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Welcome to Lesson 203 of your Classical Latin Reading Course. Today’s word is tālis, tāle, a third declension adjective meaning “such,” “of such a kind,” or “of that sort.” It appears at frequency rank 203 in the Dickinson Core Vocabulary, placing it among the most essential words for reading Classical Latin fluently.
The adjective tālis is one of Latin’s correlative words — it belongs to a system of paired expressions that create elegant comparisons and characterizations. Its most important pairing is with quālis (”of what kind”), forming the correlative pair tālis...quālis (”such...as”). This construction is a hallmark of Classical Latin prose and poetry, used by Cicero in his orations, by Vergil in his epic similes, and by virtually every major Latin author.
Beyond its correlative function, tālis frequently introduces result clauses with ut and the subjunctive: tālis...ut (”such...that”). It also appears substantively, especially in the neuter plural tālia (”such things”) and the ablative plural tālibus (”with such words”), which Vergil uses repeatedly as a formula for speech transitions.
Course Index:
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What does tālis mean in Latin?
The Latin adjective tālis, tāle is a third declension, two-termination, i-stem adjective meaning “such,” “of such a kind,” or “of that sort.” It derives from the Proto-Italic demonstrative stem tā- (related to the demonstrative pronoun is, ea, id) with the suffix -lis forming adjectives of quality. The word belongs to a system of Latin correlatives: tālis (”such”) pairs with quālis (”of what kind”), just as tantus (”so great”) pairs with quantus (”how great”), and tot (”so many”) with quot (”how many”). Understanding these correlative pairs is essential for reading Classical Latin with fluency.
In this lesson, the fifteen main examples will demonstrate tālis in its various syntactic roles: as a simple attributive adjective, in the tālis...quālis correlative construction, introducing result clauses with ut, and in substantive use. The genre section will present tālis in a connected oratorical narrative in the style of Ciceronian characterization.
Key Takeaways: -
Tālis, tāle is a third declension i-stem adjective meaning “such” or “of such a kind” -
Its most important construction is the correlative tālis...quālis (”such...as”) -
It introduces result clauses: tālis...ut + subjunctive (”such...that”) -
The neuter plural tālia (”such things”) is extremely common, especially in Vergil -
The ablative tālibus frequently means “with such words” in narrative transitions
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tālis /ˈtaː.lɪs/ — The first syllable has a long ā, pronounced like the “a” in “father” but held longer. Stress falls on the first syllable. The -is ending is short.
tāle /ˈtaː.le/ — Neuter nominative/accusative singular. Same long ā with a short final -e.
tālem /ˈtaː.lem/ — Accusative singular masculine/feminine. Long ā, short final syllable.
tālī /ˈtaː.liː/ — Ablative singular (all genders). Both syllables are long.
tālēs /ˈtaː.leːs/ — Nominative/accusative plural masculine/feminine. Long ā, long ē.
tālia /ˈtaː.lɪ.a/ — Neuter nominative/accusative plural. Three syllables.
tālium /ˈtaː.lɪ.ʊm/ — Genitive plural (all genders). The i-stem genitive plural ending.
quālis /ˈkwaː.lɪs/ — The correlative partner. Note the labiovelar /kw/ initial sound.
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203.1 Tālis such a vir man rārus rare est is.
203.2 Tālem such a fēminam woman numquam never vīdī have I seen.
203.3 Tālia such verba words nōn not decet is fitting dīcere to say.
203.4 Nūlla no urbs city tālis such in in Italiā Italy erat was.
203.5 Tālī with such virtūte courage hostēs the enemies superāvit he overcame.
203.6 Tālis such erat was Dīdō Dido, tālem such sē herself laeta happily ferēbat she bore.
203.7 Tālis such est he is quālem as esse to be eum him volēbāmus we wished.
203.8 Nēmō no one tālī with such ingeniō talent facile easily reperitur is found.
203.9 Rēs the state pūblica public tālibus such cīvibus citizens indiget has need of.
203.10 Tālis such clēmentia mercy in in victōre a conqueror laudanda praiseworthy est is.
203.11 Tālibus with such words Īlioneus Ilioneus, cūnctī all simul together ōre with voice fremēbant roared Dardanidae the Trojans.
