← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
105.1 Tantus so great timor fear apostolōs the apostles cēpit seized
105.2 Deus God tantam so great grātiam grace nōbīs to us dedit gave
105.3 Numquam never tantōs such great dolōrēs sorrows vīdimus we saw
105.4 Fīlius the son tantā with such great sapientiā wisdom loquēbātur was speaking
105.5 In in mundō the world tantum so much malum evil est is
105.6 Quis who tantae of such great virtūtis virtue vir man fuit was
105.7 Propter because of tantōrum of such great peccātōrum sins multitūdinem multitude
105.8 Nōn not tantī of such worth aurum gold est is
105.9 Chrīstus Christ tantīs with such great mīrāculīs miracles populum the people docuit taught
105.10 Vīdistīne did you see tantam such great glōriam glory
105.11 Sanctī the saints tantō with such great amōre love Deum God dīlēxērunt loved
105.12 Post after tantum so much tempus time vēnit he came
105.13 Marīa Mary tantae such great grātiae grace plēna full erat was
105.14 Discipulī the disciples tantīs such great signīs signs crēdidērunt believed
105.15 Iōannēs John tantum so much scrīpsit wrote dē about amōre love
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105.1 Tantus timor apostolōs cēpit. Such great fear seized the apostles.
105.2 Deus tantam grātiam nōbīs dedit. God gave us such great grace.
105.3 Numquam tantōs dolōrēs vīdimus. We never saw such great sorrows.
105.4 Fīlius tantā sapientiā loquēbātur. The son was speaking with such great wisdom.
105.5 In mundō tantum malum est. There is so much evil in the world.
105.6 Quis tantae virtūtis vir fuit? Who was a man of such great virtue?
105.7 Propter tantōrum peccātōrum multitūdinem. Because of the multitude of such great sins.
105.8 Nōn tantī aurum est. Gold is not of such worth.
105.9 Chrīstus tantīs mīrāculīs populum docuit. Christ taught the people with such great miracles.
105.10 Vīdistīne tantam glōriam? Did you see such great glory?
105.11 Sanctī tantō amōre Deum dīlēxērunt. The saints loved God with such great love.
105.12 Post tantum tempus vēnit. After so much time he came.
105.13 Marīa tantae grātiae plēna erat. Mary was full of such great grace.
105.14 Discipulī tantīs signīs crēdidērunt. The disciples believed because of such great signs.
105.15 Iōannēs tantum dē amōre scrīpsit. John wrote so much about love.
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105.1 Tantus timor apostolōs cēpit.
