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128.1 Pater father prō for familiā family labōrat works
128.2 Mīlitēs soldiers prō for patriā country pugnant fight
128.3 Prō for amīcō friend meō my loquor I speak
128.4 Ōrātor orator prō on behalf of rēō defendant dīcit speaks
128.5 Prō in proportion to meritīs merits tuīs your praemium reward accipis you receive
128.6 Māter mother prō for līberīs children vigilat keeps watch
128.7 Sacerdōs priest prō for populō people deōs gods ōrat prays to
128.8 Prō in proportion to labōre work pecūniam money damus we give
128.9 Senātōrēs senators prō for rē matter pūblicā public cōnsulunt deliberate
128.10 Prō on behalf of captīvīs captives lēgātus ambassador vēnit comes
128.11 Agricolae farmers prō in front of templō temple stant stand
128.12 Prō for salūte safety omnium of all dux leader pugnat fights
128.13 Advocātus advocate prō on behalf of clientibus clients causam case agit pleads
128.14 Prō in proportion to vīribus strength onera burdens portāmus we carry
128.15 Rēx king prō for pāce peace lēgātōs ambassadors mittit sends
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128.1 Pater prō familiā labōrat. The father works for his family.
128.2 Mīlitēs prō patriā pugnant. Soldiers fight for their country.
128.3 Prō amīcō meō loquor. I speak on behalf of my friend.
128.4 Ōrātor prō rēō dīcit. The orator speaks for the defendant.
128.5 Prō meritīs tuīs praemium accipis. You receive a reward in proportion to your merits.
128.6 Māter prō līberīs vigilat. A mother keeps watch for her children.
128.7 Sacerdōs prō populō deōs ōrat. The priest prays to the gods for the people.
128.8 Prō labōre pecūniam damus. We give money in proportion to the work.
128.9 Senātōrēs prō rē pūblicā cōnsulunt. The senators deliberate for the public good.
128.10 Prō captīvīs lēgātus vēnit. The ambassador comes on behalf of the captives.
128.11 Agricolae prō templō stant. The farmers stand in front of the temple.
128.12 Prō salūte omnium dux pugnat. The leader fights for everyone's safety.
128.13 Advocātus prō clientibus causam agit. The advocate pleads the case for his clients.
128.14 Prō vīribus onera portāmus. We carry burdens in proportion to our strength.
128.15 Rēx prō pāce lēgātōs mittit. The king sends ambassadors for peace.
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128.1 Pater prō familiā labōrat.
128.2 Mīlitēs prō patriā pugnant.
128.3 Prō amīcō meō loquor.
128.4 Ōrātor prō rēō dīcit.
128.5 Prō meritīs tuīs praemium accipis.
128.6 Māter prō līberīs vigilat.
128.7 Sacerdōs prō populō deōs ōrat.
128.8 Prō labōre pecūniam damus.
128.9 Senātōrēs prō rē pūblicā cōnsulunt.
128.10 Prō captīvīs lēgātus vēnit.
128.11 Agricolae prō templō stant.
128.12 Prō salūte omnium dux pugnat.
128.13 Advocātus prō clientibus causam agit.
128.14 Prō vīribus onera portāmus.
128.15 Rēx prō pāce lēgātōs mittit.
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For English speakers learning Latin, "prō" is a versatile preposition that always takes the ablative case. Here are its key uses: -
Basic Meaning - "for, on behalf of" -
Example: "prō patriā" (for one's country) -
This is the most common usage, expressing benefit or support -
"In proportion to, according to" -
Example: "prō meritīs" (in proportion to merits) -
Shows proportional relationship between two things -
"In front of" (spatial) -
Example: "prō templō" (in front of the temple) -
Less common but important spatial meaning -
Word Order Patterns: -
Can precede its object: "prō amīcō loquor" -
Can be separated from object: "prō rē pūblicā" -
Often placed for emphasis at sentence beginning -
Common Expressions: -
prō certō habēre = to regard as certain -
prō virīlī parte = to the best of one's ability -
prō rē nātā = according to circumstances -
Contrast with Other Prepositions: -
prō + abl. = for/on behalf of -
prō + abl. ≠ propter + acc. (because of) -
prō emphasizes substitution or representation
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For English speakers, understanding "prō" requires grasping Roman concepts of duty and representation: -
Legal Context: -
Romans had professional advocates (advocātī) who spoke "prō" clients -
The phrase "prō rēō" (for the defendant) was common in courts -
Legal representation was a cornerstone of Roman justice -
Military Service: -
"Prō patriā morī" (to die for one's country) was the highest honor -
Soldiers swore oaths to fight "prō populō Rōmānō" -
Military service was seen as defending the state -
Religious Duty: -
Priests performed rituals "prō populō" (for the people) -
Private individuals made offerings "prō salūte" (for health/safety) -
Religious acts often done on behalf of others -
Social Obligations: -
Patrons acted "prō" their clients in legal and social matters -
The concept of acting for others was central to Roman society -
"Prō" relationships structured social hierarchy -
Modern Legacy: -
Pro bono (for the good) in legal services -
Pro forma (for form's sake) in business -
Pro rata (in proportion) in finance
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From Cicero's First Catiline Oration (1.1):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Quō to where ūsque at last tandem finally abūtēre will you abuse, Catilīna Catiline, patientiā patience nostrā? our? Quam how diū long etiam still furor madness iste that tuus your nōs us ēlūdet? will mock? Nihilne nothing tē you nocturnum nighttime praesidium guard Palātī of Palatine, nihil nothing urbis of city vigiliae watches, nihil nothing timor fear populī of people, nihil nothing concursus gathering bonōrum of good men omnium all, nihil nothing hic this mūnītissimus most fortified habendī of holding senātūs senate locus place, nihil nothing hōrum of these ōra faces vultūsque and expressions mōvērunt? have moved? Patēre to lie open tua your cōnsilia plans nōn not sentīs? do you perceive?
