← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
###
Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! In lectiōne praecēdentī dē mundō corporis dīdicimus — dē balneō et tōnsōre, dē lavandō et pectendō. Nunc dē mundītiā domūs et dē vestīmentīs discēmus! Domus enim munda esse dēbet — maculae abstergendae, quisquiliae verrendae. Et corpus vestīmentīs tegendum est — nam nūdī nōn ambulāmus!
Greetings, dearest students! In the preceding lesson we learned about cleanliness of the body — about the bath and the barber, about washing and combing. Now we shall learn about cleanliness of the house and about clothing! For a house must be clean — spots must be wiped off, sweepings must be swept. And the body must be covered with clothing — for we do not walk about naked!
Hodiē dē spongiīs et scōpīs discēmus, dē indusiīs et tunicīs. Haec sunt rēs cotīdiānae — sed sine eīs vīta nōn prōcēdit!
Today we shall learn about sponges and brooms, about shirts and tunics. These are everyday things — but without them life does not proceed!
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Maculae spots absterguntur are wiped off spongiā. with a sponge. Quisquiliae sweepings verruntur are swept scōpīs. with brooms. Indusium a shirt et and tunicam, a tunic, thorācem, a doublet, femorālia, breeches, et and tibiālia stockings induimus we put on et and exuimus. take off. Quotiēs as often as opus there is need est, is, pallium a cloak et and togam a gown amicīmus. we wrap around.
Maculae absterguntur spongiā — Spots (maculae) are wiped off (absterguntur) with a sponge (spongiā). Abstergō (abs- + tergō) means “to wipe off, clean away.” The ablative of instrument shows the tool used.
Quisquiliae verruntur scōpīs — Sweepings (quisquiliae) are swept (verruntur) with brooms (scōpīs). Quisquiliae (plural only) means rubbish, sweepings, refuse. Verrō means “to sweep”; scōpae (plural) are brooms or besoms.
Indusium et tunicam, thorācem, femorālia, et tibiālia induimus et exuimus — We put on (induimus) and take off (exuimus) a shirt (indusium) and a tunic (tunicam), a doublet (thorācem), breeches (femorālia), and stockings (tibiālia). Note the verbs: induō (to put on) and exuō (to take off) — opposites.
Quotiēs opus est, pallium et togam amicīmus — As often as (quotiēs) there is need (opus est), we wrap around (amicīmus) a cloak (pallium) and (et) a gown (togam). Amiciō means “to wrap around, throw on” — used for outer garments.
Maculae absterguntur spongiā. Spots are wiped off with a sponge.
Quisquiliae verruntur scōpīs. Sweepings are swept with brooms.
Indusium et tunicam, thorācem, femorālia, et tibiālia induimus et exuimus. We put on and take off a shirt and a tunic, a doublet, breeches, and stockings.
Quotiēs opus est, pallium et togam amicīmus. As often as there is need, we wrap around a cloak and a gown.
Maculae absterguntur spongiā. Quisquiliae verruntur scōpīs. Indusium et tunicam, thorācem, femorālia, et tibiālia induimus et exuimus. Quotiēs opus est, pallium et togam amicīmus.
These verbs are opposites for dressing:
Verbum Significātiō Exemplum induō, induere, induī, indūtum to put on tunicam induō exuō, exuere, exuī, exūtum to take off tunicam exuō
Both take accusative of the garment.
Amiciō, amicīre, amicuī/amīxī, amictum — to wrap around, throw on:
Exemplum Significātiō togam amiciō I put on a toga pallium amicīmus we wrap on a cloak
Used specifically for outer garments (toga, pallium) that are wrapped or draped.
