← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
This lesson focuses on the Latin conjunction "aut" meaning "or." This word is used to present alternatives that are mutually exclusive - when one option excludes the other.
22.1 Either aut the boy puer or aut the girl puella reads legit the book librum
22.2 You must debes either aut work laborare or aut study studere
22.3 Either aut today hodie or aut tomorrow cras I will go ibo to ad the forum forum
22.4 The soldier miles either aut fights pugnat or aut flees fugit
22.5 Either aut peace pax or aut war bellum awaits manet us nos
22.6 The ship navis will sail navigabit either aut east ad orientem or aut west ad occidentem
22.7 Either aut speak dic or aut be silent tace
22.8 The farmer agricola must sell vendere debet either aut grain frumentum or aut cattle pecus
22.9 You tu will be eris either aut friend amicus or aut enemy hostis
22.10 Either aut wisdom sapientia or aut strength vis will prevail vincet
22.11 The general dux must choose eligere debet either aut victory victoriam or aut death mortem
22.12 Either aut stay mane here hic or aut leave discede now nunc
22.13 The weather caelum will be erit either aut clear serenum or aut cloudy nubilum
22.14 We must travel iter facere debemus either aut by land terra or aut by sea mari
22.15 Either aut write scribe a letter epistulam or aut send mitte a messenger nuntium
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22.1 Aut puer aut puella librum legit. Either the boy or the girl reads the book.
22.2 Aut laborare aut studere debes. You must either work or study.
22.3 Aut hodie aut cras ad forum ibo. Either today or tomorrow I will go to the forum.
22.4 Miles aut pugnat aut fugit. The soldier either fights or flees.
22.5 Aut pax aut bellum nos manet. Either peace or war awaits us.
22.6 Navis aut ad orientem aut ad occidentem navigabit. The ship will sail either east or west.
22.7 Aut dic aut tace. Either speak or be silent.
22.8 Agricola aut frumentum aut pecus vendere debet. The farmer must sell either grain or cattle.
22.9 Tu aut amicus aut hostis eris. You will be either friend or enemy.
22.10 Aut sapientia aut vis vincet. Either wisdom or strength will prevail.
22.11 Dux aut victoriam aut mortem eligere debet. The general must choose either victory or death.
22.12 Aut hic mane aut nunc discede. Either stay here or leave now.
22.13 Caelum aut serenum aut nubilum erit. The weather will be either clear or cloudy.
22.14 Aut terra aut mari iter facere debemus. We must travel either by land or by sea.
22.15 Aut epistulam scribe aut nuntium mitte. Either write a letter or send a messenger.
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22.1 Aut puer aut puella librum legit.
22.2 Aut laborare aut studere debes.
22.3 Aut hodie aut cras ad forum ibo.
22.4 Miles aut pugnat aut fugit.
22.5 Aut pax aut bellum nos manet.
22.6 Navis aut ad orientem aut ad occidentem navigabit.
22.7 Aut dic aut tace.
22.8 Agricola aut frumentum aut pecus vendere debet.
22.9 Tu aut amicus aut hostis eris.
22.10 Aut sapientia aut vis vincet.
22.11 Dux aut victoriam aut mortem eligere debet.
22.12 Aut hic mane aut nunc discede.
22.13 Caelum aut serenum aut nubilum erit.
22.14 Aut terra aut mari iter facere debemus.
22.15 Aut epistulam scribe aut nuntium mitte.
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For English speakers, understanding "aut" involves several key points: -
Basic Usage: -
"Aut" is always used in pairs: "aut...aut..." = "either...or..." -
It presents mutually exclusive alternatives -
Unlike English "or," it cannot be used alone -
Word Order: -
"Aut" typically appears immediately before each alternative -
The alternatives must be parallel grammatically -
Example: "Aut puer aut puella" (both nouns in nominative) -
Grammar Rules: -
The verb agrees with the closer subject when alternatives are singular -
With plural alternatives, the verb is plural -
Can connect nouns, verbs, adjectives, or whole clauses -
Comparison with English: -
More restrictive than English "or" -
Always implies mutual exclusivity -
Must be paired ("aut...aut...") -
Common Patterns: -
With imperatives ("aut dic aut tace") -
With future tense ("aut erit aut non erit") -
With complementary infinitives ("debes aut laborare aut studere")
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Understanding "aut" in Roman culture: -
Legal Context: -
Used in Roman law to present clear alternatives -
Important in contracts and legal decisions -
Reflected Roman love of precise language -
Military Usage: -
Common in military commands -
Used for clear tactical choices -
Found in battle accounts and military histories -
Philosophical Importance: -
Used in logical arguments -
Important in Stoic philosophy -
Key to Roman decision-making processes -
Modern Relevance: -
Still used in formal logic -
Important in legal language -
Reflects clear either/or thinking
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Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
From Ovid's "Metamorphoses" (III.141):
Either aut depart fuge or aut die moriere
"Aut fuge aut moriere." Either flee or you will die.
This quote demonstrates the stark either/or nature of "aut" in dramatic context. Ovid uses it to present Diana's ultimatum to Actaeon.
