← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
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Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! In lectiōne praecēdentī dē mundītiā et vestīmentīs dīdicimus — dē spongiīs et scōpīs, dē tunicīs et togīs. Nunc ad ōrnāmenta et mēnsam prōgredimur! Vestīmenta corpus tegunt — sed ōrnāmenta nōs decorant. Et mēnsa — hīc familia congregātur, cibus sūmitur, sermōnēs habentur!
Greetings, dearest students! In the preceding lesson we learned about cleanliness and clothing — about sponges and brooms, about tunics and togas. Now we proceed to adornments and the table! Clothing covers the body — but adornments decorate us. And the table — here the family gathers, food is taken, conversations are had!
Hodiē dē pileīs et collāribus discēmus, dē chīrothēcīs et sandāliīs. Et dē mēnsā — quōmodo sternātur, quōmodo cibus secētur et edātur. Haec sunt artēs vītae cīvīlis!
Today we shall learn about caps and collars, about gloves and sandals. And about the table — how it is covered, how food is cut and eaten. These are the arts of civilized life!
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Pileī caps et and collāria, collars, chīrothēcae gloves et and sandālia sandals sunt are honestātis of respectability ergō. for the sake. Cingulō with a belt nōs ourselves cingimus, we gird, ligulīs with straps astringimus. we fasten. Mappā with a tablecloth sternimus we cover mēnsam. the table. Ad for iūsculum broth et and pulmentum pottage est is cochleāre. a spoon. Ēdulia foods alia other scinduntur are cut cultrō. with a knife.
Pileī et collāria, chīrothēcae et sandālia sunt honestātis ergō — Caps (pileī) and (et) collars (collāria), gloves (chīrothēcae) and (et) sandals (sandālia) are (sunt) for the sake of (ergō) respectability (honestātis). Ergō with the genitive means “for the sake of, on account of.” These accessories mark social status.
Cingulō nōs cingimus, ligulīs astringimus — We gird (cingimus) ourselves (nōs) with a belt (cingulō), we fasten (astringimus) with straps (ligulīs). Note the cognates: cingulum (belt) from cingō (to gird). Ligula is a small strap or shoe-lace.
Mappā sternimus mēnsam — We cover (sternimus) the table (mēnsam) with a tablecloth (mappā). Mappa is a napkin or cloth; here used as tablecloth. Sternō means “to spread, cover.”
Ad iūsculum et pulmentum est cochleāre — For (ad) broth (iūsculum) and (et) pottage (pulmentum) is (est) a spoon (cochleāre). Iūsculum is thin soup or broth. Pulmentum is thick porridge. Cochleāre (from cochlea, snail shell) is a spoon.
Ēdulia alia scinduntur cultrō — Other (alia) foods (ēdulia) are cut (scinduntur) with a knife (cultrō). Ēdulia (neuter plural) means “things to be eaten, foods.” Scindō means “to cut, split.”
Pileī et collāria, chīrothēcae et sandālia sunt honestātis ergō. Caps and collars, gloves and sandals are for the sake of respectability.
Cingulō nōs cingimus, ligulīs astringimus. We gird ourselves with a belt, we fasten with straps.
Mappā sternimus mēnsam. We cover the table with a tablecloth.
Ad iūsculum et pulmentum est cochleāre. For broth and pottage there is a spoon.
Ēdulia alia scinduntur cultrō. Other foods are cut with a knife.
Pileī et collāria, chīrothēcae et sandālia sunt honestātis ergō. Cingulō nōs cingimus, ligulīs astringimus. Mappā sternimus mēnsam. Ad iūsculum et pulmentum est cochleāre. Ēdulia alia scinduntur cultrō.
Ergō with the genitive (placed AFTER the noun) means “for the sake of, because of”:
Exemplum Significātiō honestātis ergō for the sake of respectability glōriae ergō for the sake of glory exemplī ergō for the sake of example
Note: ergō follows its genitive, unlike causā or grātiā.
