← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
140.1 Onus burden grave heavy servus slave portat carries
140.2 Māter mother gravī with serious vultū expression fīlium son monet warns
140.3 Rēs matters gravissimās most serious senātus senate hodiē today tractat discusses
140.4 Nōn not sine without gravī serious causā reason haec these things dīcō I say
140.5 Mīlitēs soldiers gravibus with heavy armīs weapons per through campōs fields prōcēdunt advance
140.6 Gravis serious morbus disease tōtam whole urbem city oppressit has oppressed
140.7 Senex old man graviōre with heavier aetāte age vix scarcely ambulat walks
140.8 Verba words tua your gravissima most serious mihi to me videntur seem
140.9 In in gravissimō most serious perīculō danger omnēs all versāmur we are
140.10 Philosophus philosopher dē about rēbus matters gravibus serious disputat argues
140.11 Nūlla no rēs thing gravior more serious quam than bellum war est is
140.12 Gravī by heavy somnō sleep oppressus oppressed puer boy surgere to rise nōn not potest is able
140.13 Caesar Caesar gravissimum most serious bellum war in in Galliā Gaul gessit waged
140.14 Hominēs men gravēs serious semper always vēritātem truth quaerunt seek
140.15 Navis ship gravioribus with heavier mercibus goods onusta loaded lentē slowly nāvigat sails
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
140.1 Onus grave servus portat. The slave carries a heavy burden.
140.2 Māter gravī vultū fīlium monet. The mother warns her son with a serious expression.
140.3 Rēs gravissimās senātus hodiē tractat. The senate discusses most serious matters today.
140.4 Nōn sine gravī causā haec dīcō. I do not say these things without serious reason.
140.5 Mīlitēs gravibus armīs per campōs prōcēdunt. The soldiers advance through the fields with heavy weapons.
140.6 Gravis morbus tōtam urbem oppressit. A serious disease has afflicted the whole city.
140.7 Senex graviōre aetāte vix ambulat. The old man scarcely walks with the heavier burden of age.
140.8 Verba tua gravissima mihi videntur. Your words seem most serious to me.
140.9 In gravissimō perīculō omnēs versāmur. We are all in the gravest danger.
140.10 Philosophus dē rēbus gravibus disputat. The philosopher argues about serious matters.
140.11 Nūlla rēs gravior quam bellum est. Nothing is more serious than war.
140.12 Gravī somnō oppressus puer surgere nōn potest. The boy, oppressed by heavy sleep, cannot rise.
140.13 Caesar gravissimum bellum in Galliā gessit. Caesar waged a most serious war in Gaul.
140.14 Hominēs gravēs semper vēritātem quaerunt. Serious men always seek the truth.
140.15 Navis gravioribus mercibus onusta lentē nāvigat. The ship, loaded with heavier goods, sails slowly.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