Vocābulum Significātiō Ūsus indusium undergarment, shirt worn next to skin tunica tunic main garment thorax chest armor; doublet protective garment femorālia breeches leg covering (thigh) tibiālia stockings leg covering (shin) pallium cloak Greek-style outer wrap toga toga Roman formal outer garment
Opus est (+ dative or ablative) means “there is need of”:
Exemplum Significātiō opus est palliō there is need of a cloak quotiēs opus est as often as there is need
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō macula, -ae (f.) nōmen spot, stain abstergō, abstergēre, abstersī, abstersum verbum to wipe off spongia, -ae (f.) nōmen sponge quisquiliae, -ārum (f. pl.) nōmen sweepings, rubbish verrō, verrere, verrī, versum verbum to sweep scōpae, -ārum (f. pl.) nōmen brooms indusium, -ī (n.) nōmen shirt, undergarment tunica, -ae (f.) nōmen tunic thorax, thorācis (m.) nōmen breastplate; doublet femorālia, -ium (n. pl.) nōmen breeches tibiālia, -ium (n. pl.) nōmen stockings induō, induere, induī, indūtum verbum to put on exuō, exuere, exuī, exūtum verbum to take off quotiēs adverbium as often as pallium, -ī (n.) nōmen cloak toga, -ae (f.) nōmen toga amiciō, amicīre, amicuī, amictum verbum to wrap around
Ōlim once iuvenis a young man quīdam certain Rōmānus Roman prīmum for the first time ad to forum the forum ībat. was going. Togam a toga novam new et and candidam white induerat. he had put on. Superbē proudly ambulābat he was walking — nam — for toga a toga est is vestīmentum the garment cīvium of citizens Rōmānōrum! Roman!
Sed but in in viā the street lūtum mud erat. was. Iuvenis the young man nōn not vīdit saw — et — and in into lūtum the mud cēcidit! fell! Toga the toga candida white nunc now sordida dirty erat! was! Maculae spots ubīque everywhere erant! were!
Iuvenis the young man lacrimāvit. wept. Dīxit he said sē himself miserum wretched esse. to be. Dīxit he said togam the toga suam his perditam ruined esse. to be. Quōmodo how nunc now in into forum the forum īre to go posset? was he able?
Fēmina a woman quaedam certain eum him vīdit. saw. Appropinquāvit she approached et and rogāvit asked cūr why lacrimāret. he was weeping. Iuvenis the young man togam the toga sordidam dirty ostendit. showed.
Fēmina the woman rīsit. laughed. “Haec “this nōn is not est is calamitās!” a disaster!” inquit. she said. “Maculae “spots abstergī to be wiped off possunt! are able! Venī come mēcum with me — spongiās — sponges et and aquam water habeō!” I have!”
Iuvenis the young man cum with fēminā the woman iit. went. Fēmina the woman spongiā with a sponge maculās the spots abstersit. wiped off. Toga the toga iterum again munda clean erat was — nōn — not candida white ut as anteā, before, sed but satis sufficiently munda! clean!
Iuvenis the young man grātiās thanks ēgit. gave. Rogāvit he asked quōmodo how eī to her grātiam a favor referre to return posset. he was able.
Fēmina the woman respondit: answered: “Hoc “this modo: way: quandō when tū you alium another in in lūtō the mud vidēbis, you will see, adiuvā help eum! him! Sīc thus grātia a favor grātiam a favor gignit!” begets!”
Iuvenis the young man in to forum the forum prōcessit proceeded — et — and illum that diem day numquam never oblītus having forgotten est. was. Posteā afterwards semper always spongiās sponges sēcum with himself ferēbat he used to carry — ut — so that aliōs others adiuvāre to help posset! he might be able!
Haec this fābula fable docet: teaches: Maculae spots in on vestīmentīs clothing abstergī to be wiped off possunt. are able. Maculae spots in on animō the soul difficiliōrēs more difficult sunt! are! Ergō therefore — animum — the soul mundum clean servā, keep, et and aliōs others adiuvā! help!
Ōlim iuvenis quīdam Rōmānus prīmum ad forum ībat. Once a certain Roman young man was going to the forum for the first time.
Togam novam et candidam induerat. Superbē ambulābat — nam toga est vestīmentum cīvium Rōmānōrum! He had put on a new and white toga. He was walking proudly — for a toga is the garment of Roman citizens!
Sed in viā lūtum erat. Iuvenis nōn vīdit — et in lūtum cēcidit! But there was mud in the street. The young man did not see — and fell into the mud!
Toga candida nunc sordida erat! Maculae ubīque erant! The white toga was now dirty! Spots were everywhere!
Iuvenis lacrimāvit. Dīxit sē miserum esse. Dīxit togam suam perditam esse. The young man wept. He said that he was wretched. He said that his toga was ruined.
Quōmodo nunc in forum īre posset? How was he now able to go into the forum?
Fēmina quaedam eum vīdit. Appropinquāvit et rogāvit cūr lacrimāret. A certain woman saw him. She approached and asked why he was weeping.
