The Latin preposition "per" means "through" and takes the accusative case. It is one of the most versatile prepositions in Latin, expressing movement through space, duration through time, and serving as an agent or means by which something is accomplished.
Q: What does "per" mean in Latin? A: "Per" is a Latin preposition meaning "through" that requires the accusative case. It can indicate physical movement through a place, duration of time, or the means/agent by which something is done.
In this lesson, we'll explore the various uses of "per" in conversational contexts. You'll see how Romans used this preposition in everyday speech to express: -
Physical movement through spaces ("through the forum") -
Duration of time ("throughout the day") -
Means or agent ("by means of," "through the agency of") -
Emphatic expressions in oaths and exclamations
Subject: Latin Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Conversational Latin with the preposition "per" Learning Objectives: -
Master the use of "per" with accusative case -
Understand various meanings of "per" in context -
Practice natural Latin word order in conversational situations
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"Per" always takes the accusative case -
It has three main uses: spatial (through a place), temporal (throughout time), and instrumental (by means of) -
In conversational Latin, "per" appears frequently in oaths and emphatic expressions -
Word order with "per" phrases is flexible and can be positioned for emphasis
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30.1 Per through forum the forum ambulō I walk cotīdiē daily
30.2 Vīdistīne did you see amīcum the friend per through fenestram the window?
30.3 Certē certainly per through portam the gate intrāvit he entered
30.4 Loquere speak mēcum with me per through interpretem an interpreter
30.5 Per throughout noctem the night dormīre to sleep nōn not potuī I was able
30.6 Epistula the letter missa est was sent per through servum a slave fidēlem faithful
30.7 Per by deōs the gods immortālēs immortal, vērum the truth dīcō I speak!
30.8 Iter the journey fēcimus we made per through montēs the mountains altōs high
30.9 Quis who per through hortum the garden meum my cucurrit ran?
30.10 Per for trēs three diēs days pluit it rained continuē continuously
30.11 Haec these things facta sunt were done per through tuam your neglegentiam negligence
30.12 Spectā look per through rīmam the crack parvam small!
30.13 Per throughout tōtam the whole aestātem summer rūrī in the country manēbō I will remain
30.14 Nūntius the message vēnit came ad to nōs us per through mercātōrem a merchant
30.15 Per through vim force nihil nothing rēctē rightly fit is done
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30.1 Per forum ambulō cotīdiē. I walk through the forum daily.
30.2 Vīdistīne amīcum per fenestram? Did you see our friend through the window?
30.3 Certē per portam intrāvit. He certainly entered through the gate.
30.4 Loquere mēcum per interpretem. Speak with me through an interpreter.
30.5 Per noctem dormīre nōn potuī. I couldn't sleep throughout the night.
30.6 Epistula missa est per servum fidēlem. The letter was sent by a faithful slave.
30.7 Per deōs immortālēs, vērum dīcō! By the immortal gods, I speak the truth!
30.8 Iter fēcimus per montēs altōs. We made our journey through high mountains.
30.9 Quis per hortum meum cucurrit? Who ran through my garden?
30.10 Per trēs diēs pluit continuē. It rained continuously for three days.
30.11 Haec facta sunt per tuam neglegentiam. These things happened through your negligence.
30.12 Spectā per rīmam parvam! Look through the small crack!
30.13 Per tōtam aestātem rūrī manēbō. I'll stay in the country throughout the whole summer.
30.14 Nūntius vēnit ad nōs per mercātōrem. The message came to us through a merchant.
30.15 Per vim nihil rēctē fit. Nothing is done rightly through force.
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30.1 Per forum ambulō cotīdiē.