203.12 Tālis such fuit was Scīpiō Scipio quālem as nūlla no antea before aetās age tulerat had produced.
203.13 Dux the leader tālis such erat was ut that omnēs all mīlitēs soldiers eum him sequī to follow vellent would wish.
203.14 Sī if tālēs such essēmus we were quālēs as esse to be dēbērēmus we ought, vītam a life beātam blessed agērēmus we would live.
203.15 Mē me tālia such things cōgunt compel mōlīrī to undertake rēs deeds dūra hard et and rēgnī of rule novitās newness.
- 203.8b: Nēmō...facile reperitur – "No one of such talent is easily found" - 203.10a: Tālis clēmentia...laudanda est – "Such clemency...is to be praised"
The tālis...quālis construction = "such...as": - 203.12a: Tālis...quālem nūllā antea aetās tulerat – "Such as no age before had brought forth" - 203.14a: Sī tālēs essēmus quālēs esse dēbērēmus – "If we were such as we ought to be"
- 203.13a: Dux tālis erat ut omnēs...sequī vellent – "The leader was such that all soldiers were willing to follow"
- 203.11b: Tālibus...ōre fremēbant – "With such words...they were murmuring" (ablative of means/manner) - 203.9b: tālibus cīvibus indiget – "[the state] has need of such citizens" (ablative after indiget)
Tālis declines like a 3rd declension adjective (tālis, tāle): - NOM.SG: tālis (203.8b, 203.10a, 203.12a, 203.13a) - NOM.PL: tālēs (203.14a), tālēs (203.11b: actually ablative plural) - ACC.PL: tālia (203.15b) - ABL.PL: tālibus (203.9b, 203.11b)
Summary: Tālis is a versatile demonstrative adjective meaning "such" that regularly appears with correlative quālis, in result constructions with ut, and in ablative expressions. ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
203.1 Tālis vir rārus est. → “Such a man is rare.”
203.2 Tālem fēminam numquam vīdī. → “I have never seen such a woman.”
203.3 Tālia verba nōn decet dīcere. → “It is not fitting to say such words.”
203.4 Nūlla urbs tālis in Italiā erat. → “No such city existed in Italy.”
203.5 Tālī virtūte hostēs superāvit. → “With such courage he overcame the enemy.”
203.6 Tālis erat Dīdō, tālem sē laeta ferēbat. → “Such was Dido, such she joyfully bore herself.” (Vergil, Aeneid I.503)
203.7 Tālis est quālem esse eum volēbāmus. → “He is such as we wished him to be.”
203.8 Nēmō tālī ingeniō facile reperitur. → “No one of such talent is easily found.”
203.9 Rēs pūblica tālibus cīvibus indiget. → “The republic needs such citizens.”
203.10 Tālis clēmentia in victōre laudanda est. → “Such clemency in a conqueror is to be praised.”
203.11 Tālibus Īlioneus; cūnctī simul ōre fremēbant Dardanidae. → “With such words spoke Ilioneus; all the Trojans murmured together.” (Vergil, Aeneid I.559)
203.12 Tālis fuit Scīpiō quālem nūllā antea aetās tulerat. → “Such was Scipio, a man the like of whom no previous age had produced.”
203.13 Dux tālis erat ut omnēs mīlitēs eum sequī vellent. → “The leader was such that all the soldiers wished to follow him.”
203.14 Sī tālēs essēmus quālēs esse dēbērēmus, vītam beātam agērēmus. → “If we were such as we ought to be, we would lead a blessed life.”
203.15 Mē tālia cōgunt mōlīrī rēs dūra et rēgnī novitās. → “Hard circumstances and the newness of my kingdom compel me to undertake such measures.” (after Vergil, Aeneid I.563)
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203.1 Tālis vir rārus est.
