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ACROAMATA LATINA
Hic praebentur acroamata (vulgo: podcasts) varia quae in rete inveniri possunt. Certe opiniones hic expressae externae sunt Ephemeridi.
DAVID AMSTER
Carmina Catulli recitata
CATULLUS Poem 83: Lesbia mī praesente virō mala plūrima dīcit; in Latin & English
In Poem 83 Catullus claims that Lesbia (Clodia) insulting him in front of her husband is actually proof that she’s still in love with him. Ummm…..maybe! #catullus #latinpoetry #latinpronunciation Vocabulary & Grammar: Note the three emphatic words in the 1st line, setting up the 3 characters in the poem, Lesbia, Catullus, her husband: LESBIA MI VIRO Lesbia: Catullus’ lover, Clodia. He calls her “Lesbia” in honor of Sappho of Lesbos. mī = mihi: to me, with respect to me; dative sing. virō: her husband; abl with praesente; this poem must have been written before 59 BC, when her husband Metellus Celer died. praesente: present, being present, while he is present; abl sing masc in abl absolute (praesens) dīcit: says; 3rd p sing (dīco) plūrima: very many; acc pl neut mala: bad things, hostile; acc pl neut haec: this; nom fem sing ref to laetitia illī: to that; dative sing masc fatuō: fool, idiot, foolish/silly person; dat sing est: is; 3rd p sing maxima: the greatest; nom sing fem laetitia: pleasure, delight, joy; nom sing fem Mūle: (you) mule!; vocative sing masc sentīs: do you feel, see, perceive; 2nd p sing nihil: nothing; acc sing neut Sī: if oblīta: having forgotten, not remembering; nom sing fem perfect deponent participle (obliviscor) nostrī: us, me; genitive after “oblita”, it could mean us/me, referring to Catullus, or it could mean “us”, i.e. Catullus and Lesbia as a couple. tacēret: she were keeping silent, not speaking; 3rd p sing imperfect subjunctive, present contrary-to-fact condition esset: she would be; 3rd p sing imperfect subjunctive, present contrary-to-fact condition sāna: healthy, well, cured; nom sing fem nunc: now quod: since gannit: she snarls, growls, barks; 3rd p sing; not a very flattering metaphor for his once beloved! et: and obloquitur: speaks against, abuses, contradicts, reproaches; 3rd p sing deponent, looks passive but active in meaning (obloquor) nōn: not sōlum: only meminit: does she remember, is she thinking (of me); 3rd p sing perfect w/ present meaning (memini) sed: but quae: what; nom sing fem w/ “res” est: is multō: much, by much, by far; ablative sing neut ācrior: a more severe, violent, consuming, piercing; nom sing fem rēs: thing, matter, concern; nom sing fem est: she is īrāta: enraged, angry, furious; nom sing fem Hōc: this, that; nom sing neut est: is ūritur: she is inflamed, is burning with passion, consumed, enamored; 3rd p sing passive (uro) et: and loquitur: is talking (about it), is expressing it in words; 3rd p sing present deponent (loquor) Pronunciation: ‘LeSbia mī ‘praesente virō mala ‘plūrima dīcit: haec iLLī fatuō ‘maxima lae’titia (e)st. Mūle, nihil sentīs? Sī nostR(ī) ob’līta ta’cēret, sān(a) eSSet: nunc quod gaNNit et ob’loquituR, nō(n) sōlum ‘meminit, sed, quae mult(ō) ācRior est Rēs, īrāta (e)st. Hōc est, ‘ūritur et ‘loquituR. Meter: Elegiac Couplets Lēsbĭă mī praēsēntĕ | uĭrō mălă plūrĭmă dīcīt. haēc īllī fătŭō || māxĭmă laētĭtĭā est. mūlĕ. nĭhīl sēntīs. || sī nōstri ōblītă tăcērēt sāna ēssēt. nūnc quōd || gānnĭt ĕt ōblŏquĭtūr nōn sōlūm mĕmĭnīt || sēd quaē mūlto ācrĭŏr ēst rēs īrātā est. hōc ēst || ūrĭtŭr ēt lŏquĭtūr.
