government affirmative action policies have limited their opportunities at home. Assuming the census figures and latest estimate are accurate, the White population peaked at 5.22 million in 1995, the year after apartheid ended, and had declined to 4.66 by 2021. As a percentage of South Africa’s total population the decline was from 12/7% to 7.8%, but this was really a continuation of a much longer trend operating since 1911 when Whites constituted 22.7% Differential fertility rates between ethnic groups and also immigration from other parts of Africa explain the percentage decline.
Most of the people Chris knows who have left South Africa have settled in the UK or in Australia. Despite the Afrikaners, the original Caucasian settlers in the country, being of Dutch descent, the Netherlands has shown no enthusiasm for receiving them.
John had also managed earlier in the day to drop his laptop on the floor in HKU Library. Fortunately most of the force was absorbed by the zip fastener on the case and Chris Y managed to get the case to open again. Subsequent problems were limited to failures of time management rather than hardware!
We had the bad news that the school project which Chris C had been working on has now had to be abandoned and that Chris himself will be relocating back to South Africa after the small number of students currently enrolled in the school’s pilot stage have graduated. He mentioned the large number of South African Caucasians who have left the country in recent years, mainly because government affirmative action policies have limited their opportunities at home. Assuming the census figures and latest estimate are accurate, the White population peaked at 5.22 million in 1995, the year after apartheid ended, and had declined to 4.66 by 2021. As a percentage of South Africa’s total population the decline was from 12/7% to 7.8%, but this was really a continuation of a much longer trend operating since 1911 when Whites constituted 22.7% Differential fertility rates between ethnic groups and also immigration from other parts of Africa explain the percentage decline.
Most of the people Chris knows who have left South Africa have settled in the UK or in Australia. Despite the Afrikaners, the original Caucasian settlers in the country, being of Dutch descent, the Netherlands has shown no enthusiasm for receiving them.
There was better news from Stuart, who has just been promoted at Chinese University and plans to be with us for quite a while longer. He and his wife do, however, plan to move eventually to the UK, where they have recently bought a house.
There was brief mention of the frequent sexual references in the comedies of the Athenian playwright Aristophanes (c.447 – c.386 B.C.), This led on to consideration of the fact that students from Roman Catholic schools generally acquire a lot of knowledge about sex, despite (or because of?) such the schools’ traditional attempts to suppress the topic. This reminded John of David Lodge’s partly autobiographical novel How Far Can You Go?, which follows a cohort of Catholic undergraduates from university in the 1950s into adult life and which was also mentioned in one of our 2018 meetings. The book, which is humorously written despite the serious subject, focuses on problems created by traditional Catholicism’s labelling as sinful what most people would now regard as perfectly acceptable sexual activity. See https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/267257.How_Far_Can_You_Go_ and https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Far-Can-You-Go/dp/0099554143 The link to an extract from the book on the second site was not working properly when John last checked (27 July) but will hopefully soon be put right
There was brief mention of the frequent sexual references in the comedies of the Athenian playwright Aristophanes (c.447 – c.386 B.C.), This led on to consideration of the fact that students from Roman Catholic schools generally acquire a lot of knowledge about sex, despite (or because of?) such the schools’ traditional attempts to suppress the topic. This reminded John of David Lodge’s partly autobiographical novel How Far Can You Go?, which follows a cohort of Catholic undergraduates from university in the 1950s into adult life and which was also mentioned in one of our 2018 meetings. The book, which is humorously written despite the serious subject, focuses on problems created by traditional Catholicism’s labelling as sinful what most people would now regard as perfectly acceptable sexual activity. See https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/267257.How_Far_Can_You_Go_ and https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Far-Can-You-Go/dp/0099554143 The link to an extract from the book on the second site was not working properly when John last checked (27 July) but will hopefully soon be put right
Bust of Aristophanes (1st cent. A.D.) in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, photographed by Alexander Mayatsky – the inscription describes him as `[son] of Philippides’ but his father’s name was actually Philippus and `Philippides’ is Aristophanes own patronymic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristophanes#/media/File:Bust_of_Aristophanes.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristophanes#/media/File:Bust_of_Aristophanes.jpg
Chris Y mentioned the importance, even for non-believers, of learning about the cultural aspects of Christianity and revealed that he himself, although an atheist/agnostic, had at one time acted as a lay Anglican priest. John had had a somewhat similar experience as an undergraduate, when he was really no longer a religious believer, but had agreed to act as college representative for Oxford University’s Catholic Chaplaincy. John’s particular case was really a matter of having left the Church intellectually but not yet emotionally. With other people, the continuing link is purely cultural. The best-known example is the UK’s best-known atheist, Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion. He is a member of a society for the appreciation of the 1611 James I translation of the Bible and has also said that he enjoys singing Christmas carols every year. Chris C. added that, for cultural rather than religious reasons, he ordered copies of the King James Version for one of the schools he worked at.
Chris Y. recalled taking his daughter Teagan on a flint-knapping course, where people learned to shape tools in the same way that Stone Age people had done. Many others on the course were US marines who he found polite and friendly on an individual level. He had, though, avoided discussing politics.
Chris C, who is planning to develop courses in South Africa on post-colonial themes, suggested that one root of racism was people’s need for simplification of the world around them. Reality can seem easier to deal with if you can rely on stereotypes of different groups rather than focussing on individual characteristics. People have to be led out of this by introducing them to nuances,
The Eutropius text included mention of a 4th century census which recorded Rome’s possession of 10 legions with a total of around 60, 000 men. Whilst the theoretical strength of a legion seems throughout Roman history to have been 6,0000 (in 60 centuries of 100 men each), the actual strength was, at least in later periods, rather less. The organisation chart of a legion in the 1st century A.D. included on page 87 of Book III of the Cambridge Latin Course shows around 5,240 and some legions were rather smaller
KEY: T = tesserārius S = signifier C = cornicen
Somebody asked whether the word tribūnus was connected with trēs (three). In fact the etymological connection is with tribus and a military tribunes was probably at first the commander of a military unit from one of the three original tribes that made up the citizen body. Later on, until the Marian reforms at the end of the 2nd. century B.C., there were six tribunes for each legion who held command in turn, two at a time. These were at first appointed by the senate but by 311 B.C.the plebs had gained the right to elect four out of the six for each of the four legions. From Marius’ time onwards, the commander of a legion was a lēgātus and the tribunes served as his staff officers. Under the principate, these would normally be young men from elite families, who were expected to serve in this way at the start of their careers. Among them the tribūnus lāticlavius (`tribune with a broad stripe) acted as actual second-in-command of the legion but the remaining five, the tribūnī angusticlāvī (`tribunes with a narrow stripe’), had no real authority. See the article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_tribune
The regular military tribunes need to be distinguished both from the tribūnī mīlitum cōnsulārī potestāte who replaced consuls at certain time under the early Republic, and also from the tribūnī plēbis, representatives of the common people elected to defend their interests against the patricians.
Among other etymological queries, we noted the derivation from the root of dux, ducis (leader) and dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (to lead) of words like ductile and conductor, as well as the Italian (il) duce. The last of these is the reduced from of accusative singular ducem, the accusative being normally the only form of the noun which still survived when the case system collapsed at the end of the ancient period.