105.2 Deus tantam grātiam nōbīs dedit.
105.3 Numquam tantōs dolōrēs vīdimus.
105.4 Fīlius tantā sapientiā loquēbātur.
105.5 In mundō tantum malum est.
105.6 Quis tantae virtūtis vir fuit?
105.7 Propter tantōrum peccātōrum multitūdinem.
105.8 Nōn tantī aurum est.
105.9 Chrīstus tantīs mīrāculīs populum docuit.
105.10 Vīdistīne tantam glōriam?
105.11 Sanctī tantō amōre Deum dīlēxērunt.
105.12 Post tantum tempus vēnit.
105.13 Marīa tantae grātiae plēna erat.
105.14 Discipulī tantīs signīs crēdidērunt.
105.15 Iōannēs tantum dē amōre scrīpsit.
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For English speakers learning Latin, "tantus -a -um" presents several important grammatical features: -
Forms and Agreement: -
This is a 1st/2nd declension adjective (like bonus -a -um) -
It agrees with its noun in case, number, and gender -
Masculine: tantus, tantī, tantō, tantum, tantō -
Feminine: tanta, tantae, tantae, tantam, tantā -
Neuter: tantum, tantī, tantō, tantum, tantō -
Special Uses: -
As an adjective: "tantus timor" (such great fear) -
As a pronoun: "tantum" (so much) - especially in neuter -
In correlative constructions: often paired with "quantus" (how great) -
Genitive of Value: -
"tantī" = "of such worth/value" -
Example: "Nōn tantī est" (It's not worth so much) -
This is a special use of the genitive case -
Ablative of Degree of Difference: -
"tantō" can mean "by so much" -
Often used with comparatives -
Common Ecclesiastical Expressions: -
"tantum ergō" (therefore so great) - famous hymn opening -
"tantum quantum" (as much as) -
"nōn tantum...sed etiam" (not only...but also)
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For English speakers studying Ecclesiastical Latin, understanding "tantus" requires appreciating its role in Christian texts: -
Biblical Usage: -
Often describes God's attributes: "tanta misericordia" (such great mercy) -
Emphasizes the magnitude of divine acts and human responses -
Appears frequently in expressions of wonder at God's works -
Liturgical Language: -
"Tantum Ergō Sacrāmentum" - famous Eucharistic hymn by St. Thomas Aquinas -
Used to express the ineffable nature of divine mysteries -
Common in prayers emphasizing God's greatness -
Theological Significance: -
Helps express concepts that transcend human understanding -
Used in discussions of infinite divine attributes -
Important for expressing degrees of holiness or sin -
Comparison with English: -
English "so great/such" often feels weaker than Latin "tantus" -
Latin uses this more frequently for emphasis -
Medieval writers particularly favored intensive expressions -
Rhetorical Effect: -
Creates emotional emphasis in sermons and prayers -
Helps convey the speaker's awe or reverence -
Essential for the elevated style of ecclesiastical writing
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From the Vulgate, John 3:16:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Sīc thus enim for dīlēxit loved Deus God mundum the world ut that Fīlium Son suum his ūnigenitum only-begotten daret he might give ut so that omnis everyone quī who crēdit believes in in eum him nōn not pereat might perish sed but habeat might have vītam life aeternam eternal
Sīc enim dīlēxit Deus mundum ut Fīlium suum ūnigenitum daret, ut omnis quī crēdit in eum nōn pereat sed habeat vītam aeternam.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
Sīc enim dīlēxit Deus mundum ut Fīlium suum ūnigenitum daret, ut omnis quī crēdit in eum nōn pereat sed habeat vītam aeternam.
This famous verse demonstrates several key features: -
"Sīc" as Intensifier: -
While not "tantus," "sīc" (thus/so) serves a similar intensive function -
Shows how Latin expresses degree and intensity -
Often translated "so much" in English -
Purpose Clauses: -
Two "ut" clauses showing purpose -
First: "ut...daret" (that he might give) -
Second: "ut...nōn pereat sed habeat" (that...might not perish but have) -
Subjunctive Mood: -
"daret" (might give) - imperfect subjunctive -
"pereat" (might perish) - present subjunctive -
"habeat" (might have) - present subjunctive -
Word Order for Emphasis: -
"Deus" before "mundum" emphasizes God as subject -
"Fīlium suum ūnigenitum" - adjectives frame the noun for emphasis
This verse exemplifies how Christian Latin uses intensive expressions to convey the magnitude of divine love, similar to how "tantus" functions elsewhere in ecclesiastical texts.
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105.16 Sanctus Saint Franciscus Francis tantam such great paupertātem poverty amāvit loved ut that omnēs all dīvitiās riches relinqueret he might abandon
105.17 Numquam never vīdit saw mundus the world tantae of such great hūmilitātis humility virum man sīcut as Benedictum Benedict
105.18 Sancta Saint Therēsia Teresa tantō with such great ardōre ardor Christum Christ quaesīvit sought in in ōrātiōne prayer
105.19 Propter because of tantum so great amōrem love ergā toward pauperēs the poor beātus blessed Vincēntius Vincent vocātur is called
105.20 Martyr the martyr Stephanus Stephen tantā with such great fortitūdine courage mortem death sustinuit endured
105.21 Quis who nōn not mīrātur wonders at tantōs such great labōrēs labors apostolōrum of the apostles prō for Evangeliō the Gospel
105.22 Sancta Saint Clāra Clare tantae such great puritātis purity exemplum example virginibus to virgins dedit gave
105.23 Post after tantōrum of so many annōrum years paenitentiam penance Augustīnus Augustine episcopus bishop factus est was made
105.24 Beāta Blessed Marīa Mary semper always Virgō Virgin tantīs with such great grātiīs graces ā by Deō God ōrnāta est was adorned
105.25 Nōn not sine without tantō such great dolōre sorrow māter the mother Monicā Monica fīlium son convertit converted
105.26 Tantum so much ōrāvit prayed sanctus saint Domīnicus Dominic ut that haereticōs heretics ad to fidem faith redūceret he might lead back
105.27 Ignātius Ignatius tantae of such great prūdentiae prudence in in animārum of souls cūrā care fuit was
105.28 Vīdērunt they saw omnēs all tantam such great cāritātem charity in in corde heart Iōannis of John Bosco Bosco
105.29 Catharina Catherine Sēnēnsis of Siena tantīs by such great vīsiōnibus visions ā from Dominō the Lord visitāta est was visited
105.30 Prō for tantō such great beneficiō benefit conversīōnis of conversion Paulus Paul tōtam whole vītam life Chrīstō to Christ dēdidit dedicated
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105.16 Sanctus Franciscus tantam paupertātem amāvit ut omnēs dīvitiās relinqueret. Saint Francis loved poverty so much that he abandoned all riches.
