Oxford Latin Course: Part 2 Chapter 18 Translations and Answers

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1 For the whole winter Flaccus and Quintus worked hard. 2 On the first day of spring they were ready to enter on their journey; they bade goodbye to Scintilla and Horatia. 3 For five days they walked on the Appian Way but Rome was still many miles away. 4 On the ninth day Flaccus caught sight of the walls of the city. Within ten days they arrived at Rome.

Exercise 18.4

1 For three days Quintus and his father prepared (themselves) for the journey; on the fourth day they departed. 2 At first light Flaccus got up and woke Quintus. 3 At the third hour they said goodbye to Scintilla and Horatia and started on the journey. 4 For nine days they travelled (walked) on the Appian Way; in ten days they approached the city of Rome. On the next day they hurried to the forum and stayed there for three hours

Exercise 18.5

1 I was walking on the Appian Way; suddenly I saw a wolf. 2 My father said: 'Don't be afraid, son; the wolf has gone away.' 3 For nine days we walked; on the tenth we entered the city. 4 My father said, 'Rejoice, son. The journey is finished.' 5 Flaccus wrote a letter to Scintilla: 'We are safe. We have entered Rome; we have looked at the school of Orbilius.' 6 The mother was anxious; for her son was away from home. T am anxious,' she said; T have waited for my son for three hours, but he has not returned home.' 7 At last, at the fifth hour of the night, the boy returned. Mother was angry. 8 'Son,' she said, 'why have you returned so late? I have waited for you for four hours. At the fifth hour you have at last returned.' 9 The boy replied: 'I played with my friends for two hours. Then I hurried home. 10 Look! At the third hour of the night I have returned. Don't upset yourself.'

Exercise 18.2

1 We were walking to the field; on the way we saw Gaius. 2 Gaius was climbing a tree; when I called him, he quickly came down. 3 Gaius walked with us; when we entered the field, I pointed out my father to him. 4 My father heard us; he turned round and greeted Gaius. 5 We all worked in the field for a long time. 6 At last we were tired; we decided to return home.

Exercise 18.1

1 dēfendimus 2 cōnstituērunt 3 vertit 4 ostendī 5 incendistī 6 dlxērunt 7 auxl 8 fuimus 9 persuāsit 10 lūsērunt

Exercise 18.6

1 he/she studied 2 you have stayed 3 we warned 4 to cross 5 say! 6 they can 7 we were 8 you defended 9 they said 10 you used to say 11 he/she sent 12 he/she sends/is sending 13 I marched 14 you promised 15 they have decided

Exercise 18.3

1 we were going 2 go! 3 they went 4 he/she went 5 to go back 6 they were going back 7 go back! 8 we went back 9 they are going out 10 you were going out 11 he/she went out 12 he/she is going out

Quintus and his father fall into danger

Quintus had already slept for three hours when suddenly a sound woke him; he heard wolves howling far off. Flaccus said, 'Don't be afraid, son; the wolves are a long way off; besides they are afraid of fire. They dare not come near.' And so Quintus slept again. Flaccus did not sleep but looked after the fire; for he was anxious and feared danger. At midnight he heard a sound; some men were approaching through the shadows towards the fire. Flaccus quickly woke his son; 'Be quiet,' he said; 'some men are approaching. Come with me.' He took Quintus' hand and quickly led him through the shadows into the undergrowth; there they hid and watched anxiously. Three men approached the fire. At once they seized Flaccus' baggage. Then they looked for the owners (themselves) but could not find them. At last they went off into the woods. Flaccus said to his son, 'Don't be afraid, son; the men have gone off now. Without doubt they are runaway slaves, wicked men. We have escaped from great danger. We must now stay here hidden in the undergrowth.'

Quintus leaves home

The next day Scintilla said to Flaccus, 'Quintus is learning nothing in that school. He is clever. He must go to Rome to the best school.' 'Dear wife,' Flaccus said, 'Quintus can't make the journey to Rome alone.' Scintilla answered him: 'You are right (you speak the truth), my husband; you must take him to Rome.' 'We haven't enough money,' Flaccus said, 'and I can't leave you and Horatia alone.' They discussed the matter for three hours. At length Scintilla said, 'We must sell the field. You must take Quintus to Rome; Horatia and I can stay here and live frugally.' They decided to sell half the field; half Scintilla and Horatia could cultivate. For the whole winter Quintus stayed at home and helped his parents. All worked hard. Quintus cultivated the field; Flaccus worked as an auctioneer and in this way made much money. Spring was approaching when Flaccus said to his wife, 'Now we have enough money. It is time to take Quintus to Rome.' Within two days all was ready. The next day Flaccus and Quintus said goodbye to Scintilla. His mother wept and prayed to the gods: 'O gods, keep my son safe. Return him to me unharmed. O Flaccus, look after our son. O Quintus, be a good boy. Work hard and come back home soon.' She held son and husband in her embrace; then she went back into the house, very upset. Horatia and Argus walked with them to the first milestone; then Horatia bade them goodbye and took Argus back home, not without many tears. At the third hour of the day they (Flaccus and Quintus) entered the road which led to Rome, both sad and happy. On the fifth day father and son climbed a hill. Venusia was far off. Quintus was very tired. He saw a milestone near the road. He approached and read the inscription: 'ROME 150 MILES.' 'O father,' he said, 'we have walked for five days. We have crossed mountains and rivers, but Rome is still one hundred and fifty miles away. I am very tired. Look! Night is here. What should we do? I can't walk any further.' Flaccus replied, 'Don't despair, son. We can spend the night in that wood.' Flaccus led Quintus into the wood. Quintus collected firewood and lit a fire. They quickly prepared supper. Then Quintus lay down under a tree and was soon asleep.