We also wondered if there was a connection between corvus /corvīnus (raven / connected with a raven) and the surname Corbyn. The latter may indeed derive from the former, as a nickname for someone with black hair or a loud, raucous voice. However it might alternatively be linked to the place name Corbon, which is bourne by two villages in Normandy, NW France. See https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Corbyn
Following on from this, we discussed the evolution of Latin /b/ and /w/ which both in many cases turned into the bilabial fricative /β/, which sometimes then became labio-dental /v/. This naturally resulted in confusion on the orthography between `b’ and `v’, the latter having originally represented both the vowel /u/ and the approximant /w/. Joe pointed out that the picture is complicated because the sound/w/ often disappeared between vowels. However, the merger provides an explanation for the disappearance of the Latin future forms in –bō, -bis, -bit, -bimus, -bitis, -bunt and the development of a new future tense compounding the infinitive with forms of habēre (e.g. amāre habeō > Fr. aimerai etc. ) This solved the problem that forms like amābit (he/she will love) and amāvit (he/she (has) loved) had become homophones. On this issue see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betacism and the longer discussions by Lawrence Stephens at https://www.jstor.org/stable/284181 and Luke Ranieri at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hovf-UK-toQ
Somebody asked whether the word tribūnus was connected with trēs (three). In fact the etymological connection is with tribus and a military tribunes was probably at first the commander of a military unit from one of the three original tribes that made up the citizen body. Later on, until the Marian reforms at the end of the 2nd. century B.C., there were six tribunes for each legion who held command in turn, two at a time. These were at first appointed by the senate but by 311 B.C.the plebs had gained the right to elect four out of the six for each of the four legions. From Marius’ time onwards, the commander of a legion was a lēgātus and the tribunes served as his staff officers. Under the principate, these would normally be young men from elite families, who were expected to serve in this way at the start of their careers. Among them the tribūnus lāticlavius (`tribune with a broad stripe) acted as actual second-in-command of the legion but the remaining five, the tribūnī angusticlāvī (`tribunes with a narrow stripe’), had no real authority. See the article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_tribune
The regular military tribunes need to be distinguished both from the tribūnī mīlitum cōnsulārī potestāte who replaced consuls at certain time under the early Republic, and also from the tribūnī plēbis, representatives of the common people elected to defend their interests against the patricians.
Among other etymological queries, we noted the derivation from the root of dux, ducis (leader) and dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (to lead) of words like ductile and conductor, as well as the Italian (il) duce. The last of these is the reduced from of accusative singular ducem, the accusative being normally the only form of the noun which still survived when the case system collapsed at the end of the ancient period.
We also wondered if there was a connection between corvus /corvīnus (raven / connected with a raven) and the surname Corbyn. The latter may indeed derive from the former, as a nickname for someone with black hair or a loud, raucous voice. However it might alternatively be linked to the place name Corbon, which is bourne by two villages in Normandy, NW France. See https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Corbyn
Following on from this, we discussed the evolution of Latin /b/ and /w/ which both in many cases turned into the bilabial fricative /β/, which sometimes then became labio-dental /v/. This naturally resulted in confusion on the orthography between `b’ and `v’, the latter having originally represented both the vowel /u/ and the approximant /w/. Joe pointed out that the picture is complicated because the sound/w/ often disappeared between vowels. However, the merger provides an explanation for the disappearance of the Latin future forms in –bō, -bis, -bit, -bimus, -bitis, -bunt and the development of a new future tense compounding the infinitive with forms of habēre (e.g. amāre habeō > Fr. aimerai etc. ) This solved the problem that forms like amābit (he/she will love) and amāvit (he/she (has) loved) had become homophones. On this issue see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betacism and the longer discussions by Lawrence Stephens at https://www.jstor.org/stable/284181 and Luke Ranieri at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hovf-UK-toQ
Start of entry on SAMNIUM in vol II of J Perin’s ONOMASTICON
(annex to Forcellini’s Lexicon TotiusLatinitatis)
We noted also that Marcus Valerius Corvus, who had supposedly gained the agnomen because a raven assisted him in single combat with a Gaul, held his first consulship in 348 B.C. at the age of 23. This contrasts with the later minimum age of 42.
One of the peoples Corvus fought against were the Samnites, inhabitants of the Apennines who were among Rome’s most persistent opponents. They are normally referred to by the 3rd declension form Samnitēs v. but Samnnītae is occasionally found. For queries on proper names, the best resource is Perrin’s Onomasticon, a two volume supplement to Forcellini’s great dictionary. These can be searched for and downloaded from the Internet but, if anyone has difficulties, John can send copies via a file transfer site.
We also touched on the manner in which Hongkongers manage to move through narrow spaces without forming a queue but by easing themselves into gaps between others. John contrasted this with his experience in New Delhi in the winter of 1982/3 when he had regularly to board a bus from a western suburb into the centre of town. The buses just stopped in the middle of the road and there was then a wild race to reach the vehicle and get on board. He once suffered a bleeding nose after another commuter’s elbow had slammed into it. Chris C. claimed to have mastered the `HK shuffle’ very well and recounted how he once managed to weave his way through a crowd so swiftly that his visiting relatives were unable to keep up. When they were together again, they told him, `You’re not South African any more!’
Tanya described the Latvian mid-summer festival when people are expected to leap over camp fires, and also go with a partner into the undergrowth, allegedly to locate a special fern which only blooms that night (23/24 June.). See https://www.argophilia.com/news/jani/22759/ for details.
(annex to Forcellini’s Lexicon TotiusLatinitatis)
We noted also that Marcus Valerius Corvus, who had supposedly gained the agnomen because a raven assisted him in single combat with a Gaul, held his first consulship in 348 B.C. at the age of 23. This contrasts with the later minimum age of 42.
One of the peoples Corvus fought against were the Samnites, inhabitants of the Apennines who were among Rome’s most persistent opponents. They are normally referred to by the 3rd declension form Samnitēs v. but Samnnītae is occasionally found. For queries on proper names, the best resource is Perrin’s Onomasticon, a two volume supplement to Forcellini’s great dictionary. These can be searched for and downloaded from the Internet but, if anyone has difficulties, John can send copies via a file transfer site.
We also touched on the manner in which Hongkongers manage to move through narrow spaces without forming a queue but by easing themselves into gaps between others. John contrasted this with his experience in New Delhi in the winter of 1982/3 when he had regularly to board a bus from a western suburb into the centre of town. The buses just stopped in the middle of the road and there was then a wild race to reach the vehicle and get on board. He once suffered a bleeding nose after another commuter’s elbow had slammed into it. Chris C. claimed to have mastered the `HK shuffle’ very well and recounted how he once managed to weave his way through a crowd so swiftly that his visiting relatives were unable to keep up. When they were together again, they told him, `You’re not South African any more!’
Tanya described the Latvian mid-summer festival when people are expected to leap over camp fires, and also go with a partner into the undergrowth, allegedly to locate a special fern which only blooms that night (23/24 June.). See https://www.argophilia.com/news/jani/22759/ for details.
