← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
###
114.1 Imperātor general epistulam letter ad to senātum senate mittit sends
114.2 Pater father fīlium son suum his ad to magnum great bellum war mīsit sent
114.3 Māter mother servum slave ad to mercātum market mittere to send vult wishes
114.4 Nōs we explōrātōrēs scouts in into silvās forests mittēmus will send
114.5 Senātus senate lēgātōs ambassadors ad to hostēs enemies mīserat had sent
114.6 Mittunt they send agricolae farmers frūmentum grain in into urbem city
114.7 Rēx king nūntiōs messengers per through tōtam whole prōvinciam province mittere to send iubet orders
114.8 Dux leader mīlitēs soldiers contrā against hostium of enemies castra camp mīserat had sent
114.9 Deī gods mortalibus to mortals signa signs dē about futūrīs future things mittunt send
114.10 Magister teacher discipulum student ad to bibliopōlam bookseller mittit sends
114.11 Cīvēs citizens auxilia help ad to urbēs cities oppugnātās besieged mīsērunt sent
114.12 Mittendae to be sent sunt are cōpiae forces in into Galliam Gaul
114.13 Pontifex high priest vīctimās victims ad to āram altar mittere to send solet is accustomed
114.14 Philosophus philosopher librōs books suōs his ad to amīcōs friends mittēbat was sending
114.15 Mittere to send tē you nōlō I do not wish in into perīculum danger
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
114.1 Imperātor epistulam ad senātum mittit. The general sends a letter to the senate.
114.2 Pater fīlium suum ad magnum bellum mīsit. The father sent his son to the great war.
114.3 Māter servum ad mercātum mittere vult. The mother wishes to send the slave to the market.
114.4 Explōrātōrēs in silvās mittēmus. We will send scouts into the forests.
114.5 Senātus lēgātōs ad hostēs iam mīserat. The senate had already sent ambassadors to the enemies.
114.6 Agricolae frūmentum in urbem mittunt. The farmers send grain into the city.
114.7 Rēx per tōtam prōvinciam nūntiōs mittere iubet. The king orders messengers to be sent through the whole province.
114.8 Contrā hostium castra mīlitēs dux mīserat. The leader had sent soldiers against the enemy camp.
114.9 Deī mortalibus signa dē futūrīs rēbus mittunt. The gods send signs about future events to mortals.
114.10 Magister discipulum ad bibliopōlam mittit. The teacher sends the student to the bookseller.
114.11 Cīvēs auxilia ad urbēs oppugnātās mīsērunt. The citizens sent aid to the besieged cities.
114.12 Cōpiae in Galliam mittendae sunt. Forces must be sent into Gaul.
114.13 Pontifex vīctimās ad āram mittere solet. The high priest is accustomed to sending victims to the altar.
114.14 Philosophus librōs suōs ad amīcōs mittēbat. The philosopher was sending his books to friends.
114.15 Tē in perīculum mittere nōlō. I do not wish to send you into danger.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
114.1 Imperātor epistulam ad senātum mittit.
114.2 Pater fīlium suum ad magnum bellum mīsit.
114.3 Māter servum ad mercātum mittere vult.
114.4 Explōrātōrēs in silvās mittēmus.
114.5 Senātus lēgātōs ad hostēs iam mīserat.
114.6 Agricolae frūmentum in urbem mittunt.
114.7 Rēx per tōtam prōvinciam nūntiōs mittere iubet.
114.8 Contrā hostium castra mīlitēs dux mīserat.
114.9 Deī mortalibus signa dē futūrīs rēbus mittunt.
114.10 Magister discipulum ad bibliopōlam mittit.
114.11 Cīvēs auxilia ad urbēs oppugnātās mīsērunt.
114.12 Cōpiae in Galliam mittendae sunt.
114.13 Pontifex vīctimās ad āram mittere solet.
114.14 Philosophus librōs suōs ad amīcōs mittēbat.
114.15 Tē in perīculum mittere nōlō.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The verb "mittō" is a fundamental third conjugation verb that English speakers will encounter frequently in Latin texts. Understanding its forms and usage patterns is essential for reading comprehension.
