← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
144.1 Caesar Caesar ipse himself exercitum the army in in Galliā Gaul relinquit leaves behind
144.2 Nōn not possumus we are able amīcōs friends nostrōs our relinquere to abandon
144.3 Mīlitēs soldiers impedīmenta baggage relinquunt abandon ut so that celerius more quickly fugiant they may flee
144.4 Relictā having been left behind urbe city hostēs enemies in into montēs mountains fūgērunt fled
144.5 Pater father fīliō to son magnam great pecūniam money relīquit left
144.6 Nōlīte do not wish spem hope salūtis of safety relinquere to abandon
144.7 Dux leader paucōs few mīlitēs soldiers in in castrīs camp relīquit left
144.8 Omnēs all rēs things suās their relictūrī about to abandon sunt they are
144.9 Senātus senate cōnsulem consul sōlum alone Rōmae in Rome relīquit left
144.10 Relinquendae needing to be abandoned sunt are hae these nāvēs ships propter because of tempestātem storm
144.11 Māter mother parvōs small līberōs children numquam never relinquet will abandon
144.12 Hostibus by enemies relicta abandoned est was tōta whole regiō region
144.13 Quī who patriam fatherland relinquit abandons prōditor traitor vocātur is called
144.14 Multī many cīvēs citizens urbem city relīquērunt left metū from fear mortis of death
144.15 Nihil nothing praeter except ruīnās ruins relictum left erat was
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
144.1 Caesar ipse exercitum in Galliā relinquit. Caesar himself leaves the army behind in Gaul.
144.2 Nōn possumus amīcōs nostrōs relinquere. We cannot abandon our friends.
144.3 Mīlitēs impedīmenta relinquunt ut celerius fugiant. The soldiers abandon their baggage so that they may flee more quickly.
144.4 Relictā urbe, hostēs in montēs fūgērunt. After abandoning the city, the enemies fled to the mountains.
144.5 Pater fīliō magnam pecūniam relīquit. The father left a large sum of money to his son.
144.6 Nōlīte spem salūtis relinquere! Do not abandon hope of safety!
144.7 Dux paucōs mīlitēs in castrīs relīquit. The leader left a few soldiers in the camp.
144.8 Omnēs rēs suās relictūrī sunt. They are about to abandon all their possessions.
144.9 Senātus cōnsulem sōlum Rōmae relīquit. The senate left the consul alone in Rome.
144.10 Relinquendae sunt hae nāvēs propter tempestātem. These ships must be abandoned because of the storm.
144.11 Māter parvōs līberōs numquam relinquet. A mother will never abandon her small children.
144.12 Hostibus relicta est tōta regiō. The entire region was abandoned to the enemies.
144.13 Quī patriam relinquit prōditor vocātur. He who abandons his fatherland is called a traitor.
144.14 Multī cīvēs urbem relīquērunt metū mortis. Many citizens left the city from fear of death.
144.15 Nihil praeter ruīnās relictum erat. Nothing was left except ruins.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
