Advanced Latin Literature 1

Where does our class’s Cicero movie fit in this spectrum:

Should we have started here

…or…

…or…

[WARNING! This second video has a gruesome ending…!]

Somebody out there needs to read these op-ed columns, right? It’s not Maureen Dowd, but I’m certain my mother still would have enjoyed this one!

Check out this cool article about uncovering the archaeological truth of Odysseus.

Here is your essay question for tomorrow’s test. Keep in mind it’s just one part of a larger test; and it is only one paragraph.

Your response should be one paragraph long. Integrate short Latin quotations from the text (single words or very short phrases) to support your answer whenever appropriate. Keep your writing precise and concise.

In #17 – #19, Cicero cites examples of what consuls Opimius, Marius, and Valerius did once they were given certain decrees by the senate. What did these consuls do following these decrees? Why is Cicero referring to these events in his speech?

…A gift for Doc: a special retelling of the Aeneid.

Please read this great introduction to In Catalinam for a bit more context before Monday.

Quo usque tandem abutere, Catalina, patientia nostra? quam diu etiam furor iste tuus nos eludet? quem ad finem sese effrenata iactabit audacia? Nihilne te nocturnum praesidium Palati, nihil urbis vigiliae, nihil timor populi, nihil concursus bonorum omnium, nihil hic munitissiumus habendi senatus locus, nihil horum ora vultusque moverunt? Patere tua consilia non sentis, constrictam iam horum omnium scientia teneri coniurationem tuam non vides? Quid proxima, quid superiore nocte egeris, ubi fueris, quos convocaveris, quid consili ceperis, quem nostrum ignorare arbitraris?

O tempora! O mores! Senatus haec intellegit, consul videt; hic tamen vivit. Vivit? immo vero etiam in senatum venit, fit publici consili particeps, notat et designat oculis ad caedem unum quemque nostrum. Nos autem, fortes viri, satis facere rei publicae videmur, si istius furorem ac tela vitamus.

Ad mortem te, Catalina, duci iussu consulis iam pridem oportebat, in te conferri pestem quam tu in nos omnis iam diu machinaris. An vero vir amplissimus, P. Scipio, pontifex, maximus, Ti. Gracchum mediocriter labefactantem statum rei publicae privatus interfecit: Catalinam orbem terrae caede atque incendiis vastare cupientem nos consules perferemus? Nam illa nimis antiqua praetereo, quod C. Servilius Ahala Sp. Maelium novis rebus studentem manu sua occidit.

Fuit, fuit ista quondam in hac re publica virtus ut viri fortes acrioribus suppliciis civem perniciosum quam acerbissimum hostem coercerent. Habemus santus consultum in te, Catalina, vehemens et grave; non deest rei publicae consilium neque auctoritas huius ordinis: nos, nos, dico aperte, consules desumus.

Decrevit quondam senatus uti L. Optimius consul videret ne quid res publica detrimenti caperet: nox nulla intercessit; interfectus est propter quasdam seditionum suspiciones C. Gracchus, clarissimo patre, avo, maioribus, occisus est cum liberis M. Fulvius consularis. Simili senatus consulto C. Mario et L. Valerio consulibus est permissa res publica: num unum diem postea L. Saturninum tribunum plebis et C. Servilium praetorem mors ac rei publicae poena remorata est?

At vero nos vicesimum iam diem patimur hebescere aciem horum auctoritatis. Habemus enim eius modi senatus consultum, verum inclusum in tabulis, tamquam in vagina reconditum, quo ex senatus consulto confestim te interfectum esse, Catalina, convenit. Vivis, et vivis non ad deponendam, sed ad confirmandam audaciam.

Cupio, patres conscripti, me esse clementem, cupio in tantis rei publicae periculis non dissolutum videri, sed iam me ipse inertiae nequitiaeque condemno. Castra sunt in Italia contra populum Romanum in Etruriae faucibus collocata, crescit in dies singulos hostium numerus; eorum autem castrorum imperatorem ducemque hostium intra moenia atque adeo in senatu videtis intestinam aliquam cotidie perniciem rei publicae molientem. Si te iam, Catalina, comprehendi, si interfici iussero, credo, erit verendum mihi ne non hoc potius omnes boni serius a me quam quisquam crudelius factum esse dicat. Verum ego hoc quod iam pridem factum esse oportuit certa de causa nondum adducor ut faciam.

Your Cicero research projects have been fantastic. It has been a joy to be a student in your class!

Please fill out the research project self-evaluation form before Monday. (If your group doesn’t present until Monday, you may complete the form on Monday evening if you would prefer.)

Try translating these English sentences into Latin for some useful review:

1 ) Let him say what he thinks about burning books.
2 ) He said what he thinks about burning books.
3 ) Caesar asked why the leader had chosen to fight in the war.
4 ) I will teach you so many things that my voice will be ruined.
5 ) If you love the kind of man who does not love in return, you have a problem.
6 ) I teach Latin in order to help students to see beautiful things in words.
7 ) If I were you, I would work hard.
8 ) The mother will ask the students what they did at school.

In addition, make sure you are studying all of the homework assignments we have had since our return from winter break. They will be useful as well.

Looking for a bit of extra review about relative and interrogative pronouns? This simple worksheet may be a good resource.

For your reference: the outline for our Cicero research project is available online.