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123.1 Caesar Caesar ipse himself autem however exercitum the army nōn not dūcit leads
123.2 Vēnit came autem moreover ad to nōs us magnus great poēta poet
123.3 Pater father meus my autem however aliud another thing cōnsilium plan habet has
123.4 Autem but hoc this vērum true nōn not est is
123.5 Rōmānī Romans victōrēs victors fuērunt were hostēs enemies autem however fortiter bravely pugnāvērunt fought
123.6 Māter mother fīliam daughter amat loves fīlius son autem however patrem father timet fears
123.7 Autem moreover nova new templa temples in in urbe city aedificāta built sunt were
123.8 Senātus senate pācem peace vult wants populus people autem but bellum war optat desires
123.9 Discipulī students student study magister teacher autem however dormit sleeps
123.10 Autem but quis who haec these things crēdit believes
123.11 Mīlitēs soldiers in in castrīs camp manent remain dux leader autem however domum home redit returns
123.12 Diēs day clārus bright erat was nox night autem however obscūra dark vēnit came
123.13 Autem moreover multae many nāvēs ships in in portū harbor vīsae seen sunt were
123.14 Agricolae farmers labōrant work nautae sailors autem but in in tabernā tavern bibunt drink
123.15 Sapiēns wise man vir man tacet is silent stultus fool autem however semper always loquitur speaks
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123.1 Caesar ipse autem exercitum nōn dūcit. Caesar himself, however, does not lead the army.
123.2 Vēnit autem ad nōs magnus poēta. Moreover, a great poet came to us.
123.3 Pater meus autem aliud cōnsilium habet. My father, however, has another plan.
123.4 Autem hoc vērum nōn est. But this is not true.
123.5 Rōmānī victōrēs fuērunt, hostēs autem fortiter pugnāvērunt. The Romans were victorious, but the enemies fought bravely.
123.6 Māter fīliam amat, fīlius autem patrem timet. The mother loves her daughter, but the son fears his father.
123.7 Autem nova templa in urbe aedificāta sunt. Moreover, new temples were built in the city.
123.8 Senātus pācem vult, populus autem bellum optat. The senate wants peace, but the people desire war.
123.9 Discipulī student, magister autem dormit. The students study, but the teacher sleeps.
123.10 Autem quis haec crēdit? But who believes these things?
123.11 Mīlitēs in castrīs manent, dux autem domum redit. The soldiers remain in camp, but the leader returns home.
123.12 Diēs clārus erat, nox autem obscūra vēnit. The day was bright, but dark night came.
123.13 Autem multae nāvēs in portū vīsae sunt. Moreover, many ships were seen in the harbor.
123.14 Agricolae labōrant, nautae autem in tabernā bibunt. The farmers work, but the sailors drink in the tavern.
123.15 Sapiēns vir tacet, stultus autem semper loquitur. The wise man is silent, but the fool always speaks.
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123.1 Caesar ipse autem exercitum nōn dūcit.