Quō ūsque tandem abūtēre, Catilīna, patientiā nostrā? Quam diū etiam furor iste tuus nōs ēlūdet? Nihilne tē nocturnum praesidium Palātī, nihil urbis vigiliae, nihil timor populī, nihil concursus bonōrum omnium, nihil hic mūnītissimus habendī senātūs locus, nihil hōrum ōra vultūsque mōvērunt? Patēre tua cōnsilia nōn sentīs?
How far at last will you abuse our patience, Catiline? How long will that madness of yours still mock us? Has the nighttime guard of the Palatine moved you not at all, nothing the watches of the city, nothing the fear of the people, nothing the gathering of all good men, nothing this most fortified place for holding the senate, nothing the faces and expressions of these men? Do you not perceive that your plans lie exposed?
Cicero opens his famous speech with rhetorical questions designed to shame Catiline. While this passage doesn't contain "prō," it demonstrates the Roman concept of acting for the state's welfare. Cicero positions himself as speaking "prō rē pūblicā" (for the republic) against Catiline's conspiracy. The accumulation of "nihil" emphasizes how obvious Catiline's guilt should be.
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"abūtēre" - future indicative, 2nd person singular -
"patientiā nostrā" - ablative with abūtor -
Series of "nihil" + nominatives as subjects -
"mōvērunt" - perfect indicative, emphasizing completed action -
"sentīs" - present indicative in rhetorical question
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128.16 In in forō forum Rōmānō Roman advocātus advocate clārus famous prō for juvene young man innocente innocent causam case agit pleads
128.17 Juvenis young man prō in front of tribūnālī tribunal stat stands et and timōre with fear tremit trembles
128.18 Accūsātor prosecutor crīmina charges gravia serious prō before jūdicibus judges prōfert brings forward
128.19 Prō on behalf of rēō defendant suō his advocātus advocate testēs witnesses bonōs good prōdūcit produces
128.20 Prīmus first testis witness prō for innocentiā innocence juvenis of young man clārē clearly loquitur speaks
128.21 Prō in proportion to gravitāte seriousness crīminis of crime poenae penalties sevērae severe prōpōnuntur are proposed
128.22 Māter mother juvenis of young man prō before jūdicibus judges lacrimīs with tears ōrat begs
128.23 Advocātus advocate prō for vēritāte truth et and jūstitiā justice ēloquenter eloquently dīcit speaks
128.24 Prō in accordance with lēgibus laws antīquīs ancient jūdicēs judges sententiam verdict cōnsīderant consider
128.25 Populus people prō in front of basilicā basilica exspectāns waiting dē about jūdiciō trial susurrat whispers
128.26 Prō for dēfēnsiōne defense optimā excellent advocātus advocate argūmenta arguments fortia strong praebet provides
128.27 Tandem finally jūdicēs judges prō in favor of juvene young man sententiam verdict prōnūntiant pronounce
128.28 Prō in proportion to innocentiā innocence dēmōnstrātā demonstrated juvenis young man līberātur is freed
128.29 Grātiās thanks māximās greatest familia family prō for auxiliō help advocātō to advocate agit gives
128.30 Prō for victōriā victory jūstitiae of justice omnēs all cīvēs citizens in in forō forum gaudent rejoice
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128.16 In forō Rōmānō advocātus clārus prō juvene innocente causam agit. In the Roman forum, a famous advocate pleads the case for an innocent young man.