Iuvenis togam sordidam ostendit. The young man showed the dirty toga.
Fēmina rīsit. “Haec nōn est calamitās!” inquit. The woman laughed. “This is not a disaster!” she said.
“Maculae abstergī possunt! Venī mēcum — spongiās et aquam habeō!” “Spots can be wiped off! Come with me — I have sponges and water!”
Iuvenis cum fēminā iit. Fēmina spongiā maculās abstersit. The young man went with the woman. The woman wiped off the spots with a sponge.
Toga iterum munda erat — nōn candida ut anteā, sed satis munda! The toga was clean again — not white as before, but sufficiently clean!
Iuvenis grātiās ēgit. Rogāvit quōmodo eī grātiam referre posset. The young man gave thanks. He asked how he was able to return the favor to her.
Fēmina respondit: “Hoc modo: quandō tū alium in lūtō vidēbis, adiuvā eum!” The woman answered: “This way: when you see another in the mud, help him!”
“Sīc grātia grātiam gignit!” “Thus a favor begets a favor!”
Iuvenis in forum prōcessit — et illum diem numquam oblītus est. The young man proceeded to the forum — and never forgot that day.
Posteā semper spongiās sēcum ferēbat — ut aliōs adiuvāre posset! Afterwards he always used to carry sponges with himself — so that he might be able to help others!
Haec fābula docet: Maculae in vestīmentīs abstergī possunt. Maculae in animō difficiliōrēs sunt! This fable teaches: Spots on clothing can be wiped off. Spots on the soul are more difficult!
Ergō — animum mundum servā, et aliōs adiuvā! Therefore — keep the soul clean, and help others!
Ōlim iuvenis quīdam Rōmānus prīmum ad forum ībat. Togam novam et candidam induerat. Superbē ambulābat — nam toga est vestīmentum cīvium Rōmānōrum!
Sed in viā lūtum erat. Iuvenis nōn vīdit — et in lūtum cēcidit! Toga candida nunc sordida erat! Maculae ubīque erant!
Iuvenis lacrimāvit. Dīxit sē miserum esse. Dīxit togam suam perditam esse. Quōmodo nunc in forum īre posset?
Fēmina quaedam eum vīdit. Appropinquāvit et rogāvit cūr lacrimāret. Iuvenis togam sordidam ostendit.
Fēmina rīsit. “Haec nōn est calamitās!” inquit. “Maculae abstergī possunt! Venī mēcum — spongiās et aquam habeō!”
Iuvenis cum fēminā iit. Fēmina spongiā maculās abstersit. Toga iterum munda erat — nōn candida ut anteā, sed satis munda!
Iuvenis grātiās ēgit. Rogāvit quōmodo eī grātiam referre posset. Fēmina respondit: “Hoc modo: quandō tū alium in lūtō vidēbis, adiuvā eum! Sīc grātia grātiam gignit!”
Iuvenis in forum prōcessit — et illum diem numquam oblītus est. Posteā semper spongiās sēcum ferēbat — ut aliōs adiuvāre posset!
Haec fābula docet: Maculae in vestīmentīs abstergī possunt. Maculae in animō difficiliōrēs sunt! Ergō — animum mundum servā, et aliōs adiuvā!
Dē Argūmentō:
This fable uses the literal cleaning of spots to teach a moral lesson about kindness and paying it forward. The young man’s stained toga becomes a lesson in humility and generosity.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Ōrātiō oblīqua: Dīxit sē miserum esse, togam perditam esse -
Passive infinitive: Maculae abstergī possunt — “Spots can be wiped off” -
Purpose clause: ut aliōs adiuvāre posset — “so that he might help others” -
Deponent oblīvīscor: oblītus est — “he forgot”
Vocabula Fābulae:
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō candidus, -a, -um adiectīvum white, bright superbē adverbium proudly lūtum, -ī (n.) nōmen mud sordidus, -a, -um adiectīvum dirty ubīque adverbium everywhere perditus, -a, -um participium ruined, lost calamitās, -tātis (f.) nōmen disaster grātia, -ae (f.) nōmen favor, thanks grātiās agere verbum to give thanks grātiam referre verbum to return a favor gignō, gignere, genuī, genitum verbum to beget, produce oblīvīscor, oblīvīscī, oblītus sum verbum (dep.) to forget
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, cūr why Rōmānī the Romans togam a toga gerēbant? used to wear?