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō cingō, cingere, cīnxī, cīnctum verbum to gird, surround cingulum, -ī (n.) nōmen belt, girdle cīnctus, -a, -um participium girded
Vocābulum Significātiō Ūsus cochleāre, -is (n.) spoon for liquids, soft foods culter, cultrī (m.) knife for cutting solid foods patina, -ae (f.) dish, plate for serving pōculum, -ī (n.) cup for drinking
Vocābulum Significātiō pileus, -ī (m.) cap, hat collāre, -is (n.) collar, neckband chīrothēca, -ae (f.) glove (Greek: cheir = hand, thēkē = case) sandālium, -ī (n.) sandal cingulum, -ī (n.) belt ligula, -ae (f.) strap, lace
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō pileus, -ī (m.) nōmen cap, hat collāre, -is (n.) nōmen collar chīrothēca, -ae (f.) nōmen glove sandālium, -ī (n.) nōmen sandal honestās, -tātis (f.) nōmen respectability, honor ergō + gen. adverbium for the sake of cingulum, -ī (n.) nōmen belt cingō, cingere, cīnxī, cīnctum verbum to gird ligula, -ae (f.) nōmen strap, lace astringō, astringere, astrīnxī, astrictum verbum to fasten, bind tight mappa, -ae (f.) nōmen tablecloth, napkin mēnsa, -ae (f.) nōmen table iūsculum, -ī (n.) nōmen broth, soup pulmentum, -ī (n.) nōmen pottage, porridge cochleāre, -is (n.) nōmen spoon ēdulium, -ī (n.) nōmen food (thing to be eaten) scindō, scindere, scidī, scissum verbum to cut, split culter, cultrī (m.) nōmen knife
Ōlim once dīves a rich man quīdam certain magnum a great convīvium banquet parāvit. prepared. Mēnsae the tables mappīs with tablecloths pulcherrimīs most beautiful strātae covered erant. were. Patinae dishes argenteae silver erant; were; pōcula the cups aurea! golden! Cochleāria spoons et and cultrī knives ēbore with ivory ōrnātī adorned erant. were.
Multōs many hospitēs guests invītāvit he invited — dīvitēs — rich men et and nōbilēs. nobles. Omnēs all splendidē splendidly vestītī dressed vēnērunt. came. Pileōs caps et and collāria collars gerēbant; they were wearing; chīrothēcīs with gloves manūs their hands ōrnātae adorned erant. were.
Sed but inter among hospitēs the guests ūnus one pauper poor man erat. was. Dīves the rich man eum him invītāverat had invited quia because sapiēns wise erat. he was. Pauper the poor man vestīmenta clothes sordida dirty gerēbat; was wearing; nūllum no pileum, cap, nūllās no chīrothēcās. gloves.
Cēterī the other hospitēs guests eum him dēspiciēbant. were looking down upon. Dīcēbant they used to say eum him nōn not dignum worthy esse to be quī who ad at tālem such mēnsam a table sedēret. should sit.
Tandem at last cēna dinner allāta brought est. was. Iūsculum broth et and pulmentum pottage in in patinīs dishes erant. were. Ēdulia foods alia other cultrīs with knives scindēbantur. were being cut.
Dīves the rich man pauperem the poor man rogāvit asked ut that dē about cēnā the dinner iūdicāret. he should judge. “Quid,” “what,” inquit, he said, “dē “about hāc this cēnā dinner putās?” do you think?”
Pauper the poor man respondit: answered: “Mēnsae “the tables pulchrae beautiful sunt. are. Patinae the dishes splendidae. splendid. Pōcula the cups māgnifica. magnificent. Sed but — quid — what dē about cibō the food ipsō?” itself?”
Hospitēs the guests tacuērunt. were silent. Dīves the rich man rīsit. laughed.
Pauper the poor man perrēxit: continued: “Convīvium “a banquet bonum good nōn not ā from mappīs tablecloths pendet, depends, nōn not ā from patinīs, dishes, nōn not ā from pōculīs. cups. Convīvium a banquet bonum good pendet depends ā from cibō the food bonō good — et — and ā from sermōnibus conversations bonīs!” good!”
