← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
131.1 Mīlitēs soldiers urbem city capiunt seize
131.2 Rōmānī Romans captīvōs captives multōs many cēpērunt seized
131.3 Dux leader cōnsilium plan novum new capit adopts
131.4 Hostēs enemies arma weapons nostra our cēpērunt seized
131.5 Puer boy piscēs fish in in flūmine river capit catches
131.6 Captus captured est was rēx king ā by hostibus enemies
131.7 Nāvēs ships piratae pirates capiunt seize in on marī sea
131.8 Cōnsul consul imperium command capit takes prō for patriā fatherland
131.9 Ignis fire domum house cēpit seized mediā middle nocte night
131.10 Mors death omnēs all tandem finally capit seizes
131.11 Captā captured urbe city victōrēs victors laetī happy sunt are
131.12 Legiōnēs legions castra camp hostium of enemies cēpērunt seized
131.13 Somnus sleep mē me capit seizes post after labōrem work
131.14 Imperātor general captīvōs captives ad to sē himself dūcī to be led iussit ordered
131.15 Captum captured oppidum town incendērunt they burned mīlitēs soldiers
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131.1 Mīlitēs urbem capiunt. The soldiers capture the city.
131.2 Multōs captīvōs Rōmānī cēpērunt. The Romans took many captives.
131.3 Dux novum cōnsilium capit. The leader adopts a new plan.
131.4 Arma nostra hostēs cēpērunt. The enemies seized our weapons.
131.5 In flūmine puer piscēs capit. The boy catches fish in the river.
131.6 Captus est rēx ā hostibus. The king was captured by the enemies.
131.7 Piratae nāvēs in marī capiunt. Pirates seize ships on the sea.
131.8 Prō patriā cōnsul imperium capit. The consul takes command for his country.
131.9 Mediā nocte ignis domum cēpit. In the middle of the night, fire seized the house.
131.10 Omnēs tandem mors capit. Death finally seizes everyone.
131.11 Captā urbe, laetī sunt victōrēs. With the city captured, the victors are happy.
131.12 Castra hostium legiōnēs cēpērunt. The legions captured the enemy camp.
131.13 Post labōrem somnus mē capit. After work, sleep overtakes me.
131.14 Imperātor captīvōs ad sē dūcī iussit. The general ordered the captives to be brought to him.
131.15 Captum oppidum mīlitēs incendērunt. The soldiers burned the captured town.
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131.1 Mīlitēs urbem capiunt.
131.2 Multōs captīvōs Rōmānī cēpērunt.
131.3 Dux novum cōnsilium capit.
131.4 Arma nostra hostēs cēpērunt.
131.5 In flūmine puer piscēs capit.
131.6 Captus est rēx ā hostibus.
131.7 Piratae nāvēs in marī capiunt.
131.8 Prō patriā cōnsul imperium capit.
131.9 Mediā nocte ignis domum cēpit.
131.10 Omnēs tandem mors capit.
131.11 Captā urbe, laetī sunt victōrēs.
131.12 Castra hostium legiōnēs cēpērunt.
131.13 Post labōrem somnus mē capit.
131.14 Imperātor captīvōs ad sē dūcī iussit.
131.15 Captum oppidum mīlitēs incendērunt.
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The verb capiō belongs to the third conjugation -iō verbs, which combine features of both third and fourth conjugations. Understanding its forms and uses is essential for reading Latin texts.
Principal Parts: -
capiō (I seize, take, capture) -
capere (to seize) -
cēpī (I seized) -
captum (seized)
Present System Forms: The -iō verbs insert an -i- before certain endings: -
Present: capiō, capis, capit, capimus, capitis, capiunt -
Imperfect: capiēbam, capiēbās, capiēbat, etc. -
Future: capiam, capiēs, capiet, etc.
Perfect System: The perfect stem cēp- is used: -
Perfect: cēpī, cēpistī, cēpit, cēpimus, cēpistis, cēpērunt -
Pluperfect: cēperam, cēperās, cēperat, etc. -
Future Perfect: cēperō, cēperis, cēperit, etc.
