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+Elementary Classics.+
STORIES FROM
AULUS GELLIUS,
Being Selections And Adaptations From The
NOCTES ATTICAE,
_Edited With Notes Exercises And Vocabularies_
_For The Use Of Lower Forms_
By The
REV. G. H. NALL, M.A.,
Assistant Master At Westminster School.
+London:+
MACMILLAN AND CO.,
AND NEW YORK.
1888.
PREFACE.
It is hoped that this series of short stories from A. Gellius may serve
as a pleasant change to young boys after a course of Cornelius Nepos,
Eutropius, etc. The language of the original has been simplified in
parts, and some rare or late words and constructions cut out. The Notes
have been made, with few exceptions, as short as possible; a few more
lengthy digressions, such as those upon the ablative absolute and the
gerundial constructions, will need no apology, if they succeed in
leading boys to think out for themselves the difficulties which these
constructions present. Some simple Exercises have been added at the
request of the Publishers, and for these an English-Latin Vocabulary has
been compiled. In this Vocabulary the words are arranged in alphabetical
order, since the Exercises are intended principally for _viva voce_
drill in form, and the Editor's experience does not confirm the theory
of some Editors, that a boy's knowledge of a language is increased in
proportion to the time that he spends in hunting for words that he does
not know; he considers that the "paragraph" vocabulary makes the lazy
boy take refuge in guessing, whilst it wastes the time of the
industrious boy.
The Editor acknowledges his obligations to the Latin Grammars of Dr.
Kennedy and Mr. Roby, and to Dr. Smith's Dictionaries of Biography and
Antiquities, and to similar works which lie at every schoolmaster's
elbow.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Preface, v
Life of Aulus Gellius, ix
Text of the "Stories from Aulus Gellius," 1
Notes on the Text, 33
Exercises, 75
Latin-English Vocabulary, 98
English-Latin Vocabulary, 137
Table showing the order of the "Stories" compared
with the Books of the "Noctes Atticae," 147
Index to Notes, 148
Index to Proper Names. 152
I
AULUS GELLIUS.
Nothing is known about the life of A. Gellius beyond what can be
gathered from occasional hints in his own writings; it has even been
disputed whether his name was Agellius or A. Gellius. Probably he was a
Roman by birth, of good family and connections. He seems to have spent
his early years at Rome, studying under the celebrated teachers,
Sulpicius Apollinaris, T. Castricius, and Antonius Julianus (cf.
xxxiv. 1): to have continued his studies at Athens, where he lived on
terms of familiarity with Herodes Atticus, Calvisius Taurus, Peregrinus
Proteus, and other famous philosophers of that day: and after the lapse
of many years to have returned to Rome, and devoted the remaining years
of his life to literary pursuits and the society of a large circle of
friends. The dates of his birth and death are unknown, but from the
names of his teachers and friends it is certain that he lived during the
reigns of Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius, 117-180 A.D.
The only work of A. Gellius that has reached us, possibly the only one
that he wrote, is the "Noctes Atticae," so called because it was begun
during the long nights of winter in a country house in Attica
(_longinquis per hiemen noctibus in agro terrae Atticae_). It consists
of numerous extracts from Greek and Roman writers on subjects connected
with history, philosophy, philology, and antiquities, illustrated by
abundant criticisms and discussions. These extracts are thrown together
without any attempt at order or arrangement, and divided into twenty
books. He had been accustomed whilst reading, he says, to make notes
upon anything which struck him as worth remembering. These notes he
embodied with little change in his work, in the same haphazard order in
which they had been made (_usi autem sumus ordine rerum fortuito quem
antea in excerpendo feceramus_).
Naturally the various parts of such a 'Miscellany' vary greatly in
quality. Some portions of it are highly valuable and interesting. For
instance, many quotations are preserved from ancient authors whose works
have perished, some of which throw light upon questions of
constitutional and antiquarian interest, which would otherwise have
remained obscure; many literary and historical anecdotes are given which
are valuable in themselves; and some important grammatical usages and
theories are noted. But the author's appetite was omnivorous. He is as
eager to tell the story of a marvellous African serpent, 120 feet in
length, whose destruction required the utmost efforts of a whole Roman
army, with their _ballistae_ and _catapultae_ (_magna totius exercitus
conflictione, ballistis atque catapultis diu oppugnatum._ --_N. A._
vii. 3), or to discuss some absurd etymology, such as that of _avarus_
from _avidus aeris_, as to preserve some really valuable detail of
senatorial procedure, or record the use and origin of obscure
constitutional phrases. His own criticisms, moreover, are as a rule
worthless, and his translations are feeble; but in spite of all these
defects his work is exceedingly interesting, and we could ill afford to
lose it.
His Latin style shows the defects of his age, an age in which the Romans
had ceased to feel the full meaning of the words which they used, and
endeavoured to gain emphasis by employing obscure phrases and unnatural
turns of expression. But these peculiarities are even more noticeable in
the writings of his contemporaries.
STORIES FROM AULUS GELLIUS.