MAGISTER: Toga the toga erat was vestīmentum the garment proprium proper cīvium of citizens Rōmānōrum! Roman! Servī slaves togam a toga gerere to wear nōn not poterant. were able. Peregrīnī foreigners nōn not poterant. were able. Sōlī only cīvēs citizens Rōmānī! Roman!
DISCIPULUS: Quōmodo how togam a toga induēbant? did they put on?
MAGISTER: Togam a toga nōn not induēbant did they put on — sed — but amiciēbant! did they wrap around! Toga a toga enim for nōn not est is vestīmentum a garment simplex simple — sed — but vestīmentum a garment amplum ample quod which circum around corpus the body volvitur! is rolled!
DISCIPULUS: Nōnne was it not difficile difficult erat? was?
MAGISTER: Ita so vērō! indeed! Multī many cīvēs citizens servōs slaves habēbant had quī who togam the toga compōnere to arrange adiuvābant! used to help! Toga a toga bene well composita arranged erat was signum a sign dignitātis! of dignity!
DISCIPULUS: Et and sub under togā the toga — quid — what gerēbant? did they wear?
MAGISTER: Tunicam! a tunic! Tunica the tunic erat was vestīmentum the garment interius. inner. Sōla alone tunica a tunic domī at home gerēbātur. was worn. Sed but in in pūblicō public — toga — the toga super over tunicam the tunic amiciēbātur! was wrapped!
DISCIPULUS: Fēminae did women quoque also togam a toga gerēbant? used to wear?
MAGISTER: Minimē! not at all! Fēminae women stolam a stola gerēbant used to wear — vestīmentum — a garment longum long et and amplum. ample. Et and super over stolam the stola — pallam! — a palla! Toga the toga erat was vestīmentum the garment virōrum! of men!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr Rōmānī togam gerēbant? Master, why did the Romans used to wear a toga?
MAGISTER: Toga erat vestīmentum proprium cīvium Rōmānōrum! The toga was the proper garment of Roman citizens!
Servī togam gerere nōn poterant. Peregrīnī nōn poterant. Sōlī cīvēs Rōmānī! Slaves were not able to wear a toga. Foreigners were not able. Only Roman citizens!
DISCIPULUS: Quōmodo togam induēbant? How did they put on a toga?
MAGISTER: Togam nōn induēbant — sed amiciēbant! They did not “put on” a toga — but “wrapped it around”!
Toga enim nōn est vestīmentum simplex — sed vestīmentum amplum quod circum corpus volvitur! For a toga is not a simple garment — but an ample garment which is rolled around the body!
DISCIPULUS: Nōnne difficile erat? Was it not difficult?
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Multī cīvēs servōs habēbant quī togam compōnere adiuvābant! So indeed! Many citizens had slaves who used to help to arrange the toga!
Toga bene composita erat signum dignitātis! A well-arranged toga was a sign of dignity!
DISCIPULUS: Et sub togā — quid gerēbant? And under the toga — what did they wear?
MAGISTER: Tunicam! Tunica erat vestīmentum interius. A tunic! The tunic was the inner garment.
Sōla tunica domī gerēbātur. Sed in pūblicō — toga super tunicam amiciēbātur! A tunic alone was worn at home. But in public — the toga was wrapped over the tunic!
DISCIPULUS: Fēminae quoque togam gerēbant? Did women also used to wear a toga?
MAGISTER: Minimē! Fēminae stolam gerēbant — vestīmentum longum et amplum. Et super stolam — pallam! Not at all! Women used to wear a stola — a long and ample garment. And over the stola — a palla!
Toga erat vestīmentum virōrum! The toga was the garment of men!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr Rōmānī togam gerēbant?
MAGISTER: Toga erat vestīmentum proprium cīvium Rōmānōrum! Servī togam gerere nōn poterant. Peregrīnī nōn poterant. Sōlī cīvēs Rōmānī!
DISCIPULUS: Quōmodo togam induēbant?
MAGISTER: Togam nōn induēbant — sed amiciēbant! Toga enim nōn est vestīmentum simplex — sed vestīmentum amplum quod circum corpus volvitur!
DISCIPULUS: Nōnne difficile erat?