Principal Parts and Conjugation: -
mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (I send, to send, I sent/have sent, sent) -
Third conjugation verb with short stem vowel -i- -
Perfect stem: mīs- (note the long ī) -
Past participle: missus, -a, -um
Present System Forms: -
Present: mittō, mittis, mittit, mittimus, mittitis, mittunt -
Imperfect: mittēbam, mittēbās, mittēbat, mittēbāmus, mittēbātis, mittēbant -
Future: mittam, mittēs, mittet, mittēmus, mittētis, mittent
Perfect System Forms: -
Perfect: mīsī, mīsistī, mīsit, mīsimus, mīsistis, mīsērunt -
Pluperfect: mīseram, mīserās, mīserat, mīserāmus, mīserātis, mīserant -
Future Perfect: mīserō, mīseris, mīserit, mīserimus, mīseritis, mīserint
Common Constructions with mittō: -
Direct Object + Prepositional Phrase: "epistulam ad senātum mittit" (sends a letter to the senate) -
Double Accusative: "mittit nūntium rēgem" (sends a messenger to the king) -
Passive Construction: "mittendae sunt cōpiae" (forces must be sent) - gerundive of obligation -
Infinitive Construction: "mittere vult" (wishes to send)
Prepositions Used with mittō: -
ad + accusative (to, toward): "ad urbem mittit" -
in + accusative (into, against): "in Galliam mittunt" -
contrā + accusative (against): "contrā hostēs mittit" -
per + accusative (through): "per prōvinciam mittit"
Word Order Variations: Latin authors varied word order for emphasis and style. Notice these patterns: -
Verb-final emphasis: "epistulam ad senātum mittit" -
Verb-initial emphasis: "mittunt agricolae frūmentum" -
Object-initial emphasis: "explōrātōrēs in silvās mittēmus"
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers learning Latin, understanding "mittō" requires grasping the Roman concepts of communication, military organization, and social hierarchy that shaped how Romans "sent" things and people.
Roman Communication Systems: Romans developed sophisticated systems for sending messages across their vast empire. The cursus publicus (public post) was a state-run courier system that enabled rapid communication between Rome and distant provinces. Private citizens used slaves, freedmen, or hired messengers to carry personal correspondence. Understanding these systems helps explain why "mittō" appears so frequently in contexts involving letters (epistulae), messengers (nūntiī), and official communications.
Military Applications: In military contexts, "mittō" encompasses the strategic deployment of forces, reconnaissance missions, and tactical communications. Roman generals regularly sent scouts (explōrātōrēs) ahead of the main army, dispatched cohorts to specific positions, and communicated with other commanders through military messengers. The verb appears in Caesar's Commentaries and other military histories because Roman warfare depended heavily on coordinated movement and communication.
Religious and Ceremonial Usage: Romans believed gods "sent" signs (signa) to mortals through various omens - bird flights, lightning patterns, or unusual events. This religious usage of "mittō" reflects Roman concepts of divine communication. Similarly, in sacrificial contexts, priests would "send" offerings to the gods by placing them on altars or casting them into sacred fires.
Social and Economic Dimensions: The verb also reflects Roman social structures. Paterfamilias (heads of households) would send family members on various missions, masters would send slaves to markets or on errands, and teachers would send students to acquire books or materials. These uses reveal the hierarchical nature of Roman society and the authority relationships that governed daily life.
Modern Connections: English words derived from "mittō" include "mission," "missile," "transmission," "admission," "commission," and "emit." Understanding the Latin root helps English speakers grasp the semantic connections between these related concepts, all involving the idea of sending or letting go.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From Caesar's "Bellum Gallicum" (1.7.1-2):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Hīs to these rēbus things adductī led et and auctōritāte by authority Orgetorīgis of Orgetorix permōtī moved cōnstituērunt they decided ea those things quae which ad for proficīscendum setting out pertinērent would pertain comparāre to prepare, iūmentōrum of pack animals et and carrōrum of wagons quam as maximum greatest numerum number coemere to buy up.
"Hīs rēbus adductī et auctōritāte Orgetorīgis permōtī cōnstituērunt ea quae ad proficīscendum pertinērent comparāre, iūmentōrum et carrōrum quam maximum numerum coemere."
Led by these circumstances and moved by the authority of Orgetorix, they decided to prepare those things which would be necessary for setting out, to buy up the greatest possible number of pack animals and wagons.