30.2 Vīdistīne amīcum per fenestram?
30.3 Certē per portam intrāvit.
30.4 Loquere mēcum per interpretem.
30.5 Per noctem dormīre nōn potuī.
30.6 Epistula missa est per servum fidēlem.
30.7 Per deōs immortālēs, vērum dīcō!
30.8 Iter fēcimus per montēs altōs.
30.9 Quis per hortum meum cucurrit?
30.10 Per trēs diēs pluit continuē.
30.11 Haec facta sunt per tuam neglegentiam.
30.12 Spectā per rīmam parvam!
30.13 Per tōtam aestātem rūrī manēbō.
30.14 Nūntius vēnit ad nōs per mercātōrem.
30.15 Per vim nihil rēctē fit.
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The preposition "per" is one of the most frequently used prepositions in Latin. Here are its essential grammar rules:
Case Requirement: Per ALWAYS takes the accusative case. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Primary Meanings: -
Spatial - "through" (physical movement through a space) -
per silvam = through the forest -
per viās = through the streets -
Temporal - "throughout, during, for" (duration of time) -
per noctem = throughout the night -
per annōs multōs = for many years -
Instrumental - "by means of, through the agency of" -
per epistulam = by letter -
per lēgātum = through an envoy -
Causal - "because of, on account of" -
per metum = because of fear -
per errōrem = through error
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Wrong Case: Students often mistakenly use ablative after "per" by analogy with English "by" -
WRONG: per servō (ablative) -
CORRECT: per servum (accusative) -
Confusion with "prō": Don't confuse "per" (through) with "prō" (for, on behalf of) -
per amīcum = through/by means of a friend -
prō amīcō = for/on behalf of a friend -
Word Order: While Latin is flexible, placing "per" too far from its object can cause confusion -
CLEAR: per longam silvam ambulāvimus -
CONFUSING: per ambulāvimus longam silvam
Unlike English, which uses different prepositions for different meanings (through, throughout, by, for), Latin uses "per" for all these concepts. English speakers must learn to recognize context: -
I walked through the forest = Ambulāvī per silvam (spatial) -
I studied throughout the night = Studēbam per noctem (temporal) -
I sent it by messenger = Mīsī per nūntium (instrumental)
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Identify the meaning you want to express (spatial, temporal, or instrumental) -
Put the noun after "per" in the accusative case -
Check the ending: -
1st declension: -am (per portam) -
2nd declension: -um (per forum) -
3rd declension: various (per noctem, per urbem) -
Position the phrase where it makes sense in the sentence (often near the verb)
Preposition: per Case Required: Accusative only Position: Usually precedes its object immediately Common Phrases: -
per diem = per day -
per capita = per head/person -
per sē = by itself -
per accidēns = by accident -
per contrā = on the contrary
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For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding how Romans actually used "per" in daily life provides crucial context. The preposition appears constantly in Roman conversation, often in ways that might surprise modern learners.
In Roman Oaths and Exclamations Romans frequently swore "by" the gods using "per" + accusative. The phrase "per deōs immortālēs!" was as common as our "Oh my God!" This usage appears throughout Roman comedy and in personal letters, showing it was genuinely conversational, not just literary.
In Business and Legal Contexts Romans conducted much business "through" intermediaries. The phrase "per procūrātōrem" (through an agent) appears frequently in commercial documents. Similarly, "per epistulam" (by letter) was the standard way to indicate written communication in a world without telecommunications.
In Describing Daily Routes Romans gave directions using "per" constantly. "Per forum ad basilicam" (through the forum to the basilica) represents typical Roman wayfinding. The Roman day involved movement through specific public spaces, and "per" traced these daily paths.
Time Expressions Unlike English speakers who might say "for three days," Romans naturally said "per trēs diēs." This temporal use of "per" was so common that it influenced later Romance languages (French "par," Italian "per").
Social Implications Using "per" correctly marked one as educated. In Petronius's Satyricon, lower-class characters sometimes misuse prepositions, showing how grammar indicated social status. Proper use of "per" in its various meanings demonstrated rhetorical training.
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From the Colloquia Scholica (Medieval School Dialogues):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Magister: Teacher: Quōmodo how vēnistī did you come ad to scholam school hodiē today?
Discipulus: Student: Per through platēās the streets angustās narrow et and per through forum the forum vēnī I came, magister teacher.