203.2 Tālem fēminam numquam vīdī.
203.3 Tālia verba nōn decet dīcere.
203.4 Nūlla urbs tālis in Italiā erat.
203.5 Tālī virtūte hostēs superāvit.
203.6 Tālis erat Dīdō, tālem sē laeta ferēbat.
203.7 Tālis est quālem esse eum volēbāmus.
203.8 Nēmō tālī ingeniō facile reperitur.
203.9 Rēs pūblica tālibus cīvibus indiget.
203.10 Tālis clēmentia in victōre laudanda est.
203.11 Tālibus Īlioneus; cūnctī simul ōre fremēbant Dardanidae.
203.12 Tālis fuit Scīpiō quālem nūllā antea aetās tulerat.
203.13 Dux tālis erat ut omnēs mīlitēs eum sequī vellent.
203.14 Sī tālēs essēmus quālēs esse dēbērēmus, vītam beātam agērēmus.
203.15 Mē tālia cōgunt mōlīrī rēs dūra et rēgnī novitās.
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Grammar Rules for This Passage:
The following grammar rules are illustrated in the examples above. These explanations are written for English speakers learning Classical Latin.
1. The Declension of tālis, tāle
The adjective tālis, tāle is a third declension, two-termination, i-stem adjective. “Two-termination” means there are two dictionary forms: tālis serves as both the masculine and feminine nominative singular, while tāle is the neuter nominative/accusative singular. As an i-stem adjective, it shows certain characteristic forms: the ablative singular ends in -ī (not -e), the genitive plural ends in -ium (not -um), and the neuter nominative/accusative plural ends in -ia (not -a).
The full declension runs as follows. In the singular: nominative tālis (m./f.) and tāle (n.); genitive tālis (all genders); dative tālī; accusative tālem (m./f.) and tāle (n.); ablative tālī. In the plural: nominative tālēs (m./f.) and tālia (n.); genitive tālium (all genders); dative tālibus; accusative tālēs (m./f.) and tālia (n.); ablative tālibus.
Students should note that the nominative and genitive singular forms are identical (tālis), which can cause confusion. Context and the noun it modifies will resolve the ambiguity. Compare the similarly declined adjectives fortis, forte (”brave”) and omnis, omne (”every”), which were covered in earlier lessons.
2. The Correlative System: tālis...quālis
The most important construction involving tālis is the correlative pair tālis...quālis (”such...as”). In this construction, tālis appears in the main clause describing a quality, and quālis introduces the subordinate clause providing the comparison:
In example 203.7, Tālis est quālem esse eum volēbāmus — “He is such as we wished him to be.” Here tālis in the main clause (”such”) is picked up by quālem in the subordinate clause (”as”), with both agreeing with the understood subject is (”he”).
This parallels other Latin correlative pairs: tantus...quantus (”so great...as great”), tot...quot (”so many...as many”), tam...quam (”so...as”). English once had similar correlative systems (”such...as”), but modern English often uses simpler constructions. When translating tālis...quālis, think “such...as” or “the kind of...that.”
In example 203.12, Tālis fuit Scīpiō quālem nūllā antea aetās tulerat — the correlative pair spans the entire sentence: “Scipio was such [a man] as no previous age had produced.”
In example 203.14, both words appear in the plural: Sī tālēs essēmus quālēs esse dēbērēmus — “If we were such as we ought to be.”
3. Tālis with Result Clauses (tālis...ut + subjunctive)
When tālis pairs with ut and the subjunctive rather than quālis, it introduces a result clause — “such...that”:
In example 203.13, Dux tālis erat ut omnēs mīlitēs eum sequī vellent — “The leader was such that all the soldiers wished to follow him.” The subjunctive vellent marks this as a result clause. Compare the similar use of tantus...ut (”so great...that”) and tam...ut (”so...that”).
4. Substantive Use: tālia and tālibus
The neuter plural tālia frequently appears as a substantive meaning “such things” or “such words.” In Vergil especially, the ablative tālibus (understood with verbīs or dictīs) serves as a transitional formula meaning “with such words”:
In example 203.11, Tālibus Īlioneus — the verb dīxit is understood: “[with such words spoke] Ilioneus.” This is a characteristic Vergilian speech-ending formula.