144.1 Caesar ipse exercitum in Galliā relinquit.
144.2 Nōn possumus amīcōs nostrōs relinquere.
144.3 Mīlitēs impedīmenta relinquunt ut celerius fugiant.
144.4 Relictā urbe, hostēs in montēs fūgērunt.
144.5 Pater fīliō magnam pecūniam relīquit.
144.6 Nōlīte spem salūtis relinquere!
144.7 Dux paucōs mīlitēs in castrīs relīquit.
144.8 Omnēs rēs suās relictūrī sunt.
144.9 Senātus cōnsulem sōlum Rōmae relīquit.
144.10 Relinquendae sunt hae nāvēs propter tempestātem.
144.11 Māter parvōs līberōs numquam relinquet.
144.12 Hostibus relicta est tōta regiō.
144.13 Quī patriam relinquit prōditor vocātur.
144.14 Multī cīvēs urbem relīquērunt metū mortis.
144.15 Nihil praeter ruīnās relictum erat.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers learning Latin, "relinquō" presents several important grammatical features: -
Principal Parts: relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum -
3rd conjugation verb (note the short -e- in the infinitive) -
Compound of re- (back) + linquō (leave) -
Perfect stem changes: relīqu- -
Supine stem: relict- -
Common Forms You'll Encounter: -
Present: relinquit (he/she abandons), relinquunt (they abandon) -
Perfect: relīquit (he/she abandoned), relīquērunt (they abandoned) -
Future: relinquet (he/she will abandon) -
Infinitive: relinquere (to abandon) -
Participle: relictus, -a, -um (abandoned, having been abandoned) -
Gerundive: relinquendus, -a, -um (needing to be abandoned) -
Syntactic Patterns: -
Takes direct object in accusative: "amīcōs relinquere" (to abandon friends) -
Often used with locative expressions: "in castrīs relīquit" (left in camp) -
Frequently appears in ablative absolute: "relictā urbe" (the city having been abandoned) -
Can take dative of person affected: "fīliō pecūniam relīquit" (left money to his son) -
Word Order Variations: Notice how Latin authors vary placement for emphasis: -
Verb-final: "Caesar exercitum relinquit" (neutral) -
Verb-initial: "Relīquērunt multī cīvēs urbem" (emphasizes the action) -
Split construction: "Nihil praeter ruīnās relictum erat" (emphasizes what was left) -
Common Constructions: -
With purpose clauses: "relinquunt ut fugiant" (they abandon so that they may flee) -
In passive voice: "relicta est regiō" (the region was abandoned) -
With future participle: "relictūrī sunt" (they are about to abandon)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers, understanding "relinquō" requires appreciating its cultural weight in Roman society: -
Military Context: -
Abandoning one's position (relinquere locum) was a serious military offense -
Leaving behind baggage (impedīmenta relinquere) was sometimes necessary for rapid retreat -
Garrison troops were "left behind" (relictī) to hold strategic positions -
Legal and Social Implications: -
"Relinquere" appears frequently in wills and inheritance law -
Abandoning one's family or civic duties brought social disgrace -
The phrase "patriam relinquere" (to abandon one's fatherland) implied exile or treason -
Philosophical Usage: -
Stoics used the concept of "relinquere" in discussions about detachment from material possessions -
The idea of leaving behind earthly concerns for spiritual pursuits -
Modern English Derivatives: -
"Relinquish" comes directly from this Latin verb -
"Derelict" (from dērelinquō) means completely abandoned -
"Relic" (from relictum) means something left behind from the past -
Emotional Connotations: Unlike the neutral English "leave," Latin "relinquō" often carries a sense of: -
Finality (not coming back) -
Necessity (forced by circumstances) -
Loss or sacrifice (giving something up)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From Caesar's De Bello Gallico 1.27:
Caesar Caesar eōdem in the same diē day castra camp prōmōvit moved forward et and mīlibus miles passuum of paces sex six ā from Caesaris Caesar's castrīs camp sub below monte mountain cōnsēdit. he encamped. Postrīdiē On the next day eius of that diēī day praesidiō with garrison utrīsque in both castrīs camps quod what satis sufficient esse to be vīsum seemed est [it did] relictō, having been left, omnēs all ālāriōs auxiliary troops equitātumque and cavalry in in cōnspectū sight hostium of the enemies prō before castrīs camp cōnstituit. he stationed.
Caesar eōdem diē castra prōmōvit et mīlibus passuum sex ā Caesaris castrīs sub monte cōnsēdit. Postrīdiē eius diēī praesidiō utrīsque castrīs quod satis esse vīsum est relictō, omnēs ālāriōs equitātumque in cōnspectū hostium prō castrīs cōnstituit.
Caesar moved his camp forward on the same day and encamped six miles from Caesar's camp below a mountain. On the following day, after leaving what seemed sufficient as a garrison in both camps, he stationed all the auxiliary troops and cavalry in sight of the enemy before the camp.
Caesar's use of "relictō" here demonstrates classic military Latin style. The ablative absolute construction "praesidiō...relictō" efficiently conveys a completed action before the main verb. Notice how Caesar varies his word order: the long ablative absolute is embedded within the sentence, creating suspense about the main action. The passive participle emphasizes the deliberate military decision to leave troops behind while advancing with the main force.
