TO: Lesson - Reading Passage, Part 2

Image: a painting of a Roman triumph

Triumphus Octaviani, Part 2

The story continues. Before continuing, a reminder that you can use the TO Reading Help Links to an external site. handout to access the full Latin text along with notes on vocabulary and grammar. Some additional notes will be included as well. If you see a word or phrase highlighted in bold, check below the passage for additional information.

The painting to the right is titled A Roman Triumph and was painted by Peter Paul Reubens around the year 1630 CE.

Chapter 2: Triumphus Octaviani, part 2

While still in the flashback, let's discuss the fallout of the battle at Actium. What happened after the battle itself?

Soon after the battle at Actium, Marc Antony (Marcus Antonius) committed suicide (se interfecit). Cleopatra hesitated. Octavian presented a plan (consilium) to the queen: Cleopatra could come with him to Rome (alive!), but it was necessary for the queen to bend her knee (genu flectere - to become subordinate to him). Soon, she lost hope. Cleopatra also decided to kill herself: she allowed a poisonous snake (aspidem) to bite her. Octavian took the children, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene, to Rome. Caesarion did not return to Rome.

Now, we move forward in time to Octavian's triumphant return to Rome after the battle of Actium. The date is XVII a.d. kal. Sept. 724 AUC, which is how the Roman's would write the date. For us, we would say August 15, 29 BCE.

It is the third day of Octavian's great triumph. The two children and Pseudolus were sitting in a cage (in cavea). Alexander and Selene were crying (lacrimabant). Pseudolus said,

Latin Portion
Pseudolus tries to comfort the children with promises of a better future.

"Spectate, liberos! Auditisne cornua? Spectate exercitum Romanum! Vivere hic possumus: Octavia, soror Octaviani, vos nutriet et vobiscum manebo! Ero magister familiae Iuliae."

Selene adhuc lacrimabat, "Sonitus cornuum aures meas nocet. Species militum me terret. Domum meam recedere cupio. Romae manere non possum. Ecce! Ob vincula aurea stare non etiam possum. Quando res emendabunt?"

Notes:

  • familiae Iuliae: for the Julian Family. objective genitive
  • Domum meam: to my home. Acc of place to
  • Romae: in Rome. Locative
  • non etiam: not even

Guiding Questions

Use the following context clues to help read the final paragraphs correctly. Also, don't forget to check your reading log for additional notes on vocabulary and grammar, if you need any help!

  1. How do the children feel during the procession?
  2. What will happen to the children and Pseudolus in Rome?
  3. What does Selene not like?
  4. What does Selene want to happen?

Chapter 2: Triumphus Octaviani, conclusion

Pseudolus respondit, "Hodie, iter facimus. In carro vehere potestis. Nolite putare de vinculis, sed futura. Vobis demonstrabo: Roma vos non vincet. Manete prope me!" Itaque Pseudolus liberos defendit. Nec Selene nec Alexander umquam spei Pseudoli memoriam deposuerunt.

Notes:

  • memoriam deposuerunt: forgot – idiom with genitive (spei). Literally: they put aside the memory of...

Investigation Notes: Part 2 and Conclusion

We learned the fate of Alexander and Selene's parents in Egypt. We also witnessed a Roman triumph, from the perspective of the captives. Consider how you would answer the following questions.

  1. What does the passage say about Cleopatra’s death?
  2. What did Cleopatra wish to avoid?
  3. What does it mean "to bend on your knee"?
  4. As the triumph begins, Pseudolus and the children witness several things. Explain a few things that they noticed and their significance to the triumph.
    • What do they hear?
    • What do they see?
    • What do they feel?
  5. How does Pseudolus try to comfort the children?
  6. What do the flashbacks do to establish the character/personality of the people in the story?
    • What new insight have you gained about Pseudolus?
    • What about Alexander and Selene?
    • What about Octavian Augustus?