Dīves the rich man adsurrēxit. rose up. “Hic “this vir,” man,” inquit, he said, “sapiēns “wise est! is! Vestīmenta clothes eius his sordida dirty sunt are — sed — but verba words eius his aurea! golden! Ōrnāmenta adornments externa external nihil nothing valent are worth — sapientia — wisdom interiōr interior omnia!” everything!”
Haec this fābula fable docet: teaches: Mēnsa a table bene well strāta covered sine without cibō food bonō good vacua empty est. is. Corpus a body bene well ōrnātum adorned sine without animō a soul bonō good vacuum empty est. is. Ergō therefore — animum — the soul excolāmus, let us cultivate, nōn not sōlum only corpus! the body!
Ōlim dīves quīdam magnum convīvium parāvit. Once a certain rich man prepared a great banquet.
Mēnsae mappīs pulcherrimīs strātae erant. Patinae argenteae erant; pōcula aurea! The tables were covered with most beautiful tablecloths. The dishes were silver; the cups golden!
Cochleāria et cultrī ēbore ōrnātī erant. The spoons and knives were adorned with ivory.
Multōs hospitēs invītāvit — dīvitēs et nōbilēs. He invited many guests — rich men and nobles.
Omnēs splendidē vestītī vēnērunt. Pileōs et collāria gerēbant; chīrothēcīs manūs ōrnātae erant. All came splendidly dressed. They were wearing caps and collars; their hands were adorned with gloves.
Sed inter hospitēs ūnus pauper erat. Dīves eum invītāverat quia sapiēns erat. But among the guests there was one poor man. The rich man had invited him because he was wise.
Pauper vestīmenta sordida gerēbat; nūllum pileum, nūllās chīrothēcās. The poor man was wearing dirty clothes; no cap, no gloves.
Cēterī hospitēs eum dēspiciēbant. Dīcēbant eum nōn dignum esse quī ad tālem mēnsam sedēret. The other guests were looking down upon him. They used to say that he was not worthy to sit at such a table.
Tandem cēna allāta est. Iūsculum et pulmentum in patinīs erant. At last dinner was brought. Broth and pottage were in the dishes.
Ēdulia alia cultrīs scindēbantur. Other foods were being cut with knives.
Dīves pauperem rogāvit ut dē cēnā iūdicāret. The rich man asked the poor man to judge about the dinner.
“Quid,” inquit, “dē hāc cēnā putās?” “What,” he said, “do you think about this dinner?”
Pauper respondit: “Mēnsae pulchrae sunt. Patinae splendidae. Pōcula māgnifica.” The poor man answered: “The tables are beautiful. The dishes splendid. The cups magnificent.”
“Sed — quid dē cibō ipsō?” “But — what about the food itself?”
Hospitēs tacuērunt. Dīves rīsit. The guests were silent. The rich man laughed.
Pauper perrēxit: “Convīvium bonum nōn ā mappīs pendet, nōn ā patinīs, nōn ā pōculīs.” The poor man continued: “A good banquet does not depend on tablecloths, not on dishes, not on cups.”
“Convīvium bonum pendet ā cibō bonō — et ā sermōnibus bonīs!” “A good banquet depends on good food — and on good conversations!”
Dīves adsurrēxit. “Hic vir,” inquit, “sapiēns est!” The rich man rose up. “This man,” he said, “is wise!”
“Vestīmenta eius sordida sunt — sed verba eius aurea!” “His clothes are dirty — but his words are golden!”
“Ōrnāmenta externa nihil valent — sapientia interiōr omnia!” “External adornments are worth nothing — interior wisdom everything!”
Haec fābula docet: Mēnsa bene strāta sine cibō bonō vacua est. This fable teaches: A well-covered table without good food is empty.
Corpus bene ōrnātum sine animō bonō vacuum est. A well-adorned body without a good soul is empty.