140.1 Onus grave servus portat.
140.2 Māter gravī vultū fīlium monet.
140.3 Rēs gravissimās senātus hodiē tractat.
140.4 Nōn sine gravī causā haec dīcō.
140.5 Mīlitēs gravibus armīs per campōs prōcēdunt.
140.6 Gravis morbus tōtam urbem oppressit.
140.7 Senex graviōre aetāte vix ambulat.
140.8 Verba tua gravissima mihi videntur.
140.9 In gravissimō perīculō omnēs versāmur.
140.10 Philosophus dē rēbus gravibus disputat.
140.11 Nūlla rēs gravior quam bellum est.
140.12 Gravī somnō oppressus puer surgere nōn potest.
140.13 Caesar gravissimum bellum in Galliā gessit.
140.14 Hominēs gravēs semper vēritātem quaerunt.
140.15 Navis gravioribus mercibus onusta lentē nāvigat.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers learning Latin, understanding "gravis -e" requires attention to several key grammatical points: -
Adjective Type: Gravis belongs to the third declension adjectives of two terminations (-is for masculine/feminine, -e for neuter) -
Declension Pattern: -
Singular: gravis (m/f), grave (n); gravis (gen.); gravī (dat.); gravem (m/f acc.), grave (n acc.); gravī (abl.) -
Plural: gravēs (m/f), gravia (n); gravium (gen.); gravibus (dat.); gravēs (m/f acc.), gravia (n acc.); gravibus (abl.) -
Comparative and Superlative: -
Comparative: gravior, gravius (heavier, more serious) -
Superlative: gravissimus, -a, -um (heaviest, most serious) -
Usage Patterns: -
Physical weight: "onus grave" (heavy burden) -
Metaphorical seriousness: "gravis causa" (serious reason) -
With abstract nouns: "gravis aetās" (heavy/burdensome age) -
Common Collocations: -
gravī vultū (with serious expression) - ablative of manner -
gravis morbus (serious disease) -
rēs gravēs (serious matters) -
Case Usage Examples: -
Nominative: "Gravis morbus oppressit" (subject) -
Ablative: "gravī somnō oppressus" (means/instrument) -
Accusative: "gravissimum bellum gessit" (direct object modifier)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers studying Latin, understanding "gravis" in Roman culture reveals important values: -
Roman Gravitas: The concept of gravitas was fundamental to Roman character. It meant dignity, seriousness, and weight of character - essential qualities for Roman leaders and citizens. -
Physical vs. Metaphorical: Romans used "gravis" both literally (heavy objects) and figuratively (serious matters), much like English "heavy" and "weighty." -
Social Importance: Being described as "homo gravis" (a serious/weighty person) was high praise in Roman society, indicating reliability and importance. -
Literary Usage: Roman authors often used "gravis" to describe: -
Important speeches (ōrātiō gravis) -
Serious literature (versus gravēs) -
Weighty philosophical topics (disputātiō gravis) -
Military Context: "Arma gravia" (heavy weapons) distinguished heavily armed legionaries from light infantry, reflecting Rome's military organization. -
Modern Legacy: The English words "grave," "gravity," and "gravitas" all derive from Latin "gravis," showing the concept's lasting influence.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From Cicero's De Officiis (1.15.46):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Sed but cum when plērīque most people arbitrentur think rēs affairs bellicās military maiōrēs greater esse to be quam than urbānās civic, minuenda to be diminished est is haec this opīniō opinion. Multī many enim for bella wars saepe often quaesīvērunt have sought propter on account of glōriae of glory cupiditātem desire; hoc this in in magnīs great animīs spirits ingeniīsque and talents plērumque generally contingit happens, eōque and by that magis more, sī if sunt they are ad for rem affairs mīlitārem military aptī suited et and cupidī eager bellōrum of wars gerendōrum to be waged.
Sed cum plērīque arbitrentur rēs bellicās maiōrēs esse quam urbānās, minuenda est haec opīniō. Multī enim bella saepe quaesīvērunt propter glōriae cupiditātem; hoc in magnīs animīs ingeniīsque plērumque contingit, eōque magis, sī sunt ad rem mīlitārem aptī et cupidī bellōrum gerendōrum.
But when most people think that military affairs are greater than civic ones, this opinion must be diminished. For many have often sought wars on account of desire for glory; this generally happens in great spirits and talents, and all the more so if they are suited for military affairs and eager for waging wars.
Cicero uses "maiōrēs" (comparative of magnus) to contrast military and civic affairs, arguing against the common belief that war is more important than peace. The passage reflects Cicero's preference for civic virtue over military glory.
-
"maiōrēs esse quam": comparative construction with quam -
"minuenda est": gerundive expressing necessity (passive periphrastic) -
"bellōrum gerendōrum": genitive plural of the gerundive, expressing purpose -
Complex sentence structure with cum-clause and multiple subordinate elements
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
140.16 Magister teacher discipulō to student dīcit says quid what sit is gravis serious homō man
140.17 Discipulus student respondet replies sē himself nōn not intellegere to understand quārē why quidam certain hominēs men gravēs serious vocentur are called
140.18 Nōnne surely vīdistī you have seen virōs men quī who gravī with serious auctōritāte authority in in senātū senate dīcunt speak
140.19 Etiam yes sed but cūr why hī these graviōrēs more serious aliīs than others habentur are considered
140.20 Quia because nōn not dē about rēbus matters levibus light sed but gravissimīs most serious semper always cōgitant they think
140.21 Philosophus philosopher inquit says gravitātem seriousness in in animō mind nōn not in in corpore body esse to be
140.22 Quid what ergō therefore facit makes hominem a man gravem serious magister teacher rogat asks discipulus student
140.23 Prīmum first sapientia wisdom deinde then constantia constancy dēnique finally iūstitia justice hominem man gravem serious reddit renders
140.24 Num surely not iuvenēs young men gravēs serious esse to be possunt can an or senectūs old age requīritur is required
140.25 Aetās age nōn not facit makes gravitātem seriousness sed but mēns mind rērum of things gravium serious studiōsa studious
140.26 Cicerō Cicero adulēscēns as a young man iam already gravis serious habēbātur was considered propter because of ēloquentiam eloquence
140.27 At but multī many senēs old men gravēs serious nōn not sunt are quamquam although aetāte in age prōvectī advanced
140.28 Vērum true dīcis you say nam for gravitās seriousness virtūs virtue est is nōn not aetātis of age dōnum gift
140.29 Quōmodo how igitur therefore gravissimus most serious fierī to become possum can I discipulus student interrogat asks
140.30 Stude study rēbus matters gravibus serious vītā avoid lēvia light things et and gravitātem seriousness temporis of time cursū in course adsequēris you will attain
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
140.16 Magister discipulō dīcit quid sit gravis homō. The teacher tells the student what a serious man is.
140.17 Discipulus respondet sē nōn intellegere quārē quidam hominēs gravēs vocentur. The student replies that he doesn't understand why certain men are called serious.