Latvian Midsummer Festival
https://www.argophilia.com/news/jani/22759/
There was finally a short discussion on the best way for students to frighten their teachers. Tanya mentioned the dragon who had taught her French when she was with her family in France for six months as a child. This lady did not make any allowances for her being a non-native speaker and continually berated her for low marks on dictations. Nevertheless, the teacher seemed completely to lose her cool and her sense of authority when a boy stuck his elbow in a bowl of custard, splattering the contents around the room. John mentioned the cruelty of some students at one of his HK schools, who flaunted the superiority of their own English over that of some of the teachers.
EUTROPIUS, BREVIĀRIUM, BOOK II
[6] Cēnsus iterum habitus est. Et cum Latīnī, quī ā Rōmānīs subāctī erant, mīlitēs praestāre
Census again held was and since Latins who by Romans conquered had-been soldiers to-provide
nōllent, ex Rōmānīs tantum tīrōnēs lēctī sunt, factaeque legiōnēs decem, quī modus sexāgintā
did-not-want from Romans only new-recruits selected were and-made legions ten which method sixty
vel amplius armātōrum mīlia efficiēbat. Parvīs adhūc Rōmānīs rēbus tanta tamen in rē mīlitārī
or more of-armed-men thousands produced with-small-still Roman strength so-great however in sphere military
virtūs erat. Quae cum profectae essent adversum Gallōs duce L. Fūriō, quīdam ex Gallīs
prowess was these when set-out they-had towards Gauls under-leader Lucius Furius a-certain-man from Gauls
ūnum ex Rōmānīs, quī esset[1] optimus, prōvocāvit. Tum sē M. Valerius[2] tribūnus mīlitum[3]
one from Romans who was best challenged Then himself Marcs Valerius tribune of-the-soldiers
obtulit, et cum prōcessisset armātus, corvus eī suprā dextrum bracchium sēdit. Mox commissā
offered and when he-had-advanced armed raven for-him upon right arm sat soon having-begun
adversum Gallum pugnā īdem corvus ālīs et unguibus Gallī oculōs verberāvit, nē rēctum
against the-Gaul battle same raven with-wings and claws of-Gaul eyes struck so-that-not properly
posset aspicere. Ita ā tribūnō Valeriō interfectus. Corvus nōn sōlum victōriam eī, sed etiam
he-could see thus by tribune Valerius killed [he-was] raven not only victory to-him but also
nōmen dedit. Nam posteā īdem Corvīnus est dictus. Ac propter hoc meritum annōrum trium et
name gave for afterwards same-man Corvinus was called and because-of this meritorious-deed of-years three and
vīgintī cōnsul est factus.
twenty consul was made
[7] Latīnī, quī nōluerant mīlitēs dare, hoc quoque ā Rōmānīs exigere coepērunt, ut ūnus
Latins who had-beeen-unwilling soldiers to-give this also from Romans to-demand began that one
cōnsul ex eōrum, alter ex Rōmānōrum populō creārētur. Quod cum esset negātum, bellum
consul from them the-other from of-Romans people should-be-appointed this when was refused war
contrā eōs susceptum est et ingentī pugnā superātī sunt; ac dē hīs perdomitīs triumphātum
against them undertaken was and in-huge battle defeated they-were and over them subdued triumph-celebrated
est.[4] Statuae cōnsulibus ob meritum victōriae in Rōstrīs[5] positae sunt. Eō annō etiam
was. Statues for-consuls because-of merit of-victory on Rostra placed were in-that year also
Alexandrīa ab Alexandrō Macedone condita est.[6]
Alexandria by Alexander Macedonian founded was
[8] Iam Rōmānī potentēs esse coepērunt. Bellum enim in centēsimō et trīcēsimō ferē mīliāriō
Now Romans powerful to-be began war for in hundredth and thirtieth about milestone
ab urbe apud Samnītās gerēbātur, quī mediī sunt inter Pīcēnum, Campāniam et Āpūliam. L.
from city aming Samnites was-wagig who in-middle are between Picenum Campania and Apulia Lucius
Papīrius Cursor cum honōre dictātōris ad id bellum profectus est. Quī cum Rōmam redīret,
Papirius Cursar with honour of-dictator to that war set-out he when to-Rome was-returning
NOTES
[1] Subjunctive in a relative clause of characteristic. .
[2] Marcus Valerius Corvus (c.370-270 B.C.) was consul in 348, 346, 343 and 335. His duel with the Gaul is conventionally dated to 349 and he was subsequently a successful leader against the Volsci and in the First Samnite War (343-341). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Valerius_Corvus
[3] A tribūnus mīlitum was the commander of the legion formed by members of one tribe, not, as later, a junior officer on a commander’s staff. Do not confuse with tribūnī mīlitum cōnsulārī potestāte.
[4] Livy (VIII.3ff) says that the Latins also asked for half the seats in the senate and dates the demands and the war to the consulship of T.Manlius Torquatus and P.Decius Mus (340 B.C.) Eutropius’s mention of statues is a confusion with honours paid to consuls L.Furius Camillus and C. Maenius in 338. The Romans were ironically assisted against the Latins by an alliance with their Samnite rivals.
[5] The speakers’ platform in the Roman Forum, decorated with the `beaks’ (rostra) of captured enemy ships. These were metal projections at the prow, used for ramming enemy vessels.
[6] Alexander the Great inherited overlordshp of Greece from his father, Philip of Macedonia. Alexandria in Egypt was one of several cities he the founded and named after hmself in territories he conquered between 334 and his death in 323. Before the rise of Rome, Alexandria was the leading city in the Mediterranean, and an inellectual as well as commericial centre. Livy puts the foundation in 326 but the actual date was probably 331 (Bird, 78)
Q. Fabiō Maximō, magistrō equitum, quem apud exercitum relīquit, praecēpit, nē sē
to-Quintus Fabius Maximus master of-horse whom with army he-left instruction-gave that-not with-self
absente pugnāret. Ille occāsiōne repertā fēlīcissimē dīmicāvit et Samnītās dēlēvit. Ob quam
absent he-should-fight he with-chance found most-successfully fought and Samnites destroyed for which
rem ā dictātōre capitis damnātus, quod sē vetante pugnāsset, ingentī favōre mīlitum et
thing by dictator to-death condemned because with-self forbidding he-had-fought with-huge support of-soldiers and
populī līberātus est tantā Papīriō sēditiōne commōtā, ut paene ipse interficerētur.
