← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
133.1 Caesar Caesar ipse himself exercitum army dūcit leads
133.2 Imperātor general mīlitēs soldiers in into pugnam battle dūxit led
133.3 Puer boy canem dog domum home dūcere to lead vult wants
133.4 Uxōrem wife pulchram beautiful dūcet he will marry iuvenis young man
133.5 Quis who nōs us per through silvam forest dūcet will lead
133.6 Dux leader fortis brave cōpiās troops trāns across flūmen river dūxit led
133.7 Magister teacher discipulōs students ad to templum temple dūcēbat was leading
133.8 Vir man nōbilis noble fīliam daughter rēgis of king dūcere to marry cupit desires
133.9 Pastōrēs shepherds ovēs sheep in into agrōs fields dūcunt lead
133.10 Nautae sailors nāvem ship in into portum harbor tūtum safe dūxērunt led
133.11 Senex old man nepōtem grandson per through viās streets urbis of city dūcēbat was leading
133.12 Rōmānī Romans captīvōs captives multōs many Rōmam to Rome dūxērunt led
133.13 Equitēs cavalry equōs horses ad to aquam water dūcere to lead dēbent ought
133.14 Puella girl amīcam friend in into hortum garden pulchrum beautiful dūxit led
133.15 Rex king potēns powerful exercitūs armies magnōs great in into bellum war dūcit leads
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133.1 Caesar ipse exercitum dūcit. Caesar himself leads the army.
133.2 Imperātor mīlitēs in pugnam dūxit. The general led the soldiers into battle.
133.3 Puer canem domum dūcere vult. The boy wants to lead the dog home.
133.4 Uxōrem pulchram dūcet iuvenis. The young man will marry a beautiful wife.
133.5 Quis nōs per silvam dūcet? Who will lead us through the forest?
133.6 Dux fortis cōpiās trāns flūmen dūxit. The brave leader led the troops across the river.
133.7 Magister discipulōs ad templum dūcēbat. The teacher was leading the students to the temple.
133.8 Vir nōbilis fīliam rēgis dūcere cupit. The noble man desires to marry the king's daughter.
133.9 Pastōrēs ovēs in agrōs dūcunt. The shepherds lead the sheep into the fields.
133.10 Nautae nāvem in portum tūtum dūxērunt. The sailors brought the ship into a safe harbor.
133.11 Senex nepōtem per viās urbis dūcēbat. The old man was leading his grandson through the city streets.
133.12 Rōmānī captīvōs multōs Rōmam dūxērunt. The Romans led many captives to Rome.
133.13 Equitēs equōs ad aquam dūcere dēbent. The cavalry ought to lead the horses to water.
133.14 Puella amīcam in hortum pulchrum dūxit. The girl led her friend into the beautiful garden.
133.15 Rex potēns exercitūs magnōs in bellum dūcit. The powerful king leads great armies into war.
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133.1 Caesar ipse exercitum dūcit.