In example 203.15, mē tālia cōgunt mōlīrī — tālia is accusative neuter plural, the object of mōlīrī: “compel me to undertake such things.”
5. Attributive Use
In its simplest use, tālis modifies a noun directly, meaning “such a” or “of that kind”:
In example 203.1, Tālis vir rārus est — “Such a man is rare.” Here tālis is a simple attributive adjective modifying vir.
In example 203.5, Tālī virtūte hostēs superāvit — “With such courage he overcame the enemy.” Here tālī is ablative, modifying virtūte (ablative of means/instrument).
6. Word Order Patterns
Tālis typically precedes its noun in attributive position (tālis vir, tālem fēminam), but in predicative use it often follows the verb esse: tālis est (”he is such”). In poetry, tālis may be separated from its noun for emphasis, as in Vergil’s tālis erat Dīdō where the adjective opens the clause for maximum impact.
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Understanding tālis in Roman Literary and Rhetorical Culture
For English speakers learning Classical Latin, understanding tālis requires appreciating how deeply the Romans valued characterization and comparison. The word tālis is not merely a grammatical tool — it is a rhetorical device for defining people, things, and situations by their essential quality.
Vergilian Simile and tālis. Vergil employs tālis as the pivot point of his extended epic similes. The structure quālis...tālis (or its reverse tālis...quālis) allows Vergil to compare a character or event to a mythological or natural parallel. The most famous instance is the Diana/Dido simile in Aeneid I.498-503, where Dido entering her temple is compared to Diana leading her nymphs on Mount Cynthus: tālis erat Dīdō — “such was Dido.” The single word tālis carries the full weight of the comparison, transferring all of Diana’s divine grace, authority, and beauty onto the Carthaginian queen.
Ciceronian Rhetoric and tālis. In Roman oratory, tālis frequently appears in character portraits (ēthopoia). When Cicero wishes to praise or condemn someone, he uses tālis to establish the essential character of the person: tālis vir (”such a man”) — implying a man of extraordinary quality. In forensic oratory, tālis...ut constructions argue from character to action: “he was such a man that he would never have committed such a crime.”
The Correlative System in Roman Thought. The Latin correlative system (tālis/quālis, tantus/quantus, tot/quot) reflects a Roman intellectual habit of thinking in proportional relationships. Roman law, rhetoric, and philosophy all rely on analogical reasoning — arguing that one thing is to another as X is to Y. The tālis...quālis construction embodies this mode of thought in grammar itself.
tālibus as Speech Formula. In epic narrative, tālibus (ablative plural, “with such words”) became a conventional way to mark the end of a speech and the transition back to narrative. Vergil frequently writes tālibus ōrābat (”with such words he was praying”) or simply tālibus Īlioneus (”with such words, Ilioneus [spoke]”). This formula allows the poet to summarize without repeating — the listener understands that the preceding speech was of a certain character and gravity.
False Friend Warning. English “tale” and Latin tālis are not related despite their superficial similarity. English “tale” derives from Old English talu (story, narrative). Latin tālis derives from the demonstrative stem tā-. However, a useful mnemonic: tālis tells you what kind of person or thing — it characterizes, it defines — much as a “tale” reveals character through narrative.
This lesson is designed for English speakers learning Classical Latin.
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Vergil, Aeneid I.496–504 — The Diana Simile: Dido Enters Her Temple
This is one of the most celebrated passages in all of Latin literature. Vergil compares Queen Dido, entering her temple to administer justice, to the goddess Diana leading her nymphs in dance on the ridges of Mount Cynthus. The word tālis serves as the crucial hinge connecting the simile to the narrative.