Of-people freed was with-so-great against-Papirius revolt launched t hat almost himself was-killed
[9] Posteā Samnītēs Rōmānōs T. Veturiō et Sp. Postumiō cōnsulibus ingentī dēdecore vīcērunt
Afterwards Samnites Romans with-Titus Veturius and Spurius Postunius consuls with-huge disgrace defeated
et sub iugum mīsērunt.[1] Pāx tamen ā senātū et populō solūta est, quae cum ipsīs[2] propter
and under yoke sent peace however by senate and people annulled was which with them through
necessitātem facta fuerat.[3] Posteā Samnītēs vīctī sunt ā L. Papīriō cōnsule, septem milia
necessity made had-been later Samnites defeated were by Lucius Papirius consul seven thousands
eōrum sub iugum missa. Papīrius prīmus dē Samnītibus triumphāvit. Eō tempore Ap.
of-them under yoke sent Papirius first over Samnites triumphed at-that time Appius
Claudius cēnsor aquam Claudiam indūxit et viam Appiam strāvit[4]. Samnītēs reparātō bellō
Claudius censor aqueduct Claudian constructed and Way Appian built Samnites with-renewed war
Q. Fabium Maximum vīcērunt tribus mīlibus hominum occīsīs. Posteā, cum pater eī Fabius
Quintus Fabius Maximus defeated with-three thousand men killed afterwards when father to-him Fabius
Maximus lēgātus datus fuisset, et Samnītās vīcit et plūrima ipsōrum oppida cēpit.[5] Deinde P.
Maximus [as] legatus given had-been both Samnites he-defeated and very-many of-them towns he-took Then Publius
Cornēlius Rufīnus M. Curius Dentātus, ambō cōnsulēs, contrā Samnītās missī ingentibus
Cornelius Rufinus Marcus Curius Dentatus both consuls against Samnites sent in-huge
proeliīs eōs cōnfēcēre.[6] Tum bellum cum Samnītibus per annōs quadrāgintā novem āctum
battles them overwhelmed then war wirth Samnites throughout years forty nine conducted
sustulērunt. Neque ūllus hostis fuit intrā Ītaliam, quī Rōmānam virtūtem magis fatīgāverit.
they-ended nor any enemy there-was within Italy who Roman courage more taxed
[10] Interiectīs aliquot annīs iterum sē Gallōrum cōpiae contrā Rōmānōs Tuscīs
Having-elapsed some years again selves of-Gauls forces against Romans to-Etruscans
Samnītibusque iūnxērunt, sed cum Rōmam tenderent, ā Cn. Cornēliō Dolābellā cōnsule
and-Samnites joined but when towards-Rome they-were-heading by Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella consul
dēlētae sunt.[7]
destroyed they-were
NOTES
[1] Referring to the encirclement and surrender of a Roman force of 20,000 at the `Caudine Forks’ near Capua in 321 B.C. For the difficulties in fixing the exact location and a map of the area, see chapter 18 of Ad Alpes. The treaty was repudiated only in 316, aftrer the Romans had repaired their losses, and war was renewed in 315.
[2] Eutropius often uses ipse (ipsīs)without special emphasis and thus in as an equivalent of is (eōs)
[3] The use of fuerat instead of erat to form the pluperfect passive, found occasionally in earlier authors, is frequent in Eutropius,
[4] Appius Claudius Caecus, serving as censor in 312, constructed Rome’s first aqueduct and also a road from Rome to Capua. The Appian Way was subsequently extended to Brundisium in SE Italy.
[5] The Third Samnite War lasted from 298 to 290. The story of Maximus’ father serving under him to reverse the defeat suffered by the son as consul in 292, may be a fictional one based on an episode in the 2nd Punic War (see Bird, 79). The word lēgātus later denoted an envoy, the commander of a legion or (under the principate) a governor of a province directly under the emperor. Earlier. it meant a general’s senior staff officer. The Samnites were an Oscan-speaking, pastoral people. The standard account of their language, culture and history is E.T. Salmon’s Samnium and the Samnites
[6] Consuls in 290 B.C. The First and Second Samnite wars were in 343-341 and 326-304 so the overall struggle lasted 53 years rather than 49. See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samnite_Wars and Mike Roberts’ recent account: Rome’s Third Samnite War, 298-290; the last Stand of the Linen Legion
[7] In 283 B.C. The Boii tribe from the Po Valley, alarmed by Rome’s dispossession of the Senones in the Rimini region, attempted an attack with Etruscan support but were defeated at Lake Vadimo, about 50 miles from Rome. Eutropius’s false statement that the Samnites were also involved may rest on confusion with the 310 battle at the same site. The Senones had allied with the Samnites and Etruscans but been defeated at the battle of Sentinum in 295 (see Ad Alpes, chapter 30)
[11] Eōdem tempore Tarentīnīs, quī iam in ultimā Ītaliā sunt, bellum indictum est, quia lēgātīs
At-the-same time on-Tarentinians who [still] now in remotest Italy are war declared was because to-envoys
Rōmānōrum iniūriam fēcissent.[1] Hī Pyrrum, Ēpīrī rēgem, contrā Rōmānōs in auxilium
of-Romans wrong they-had-done They Pyrrhus of-Epirus king against Romans for help
poposcērunt, quī ex genere Achillis orīginem trahēbat. Is mox ad Ītaliam vēnit, tumque
called-upon who from family of-Achilles origin traced he soon to Italy came and-then
prīmum Rōmānī cum trānsmarīnō hoste dīmicāvērunt. Missus est contrā eum cōnsul P.
first Romans with overseas enemy fought sent was against him consul Publius
Valerius Laevīnus, quī cum explōrātōrēs Pyrrī cēpisset, iussit eōs per castra dūcī,
Valerius Laevinus who when scouts of-Pyrrhus he-had-captured ordered them thought camp to-be-led
ostendī omnem exercitum tumque dīmittī, ut renūntiārent Pyrrō quaecumque ā Rōmānīs
to-be-shown all army and-then to-be-dismissed so-that they-could-report to-Pyrrhus whatever by Romans
agerentur. Commissā mox pugnā, cum iam Pyrrus fugeret, elephantōrum auxiliō vīcit, quōs
was-being-done having-been-joined soon battle when already Pyrrhus was-fleeing of-elephants by-help he-won which
incognitōs Rōmānī expāvērunt.[2] Sed nox proeliō fīnem dedit; Laevīnus tamen per noctem
unfamiliar Romans feared-greatly but night to-battle end brought Laevinus however through night
fūgit, Pyrrus Rōmānōs mīlle octingentōs cēpit et eōs summō honōre tractāvit, occīsōs
fled Pyrrhus Romans thousand eight-hundered captured and them with-greatest honour treated those-killed
sepelīvit. Quōs cum adversō vulnere et trucī vultū etiam mortuōs iacēre vīdisset, tulisse
buried them when on-front with-woulnd and with-fierece expression even th-dead to-lie he-had-seen to-have-lifted
ad caelum manūs dīcitur cum hāc vōce: sē tōtīus orbis dominum esse potuisse, sī tālēs sibi
to heaven hands is-said with this declaration self of-whole world master to-be to-have-been-able if such to-him
mīlitēs contigissent.[3]
soldiers had-been-allotted
[12] Posteā Pyrrus, coniūnctīs sibi Samnītibus, Lūcānīs, Brittiīs, Rōmam perrēxit, omnia ferrō
Afterwards Pyrrhus having-been-joined to-self Samnites Lucanians Bruttians towards-Rome went-on all with-sword
ignīque vastāvit, Campāniam populātus est atque ad Praeneste vēnit, mīliāriō ab urbe octāvō
and-fire laid-waste Campania devastated and to Ptaeneste came at-mile-stone from city 8th
decimō. Mox terrōre exercitūs, quī eum cum cōnsule sequēbātur, in Campāniam sē recēpit.