-
"relictō" - ablative absolute with "praesidiō" -
"quod satis esse vīsum est" - relative clause explaining what was left -
Word order creates embedded structure typical of Caesar's style -
Military precision in measurements: "mīlibus passuum sex"
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
144.16 Cum when Vesuvius Vesuvius mōns mountain flammās flames ēmittere to emit incēpisset, had begun, incolae inhabitants terrōre with terror perterritī thoroughly frightened domōs homes suās their relinquere to abandon coāctī compelled sunt were
144.17 Māter mother īnfantem infant in in cunīs cradle iacentem lying relinquere to abandon nōluit, did not wish, sed but eum him in in bracchiīs arms portāns carrying fūgit fled
144.18 Mercātor merchant dīves rich omnem all pecūniam money et and aurum gold in in vīllā villa relīquit left cum when celerrimē very quickly fugeret he fled
144.19 Multī many servī slaves ā by dominīs masters suīs their in in urbe city relictī abandoned miserē wretchedly periērunt perished
144.20 Senex old man quī who aegre with difficulty ambulābat was walking ā by familiā family suā his relictus abandoned est was in in viā street
144.21 Pictōrēs painters pulcherrima most beautiful opera works in in parietibus on walls relīquērunt left quae which post after multōs many annōs years inventa discovered sunt were
144.22 Canis dog fīdēlis faithful dominum master suum his numquam never relīquit abandoned sed but iūxtā next to eum him mortuus dead est was
144.23 Sacerdōtēs priests sacrās sacred statuās statues deōrum of gods in in templīs temples relinquere to abandon nōluērunt did not wish
144.24 Pater father familiae of family domum house ā by maiōribus ancestors relictam left dēserere to desert coāctus compelled lacrimāvit wept
144.25 Nautae sailors quī who in in portū harbor erant were nāvēs ships onerāriās cargo relīquērunt abandoned et and parvīs in small scaphīs boats fūgērunt fled
144.26 Puerī boys lūdōs games et and pilās balls in in viīs streets relīquērunt left cum when parentēs parents eōs them raptim hastily abdūcerent led away
144.27 Fēminae women pretiōsās precious gemmās gems et and ōrnāmenta ornaments relinquere to abandon doluērunt grieved sed but vītam life cāriōrem dearer habēbant considered
144.28 Agricolae farmers quī who extrā outside urbem city vīvēbant were living agrōs fields fertilēs fertile et and vīneās vineyards relīquērunt abandoned
144.29 Medicus doctor aegrōs sick people suōs his nōn not relīquit abandoned dōnec until ipse he himself cineribus by ashes oppressus overwhelmed est was
144.30 Omnēs all spem hope reditūs of return relinquendō by abandoning novam new vītam life in in aliīs other terrīs lands quaerere to seek incēpērunt began
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
144.16 Cum Vesuvius mōns flammās ēmittere incēpisset, incolae terrōre perterritī domōs suās relinquere coāctī sunt. When Mount Vesuvius had begun to emit flames, the inhabitants, thoroughly frightened with terror, were compelled to abandon their homes.
144.17 Māter īnfantem in cunīs iacentem relinquere nōluit, sed eum in bracchiīs portāns fūgit. The mother did not wish to abandon her infant lying in the cradle, but fled carrying him in her arms.
144.18 Mercātor dīves omnem pecūniam et aurum in vīllā relīquit cum celerrimē fugeret. The rich merchant left all his money and gold in his villa when he fled very quickly.
144.19 Multī servī ā dominīs suīs in urbe relictī miserē periērunt. Many slaves abandoned by their masters in the city perished wretchedly.
144.20 Senex quī aegre ambulābat ā familiā suā relictus est in viā. The old man who was walking with difficulty was abandoned by his family in the street.
144.21 Pictōrēs pulcherrima opera in parietibus relīquērunt quae post multōs annōs inventa sunt. The painters left most beautiful works on the walls which were discovered after many years.
144.22 Canis fīdēlis dominum suum numquam relīquit sed iūxtā eum mortuus est. The faithful dog never abandoned his master but died next to him.
144.23 Sacerdōtēs sacrās statuās deōrum in templīs relinquere nōluērunt. The priests did not wish to abandon the sacred statues of the gods in the temples.
144.24 Pater familiae domum ā maiōribus relictam dēserere coāctus lacrimāvit. The father of the family wept when compelled to desert the house left by his ancestors.
144.25 Nautae quī in portū erant nāvēs onerāriās relīquērunt et parvīs scaphīs fūgērunt. The sailors who were in the harbor abandoned the cargo ships and fled in small boats.