Part F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Haec these-things-ACC dum while Dardaniō Trojan-DAT Aenēae to-Aeneas-DAT mīranda things-to-be-wondered-at-NOM.PL videntur seem
dum while stupet he-is-stunned obtūtūque and-in-his-gaze-ABL haeret he-clings dēfīxus fixed-NOM.M in in ūnō one-ABL
rēgīna the-queen-NOM ad to templum the-temple-ACC fōrmā in-beauty-ABL pulcherrima most-beautiful-NOM.F Dīdō Dido-NOM
incessit advanced magnā great-ABL iuvenum of-young-men-GEN stīpante attending-ABL catervā crowd-ABL
Quālis just-as in on Eurōtae of-Eurotas-GEN rīpīs the-banks-ABL aut or per over iuga the-ridges-ACC Cynthī of-Cynthus-GEN
exercet leads Diāna Diana-NOM chorōs dances-ACC quam whom-ACC mīlle a-thousand secūtae having-followed-NOM.F.PL
hinc on-this-side atque and hinc on-that-side glomerantur cluster-together Oreades mountain-nymphs-NOM.PL
illa she-NOM pharetram a-quiver-ACC fert carries umerō on-her-shoulder-ABL
gradiēnsque and-striding-NOM deās the-goddesses-ACC superēminet towers-above omnēs all-ACC
Lātōnae of-Latona-GEN tacitum silent-ACC pertemptant fill-through gaudia joys-NOM.PL pectus her-breast-ACC
tālis such-NOM erat was Dīdō Dido-NOM tālem such-ACC sē herself-ACC laeta joyful-NOM.F ferēbat she-bore
per through mediōs the-middle-ACC.PL īnstāns pressing-on-NOM operī to-the-work-DAT rēgnīsque and-to-the-kingdoms-DAT futūrīs future-DAT.PL
Part F-B: The Text from F-A with Translation
Haec dum Dardaniō Aenēae mīranda videntur, dum stupet, obtūtūque haeret dēfīxus in ūnō, rēgīna ad templum, fōrmā pulcherrima Dīdō, incessit magnā iuvenum stīpante catervā. Quālis in Eurōtae rīpīs aut per iuga Cynthī exercet Diāna chorōs, quam mīlle secūtae hinc atque hinc glomerantur Oreades; illa pharetram fert umerō, gradiēnsque deās superēminet omnēs: Lātōnae tacitum pertemptant gaudia pectus: tālis erat Dīdō, tālem sē laeta ferēbat per mediōs, īnstāns operī rēgnīsque futūrīs.
→ “While these things seemed wonderful to Trojan Aeneas, while he stood stunned, his gaze fixed and clinging upon this single sight, the queen, Dido, most beautiful in form, advanced to the temple with a great crowd of young men attending her. Just as on the banks of the Eurotas or over the ridges of Cynthus Diana leads her dances, and a thousand mountain nymphs who have followed her cluster on this side and that; she carries her quiver on her shoulder, and striding forth she towers above all the goddesses: joys fill through the silent breast of Latona — such was Dido, such she joyfully bore herself through the midst, pressing on with the work of her future kingdom.”
Part F-C: Original Latin Text of F-A Only
Haec dum Dardaniō Aenēae mīranda videntur, dum stupet, obtūtūque haeret dēfīxus in ūnō, rēgīna ad templum, fōrmā pulcherrima Dīdō, incessit magnā iuvenum stīpante catervā. Quālis in Eurōtae rīpīs aut per iuga Cynthī exercet Diāna chorōs, quam mīlle secūtae hinc atque hinc glomerantur Oreades; illa pharetram fert umerō, gradiēnsque deās superēminet omnēs: Lātōnae tacitum pertemptant gaudia pectus: tālis erat Dīdō, tālem sē laeta ferēbat per mediōs, īnstāns operī rēgnīsque futūrīs.
Part F-D: Grammar Commentary
This passage from Vergil’s Aeneid I.496-504 demonstrates the quālis...tālis correlative construction in its most majestic form — the Homeric-style extended simile.