10th soon through-fear of-army which him with consul was-following into Campania himself took-back
Lēgātī ad Pyrrum dē redimendīs captīvīs missī ab eō honōrificē susceptī sunt. Captīvōs sine
envoys to Pyrrhus about being-ransomed captives sent by him honourably received were prisoners without
pretiō Rōmam mīsit. Ūnum ex lēgātīs Rōmānōrum, Fābricium, sīc admīrātus, cum eum
ransom to-Rome he-sent one from envoys of-Romans Fabricius so admired when him
pauperem esse cognōvisset, ut quārtā parte rēgnī prōmissa sollicitāre voluerit, ut ad sē
poor to-be had-learned that woth fourth part of-kingdom promised to suborn he-wanted so-that to him
trānsīret, contemptusque est ā Fābriciō. Quārē cum Pyrrus Rōmānōrum ingentī admīrātiōne
he.might-come-over and spurned he-was by Fabricius So since Pyrrhus of-Romans by-huge admiration
tenērētur, lēgātum mīsit, quī pācem aequīs condiciōnibus peteret, praecipuum virum, Cīneam
was-gripped as- envoy he-sent who peace with-fair conditions he-might-seek outstanding man Cineas
nōmine, ita ut Pyrrus partem Ītaliae, quam iam armīs occupāverat, obtinēret.
by-name so that Pyrrhus part of-Italy which already by-arms he-had-occupied he-could-keep
[13] Pāx displicuit remandātumque Pyrrō est ā senātū eum cum Rōmānīs, nisi ex Ītaliā
Peace [terms] was-not-accepted and-replied to-Pyrrhus it-was by senate him with Romans unless from Italy
recessisset, pācem habēre nōn posse. Tum Rōmānī iussērunt captīvōs omnēs, quōs Pyrrus
he-had-withdrawn peace to-have not to-be-able then Romans ordered prisoners all which Pyrrhus
reddiderat, īnfāmēs habērī, quod armātī capī potuissent, nec ante eōs ad veterem
had-returned disgraced to-be-considered because armed to-be-captured they-had-been-able and-not earlier them to old
NOTES
[1] War was declared in 280 after the mistreatment of envoys who had demanded compensation for Roman ships sunk in Tarentum’s harbour.Laevinus’s defeat was at Heraclea on the south coast of Italy, The subjunctive fēcissent is used with quia as the clause reports the Roman allegation.
[2] From expavēsco, -ere, expāvī,
[3] Bird is rightly sceptical about the many stories of Roman valour and honesty associated with Pyrrhus’s campaign.
statum revertī, quam sī bīnōrum hostium occīsōrum spolia retulissent. Ita lēgātus Pyrrī
status to-be-retored than if of-two-each enemies killed spoils they-had-brought-back thus envoy of-Pyrrhus
reversus est. Ā quō cum quaereret Pyrrus, quālem Rōmam comperisset, Cīneās dīxit rēgum
returned from him when enquired Pyrrhis how Rome he-had-found Cineas said of-kings
sē patriam vīdisse; scīlicet tālēs illīc ferē omnēs esse, quālis ūnus Pyrrus apud Ēpīrum et
himself fatherland to-have-seen indeed such there almost all to-be as alone Pyrrhus in Epirus and
reliquam Graeciam putārētur. Missī sunt contrā Pyrrum ducēs P. Sulpicius et Decius Mūs
rest-of Greece was-considered sunt were against Pyrrrhus leaders Publius Sulpicius and Decius Mus
cōnsulēs. Certāmine commissō Pyrrus vulnerātus est, elephantī interfectī, vīgintī mīlia caesa
consuls with-struggle begun Pyrrhus wounded was elephants killed twenty thousand felled
hostium, et ex Rōmānīs tantum quīnque mīlia; Pyrrus Tarentum fugātus.[1]
of-the-enemy and of Romans just five thousand Pyrrhus to-Tarentum was-chased-away.
[14] Interiectō annō contrā Pyrrum Fābricius est missus, quī prius inter lēgātōs sollicitārī nōn
Having-intervened a-year against Pyrrhus Fabricius was sent who earlier among envoys to-be-suborned not
potuerat, quārta rēgnī parte prōmissā. Tum, cum vīcīna castra ipse et rēx habērent, medicus
had-been-able with-fourth of-kingdom part promised then when nearby camps he-himself and king had doctor
Pyrrī nocte ad eum vēnit, prōmittēns venēnō sē Pyrrum occīsūrum, sī sibi aliquid pollicērētur.
of-Pyrrhus by-night to him came promising with-poison self Pyrrus going-to-kill if to-him something he-promised
Quem Fābricius vīnctum redūcī iussit ad dominum Pyrrōque dīcī quae contrā caput eius
Him Fabricius tied-up to-be-taken-back ordered to [his] master and-to-Pyrrhus to-be-said wht against life his
medicus spopondisset. Tum rēx admīrātus eum dīxisse fertur: "Ille est Fābricius, quī
doctor had-pledged then king wondering-at him to-have-said is-reported that is Fabricius who
difficilius ab honestāte quam sōl ā cursū suō āvertī potest. " Tum rēx ad Siciliam profectus
with-more-difficulty from honesty than sun from course its be-swayed can Then king to Sicily set out
est. Fābricius victīs Lūcānīs et Samnītibus triumphāvit. Cōnsulēs deinde M. Curius Dentātus
AUX Fabricius beaten Lucanians and Smnites celebrated-triumph consuls then Marcus Curius Dentatus
et Cornēlius Lentulus adversum Pyrrum missī sunt. Curius contrā eum pugnāvit, exercitum
and Cornelius Lentulus against Pyrrhus sent were Curius against him fought army
eius cecīdit, ipsum Tarentum fugāvit, castra cēpit. Eā diē caesa hostium vīgintī tria mīlia.
his slew man-himself to-Tarentum chased-away camp captured on-that day slain of-enemies twenty three thousand
Curius in cōnsulātū triumphāvit. Prīmus Rōmam elephantōs quattuor dūxit. Pyrrus etiam ā
Curius in conxulship celebrated-triumph first to-Rome elephants four he-broughr Pyrrhus also from
Tarentō mox recessit et apud Argos, Graeciae cīvitātem, occīsus est.[2]
Tarentum soon withdrew and at Argos of-Greece city killed was
NOTES
[1] Eutropius, like the historian Cassius Dio, presents the Battle of Asculum (279 B.C.) as a Roman victory, whereas Plutarch, followed by most modern historians, makes the king the `Pyrrhic’ winner and associates with Asculum Pyrrhus’s famous assertion that one more similar victory would be disastrous for him.
