← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
On the Family II — Children and Inheritance
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Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! In lectiōne praecēdentī dē nūptiīs dīdicimus — dē spōnsō et spōnsā, dē marītō et marītā. Nunc ad frūctum nūptiārum prōgredimur — ad līberōs! Nūptiae enim sine līberīs quasi arbor sine frūctū sunt. Līberī autem sunt spēs futūra familiae!
Greetings, dearest students! In the preceding lesson we learned about marriage — about bridegroom and bride, about husband and wife. Now we proceed to the fruit of marriage — to children! For marriage without children is like a tree without fruit. But children are the future hope of the family!
Hodiē dē puerperā et nūtrīce discēmus, dē fīliīs et fīliābus, dē hērēdibus et dōtibus. Familia enim per generātiōnēs prōgreditur — et hērēditās ā parentibus ad līberōs trānsit!
Today we shall learn about the mother and nurse, about sons and daughters, about heirs and dowries. For the family progresses through generations — and inheritance passes from parents to children!
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Puerpera a mother peperit has given birth to puerum. a child. Hunc him osculātur kisses nūtrīx, the nurse, fovetque and cherishes in in gremiō. her lap. Fīlius a son est is hērēs, an heir, fīlia a daughter accipit receives dōtem. a dowry. Parentēs parents ēducunt bring up sobolem, their offspring, vitricus a stepfather et and noverca a stepmother prīvīgnōs. their stepchildren.
Puerpera peperit puerum — A mother (puerpera) has given birth to (peperit) a child (puerum). Puerpera (from puer + pariō) is a woman who has just given birth. Pariō, parere, peperī, partum means “to give birth, bear.”
Hunc osculātur nūtrīx, fovetque in gremiō — The nurse (nūtrīx) kisses (osculātur) him (hunc), and (-que) cherishes (fovet) [him] in (in) her lap (gremiō). Osculor is deponent (to kiss). Foveō means “to warm, cherish, nurture.” Gremium is the lap or bosom.
Fīlius est hērēs, fīlia accipit dōtem — A son (fīlius) is (est) an heir (hērēs), a daughter (fīlia) receives (accipit) a dowry (dōtem). In Roman law, sons inherited property; daughters received a dōs (dowry) at marriage.
Parentēs ēducunt sobolem — Parents (parentēs) bring up (ēducunt) their offspring (sobolem). Ēducō means “to bring up, rear, educate.” Sobolēs (or subolēs) means offspring, progeny.
Vitricus et noverca prīvīgnōs — A stepfather (vitricus) and (et) a stepmother (noverca) [bring up] their stepchildren (prīvīgnōs). Prīvīgnus is a stepchild (stepson); prīvīgna is a stepdaughter.
Puerpera peperit puerum. A mother has given birth to a child.
Hunc osculātur nūtrīx, fovetque in gremiō. The nurse kisses him, and cherishes him in her lap.
Fīlius est hērēs, fīlia accipit dōtem. A son is an heir, a daughter receives a dowry.
Parentēs ēducunt sobolem, vitricus et noverca prīvīgnōs. Parents bring up their offspring, a stepfather and stepmother their stepchildren.
Puerpera peperit puerum. Hunc osculātur nūtrīx, fovetque in gremiō. Fīlius est hērēs, fīlia accipit dōtem. Parentēs ēducunt sobolem, vitricus et noverca prīvīgnōs.
Pariō, parere, peperī, partum — an irregular verb:
Tempus Forma Significātiō praesēns parit she gives birth perfectum peperit she has given birth participium partus, -a, -um born
Note the reduplicated perfect: peperī.
Osculor, osculārī, osculātus sum — to kiss:
Forma Significātiō osculātur she kisses osculāta est she kissed osculandus to be kissed
From ōsculum (little mouth; kiss).