I. VERGIL AND HIS POEMS.
_Vergil, who spent much labour in polishing his verses, used to
compare himself to a bear, which licks its cubs into shape._
Dicebat P. Vergilius, ut amici eius familiaresque ferunt, se parere
versus more ursino. "Namque ut illa bestia" inquit, "fetum edit informem
lambendoque postea conformat et fingit, sic ingenii quoque mei partus
primum rudes et inperfecti sunt, sed tractando corrigendoque reddo iis
oris et vultus liniamenta." {6}
II. MENANDER AND PHILEMON.
_The poet Menander, meeting his successful rival Philemon, asked
him if he did not feel ashamed to defeat him._
Menander a Philemone, nequaquam pari scriptore, in certaminibus
comoediarum ambitu gratiâque saepenumero vincebatur. Ei forte obviam
factus est Menander, et "Quaeso" inquit, "Philemo, bonâ veniâ dic mihi,
cum me vincis, nonne erubescis?" {5}
III. THE PALM TREE.
_The palm has been made the emblem of victory, because its wood
does not yield, when heavy weights are placed upon it._
Rem hercle mirandam Aristoteles et Plutarchus dicunt. "Si super palmae
arboris lignum" inquiunt "magna pondera imponis, non deorsum palma cedit
nec intra flectitur, sed adversus pondus resurgit et sursum recurvatur;
propterea in certaminibus palma signum victoriae facta est, quoniam
urgentibus opprimentibusque non cedit." {7}
IV. SOCRATES AND HIS WIFE.
_Socrates, when asked why he endured his quarrelsome wife, replied
that to bear her temper was good discipline._
Xanthippe, Socratis philosophi uxor, admodum morosa et litigiosa fuisse
fertur, irisque muliebribus per diem perque noctem scatebat. Quam rem in
maritum Socraten Alcibiades demiratus, "Cur mulierem" inquit "tam
acerbam domo non exigis?" "Quoniam," respondit Socrates, "cum illam domi
talem perpetior, insuesco et exerceor, ut ceterorum quoque foris
petulantiam et iniuriam facilius feram." {8}
V. THE SELF-DISCIPLINE OF SOCRATES.
_Socrates used to train himself to bear fatigue by standing
motionless for twenty-four hours at a time. His health was always
perfect._
Inter labores voluntarios corporis firmandi causâ id quoque accepimus
Socraten facere insuevisse: stabat per diem perque noctem a lucis ortu
ad solem alterum orientem immobilis, iisdem in vestigiis, et ore atque
oculis eundem in locum directis, cogitans, tamquam quodam secessu mentis
atque animi facto a corpore. {7}
Temperantiâ quoque tantâ fuisse traditus est, ut omnem fere vitam
valitudine integrâ vixerit. In eâ etiam pestilentiâ, quae in belli
Peloponnensiaci principiis Atheniensium civitatem depopulata est,
dicitur vigorem corporis retinuisse. {12}
VI. ALEXANDER AND BUCEPHALAS.
_How Alexander obtained his famous charger Bucephalas, how it
saved his life in battle, and how the King showed his gratitude._
Equus Alexandri regis nomine Bucephalas fuit. Emptum Chares scripsit
talentis tredecim et regi Philippo donatum; hoc autem aeris nostri summa
est sestertia trecenta duodecim. De hoc equo haec memoriâ digna
accepimus. {5} Ubi ornatus erat armatusque ad proelium, haud umquam
inscendi sese ab alio, nisi ab rege passus est. Bello Indico cum
insidens in eo Alexander facinora faceret fortia, in hostium cuneum, non
satis sibi providens, inmisit. Coniectis undique in Alexandrum telis,
vulneribus altis in cervice atque in latere equus perfossus est. {11}
Moribundus tamen ac prope iam exanguis e mediis hostibus regem citato
cursu retulit atque, ubi eum extra tela extulerat, ilico concidit et,
domini iam superstitis securus, animam expiravit. Tum rex Alexander,
partâ eius belli victoriâ, oppidum in iisdem locis condidit idque ob
equi honores Bucephalon appellavit. {17}
VII. ALCIBIADES AND THE PIPES.
_Alcibiades, when a boy, refused to learn to play the pipes,
because they distorted the player's mouth._
Alcibiades Atheniensis apud avunculum Periclen educatus est, qui artibus
ac disciplinis liberalibus puerum docendum curavit. Inter alios
magistros tibicinem arcessi iussit, ut eum canere tibiis doceret, quod
honestissimum tum videbatur. Traditas sibi tibias Alcibiades ad os
adhibuit inflavitque; sed ubi oris deformitatem vidit, abiecit
infregitque. Cum ea res percrebuisset, omnium tum Atheniensium consensu
disciplina tibiis canendi desita est. {9}
VIII. FABRICIUS AND THE SAMNITE GOLD.
_Fabricius refused rich presents, which the Samnites offered him,
saying that, while he retained command over his senses, he had all
that he needed._
Legati a Samnitibus ad C. Fabricium, imperatorem populi Romani, venerunt
et, memoratis multis magnisque rebus, quae bene post redditam pacem
Samnitibus fecisset, dono grandem pecuniam obtulerunt. "Quae facimus"
Samnites inquiunt, "quod multa ad splendorem domus atque victus defieri
videmus." {6} Tum Fabricius manus ab auribus ad oculos et infra deinceps
ad nares et ad os et ad gulam deduxit, et legatis ita respondit: "Dum
his omnibus membris, quae attigi, imperare possum, numquam quicquam mihi
deerit; quamobrem hanc pecuniam, quâ nihil mihi est usus, a vobis, qui
eâ uti scitis, non accipio." {12}
IX. HANNIBAL'S JEST.
_Antiochus, proud of his army, asked Hannibal if they were 'enough
for the Romans.' 'Quite enough,' replied Hannibal, 'however greedy
the Romans are.'_
Antiochus ostendebat Hannibali in campo copias ingentis, quas bellum
populo Romano facturus comparaverat, convertebatque exercitum insignibus
argenteis et aureis micantem; inducebat etiam currus cum falcibus et
elephantos cum turribus equitatumque frenis, ephippiis, monilibus,
phaleris fulgentem. {6} Atque ibi rex Hannibalem aspicit et "Putasne"
inquit "satis esse Romanis haec omnia?" Tum Poenus, eludens ignaviam
militum eius tam pretiose armatorum, "Satis, plane satis esse credo
Romanis haec omnia, etiamsi avarissimi sunt." {11}
X. THE DEATH OF MILO.
_Milo, when enfeebled by age, tried to tear a tree open, but the
wood closed on his hands and he perished miserably._
Milo Crotoniensis, athleta inlustris, exitum habuit e vita miserandum et
mirandum. Cum iam natu grandis artem athleticam desisset iterque faceret
forte solus in locis Italiae silvestribus, quercum vidit proxime viam
rimis in parte mediâ hiantem. {5} Tum experiri etiam tunc volens,
an ullae sibi vires adessent, inmissis in cavernas arboris digitis,
diducere et rescindere quercum conatus est. Ac mediam quidem partem
discidit divellitque; quercus autem in duas diducta partis, cum ille
manus laxasset, rediit in naturam, manibusque eius retentis inclusisque
dilacerandum hominem feris praebuit. {12}
XI. A HOAX:--THE STORY OF PAPIRIUS PRAETEXTATUS.
_The young Papirius, pressed by his mother to reveal the secret
proceedings of the Senate, told her that they had debated whether
it was better for one husband to have two wives, or one wife two
husbands._
Mos antea senatoribus Romae fuit, in curiam cum praetextatis filiis
introire. Forte res maior quaepiam consultata et in diem posterum
prolata est, placuitque ut eam rem ne quis enuntiaret, priusquam decreta
esset. Sed mater Papirii pueri, qui cum patre suo in curiâ fuerat,
percontata est filium, quidnam in senatu patres egissent. {7} Puer
respondit tacendum esse neque id dici licere. Mulier autem fit audiendi
cupidior, ac tandem puer matre urgente lepidi mendacii consilium capit.