Passive Voice: -
Present: capior (I am seized) -
Perfect: captus sum (I have been seized)
Participles: -
Present Active: capiēns, capientis (seizing) -
Perfect Passive: captus, -a, -um (having been seized) -
Future Active: captūrus, -a, -um (about to seize)
Common Meanings and Uses: -
Physical seizure: Taking by force (cities, weapons, prisoners) -
Example: "Mīlitēs urbem capiunt" (soldiers capture the city) -
Mental/abstract seizure: Adopting plans, taking decisions -
Example: "cōnsilium capit" (he adopts a plan) -
Metaphorical uses: Being overtaken by emotions or states -
Example: "somnus mē capit" (sleep overtakes me) -
Ablative Absolute: The perfect passive participle often appears in ablative absolute constructions -
Example: "captā urbe" (with the city having been captured)
Related Vocabulary: -
captīvus, -a, -um: captive, prisoner -
captiō, -ōnis f.: a taking, seizure; deception -
capāx, capācis: capable, able to hold -
acceptus, -a, -um: acceptable, welcome
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For English speakers learning Latin, understanding capiō requires appreciating its central role in Roman military and political discourse. The Romans were a conquering people, and their language reflects this reality.
Military Context: The verb capiō appears frequently in historical texts describing Roman conquests. When Caesar writes "oppidum cēpit," he's not merely recording a military event but celebrating Roman dominance. The phrase "captā urbe" became a formulaic way to mark pivotal moments in Roman expansion.
Legal and Political Uses: In Roman law, capiō had technical meanings: -
"capere sacra" - to undertake religious duties -
"capere magistrātum" - to assume a magistracy -
"capere locum" - to take one's place (in the Senate)
Religious Significance: The concept of divine "capture" appears in Christian Latin: -
Being "seized" by the Holy Spirit -
The soul being "captured" by divine love -
Christ "capturing" death itself (captīva mors)
Linguistic Development: English speakers will recognize capiō in many modern derivatives: -
capture, captive, captivate -
accept (ad + capiō) -
except (ex + capiō) -
intercept (inter + capiō) -
perceive (per + capiō) -
receive (re + capiō)
Idiomatic Expressions: -
"cōnsilium capere" - to form a plan -
"fugam capere" - to take flight -
"initium capere" - to make a beginning -
"somnum capere" - to fall asleep
Understanding these various uses helps English speakers appreciate how one Latin verb can express concepts that require different verbs in English (take, seize, capture, catch, adopt, overtake).
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From Augustine's Confessions, Book 8, Chapter 12:
"Arripiō, aperiō, et legō in silentiō capitulum, quō prīmum coniectī sunt oculī meī: 'Nōn in comēssātiōnibus et ēbrietātibus, nōn in cubīlibus et impudīcitiīs, nōn in contentiōne et aemulātiōne, sed induite Dominum Iēsum Chrīstum et carnis prōvidentiam nē fēceritis in concupīscentiīs.' Nec ultrā volui legere, nec opus erat. Statim quippe cum fīne huiusce sententiae, quasi lūce sēcūritātis īnfūsā cordī meō, omnēs dubitātiōnis tenebrae diffūgērunt."
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Arripiō I seize aperiō I open et and legō I read in in silentiō silence capitulum chapter quō to which prīmum first coniectī were cast sunt were oculī eyes meī my Nōn not in in comēssātiōnibus revellings et and ēbrietātibus drunkenness nōn not in in cubīlibus beds et and impudīcitiīs shameless acts nōn not in in contentiōne strife et and aemulātiōne jealousy sed but induite put on Dominum Lord Iēsum Jesus Chrīstum Christ et and carnis of flesh prōvidentiam provision nē not fēceritis make in in concupīscentiīs lusts Nec nor ultrā further volui I wished legere to read nec nor opus need erat was Statim immediately quippe indeed cum with fīne end huiusce of this sententiae sentence quasi as if lūce light sēcūritātis of security īnfūsā poured cordī into heart meō my omnēs all dubitātiōnis of doubt tenebrae darkness diffūgērunt fled away
Arripiō, aperiō, et legō in silentiō capitulum, quō prīmum coniectī sunt oculī meī: 'Nōn in comēssātiōnibus et ēbrietātibus, nōn in cubīlibus et impudīcitiīs, nōn in contentiōne et aemulātiōne, sed induite Dominum Iēsum Chrīstum et carnis prōvidentiam nē fēceritis in concupīscentiīs.' Nec ultrā volui legere, nec opus erat. Statim quippe cum fīne huiusce sententiae, quasi lūce sēcūritātis īnfūsā cordī meō, omnēs dubitātiōnis tenebrae diffūgērunt.
I seized it, opened it, and read in silence the chapter where my eyes first fell: 'Not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.' I neither wished to read further, nor was there need. For immediately, with the end of this sentence, as if a light of security had been poured into my heart, all the shadows of doubt fled away.