Ergō — animum excolāmus, nōn sōlum corpus! Therefore — let us cultivate the soul, not only the body!
Ōlim dīves quīdam magnum convīvium parāvit. Mēnsae mappīs pulcherrimīs strātae erant. Patinae argenteae erant; pōcula aurea! Cochleāria et cultrī ēbore ōrnātī erant.
Multōs hospitēs invītāvit — dīvitēs et nōbilēs. Omnēs splendidē vestītī vēnērunt. Pileōs et collāria gerēbant; chīrothēcīs manūs ōrnātae erant.
Sed inter hospitēs ūnus pauper erat. Dīves eum invītāverat quia sapiēns erat. Pauper vestīmenta sordida gerēbat; nūllum pileum, nūllās chīrothēcās.
Cēterī hospitēs eum dēspiciēbant. Dīcēbant eum nōn dignum esse quī ad tālem mēnsam sedēret.
Tandem cēna allāta est. Iūsculum et pulmentum in patinīs erant. Ēdulia alia cultrīs scindēbantur.
Dīves pauperem rogāvit ut dē cēnā iūdicāret. “Quid,” inquit, “dē hāc cēnā putās?”
Pauper respondit: “Mēnsae pulchrae sunt. Patinae splendidae. Pōcula māgnifica. Sed — quid dē cibō ipsō?”
Hospitēs tacuērunt. Dīves rīsit.
Pauper perrēxit: “Convīvium bonum nōn ā mappīs pendet, nōn ā patinīs, nōn ā pōculīs. Convīvium bonum pendet ā cibō bonō — et ā sermōnibus bonīs!”
Dīves adsurrēxit. “Hic vir,” inquit, “sapiēns est! Vestīmenta eius sordida sunt — sed verba eius aurea! Ōrnāmenta externa nihil valent — sapientia interiōr omnia!”
Haec fābula docet: Mēnsa bene strāta sine cibō bonō vacua est. Corpus bene ōrnātum sine animō bonō vacuum est. Ergō — animum excolāmus, nōn sōlum corpus!
Dē Argūmentō:
This fable contrasts external adornment with interior worth. The poor wise man at the rich banquet judges that a good feast depends not on golden cups but on good food and good conversation — just as a person’s worth lies in wisdom, not clothing.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Ōrātiō oblīqua: Dīcēbant eum nōn dignum esse quī sedēret -
Relative clause of characteristic: quī sedēret (subjunctive) -
Pendeō + ablative: pendet ā cibō — “depends on” -
Hortatory subjunctive: excolāmus — “let us cultivate”
Vocabula Fābulae:
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō convīvium, -ī (n.) nōmen banquet, feast patina, -ae (f.) nōmen dish, plate argenteus, -a, -um adiectīvum silver pōculum, -ī (n.) nōmen cup aureus, -a, -um adiectīvum golden ebur, eboris (n.) nōmen ivory hospes, hospitis (m.) nōmen guest dēspiciō, dēspicere verbum to look down upon dignus, -a, -um adiectīvum worthy pendeō, pendēre, pependī verbum to hang; depend adsurgō, adsurgere, adsurrēxī verbum to rise up excolō, excolere, excoluī verbum to cultivate
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, Rōmānīne did the Romans furcīs forks ūtēbantur? used to use?
MAGISTER: Minimē! not at all! Furcae forks rārissimē very rarely ūsūrpābantur were used in in antīquitāte. antiquity. Rōmānī the Romans digitīs with their fingers cibum food capiēbant! used to take!
DISCIPULUS: Digitīs? with their fingers? Nōnne was it not sordidum dirty erat? was?
MAGISTER: Nōn not ita! so! Ante before cēnam dinner manūs the hands lavābant. they used to wash. Et and inter between fercula courses quoque also — servī — slaves aquam water et and lintea linens afferēbant used to bring ut so that hospitēs the guests manūs their hands tergērent! might wipe!
DISCIPULUS: Et and cochleāre a spoon — ad for quid what erat? was it?