Vocābulum Significātiō puerpera mother (newly delivered) nūtrīx nurse, wet-nurse fīlius son fīlia daughter hērēs heir dōs, dōtis dowry parentēs parents sobolēs offspring vitricus stepfather noverca stepmother prīvīgnus stepson prīvīgna stepdaughter
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō puerpera, -ae (f.) nōmen mother (newly delivered) pariō, parere, peperī, partum verbum to give birth puer, puerī (m.) nōmen child, boy osculor, osculārī, osculātus sum verbum (dep.) to kiss nūtrīx, nūtrīcis (f.) nōmen nurse foveō, fovēre, fōvī, fōtum verbum to warm, cherish gremium, -ī (n.) nōmen lap, bosom fīlius, -ī (m.) nōmen son fīlia, -ae (f.) nōmen daughter hērēs, hērēdis (m./f.) nōmen heir dōs, dōtis (f.) nōmen dowry parentēs, -um (m. pl.) nōmen parents ēducō, ēducāre, ēducāvī, ēducātum verbum to bring up, rear sobolēs, -is (f.) nōmen offspring vitricus, -ī (m.) nōmen stepfather noverca, -ae (f.) nōmen stepmother prīvīgnus, -ī (m.) nōmen stepson, stepchild
Ōlim once pater a father dīves rich duōs two fīliōs sons habēbat. had. Prīmus the first fīlius son semper always dē about hērēditāte the inheritance cōgitābat. used to think. Rogābat he used to ask quandō when pater the father moritūrus about to die esset. was. Rogābat he used to ask quantum how much aurī of gold acceptūrus about to receive esset. he was.
Secundus the second fīlius son numquam never dē about hērēditāte the inheritance cōgitābat. used to think. Cum with patre his father labōrābat. he used to work. Artem the craft patris of his father discēbat. he used to learn. Dīcēbat he used to say sē himself velle to want patrem his father diū for a long time vīvere. to live.
Pater the father aegrōtāvit. fell ill. Prīmus the first fīlius son gaudēbat was rejoicing — sed — but gaudium his joy cēlābat. he was hiding. Secundus the second fīlius son lacrimābat was weeping et and patrem his father cūrābat. was caring for.
Ante before mortem, death, pater the father fīliōs his sons vocāvit. summoned. “Fīlī “sons meī,” my,” inquit, he said, “hērēditātem “the inheritance meam my dīvidō.” I divide.”
Ad to prīmum the first fīlium son dīxit: he said: “Tū “you aurum gold semper always amāvistī. have loved. Ergō therefore — aurum — gold tibi to you dō! I give! Omne all aurum the gold meum my accipe!” receive!”
Ad to secundum the second fīlium son dīxit: he said: “Tū “you mē me semper always amāvistī have loved — nōn — not aurum gold meum! my! Ergō therefore — tibi — to you dō I give quod what aurum gold emere to buy nōn not potest! is able! Tibi to you dō I give artem the craft meam, my, nōmen the name meum, my, sapientiam the wisdom meam! my! Haec these things sunt are vēra the true hērēditās!” inheritance!”
Pater the father mortuus having died est. was. Prīmus the first fīlius son aurum the gold accēpit received — et — and intrā within paucōs a few annōs years cōnsūmpsit! consumed! Secundus the second fīlius son arte with his craft paternā paternal labōrāvit worked — et — and plūs more aurī of gold sibi for himself fēcit made quam than frāter his brother accēperat! had received!
Haec this fābula fable docet: teaches: Vēra the true hērēditās inheritance nōn not in in aurō gold est is — sed — but in in arte craft et and sapientiā! wisdom! Aurum gold cōnsūmitur is consumed — sapientia — wisdom manet! remains! Melius better est is artem a craft hērēditāre to inherit quam than pecūniam! money!
Ōlim pater dīves duōs fīliōs habēbat. Once a rich father had two sons.
Prīmus fīlius semper dē hērēditāte cōgitābat. The first son always used to think about the inheritance.
Rogābat quandō pater moritūrus esset. Rogābat quantum aurī acceptūrus esset. He used to ask when the father was about to die. He used to ask how much gold he was about to receive.
Secundus fīlius numquam dē hērēditāte cōgitābat. The second son never used to think about the inheritance.
Cum patre labōrābat. Artem patris discēbat. He used to work with his father. He used to learn his father’s craft.