[2] The Battle of Beneventum (modern Benevento, 30 miles NE of Naples) in 275 B.C against Manius Curius Denatus and his colleague may have been a tactical draw rather than a defeat for Pyrrhus but lack of resources forced his return home. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_War He had campaigned in Sicily in 278-276 and was killed in 272 in street fighting in Argos, a city in the NE Peloponnese
https://www.argophilia.com/news/jani/22759/
There was finally a short discussion on the best way for students to frighten their teachers. Tanya mentioned the dragon who had taught her French when she was with her family in France for six months as a child. This lady did not make any allowances for her being a non-native speaker and continually berated her for low marks on dictations. Nevertheless, the teacher seemed completely to lose her cool and her sense of authority when a boy stuck his elbow in a bowl of custard, splattering the contents around the room. John mentioned the cruelty of some students at one of his HK schools, who flaunted the superiority of their own English over that of some of the teachers.
EUTROPIUS, BREVIĀRIUM, BOOK II
[6] Cēnsus iterum habitus est. Et cum Latīnī, quī ā Rōmānīs subāctī erant, mīlitēs praestāre
Census again held was and since Latins who by Romans conquered had-been soldiers to-provide
nōllent, ex Rōmānīs tantum tīrōnēs lēctī sunt, factaeque legiōnēs decem, quī modus sexāgintā
did-not-want from Romans only new-recruits selected were and-made legions ten which method sixty
vel amplius armātōrum mīlia efficiēbat. Parvīs adhūc Rōmānīs rēbus tanta tamen in rē mīlitārī
or more of-armed-men thousands produced with-small-still Roman strength so-great however in sphere military
virtūs erat. Quae cum profectae essent adversum Gallōs duce L. Fūriō, quīdam ex Gallīs
prowess was these when set-out they-had towards Gauls under-leader Lucius Furius a-certain-man from Gauls
ūnum ex Rōmānīs, quī esset[1] optimus, prōvocāvit. Tum sē M. Valerius[2] tribūnus mīlitum[3]
one from Romans who was best challenged Then himself Marcs Valerius tribune of-the-soldiers
obtulit, et cum prōcessisset armātus, corvus eī suprā dextrum bracchium sēdit. Mox commissā
offered and when he-had-advanced armed raven for-him upon right arm sat soon having-begun
adversum Gallum pugnā īdem corvus ālīs et unguibus Gallī oculōs verberāvit, nē rēctum
against the-Gaul battle same raven with-wings and claws of-Gaul eyes struck so-that-not properly
posset aspicere. Ita ā tribūnō Valeriō interfectus. Corvus nōn sōlum victōriam eī, sed etiam
he-could see thus by tribune Valerius killed [he-was] raven not only victory to-him but also
nōmen dedit. Nam posteā īdem Corvīnus est dictus. Ac propter hoc meritum annōrum trium et
name gave for afterwards same-man Corvinus was called and because-of this meritorious-deed of-years three and
vīgintī cōnsul est factus.
twenty consul was made
[7] Latīnī, quī nōluerant mīlitēs dare, hoc quoque ā Rōmānīs exigere coepērunt, ut ūnus
Latins who had-beeen-unwilling soldiers to-give this also from Romans to-demand began that one
cōnsul ex eōrum, alter ex Rōmānōrum populō creārētur. Quod cum esset negātum, bellum
consul from them the-other from of-Romans people should-be-appointed this when was refused war
contrā eōs susceptum est et ingentī pugnā superātī sunt; ac dē hīs perdomitīs triumphātum
against them undertaken was and in-huge battle defeated they-were and over them subdued triumph-celebrated
est.[4] Statuae cōnsulibus ob meritum victōriae in Rōstrīs[5] positae sunt. Eō annō etiam
was. Statues for-consuls because-of merit of-victory on Rostra placed were in-that year also
Alexandrīa ab Alexandrō Macedone condita est.[6]
Alexandria by Alexander Macedonian founded was
[8] Iam Rōmānī potentēs esse coepērunt. Bellum enim in centēsimō et trīcēsimō ferē mīliāriō
Now Romans powerful to-be began war for in hundredth and thirtieth about milestone
ab urbe apud Samnītās gerēbātur, quī mediī sunt inter Pīcēnum, Campāniam et Āpūliam. L.
from city aming Samnites was-wagig who in-middle are between Picenum Campania and Apulia Lucius
Papīrius Cursor cum honōre dictātōris ad id bellum profectus est. Quī cum Rōmam redīret,
Papirius Cursar with honour of-dictator to that war set-out he when to-Rome was-returning
NOTES
[1] Subjunctive in a relative clause of characteristic. .
[2] Marcus Valerius Corvus (c.370-270 B.C.) was consul in 348, 346, 343 and 335. His duel with the Gaul is conventionally dated to 349 and he was subsequently a successful leader against the Volsci and in the First Samnite War (343-341). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Valerius_Corvus
[3] A tribūnus mīlitum was the commander of the legion formed by members of one tribe, not, as later, a junior officer on a commander’s staff. Do not confuse with tribūnī mīlitum cōnsulārī potestāte.
[4] Livy (VIII.3ff) says that the Latins also asked for half the seats in the senate and dates the demands and the war to the consulship of T.Manlius Torquatus and P.Decius Mus (340 B.C.) Eutropius’s mention of statues is a confusion with honours paid to consuls L.Furius Camillus and C. Maenius in 338. The Romans were ironically assisted against the Latins by an alliance with their Samnite rivals.
[5] The speakers’ platform in the Roman Forum, decorated with the `beaks’ (rostra) of captured enemy ships. These were metal projections at the prow, used for ramming enemy vessels.
[6] Alexander the Great inherited overlordshp of Greece from his father, Philip of Macedonia. Alexandria in Egypt was one of several cities he the founded and named after hmself in territories he conquered between 334 and his death in 323. Before the rise of Rome, Alexandria was the leading city in the Mediterranean, and an inellectual as well as commericial centre. Livy puts the foundation in 326 but the actual date was probably 331 (Bird, 78)
Q. Fabiō Maximō, magistrō equitum, quem apud exercitum relīquit, praecēpit, nē sē
to-Quintus Fabius Maximus master of-horse whom with army he-left instruction-gave that-not with-self
absente pugnāret. Ille occāsiōne repertā fēlīcissimē dīmicāvit et Samnītās dēlēvit. Ob quam
absent he-should-fight he with-chance found most-successfully fought and Samnites destroyed for which
rem ā dictātōre capitis damnātus, quod sē vetante pugnāsset, ingentī favōre mīlitum et
thing by dictator to-death condemned because with-self forbidding he-had-fought with-huge support of-soldiers and
populī līberātus est tantā Papīriō sēditiōne commōtā, ut paene ipse interficerētur.