133.2 Imperātor mīlitēs in pugnam dūxit.
133.3 Puer canem domum dūcere vult.
133.4 Uxōrem pulchram dūcet iuvenis.
133.5 Quis nōs per silvam dūcet?
133.6 Dux fortis cōpiās trāns flūmen dūxit.
133.7 Magister discipulōs ad templum dūcēbat.
133.8 Vir nōbilis fīliam rēgis dūcere cupit.
133.9 Pastōrēs ovēs in agrōs dūcunt.
133.10 Nautae nāvem in portum tūtum dūxērunt.
133.11 Senex nepōtem per viās urbis dūcēbat.
133.12 Rōmānī captīvōs multōs Rōmam dūxērunt.
133.13 Equitēs equōs ad aquam dūcere dēbent.
133.14 Puella amīcam in hortum pulchrum dūxit.
133.15 Rex potēns exercitūs magnōs in bellum dūcit.
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For English speakers learning Latin, the verb dūcō is essential because it covers two distinct meanings: "to lead" and "to marry" (when used with uxōrem). -
Principal Parts: -
dūcō (I lead) - present active -
dūcere (to lead) - present infinitive -
dūxī (I led/have led) - perfect active -
ductum (led) - supine/past participle -
Conjugation Pattern (3rd Conjugation):
Present Tense: -
dūcō (I lead) -
dūcis (you lead) -
dūcit (he/she leads) - Example: "Caesar exercitum dūcit" -
dūcimus (we lead) -
dūcitis (you all lead) -
dūcunt (they lead) - Example: "Pastōrēs ovēs dūcunt"
Perfect Tense: -
dūxī (I led) -
dūxistī (you led) -
dūxit (he/she led) - Example: "Imperātor mīlitēs dūxit" -
dūximus (we led) -
dūxistis (you all led) -
dūxērunt (they led) - Example: "Nautae nāvem dūxērunt" -
Special Usage - Marriage: When combined with "uxōrem" (wife as direct object), dūcō means "to marry" (for a man): -
"Uxōrem pulchram dūcet iuvenis" = The young man will marry a beautiful wife -
This reflects Roman culture where men "led" their brides home -
Common Constructions: -
With direct object: "Caesar exercitum dūcit" (Caesar leads the army) -
With prepositional phrases: "in pugnam dūxit" (led into battle) -
With infinitive: "dūcere vult" (wants to lead) -
Direction without preposition: "domum dūcere" (to lead home) -
Word Order Variations: Latin allows flexible word order for emphasis: -
Subject first: "Caesar ipse exercitum dūcit" (normal order) -
Object first: "Uxōrem pulchram dūcet iuvenis" (emphasizes the wife) -
Verb first: "Dūxit imperātor mīlitēs" (emphasizes the action)
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For English speakers, understanding dūcō requires appreciating its cultural significance in Roman society: -
Military Leadership: Romans valued strong military leadership. The verb dūcō was frequently used in military contexts, as seen in phrases like "exercitum dūcere" (to lead an army). A successful general who could "dūcere" his troops to victory gained tremendous prestige and political power. -
Marriage Customs: The phrase "uxōrem dūcere" literally means "to lead a wife" and reflects the Roman marriage ceremony where the groom would lead his bride from her father's house to his own home in a procession called "deductio." This reveals the patriarchal nature of Roman society where marriage was conceptualized as the man taking leadership of the household. -
Political Leadership: The noun "dux" (leader) comes from dūcō and eventually gave English the word "duke." Roman political discourse was filled with metaphors of leading - politicians would speak of "leading the state" (rem publicam dūcere) or "leading citizens" (cīvēs dūcere). -
Religious Processions: Religious ceremonies often involved "leading" sacred objects or sacrificial animals to temples. The phrase "ad templum dūcere" appears frequently in religious contexts. -
Educational Guidance: Teachers (magistrī) were seen as "leading" students not just physically to schools but metaphorically toward knowledge and wisdom. This metaphor of education as a journey with a guide remains powerful today.
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From Caesar's De Bello Gallico 1.7:
"Erant omnīnō itinera duo, quibus itineribus domō exīre possent: ūnum per Sēquanōs, angustum et difficile, inter montem Iūram et flūmen Rhodanum, vix quā singulī carrī dūcerentur; mōns autem altissimus impendēbat, ut facile perpaucī prohibēre possent."
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Erant there were omnīnō altogether itinera routes duo two quibus by which itineribus routes domō from home exīre to go out possent they could ūnum one per through Sēquanōs the Sequani angustum narrow et and difficile difficult inter between montem mountain Iūram Jura et and flūmen river Rhodanum Rhone vix scarcely quā by which way singulī single carrī wagons dūcerentur could be led mōns mountain autem however altissimus very high impendēbat was overhanging ut so that facile easily perpaucī very few prohibēre to prevent possent could
Erant omnīnō itinera duo, quibus itineribus domō exīre possent: ūnum per Sēquanōs, angustum et difficile, inter montem Iūram et flūmen Rhodanum, vix quā singulī carrī dūcerentur; mōns autem altissimus impendēbat, ut facile perpaucī prohibēre possent.