Arripiō, aperiō, et legō in silentiō capitulum, quō prīmum coniectī sunt oculī meī: 'Nōn in comēssātiōnibus et ēbrietātibus, nōn in cubīlibus et impudīcitiīs, nōn in contentiōne et aemulātiōne, sed induite Dominum Iēsum Chrīstum et carnis prōvidentiam nē fēceritis in concupīscentiīs.' Nec ultrā volui legere, nec opus erat. Statim quippe cum fīne huiusce sententiae, quasi lūce sēcūritātis īnfūsā cordī meō, omnēs dubitātiōnis tenebrae diffūgērunt.
This famous passage describes Augustine's conversion moment, where the verb arripiō (I seize) dramatically introduces the action. Note how Augustine uses a compound of capiō to express the urgency of his spiritual breakthrough.
Key Grammatical Features: -
Arripiō - compound of ad + rapiō, more forceful than simple capiō -
Coniectī sunt - perfect passive of coniciō (another -iō verb) -
Induite - imperative plural of induō (put on) -
Īnfūsā - perfect passive participle in ablative absolute construction -
Diffūgērunt - perfect of diffugiō, showing completed action
Rhetorical Structure: -
Triple negation (nōn...nōn...nōn) building to positive command (sed induite) -
Pairs of vices rejected (comēssātiōnibus et ēbrietātibus, etc.) -
Metaphor of light dispelling darkness (lūce...tenebrae)
Theological Significance: Augustine's "seizing" of Scripture parallels how divine grace "seizes" the soul. The physical act of taking the book becomes a spiritual capture by God's word. This passage from Romans 13:13-14 transforms reading from intellectual activity to life-changing encounter.
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This is a classic Aesop's fable rendered in Latin. Here are some key grammatical and translation points:
131.16 terrēbat - imperfect tense: "was terrifying" (habitual action in past)
131.18 voluit - perfect tense: "wished" (completed action)
131.20 līberāveris - future perfect 2nd person: "if you will have freed" poterō - future 1st person: "I will be able"
131.22 cēpērunt - perfect 3rd person plural: "they captured"
131.23 ligāvērunt - perfect 3rd person plural: "they bound"
131.26 rōsit - perfect 3rd person singular: "gnawed"
- Ablative of means: dentibus (with teeth), fūnibus (with ropes), magnō clāmōre (with great cry) - Accusative of time: multōs diēs (many days) - Dative of indirect object: mihi (to me), tibi (to you), nōs (to us)
The fable's lesson is explicitly stated: even the smallest creatures can be useful to the greatest, and Christ teaches all are brothers. Verse 131.30 adds a moral judgment: pride and mercy are mutually exclusive.
Would you like help with any specific grammatical construction?
131.16 Leō superbus omnia animālia terrēbat. A proud lion was terrifying all the animals.
131.17 Ōlim mūs parvus in rēte leōnis cecidit. Once a small mouse fell into the lion's net.
131.18 Īrātus leō mūrem capere voluit. The angry lion wanted to catch the mouse.
131.19 Sed mūs clāmāvit: "Parcē mihi, rēx animālium!" But the mouse cried out: "Spare me, king of animals!"
131.20 "Sī mē līberāveris, aliquandō tē servāre poterō." "If you free me, someday I will be able to save you."
131.21 Leō rīsit et mūrem līberum dīmīsit. The lion laughed and sent the mouse away free.
131.22 Post multōs diēs vēnātōrēs leōnem cēpērunt. After many days, hunters captured the lion.
131.23 Fortibus fūnibus eum ad arborem ligāvērunt. They bound him to a tree with strong ropes.
131.24 Captus leō magnō clāmōre auxilium petīvit. The captured lion sought help with a great cry.
131.25 Mūs vōcem leōnis audīvit et cucurrit. The mouse heard the lion's voice and ran.
131.26 Dentibus suīs fūnēs rōsit et leōnem līberāvit. With his teeth he gnawed the ropes and freed the lion.
131.27 "Grātiās tibi agō, amīce parvē," dīxit leō. "I thank you, small friend," said the lion.
131.28 "Nunc sciō etiam minimōs magnīs prōdesse posse." "Now I know that even the smallest can help the great."
131.29 Sīc Chrīstus docet nōs omnēs frātrēs esse. Thus Christ teaches us that we are all brothers.
131.30 Quī superbiam capit, misericordiam nōn capit. He who embraces pride does not embrace mercy.
131.16 Leō superbus omnia animālia terrēbat.
131.17 Ōlim mūs parvus in rēte leōnis cecidit.
