← Latin for Lawyers, Judges and Notaries Public
25.1 Iūdex the judge māgnum great iūs right habet has
25.2 Māgna great auctōritās authority in in cūriā the court est is
25.3 Testāmentum the will māgnī of great virī man legimus we read
25.4 Nōtārius the notary māgnā with great cūrā care scrībit writes
25.5 Māgnae great pecūniae sums of money in in causā the case sunt are
25.6 Advocātus the advocate māgnum great pretium fee petit seeks
25.7 In in māgnīs great rēbus matters consilium counsel necesse necessary est is
25.8 Leges laws māgnō with great studiō zeal discimus we learn
25.9 Māgnum great crīmen crime poena punishment sequitur follows
25.10 Clientēs clients māgnās great spēs hopes habent have
25.11 Sententia the verdict māgnī of great momentī importance erit will be
25.12 Māgnīs to great iūdicibus judges honōrem honor damus we give
25.13 Contrāctus the contract māgnam great vim force habet has
25.14 Praetor the praetor māgnā with great potestāte power agit acts
25.15 Māgnae great lītēs lawsuits longum long tempus time requīrunt require
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25.1 Iūdex māgnum iūs habet. The judge has great authority.
25.2 Māgna auctōritās in cūriā est. There is great authority in the court.
25.3 Testāmentum māgnī virī legimus. We are reading the will of a great man.
25.4 Nōtārius māgnā cūrā scrībit. The notary writes with great care.
25.5 Māgnae pecūniae in causā sunt. Large sums of money are involved in the case.
25.6 Advocātus māgnum pretium petit. The advocate seeks a substantial fee.
25.7 In māgnīs rēbus consilium necesse est. In important matters, counsel is necessary.
25.8 Leges māgnō studiō discimus. We study the laws with great diligence.
25.9 Māgnum crīmen poena sequitur. Punishment follows a serious crime.
25.10 Clientēs māgnās spēs habent. The clients have high hopes.
25.11 Sententia māgnī momentī erit. The verdict will be of great importance.
25.12 Māgnīs iūdicibus honōrem damus. We give honor to distinguished judges.
25.13 Contrāctus māgnam vim habet. The contract has great force.
25.14 Praetor māgnā potestāte agit. The praetor acts with great power.
25.15 Māgnae lītēs longum tempus requīrunt. Major lawsuits require a long time.
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25.1 Iūdex māgnum iūs habet.
25.2 Māgna auctōritās in cūriā est.
25.3 Testāmentum māgnī virī legimus.
25.4 Nōtārius māgnā cūrā scrībit.
25.5 Māgnae pecūniae in causā sunt.
25.6 Advocātus māgnum pretium petit.
25.7 In māgnīs rēbus consilium necesse est.
25.8 Leges māgnō studiō discimus.
25.9 Māgnum crīmen poena sequitur.
25.10 Clientēs māgnās spēs habent.
25.11 Sententia māgnī momentī erit.
25.12 Māgnīs iūdicibus honōrem damus.
25.13 Contrāctus māgnam vim habet.
25.14 Praetor māgnā potestāte agit.
25.15 Māgnae lītēs longum tempus requīrunt.
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Māgnus -a -um is a first and second declension adjective, meaning "great, large, important, powerful." Like all adjectives of this class, it follows the pattern: -
Masculine forms use second declension endings (-us, -ī, -ō, -um, -ō) -
Feminine forms use first declension endings (-a, -ae, -ae, -am, -ā) -
Neuter forms use second declension neuter endings (-um, -ī, -ō, -um, -ō)
Key Forms: -
Nominative: māgnus (m.), māgna (f.), māgnum (n.) -
Genitive: māgnī (m./n.), māgnae (f.) -
Dative: māgnō (m./n.), māgnae (f.) -
Accusative: māgnum (m.), māgnam (f.), māgnum (n.) -
Ablative: māgnō (m./n.), māgnā (f.)