The structure works as follows: Quālis (”just as,” “of what kind”) opens the simile at line 498, introducing the image of Diana dancing with her nymphs. The simile runs for five lines, building a vivid picture of divine beauty and authority. Then tālis (”such”) at line 503 snaps the reader back to the narrative, transferring all the accumulated imagery onto Dido: tālis erat Dīdō. The repetition tālem sē laeta ferēbat reinforces the comparison with the accusative — not only was she such, she bore herself as such.
Key grammatical points for English-speaking students:
The ablative absolute magnā iuvenum stīpante catervā (”with a great crowd of young men attending”) uses the present participle stīpante with the ablative noun catervā. Note that iuvenum is a partitive genitive: “a crowd of young men.”
The construction quam mīlle secūtae...glomerantur shows the perfect participle secūtae (from sequor, deponent) in agreement with the feminine plural Oreades: “a thousand [nymphs] having followed her cluster together.” The word quam is the relative pronoun referring to Diana.
The phrase fōrmā pulcherrima is an ablative of respect or specification: “most beautiful in form” — a very common Latin construction where English would use “in” or simply an adverb.
Lātōnae tacitum pertemptant gaudia pectus — this is an artful line where the subject (gaudia, “joys”) is embedded between modifier and noun: “joys fill through the silent breast of Latona.” Latona is Diana’s mother (Greek Leto), and the detail that her joy is tacitum (”silent”) adds a touching note of maternal pride.
The verb ferēbat with the reflexive sē means “bore herself,” “carried herself” — that is, conducted herself with a certain bearing and dignity. This is a common Latin idiom: sē ferre = to comport oneself.
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A connected narrative in the style of Ciceronian oratory, demonstrating tālis in rhetorical characterization and argumentation.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
203.23a Tālibus factīs glōriam sibi comparāvit quae numquam oblivīōne dēlēbitur.
| Latin | Case | Function | English | |-------|------|----------|---------| | Tālibus | ABL.PL | ablative of means | by-such | | factīs | ABL.PL | ablative of means | deeds | | glōriam | ACC.SG | direct object | glory | | sibi | DAT.SG | dative of reference | for-himself | | comparāvit | 3SG PERF | main verb | he-acquired/secured | | quae | NOM.SG | relative pronoun, subject of dēlēbitur | which | | numquam | ADV | time modifier | never | | oblivīōne | ABL.SG | ablative of means | by-forgetfulness | | dēlēbitur | 3SG FUT PASS | relative clause verb | will-be-destroyed |
"By such deeds he secured for himself glory which will never be destroyed by forgetfulness."
Or more naturally:
"Through such deeds he won for himself glory that will never be erased by oblivion."
- Tālibus factīs: Ablative of means expressing the method by which glory was acquired - sibi comparāvit: Dative of advantage/reference—the glory was secured "for himself" - quae numquam oblivīōne dēlēbitur: A relative clause of characteristic; oblivīōne is ablative of means (the agent of destruction)
This is a powerful concluding section of a judicial defense (likely from Cicero), employing emotional appeal and patriotic rhetoric to persuade judges to acquit the defendant.
1. Anaphora and Parallelism (203.27a) - Tālem igitur virum damnābitis...? Tālem cīvem...removēbitis? - Repeated tālem and parallel structure create emphatic questions that demand reflection
2. Reductio ad absurdum (203.28a) - Sī tālia facitis, nūllus posteā cīvis prō patriā pūgnāre audēbit. - Shows catastrophic consequences: condemning a patriotic man will discourage future citizens from serving the state
3. Appeal to Honor and Precedent (203.30b) - tālēs vōs ipsōs praestābitis quālēs māiōrēs vestrī fuērunt - Judges are challenged to prove themselves worthy of their ancestors' legacy
- Subjunctive clauses: ut virum fortem opprimī patiātur (203.26b) - conditional; Sī...facitis (203.28b) - open condition - Imperative appeals: cōnservāte (203.29b) - direct command - Comparative: quālēs māiōrēs vestrī fuērunt - "as great as your ancestors were"
The passage culminates in an emotional call for judicial wisdom through patriotic duty. ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ Part B: Natural Sentences
203.16 Quaeritis, iūdicēs, quālis fuerit imperātor noster. → “You ask, judges, what kind of man our commander was.”
203.17 Dīcam vōbīs: tālis fuit quālem rēs pūblica semper optāvit. → “I shall tell you: he was such as the republic has always wished for.”
