← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
148.1 Alter another puer boy in in scholā the school sedēt. sits
148.2 Māter the mother alteram her other fīliam daughter vocat. calls
148.3 Mīlitēs the soldiers ad to alterum the other castra camp contendunt. hurry
148.4 Dē about alterā the other viā road nihil nothing scīmus. we know
148.5 Alter the other cōnsul consul populum the people allocūtus has addressed est. [auxiliary]
148.6 In in alterō the other librō book haec these things scrīpta written sunt. are
148.7 Senātōrēs the senators alterum another dē about bellō the war cōnsilium plan capiunt. adopt
148.8 Alter the other magister teacher discipulīs to his students Latīnam Latin linguam language docet. teaches
148.9 Mercātōrēs the merchants alterā by another nāve ship ad to īnsulam the island nāvigant. sail
148.10 Alterīius of the other ducis leader virtūs courage magnā with great cum with laudē praise celebrātur. is celebrated
148.11 Agricolae the farmers in in alterīs the other agrīs fields frūmentum grain serunt. sow
148.12 Alter the other frāter brother Rōmam for Rome proficīscī to set out vult. wishes
148.13 Poetae poets alterius of another temporis time carmina songs legimus. we read
148.14 Cīvēs the citizens alterō on the other diē day in in forō the forum conveniunt. gather
148.15 Alter the other miles soldier hostēs the enemies fortiter bravely resistit. resists
148.1 Alter puer in scholā sedēt. Another boy sits in the school.
148.2 Māter alteram fīliam vocat. The mother calls her other daughter.
148.3 Mīlitēs ad alterum castra contendunt. The soldiers hurry to the other camp.
148.4 Dē alterā viā nihil scīmus. We know nothing about the other road.
148.5 Alter cōnsul populum allocūtus est. The other consul has addressed the people.
148.6 In alterō librō haec scrīpta sunt. These things are written in the other book.
148.7 Senātōrēs alterum dē bellō cōnsilium capiunt. The senators adopt another plan about the war.
148.8 Alter magister discipulīs Latīnam linguam docet. The other teacher teaches the Latin language to his students.
148.9 Mercātōrēs alterā nāve ad īnsulam nāvigant. The merchants sail to the island by another ship.
148.10 Alterīus ducis virtūs magnā cum laudē celebrātur. The other leader's courage is celebrated with great praise.
148.11 Agricolae in alterīs agrīs frūmentum serunt. The farmers sow grain in the other fields.
148.12 Alter frāter Rōmam proficīscī vult. The other brother wishes to set out for Rome.
148.13 Poetae alterius temporis carmina legimus. We read the songs of poets of another time.
148.14 Cīvēs alterō diē in forō conveniunt. The citizens gather in the forum on the other day.
148.15 Alter miles hostēs fortiter resistit. The other soldier bravely resists the enemies.
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148.1 Alter puer in scholā sedēt.
148.2 Māter alteram fīliam vocat.
148.3 Mīlitēs ad alterum castra contendunt.
148.4 Dē alterā viā nihil scīmus.
148.5 Alter cōnsul populum allocūtus est.
148.6 In alterō librō haec scrīpta sunt.
148.7 Senātōrēs alterum dē bellō cōnsilium capiunt.
148.8 Alter magister discipulīs Latīnam linguam docet.
148.9 Mercātōrēs alterā nāve ad īnsulam nāvigant.
148.10 Alterīus ducis virtūs magnā cum laudē celebrātur.
148.11 Agricolae in alterīs agrīs frūmentum serunt.
148.12 Alter frāter Rōmam proficīscī vult.
148.13 Poetae alterius temporis carmina legimus.
148.14 Cīvēs alterō diē in forō conveniunt.
148.15 Alter miles hostēs fortiter resistit.
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For English speakers learning Latin, "alter, altera, alterum" presents several important grammatical concepts:
1. Forms and Declension: "Alter" follows the first and second declension pattern like "bonus, bona, bonum" but with irregular genitive and dative forms:
Masculine: alter, alterīus, alterī, alterum, alterō Feminine: altera, alterīus, alterī, alteram, alterā Neuter: alterum, alterīus, alterī, alterum, alterō
Note the -īus ending in the genitive (like ūnus, tōtus, sōlus) and -ī ending in the dative for all genders.