Usage in Legal Context: The adjective agrees with the noun it modifies in case, number, and gender. In legal Latin, māgnus often describes: -
Authority (auctōritās) -
Importance (momentum) -
Power (potestās) -
Care or diligence (cūra, studium)
Examples from the lesson: -
māgnā cūrā (ablative of manner) = "with great care" -
māgnī virī (genitive) = "of a great man" -
māgnum iūs (accusative direct object) = "great authority"
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In Roman legal culture, the concept of "māgnus" carried significant weight. A "vir māgnus" was not merely a physically large man, but one of great standing, authority, and influence in society. The term frequently appears in legal contexts to denote:
1. Social Standing: Roman law recognized different classes of citizens, and being of "māgna auctōritās" meant one's testimony carried more weight in court.
2. Legal Importance: Cases involving "māgnae pecūniae" (large sums) or "māgna crīmina" (serious crimes) were heard by higher courts with more experienced judges.
3. Professional Standards: Notaries and advocates were expected to exercise "māgna cūra" (great care) in their work, as errors in legal documents could have severe consequences.
4. Judicial Authority: Praetors and judges wielded "māgna potestās" (great power), including the ability to create new legal remedies through their edicts.
The Roman legal principle "māgna negōtia māgnōs virōs requīrunt" (great matters require great men) reflected the belief that important legal cases should be handled by the most experienced and respected members of the legal profession.
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Source: Cicero, Pro Murena 27
F-A (Interleaved Text for Beginners): Quod because sī if in in hāc this cīvitāte state māgnī great semper always habitī considered sunt have been eī those quī who populī of the people Rōmānī Roman suffragiīs by votes potuerunt were able rem the state pūblicam public vel either dēfendere to defend mīlitandō by serving as soldiers vel or augēre to increase vincendō by conquering, certē certainly in in honōrum of honors gradū rank nōn not sunt are antepōnendī to be placed before eī those quī who māgnārum of great rērum matters ūsum experience habent have.
F-B (Authentic Latin Text with Translation): Quod sī in hāc cīvitāte māgnī semper habitī sunt eī quī populī Rōmānī suffragiīs potuerunt rem pūblicam vel dēfendere mīlitandō vel augēre vincendō, certē in honōrum gradū nōn sunt antepōnendī eī quī māgnārum rērum ūsum habent.
Because if in this state those have always been considered great who, through the votes of the Roman people, were able either to defend the republic by military service or to expand it by conquest, certainly in the ranking of honors those who have experience of great affairs should not be placed below them.
F-C (Latin Text Only): Quod sī in hāc cīvitāte māgnī semper habitī sunt eī quī populī Rōmānī suffragiīs potuerunt rem pūblicam vel dēfendere mīlitandō vel augēre vincendō, certē in honōrum gradū nōn sunt antepōnendī eī quī māgnārum rērum ūsum habent.
F-D (Grammar Explanation of Citation): This passage demonstrates several uses of māgnus: -
māgnī habitī sunt = "have been considered great" (genitive of value) -
māgnārum rērum = "of great matters" (genitive plural feminine)
Cicero argues that experience in great affairs (māgnārum rērum ūsum) qualifies one for high office just as much as military achievement. The genitive māgnī expresses value or esteem, a common legal usage when discussing reputation or standing in the community.