123.2 Vēnit autem ad nōs magnus poēta.
123.3 Pater meus autem aliud cōnsilium habet.
123.4 Autem hoc vērum nōn est.
123.5 Rōmānī victōrēs fuērunt, hostēs autem fortiter pugnāvērunt.
123.6 Māter fīliam amat, fīlius autem patrem timet.
123.7 Autem nova templa in urbe aedificāta sunt.
123.8 Senātus pācem vult, populus autem bellum optat.
123.9 Discipulī student, magister autem dormit.
123.10 Autem quis haec crēdit?
123.11 Mīlitēs in castrīs manent, dux autem domum redit.
123.12 Diēs clārus erat, nox autem obscūra vēnit.
123.13 Autem multae nāvēs in portū vīsae sunt.
123.14 Agricolae labōrant, nautae autem in tabernā bibunt.
123.15 Sapiēns vir tacet, stultus autem semper loquitur.
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For English speakers learning Latin, understanding "autem" requires attention to several key points: -
Position in the Sentence: -
Unlike English "but/however," autem NEVER begins a sentence in classical prose -
Usually appears as the second or third word (postpositive) -
Example: "Caesar autem vēnit" (But Caesar came) NOT "Autem Caesar vēnit" -
Three Main Uses:
a) Adversative (but, however): -
Contrasts with previous statement -
Example: "Rōmānī victōrēs fuērunt, hostēs autem fortiter pugnāvērunt" -
The Romans won, BUT the enemies fought bravely
b) Transitional (moreover, furthermore): -
Adds new information -
Example: "Vēnit autem ad nōs magnus poēta" -
Moreover, a great poet came to us
c) Resumptive (now, as for): -
Returns to main topic after digression -
Example: "Caesar autem exercitum dūxit" -
Now Caesar (to return to him) led the army -
Comparison with Other Connectives: -
sed = stronger contrast, can begin sentence -
autem = milder contrast, never begins sentence -
vērō = indeed, in fact (emphatic) -
at = but (sudden opposition) -
Word Order Patterns: -
Subject + autem + verb: "Caesar autem vēnit" -
Verb + autem + object: "Vīdit autem mīlitēs" -
Other word + autem: "Hodiē autem pluit" -
In Complex Sentences: -
Often connects parallel clauses -
Example: "Māter fīliam amat, fīlius autem patrem timet" -
Creates balanced contrasts
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For English speakers, understanding how Romans used "autem" requires cultural awareness: -
Rhetorical Style: -
Romans valued balanced prose (periodic sentences) -
Autem helped create elegant contrasts -
Used extensively in formal speeches and literature -
Cicero especially favored autem for subtle transitions -
Educational Practice: -
Students learned to use connectives properly -
Incorrect placement marked poor education -
Rhetorical schools taught precise usage -
Part of proper Latin style (Latinitas) -
Literary Convention: -
Different authors had preferences -
Caesar used autem sparingly -
Cicero used it frequently -
Poets avoided it (too prosaic) -
Modern Relevance: -
Understanding autem helps read Latin texts fluently -
Shows sophistication in Latin composition -
Essential for understanding Roman argument structure -
Influences modern academic writing style -
Translation Challenges: -
English lacks exact equivalent -
Must choose between "but," "however," "moreover" -
Context determines best translation -
Sometimes left untranslated for flow
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From Cicero's De Amicitia (27):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Nihil nothing est is enim for virtūte than virtue amābilius more lovable, nihil nothing quod which magis more alliciat attracts ad to dīligendum loving; quippe indeed cum when propter because of virtūtem virtue et and probitātem uprightness etiamne even eōs those quōs whom numquam never vīdimus we have seen quōdam in a certain modō way dīligāmus we love. Quis who est is quī who C. Gaius Fabricī Fabricius, M. Manius Curiī Curius nōn not cum with cāritāte affection aliquā some et and benevolentiā goodwill memoriam memory ūsurpet recalls, quōs whom numquam never vīderit he has seen? Quis who autem however est is quī who Tarquinium Tarquin Superbum the Proud, quī who Sp. Spurius Cassium Cassius, Sp. Spurius Maelium Maelius nōn not ōderit hates?
Nihil est enim virtūte amābilius, nihil quod magis alliciat ad dīligendum; quippe cum propter virtūtem et probitātem etiamne eōs quōs numquam vīdimus quōdam modō dīligāmus. Quis est quī C. Fabricī, M. Curiī nōn cum cāritāte aliquā et benevolentiā memoriam ūsurpet, quōs numquam vīderit? Quis autem est quī Tarquinium Superbum, quī Sp. Cassium, Sp. Maelium nōn ōderit?
For nothing is more lovable than virtue, nothing that more attracts us to love; indeed, because of virtue and uprightness we even love in a certain way those whom we have never seen. Who is there who does not recall with some affection and goodwill the memory of Gaius Fabricius and Manius Curius, whom he has never seen? But who is there who does not hate Tarquin the Proud, Spurius Cassius, and Spurius Maelius?
Cicero uses "autem" here to create a powerful contrast between virtuous historical figures we love despite never meeting them, and tyrants we hate. The placement of "autem" after "Quis" in the second question emphasizes the shift from positive to negative examples.
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"autem" appears in line 4, creating adversative contrast -
Postpositive position after "Quis" -
Parallel structure: "Quis est quī..." vs "Quis autem est quī..." -
Subjunctive "ōderit" and "vīderit" in relative clauses of characteristic -
Note how "autem" signals the shift from beloved heroes to hated tyrants
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123.16 Philosophus philosopher discipulum student interrogat questions quid what sit is fēlīcitās happiness discipulus student autem however dubitat doubts
123.17 Autem moreover omnēs all hominēs men fēlīcēs happy esse to be volunt wish
123.18 Discipulus student respondet answers dīvitiās riches fēlīcitātem happiness facere make philosophus philosopher autem however negat denies
123.19 Multī many enim for dīvitēs rich men sunt are miserī miserable autem however
123.20 Autem but quid what dē about glōriā glory dīcis do you say philosophus philosopher rogat asks
123.21 Glōria glory brevis brief est is virtūs virtue autem however aeterna eternal manet remains
123.22 Discipulus student iterum again quaerit seeks philosophus philosopher autem but patienter patiently docet teaches
123.23 Autem moreover sapientia wisdom sōla alone animum soul beātum blessed reddit renders
123.24 Stultī fools externa external things bona goods quaerunt seek sapientēs wise men autem however interna internal
123.25 Philosophus philosopher exemplum example dat gives Socratēs Socrates pauper poor fuit was fēlīx happy autem however
123.26 Autem but Alexander Alexander magnus great rēx king numquam never contentus content erat was
123.27 Discipulus student tandem finally intellegit understands vēra true fēlīcitās happiness in in animō soul est is nōn not autem however in in rēbus things
123.28 Autem moreover haec this doctrina teaching difficilis difficult est is sed but vēra true
123.29 Philosophus philosopher gaudet rejoices discipulus student enim for sapientior wiser fit becomes cotīdiē daily autem moreover
123.30 Mox soon discipulus student ipse himself aliōs others docēbit will teach philosophus philosopher autem however senex old requiēscet will rest
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123.16 Philosophus discipulum interrogat quid sit fēlīcitās, discipulus autem dubitat. The philosopher questions the student about what happiness is, but the student hesitates.