Dīcēbat sē velle patrem diū vīvere. He used to say that he wanted his father to live for a long time.
Pater aegrōtāvit. The father fell ill.
Prīmus fīlius gaudēbat — sed gaudium cēlābat. The first son was rejoicing — but was hiding his joy.
Secundus fīlius lacrimābat et patrem cūrābat. The second son was weeping and was caring for his father.
Ante mortem, pater fīliōs vocāvit. “Fīlī meī,” inquit, “hērēditātem meam dīvidō.” Before death, the father summoned his sons. “My sons,” he said, “I divide my inheritance.”
Ad prīmum fīlium dīxit: “Tū aurum semper amāvistī. Ergō — aurum tibi dō! Omne aurum meum accipe!” To the first son he said: “You have always loved gold. Therefore — I give gold to you! Receive all my gold!”
Ad secundum fīlium dīxit: “Tū mē semper amāvistī — nōn aurum meum!” To the second son he said: “You have always loved me — not my gold!”
“Ergō — tibi dō quod aurum emere nōn potest!” “Therefore — I give to you what gold cannot buy!”
“Tibi dō artem meam, nōmen meum, sapientiam meam! Haec sunt vēra hērēditās!” “I give to you my craft, my name, my wisdom! These are the true inheritance!”
Pater mortuus est. The father died.
Prīmus fīlius aurum accēpit — et intrā paucōs annōs cōnsūmpsit! The first son received the gold — and within a few years consumed it!
Secundus fīlius arte paternā labōrāvit — et plūs aurī sibi fēcit quam frāter accēperat! The second son worked with his paternal craft — and made more gold for himself than his brother had received!
Haec fābula docet: Vēra hērēditās nōn in aurō est — sed in arte et sapientiā! This fable teaches: The true inheritance is not in gold — but in craft and wisdom!
Aurum cōnsūmitur — sapientia manet! Gold is consumed — wisdom remains!
Melius est artem hērēditāre quam pecūniam! It is better to inherit a craft than money!
Ōlim pater dīves duōs fīliōs habēbat. Prīmus fīlius semper dē hērēditāte cōgitābat. Rogābat quandō pater moritūrus esset. Rogābat quantum aurī acceptūrus esset.
Secundus fīlius numquam dē hērēditāte cōgitābat. Cum patre labōrābat. Artem patris discēbat. Dīcēbat sē velle patrem diū vīvere.
Pater aegrōtāvit. Prīmus fīlius gaudēbat — sed gaudium cēlābat. Secundus fīlius lacrimābat et patrem cūrābat.
Ante mortem, pater fīliōs vocāvit. “Fīlī meī,” inquit, “hērēditātem meam dīvidō.”
Ad prīmum fīlium dīxit: “Tū aurum semper amāvistī. Ergō — aurum tibi dō! Omne aurum meum accipe!”
Ad secundum fīlium dīxit: “Tū mē semper amāvistī — nōn aurum meum! Ergō — tibi dō quod aurum emere nōn potest! Tibi dō artem meam, nōmen meum, sapientiam meam! Haec sunt vēra hērēditās!”
Pater mortuus est. Prīmus fīlius aurum accēpit — et intrā paucōs annōs cōnsūmpsit! Secundus fīlius arte paternā labōrāvit — et plūs aurī sibi fēcit quam frāter accēperat!
Haec fābula docet: Vēra hērēditās nōn in aurō est — sed in arte et sapientiā! Aurum cōnsūmitur — sapientia manet! Melius est artem hērēditāre quam pecūniam!
Dē Argūmentō:
This fable contrasts two attitudes toward inheritance: the greedy son who awaits gold vs. the loving son who values his father’s wisdom and craft. The son who received “only” wisdom ultimately prospered more.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Future active participle: moritūrus, acceptūrus -
Indirect question: quandō moritūrus esset -
Partitive genitive: quantum aurī, plūs aurī -
Comparative: plūs aurī quam frāter accēperat
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, cūr why fīlius a son hērēs an heir erat, was, sed but fīlia a daughter sōlum only dōtem a dowry accipiēbat? used to receive?