639 views • Mar 26, 2025
CATULLUS Poem 82: Quīntī, sī tibi vīs oculōs dēbēre Catullum; in Latin & English
A poem addressed to Quintius, a friend or acquaintance of Catullus, who may have been trying to compete for the attention of Clodia/Lesbia, but we can’t be sure. #catullus #latinpoetry #latinpronunciation Quīntī: Quintius; vocative sī: if vīs: you want dēbēre: to owe oculōs: (his) eyes; an idiom, meaning to be deeply indebted to someone. tibi: you, to you aut: or aliud: something else, other, any other sī: if est: there is quid = aliquid: anything: nom sing neut. Quid after “si” = aliquid cārius: dearer, more precious, more beloved oculīs: than (his) eyes; ablative of comparison. nōlī: don’t ēripere: snatch away, tear away, pull out, take away; the image is of tearing out someone’s eyes, but here it seems to refer to a relationship, possibly with Clodia. Is Quintius trying to convince him to end the toxic relationship, or is he trying to “snatch” her away? ei: from him, for him quod: what, that which est: is multō: much, by much, a lot cārius: dearer, more precious illī: to him (Catullus). Note that the lack of elision here adds emphasis to this word. oculīs: than (his) eyes seu = sive: or if quid = aliquid: anything oculīs: than (one’s/his) eyes. The very emphatic repetition seems to suggest distress and deep emotion.
383 views • Feb 11, 2025
VIRGIL Aeneid Book 1, 64-80: Juno asks Aeolus to destroy the fleet of Aeneas; Latin & English
Juno begs Aeolus, king of the winds, to destroy the Trojan fleet, and promises him one of her nymphs in return. #vergil #aeneid #latinpoetry #latinpronunciation Vocabulary & Grammar: Ad quem: to whom (Aeolus) tum: then Iūnō: Juno, queen of the gods supplex: as a suppliant, kneeling in entreaty, begging. It’s ironic that she, queen of the gods, would humble herself in this way. ūsa est: used, made use of, employed hīs vōcibus: these words; abl after utor namque: for, for indeed tibī: to you pater: the father (Jupiter) dīvum = divorum: of the gods, divine ones atque: and hominum: of humans dedit: has given, granted, bestowed et…et: both…and mulcēre: to soothe, comfort, calm flūctūs: the waves, waters of the sea tollere: to lift up, raise, rouse ventō: with the wind gēns: a race, nation, people (the Trojans, Aeneas and his men) inimīca: hostile, unfriendly mihī: to me nāvigat: is sailing Tyrrhēnum: the Tyrrhenian, the part of the Mediterranean between Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily aequor: sea portāns: bringing, carrying in Ītaliam: to Italy, into Italy Īlium: Troy (cf. the Iliad); the remnants of Troy victōs-que: and (their) conquered, vanquished, defeated penātīs = penatēs: household gods incute: strike X (acc) into Y (dat), hurl, cast, thrust into vim: strength, force, vigor ventīs: into the winds obrue: overwhelm, bury, sink, destroy submersās: the submerged, sunken puppīs = puppēs: ships aut: or age: drive (them/the ships), push, force, move; erratum: I