Magister: Teacher: Et and per throughout tōtam the whole viam way fēcistī did you do id that quod which iussī I ordered?
Discipulus: Student: Fēcī I did, domine sir. Per through omnēs all hōrās hours itineris of the journey meditātus sum I meditated dē about rēbus the things quās which docuistī you taught.
Magister: Quōmodo vēnistī ad scholam hodiē? Discipulus: Per platēās angustās et per forum vēnī, magister. Magister: Et per tōtam viam fēcistī id quod iussī? Discipulus: Fēcī, domine. Per omnēs hōrās itineris meditātus sum dē rēbus quās docuistī.
Teacher: How did you come to school today? Student: I came through the narrow streets and through the forum, teacher. Teacher: And throughout the whole way did you do what I ordered? Student: I did, sir. Through all the hours of the journey I meditated on the things which you taught.
This dialogue from medieval school texts preserves authentic conversational patterns from ancient Roman education. Notice how "per" appears four times in this brief exchange, demonstrating its frequency in everyday speech. The spatial use ("per platēās," "per forum") combines with temporal use ("per tōtam viam," "per omnēs hōrās"), showing how naturally these meanings flowed together in conversation.
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per platēās angustās: accusative plural, showing movement through multiple streets -
per forum: accusative singular, typical route through Rome's center -
per tōtam viam: "throughout the whole way" - note how "tōtam" agrees with "viam" in accusative -
per omnēs hōrās: temporal use with accusative plural, emphasizing duration -
The repetition of "per" rather than combining objects ("per platēās et forum") reflects natural speech patterns
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This passage effectively demonstrates the versatility of the Latin preposition per + accusative. Here's a summary of its primary meanings in context:
- 30.17: per Lūcium — through Lucius (as intermediary) - 30.22: per hunc tabellārium — by means of this courier - 30.27: per eundem hominem — through the same person
- 30.19: per hōs diēs — throughout these days - 30.28: per hiemem — during winter
- 30.21: Per Herculem — By Hercules! (exclamation)
- 30.23: per multōs mēnsēs — for many months
- 30.30: per manum meam — by my own hand
Notice how per often introduces the means or channel through which something happens—whether literal (a messenger), temporal (a period of time), or abstract (friendship, someone's agency).
This passage is an excellent Latin writing exercise for understanding preposition usage in correspondence! ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
30.16 Marcus Tullīō suō S.D. Marcus sends greetings to his dear Tullius.
30.17 Per Lūcium nostrum tuās litterās accēpī. I received your letter through our friend Lucius.
30.18 Grātiās tibi agō quod per eum scrīpsistī. I thank you for writing through him.
30.19 Per hōs diēs dē tē cogitāvī. I've been thinking about you these past days.
30.20 Audīvī tē per Galliam iter facere. I heard you're traveling through Gaul.
30.21 Per Herculem, cavē perīcula itineris! By Hercules, beware the dangers of the journey!
30.22 Mittō tibi per hunc tabellārium pecūniam. I'm sending you money by this courier.
30.23 Per multōs mēnsēs nihil dē tē audīvimus. For many months we've heard nothing about you.
30.24 Scrībe nōbīs per prīmam occāsiōnem. Write to us at the first opportunity.
30.25 Per amīcōs commūnēs multa dē tuā valētūdine cognōvī. Through mutual friends I've learned much about your health.
30.26 Spērō per paucōs diēs tē vīsūrum esse mē. I hope you'll see me within a few days.
30.27 Per eundem hominem quī hās litterās attulit respondē. Reply through the same man who brought this letter.
30.28 Valē et per hiemem cūrā ut valeās. Farewell and take care to stay well through the winter.
30.29 Per tē ipsum haec fierī volō. I want these things done by you personally.
30.30 Scrīptum Rōmae per manum meam. Written at Rome by my own hand.
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30.16 Marcus Tullīō suō S.D.