MAGISTER: Ad for iūsculum broth et and pulmentum! pottage! Cibus food liquidus liquid cochleārī with a spoon hauriēbātur. was drawn up. Cibus food solidus solid — carō, — meat, pānis, bread, olīvae olives — digitīs — with fingers sūmēbātur! was taken!
DISCIPULUS: Et and culter? the knife?
MAGISTER: Cultrō with a knife cibus food in in culīnā the kitchen scindēbātur was cut — ante — before cēnam! dinner! Ad at mēnsam, the table, cibus food iam already in in frustā pieces sectus cut erat. was. Hospitēs guests ipsī themselves rārō rarely cultrīs knives ūtēbantur. used to use.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō therefore digitī fingers erant were īnstrūmenta the instruments prīmāria! primary!
MAGISTER: Ita so vērō! indeed! Et and hīc here intellegis you understand cūr why manūs hands tam so saepe often lavārentur! were washed! Mundītiēs cleanliness erat was necessāria necessary — nōn — not sōlum only ante before cēnam, dinner, sed but inter during cēnam dinner et and post after cēnam! dinner!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, Rōmānīne furcīs ūtēbantur? Master, did the Romans use forks?
MAGISTER: Minimē! Furcae rārissimē ūsūrpābantur in antīquitāte. Rōmānī digitīs cibum capiēbant! Not at all! Forks were very rarely used in antiquity. The Romans used to take food with their fingers!
DISCIPULUS: Digitīs? Nōnne sordidum erat? With their fingers? Was it not dirty?
MAGISTER: Nōn ita! Ante cēnam manūs lavābant. Not so! Before dinner they used to wash their hands.
Et inter fercula quoque — servī aquam et lintea afferēbant ut hospitēs manūs tergērent! And between courses also — slaves used to bring water and linens so that the guests might wipe their hands!
DISCIPULUS: Et cochleāre — ad quid erat? And a spoon — for what was it?
MAGISTER: Ad iūsculum et pulmentum! Cibus liquidus cochleārī hauriēbātur. For broth and pottage! Liquid food was drawn up with a spoon.
Cibus solidus — carō, pānis, olīvae — digitīs sūmēbātur! Solid food — meat, bread, olives — was taken with fingers!
DISCIPULUS: Et culter? And the knife?
MAGISTER: Cultrō cibus in culīnā scindēbātur — ante cēnam! Food was cut with a knife in the kitchen — before dinner!
Ad mēnsam, cibus iam in frustā sectus erat. Hospitēs ipsī rārō cultrīs ūtēbantur. At the table, the food was already cut into pieces. The guests themselves rarely used knives.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō digitī erant īnstrūmenta prīmāria! Therefore fingers were the primary instruments!
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Et hīc intellegis cūr manūs tam saepe lavārentur! So indeed! And here you understand why hands were washed so often!
Mundītiēs erat necessāria — nōn sōlum ante cēnam, sed inter cēnam et post cēnam! Cleanliness was necessary — not only before dinner, but during dinner and after dinner!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, Rōmānīne furcīs ūtēbantur?
MAGISTER: Minimē! Furcae rārissimē ūsūrpābantur in antīquitāte. Rōmānī digitīs cibum capiēbant!
DISCIPULUS: Digitīs? Nōnne sordidum erat?
MAGISTER: Nōn ita! Ante cēnam manūs lavābant. Et inter fercula quoque — servī aquam et lintea afferēbant ut hospitēs manūs tergērent!
DISCIPULUS: Et cochleāre — ad quid erat?
MAGISTER: Ad iūsculum et pulmentum! Cibus liquidus cochleārī hauriēbātur. Cibus solidus — carō, pānis, olīvae — digitīs sūmēbātur!
DISCIPULUS: Et culter?
MAGISTER: Cultrō cibus in culīnā scindēbātur — ante cēnam! Ad mēnsam, cibus iam in frustā sectus erat. Hospitēs ipsī rārō cultrīs ūtēbantur.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō digitī erant īnstrūmenta prīmāria!
