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You know what’s a thrill a minute?
More fragments from Cato’s Origines, assigned midweek because we went through the other fragments so quickly! Yay!
I.1
If there are any men whom it pleases to write about the deeds of the Roman people...
I.2
For I have always thought that the thing of M. Cato, which he wrote in the first chapter of his Origines, to be magnificent and clear, the opinion that ought to stand above, from a man famous and great not less in his leisure than in his work.
I.5
The land which the Volsci inhabited was mostly from the Aboriginal field.
I.12
But the diligent reader will find the true cause of this most obstinate name (i.e. of the godly contemporary Mezentius) in the first book of Cato’s Origines. For he says that Mezentius ordered the Rutulians to offer to him what they offered to their primitive gods, and similarly all the Latins in fear of his power vowed thus: “Jupiter, if you have it in your heart for us to give more to you in this way than to Mezentius, you will make us victors.”
I.21
Antemna is older than Rome.
I.22
On account of this the war began. Cloelius the praetor of Albanus sent speakers to Rome with...
I.25
Many temples were in that place; he desecrated them, except for the one sacred to Terminus; it was impossible to desecrate it.
I.26
For from the whole Tusculan state, gracious benevolence was from Lucius Mamilius alone.
I.27
An ancient family line.
I.28
From there is nearly a thousand feet.
I.29
Therefore during the third attack the battle came to us.
I.30
A cart of wood
I.31
But a sacred grove of Capena...
V.3 (g)
They cast this aspersion, saying the Rhodienses are proud, which I wish least to be said to me and my children. Let them clearly be proud. What does this concern us? Are you angry at this, if anyone is prouder than us?
V.4
(that) all the cities and islands are before the Illyrian field.
V.5
The Naron river, large, beautiful, abounding in fish
V.6
Because no one of them is unknown to me in this or that.
V.7
He led the army--fed, prepared, encouraged--outside and set it in order.
V.8
On the next day, with the signs gathered together, the water to his front, on foot, he fought with the cavalry and other legions of the enemy.
V.9
Straight to the front
V.10
These promises were made by all.
V.11
But they lead one plow with an ox-line of three cattle.
V.12
A stone whiter than pearls*
VI
And so I judge this knowledge to be more knowable.**
VII.3
Many things dissuaded me from advancing: years, season, voice, men, old age; but to be sure when deciding to push through so great a matter...
VII.5
The Hiber river: it originates in Cantabres, large and beautiful, full of fish.
VII.7
And he has seized the magistrate chariot, reddish half-boots bound with soft leather, hide boots for the rest...
VII.9
The women covered with gold and purple: headdress, net, diadem, golden crowns, red bands, armbands, threads, hides, necklaces...
VII.14
Cultivators of rights and laws
VII.15
The cause was from immense fear and sloth so that no one carried on public business.
---
* Or maybe “whiter than pelicans”. I’m guessing based on similar words nearby in the dictionary, since I couldn’t find the exact word. I’m almost sure it’s not “whiter than clams,” anyway.
** A somewhat loose translation that tries to keep the wordplay of the original. “cognobiliorem cognitionem esse.”
More fragments from Cato’s Origines, assigned midweek because we went through the other fragments so quickly! Yay!
I.1
If there are any men whom it pleases to write about the deeds of the Roman people...
I.2
For I have always thought that the thing of M. Cato, which he wrote in the first chapter of his Origines, to be magnificent and clear, the opinion that ought to stand above, from a man famous and great not less in his leisure than in his work.
I.5
The land which the Volsci inhabited was mostly from the Aboriginal field.
I.12
But the diligent reader will find the true cause of this most obstinate name (i.e. of the godly contemporary Mezentius) in the first book of Cato’s Origines. For he says that Mezentius ordered the Rutulians to offer to him what they offered to their primitive gods, and similarly all the Latins in fear of his power vowed thus: “Jupiter, if you have it in your heart for us to give more to you in this way than to Mezentius, you will make us victors.”
I.21
Antemna is older than Rome.
I.22
On account of this the war began. Cloelius the praetor of Albanus sent speakers to Rome with...
I.25
Many temples were in that place; he desecrated them, except for the one sacred to Terminus; it was impossible to desecrate it.
I.26
For from the whole Tusculan state, gracious benevolence was from Lucius Mamilius alone.
I.27
An ancient family line.
I.28
From there is nearly a thousand feet.
I.29
Therefore during the third attack the battle came to us.
I.30
A cart of wood
I.31
But a sacred grove of Capena...
V.3 (g)
They cast this aspersion, saying the Rhodienses are proud, which I wish least to be said to me and my children. Let them clearly be proud. What does this concern us? Are you angry at this, if anyone is prouder than us?
V.4
(that) all the cities and islands are before the Illyrian field.
V.5
The Naron river, large, beautiful, abounding in fish
V.6
Because no one of them is unknown to me in this or that.
V.7
He led the army--fed, prepared, encouraged--outside and set it in order.
V.8
On the next day, with the signs gathered together, the water to his front, on foot, he fought with the cavalry and other legions of the enemy.
V.9
Straight to the front
V.10
These promises were made by all.
V.11
But they lead one plow with an ox-line of three cattle.
V.12
A stone whiter than pearls*
VI
And so I judge this knowledge to be more knowable.**
VII.3
Many things dissuaded me from advancing: years, season, voice, men, old age; but to be sure when deciding to push through so great a matter...
VII.5
The Hiber river: it originates in Cantabres, large and beautiful, full of fish.
VII.7
And he has seized the magistrate chariot, reddish half-boots bound with soft leather, hide boots for the rest...
VII.9
The women covered with gold and purple: headdress, net, diadem, golden crowns, red bands, armbands, threads, hides, necklaces...
VII.14
Cultivators of rights and laws
VII.15
The cause was from immense fear and sloth so that no one carried on public business.
---
* Or maybe “whiter than pelicans”. I’m guessing based on similar words nearby in the dictionary, since I couldn’t find the exact word. I’m almost sure it’s not “whiter than clams,” anyway.
** A somewhat loose translation that tries to keep the wordplay of the original. “cognobiliorem cognitionem esse.”