Questions tagged [classical-latin]
Questions concerning Latin of the classical era, approximately 75 BCE to 300 CE
800
questions
0
votes
0
answers
87
views
this is in my mind, and I don't remember what exactly it means
ix te ah cum natura
de nocta dom sengre exta
murte tot averno
what is this?
thanks for your thoughts.
Drynn
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why study a classical language?
This is admittedly a variation on why study Latin (see Related questions below), but there is specific aspect/motivation that I would like to explore deeper.
Often cited reasons for studying classical ...
- 303
7
votes
0
answers
108
views
Roman awareness of the Italic branch
I've recently learned the Romans and Greeks were aware of their linguistic connection (aeolism). However, I couldn't find anything pertaining to their more obvious relationship with the Sabellic ...
- 131
9
votes
1
answer
466
views
Is there a Latin parallel to the TLG website?
The TLG (=Thesaurus Linguae Graecae) is an incredibly helpful tool for understanding how an author uses a certain word. For example, if I wanted to learn how the word ἀνάπαυσις was used by Clement of ...
- 193
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How do you say "medicine" in Latin without borrowing a Greek word?
Is there a "purely Latin" way of saying "medicine"?
The Smith & Hall and Goelzer dictionaries both give "medicina" as the only translation.
Is there a paraphrase like ...
- 543
2
votes
0
answers
55
views
"On the utility of Latin" in Latin
What would be the best translation of "On the utility of Latin" into (ciceronian) Latin?
Specifically as a title (e.g., of a blog article).
I am open to loose translations, here are some ...
- 543
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What's the difference between aster, stella, sidus and astrum in Latin?
aster, stella, sidus and astrum are are all nearly means or related to stars. But are there any key differences between these words ?
- 219
3
votes
0
answers
72
views
How do you say "chicken" in Latin?
I know which words to use for specific types of chicken:
gallīna is a female (adult) chicken (hen).
gallus is a male (adult) chicken (cock, rooster); it also is used for the male (cock) of other ...
- 24.3k
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
Beginning a letter in latin--what were common conventions [duplicate]
In the USA, it is customary to begin a letter with "Dear" and the name of the recipient. E.g., "Dear Dr. Smith" or "Dear Alex".
Was there a similar convention for the ...
- 793
6
votes
1
answer
523
views
Why does the length of a vowel before verb endings change?
I'm learning Latin and I see that the stem I am supposed to add things onto keeps changing from long to short and back again. For example, take teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum.
As I see the present ...
- 63
5
votes
0
answers
52
views
Why is the phrase negotiorum gestio instead of alienorum gestio?
In Law negotiorum gestio is a form of agency wherein a gestor acts on behalf and for the benefit of a principal without the latter's prior consent.
For example, while you are traveling abroad, a ...
- 191
3
votes
1
answer
81
views
Looking for title of latin textbook - US high-school 1960's
I'm trying to figure out what textbook I had for Latin, in a US high-school around 1968. (Chicago suburbs if that helps). I think the first story was about a boy and a girl on a picnic, because I ...
- 133
8
votes
1
answer
419
views
How do I scan the hexameter "faunique satyrique et monticolae silvani"? (From Metamorphoses I, 193)
I was wondering if anyone knows how to scan this hexameter (complete source here https://la.wikisource.org/wiki/Metamorphoses_(Ovidius)/Liber_I). Something that is usually short definitely needs to be ...
- 81
3
votes
1
answer
136
views
Best conjugation for memento vivere or viveri
Memento vivere or viveri, as a complementary phrase (not necessary an opposite) to memento mori?
- 31
5
votes
2
answers
696
views
Translating "All things come to an end" to Latin
Would someone please translate "All things come to an end" for me?
- 53
4
votes
0
answers
68
views
"vulgarem latinum accentu italico pronunciatum sed est"
In the comment section of "Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in LATIN · Act I Scene 1" by ScorpioMartianus, one can read the following comment:
vulgarem latinum accentu italico pronunciatum sed ...
user11281
7
votes
2
answers
744
views
Coronat Virtus In Corde Mea / Virtue Reigns In My Heart?
Could this correctly translate to "Virtue Reigns In My Heart"? I prefer to use "coronat" instead of "regnat" but would it still be correct?
I believe that "coronat ...