30.17 Per Lūcium nostrum tuās litterās accēpī.
30.18 Grātiās tibi agō quod per eum scrīpsistī.
30.19 Per hōs diēs dē tē cogitāvī.
30.20 Audīvī tē per Galliam iter facere.
30.21 Per Herculem, cavē perīcula itineris!
30.22 Mittō tibi per hunc tabellārium pecūniam.
30.23 Per multōs mēnsēs nihil dē tē audīvimus.
30.24 Scrībe nōbīs per prīmam occāsiōnem.
30.25 Per amīcōs commūnēs multa dē tuā valētūdine cognōvī.
30.26 Spērō per paucōs diēs tē vīsūrum esse mē.
30.27 Per eundem hominem quī hās litterās attulit respondē.
30.28 Valē et per hiemem cūrā ut valeās.
30.29 Per tē ipsum haec fierī volō.
30.30 Scrīptum Rōmae per manum meam.
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Roman letter writing had specific conventions for using "per" that English speakers should understand:
1. Delivery Method Romans always specified how letters were sent: -
per tabellārium = by courier -
per servum = by slave -
per amīcum = through a friend The accusative indicates the person carrying the letter.
2. Time Expressions in Letters Letters frequently use "per" for time: -
per hōs diēs = during these days (recent past) -
per paucōs diēs = within a few days (near future) -
per multōs mēnsēs = for many months (extended duration)
3. Authentication Phrases "Per manum meam" (by my own hand) authenticated personal writing versus dictation. This formula appears at letter ends, similar to modern signatures.
4. Route Information Letters often mention travel routes: -
per Galliam = through Gaul -
per prōvinciam = through the province This informed recipients about journey progress and potential delays.
5. Oath Formulas in Letters "Per Herculem" and similar oaths were milder in letters than "per deōs immortālēs," showing social register awareness.
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S.D. = salūtem dīcit (sends greetings) - standard opening -
per prīmam occāsiōnem = at the first opportunity -
per eundem = by the same (messenger) -
per tē ipsum = by yourself personally (emphasis)
Note example 30.20: "Audīvī tē per Galliam iter facere" -
Accusative (tē) + infinitive (facere) after verbs of hearing/knowing -
"Per Galliam" stays accusative within the indirect statement
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The Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course represents a revolutionary approach to learning Latin through comprehensible input and construed reading methods. Created by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been developing online language learning materials since 2006, these lessons draw on decades of experience in making Latin accessible to autodidacts worldwide.
The course uses the "construed text" method, where Latin and English are interleaved word-by-word in Part A, allowing beginners to see exact correspondences between the languages. This granular approach, inspired by Renaissance pedagogical techniques, enables students to build vocabulary and grasp syntax simultaneously. Parts B and C then present the same material in natural Latin word order, training students to read authentic Latin texts. 30.16 Marcus Marcus Tullīō to Tullius suō his S.D. sends greetings
30.17 Per through Lūcium Lucius nostrum our tuās your litterās letters accēpī I received
30.18 Grātiās thanks tibi to you agō I give quod because per through eum him scrīpsistī you wrote
30.19 Per throughout hōs these diēs days dē about tē you cogitāvī I have thought
30.20 Audīvī I heard tē you per through Galliam Gaul iter a journey facere to make
30.21 Per by Herculem Hercules, cavē beware perīcula dangers itineris of the journey!
30.22 Mittō I send tibi to you per through hunc this tabellārium courier pecūniam money
30.23 Per for multōs many mēnsēs months nihil nothing dē about tē you audīvimus we heard
30.24 Scrībe write nōbīs to us per at prīmam the first occāsiōnem opportunity
30.25 Per through amīcōs friends commūnēs mutual multa many things dē about tuā your valētūdine health cognōvī I learned
30.26 Spērō I hope per within paucōs few diēs days tē you vīsūrum esse will see mē me
30.27 Per through eundem the same hominem man quī who has these litterās letters attulit brought respondē reply
30.28 Valē farewell et and per during hiemem winter cūrā take care ut that valeās you be well
30.29 Per through tē you ipsum yourself haec these things fierī to be done volō I want
30.30 Scrīptum written Rōmae at Rome per by manum the hand meam my own
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