Actum in senatu dixit, utrum videretur utilius exque republicâ esse,
unusne ut duas uxores haberet, an ut una duobus nupta esset. {12}
XII. THE RESULT OF THE HOAX.
_The consternation of the Roman Matrons, the bewilderment of the
Senators, the confession of Papirius, and the reward for his
discretion._
Ubi illa hoc audivit, domo trepidans egreditur, ad ceteras matronas se
adfert. Pervenit ad senatum postridie matrum familias caterva.
Lacrimantes atque obsecrantes orant, ut una potius duobus nupta fieret
quam ut duae uni. Senatores in curiam ingredientes mirabantur, quae illa
mulierum insania et quid sibi postulatio istaec vellet. {7} Puer
Papirius in medium curiae progressus, quid mater audire institisset,
quid ipse matri dixisset, denarrat. Senatus fidem atque ingenium pueri
laudat et consultum facit, uti posthac pueri cum patribus in curiam ne
introeant, praeter illum unum Papirium, cui postea cognomen honoris
gratiâ datum "Praetextatus." {13}
XIII. SERTORIUS.
_The extraordinary influence that Sertorius exercised over the
minds of his soldiers, and the means by which he maintained this
influence._
Sertorius, vir acer egregiusque dux, et utendi et regendi exercitus
peritus fuit. Is in temporibus difficillimis et mentiebatur ad milites,
si mendacium prodesset, et litteras compositas pro veris legebat, et
somnium simulabat, et falsas religiones conferebat, si quid istae res
eum apud militum animos adiuvabant. {6} Haec hominum barbarorum
credulitas Sertorio in magnis rebus magno usui fuit. Memoria prodita
est, neminem umquam ex his nationibus, quae cum Sertorio faciebant, cum
multis proeliis superatus esset, ab eo descivisse, quamquam id genus
hominum esset mobilissimum. {12}
XIV. SERTORIUS AND THE DOE.
_Sertorius pretended that divine revelations were made to him
through a white doe. This doe once ran away, but was soon found
again. The use which Sertorius made of this incident._
Huic Sertorio cerva alba eximiae pulchritudinis et celeritatis a
Lusitano quodam dono data est. Hanc persuasit omnibus, oblatam sibi
divinitus et instinctam Dianae numine, conloqui secum et monere et
docere, quae utilia factu essent, ac, si quid durius videbatur, quod
imperandum militibus foret, a cervâ sese monitum praedicabat. {7} Id cum
dixerat, universi, tamquam si deo, libentes ei parebant. Ea cerva quodam
die, cum incursio hostium esset nuntiata, tumultu consternata in fugam
se proripuit atque in palude proximâ delituit, et postea requisita
periisse credita est. Neque multis diebus post inventam esse cervam
Sertorio nuntiatur. {12} Tum eum qui nuntiaverat iussit tacere ac, ne
cui palam diceret, interminatus est praecepitque, ut eam postero die
repente in eum locum, in quo ipse cum amicis esset, inmitteret. {16}
Admissis deinde amicis postridie, cervam ait, quae periisset, visam esse
in quiete ad se reverti et, ut prius consuerat, quod opus esset facto
praedicere; tum servo quod imperaverat significat, cerva emissa in
cubiculum Sertorii introrupit, clamor factus et orta admiratio est. {21}
XV. TARQUIN AND THE SIBYLLINE BOOKS.
_A Sibyl offered to sell King Tarquin nine books for a large sum.
On his scornful refusal she burnt three, and offered the remaining
six for the same sum, but he again refused. She burnt three more
and offered the remaining three for the same sum: these the King
bought and deposited in the 'Sacristy.'_
In antiquis annalibus haec memoria de libris Sibyllinis prodita est:
Anus hospita atque incognita ad Tarquinium Superbum regem adiit, novem
libros ferens, quos divina oracula esse dicebat; eos velle vendere.
Tarquinius pretium percontatus est. Mulier nimium atque inmensum
poposcit: rex, quasi anus aetate desiperet, derisit. {7} Tum illa
foculum coram cum igni apponit, tris libros ex novem deurit et, ecquid
reliquos sex eodem pretio emere vellet, regem interrogavit. Sed enim
Tarquinius id multo magis risit, dixitque anum iam procul dubio
delirare. Mulier ibidem statim tris alios libros exussit atque id ipsum
denuo placide rogat, ut tris reliquos eodem illo pretio emat. {14}
Tarquinius ore iam serio atque attentiore animo fit, eam constantiam
confidentiamque non contemnendam intellegit, libros tris reliquos
mercatur nihilo minore pretio, quam quod erat petitum pro omnibus. Sed
ea mulier tunc a Tarquinio digressa postea nusquam loci visa est. Libri
tres, in sacrarium conditi, "Sibyllini" appellati; ad eos quasi ad
oraculum quindecimviri adeunt, cum di immortales publice consulendi
sunt. {22}
XVI. SCIPIO AFRICANUS IMPEACHED: HIS ANSWER.
_Scipio was accused of having received bribes from Antiochus.