Of-people freed was with-so-great against-Papirius revolt launched t hat almost himself was-killed
[9] Posteā Samnītēs Rōmānōs T. Veturiō et Sp. Postumiō cōnsulibus ingentī dēdecore vīcērunt
Afterwards Samnites Romans with-Titus Veturius and Spurius Postunius consuls with-huge disgrace defeated
et sub iugum mīsērunt.[1] Pāx tamen ā senātū et populō solūta est, quae cum ipsīs[2] propter
and under yoke sent peace however by senate and people annulled was which with them through
necessitātem facta fuerat.[3] Posteā Samnītēs vīctī sunt ā L. Papīriō cōnsule, septem milia
necessity made had-been later Samnites defeated were by Lucius Papirius consul seven thousands
eōrum sub iugum missa. Papīrius prīmus dē Samnītibus triumphāvit. Eō tempore Ap.
of-them under yoke sent Papirius first over Samnites triumphed at-that time Appius
Claudius cēnsor aquam Claudiam indūxit et viam Appiam strāvit[4]. Samnītēs reparātō bellō
Claudius censor aqueduct Claudian constructed and Way Appian built Samnites with-renewed war
Q. Fabium Maximum vīcērunt tribus mīlibus hominum occīsīs. Posteā, cum pater eī Fabius
Quintus Fabius Maximus defeated with-three thousand men killed afterwards when father to-him Fabius
Maximus lēgātus datus fuisset, et Samnītās vīcit et plūrima ipsōrum oppida cēpit.[5] Deinde P.
Maximus [as] legatus given had-been both Samnites he-defeated and very-many of-them towns he-took Then Publius
Cornēlius Rufīnus M. Curius Dentātus, ambō cōnsulēs, contrā Samnītās missī ingentibus
Cornelius Rufinus Marcus Curius Dentatus both consuls against Samnites sent in-huge
proeliīs eōs cōnfēcēre.[6] Tum bellum cum Samnītibus per annōs quadrāgintā novem āctum
battles them overwhelmed then war wirth Samnites throughout years forty nine conducted
sustulērunt. Neque ūllus hostis fuit intrā Ītaliam, quī Rōmānam virtūtem magis fatīgāverit.
they-ended nor any enemy there-was within Italy who Roman courage more taxed
[10] Interiectīs aliquot annīs iterum sē Gallōrum cōpiae contrā Rōmānōs Tuscīs
Having-elapsed some years again selves of-Gauls forces against Romans to-Etruscans
Samnītibusque iūnxērunt, sed cum Rōmam tenderent, ā Cn. Cornēliō Dolābellā cōnsule
and-Samnites joined but when towards-Rome they-were-heading by Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella consul
dēlētae sunt.[7]
destroyed they-were
NOTES
[1] Referring to the encirclement and surrender of a Roman force of 20,000 at the `Caudine Forks’ near Capua in 321 B.C. For the difficulties in fixing the exact location and a map of the area, see chapter 18 of Ad Alpes. The treaty was repudiated only in 316, aftrer the Romans had repaired their losses, and war was renewed in 315.
[2] Eutropius often uses ipse (ipsīs)without special emphasis and thus in as an equivalent of is (eōs)
[3] The use of fuerat instead of erat to form the pluperfect passive, found occasionally in earlier authors, is frequent in Eutropius,
[4] Appius Claudius Caecus, serving as censor in 312, constructed Rome’s first aqueduct and also a road from Rome to Capua. The Appian Way was subsequently extended to Brundisium in SE Italy.
[5] The Third Samnite War lasted from 298 to 290. The story of Maximus’ father serving under him to reverse the defeat suffered by the son as consul in 292, may be a fictional one based on an episode in the 2nd Punic War (see Bird, 79). The word lēgātus later denoted an envoy, the commander of a legion or (under the principate) a governor of a province directly under the emperor. Earlier. it meant a general’s senior staff officer. The Samnites were an Oscan-speaking, pastoral people. The standard account of their language, culture and history is E.T. Salmon’s Samnium and the Samnites
[6] Consuls in 290 B.C. The First and Second Samnite wars were in 343-341 and 326-304 so the overall struggle lasted 53 years rather than 49. See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samnite_Wars and Mike Roberts’ recent account: Rome’s Third Samnite War, 298-290; the last Stand of the Linen Legion
[7] In 283 B.C. The Boii tribe from the Po Valley, alarmed by Rome’s dispossession of the Senones in the Rimini region, attempted an attack with Etruscan support but were defeated at Lake Vadimo, about 50 miles from Rome. Eutropius’s false statement that the Samnites were also involved may rest on confusion with the 310 battle at the same site. The Senones had allied with the Samnites and Etruscans but been defeated at the battle of Sentinum in 295 (see Ad Alpes, chapter 30)
[11] Eōdem tempore Tarentīnīs, quī iam in ultimā Ītaliā sunt, bellum indictum est, quia lēgātīs
At-the-same time on-Tarentinians who [still] now in remotest Italy are war declared was because to-envoys
Rōmānōrum iniūriam fēcissent.[1] Hī Pyrrum, Ēpīrī rēgem, contrā Rōmānōs in auxilium
of-Romans wrong they-had-done They Pyrrhus of-Epirus king against Romans for help
poposcērunt, quī ex genere Achillis orīginem trahēbat. Is mox ad Ītaliam vēnit, tumque
called-upon who from family of-Achilles origin traced he soon to Italy came and-then
prīmum Rōmānī cum trānsmarīnō hoste dīmicāvērunt. Missus est contrā eum cōnsul P.
first Romans with overseas enemy fought sent was against him consul Publius
Valerius Laevīnus, quī cum explōrātōrēs Pyrrī cēpisset, iussit eōs per castra dūcī,
Valerius Laevinus who when scouts of-Pyrrhus he-had-captured ordered them thought camp to-be-led
ostendī omnem exercitum tumque dīmittī, ut renūntiārent Pyrrō quaecumque ā Rōmānīs
to-be-shown all army and-then to-be-dismissed so-that they-could-report to-Pyrrhus whatever by Romans
agerentur. Commissā mox pugnā, cum iam Pyrrus fugeret, elephantōrum auxiliō vīcit, quōs
was-being-done having-been-joined soon battle when already Pyrrhus was-fleeing of-elephants by-help he-won which
incognitōs Rōmānī expāvērunt.[2] Sed nox proeliō fīnem dedit; Laevīnus tamen per noctem
unfamiliar Romans feared-greatly but night to-battle end brought Laevinus however through night
fūgit, Pyrrus Rōmānōs mīlle octingentōs cēpit et eōs summō honōre tractāvit, occīsōs
fled Pyrrhus Romans thousand eight-hundered captured and them with-greatest honour treated those-killed
sepelīvit. Quōs cum adversō vulnere et trucī vultū etiam mortuōs iacēre vīdisset, tulisse
buried them when on-front with-woulnd and with-fierece expression even th-dead to-lie he-had-seen to-have-lifted
ad caelum manūs dīcitur cum hāc vōce: sē tōtīus orbis dominum esse potuisse, sī tālēs sibi
to heaven hands is-said with this declaration self of-whole world master to-be to-have-been-able if such to-him
mīlitēs contigissent.[3]
soldiers had-been-allotted
[12] Posteā Pyrrus, coniūnctīs sibi Samnītibus, Lūcānīs, Brittiīs, Rōmam perrēxit, omnia ferrō
Afterwards Pyrrhus having-been-joined to-self Samnites Lucanians Bruttians towards-Rome went-on all with-sword
ignīque vastāvit, Campāniam populātus est atque ad Praeneste vēnit, mīliāriō ab urbe octāvō
and-fire laid-waste Campania devastated and to Ptaeneste came at-mile-stone from city 8th
decimō. Mox terrōre exercitūs, quī eum cum cōnsule sequēbātur, in Campāniam sē recēpit.