105.17 Numquam vīdit mundus tantae hūmilitātis virum sīcut Benedictum. The world never saw a man of such great humility as Benedict.
105.18 Sancta Therēsia tantō ardōre Christum quaesīvit in ōrātiōne. Saint Teresa sought Christ with such great ardor in prayer.
105.19 Propter tantum amōrem ergā pauperēs beātus Vincēntius vocātur. Because of his great love for the poor, Vincent is called blessed.
105.20 Martyr Stephanus tantā fortitūdine mortem sustinuit. The martyr Stephen endured death with such great courage.
105.21 Quis nōn mīrātur tantōs labōrēs apostolōrum prō Evangeliō? Who does not wonder at the apostles' great labors for the Gospel?
105.22 Sancta Clāra tantae puritātis exemplum virginibus dedit. Saint Clare gave virgins an example of such great purity.
105.23 Post tantōrum annōrum paenitentiam Augustīnus episcopus factus est. After so many years of penance, Augustine was made bishop.
105.24 Beāta Marīa semper Virgō tantīs grātiīs ā Deō ōrnāta est. Blessed Mary ever Virgin was adorned with such great graces by God.
105.25 Nōn sine tantō dolōre māter Monicā fīlium convertit. Not without great sorrow did mother Monica convert her son.
105.26 Tantum ōrāvit sanctus Domīnicus ut haereticōs ad fidem redūceret. Saint Dominic prayed so much to lead heretics back to the faith.
105.27 Ignātius tantae prūdentiae in animārum cūrā fuit. Ignatius was of such great prudence in the care of souls.
105.28 Vīdērunt omnēs tantam cāritātem in corde Iōannis Bosco. All saw such great charity in the heart of John Bosco.
105.29 Catharina Sēnēnsis tantīs vīsiōnibus ā Dominō visitāta est. Catherine of Siena was visited by the Lord with such great visions.
105.30 Prō tantō beneficiō conversīōnis Paulus tōtam vītam Chrīstō dēdidit. For such a great benefit of conversion, Paul dedicated his whole life to Christ.
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105.16 Sanctus Franciscus tantam paupertātem amāvit ut omnēs dīvitiās relinqueret.
105.17 Numquam vīdit mundus tantae hūmilitātis virum sīcut Benedictum.
105.18 Sancta Therēsia tantō ardōre Christum quaesīvit in ōrātiōne.
105.19 Propter tantum amōrem ergā pauperēs beātus Vincēntius vocātur.
105.20 Martyr Stephanus tantā fortitūdine mortem sustinuit.
105.21 Quis nōn mīrātur tantōs labōrēs apostolōrum prō Evangeliō?
105.22 Sancta Clāra tantae puritātis exemplum virginibus dedit.
105.23 Post tantōrum annōrum paenitentiam Augustīnus episcopus factus est.
105.24 Beāta Marīa semper Virgō tantīs grātiīs ā Deō ōrnāta est.
105.25 Nōn sine tantō dolōre māter Monicā fīlium convertit.
105.26 Tantum ōrāvit sanctus Domīnicus ut haereticōs ad fidem redūceret.
105.27 Ignātius tantae prūdentiae in animārum cūrā fuit.
105.28 Vīdērunt omnēs tantam cāritātem in corde Iōannis Bosco.
105.29 Catharina Sēnēnsis tantīs vīsiōnibus ā Dominō visitāta est.
105.30 Prō tantō beneficiō conversīōnis Paulus tōtam vītam Chrīstō dēdidit.
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In hagiographical texts, "tantus -a -um" serves specific grammatical and stylistic functions: -
Expressing Extraordinary Virtue: -
"tantae hūmilitātis virum" (genitive of quality/description) -
The genitive shows the saint's defining characteristic -
Common pattern: person + genitive with "tantus" -
Result Clauses with "ut": -
"tantam paupertātem amāvit ut...relinqueret" -
"So great...that" construction -
Shows the extreme nature leading to dramatic action -
Ablative of Manner/Means: -
"tantā fortitūdine" (with such courage) -
"tantō ardōre" (with such ardor) -
Describes how saints performed their actions -
Common Hagiographical Patterns: -
Saints described with "tantus" + virtue in genitive -
Actions performed "tantō" + ablative of manner -
Results shown through "tantum...ut" clauses -
Rhetorical Questions: -
"Quis nōn mīrātur tantōs labōrēs?" -
Emphasizes universal admiration -
Common in praising saints -
Passive Constructions: -
"tantīs grātiīs...ōrnāta est" (was adorned with) -
"tantīs vīsiōnibus...visitāta est" (was visited with) -
Shows divine action upon the saint
These patterns help create the elevated, admiring tone characteristic of saints' lives, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of their holiness.
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