144.26 Puerī lūdōs et pilās in viīs relīquērunt cum parentēs eōs raptim abdūcerent. The boys left their games and balls in the streets when their parents hastily led them away.
144.27 Fēminae pretiōsās gemmās et ōrnāmenta relinquere doluērunt sed vītam cāriōrem habēbant. The women grieved to abandon their precious gems and ornaments but considered life dearer.
144.28 Agricolae quī extrā urbem vīvēbant agrōs fertilēs et vīneās relīquērunt. The farmers who were living outside the city abandoned their fertile fields and vineyards.
144.29 Medicus aegrōs suōs nōn relīquit dōnec ipse cineribus oppressus est. The doctor did not abandon his sick patients until he himself was overwhelmed by ashes.
144.30 Omnēs spem reditūs relinquendō novam vītam in aliīs terrīs quaerere incēpērunt. All began to seek a new life in other lands by abandoning hope of return.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
144.16 Cum Vesuvius mōns flammās ēmittere incēpisset, incolae terrōre perterritī domōs suās relinquere coāctī sunt.
144.17 Māter īnfantem in cunīs iacentem relinquere nōluit, sed eum in bracchiīs portāns fūgit.
144.18 Mercātor dīves omnem pecūniam et aurum in vīllā relīquit cum celerrimē fugeret.
144.19 Multī servī ā dominīs suīs in urbe relictī miserē periērunt.
144.20 Senex quī aegre ambulābat ā familiā suā relictus est in viā.
144.21 Pictōrēs pulcherrima opera in parietibus relīquērunt quae post multōs annōs inventa sunt.
144.22 Canis fīdēlis dominum suum numquam relīquit sed iūxtā eum mortuus est.
144.23 Sacerdōtēs sacrās statuās deōrum in templīs relinquere nōluērunt.
144.24 Pater familiae domum ā maiōribus relictam dēserere coāctus lacrimāvit.
144.25 Nautae quī in portū erant nāvēs onerāriās relīquērunt et parvīs scaphīs fūgērunt.
144.26 Puerī lūdōs et pilās in viīs relīquērunt cum parentēs eōs raptim abdūcerent.
144.27 Fēminae pretiōsās gemmās et ōrnāmenta relinquere doluērunt sed vītam cāriōrem habēbant.
144.28 Agricolae quī extrā urbem vīvēbant agrōs fertilēs et vīneās relīquērunt.
144.29 Medicus aegrōs suōs nōn relīquit dōnec ipse cineribus oppressus est.
144.30 Omnēs spem reditūs relinquendō novam vītam in aliīs terrīs quaerere incēpērunt.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This historical narrative demonstrates advanced uses of "relinquō" in context: -
Passive Constructions: -
"relictī" (abandoned) - perfect passive participle agreeing with "servī" -
"relictus est" (was abandoned) - perfect passive with linking verb -
"relictam" (having been left) - perfect passive participle modifying "domum" -
Infinitive Constructions: -
"relinquere coāctī sunt" (were compelled to abandon) - passive with complementary infinitive -
"relinquere nōluit" (did not wish to abandon) - active with complementary infinitive -
"relinquere doluērunt" (grieved to abandon) - emotional verb with infinitive -
Temporal Clauses: -
"cum...incēpisset" (when...had begun) - cum clause with pluperfect subjunctive -
"cum...fugeret" (when he fled) - cum clause with imperfect subjunctive -
"cum...abdūcerent" (when they led away) - cum clause showing simultaneous action -
Gerund Usage: -
"relinquendō" (by abandoning) - ablative gerund showing means This construction shows how an action (abandoning) becomes the means of another action -
Various Participle Constructions: -
"portāns fūgit" (fled carrying) - present participle showing manner -
"dēserere coāctus" (compelled to desert) - perfect passive participle -
"ā maiōribus relictam" (left by ancestors) - perfect passive participle in attributive position -
Word Order for Emotional Effect: Notice how word placement emphasizes the pathos: -
"miserē periērunt" (wretchedly perished) - adverb before verb for emphasis -
"numquam relīquit" (never abandoned) - negative before verb for strength -
"ipse cineribus oppressus est" (he himself was overwhelmed) - reflexive pronoun for contrast
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
---