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Et hīc intellegis cūr manūs tam saepe lavārentur! Mundītiēs erat necessāria — nōn sōlum ante cēnam, sed inter cēnam et post cēnam!
Dē Argūmentō Paedagōgicō:
This colloquium explains Roman dining customs: the rare use of forks in antiquity, eating with fingers, the spoon for liquid foods, and the knife used primarily in the kitchen before the meal. It emphasizes the importance of hand-washing throughout the meal.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Deponent ūtor + ablative: furcīs ūtēbantur, cultrīs ūtēbantur -
Purpose clause: ut hospitēs manūs tergērent -
Passive subjunctive: cūr lavārentur (indirect question)
Match each Latin word with its meaning:
Vocābulum Significātiō 1. pileus a. glove 2. collāre b. sandal 3. chīrothēca c. cap 4. sandālium d. collar 5. cingulum e. belt
Complete with the correct word: -
Ad iūsculum et pulmentum est __________. (cochleāre / culter) -
Ēdulia alia scinduntur __________. (cochleārī / cultrō) -
Mappā sternimus __________. (mēnsam / patīnam)
-
Caps and collars are for the sake of respectability. -
We gird ourselves with a belt. -
We cover the table with a tablecloth. -
For broth there is a spoon. -
Other foods are cut with a knife.
-
Pileī et collāria sunt honestātis ergō. -
Cingulō nōs cingimus, ligulīs astringimus. -
Mappā sternimus mēnsam. -
Ad iūsculum et pulmentum est cochleāre. -
Convīvium bonum pendet ā cibō bonō.
Translate into Latin using ergō: -
for the sake of glory (glōria) -
for the sake of example (exemplum) -
for the sake of honor (honor)
Memorize these sentences: -
Pileī et collāria, chīrothēcae et sandālia sunt honestātis ergō. Caps and collars, gloves and sandals are for the sake of respectability. -
Cingulō nōs cingimus, ligulīs astringimus. We gird ourselves with a belt, we fasten with straps. -
Mappā sternimus mēnsam. We cover the table with a tablecloth. -
Ad iūsculum et pulmentum est cochleāre. Ēdulia alia scinduntur cultrō. For broth and pottage there is a spoon. Other foods are cut with a knife. -
Ōrnāmenta externa nihil valent — sapientia interiōr omnia! External adornments are worth nothing — interior wisdom everything!
-
c (pileus = cap) -
d (collāre = collar) -
a (chīrothēca = glove) -
b (sandālium = sandal) -
e (cingulum = belt)
-
cochleāre -
cultrō -
mēnsam
-
Pileī et collāria sunt honestātis ergō. -
Cingulō nōs cingimus. -
Mappā mēnsam sternimus. -
Ad iūsculum est cochleāre. -
Ēdulia alia cultrō scinduntur.
-
Caps and collars are for the sake of respectability. -
We gird ourselves with a belt, we fasten with straps. -
We cover the table with a tablecloth. -
For broth and pottage there is a spoon. -
A good banquet depends on good food.
-
glōriae ergō -
exemplī ergō -
honōris ergō
In proximā lectiōne dē cēnā plēniōre discēmus! Vidēbimus quōmodo muscās abigāmus, quōmodo patīnās tollāmus, quōmodo in pōculum īnfundāmus et hospitibus propīnēmus. Et dē candēlīs audiēmus — quōmodo accendantur et ēmungantur! Muscās abige muscāriō. Tolle patīnās. Īnfunde in pōculum, et propīnā hospitibus. Accende candēlam, inde candēlābrō.
In the next lesson we shall learn about a fuller dinner! We shall see how we drive away flies, how we take away dishes, how we pour into the cup and drink to the guests. And we shall hear about candles — how they are lit and snuffed! Drive away flies with a fly-whisk. Take away the dishes. Pour into the cup, and drink to the guests. Light a candle, put it in the candlestick.
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
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