prounounced the “e” in age more like an “i”. dīversōs: apart, in different or opposite directions disiice: scatter, disperse, tear to pieces corpora: (their/the) bodies pontō: on the sea; abl of place w/out a prep sunt mihi: there are to me; dative of possession = I have bis septem: twice seven = 14 nymphae: nymphs praestantī: (with an) extraordinary, excellent, remarkable corpore: body quārum: of whom quae: who, the one who (is) pulcherrima: most beautiful formā: in form, figure, appearance Dēĭopēa: one of Juno’s nymphs; note there are FIVE syllables! iungam: I will join, unite together stabilī: in/with/by means of a stable, steadfast, enduring cōnūbiō: marriage, wedlock; Juno is the godess of marriage dicābō: I will declare (her), pronounce, dedicate; (dĭco, -are, cf dīco, -ere: I say) propriam: your own, only for you; w/ “eam” understood ut: so that, in order that exigat: she may/might spend, pass; subj. omnīs = omnēs: all annōs: the years tē-cum: with you prō: on account of, in return for tālibus: such meritīs: services, favors, kindness faciat: (that she) make, might make; subj tē: you parentem: a parent, father pulchrā: with beautiful prōle: offspring, progeny, children haec: these things, these words contrā: in reply, in return tuus: your; very emphatic position labor: task, burden, work explōrāre: to determine, explore quid: what optēs: you (would) wish, desire, choose; subj mihi: for me fās: proper, incumbant, duty capessere: to perform, execute iussa: (your) commands, orders Tū: you; emphatic, repeated 3 times, clearly to stroke her ego. (dedit): have given, understood mihi: to me quodcumque: whatever, whatsoever rēgnī: (of a) kingdom, royal power; this kingdom, whatever it is… conciliās: you secure, reconcile, win over, gain the favor of scēptra: scepters, royal powers, authorities Iovem-que: and Jove, Jupiter dās: give, grant, bestow accumbere: to recline, to recline at table epulīs: at the banquets, feasts dīvum = divorum: of the gods, divine ones facis: you make potentem: (me) powerful, ruler, master of nimbōrum-que: both of the storm clouds, storms, clouds tempestātum-que: and of the storms, tempests, weather -que….-que: both…and Meter: Dactylic hexameter ād quēm tūm Iūnō sūpplēx hīs vōcĭbŭs ūsa ēst: “Aēŏlĕ, nāmquĕ tĭbī dīvūm pătĕr ātque hŏmĭnūm rēx ēt mūlcērĕ dĕdīt flūctūs ēt tōllĕrĕ vēntō, gēns ĭnĭmīcă mĭhī TŶrrhēnūm nāvĭgăt aēquŏr Īlĭum ĭn Ītălĭām pōrtāns vīctōsquĕ pĕnātīs: īncŭtĕ vīm vēntīs sūbmērsāsque ōbrŭĕ pūppīs, aūt ăgĕ dīvērsōs ēt dīssĭcĕ cōrpŏră pōntō. sūnt mĭhĭ bīs sēptēm praēstāntī cōrpŏrĕ NŶmphaē, quārūm quaē fōrmā pūlchērrĭmă Dēĭŏpēă, cōnūbiō iūngām stăbĭlī prŏprĭāmquĕ dĭcābō, ōmnīs ūt tēcūm mĕrĭtīs prō tālĭbŭs ānnōs ēxĭgăt ēt pūlchrā făcĭāt tē prōlĕ părēntĕm.” Aēŏlŭs haēc cōntrā: “tŭŭs, ō rēgīnă, quĭd ōptēs ēxplōrārĕ lăbōr; mĭhĭ iūssă căpēssĕrĕ fās ēst. tū mĭhĭ quōdcūmque hōc rēgnī, tū scēptră Iŏvēmquĕ cōncĭlĭās, tū dās ĕpŭlīs āccūmbĕrĕ dīvŭm nīmbōrūmquĕ făcīs tēmpēstātūmquĕ pŏtēntĕm.”