Scorning to answer such a charge, he reminded the people that this
was the anniversary of his great victory at Zama, and called upon
them to follow him to the Capitol and there return thanks to the
gods._
M. Naevius tribunus plebis accusavit Scipionem ad populum, dixitque eum
accepisse a rege Antiocho pecuniam, ut condicionibus mollibus pax cum eo
populi Romani nomine fieret, et quaedam item alia indigna tali viro
addidit. Tum Scipio pauca praefatus, quae dignitas vitae suae atque
gloria postulabat, {6} "Memoriâ" inquit, "Quirites, repeto, diem esse
hodiernum, quo Hannibalem Poenum, imperio vestro inimicissimum, magno
proelio in terrâ Africâ vici, pacemque et victoriam vobis peperi
praeclaram. Non igitur simus adversum deos ingrati et, censeo,
relinquamus nebulonem hunc, eamus hinc protinus Iovi optimo maximo
gratulatum." {13} Id cum dixisset, avertit et ire ad Capitolium coepit.
Tum contio universa, quae ad sententiam de Scipione ferendam convenerat,
relicto tribuno Scipionem in Capitolium comitata, atque inde ad aedes
eius cum laetitiâ et gratulatione sollemni prosecuta est. {18}
XVII. SCIPIO AFRICANUS: ANOTHER IMPEACHMENT.
_Scipio on another occasion was accused of embezzling the money
paid by Antiochus as a war indemnity: he answered the charge by
tearing his accounts in pieces before the eyes of the Senators._
Item aliud est factum eius praeclarum. Petilii quidam tribuni plebis a
M., ut aiunt, Catone, inimico Scipionis, comparati in eum atque inmissi,
desiderabant in senatu, ut pecuniae Antiochinae praedaeque in eo bello
captae rationem redderet: fuerat enim L. Scipioni Asiatico, fratri suo,
imperatori in eâ provinciâ legatus. {7} Ibi Scipio exurgit et, prolato e
sinu togae libro, rationes in eo scriptas esse dixit omnis pecuniae
omnisque praedae; allatum, ut palam recitaretur et ad aerarium
deferretur. "Sed enim id iam non faciam" inquit, "nec me ipse afficiam
contumeliâ," eumque librum statim coram discidit suis manibus, aegre
passus, quod, cui salus imperii ac reipublicae accepta referri deberet,
ab eo ratio praedae posceretur. {14}
XVIII. SCIPIO AFRICANUS AND THE GODS.
_Scipio believed that he was a special favourite of the gods:
before entering on any important work he used to spend hours of
quiet meditation in the temple on the Capitol. A story is given
showing his power of foreseeing the future._
Id etiam dicere haut piget, quod ii, qui de vitâ et rebus Africani
scripserunt, litteris mandaverunt. Solitus est noctis extremo ante
primam lucem in Capitolium ventitare ac iubere aperiri cellam Iovis,
atque ibi solus diu demorari, quasi consultans de republicâ cum Iove.
{6} Aeditumi eius templi saepe admirati, quod in eum solum id temporis
in Capitolium ingredientem canes, semper in alios saevientes, neque
latrarent neque incurrerent. Has volgi de Scipione opiniones confirmare
atque approbare videbantur dicta factaque eius pleraque admiranda. Ex
quibus est unum huiuscemodi. {12} Assidebat oppugnabatque oppidum in
Hispaniâ situm, moenibus defensoribusque validum et munitum, re etiam
cibariâ copiosum, nullaque eius potiundi spes erat. Quodam die ius in
castris sedens dicebat, atque ex eo loco id oppidum procul visebatur.
{17} Tum quispiam e militibus, qui in iure apud eum stabant,
interrogavit ex more, in quem diem locumque vadimonium promitti iuberet:
et Scipio manum ad ipsam oppidi, quod obsidebatur, arcem protendens,
perendie sese sistere illo in loco iussit. Atque ita factum: die tertio,
in quem vadari iusserat, oppidum captum est eodemque eo die in arce eius
oppidi ius dixit. {24}
XIX. DUTY AND FRIENDSHIP.
_How a man, when trying a friend who was guilty, succeeded in
reconciling the claims of duty and of friendship, by himself
voting for condemnation, but persuading his fellow iudices to vote
for acquittal._
Super amici capite iudex cum duobus aliis fui. Ita lex fuit, uti eum
hominem condemnari necesse esset. Aut amico igitur caput perdendum aut
adhibenda fraus legi fuit. Multa cum animo meo ad casum tam ancipitem
medendum consultavi; tandem hoc, quod feci, visum est optimum. Ipse
tacitus ad condemnandum sententiam tuli, iis qui simul iudicabant, ut
absolverent, persuasi. Sic mihi et iudicis et amici officium in re tantâ
salvum fuit. {9}
XX. AVOID OBSOLETE LANGUAGE.
_Favorinus rebuked a young man, who affected the use of archaic
language, by telling him to hold his tongue altogether if he did
not wish to be understood: if he admired the purity of the good
old times he should imitate their ways, not their words._
Favorinus philosophus adulescenti, veterum verborum cupidissimo et
plerasque voces nimis priscas et ignotas in cotidianis sermonibus
expromenti, "Curius" inquit "et Fabricius et Coruncanius, antiquissimi
viri, et his antiquiores Horatii illi trigemini plane ac dilucide cum
suis locuti sunt, neque Auruncorum aut Sicanorum aut Pelasgorum, qui
primi coluisse Italiam dicuntur, sed aetatis suae verbis usi sunt; {8}
tu autem, proinde quasi cum matre Euandri nunc loquare, sermone abhinc
multis annis iam desito uteris, quod neminem vis scire atque intellegere
quae dicas. Nonne, homo inepte, ut quod vis abunde consequaris, taces?
{12} Sed antiquitatem tibi placere ais, quod honesta et bona et sobria
et modesta sit. Vive ergo moribus praeteritis, loquere verbis
praesentibus: atque id, quod a C. Caesare scriptum est, habe semper in
memoriâ atque in pectore, ut tamquam scopulum sic fugias insolens
verbum." {18}
XXI. TORQUATUS AND THE GAUL:--THE CHALLENGE.
_In one of the struggles between the Romans and the Gauls in 361
B.C. a gigantic Gaul challenged the Romans to send out a champion
to meet him: all held back except the young T. Manlius._
Titus Manlius summo loco natus fuit. Ei cognomen factum est Torquatus.