123.17 Autem omnēs hominēs fēlīcēs esse volunt. Moreover, all men wish to be happy.
123.18 Discipulus respondet dīvitiās fēlīcitātem facere, philosophus autem negat. The student answers that riches create happiness, but the philosopher denies it.
123.19 Multī enim dīvitēs sunt, miserī autem. For many are rich, yet miserable.
123.20 Autem quid dē glōriā dīcis? philosophus rogat. But what do you say about glory? the philosopher asks.
123.21 Glōria brevis est, virtūs autem aeterna manet. Glory is brief, but virtue remains eternal.
123.22 Discipulus iterum quaerit, philosophus autem patienter docet. The student seeks again, but the philosopher teaches patiently.
123.23 Autem sapientia sōla animum beātum reddit. Moreover, wisdom alone makes the soul blessed.
123.24 Stultī externa bona quaerunt, sapientēs autem interna. Fools seek external goods, but wise men seek internal ones.
123.25 Philosophus exemplum dat: Socratēs pauper fuit, fēlīx autem. The philosopher gives an example: Socrates was poor, yet happy.
123.26 Autem Alexander magnus rēx numquam contentus erat. But Alexander, the great king, was never content.
123.27 Discipulus tandem intellegit: vēra fēlīcitās in animō est, nōn autem in rēbus. The student finally understands: true happiness is in the soul, not in things.
123.28 Autem haec doctrina difficilis est sed vēra. Moreover, this teaching is difficult but true.
123.29 Philosophus gaudet, discipulus enim sapientior fit cotīdiē autem. The philosopher rejoices, for the student indeed becomes wiser daily.
123.30 Mox discipulus ipse aliōs docēbit, philosophus autem senex requiēscet. Soon the student himself will teach others, but the old philosopher will rest.
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123.16 Philosophus discipulum interrogat quid sit fēlīcitās, discipulus autem dubitat.
123.17 Autem omnēs hominēs fēlīcēs esse volunt.
123.18 Discipulus respondet dīvitiās fēlīcitātem facere, philosophus autem negat.
123.19 Multī enim dīvitēs sunt, miserī autem.
123.20 Autem quid dē glōriā dīcis? philosophus rogat.
123.21 Glōria brevis est, virtūs autem aeterna manet.
123.22 Discipulus iterum quaerit, philosophus autem patienter docet.
123.23 Autem sapientia sōla animum beātum reddit.
123.24 Stultī externa bona quaerunt, sapientēs autem interna.
123.25 Philosophus exemplum dat: Socratēs pauper fuit, fēlīx autem.
123.26 Autem Alexander magnus rēx numquam contentus erat.
123.27 Discipulus tandem intellegit: vēra fēlīcitās in animō est, nōn autem in rēbus.
123.28 Autem haec doctrina difficilis est sed vēra.
123.29 Philosophus gaudet, discipulus enim sapientior fit cotīdiē autem.
123.30 Mox discipulus ipse aliōs docēbit, philosophus autem senex requiēscet.
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In philosophical dialogue, "autem" serves specific rhetorical functions: -
Marking Speaker Transitions: -
Example: "Philosophus interrogat..., discipulus autem dubitat" -
The "autem" signals shift from teacher to student -
Creates dialogue rhythm -
Contrasting Philosophical Positions: -
Example: "Stultī externa bona quaerunt, sapientēs autem interna" -
Fools seek one thing, BUT wise men another -
Essential for philosophical argumentation -
Adding Progressive Arguments: -
Example: "Autem sapientia sōla animum beātum reddit" -
"Moreover" introduces new philosophical point -
Builds cumulative argument -
Special Philosophical Constructions:
a) With Adjectives as Substantives: -
"miserī autem" (yet miserable) -
"fēlīx autem" (yet happy) -
Creates paradoxical contrasts
b) In Indirect Questions: -
"quid sit fēlīcitās, discipulus autem dubitat" -
Autem emphasizes uncertainty
c) With Examples: -
"Socratēs pauper fuit, fēlīx autem" -
Historical examples with contrasts -
Position Variations in Dialogue: -
End position for emphasis: "miserī autem" -
After first word: "discipulus autem" -
Creating pause: "cotīdiē autem" -
Combining with Other Particles: -
"enim" (explanatory): "discipulus enim sapientior fit" -
"sed" (stronger contrast): "difficilis est sed vēra" -
"nōn autem" (not however): strong negation
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