There were altogether two routes by which they could leave their homeland: one through the territory of the Sequani, narrow and difficult, between Mount Jura and the Rhone River, along which single wagons could scarcely be led; moreover, a very high mountain hung over it, so that very few men could easily prevent passage.
Caesar uses "dūcerentur" (could be led) in the passive subjunctive to describe the difficulty of the mountain pass. This verb choice emphasizes the challenge of movement - even inanimate wagons must be carefully "led" through such treacherous terrain.
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dūcerentur: 3rd person plural imperfect passive subjunctive of dūcō -
Subjunctive indicates potential or characteristic action -
Passive voice shows wagons as recipients of the leading action -
The construction "vix quā...dūcerentur" creates a result clause showing the narrowness of the path
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133.16 Mārcus Marcus uxōrī to wife cārissimae dearest salūtem greeting plūrimam abundant dīcit says
133.17 Hodiē today legiōnēs legions nostrās our ad to Galliam Gaul dūxī I led
133.18 Mīlitēs soldiers fortēs brave per through montēs mountains altōs high dūcere to lead difficile difficult erat was
133.19 Crās tomorrow exercitum army trāns across flūmen river lātum wide dūcam I will lead
133.20 Dux leader Gallōrum of Gauls fīliam daughter suam his fīliō to son nostrō our in in mātrimōnium marriage dare to give vult wants
133.21 Fīlius son noster our virginem maiden nōbilem noble dūcere to marry dēbet ought
133.22 Hic this iuvenis young man Gallus Gallic sociōs allies fīdōs faithful ad to nōs us dūcet will lead
133.23 Pater father puellae of girl exercitūs armies auxiliārēs auxiliary nōbīs to us dūcere to lead prōmīsit promised
133.24 Ego I ipse myself nūptiās wedding celebrāre to celebrate et and tē you Rōmam to Rome dūcere to lead cupiō desire
133.25 Centuriōnēs centurions meī my mīlitēs soldiers bene well dūcunt lead et and disciplīnam discipline servant maintain
133.26 Hostēs enemies captīvōs captives nostrōs our in into silvās forests dēnsās dense dūxērunt led
133.27 Nōs we illōs them mox soon liberāre to free et and domum home dūcere to lead spērāmus hope
133.28 Explōrātōrēs scouts nostrī our mē me ad to castra camp hostium of enemies dūcere to lead possunt can
133.29 Post after victōriam victory omnēs all cōpiās forces Rōmam to Rome triumphantēs triumphing dūcam I will lead
133.30 Tunc then fīliam daughter nostram our ad to virum man bonum good dūcēmus we will lead et and fēlīcēs happy erimus we will be
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133.16 Mārcus uxōrī cārissimae salūtem plūrimam dīcit. Marcus sends abundant greetings to his dearest wife.
133.17 Hodiē legiōnēs nostrās ad Galliam dūxī. Today I led our legions to Gaul.
133.18 Mīlitēs fortēs per montēs altōs dūcere difficile erat. It was difficult to lead the brave soldiers through the high mountains.
133.19 Crās exercitum trāns flūmen lātum dūcam. Tomorrow I will lead the army across the wide river.
133.20 Dux Gallōrum fīliam suam fīliō nostrō in mātrimōnium dare vult. The leader of the Gauls wants to give his daughter in marriage to our son.
133.21 Fīlius noster virginem nōbilem dūcere dēbet. Our son ought to marry the noble maiden.
133.22 Hic iuvenis Gallus sociōs fīdōs ad nōs dūcet. This young Gaul will bring faithful allies to us.
133.23 Pater puellae exercitūs auxiliārēs nōbīs dūcere prōmīsit. The girl's father promised to bring auxiliary armies to us.