Causa cognomenti fuisse dicitur torquis, quam ex hoste, quem occiderat,
detractam induit. Quis hostis fuerit et qualis pugna ita accepimus. {5}
Galli contra Romanos pugnabant, cum interim Gallus quidam nudus praeter
scutum et gladios duos, torque atque armillis decoratus, qui et viribus
et magnitudine et adulescentiâ et virtute ceteros praestabat, processit
et manu significare coepit utrisque, ut quiescerent. Extemplo silentio
facto voce maximâ conclamat, si quis secum depugnare vellet, uti
prodiret. {12} Nemo audebat propter magnitudinem atque inmanem faciem.
Deinde Gallus inridere coepit atque linguam exertare. Doluit Titus
Manlius, tantum flagitium civitati adcidere, e tanto exercitu neminem
prodire. Processit ipse scuto pedestri et gladio Hispanico cinctus et
contra Gallum constitit. {18}
XXII. TORQUATUS AND THE GAUL:--THE BATTLE.
_In the struggle which followed Manlius disconcerted the Gaul by
suddenly with his shield dashing him back from his posture of
defence; he then came to close quarters with the Gaul, and slew
him. He put on his own neck the necklace which the Gaul had worn;
hence he was named Torquatus. This same Manlius executed his son
for disobeying orders and slaying an enemy who had challenged
him._
Metu magno ea congressio in ipso ponte, utroque exercitu inspectante,
facta est. Constitit Gallus suâ disciplinâ scuto proiecto cunctabundus;
Manlius, animo magis quam arte confisus, scuto scutum percussit atque
statum Galli conturbavit. {5} Dum se Gallus iterum eodem pacto
constituere studet, Manlius iterum scuto scutum percutit atque de loco
hominem iterum deiecit; eo pacto ei sub Gallicum gladium successit atque
Hispanico pectus hausit; deinde continuo umerum dextrum incidit neque
recessit usquam, donec subvertit. Ubi eum evertit, caput praecidit,
torquem detraxit eamque sanguinulentam sibi in collum inponit. Quo ex
facto ipse posterique eius Torquati sunt cognominati. {13}
Ab hoc Tito Manlio imperia et aspera et immitia Manlia dicta sunt,
quoniam postea, cum bello adversum Latinos esset consul, filium suum
securi percussit, qui speculatum ab eo missus, pugnâ interdictâ, hostem,
a quo provocatus fuerat, occiderat. {18}
XXIII. VALERIUS CORVINUS:--THE ORIGIN OF HIS NAME.
_On another occasion the young Valerius accepted the challenge of
a gigantic Gaul. During the fight a raven aided the Roman by
attacking his enemy with its talons; thus helped Valerius slew the
Gaul, and received the name of Corvinus._
Copiae Gallorum ingentes agrum Pomptinum insederant instruebanturque
acies a consulibus. Dux interea Gallorum, vastâ proceritate armisque
auro praefulgentibus, manu telum vibrans incedebat perque contemptum et
superbiam circumspicit despicitque omnia, et venire iubet et congredi,
si quis pugnare secum ex omni Romano exercitu auderet. {7} Tum Valerius
adulescens, tribunus iam militaris, ceteris inter metum pudoremque
ambiguis, impetrat a consulibus, ut in Gallum pugnare sese permitterent,
et progreditur intrepidus obviam. Et congrediuntur et consistunt et
conserebantur iam manus. {12} Atque ibi vis quaedam divina fit: corvus
repente advolat et super galeam tribuni insistit atque inde in
adversarii os atque oculos pugnare incipit, eius manum unguibus laniabat
atque, ubi satis saevierat, revolabat in galeam tribuni. Sic tribunus,
spectante utroque exercitu, et suâ virtute nixus et operâ, alitis
adiutus, ducem hostium ferocissimum vicit interfecitque, atque ob hanc
causam cognomen habuit Corvinum. {20}
Statuam Corvino isti divus Augustus in foro suo statuendam curavit. In
eius statuae capite corvi simulacrum est, rei pugnaeque, quam diximus,
monimentum.
XXIV. AESOP.
_Aesop in his fables gives good advice in a pleasant way, and
hence men attend to him. An instance of this is his fable of the
lark, which has been put into verse by Ennius._
Aesopus ille e Phrygia fabularum scriptor haud inmerito sapiens
existimatus est; quae enim utilia monitu suasuque erant, non severe
praecepit, ut philosophis mos est, sed hilares iucundosque apologos
commentus, in mentes hominum cum audiendi quâdam inlecebrâ induit. {6}
Velut haec eius fabula de parvae avis nidulo lepide praemonet spem
fiduciamque rerum, quas efficere quis possit, haut umquam in alio, sed
in semetipso habendam. Hunc Aesopi apologum Q. Ennius in satiris
versibus quadratis composuit, quorum duo postremi hi sunt: {11}
Hóc erit tibi árgumentum sémper in promptú situm,
Né quid expectés amicos, quód tute agere póssies. {13}
XXV. A FABLE OF AESOP:--THE LARK AND THE REAPERS.
_A certain lark found the corn, in which it had built, ripe for
cutting before its young were fledged. It therefore ordered them
to report anything unusual which might happen in its absence. The
first day they announced that the master had been to the field and
had sent to ask his friends to help him to reap the corn. On
hearing this the mother said that there was no immediate need for
them to leave the field._
Avis est parva, nomen est cassita. Habitat in segetibus, id ferme
temporis ut appetat messis pullis iam iam plumantibus. Ea cassita in
sementes forte congesserat tempestiviores; propterea frumentis
flavescentibus pulli etiam tunc inplumes erant. {5} Dum igitur ipsa iret
cibum pullis quaesitum, monet eos, ut, si quid ibi rei novae fieret
dicereturve, animadverterent idque sibi, ubi rediisset, nuntiarent.
Dominus postea segetum illarum filium adulescentem vocat et "Videsne"
inquit "haec maturuisse et manus iam postulare? idcirco cras, ubi primum
dilucescit, fac amicos eas et roges, ut veniant operamque mutuam dent et
in hac messi nos adiuvent." {13} Haec ubi ille dixit, et discessit.