460 views • Jan 6, 2025
VIRGIL Aeneid Book 1, 50-63: Tālia flammātō sēcum dea corde volūtāns, Latin & English
Juno has just explained her hatred of the Trojans and is now going to Aeolus, king of the winds, to stir up trouble for Aeneas and his men. #vergil #aeneid #latinpoetry #latinpronunciation Vocabulary & Grammar: flammātō: (with) an enflamed, burning corde: heart; abl sing volūtāns: turning over, pondering tālia: such things, things like this, referring to the reasons for her hatred of the Trojans sēcum = with herself dea: the goddess, Juno venit: comes in: into, to patriam: the land, the country nimbōrum: of storms, pouring rain, clouds Aeoliam: Aeolia, a group of islands near Sicily, the abode of Aeolus, god of the winds, now the Lipari Islands loca: places, a country, region fēta: pregnant, filled, full of furentibus: with raging, mad, furious austrīs: south winds Hīc: here vastō: in a vast, deserted, immense, huge antrō: cave, cavern rēx: king, the king Aeolus: god of the winds imperiō: with authority, supreme power premit: presses, holds fast, checks, restrains luctantīs = luctantēs: the wrestling, struggling ventōs: winds tempestātēs-que: and storms, tempests sonōrās: noisy, loud, resounding ac: and frēnat: bridles, curbs, checks, restrains vinclīs: with ropes, chains, fetters carcere: with a prison, in a prison Illī: they, those ones (the winds) indignantēs: being angry, displeased, indignant cum: with magnō: great murmure: roaring, growling, grumbling montis: of the mountain circum: around claustra: the confined places, the barriers, doors fremunt: they roar, growl, howl, grumble celsā: in a lofty, high arce: citadel, castle, fortress sedet: sits tenēns: holding scēptra: royal staffs, scepters; royal power or authority, sway mollit-que: and softens, soothes, calms animōs: (their) spirits, minds, anger, rage; probably a play on the Greek origin “anemos” = wind temperat: moderates, regulates, calms, restrains īrās: (their) angers, passions Nī = nisi: if not, unless faciat: he did that; pres subjunctive, where an imperfect subj would be used in prose quippe: indeed, truly, certainly rapidī: (they, the winds) tearing away, seizing, violent, swiftly moving, rapid ferant: (they) would carry, carry away; pres subj. sē-cum: with them maria: the seas terrās: the lands caelum-que: and the sky, heavens profundum: vast, lofty verrant-que: and would sweep (them) away, snatch, carry off per: through aurās: the air, the winds, blasts of air Sed: but pater: the father (Jupiter) omnipotēns: all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent metuēns: fearing hoc: this, what the winds might do abdidit: put (them) away, shut them up, hid ātrīs: (in) black, dark spēluncīs: caves, caverns imposuit: placed upon (them) īnsuper: above, over, from above, on top of (them) mōlem-que: and a huge, heavy mass, a massive structure altōs: high montīs = montes: mountains dedit: he gave (them) rēgem-que: a king (Aeolus) quī: who certō: with a certain foedere: law, condition, rule, contract scīret: would know how; imperfect subjunctive et: both premere: to suppress, restrain, check et: and dare: to give laxās: loose, slack, loosened, relaxed habēnās: reins iussus: having been ordered (by Jupiter), when commanded
277 views • Nov 19, 2024
HORACE ODE 1.4: Solvitur ācris hiems grātā vice Vēris et Favōnī; in Latin & English
#horace #latinpoetry #latinpronunciation Horace Ode 1.4 is addressed to his wealthy friend Sestius, reminding him how important it is to enjoy the pleasures of the spring and summertime of life before the “night” comes. Vocabulary & Grammar: ācris: piercing, sharp, severe hiems: winter solvitur: is melted, is loosened, is dissolved grātā: by the pleasing, welcome vice: change, alternation, turn, succession vēris: of spring Favōnī: of Favonius, god of the west wind, Zephyrus, who accompanies Spring māchinae: the “machines”, mechanical devices used to haul ships out of the sea, and then to launch them in spring. trahunt: drag, haul (back to sea) siccās: dry carīnās: keels; ships, boats neque: neither, and not iam: now; neque iam = no longer pecus: the flock, herd gaudet: rejoice, be