VF: Lesson - Reading Passage, Part1

A drawing of Maecenas.Reading Passage: Via Falsa, part 1

It is very important to practice reading and understanding Latin sentences. While working on the reading handout, read each sentence aloud and listen to the recitation. Be sure to look for ideas in the passage as you read: see if you can get a general sense of the story just from reading out loud. Then practice translating each sentence into English. As you encounter new vocabulary words in the story, think about English cognates and context within the sentences to help you decipher the meaning.

Reading Passage Help Handout

Download the VF Reading Help Links to an external site. handout. This document provides the full text of the story in Latin with additional resources to help you understand, including notes on vocabulary and grammar.

Below you will be able to read and explore the story. Parts will be in English, setting up the context, then there will be sections in Latin to fill in details. Read each section carefully to get the full story! 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.

Chapter 4: Via Falsa, part 1

Maecenas slowly walked around and was investigating Pseudolus’ study. He never hurried: he was more important (amplior) than other men. While Pseudolus sat quietly, Maecenas considered his words very carefully (diligentissime). Pseudolus had not expected a powerful man to visit him and greatly (maxime) feared his message. Finally, Maecenas spoke, "I admire you, Pseudolus. You are extremely clever (callidissimus). At least, I had thought so. You met with my slave woman, Anna. You spoke with her about my very important and very private business (negotio meo amplissimo et privatissimo). I ought to have you killed. Alas! I can’t believe you: two slaves talking freely about the emperor’s business! Really, I ought to have you killed! However, Anna is very dear to me and you are rather important (amplior) to the emperor. So, I will stay quiet. Immediately stop (what you are doing). Don’t look any further into the murder."

Latin Portion
Pseudolus pleads for the importance of his investigation

Pseudolus tremuit: timor pessimus acciderat. Tamen dixit, "Me, O Domine, maxime paenitet. Mea culpa! Res est mihi amplissima: Marcellus erat bonus discipulus, sed amicus quoque. Mors nec aequa nec naturalis esse apparet. Anna ad me venit quod uter nostrum veritatem cupivit. Nec ego nec Anna aut te aut eum imperatorem nocere cupivit! Informationem cum nemine communicavi."

Notes:

  • Me...paenitet: paenitet is an impersonal verb, so literally: it pains me. Translate: I am sorry.
  • Mea culpa: this is a common Latin expression, close to the English "My bad."
  • Nec ego nec Anna: Romans tended to use the 1st person pronoun first, whereas English tends to put the other person first: Neither Anna nor I... NB – the verb ending agrees with the closest subject, so here it is 3rd person singular to agree with "Anna".

Investigation Notes: Part 1

Maecenas has come to confront Pseudolus.

  1. Maecenas:
    1. How is Maecenas described in paragraph one?
    2. What is his most outstanding trait?
    3. What is Maecenas upset about? Be specific!
  2. Pseudolus:
    1. How does Pseudolus react to Maecenas accusations?
    2. Does he defend his behavior successfully?
  3. Thought Exercise: What insight does this passage provide concerning the role of slaves in ancient Rome?