2. Meaning and Usage: Unlike "alius" (other, different), "alter" specifically means "the other of two" and implies a choice between two alternatives. Examples from our lesson: -
"Alter puer" = "the other boy" (of two boys) -
"Alterā viā" = "by the other road" (of two roads)
3. Substantive Use: "Alter" can function as a pronoun without a noun: -
"Alter cōnsul" = "the other consul" (adjective use) -
"Alter resistit" = "the other one resists" (pronoun use)
4. Genitive Constructions: The genitive form "alterīus" shows possession or relationship: -
"Alterīus ducis virtūs" = "the other leader's courage" -
"Alterius temporis" = "of another time"
5. Ablative Uses: -
Ablative of means: "alterā nāve" = "by another ship" -
Ablative of time: "alterō diē" = "on the other day"
6. Word Order Patterns: Latin authors varied the position of "alter" for emphasis: -
Initial position: "Alter puer sedēt" (emphasizes "the other") -
After noun: "Ducis alterīus" (emphasizes the noun) -
With prepositions: "in alterō librō" (standard prepositional phrase)
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For English speakers, understanding "alter" requires appreciation of Roman binary thinking and formal structures:
1. Roman Dualism: Romans often conceptualized choices in binary terms. "Alter" reflects this mindset where decisions frequently involved choosing between two clear alternatives. This appears in: -
Political offices (two consuls) -
Military strategy (two battle plans) -
Legal proceedings (two sides in court)
2. Governmental Structure: The Roman system institutionalized the concept of "the other" through paired magistrates. The consulship required two holders, making "alter cōnsul" (the other consul) a standard phrase in political discourse.
3. Literary Conventions: Roman authors used "alter" to create balanced comparisons and contrasts. In rhetoric, presenting "the other side" (altera pars) was essential for complete argumentation.
4. Social Relationships: Roman society emphasized reciprocal relationships. "Alter" often appears in contexts of mutual obligation, alternating duties, or complementary roles within families and communities.
5. Modern English Connections: English words derived from "alter" include "alternative," "alteration," and "alternate." The concept of "the other" as distinct from "another" (alius) helps clarify these English distinctions.
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From Cicero's "De Officiis" (1.34):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Sed but cum when contrōversia dispute est there is utrum whether honestum honorable an or utile useful vidēātur it seems, in in eō that discrīmine distinction versātur it turns tōta whole vīta life hominum of men. Alter One enim for cursus course est there is ad toward vēram true glōriam glory, alter other ad toward voluptātem pleasure.
Sed cum contrōversia est utrum honestum an utile vidēātur, in eō discrīmine versātur tōta vīta hominum. Alter enim cursus est ad vēram glōriam, alter ad voluptātem.
But when there is a dispute whether something seems honorable or useful, the whole life of men turns on that distinction. For there is one course toward true glory, another toward pleasure.
Cicero uses "alter...alter" to present a fundamental choice in human life. The parallel structure emphasizes the binary nature of moral decision-making that was central to Roman Stoic philosophy.
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"alter...alter" creates parallel structure (one...the other) -
"cursus est" uses substantive construction -
"ad + accusative" shows direction toward goals -
Complex conditional structure with "cum" + subjunctive -
Chiastic arrangement emphasizes the contrast between choices
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148.16 Caesar Caesar cum with alterā other parte part exercitūs of army Gallōs Gauls adorītur attacks
148.17 Hostēs enemies ab from alterō other colle hill Rōmānōs Romans sagittīs with arrows petunt attack
148.18 Legiō legion alterā by other viā road ad to oppidum town contendit hastens
148.19 Alter other dux leader suōs his men mīlitēs soldiers in into aciem battle line īnstrūxit drew up
148.20 Gallī Gauls alterīs to others gentibus tribes auxilium help mīsērunt sent
148.21 Rōmānī Romans alter other post after alterum other oppida towns expugnant capture
148.22 Barbarī barbarians alterō on other diē day iterum again castra camp oppugnāvērunt attacked
148.23 Centuriō centurion alteram other cohōrtem cohort in into silvam forest dūxit led
148.24 Alter other equitātus cavalry hostium of enemies terga rear adoriēbātur was attacking
148.25 Mīlitēs soldiers alterīus of other legiōnis legion pontem bridge mūniēbant were fortifying
148.26 Caesar Caesar alterō in other proeliō battle hostēs enemies in into fugam flight dedit put
148.27 Barbarī barbarians ex from alterīs other rēgiōnibus regions cōpiae forces adveniēbant were arriving
148.28 Alter other tribūnus tribune cum with hastātīs spearmen dextrum right cornu wing tenēbat held
148.29 Hostēs enemies alterā on other nocte night clam secretly castra camp relīquērunt abandoned
148.30 Victōriā victory perfectā completed, alter other cōnsul consul triumphum triumph dūxit led
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148.16 Caesar cum alterā parte exercitūs Gallōs adorītur. Caesar attacks the Gauls with the other part of his army.