140.18 Nōnne vīdistī virōs quī gravī auctōritāte in senātū dīcunt? Haven't you seen men who speak in the senate with serious authority?
140.19 Etiam, sed cūr hī graviōrēs aliīs habentur? Yes, but why are these considered more serious than others?
140.20 Quia nōn dē rēbus levibus sed gravissimīs semper cōgitant. Because they always think not about light matters but about the most serious ones.
140.21 Philosophus inquit gravitātem in animō nōn in corpore esse. The philosopher says that seriousness is in the mind, not in the body.
140.22 Quid ergō facit hominem gravem? magister rogat discipulus. What therefore makes a man serious? the student asks the teacher.
140.23 Prīmum sapientia, deinde constantia, dēnique iūstitia hominem gravem reddit. First wisdom, then constancy, finally justice makes a man serious.
140.24 Num iuvenēs gravēs esse possunt an senectūs requīritur? Surely young men cannot be serious, or is old age required?
140.25 Aetās nōn facit gravitātem sed mēns rērum gravium studiōsa. Age does not create seriousness but a mind devoted to serious matters.
140.26 Cicerō adulēscēns iam gravis habēbātur propter ēloquentiam. Cicero even as a young man was already considered serious because of his eloquence.
140.27 At multī senēs gravēs nōn sunt quamquam aetāte prōvectī. But many old men are not serious although advanced in age.
140.28 Vērum dīcis, nam gravitās virtūs est nōn aetātis dōnum. You speak truly, for seriousness is a virtue, not a gift of age.
140.29 Quōmodo igitur gravissimus fierī possum? discipulus interrogat. How therefore can I become most serious? the student asks.
140.30 Stude rēbus gravibus, vītā lēvia et gravitātem temporis cursū adsequēris. Study serious matters, avoid light things, and you will attain seriousness in the course of time.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
140.16 Magister discipulō dīcit quid sit gravis homō.
140.17 Discipulus respondet sē nōn intellegere quārē quidam hominēs gravēs vocentur.
140.18 Nōnne vīdistī virōs quī gravī auctōritāte in senātū dīcunt?
140.19 Etiam, sed cūr hī graviōrēs aliīs habentur?
140.20 Quia nōn dē rēbus levibus sed gravissimīs semper cōgitant.
140.21 Philosophus inquit gravitātem in animō nōn in corpore esse.
140.22 Quid ergō facit hominem gravem? magister rogat discipulus.
140.23 Prīmum sapientia, deinde constantia, dēnique iūstitia hominem gravem reddit.
140.24 Num iuvenēs gravēs esse possunt an senectūs requīritur?
140.25 Aetās nōn facit gravitātem sed mēns rērum gravium studiōsa.
140.26 Cicerō adulēscēns iam gravis habēbātur propter ēloquentiam.
140.27 At multī senēs gravēs nōn sunt quamquam aetāte prōvectī.
140.28 Vērum dīcis, nam gravitās virtūs est nōn aetātis dōnum.
140.29 Quōmodo igitur gravissimus fierī possum? discipulus interrogat.
140.30 Stude rēbus gravibus, vītā lēvia et gravitātem temporis cursū adsequēris.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This philosophical dialogue showcases several important grammatical constructions using "gravis": -
Indirect Questions: -
"quid sit gravis homō" (what a serious man is) - subjunctive in indirect question -
"quārē quidam hominēs gravēs vocentur" (why certain men are called serious) - passive subjunctive -
Comparative Forms: -
"graviōrēs aliīs" (more serious than others) - comparative with ablative of comparison -
"gravissimus fierī" (to become most serious) - superlative with infinitive -
Ablative of Manner: -
"gravī auctōritāte" (with serious authority) - shows how something is done -
Contrasts with Antonyms: -
"rēbus levibus sed gravissimīs" (light matters but most serious) - showing opposite meanings -
Abstract Noun Formation: -
"gravitās, gravitātis" (seriousness) - abstract noun derived from gravis -
"gravitātem" as direct object showing the quality being discussed -
Question Types: -
"Nōnne" expects affirmative answer -
"Num" expects negative answer -
"Quōmodo" asks for method/manner -
Philosophical Vocabulary: -
Technical terms: sapientia, constantia, iūstitia -
Abstract concepts paired with concrete examples
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
---