- 73
5
votes
0
answers
112
views
Classical Translation for "aura, vibrations, feeling"
I have struggled in finding an adequate translation for the above mentioned words, that designate the subtle ambiance that something is thought to emit or convey. Like "she gives me negative ...
- 180
8
votes
1
answer
338
views
How to express "a little bit of" a mass noun outside of the nominative or accusative case
How do you say "a little (small amount) of" a mass noun when the noun phrase is not in the nominative or accusative case or is the object of a preposition?
Normally a partitive genitive is ...
1
vote
0
answers
69
views
What is the preferred beginners book on beginning to learn latin? [duplicate]
This is for someone who wants to begin studying but has little to no knowledge of the language. Should I stick to a classic Latin primer or something more modern? Thank you.
- 11
-2
votes
1
answer
85
views
How grammatical mistake transmitted in manuscripts
In my previse posts, I asked the question on interpolation of the word "non" in sentences, community from both Reddit and stack provide a very detailed and good answer, but while reading all ...
- 453
3
votes
1
answer
371
views
Is Classical Latin “proelium” (battle) in any way related to English “broil” (quarrel)?
I’m starting a Classical Latin course and I noticed that proelium, meaning battle, sounds very much like English broil/embroil, and could plausibly have some etymological relationship.
Is it just a ...
- 33
1
vote
1
answer
45
views
Pliny named the plant in his book History of Nature
The following is a paragraph(critical point) from Pliny's History of Nature :
The identification of plants mentioned in the Natural History is a difficult matter. ... trained botanist hesitates at ...
- 453
3
votes
1
answer
138
views
What is the function of "ingenti" in Apocolocyntosis 12, 3?
What is the function of "ingenti" in Apocolocyntosis 12, 3?
Claudius, ut vidit funus suum, intellexit se mortuum esse, Ingenti enim megaloi xorikoi nenia cantabatur (anapaestis).
My ...
- 137
3
votes
1
answer
361
views
What would the ancient Greeks have called Herakles' bow and poisoned arrows? What would the Romans have called them?
Herakles received a bow from Apollon before his labors started. After his second labor, the slaying of the Lernaean Hydra, he dipped his arrows in it's blood making them instantly lethal. What would ...
- 439
-2
votes
1
answer
63
views
Remember your future in Latin? [closed]
what's the correct way of saying Remember your future in Latin?
- 5
5
votes
1
answer
492
views
Why does the author use "illuminated" for "ignibus"?
The following poem is from De Rerum nature Book 5:715-725 :
labitur omnimodis occursans officiensque, nec potis est cerni, quia
cassum lumine fertur. versarique potest, globus ut, si forte, pilai
...
- 453
1
vote
2
answers
94
views
How would you say "What do you reach with hate and staying angry" in old latin writing?
I would like to translate correctly the sentence "what do you reach with hate and staying angry". I would like this in old latin writing if possible.
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
91
views
How would you say “return to the stars” in Latin?
How would you say “return to the stars” in Latin in the form of a command for instance. Does not need to be an aggressive version of the commas, simply a pleading.
- 21
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why 'Vir' is the only word of 2nd declension with -ir ending?
I'd like a detailed explanation of the word 'Vir' denclesion. Vir is the only word of the second denclension with 'ir' ending. What is the reason for this phenomenon? Anyone knows a research about it ...
- 113
3
votes
2
answers
673
views
Knowledge of Moonlight among Latin writer
Is there any Roman or Latin writer person before 2nd-century AD who wrote moon does not have its own light but got it from Sun like the moon is a mirror which reflects sunlight, I know about Cicero ( ...
- 453
1
vote
1
answer
129
views
Interpolation of words by scholars leads to changes in the meaning
The following sentence is from "De architecture" a 1 BCE book(English translation)
Uti autem Aristarchus Samius mathematicus vigore magno rationes
varietatis disciplinis de eadem <re> ...
- 453
3
votes
0
answers
54
views
Reading of "licet" in the following sentence
The following sentence is from a 5th-century book
[12] Rursus terra accepto solis lumine clarescit tantummodo, non
relucet, luna speculi instar lumen quo illustratur emittit, quia illa
aeris et aquae,...
- 453
1
vote
0
answers
143
views
Did Classical Latin sound like singing at times like Italian does?