Atque ubi redit cassita, pulli tremibundi orare matrem, ut iam statim
properet inque alium locum sese asportet: "Nam dominus" inquiunt "misit,
qui amicos roget, uti luce oriente veniant et metant." Mater iubet eos
otioso animo esse: "Si enim dominus" inquit "messim ad amicos reiicit,
cras seges non metetur, neque necesse est hodie uti vos auferam." {20}
XXVI. THE LARK AND THE REAPERS (_Continued_).
_Next day the young ones reported that the master, finding his
friends had not come, had sent to ask the aid of his relations.
The mother still tells them to be in no fear, and next day again
goes out to seek food. This time the young ones report that the
master, finding his relations lingered, had determined to cut the
corn himself. On hearing this the mother announces that they must
go at once._
Die postero mater in pabulum volat. Dominus, quos rogaverat, opperitur.
Sol fervit, et fit nihil; it dies, et amici nulli eunt. Tum ille rursum
ad filium "Amici isti" inquit "cessatores sunt. Quin potius imus et
cognatos adfinesque nostros oramus, ut adsint cras ad metendum?" {6}
Itidem hoc pulli pavefacti matri nuntiant. Mater hortatur, ut tum quoque
sine metu ac sine curâ sint; cognatos adfinesque nullos ferme tam
faciles esse ait, ut ad laborem capessendum nihil cunctentur et statim
dicto oboediant: "Vos modo" inquit "advertite, si modo quid denuo
dicetur." Aliâ luce ortâ avis in pastum profecta est. {12} Cognati et
adfines operam, quam dare rogati sunt, neglexerunt. Ad postremum igitur
dominus filio "Valeant" inquit "amici cum propinquis. Afferes primâ luce
falces duas; unam egomet mihi et tu tibi capies alteram et frumentum
nosmetipsi manibus nostris cras metemus." {17} Id ubi ex pullis dixisse
dominum mater audivit, "Tempus" inquit "est cedendi et abeundi; fiet
nunc dubio procul quod futurum dixit. In ipso enim iam vertitur cuia res
est, non in alio, unde petitur." Atque ita cassita e nido migravit,
seges a domino demessa est. {23}
XXVII. PYRRUS AND FABRICIUS.
_A friend of King Pyrrus came to the Roman general Fabricius and
offered to poison the King for a bribe. Fabricius reported the
matter to the Senate, who warned Pyrrus to be on his guard. Pyrrus
showed his gratitude by sending back all the Roman prisoners._
Cum Pyrrus rex in terrâ Italiâ esset et unam atque alteram pugnas
prospere pugnasset et pleraque Italia ad regem descivisset, tum
Ambraciensis quispiam Timochares, regis Pyrri amicus, ad C. Fabricium
consulem furtim venit ac praemium petivit et, si de praemio conveniret,
promisit se regem venenis necaturum; idque facile esse factu dixit,
quoniam filius suus pocula in convivio regi ministraret. {8} Eam rem
Fabricius ad senatum scripsit. Senatus ad regem legatos misit
mandavitque, ut de Timochare nihil proderent, sed monerent, uti rex
cautius ageret atque a proximorum insidiis salutem tutaretur. Quamobrem
Pyrrus populo Romano laudes atque gratias scripsisse dicitur captivosque
omnes, quos tum habuit, vestivisse et reddidisse. {15}
XXVIII. ANDROCLUS AND THE LION: SCENE IN THE CIRCUS.
_At the games in the Circus a lion of gigantic size was seen to
fawn upon one of the condemned slaves exposed in the arena._
In circo maximo venationis pugna populo dabatur. Multae ibi ferae, sed
praeter alia omnia leo corpore vasto terrificoque fremitu et sonoro
animos oculosque omnium in sese converterat. Introductus erat inter
compluris ceteros ad pugnam bestiarum datos servus viri consularis; ei
servo Androclus nomen fuit. {6} Hunc ille leo ubi vidit procul, repente
quasi admirans stetit ac deinde sensim atque placide, tamquam
familiaris, ad hominem accedit. Tum caudam more adulantium canum blande
movet cruraque et manus hominis, prope iam exanimati metu, linguâ
leniter demulcet. {11} Homo Androclus inter illa tam atrocis ferae
blandimenta amissum animum recuperat, paulatim oculos ad contuendum
leonem refert. Tum quasi mutuâ recognitione factâ laetos et gratulantes
videres hominem et leonem. {16}
XXIX. ANDROCLUS AND THE LION:--THE SLAVE'S STORY.
_When questioned by the Emperor the slave explained that he had
fled from his master into the African desert, that he had by
accident taken refuge in this lion's cave, and, when the lion had
returned to its home lame, he had extracted a thorn from its
foot._
Haec tam mira res maximos populi clamores excitat et Caesar Androclum
vocat quaeritque causam, cur illi uni atrocissimus leo pepercisset. Ibi
Androclus rem mirificam atque admirandam narrat. {4} "Cum provinciam"
inquit "Africam proconsulari imperio meus dominus obtineret, ego ibi
iniquis eius et cotidianis verberibus ad fugam sum coactus et, quo mihi
a domino, terrae illius praeside, tutiores latebrae forent, in locos
desertos et remotos concessi ac, si defuisset cibus, consilium fuit
mortem aliquo pacto quaerere. {10} Tum die medio sole flagrante specum
quemdam nanctus remotum latebrosumque, in eum me recondo. Neque multo
post ad eundem specum venit hic leo, debili uno et cruento pede, gemitus
edens et murmura ob dolorem cruciatumque vulneris. {15} Atque illic
primo quidem conspectu advenientis leonis territus et pavefactus sum;
