Optional Lessons 161-179 Cetera

Julius Caesar
"De bello Gallico"

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130 points available for entire activity
Story translation - 100 pts   Exercises total - 30 pts

(Read the background and translate the story into English. - 100 pts)
Background: Gaius Julius Caesar (l00-44 B.C), Rome's distinguished military leader and public speaker, was born of a noble family. He followed the prescribed path to greatness by advancing from priest of Jupiter to quaestor, aedile, pontifex maximus, praetor, propraetor, consul, and ultimately dictator for life. In characteristic style, he turned an early setback into political gain after his enemies had him appointed proconsul to the northern provinces to remove him from the Roman political arena. His brilliant strategies during the Gallic wars from 58-52 B.C., as revealed in his Gallic Commentaries, set the stage for a triumphant return to Rome, where he quickly rose to the height of power.

Julius Caesar: This passage, taken from Book VII (51 B.C.), reveals a dramatic moment in the final confrontation of Roman legions with the combined force of fourteen Gallic tribes, led by Caesar's old enemy, Vercingetorix. Near the gates of Avaricum (modern-day Bourges in central France), the Gauls suffer a severe setback, but their leader's stirring exhortation revives their spirits.

Gravis imber erat utilis legionibus Romanis. Galli in muro non diligenter vigilabant.

Ad legiones Caesar dixit: "Victoria vestra magna est. Primis Romanis militibus trans muros praemia dabo." Signum proeli imperator dedit.

Hostes territi sunt. Deiecti a muris in terram sunt. Romani per portas in forum Avarici cucurrerunt.

Galli in portas angustas moverunt. Romani interfecerunt viros, feminas, infantes, et senes. XL milia hostium maturaverunt ad protas. DCCC vivi remanserunt.

Vercingetorix Gallos convocavit. Dixit: "Fortes estis sed Romani scientiam belli intellegunt. Artificio vos superaverunt. Galli nullum usum in artificis habent.

Communem salutem petite. Castra fortia munite. Impetus Romanorum impedite."

Haec oratio grata Gallis fuit. Vercingetorix auxilium populis dedit. Dignitatem auxit. Galli spem habuerunt. Una laboraverunt. Castra muniverunt.

 a) imber-rain
b) vigilabant-were watching


c) dabo-I shall give
d) imperator-commander in chief



e) hostes-enemies
f) territi-terrified
g) deiecti-thrown down

h) angustas-narrow





i) intellegunt- understand
j) artificio-trickery
k) usum-experience


l) munite-fortify
m) impetus-attack

n) haec-this
o) dignitatem-worthiness
p) auxit-increased
q) spem-hope
r) una-together
These stories are from AUCTORES LATINI by Mary Ellen Snodgrass and are quoted by courtesy of AMSCO SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS, INC., 315 HUDSON STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10013-1085, tel. 1 (800) 969-8398, FAX l (212) 675-7010 "AMSCO'S website can be visited at www.amscopub.com."
   
   
   
   

Exercises

A. Locate expressions from the text that have the following meanings: 10 pts
   
1. He increased his dignity _________________________________________________
2. men, women, children, and old people _________________________________________________
3. to the first Roman soldiers across the walls _________________________________________________
4. no experience with tricks _________________________________________________
5. thrown down from the walls onto the ground _________________________________________________
6. hurried to the gates _________________________________________________
7. were not watching carefully _________________________________________________
8. rain was useful to the legions _________________________________________________
9. gave the battle signal _________________________________________________
10. understand the science of war _________________________________________________

B. Match the Latin words with their description. Note that some answers may be used more than once. Write the matching letter in the space provided: -10 pts

____l. una

____2. scientiam

____3. estis

____4. castra

____5. per

____6. gravis

____7. sed

____8. trans

____9. non

____10. primis

 A. conjunction

B. noun

C. preposition

D. verb

E. adverb

F. adjective
   
C. Select a Latin word in the story to complete each statement below: 10 pts
  1. Before the battle of Avaricum, Caesar's legions find the heavy _________useful.
  2. Vercingetorix makes his speech to the ______________, who are
    defeated at Avaricum.
  3. The Gauls work hard to fortify the camp against an _____________ of the enemy.
  4. On the day of the assault at Avaricum, the Gauls are not watching carefully on the ____________________.
  5. The Gauls run for their lives toward the narrow ________________of the city.
  6. Vercongetorix insists that the Romans won the battle by _________________.
  7. He urges his people to ____________ a strong camp.
  8. The Gauls find his _______________ pleasing.
  9. Caesar promises ______________ to the first soldiers crossing the wall.
  10. The Romans spare no one, not men, women, children or __________.

 

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