203.18 In bellō tālem sē praebuit ut hostēs nōmen eius timērent. → “In war he showed himself to be such that the enemy feared his very name.”
203.19 In pāce tālis erat quālem cīvēs optimī esse volunt. → “In peace he was such as the best citizens wish to be.”
203.20 Tālī animō fuit ut nec dīvitiās nec honōrēs prō patriā recūsāret. → “He was of such spirit that he refused neither riches nor offices for the sake of his fatherland.”
203.21 Erat enim tālis dux quī cōnsiliō plūs quam armīs valēret. → “For he was such a leader as prevailed more by counsel than by arms.”
203.22 Mīlitēs eius tālia dē imperātōre suō nārrābant ut omnēs admīrārentur. → “His soldiers told such things about their commander that everyone marvelled.”
203.23 Tālibus factīs glōriam sibi comparāvit quae numquam oblivīōne dēlēbitur. → “By such deeds he acquired for himself a glory that will never be destroyed by forgetfulness.”
203.24 Nam quis tālem pietātem ergā deōs, tālem iūstitiam ergā hominēs umquam ostendit? → “For who has ever shown such devotion toward the gods, such justice toward men?”
203.25 Adversārī eius, hominēs scelestī, tālia contrā eum dīxērunt quālia pudet referre. → “His opponents, wicked men, said such things against him as one is ashamed to report.”
203.26 Sed populus Rōmānus nōn est tālis ut virum fortem falsīs crīminibus opprimī patiātur. → “But the Roman people is not such as to allow a brave man to be crushed by false charges.”
203.27 Tālem igitur virum damnābitis, iūdicēs? Tālem cīvem ā rē pūblicā removēbitis? → “Will you therefore condemn such a man, judges? Will you remove such a citizen from public life?”
203.28 Sī tālia facitis, nūllus posteā cīvis prō patriā pūgnāre audēbit. → “If you do such things, no citizen will afterwards dare to fight for his country.”
203.29 Vōs ōrō atque obtestor: cōnservāte tālem virum rēī pūblicae! → “I beg and beseech you: preserve such a man for the republic!”
203.30 Sīc enim facientēs, tālēs vōs ipsōs praestābitis quālēs māiōrēs vestrī fuērunt. → “For by doing thus, you will show yourselves to be such as your ancestors were.”
