LH2: Lesson - Authentic Latin - Reading Augustus, part 2

Image: the mausoleum of Augustus in Rome, Italy.

Reading Passage - Augustus, part 2

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.

Translation Handout

Translation Guide - Authentic Latin Links to an external site.

This document contains the Latin text for Suetonius, Eutropius, and Augustus. Please download this file to assist with reading and comprehension of the Latin passage. Answer the analysis questions for each passage. Contact your instructor with questions.

Res Gestae Passage Audio

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

Latin Text

Below you will find the full reading passage for Augustus. Read through the Latin and see what you can decipher on your own (some notes are included on the page to help with more complex structures). Then use the translation guide to provide additional details to help you form a better understanding of the passage. You may, if you wish, write out a complete translation in your notes, but it is not necessary to do so to achieve an understanding of the passage.

Selections from the Res Gestae - Sections 20, 22

 

[20] Capitolium et Pompeium theatrum utrumque opus impensa grandi refeci sine ulla inscriptione nominis mei. Rivos aquarum compluribus locis vetustate labentes refeci, et aquam quae Marcia appellatur duplicavi fonte novo in rivum eius inmisso. Forum Iulium et basilicam quae fuit inter aedem Castoris et aedem Saturni, coepta profligataque opera a patre meo, perfeci et eandem basilicam consumptam incendio, ampliato eius solo, sub titulo nominis filiorum meorum incohavi, et, si vivus non perfecissem, perfici ab heredibus meis iussi. Duo et octoginta templa deum in urbe consul sextum ex auctoritate senatus refeci nullo praetermisso quod eo tempore refici debebat. Consul septimum viam Flaminiam ab urbe Ariminum refeci pontesque omnes praeter Mulvium et Minucium.

[22] Ter munus gladiatorium dedi meo nomine et quinquiens filiorum meorum aut nepotum nomine, quibus muneribus depugnaverunt hominum circiter decem millia. Bis athletarum undique accitorum spectaculum populo praebui meo nomine et tertium nepotis mei nomine. Ludos feci meo nomine quater, aliorum autem magistratuum vicem ter et viciens.

NOTES:

  • utrumque opus impensa grandi: each work at an enormous expense
  • Rivos aquarum: aqueducts
  • aquam quae Marcia appellatur: the aqueduct which is called Marcia = the Marcian aqueduct.
  • duplicavi: I doubled the output for...
  • fonte novo...inmisso: ablative of means – by means of a new spring which was sent into...
  • eandem basilicam...incohavi: eandem basilicam is the direct object of incohavi.
  • ampliato...solo: ablative absolute – with its grounds enlarged
  • si vivus non perfecissem: subjunctive in a conditional means that the condition was contrary to fact, or could have been: if I had not completed it while alive
  • deum: =deorum.
  • consul sextum: consul is appositive with the personal subject “I” – I, as consul for the sixth time... = During my sixth consulship...
  • Consul septimum: cf. consul sextum – During my seventh consulship...
  • munus gladiatorium: gladiatorial games.
  • hominum circiter decem millia: cf. to notes in part three – around 10,000 men
  • aliorum autem magistratuum vicem: the verb, feci, still governs: but I also did so in the place of other magistrates.
  • ter et viciens: twenty three times

Analysis Questions

Use the following analysis questions to support your understanding of sections 20 and 22.

  • What major buildings did Augustus restore and under whose authority does he claim to have done these acts?
  • What did Augustus do to support the cause of the Roman state religion?
  • What does Augustus list in this accomplishment? Why do these accomplishments matter?

[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Links to an external site.] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN LESSON.