This passage from Caesar's account of the Gallic Wars demonstrates the careful planning required for the Helvetii's attempted migration. Caesar uses "mittō" implicitly in the concept of "proficīscendum" (setting out), showing how Roman authors connected the ideas of sending forth and departure. The passage illustrates Roman military precision in describing logistical preparations.
-
"adductī" and "permōtī" are perfect passive participles showing completed action -
"cōnstituērunt" introduces indirect discourse with infinitives "comparāre" and "coemere" -
"quae ad proficīscendum pertinērent" is a relative clause with subjunctive showing purpose -
"quam maximum" is a superlative construction meaning "as great as possible" -
The ablative absolute construction "hīs rēbus adductī" shows cause
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾Genre Section: Epistolary Work (Letter)
114.16 Marcus Marcus Lūciō to Lucius amīcō friend suō his salūtem greetings dīcit says
114.17 Epistulam letter tuam your hesternō yesterday diē on day accēpī I received et and magnā with great cum with laetītiā joy lēgī I read
114.18 Nunc now tibī to you respōnsum response mittere to send cupiō I desire dē about rēbus matters quās which scrīpsistī you wrote
114.19 Pater father meus my tē you Rōmam to Rome mittere to send vult wishes ut so that rhētōricam rhetoric discās you may learn
114.20 Ego I quoque also tēcum with you īre to go cupiō desire sed but māter mother mē me domī at home retinet keeps
114.21 Frāter brother meus my iam already Athēnās to Athens missus sent est is ā by patre father ad for philosophiam philosophy studendam to be studied
114.22 Magister teacher noster our librōs books novōs new ex from Alexandriā Alexandria mittī to be sent iussit ordered
114.23 Mercātor merchant quīdam a certain nōbīs to us nūntium message mīsit sent dē about nāvibus ships quae which Corinthō from Corinth veniunt come
114.24 Pecūniam money quam which petīvistī you requested cum with hāc this epistulā letter mittō I send per through servum slave fidēlem faithful
114.25 Uxor wife mea my tibī to you salūtem greetings mittit sends et and tē you vidēre to see valdē greatly cupit desires
114.26 Servōs slaves duōs two ad to vīllam villa tuam your mittam I will send quī who agrōs fields colant may cultivate
114.27 Nūntius messenger ā from senātū senate missus sent nova new dē about bellō war Parthicō Parthian attulit brought
114.28 Medicōs doctors optimōs best ad to aegrum sick man patrem father tuum your mittere to send cōnstituī I decided
114.29 Litterae letters tuae your semper always mihi to me grātae pleasing sunt are mittē send saepius more often
114.30 Valē farewell amīce friend carissime dearest et and mē me certum certain fac make dē about studiīs studies tuīs your
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
114.16 Marcus Lūciō amīcō suō salūtem dīcit. Marcus sends greetings to Lucius, his friend.
114.17 Epistulam tuam hesternō diē accēpī et magnā cum laetītiā lēgī. I received your letter yesterday and read it with great joy.
114.18 Nunc tibī respōnsum dē rēbus quās scrīpsistī mittere cupiō. Now I desire to send you a response about the matters you wrote.
114.19 Pater meus tē Rōmam mittere vult ut rhētōricam discās. My father wishes to send you to Rome so that you may learn rhetoric.
114.20 Ego quoque tēcum īre cupiō, sed māter mē domī retinet. I also desire to go with you, but mother keeps me at home.
114.21 Frāter meus iam Athēnās ā patre missus est ad philosophiam studendam. My brother has already been sent to Athens by father to study philosophy.
114.22 Magister noster librōs novōs ex Alexandriā mittī iussit. Our teacher ordered new books to be sent from Alexandria.
114.23 Mercātor quīdam nōbīs nūntium dē nāvibus quae Corinthō veniunt mīsit. A certain merchant sent us a message about ships that are coming from Corinth.
114.24 Pecūniam quam petīvistī cum hāc epistulā per servum fidēlem mittō. I am sending the money you requested with this letter through a faithful slave.
114.25 Uxor mea tibī salūtem mittit et tē vidēre valdē cupit. My wife sends you greetings and greatly desires to see you.