Plesae note that this question is different from a previous question of mine! Songs being sung in Classical Latin literature
Did Classical Latin sound like singing at times and if so did Classical ...
- 71
10
votes
4
answers
887
views
What would the term for pomegranate orchard be in latin or ancient greek?
I am doing research into Greek and Roman mythology, specifically the underworld. There is supposedly a pomegranate orchard next to the palace of Hades, and I am looking for the ancient terms for it. ...
- 439
3
votes
2
answers
176
views
“Aquathlon” in Classical Latin
An aquathlon is a multisport race consisting of continuous run and swim elements. Competitors complete a swim immediately followed by a run over various distances.
How would this race be named in ...
user11281
3
votes
3
answers
202
views
How would Roman name an Übermensch?
I was thinking of "homo superus/superior" but I don’t know which one is better.
I’m referring to the concept introduced by Nietzsche.
user11281
5
votes
1
answer
275
views
On the analysis of "mihi" in "Praesidium mihi in perpetuum comparatum est" (Cic. Cat. 3.12.27)
I was wondering about the correct analysis of the dative mihi in the sentence Magnum enim est in bonis praesidium quod mihi in perpetuum comparatum est, which is included in the text below from Cic. ...
- 6,810
-3
votes
1
answer
99
views
Which letters of celebrētur are trilled in this Bervoets recording
Which letters of celebrētur are trilled in this recording? https://www.stilus.nl/ce-geluid/PlinMinEp-VI-16.htm? Bervoets doesn't just trills both R's but the letters near the two R's too! I've noticed ...
- 71
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What does this Latin phrase, from an ancient astrology wheel say?
"Hemphta - Numen Triforme" the greek portion reads "παντόλιoφoν"
I think it says something like the "holy trinity" or "godhead trinity" but thats just based on ...
- 61
6
votes
1
answer
139
views
Use of "if" in a translation of Pliny the Elder's Natural History
Following John Bostock's 1855 translation of Pliny the Elder: The Natural History, II 44–45:
I know not whether she ought not to be considered as our instructress in everything that can be known ...
- 453
4
votes
1
answer
224
views
Is 'arcanus scintilla vitae' gramatically correct?
I'm trying to figure out how to put together "the mysterious spark of life" in Latin, though the cases are a tad confusing. Doing some searching and translating has led me to those 3 words, ...
- 41
5
votes
1
answer
302
views
Hi omnes lingua: Why lingua is put in singular?
The 2th sentence in De Bello Gallico Liber I.
Hi omnes lingua, institutis, legibus inter se differunt.
The word lingua is put Ablative Singular. Why?
I am not a native speaker of Indo-European ...
- 53
2
votes
2
answers
174
views
Satyricon 136.7-8
..... post lectum occisum anserem mitto vulnusque cruris haud altum aceto diluo.
Is "vulnus" a 4th declension plural accusative noun?
If so, why is it modified by "altum", which is ...
- 137
3
votes
1
answer
177
views
Did individuus refer to individual persons in Ancient Rome?
Did individuus refer to individual persons in Ancient Rome?
- 31
2
votes
1
answer
103
views
Does -que get appended to adjectives?
For example in the following sentence should the adjective 'magnus' also take 'que' to agree with the noun 'puer'?
Puella puerque magnus.
- 433
3
votes
1
answer
100
views
I'm looking for a stable English to Latin translation for the below quote
I did some research about the Greek Gods associated with language and communication and found that the best approximation is the Greek God: Hermes.
I'm writing a research paper about communications, ...
- 33
8
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Is "Ave Dominus Nox" the correct translation for "Hail to the Lord of Night"?
In the Warhammer 40K universe, the Night Lords (scary stealthy dudes) use the battle cry "Ave Dominus Nox." This isn't meant to be in Latin, but in High Gothic, a made-up language for the ...
- 183
3
votes
0
answers
83
views
What is the modern day pronunciation of v in Latin as in van or as a w? And is the c soft as in cellar or hard as in cat?
What is the modern day pronunciation of v in Latin (as in van) or as a w sound? And is the c soft as in cellar or hard as in cat?
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
45
views
In Satyricon 135.4
"detrahentem", though a present partiple and therefore active, (it seems to me) is used passively (like the past participle "detractum".
.... Something like "She stuck the ...
- 137