131.18 Īrātus leō mūrem capere voluit.
131.19 Sed mūs clāmāvit: "Parcē mihi, rēx animālium!"
131.20 "Sī mē līberāveris, aliquandō tē servāre poterō."
131.21 Leō rīsit et mūrem līberum dīmīsit.
131.22 Post multōs diēs vēnātōrēs leōnem cēpērunt.
131.23 Fortibus fūnibus eum ad arborem ligāvērunt.
131.24 Captus leō magnō clāmōre auxilium petīvit.
131.25 Mūs vōcem leōnis audīvit et cucurrit.
131.26 Dentibus suīs fūnēs rōsit et leōnem līberāvit.
131.27 "Grātiās tibi agō, amīce parvē," dīxit leō.
131.28 "Nunc sciō etiam minimōs magnīs prōdesse posse."
131.29 Sīc Chrīstus docet nōs omnēs frātrēs esse.
131.30 Quī superbiam capit, misericordiam nōn capit.
This Christian adaptation of Aesop's fable demonstrates various uses of capiō and related capture vocabulary:
Forms of capiō in the fable: -
capere (131.18) - present infinitive -
cēpērunt (131.22) - perfect indicative, 3rd plural -
captus (131.24) - perfect passive participle -
capit (131.30) - present indicative, used twice for emphasis
Related vocabulary: -
cecidit (131.17) - from cadō, showing literal falling/capture -
ligāvērunt (131.23) - showing binding after capture -
līberāvit (131.26) - opposite of capture
Grammatical constructions: -
Conditional sentences: -
"Sī mē līberāveris, aliquandō tē servāre poterō" (future more vivid) -
Infinitive constructions: -
"capere voluit" - complementary infinitive -
"servāre poterō" - future infinitive phrase -
"prōdesse posse" - indirect statement -
Direct speech: -
Introduced by clāmāvit and dīxit -
Shows emotional urgency in capture situation -
Wordplay in moral: -
"Quī superbiam capit, misericordiam nōn capit" -
Repetition of capit with different objects shows choice between pride and mercy
Christian elements: The fable transforms from classical moral about reciprocity to Christian teaching about humility and brotherhood. The final lines explicitly connect to Christ's teaching, showing how capiō can mean "embrace" or "adopt" in moral contexts.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online Latin learning materials since 2006, pioneering methods that make classical and ecclesiastical Latin accessible to autodidacts worldwide. This reading course represents a unique approach to Latin pedagogy, specifically designed for self-directed learners who want to read Latin texts with understanding and appreciation.
The Construed Text Method: Our lessons use the construed text approach, where Latin and English are interwoven word-by-word in Part A. This granular interleaving allows beginners to see the direct correspondence between Latin words and their English equivalents, building vocabulary and understanding sentence structure simultaneously. This method, refined over nearly two decades, helps students internalize Latin patterns without relying on extensive grammatical terminology.
Progressive Structure: Each lesson follows a careful progression: -
Part A introduces vocabulary through construed text 131.16 Leō lion superbus proud omnia all animālia animals terrēbat was terrifying
131.17 Ōlim once mūs mouse parvus small in into rēte net leōnis of lion cecidit fell
131.18 Leō lion īrātus angry mūrem mouse capere to seize voluit wished
131.19 Sed but mūs mouse clāmāvit cried out Parcē spare mihi me rēx king animālium of animals
131.20 Sī if mē me līberāveris you will free aliquandō someday tē you servāre to save poterō I will be able
131.21 Leō lion rīsit laughed et and mūrem mouse dīmīsit sent away līberum free
131.22 Post after multōs many diēs days vēnātōrēs hunters leōnem lion cēpērunt captured
131.23 Fortibus with strong fūnibus ropes eum him ligāvērunt they bound ad to arborem tree
131.24 Leō lion captus captured magnō with great clāmōre cry auxilium help petīvit sought
131.25 Mūs mouse vōcem voice leōnis of lion audīvit heard et and cucurrit ran
131.26 Dentibus with teeth suīs his fūnēs ropes rōsit gnawed et and leōnem lion līberāvit freed
131.27 Grātiās thanks tibi to you agō I give amīce friend parvē small dīxit said leō lion
131.28 Nunc now sciō I know etiam even minimōs smallest ones magnīs to great ones prōdesse to be useful posse to be able
131.29 Sīc thus Chrīstus Christ docet teaches nōs us omnēs all frātrēs brothers esse to be
131.30 Quī who superbiam pride capit seizes misericordiam mercy nōn not capit seizes