148.17 Hostēs ab alterō colle Rōmānōs sagittīs petunt. The enemies attack the Romans with arrows from the other hill.
148.18 Legiō alterā viā ad oppidum contendit. The legion hastens to the town by the other road.
148.19 Alter dux suōs mīlitēs in aciem īnstrūxit. The other general drew up his soldiers in battle line.
148.20 Gallī alterīs gentibus auxilium mīsērunt. The Gauls sent help to the other tribes.
148.21 Rōmānī alter post alterum oppida expugnant. The Romans capture towns one after another.
148.22 Barbarī alterō diē iterum castra oppugnāvērunt. The barbarians attacked the camp again on the other day.
148.23 Centuriō alteram cohōrtem in silvam dūxit. The centurion led the other cohort into the forest.
148.24 Alter equitātus hostium terga adorīēbātur. The other cavalry was attacking the enemies' rear.
148.25 Mīlitēs alterīus legiōnis pontem mūniēbant. The soldiers of the other legion were fortifying the bridge.
148.26 Caesar alterō proeliō hostēs in fugam dedit. Caesar put the enemies to flight in the other battle.
148.27 Barbarī ex alterīs rēgiōnibus cōpiae adveniēbant. Forces were arriving from other regions of the barbarians.
148.28 Alter tribūnus cum hastātīs dextrum cornū tenēbat. The other tribune held the right wing with the spearmen.
148.29 Hostēs alterā nocte clam castra relīquērunt. The enemies secretly abandoned the camp on the other night.
148.30 Victōriā perfectā, alter cōnsul triumphum dūxit. With victory completed, the other consul led a triumph.
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148.16 Caesar cum alterā parte exercitūs Gallōs adorītur.
148.17 Hostēs ab alterō colle Rōmānōs sagittīs petunt.
148.18 Legiō alterā viā ad oppidum contendit.
148.19 Alter dux suōs mīlitēs in aciem īnstrūxit.
148.20 Gallī alterīs gentibus auxilium mīsērunt.
148.21 Rōmānī alter post alterum oppida expugnant.
148.22 Barbarī alterō diē iterum castra oppugnāvērunt.
148.23 Centuriō alteram cohōrtem in silvam dūxit.
148.24 Alter equitātus hostium terga adorīēbātur.
148.25 Mīlitēs alterīus legiōnis pontem mūniēbant.
148.26 Caesar alterō proeliō hostēs in fugam dedit.
148.27 Barbarī ex alterīs rēgiōnibus cōpiae adveniēbant.
148.28 Alter tribūnus cum hastātīs dextrum cornū tenēbat.
148.29 Hostēs alterā nocte clam castra relīquērunt.
148.30 Victōriā perfectā, alter cōnsul triumphum dūxit.
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In historical narrative, "alter" serves specific military and strategic functions that English speakers should understand:
1. Military Formations and Divisions: Roman military writing frequently used "alter" to describe coordinated actions: -
"cum alterā parte exercitūs" = "with the other part of the army" -
"alterīus legiōnis" = "of the other legion" These constructions show how Roman commanders divided forces for tactical advantage.
2. Temporal Sequencing in Warfare: Historical narratives use "alter" to show progression: -
"alterō diē" = "on the other day" (specific temporal reference) -
"alterā nocte" = "on the other night" (contrasting with previous night) -
"alterō proeliō" = "in the other battle" (sequential military action)
3. Geographical and Strategic Positioning: -
"ab alterō colle" = "from the other hill" (tactical positioning) -
"alterā viā" = "by the other road" (route selection) -
"ex alterīs rēgiōnibus" = "from other regions" (geographical reference)
4. Reciprocal Military Actions: The phrase "alter post alterum" creates the meaning "one after another": -
"Rōmānī alter post alterum oppida expugnant" = "The Romans capture towns one after another" This construction emphasizes systematic conquest.
5. Command Structure References: -
"alter dux" = "the other general" (dual command structure) -
"alter tribūnus" = "the other tribune" (military hierarchy) -
"alter cōnsul" = "the other consul" (shared command)
6. Ablative Absolute Constructions: "Victōriā perfectā" exemplifies ablative absolute, a key Latin construction meaning "with victory completed" or "victory having been completed."
7. Substantive Use in Military Context: "Alter" often functions as a noun in military narratives: -
"Alter equitātus" = "The other cavalry" (unit designation) -
Shows how Roman military organization relied on coordinated units
These patterns demonstrate how "alter" helps create the precise, systematic style characteristic of Roman historical writing, particularly in Caesar's commentaries.
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