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G.1 Senātus the senate māgnō with great cōnsēnsū agreement dēcrēvit decreed
G.2 Māgnus great numerus number cīvium of citizens aderat was present
G.3 Praetōrēs the praetors māgnā with great vōce voice prōnūntiāvērunt announced
G.4 Dē concerning māgnīs great iniūriīs injuries quaestiō investigation habētur is held
G.5 Māgnae great multae fines impōnuntur are imposed
G.6 Iūdicēs the judges māgnō with great opere effort causam the case cognōscunt examine
G.7 Testēs witnesses māgnī of great ponderis weight audiuntur are heard
G.8 Māgna great pars part lēgis of the law abrogātur is repealed
G.9 Lītigātōrēs the litigants māgnās great impēnsās expenses faciunt make
G.10 In in māgnō great forō forum ēdictum the edict recitātur is read
G.11 Māgnus great terror fear reum the defendant occupat seizes
G.12 Sententia the sentence māgnae of great sevēritātis severity fertur is passed
G.13 Māgnō at great pretiō price advocātus an advocate condūcitur is hired
G.14 Iūs the law māgnīs to great negōtiīs businesses applicātur is applied
G.15 Māgna with great dīligentiā diligence āctā the records servantur are preserved
G.1 Senātus māgnō cōnsēnsū dēcrēvit. The senate decreed with overwhelming agreement.
G.2 Māgnus numerus cīvium aderat. A large number of citizens was present.
G.3 Praetōrēs māgnā vōce prōnūntiāvērunt. The praetors announced in a loud voice.
G.4 Dē māgnīs iniūriīs quaestiō habētur. An investigation is being conducted concerning serious injuries.
G.5 Māgnae multae impōnuntur. Heavy fines are being imposed.
G.6 Iūdicēs māgnō opere causam cognōscunt. The judges examine the case with great effort.
G.7 Testēs māgnī ponderis audiuntur. Witnesses of great importance are being heard.
G.8 Māgna pars lēgis abrogātur. A large part of the law is being repealed.
G.9 Lītigātōrēs māgnās impēnsās faciunt. The litigants incur great expenses.
G.10 In māgnō forō ēdictum recitātur. The edict is read aloud in the great forum.
G.11 Māgnus terror reum occupat. Great fear seizes the defendant.
G.12 Sententia māgnae sevēritātis fertur. A sentence of great severity is passed.
G.13 Māgnō pretiō advocātus condūcitur. An advocate is hired at great cost.
G.14 Iūs māgnīs negōtiīs applicātur. The law is applied to major business dealings.
G.15 Māgnā dīligentiā āctā servantur. The records are preserved with great care.
G.1 Senātus māgnō cōnsēnsū dēcrēvit.
G.2 Māgnus numerus cīvium aderat.
G.3 Praetōrēs māgnā vōce prōnūntiāvērunt.
G.4 Dē māgnīs iniūriīs quaestiō habētur.
G.5 Māgnae multae impōnuntur.
G.6 Iūdicēs māgnō opere causam cognōscunt.
G.7 Testēs māgnī ponderis audiuntur.
G.8 Māgna pars lēgis abrogātur.
G.9 Lītigātōrēs māgnās impēnsās faciunt.
G.10 In māgnō forō ēdictum recitātur.
G.11 Māgnus terror reum occupat.
G.12 Sententia māgnae sevēritātis fertur.
G.13 Māgnō pretiō advocātus condūcitur.
G.14 Iūs māgnīs negōtiīs applicātur.
G.15 Māgnā dīligentiā āctā servantur.
Legal Decree Context: This genre section presents a coherent narrative of a major legal proceeding in ancient Rome. The adjective māgnus appears in various cases to modify different aspects of the legal process:
Ablative of Manner/Quality: -
māgnō cōnsēnsū = "with great agreement" -
māgnā vōce = "with a loud voice" -
māgnō opere = "with great effort" -
māgnā dīligentiā = "with great care"
Genitive of Quality: -
māgnī ponderis = "of great weight/importance" -
māgnae sevēritātis = "of great severity"
Ablative of Price: -
māgnō pretiō = "at a great price"
Direct Object (Accusative): -
māgnās impēnsās = "great expenses"
Subject (Nominative): -
māgnus numerus = "a great number" -
māgnus terror = "great fear"
The progression shows how māgnus emphasizes the significance of each element in the legal process, from the senate's decree to the preservation of records, highlighting the gravity and formality of Roman legal proceedings.
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