MAGISTER: Hoc this erat was mōs the custom Rōmānōrum. of the Romans. Fīlius a son nōmen the name patris of the father ferēbat used to carry et and familiam the family continuābat. used to continue. Fīlia a daughter autem, however, quandō when nūbēbat, she married, in into familiam the family marītī of the husband trānsībat. used to pass.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō therefore dōs the dowry erat was quasi as if hērēditās the inheritance fīliae? of the daughter?
MAGISTER: Ita so — sed — but dōs the dowry proprietās the property fīliae of the daughter manēbat! used to remain! Sī if marītus the husband moriēbātur died aut or sī if dīvortium a divorce fiēbat, happened, dōs the dowry ad to fīliam the daughter redībat! used to return!
DISCIPULUS: Et and nūtrīx the nurse — quis who erat? was she?
MAGISTER: Nūtrīx the nurse erat was mulier a woman quae who īnfantem the infant alēbat used to nourish et and cūrābat. used to care for. Multī many Rōmānī Romans nūtrīcēs their nurses suās their per through tōtam the whole vītam life memoriā in memory tenēbant! used to hold!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr fīlius hērēs erat, sed fīlia sōlum dōtem accipiēbat? Master, why was a son an heir, but a daughter only used to receive a dowry?
MAGISTER: Hoc erat mōs Rōmānōrum. Fīlius nōmen patris ferēbat et familiam continuābat. This was the custom of the Romans. A son used to carry the father’s name and continue the family.
Fīlia autem, quandō nūbēbat, in familiam marītī trānsībat. A daughter however, when she married, used to pass into the husband’s family.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō dōs erat quasi hērēditās fīliae? Therefore the dowry was like the inheritance of the daughter?
MAGISTER: Ita — sed dōs proprietās fīliae manēbat! Yes — but the dowry used to remain the property of the daughter!
Sī marītus moriēbātur aut sī dīvortium fiēbat, dōs ad fīliam redībat! If the husband died or if a divorce happened, the dowry used to return to the daughter!
DISCIPULUS: Et nūtrīx — quis erat? And the nurse — who was she?
MAGISTER: Nūtrīx erat mulier quae īnfantem alēbat et cūrābat. The nurse was a woman who used to nourish and care for the infant.
Multī Rōmānī nūtrīcēs suās per tōtam vītam memoriā tenēbant! Many Romans used to hold their nurses in memory through their whole life!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr fīlius hērēs erat, sed fīlia sōlum dōtem accipiēbat?
MAGISTER: Hoc erat mōs Rōmānōrum. Fīlius nōmen patris ferēbat et familiam continuābat. Fīlia autem, quandō nūbēbat, in familiam marītī trānsībat.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō dōs erat quasi hērēditās fīliae?
MAGISTER: Ita — sed dōs proprietās fīliae manēbat! Sī marītus moriēbātur aut sī dīvortium fiēbat, dōs ad fīliam redībat!
DISCIPULUS: Et nūtrīx — quis erat?
MAGISTER: Nūtrīx erat mulier quae īnfantem alēbat et cūrābat. Multī Rōmānī nūtrīcēs suās per tōtam vītam memoriā tenēbant!
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A mother has given birth to a child. -
The nurse kisses him and cherishes him in her lap. -
A son is an heir, a daughter receives a dowry. -
Parents bring up their offspring.
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Puerpera peperit puerum. -
Hunc osculātur nūtrīx, fovetque in gremiō. -
Fīlius est hērēs, fīlia accipit dōtem. -
Vitricus et noverca prīvīgnōs ēducunt.
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Puerpera puerum peperit. -
Nūtrīx eum osculātur fovetque in gremiō. -
Fīlius est hērēs, fīlia dōtem accipit. -
Parentēs sobolem ēducunt.
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A mother has given birth to a child. -
The nurse kisses him and cherishes him in her lap. -
A son is an heir, a daughter receives a dowry. -
A stepfather and stepmother bring up their stepchildren.
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
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