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Multī cīvēs servōs habēbant quī togam compōnere adiuvābant! Toga bene composita erat signum dignitātis!
DISCIPULUS: Et sub togā — quid gerēbant?
MAGISTER: Tunicam! Tunica erat vestīmentum interius. Sōla tunica domī gerēbātur. Sed in pūblicō — toga super tunicam amiciēbātur!
DISCIPULUS: Fēminae quoque togam gerēbant?
MAGISTER: Minimē! Fēminae stolam gerēbant — vestīmentum longum et amplum. Et super stolam — pallam! Toga erat vestīmentum virōrum!
Dē Argūmentō Paedagōgicō:
This colloquium explains Roman dress distinctions: the toga as the mark of citizenship (worn only by male citizens), the difference between induō (for simple garments) and amiciō (for wrapped garments like the toga), and the layering system (tunic under, toga over). It also contrasts men’s and women’s attire.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Gerundive compōnere: infinitive used with adiuvō -
Passive gerēbātur, amiciēbātur: imperfect passive -
Question with nōnne: expects “yes” answer
Which verb is correct? -
Tunicam __________ (induō / amiciō) -
Togam __________ (induō / amiciō) -
Femorālia __________ (induō / amiciō) -
Pallium __________ (induō / amiciō)
Complete with the correct word: -
Maculae absterguntur __________. (spongiā / scōpīs) -
Quisquiliae verruntur __________. (spongiā / scōpīs)
-
Spots are wiped off with a sponge. -
Sweepings are swept with brooms. -
We put on and take off the tunic. -
As often as there is need, we wrap on a cloak. -
A favor begets a favor.
-
Maculae absterguntur spongiā. -
Quisquiliae verruntur scōpīs. -
Indusium et tunicam induimus et exuimus. -
Quotiēs opus est, pallium et togam amicīmus. -
Maculae in animō difficiliōrēs sunt.
Match each garment with its description:
Vestīmentum Dēscrīptiō 1. toga a. worn under other garments 2. tunica b. women’s outer garment 3. stola c. male citizens’ formal wrap 4. palla d. women’s over-garment
Memorize these sentences: -
Maculae absterguntur spongiā. Spots are wiped off with a sponge. -
Quisquiliae verruntur scōpīs. Sweepings are swept with brooms. -
Indusium et tunicam, thorācem, femorālia, et tibiālia induimus et exuimus. We put on and take off a shirt and tunic, a doublet, breeches, and stockings. -
Quotiēs opus est, pallium et togam amicīmus. As often as there is need, we wrap around a cloak and gown. -
Grātia grātiam gignit! A favor begets a favor!
-
induō (tunic is put on) -
amiciō (toga is wrapped) -
induō (breeches are put on) -
amiciō (cloak is wrapped)
-
spongiā (spots with sponge) -
scōpīs (sweepings with brooms)
-
Maculae spongiā absterguntur. -
Quisquiliae scōpīs verruntur. -
Tunicam induimus et exuimus. -
Quotiēs opus est, pallium amicīmus. -
Grātia grātiam gignit.
-
Spots are wiped off with a sponge. -
Sweepings are swept with brooms. -
We put on and take off a shirt and tunic. -
As often as there is need, we wrap around a cloak and gown. -
Spots on the soul are more difficult.
-
c (toga = male citizens’ formal wrap) -
a (tunica = worn under other garments) -
b (stola = women’s outer garment) -
d (palla = women’s over-garment)
In proximā lectiōne dē ōrnāmentīs et mēnsā discēmus! Vidēbimus quōmodo pileīs et collāribus, chīrothēcīs et sandāliīs nōs ōrnāmus. Et dē cēnā audiēmus — quōmodo mappā mēnsam sternimus, quōmodo cochleārī et cultrō ūtimur! Pileī et collāria, chīrothēcae et sandālia sunt honestātis ergō. Cingulō nōs cingimus, ligulīs astringimus. Mappā sternimus mēnsam.
In the next lesson we shall learn about adornments and the table! We shall see how we adorn ourselves with caps and collars, gloves and sandals. And we shall hear about dinner — how we cover a table with a tablecloth, how we use a spoon and knife! Caps and collars, gloves and sandals are for the sake of respectability. We gird ourselves with a belt, we fasten with straps. We cover a table with a tablecloth.
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
---