sed postquam introgressus leo videt me procul delitescentem, mitis et
mansuetus accessit et sublatum pedem ostendere mihi et porrigere quasi
opis petendae gratiâ visus est. {20} Ibi ego stirpem ingentem, vestigio
pedis eius haerentem, revelli conceptamque saniem volnere intimo
expressi et sine magnâ iam formidine siccavi penitus atque detersi
cruorem. Illâ tunc meâ operâ levatus, pede in manibus meis posito,
recubuit et quievit." {25}
XXX. ANDROCLUS AND THE LION:--THE SLAVE'S STORY (_continued_).
_For three years he and the lion had lived together. At last he
had grown weary of the savage life, but as soon as he had returned
to the haunts of men he had been captured, condemned, and sent to
Rome to be exposed to the wild beasts in the circus. Androclus was
pardoned and the lion was given to him._
"Ex eo die triennium totum ego et leo in eodem specu eodemque et victu
viximus. Nam, quas venabatur feras, membra opimiora ad specum mihi
ferebat, quae ego, ignis copiam non habens, meridiano sole torrens
edebam. {5} Sed ubi me vitae illius ferinae iam pertaesum est, leone in
venatum profecto, reliqui specum et, viam ferme tridui permensus,
a militibus visus adprehensusque sum et ad dominum ex Africâ Romam
deductus. Is me statim rei capitalis damnandum dandumque ad bestias
curavit. Intellego autem" inquit "hunc quoque leonem me tunc separato
captum, gratiam mihi nunc beneficii et medicinae referre." {13}
Haec dixit Androclus; quae cum scripta essent circumlataque populo et
declarata, cunctis petentibus dimissus Androclus et poenâ solutus et
leone suffragiis populi donatus. Postea Androclus et leo, loro tenui
revinctus, urbe totâ circum tabernas ibat: donatus est aere Androclus,
floribus sparsus est leo, omnesque ubique obvii exclamant, "Hic est leo
hospes hominis, hic est homo medicus leonis." {21}
XXXI. THE ACTOR POLUS.
_Polus, having to act the part of Electra soon after his only son
had died, appeared on the stage holding the urn which contained
the remains of his son, and over this he wept the tears of real
grief._
Histrio in terrâ Graeciâ fuit famâ celebri, cui nomen erat Polus. Is
unice amatum filium morte amisit, sed ubi cum satis visus est luxisse,
rediit ad quaestum artis. {4}
Eo tempore Athenis Electram Sophoclis acturus, gestare urnam quasi cum
Oresti ossibus debebat. Ita compositum fabulae argumentum est ut, veluti
fratris reliquias ferens, Electra comploret interitum eius existimatum.
{9} Igitur Polus, lugubri habitu Electrae indutus, ossa atque urnam e
sepulcro tulit filii et, quasi Oresti amplexus, opplevit omnia non
simulacris sed luctu atque lamentis veris. Itaque cum agi fabula
videretur, dolor actus est. {13}
XXXII. A GREEK ORATOR IS BRIBED, AND GLORIES IN HIS SHAME.
_A Greek orator--some say Demosthenes, others Demades--at first
opposed a request of the Milesians for aid, but took a bribe to
withdraw his opposition. When the matter was again discussed he
announced that he was suffering from an inflamed throat, and so
could not speak. He afterwards openly boasted that he had been
paid to hold his tongue._
Legati Mileto auxilii petendi causâ venerunt Athenas. Tum qui pro sese
verba facerent advocaverunt; hi, uti erat mandatum, verba pro Milesiis
ad populum fecerunt, sed Demosthenes Milesiorum postulatis acriter
respondit; neque Milesios auxilio dignos neque ex republicâ id esse
contendit. Res tandem in posterum diem prolata est. {7} Tum legati ad
Demosthenen venerunt oraveruntque, uti contra ne diceret. Is pecuniam
petivit et quantam petiverat abstulit. Postridie, cum res agi denuo
coepta esset, Demosthenes, lanâ multâ collum circumvolutus, ad populum
prodit et dixit se synanchen pati; eo contra Milesios loqui non quire.
Tum e populo quidam exclamavit, non synanchen eum pati sed argyranchen.
{14}
Ipse etiam Demosthenes non id postea celavit, quin gloriae quoque hoc
sibi adsignavit. Nam cum interrogasset Aristodemum, actorem fabularum,
quantum mercedis, uti ageret, accepisset, et Aristodemus talentum
respondisset, "At ego plus" inquit "accepi, ut tacerem." {20}
Quod hic diximus de Demosthene, id nonnulli scriptores in Demaden
contulerunt. {22}
XXXIII. CICERO.
_Cicero once borrowed money to buy a house, but afterwards denied
that he had ever taken the money or had intended to purchase the
property. He did buy the house, and, when reminded of what he had
said, replied that a prudent man always concealed his intended
purchases._
Cicero cum emere vellet in Palatio domum neque pecuniam in praesens
haberet, a P. Sulla, qui tum reus erat, mutua sestertium viciens tacita
accepit. Ea res tamen, priusquam emeret, prodita est et in vulgus
exivit, obiectumque ei est, quod pecuniam domus emendae causâ a reo
accepisset. {6} Tum Cicero inopinatâ obprobratione permotus accepisse se
negavit ac domum quoque se empturum negavit. Sed cum postea emisset et
hoc mendacium in senatu ei ab amicis obiiceretur, risit satis atque
inter ridendum: "#akoinonoêtoi#" inquit "homines estis, cum ignoratis
prudentis et cauti patrisfamilias esse, quod emere velit, empturum sese
negare propter competitores emptionis." {13}
XXXIV. FIRES AT ROME:--A REMEDY.
_"Property in Rome," said a friend, "would be worth far more if
the risk from fire were not so great." "Archelaus," replied
Julianus, "preserved his defensive outworks from fire by covering
them with alum."_
Declamaverat Antonius Iulianus rhetor quam felicissime, eumque nos
familiares eius circumfusi undique prosequebamur domum, cum subeuntes
montem Cispium conspicimus insulam quandam multis, arduisque tabulatis
editam, igni occupatam et propinqua iam omnia flagrare vasto incendio.
{6} Tum quispiam ibi ex comitibus Iuliani, "Magni" inquit "reditus
urbanorum praediorum, sed pericula sunt longe maxima. Si quid autem
posset remedii fore, ut ne tam adsidue domus Romae arderent, venum
hercle dedissem res rusticas et urbicas emissem." Atque illi Iulianus
"Si annalem" inquit "undevicensimum Q. Claudi legisses, docuisset te
profecto Archelaus, regis Mitridati praefectus, quo remedio ignem
defenderes. {14} In eo enim libro scriptum inveni, cum obpugnaret L.
