TO: Lesson - Reading Passage, Part 1

A tapestry showing the battle of Actium. The Latin reads: Cleopatra is attacked by enemies on the sea.Triumphus Octaviani, 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.

The image to the right shows a tapestry from the 17th c. CE showing the Battle of Actium. The Latin reads: Cleopatra ab inimicis in mari invaditur. = Cleopatra is attacked by enemies on the sea. The original tapestry hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Reading Passage Help Handout

Download the TO 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 2: Triumphus Octaviani, part 1

For this flashback, we begin at the end of the Battle of Actium. The date is IV a.d. non. Sept. 722 AUC, which is how the Roman's would write the date. For us, we would say September 2, 31 BCE.

Pseudolus held Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene tightly. The twin children (liberi gemini), only nine years old, were afraid: messengers from the frontlines (acie) were announcing rumors about a defeat. The great generals (magni duces), Octavian and Agrippa, were winning the battle; they had destroyed (perdiderant) the naval fleet (classem) of Cleopatra and Marc Antony, mother and father (matrem patremque) of the twins. Caesarion, brother (frater) of the twins and son of Caesar, also tried to calm the children. The misfortune of the children grew: the battle at Actium was complete.

Latin Portion
Pseudolus attempts to comfort the children.

Pseudolus quiete liberis dixit, "Omnia erunt bona. Promitto: vos semper servabo. Vestra mater et pater vester mox revertent. Si non reverterint, vos ad salutem movebo. Octavianus vos non nocebit. Promitto."

Notes:

  • Omnia: This is a 3rd declension adjective, but it is being used as a noun.
  • bona: generally means "good" but here could be translated "OK"
  • Si...reverterint: If they...return... Si + future perfect = If + present tense, when translated.

Investigation Notes: Part 1

This story is a flashback. Pseudolus and Selene are remembering how they came to Rome.

  1. Egyptians:
    1. Who are the gemini?
    2. How old are the gemini?
    3. Who are their mater et pater?
    4. Who is their frater?
  2. Romans: Who are the duces?
  3. Research: Describe the Battle of Actium.
  4. What does Pseudolus promise to do? What will he do to fulfill his promise?