10th soon through-fear of-army which him with consul was-following into Campania himself took-back
Lēgātī ad Pyrrum dē redimendīs captīvīs missī ab eō honōrificē susceptī sunt. Captīvōs sine
envoys to Pyrrhus about being-ransomed captives sent by him honourably received were prisoners without
pretiō Rōmam mīsit. Ūnum ex lēgātīs Rōmānōrum, Fābricium, sīc admīrātus, cum eum
ransom to-Rome he-sent one from envoys of-Romans Fabricius so admired when him
pauperem esse cognōvisset, ut quārtā parte rēgnī prōmissa sollicitāre voluerit, ut ad sē
poor to-be had-learned that woth fourth part of-kingdom promised to suborn he-wanted so-that to him
trānsīret, contemptusque est ā Fābriciō. Quārē cum Pyrrus Rōmānōrum ingentī admīrātiōne
he.might-come-over and spurned he-was by Fabricius So since Pyrrhus of-Romans by-huge admiration
tenērētur, lēgātum mīsit, quī pācem aequīs condiciōnibus peteret, praecipuum virum, Cīneam
was-gripped as- envoy he-sent who peace with-fair conditions he-might-seek outstanding man Cineas
nōmine, ita ut Pyrrus partem Ītaliae, quam iam armīs occupāverat, obtinēret.
by-name so that Pyrrhus part of-Italy which already by-arms he-had-occupied he-could-keep
[13] Pāx displicuit remandātumque Pyrrō est ā senātū eum cum Rōmānīs, nisi ex Ītaliā
Peace [terms] was-not-accepted and-replied to-Pyrrhus it-was by senate him with Romans unless from Italy
recessisset, pācem habēre nōn posse. Tum Rōmānī iussērunt captīvōs omnēs, quōs Pyrrus
he-had-withdrawn peace to-have not to-be-able then Romans ordered prisoners all which Pyrrhus
reddiderat, īnfāmēs habērī, quod armātī capī potuissent, nec ante eōs ad veterem
had-returned disgraced to-be-considered because armed to-be-captured they-had-been-able and-not earlier them to old
NOTES
[1] War was declared in 280 after the mistreatment of envoys who had demanded compensation for Roman ships sunk in Tarentum’s harbour.Laevinus’s defeat was at Heraclea on the south coast of Italy, The subjunctive fēcissent is used with quia as the clause reports the Roman allegation.
[2] From expavēsco, -ere, expāvī,
[3] Bird is rightly sceptical about the many stories of Roman valour and honesty associated with Pyrrhus’s campaign.
statum revertī, quam sī bīnōrum hostium occīsōrum spolia retulissent. Ita lēgātus Pyrrī
status to-be-retored than if of-two-each enemies killed spoils they-had-brought-back thus envoy of-Pyrrhus
reversus est. Ā quō cum quaereret Pyrrus, quālem Rōmam comperisset, Cīneās dīxit rēgum
returned from him when enquired Pyrrhis how Rome he-had-found Cineas said of-kings
sē patriam vīdisse; scīlicet tālēs illīc ferē omnēs esse, quālis ūnus Pyrrus apud Ēpīrum et
himself fatherland to-have-seen indeed such there almost all to-be as alone Pyrrhus in Epirus and
reliquam Graeciam putārētur. Missī sunt contrā Pyrrum ducēs P. Sulpicius et Decius Mūs
rest-of Greece was-considered sunt were against Pyrrrhus leaders Publius Sulpicius and Decius Mus
cōnsulēs. Certāmine commissō Pyrrus vulnerātus est, elephantī interfectī, vīgintī mīlia caesa
consuls with-struggle begun Pyrrhus wounded was elephants killed twenty thousand felled
hostium, et ex Rōmānīs tantum quīnque mīlia; Pyrrus Tarentum fugātus.[1]
of-the-enemy and of Romans just five thousand Pyrrhus to-Tarentum was-chased-away.
[14] Interiectō annō contrā Pyrrum Fābricius est missus, quī prius inter lēgātōs sollicitārī nōn
Having-intervened a-year against Pyrrhus Fabricius was sent who earlier among envoys to-be-suborned not
potuerat, quārta rēgnī parte prōmissā. Tum, cum vīcīna castra ipse et rēx habērent, medicus
had-been-able with-fourth of-kingdom part promised then when nearby camps he-himself and king had doctor
Pyrrī nocte ad eum vēnit, prōmittēns venēnō sē Pyrrum occīsūrum, sī sibi aliquid pollicērētur.
of-Pyrrhus by-night to him came promising with-poison self Pyrrus going-to-kill if to-him something he-promised
Quem Fābricius vīnctum redūcī iussit ad dominum Pyrrōque dīcī quae contrā caput eius
Him Fabricius tied-up to-be-taken-back ordered to [his] master and-to-Pyrrhus to-be-said wht against life his
medicus spopondisset. Tum rēx admīrātus eum dīxisse fertur: "Ille est Fābricius, quī
doctor had-pledged then king wondering-at him to-have-said is-reported that is Fabricius who
difficilius ab honestāte quam sōl ā cursū suō āvertī potest. " Tum rēx ad Siciliam profectus
with-more-difficulty from honesty than sun from course its be-swayed can Then king to Sicily set out
est. Fābricius victīs Lūcānīs et Samnītibus triumphāvit. Cōnsulēs deinde M. Curius Dentātus
AUX Fabricius beaten Lucanians and Smnites celebrated-triumph consuls then Marcus Curius Dentatus
et Cornēlius Lentulus adversum Pyrrum missī sunt. Curius contrā eum pugnāvit, exercitum
and Cornelius Lentulus against Pyrrhus sent were Curius against him fought army
eius cecīdit, ipsum Tarentum fugāvit, castra cēpit. Eā diē caesa hostium vīgintī tria mīlia.
his slew man-himself to-Tarentum chased-away camp captured on-that day slain of-enemies twenty three thousand
Curius in cōnsulātū triumphāvit. Prīmus Rōmam elephantōs quattuor dūxit. Pyrrus etiam ā
Curius in conxulship celebrated-triumph first to-Rome elephants four he-broughr Pyrrhus also from
Tarentō mox recessit et apud Argos, Graeciae cīvitātem, occīsus est.[2]
Tarentum soon withdrew and at Argos of-Greece city killed was
NOTES
[1] Eutropius, like the historian Cassius Dio, presents the Battle of Asculum (279 B.C.) as a Roman victory, whereas Plutarch, followed by most modern historians, makes the king the `Pyrrhic’ winner and associates with Asculum Pyrrhus’s famous assertion that one more similar victory would be disastrous for him.
[2] The Battle of Beneventum (modern Benevento, 30 miles NE of Naples) in 275 B.C against Manius Curius Denatus and his colleague may have been a tactical draw rather than a defeat for Pyrrhus but lack of resources forced his return home. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_War He had campaigned in Sicily in 278-276 and was killed in 272 in street fighting in Argos, a city in the NE Peloponnese