glad, take pleasure in + ablative stabulīs: in the stables, because of the stables arātor: plowman ignī: in the fire; refers to sitting around a fire in winter prāta: meadows albicant: become white cānīs: white, hoary pruīnīs: frost Cytherēa: Cytherean, of Cythera, island sacred to Venus, near where she was said to be born from sea foam. Venus: responsible for for fertility, gardens and fruit, thus also Spring. dūcit: leads chorōs: dances in a ring, choral dances lūnā: the moon, Luna, goddess of the moon imminente: hanging over, leaning over; “the moon hanging over” as if watching the nocturnal scene. iūnctae: joined together, linked hand in hand Nymphīs: with nymphs, to nymphs decentēs: comely, well-formed, noble Grātiae: the Graces, godesses of loveliness and grace alternō: with alternate, one after the other pede: foot, step quatiunt: shake, beat, strike dum: while Volcānus: Vulcan, god of fire and husband of Venus ārdēns: blazing, on fire, gleaming, glowing, burning with passion; anticipates “calet” and “tepēbunt” below. vīsit: goes to inspect gravīs = graves: oppressive, unpleasant officīnās: workshops where thunderbolts that accompany spring storms are made Cyclōpum: of the Cyclopes, Vulcan’s servants who make Jupiter’s thunderbolts decet: it is fitting, suitable, proper impedīre: to encircle, surround, embrace nitidum: shining, glistening with oil, handsome, beautiful viridī: (with) green myrtō: myrtle, sacred to Venus flōre: with flower, blossom, a wreath of flowers terrae: lands, the earth, the ground(s) solūtae: released (from the cold of winter), loosened, cf. “solvitur” in line 1. ferunt: bear, bring forth, produce et: also, too decet: it is fitting immolāre: to offer a sacrifice Faunō: to Faunus, god of the forest, shepherds and farmers; known for sexual revelry umbrōsīs: shady lūcīs: sacred groves, woods seu: whether poscat: he might desire, request, demand; subj agnā: female lamb; verb of sacrifice can be followed by an ablative sīve: or mālit: would prefer; subjunctive haedō: a young goat Pallida: pale, pallid Mors: death aequō: with equal, impartial pede: foot; refers to the Roman custom of knocking on a door with one’s foot; the repetition of p-sounds imitates knocking pulsat: pounds on, knocks on tabernās: huts, cottages pauperum: of poor people, paupers turrīs = turrēs : towers, castles, palaces rēgum: of kings, of rich and powerful people beāte: fortunate, prosperous Sēstī: Horace’s friend Sestius, consul in 23 BC, but for only half a year. brevis: brief summa: summit, sum, sum total, amount, extent vītae: of life vetat: does not permit, forbids, prohibits incohāre: to begin, commence longam: a long-term, long spem: hope Iam: now, soon; note that “iam” and “nunc” are each used three times in the poem, emphasizing the “carpe diem” theme. nox: night, sybolizing death premet: will oppress, overwhelm, pursue Mānēs: shades, spirits of the dead, gods of the underworld fābulae: celebrated in fable, of fable domus: the house exīlis: wretched; in contrast to Sestius’ current grand “turris” Plūtōnia: Plutonian, belonging to Pluto, of the lower regions quō: where, to which place simul: as soon as meāris = meaveris: you will have gone; future perfect sortiēre = sortiēris: will you draw lots, choose, obtain rēgna: “kingships”, rule, presiding power over a drinking party/symposium; cf. “regum” above. vīnī: of the wine tālīs: with knuckle-bones; a talus was a die marked on four sides and used in games. The “magister” of the drinking party, in charge of how much water to add to the wine, was chosen by lot. mīrābere = miraberis: will you admire, marvel at; 2nd p sing future deponent tenerum: tender, delicate, youthful Lycidān: Lycidas; a Greek youth Sestius seems to be fond of; a Greek acc. form quō: by whom, because of whom omnis: all iuventūs: the youth; sing. used collectively calet: is/are warm/hot, are inflamed with desire; echoes “ardens” above. mox: soon; emphasizing how quickly things change, how soon a youth becomes a man. virginēs: virgins, girls tepēbunt: will be warm, will be enamored
538 views • Nov 4, 2024
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