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Part C: Latin Text Only
203.16 Quaeritis, iūdicēs, quālis fuerit imperātor noster.
203.17 Dīcam vōbīs: tālis fuit quālem rēs pūblica semper optāvit.
203.18 In bellō tālem sē praebuit ut hostēs nōmen eius timērent.
203.19 In pāce tālis erat quālem cīvēs optimī esse volunt.
203.20 Tālī animō fuit ut nec dīvitiās nec honōrēs prō patriā recūsāret.
203.21 Erat enim tālis dux quī cōnsiliō plūs quam armīs valēret.
203.22 Mīlitēs eius tālia dē imperātōre suō nārrābant ut omnēs admīrārentur.
203.23 Tālibus factīs glōriam sibi comparāvit quae numquam oblivīōne dēlēbitur.
203.24 Nam quis tālem pietātem ergā deōs, tālem iūstitiam ergā hominēs umquam ostendit?
203.25 Adversārī eius, hominēs scelestī, tālia contrā eum dīxērunt quālia pudet referre.
203.26 Sed populus Rōmānus nōn est tālis ut virum fortem falsīs crīminibus opprimī patiātur.
203.27 Tālem igitur virum damnābitis, iūdicēs? Tālem cīvem ā rē pūblicā removēbitis?
203.28 Sī tālia facitis, nūllus posteā cīvis prō patriā pūgnāre audēbit.
203.29 Vōs ōrō atque obtestor: cōnservāte tālem virum rēī pūblicae!
203.30 Sīc enim facientēs, tālēs vōs ipsōs praestābitis quālēs māiōrēs vestrī fuērunt.
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Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
The oratorical narrative above showcases several advanced uses of tālis that build on the main lesson:
1. Rhetorical Repetition of tālis. In example 203.24, the orator repeats tālem...tālem in parallel phrases: tālem pietātem ergā deōs, tālem iūstitiam ergā hominēs — “such devotion toward the gods, such justice toward men.” This is anaphora (repeated word at the beginning of successive phrases), a hallmark of Ciceronian oratory. The repetition of tālem builds rhetorical momentum.
2. tālis with the Relative Pronoun quī. In example 203.21, tālis dux quī cōnsiliō plūs quam armīs valēret — quī with the subjunctive (valēret) here expresses characteristic or result: “such a leader as would prevail...” This is functionally equivalent to tālis...ut but uses the relative clause instead.
3. Rhetorical Questions with tālem. In example 203.27, the orator uses tālem in outraged rhetorical questions: Tālem igitur virum damnābitis? — “Will you therefore condemn such a man?” The word tālem carries enormous emotional weight here — it summarizes all the qualities enumerated in the preceding narrative and challenges the judges to act against them.
4. The Present Participle facientēs with Future Indicative. In example 203.30, facientēs...praestābitis — “doing [this]...you will show” — the present participle expresses simultaneous action with the future main verb. This is a common way to express “by doing X, you will achieve Y.”
5. tālis...quālis Framing the Entire Narrative. The genre section opens with quālis (203.16: “what kind of man was he?”) and closes with the full tālēs...quālēs correlative (203.30: “such as your ancestors were”), creating a rhetorical frame. This ring-composition technique, where the conclusion echoes the opening, is characteristic of Classical Latin oratory.
6. The Impersonal pudet with Infinitive. In example 203.25, pudet referre — “it shames [one] to report” — pudet is one of the impersonal verbs of emotion. The construction is: pudet + accusative of the person ashamed (often omitted, as here) + genitive of the cause of shame or infinitive.
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The Latinum Institute Method for Classical Latin
This lesson is part of a systematic Classical Latin course based on frequency-ranked vocabulary from the Dickinson Core Vocabulary. Each lesson focuses on one high-frequency word, teaching it through complete morphological paradigms, authentic usage examples from Classical authors, cultural and historical context essential for understanding, the Duplex Method of interlinear glossing for direct comprehension, and progressive difficulty from simple to complex constructions.
Why This Approach Works
The Latinum Institute has taught languages through construed reading since 2006. By learning the 1,000 most common words systematically, students gain approximately 80% comprehension of most Classical texts, authentic usage patterns from real Latin literature, cultural competence alongside linguistic knowledge, and an autodidact-friendly progression requiring no teacher.
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About Classical Latin
This course teaches Classical Latin — the language of Cicero, Vergil, Caesar, and Ovid (roughly 100 BCE to 100 CE). This is the foundational form of Latin from which all later varieties descend: Medieval Latin (500–1500 CE), Ecclesiastical Latin (Church Latin), and Neo-Latin (Renaissance to present). Mastering Classical Latin provides the foundation for reading any Latin text from any period.
Next Steps
After completing this lesson on tālis, tāle, you should be able to decline tālis correctly through all cases in all genders, recognize the tālis...quālis correlative construction in context, identify tālis...ut as a result clause trigger, understand the substantive use of tālia and tālibus in narrative transitions, and read Vergilian and Ciceronian passages featuring characterization through tālis.
Continue to Lesson 204 to build your systematic vocabulary mastery, or review Lesson 202 (ingēns) and Lesson 201 (labor) to reinforce recent learning.
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Lesson 203 Complete
Total Examples: 30 (15 main + 15 oratorical narrative) Target Word: tālis, tāle (such, of such a kind) Dickinson Core Vocabulary Rank: 203 Part of Speech: Adjective, 3rd Declension (two-termination, i-stem) Semantic Category: Measurement
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