133.24 Ego ipse nūptiās celebrāre et tē Rōmam dūcere cupiō. I myself desire to celebrate the wedding and bring you to Rome.
133.25 Centuriōnēs meī mīlitēs bene dūcunt et disciplīnam servant. My centurions lead the soldiers well and maintain discipline.
133.26 Hostēs captīvōs nostrōs in silvās dēnsās dūxērunt. The enemies led our captives into dense forests.
133.27 Nōs illōs mox liberāre et domum dūcere spērāmus. We hope to free them soon and lead them home.
133.28 Explōrātōrēs nostrī mē ad castra hostium dūcere possunt. Our scouts can lead me to the enemy camp.
133.29 Post victōriam omnēs cōpiās Rōmam triumphantēs dūcam. After victory, I will lead all the forces to Rome in triumph.
133.30 Tunc fīliam nostram ad virum bonum dūcēmus et fēlīcēs erimus. Then we will lead our daughter to a good man and we will be happy.
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133.16 Mārcus uxōrī cārissimae salūtem plūrimam dīcit.
133.17 Hodiē legiōnēs nostrās ad Galliam dūxī.
133.18 Mīlitēs fortēs per montēs altōs dūcere difficile erat.
133.19 Crās exercitum trāns flūmen lātum dūcam.
133.20 Dux Gallōrum fīliam suam fīliō nostrō in mātrimōnium dare vult.
133.21 Fīlius noster virginem nōbilem dūcere dēbet.
133.22 Hic iuvenis Gallus sociōs fīdōs ad nōs dūcet.
133.23 Pater puellae exercitūs auxiliārēs nōbīs dūcere prōmīsit.
133.24 Ego ipse nūptiās celebrāre et tē Rōmam dūcere cupiō.
133.25 Centuriōnēs meī mīlitēs bene dūcunt et disciplīnam servant.
133.26 Hostēs captīvōs nostrōs in silvās dēnsās dūxērunt.
133.27 Nōs illōs mox liberāre et domum dūcere spērāmus.
133.28 Explōrātōrēs nostrī mē ad castra hostium dūcere possunt.
133.29 Post victōriam omnēs cōpiās Rōmam triumphantēs dūcam.
133.30 Tunc fīliam nostram ad virum bonum dūcēmus et fēlīcēs erimus.
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The epistolary genre showcases several important uses of dūcō in context: -
Tense Usage in Letters: -
Perfect for recent actions: "Hodiē legiōnēs dūxī" (Today I led) -
Future for plans: "Crās exercitum dūcam" (Tomorrow I will lead) -
Present for ongoing situations: "Centuriōnēs mīlitēs dūcunt" (Centurions lead) -
Marriage Context Expanded: -
"virginem nōbilem dūcere" - marry a noble maiden -
"fīliam ad virum dūcēmus" - we will lead daughter to husband (marriage ceremony) -
Shows both meanings of dūcō in family context -
Military Leadership Vocabulary: -
"legiōnēs dūcere" - lead legions -
"exercitum dūcere" - lead army -
"cōpiās dūcere" - lead forces -
"mīlitēs dūcere" - lead soldiers -
Infinitive Constructions: -
With verbs of desire: "cupiō tē dūcere" (I desire to lead you) -
With verbs of obligation: "dēbet virginem dūcere" (he ought to marry) -
With verbs of ability: "possunt mē dūcere" (they can lead me) -
With verbs of promising: "prōmīsit exercitūs dūcere" (promised to lead) -
Prepositional Phrases Showing Direction: -
"ad Galliam" - to Gaul -
"trāns flūmen" - across river -
"per montēs" - through mountains -
"in silvās" - into forests -
"Rōmam" - to Rome (no preposition needed for cities)
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