DOM: Sight Reading Passage Lesson - Thief Along the Appian Way

The image shows a thief hiding near a major road.Sight Reading Passage - Thief Along the Appian Way

It is very important to practice reading and understanding Latin sentences. Below you will find a sight reading passage. Read each sentence aloud. Think about the case of each noun you encounter.  Is it nominative, accusative or vocative? Pay close attention to the verbs.  Are they present, imperfect or future tense? Then practice translating each sentence into English. There are a few notes on vocabulary and usage along with the passage. Will Decimus capture the thief?

Please listen to the narration of the Latin passage as you read along with the text below.

Domina Module Sight Reading Passage
Latin Text: Thief Along the Appian Way Notes and Vocabulary Help

Note:  words/phrases that are in bold are explained in the Notes section

Milites erant in via.  Decimus erat in via. Decimus in via ambulabat. Maximus et Rufus in carro sedebant.   Milites exercebant. In via, milites populos spectabant. Decimus, Maximus et Rufus agricolas spectabant. Etiam virum et puerum spectabant. Populi in agris laborabant.  
  • erant - (they) were (note: 3rd plural, imperfect from sum, esse; who is the subject of erant?)
  • in via - in/on the road (note: this is a prepositional phrase)
  • ambulabat - was walking (note: 3rd singular, imperfect - the "ba" is a tense sign for imperfect tense)
  • in carro - in the cart (note: this is a prepositional phrase)
  • milites populos spectabant - remember the Latin order of words tends to be nominative, accusative, verb. Examine the endings carefully to determine how each word is being used.
  • Etiam - Also (note: this is an adverb)
  • in agris - in the fields (note: this is a prepositional phrase)

Nunc est fur in silva.  Fur fibulam habet.  Fur milites in via videt. Subito dux furem videt.  

Dux clamat, "Decime, Maxime, Rufe!"

Milites in silva explorant. Decimus furem videt.  

Decimus clamat, "Fur!   Fur!"  

Milites respondent. Milites furem superant.

Dux milites laudat. "Optime, Decime! Optime, Maxime et Rufe!"

Mox Flavia fibulam iterum habebit.
  • Nunc - Now (note: this is an adverb)
  • in silva - in the woods/forest (note: this is a prepositional phrase)
  • Subito - Suddenly (note: this is an adverb)
  • Decime, Maxime, Rufe - in what case are these three names? Keep in mind: the general is addressing his soldiers here.
  • Mox - Soon (note: this is an adverb)
  • iterum - again (note: this is an adverb)

Practice Activity

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