128.17 Juvenis prō tribūnālī stat et timōre tremit. The young man stands before the tribunal and trembles with fear.
128.18 Accūsātor crīmina gravia prō jūdicibus prōfert. The prosecutor brings forward serious charges before the judges.
128.19 Prō rēō suō advocātus testēs bonōs prōdūcit. The advocate produces good witnesses on behalf of his defendant.
128.20 Prīmus testis prō innocentiā juvenis clārē loquitur. The first witness speaks clearly for the young man's innocence.
128.21 Prō gravitāte crīminis poenae sevērae prōpōnuntur. Severe penalties are proposed in proportion to the seriousness of the crime.
128.22 Māter juvenis prō jūdicibus lacrimīs ōrat. The young man's mother begs with tears before the judges.
128.23 Advocātus prō vēritāte et jūstitiā ēloquenter dīcit. The advocate speaks eloquently for truth and justice.
128.24 Prō lēgibus antīquīs jūdicēs sententiam cōnsīderant. The judges consider their verdict in accordance with ancient laws.
128.25 Populus prō basilicā exspectāns dē jūdiciō susurrat. The people waiting in front of the basilica whisper about the trial.
128.26 Prō dēfēnsiōne optimā advocātus argūmenta fortia praebet. For an excellent defense, the advocate provides strong arguments.
128.27 Tandem jūdicēs prō juvene sententiam prōnūntiant. Finally the judges pronounce their verdict in favor of the young man.
128.28 Prō innocentiā dēmōnstrātā juvenis līberātur. In proportion to his demonstrated innocence, the young man is freed.
128.29 Grātiās māximās familia prō auxiliō advocātō agit. The family gives greatest thanks to the advocate for his help.
128.30 Prō victōriā jūstitiae omnēs cīvēs in forō gaudent. All the citizens in the forum rejoice for the victory of justice.
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128.16 In forō Rōmānō advocātus clārus prō juvene innocente causam agit.
128.17 Juvenis prō tribūnālī stat et timōre tremit.
128.18 Accūsātor crīmina gravia prō jūdicibus prōfert.
128.19 Prō rēō suō advocātus testēs bonōs prōdūcit.
128.20 Prīmus testis prō innocentiā juvenis clārē loquitur.
128.21 Prō gravitāte crīminis poenae sevērae prōpōnuntur.
128.22 Māter juvenis prō jūdicibus lacrimīs ōrat.
128.23 Advocātus prō vēritāte et jūstitiā ēloquenter dīcit.
128.24 Prō lēgibus antīquīs jūdicēs sententiam cōnsīderant.
128.25 Populus prō basilicā exspectāns dē jūdiciō susurrat.
128.26 Prō dēfēnsiōne optimā advocātus argūmenta fortia praebet.
128.27 Tandem jūdicēs prō juvene sententiam prōnūntiant.
128.28 Prō innocentiā dēmōnstrātā juvenis līberātur.
128.29 Grātiās māximās familia prō auxiliō advocātō agit.
128.30 Prō victōriā jūstitiae omnēs cīvēs in forō gaudent.
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The legal narrative demonstrates multiple uses of "prō" in a Roman courtroom setting: -
"Prō" + person defended: -
"prō juvene innocente" (for the innocent young man) -
"prō rēō suō" (for his defendant) -
Shows the advocate's role as representative -
"Prō" meaning "before" (spatial): -
"prō tribūnālī" (before the tribunal) -
"prō jūdicibus" (before the judges) -
"prō basilicā" (in front of the basilica) -
Indicates physical position in court -
"Prō" meaning "in favor of": -
"prō juvene sententiam" (verdict in favor of the young man) -
"prō innocentiā" (for innocence) -
Used in legal decisions and support -
"Prō" meaning "in proportion to": -
"prō gravitāte crīminis" (in proportion to the crime's seriousness) -
"prō innocentiā dēmōnstrātā" (in proportion to demonstrated innocence) -
Shows Roman legal principle of proportional justice -
"Prō" in abstract concepts: -
"prō vēritāte et jūstitiā" (for truth and justice) -
"prō victōriā jūstitiae" (for the victory of justice) -
Expresses higher legal principles -
Legal vocabulary demonstrated: -
advocātus (advocate/lawyer) -
rēus (defendant) -
accūsātor (prosecutor) -
jūdicēs (judges) -
tribūnal (tribunal/court) -
sententia (verdict) -
testis (witness)
These examples show how "prō" functioned in Roman legal proceedings, where advocates literally stood "for" their clients and spoke "on their behalf" before judges who decided "in favor of" one party based on evidence presented "in proportion to" the gravity of the charges.
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