Sulla in terrâ Atticâ Piraeum et contra Archelaus regis Mitridati
praefectus ex eo oppido propugnaret, turrim ligneam defendendi gratiâ
structam, cum ex omni latere circumplexa igni foret, ardere non quisse,
quod alumine ab Archelao oblita fuisset." {20}
XXXV. ARION AND THE DOLPHIN.
1. THE ROBBERY.
_Arion, having gained much money in Italy and Sicily, took ship to
return to Corinth, but was robbed and made to leap overboard by
the sailors._
Vetus et nobilis cantor Arion fuit. Is oppido Methymnaeus, terrâ Lesbius
fuit. Eum Arionem rex Corinthi Periander amicum habuit artis gratiâ. Is
inde a rege proficiscitur, ut terras praeclaras Siciliam atque Italiam
viseret. Ubi eo venit aures omnium mentesque in utriusque terrae urbibus
delectavit, et postea grandem pecuniam adeptus Corinthum instituit
redire. {8} Navem igitur et navitas, ut notiores amicioresque sibi,
Corinthios delegit. Sed ei Corinthii, homine accepto navique in altum
provectâ, praedae pecuniaeque cupidi, consilium de necando Arione
ceperunt. Tum ille pecuniam ceteraque sua eis dedit vitam modo sibi ut
parcerent oravit. {13} Navitae per vim suis manibus eum non necaverunt,
sed imperaverunt, ut iam statim coram desiliret praeceps in mare. Homo
ibi territus, spe omni vitae perditâ, id unum postea oravit, ut,
priusquam mortem obpeteret, induere permitterent sua sibi omnia et fides
capere et canere carmen. {19} Quod oraverat impetrat, atque ibi mox de
more cinctus, amictus, ornatus stansque in summâ puppi, carmen, quod
"orthium" dicitur, voce sublatissimâ cantavit. Ad postrema cantus cum
fidibus ornatuque omni, sicut stabat canebatque, iecit sese procul in
profundum. {24}
XXXVI. ARION AND THE DOLPHIN.
2. THE RESCUE.
_A dolphin carried him safely to Taenarum; thence he travelled to
Corinth, and told his adventure to the King. The sailors on their
arrival were confronted by Arion and convicted of their crime._
Navitae, hautquaquam dubitantes, quin periisset, cursum, quem facere
coeperant, tenuerunt. Sed novum et mirum et pium facinus contigit.
Delphinus repente inter undas adnavit, fluitantique sese homini
subdidit, et dorso super fluctus edito vectavit incolumique eum corpore
et ornatu Taenarum in terram Laconicam devexit. {7} Tum Arion prorsus ex
eo loco Corinthum petivit talemque Periandro regi, qualis delphino
vectus fuerat, inopinanti sese optulit, eique rem, sicuti acciderat,
narravit. Rex istaec parum credidit, Arionem, quasi falleret, custodiri
iussit, navitas inquisitos, ablegato Arione, dissimulanter interrogavit,
ecquid audissent in his locis, unde venissent, de Arione? {14} Dixerunt
hominem, cum inde irent, in terrâ Italiâ fuisse et illic bene agere. Tum
inter haec eorum verba Arion cum fidibus et indumentis, cum quibus se in
salum deiecerat, extitit, navitaeque stupefacti convictique ire infitias
non quiverunt. Hanc fabulam dicunt Lesbii et Corinthii, atque fabulae
argumentum est quod simulacra duo aenea ad Taenarum visuntur, delphinus
vehens et homo insidens. {21}
XXXVII. THE THRACIAN HUSBANDMAN.
_A Thracian having heard that trees required cutting and pruning,
proceeded to chop the tops off his vines and olives, and thus in
his ignorance destroyed all his property._
Homo Thracus ex ultimâ barbariâ ruris colendi insolens, cum in terras
cultiores migrasset, fundum mercatus est oleo atque vino consitum. Qui
nihil admodum de vite aut arbore colendâ sciret, videt forte vicinum
rubos alte atque late obortas excidentem, fraxinos ad summum prope
verticem deputantem, suboles vitium e radicibus super terram fusas
revellentem, stolones in pomis aut in oleis proceros amputantem; {9}
acceditque prope et cur tantam ligni atque frondium caedem faceret,
percontatus est. Et vicinus ita respondit: "Ut ager" inquit "mundus
purusque fiat, eius arbor atque vitis fecundior." {12} Discedit ille a
vicino gratias agens et laetus, tamquam adeptus rei rusticae
disciplinam. Tum falcem ac securim capit; atque ibi homo miser imperitus
vites suas sibi omnis et oleas detruncat, comasque arborum laetissimas
uberrimosque vitium palmites decidit, et virgulta simul omnia, pomis
gignendis felicia, cum sentibus et rubis purgandi agri gratiâ convellit.
{19}
XXXVIII. MITRIDATES.
_Mitridates by the use of antidotes made himself proof against
poisons: hence when he wished to kill himself he had to use his
sword. He could speak perfectly the languages of the twenty-two
nations over which he ruled._
Mitridates ille Ponti rex medicinae rei et remediorum sollers erat,
quorum adsiduo usu a clandestinis epularum insidiis cavebat; quin et
ultro ostentandi gratiâ venenum rapidum et velox saepenumero hausit,
atque id tamen sine noxâ fuit. Quamobrem postea, cum proelio victus in
ultima regni refugisset et mori decrevisset, venena festinandae necis
causâ frustra expertus, suo se ipse gladio transegit. {8}
Quintus Ennius tria corda sese habere dicebat, quod loqui Graece et Osce
et Latine sciret. Mitridates autem duarum et viginti gentium, quas sub
dicione habuit, linguas percalluit, earumque omnium gentium viris haut
umquam per interpretem conlocutus est, sed linguâ et oratione cuiusque,
non minus scite quam si gentis eius esset, locutus est. {15}
XXXIX. THE PHILOSOPHER AND HIS PUPIL.
_Euathlus agreed to pay Protagoras a certain sum of money on the
day when he won his first case. He never undertook one, so at last
Protagoras brought an action against him to recover the money.
"You are in this dilemma," said the philosopher: "if you lose this
action, the court will award me the money; if you win it, you will
have won your first case, and will owe me the fee according to our
agreement." "Nay," replied the pupil, "if I win the action,
I shall owe you nothing according to the sentence of the court;
if I lose, I shall owe you nothing according to our agreement."_