114.26 Servōs duōs ad vīllam tuam mittam quī agrōs colant. I will send two slaves to your villa who may cultivate the fields.
114.27 Nūntius ā senātū missus nova dē bellō Parthicō attulit. A messenger sent from the senate brought news about the Parthian war.
114.28 Medicōs optimōs ad aegrum patrem tuum mittere cōnstituī. I decided to send the best doctors to your sick father.
114.29 Litterae tuae semper mihi grātae sunt; mittē saepius. Your letters are always pleasing to me; send them more often.
114.30 Valē, amīce carissime, et mē certum fac dē studiīs tuīs. Farewell, dearest friend, and make me certain about your studies.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
114.16 Marcus Lūciō amīcō suō salūtem dīcit.
114.17 Epistulam tuam hesternō diē accēpī et magnā cum laetītiā lēgī.
114.18 Nunc tibī respōnsum dē rēbus quās scrīpsistī mittere cupiō.
114.19 Pater meus tē Rōmam mittere vult ut rhētōricam discās.
114.20 Ego quoque tēcum īre cupiō, sed māter mē domī retinet.
114.21 Frāter meus iam Athēnās ā patre missus est ad philosophiam studendam.
114.22 Magister noster librōs novōs ex Alexandriā mittī iussit.
114.23 Mercātor quīdam nōbīs nūntium dē nāvibus quae Corinthō veniunt mīsit.
114.24 Pecūniam quam petīvistī cum hāc epistulā per servum fidēlem mittō.
114.25 Uxor mea tibī salūtem mittit et tē vidēre valdē cupit.
114.26 Servōs duōs ad vīllam tuam mittam quī agrōs colant.
114.27 Nūntius ā senātū missus nova dē bellō Parthicō attulit.
114.28 Medicōs optimōs ad aegrum patrem tuum mittere cōnstituī.
114.29 Litterae tuae semper mihi grātae sunt; mittē saepius.
114.30 Valē, amīce carissime, et mē certum fac dē studiīs tuīs.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Epistolary Conventions and the Use of mittō:
Roman letters followed specific conventions that modern English speakers learning Latin should understand. The verb "mittō" appears in multiple contexts within epistolary literature, each with distinct grammatical patterns.
1. Letter Openings and Closings: The standard Roman letter greeting "salūtem dīcit" (literally "says greeting") often alternated with "salūtem mittit" (sends greeting). Example from our text: "Marcus Lūciō amīcō suō salūtem dīcit" uses the conventional dative of the addressee (Lūciō amīcō suō) followed by the greeting formula.
2. Perfect Tense Epistolary Usage: Notice the epistolary perfect in "accēpī" (I received) and "lēgī" (I read). These perfects indicate completed actions from the reader's perspective when they receive the letter. Similarly, "mīsit" and "missus est" show completed sending actions.
3. Purpose Clauses with mittō: Example: "Pater meus tē Rōmam mittere vult ut rhētōricam discās" -
"ut + subjunctive" expresses purpose -
"discās" is present subjunctive (primary sequence) -
The construction shows the reason for sending
4. Passive Constructions: "Frāter meus iam Athēnās ā patre missus est" demonstrates: -
Perfect passive construction (missus est) -
Ablative of agent (ā patre) -
Place to which (Athēnās - accusative without preposition)
5. Gerundive Constructions: "ad philosophiam studendam" shows the gerundive expressing purpose: -
gerundive (studenda) agrees with feminine noun (philosophia) -
"ad + accusative gerundive" = "for the purpose of doing"
6. Relative Clauses in Letters: "quī agrōs colant" - relative clause of purpose: -
subjunctive (colant) because it expresses purpose -
"quī" refers back to "servōs duōs"
7. Imperatives in Correspondence: "mittē saepius" and "valē" demonstrate common epistolary imperatives: -
friendly commands typical in personal letters -
"valē" (farewell) is the standard letter closing
8. Indirect Commands: "medicōs optimōs...mittere cōnstituī" shows: -
complementary infinitive with verbs of deciding -
perfect tense indicating decision already made
This epistolary genre showcases how "mittō" functions in real social contexts, demonstrating the interconnected nature of Roman social networks, education, business, and family relationships through the medium of written correspondence.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
---