Selections from Viri Romae - LightNovelsOnl.com
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2: Cf. Ex. XX, sent. 2, and note.
3: Cf. #idem qui#, l. 31.
4: See XVII, l. 10, and note.]
XXIII.
#Substantive clauses of purpose; latter supine.#
1. When Marius was in Spain with Scipio, some one asked this (question) of Scipio. 2. If anything happens[1] to you, what equally great commander will the republic have? 3. Scipio replied that Marius would be a great commander. 4. In the war against Jugurtha it is said that he made charges against Metellus so that he might be appointed commander himself. 5. If you make me consul, I will shortly bring Jugurtha under the power of the Romans. 6. Thus he persuaded the people to make[2] him consul. 7. After Jugurtha had been conquered, he carried on war with the Cimbri and Teutones. 8. His soldiers entreated Marius to lead them against the enemy. 9. The battle was fought right at the foot of the Alps. 10. As the Romans[3] had no water, Marius told his soldiers that, if they conquered[4] the enemy, they would have abundance of water. 11.
It is said that after the battle the soldiers drank no less blood than water, because the river was filled with the bodies of the slain. 12.
The Cimbri, having now entered Italy, sent messengers to Marius to ask him to give them some land. 13. Marius threatened them[5] with the same fate[5] which had befallen their brothers. 14. On the next day a battle was fought, and slaughter terrible to witness[6] followed. 15. When the women saw that they were defeated they strangled their babes and killed themselves. 16. Marius envied the new consul, Sulla, because the war against Mithridates had been a.s.signed him. 17. When Sulla heard what Marius had done, he returned to Rome with his army and drove him into exile. 18. While Marius was hiding in a swamp, he was caught and thrown into prison. 19. He asked the slave, who was sent to kill him, whether he dared kill the great consul. 20. After Sulla had set out for Asia, Marius, who was a few days' journey from the city, returned and renewed the civil war. 21. When he had put to death the best men of the state, he gave over their homes to the rabble for plunder. 22. His death afforded the Romans[7] more joy than his victory at Aquae s.e.xtiae.
[Footnotes: 1: See p. 40, n. 1.
2: Cf. #ut traderet#, l. 21.
3: Dat. Why?
4: Cf. #si fecissent#, etc., l. 11.
5: Observe carefully the construction in lines 57 and 58.
6: Cf. #dictu#, l. 124, and p. 19, n. 15.
7: #Dative.#]
XXIV.
#Relative clause of characteristic.#
1. A woman told Sulla (when he was) a child that he would be a blessing to his country. 2. Was this the same woman who sold the Sibylline books to King Tarquin? 3. Marius was vexed because Sulla had been chosen quaestor. 4. Although Sulla had been dissolute, his military ability was soon displayed. 5. He conquered Mithridates, the king of Pontus, and would have completely subdued him had he not been recalled to Italy. 6.
When he had returned, with the greatest cruelty he punished with death all who had supported Marius. 7. There was one young man who ventured to advise him to spare some of his fellow-citizens. 8. If he had killed all, there would have been none to govern [whom he should govern]. 9. He wanted to kill not only his enemies, but also all who had money. 10.
When he at last laid down the dictators.h.i.+p, the people were so crushed that they did not dare to complain. 11. Sulla was fond of literary men and was well versed in Greek literature. 12. He once gave a reward to a wretched poet who had dedicated a poem to him, on condition that he should write nothing thereafter.
XXV.
#Genitive with adjectives.#
1. Lucullus was distinguished both in war and in peace. 2. It is stated by certain writers that he spent all of his early life in law practice and was untrained in the art[1] of war. 3. But in the war with Mithridates he surpa.s.sed even[2] experts in this art.[1] 4. All say that he was exceedingly fond of money. 5. And this is the more surprising for the reason that he had been educated in Greek philosophy. 6. He was not the only one of the Romans to[3] squander his money in building villas.
7. He used to dine with the greatest luxury even when he was alone. 8.
Though fond of banquets, he was no less fond of books, and had a great library, which was always open to the public.
[Footnotes: 1: H. 451, 1 (399, I, 2); M. 573; A. 218, _a_; G. 374; B. 204, 1.
2: Cf. #mare ipsum#, l. 25.
3: See p. 76, n. 11.]