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"Aut" used with both imperative (fuge) and future (moriere) -
Shows the versatility of "aut" with different verb forms -
Demonstrates typical brief, emphatic style
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These sentences demonstrate the aut...aut (either...or) construction in Roman legal language. Here are the key patterns:
Subject + verb + aut Option A aut Option B
The disjunctive emphasizes mutually exclusive legal alternatives.
- Objects follow the case required by their verbs: - Accusative: multam, exsilium, mortem, servitutem, legem, rem, hereditatem, bonis - Dative: legibus, consulem, ad consulem - Ablative: urbe, impensas (as costs)
- Main verb often appears before the disjunction (22.16-23, 25, 27, 29-30) - Sometimes repeated after aut (22.19, 22.24, 26, 28-29): debet...aut...debet - Sometimes only at the end for economy
- debet (must) - obligation/duty - constituet, decernet, definiet (will determine) - judicial authority - dicere debet, ferre debet (must speak/vote) - prescribed action
These constructions emphasize the binary nature of legal outcomes: no middle ground exists between the alternatives presented.
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Would you like me to parse any specific sentence in detail?
22.16 Reus aut multam solvere aut exsilium subire debet. The accused must either pay a fine or face exile.
22.17 Lex aut mortem aut servitutem praescribit. The law prescribes either death or servitude.
22.18 Civis aut legibus parere aut urbe excedere debet. The citizen must either obey the laws or leave the city.
22.19 Aut pater aut tutor tabellas signare debet. Either the father or the guardian must sign the contract.
22.20 Iudex aut culpam aut innocentiam constituet. The judge will determine either guilt or innocence.
22.21 Testis aut verum aut nihil dicere debet. The witness must speak either truth or nothing.
22.22 Aut rem restitue aut pretium solve. Either restore the property or pay compensation.
22.23 Senator aut pro aut contra legem suffragium ferre debet. The senator must vote either for or against the law.
22.24 Aut iudicium accipe aut ad consulem provoca. Either accept the judgment or appeal to the consul.
22.25 Heres aut accipere aut repudiare hereditatem debet. The heir must either accept or reject the inheritance.
22.26 Aut actor aut reus impensas solvere debet. Either the plaintiff or the defendant must pay the costs.
22.27 Magistratus aut clementiam aut poenam decernet. The magistrate will decide either mercy or punishment.
22.28 Aut pactum imple aut poenas subi. Either fulfill the contract or face penalties.
22.29 Debitor aut solvere aut bonis cedere debet. The debtor must either pay or forfeit property.
22.30 Aut lex aut mos causam definiet. Either the law or custom will determine the case.
22.16 Reus aut multam solvere aut exsilium subire debet.
22.17 Lex aut mortem aut servitutem praescribit.
22.18 Civis aut legibus parere aut urbe excedere debet.
22.19 Aut pater aut tutor tabellas signare debet.
22.20 Iudex aut culpam aut innocentiam constituet.
22.21 Testis aut verum aut nihil dicere debet.
22.22 Aut rem restitue aut pretium solve.
22.23 Senator aut pro aut contra legem suffragium ferre debet.
22.24 Aut iudicium accipe aut ad consulem provoca.
22.25 Heres aut accipere aut repudiare hereditatem debet.
22.26 Aut actor aut reus impensas solvere debet.
22.27 Magistratus aut clementiam aut poenam decernet.
22.28 Aut pactum imple aut poenas subi.
22.29 Debitor aut solvere aut bonis cedere debet.
22.30 Aut lex aut mos causam definiet.
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Legal Formulaic Patterns: -
"Aut...aut" in legal contexts often connects: -
Two possible penalties (multam/exsilium) -
Two possible actions (solvere/cedere) -
Two legal authorities (lex/mos) -
Frequently used with modal verbs: -
debere (must) -
posse (can/may) -
Verb Forms in Legal Context: -
Imperatives for direct commands (restitue, solve) -
Future tense for legal consequences (definiet) -
Present tense for stating laws (praescribit) -
Infinitives with modal verbs (parere debet) -
Case Usage in Legal Latin: -
Accusative for direct objects (multam, hereditatem) -
Dative for indirect objects and compliance (legibus) -
Ablative for means and separation (bonis) -
Genitive for possession and relation (causam) -
Word Order in Legal Formulae: -
"Aut...aut" pairs frame the alternatives clearly -
Verb often comes at end of clause -
Subject (when expressed) typically comes first -
Legal terms take precedent positions -
Special Legal Vocabulary with "aut": -
Technical legal terms (reus, actor, iudex) -
Legal actions (solvere, cedere, provocare) -
Legal concepts (culpa, innocentia, hereditas) -
Institutional terms (consul, magistratus, senator) -
Syntax Patterns in Legal Language: -
Gerundive constructions indicating necessity -
Conditional constructions with alternatives -
Purpose clauses stating legal intentions -
Result clauses describing consequences -
Legal Language Features: -
Precision in terminology -
Formal register -
Clear alternatives -
Unambiguous consequences -
Standard formulaic expressions
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22.16 The accused reus must debet either aut pay solvere a fine multam or aut face subire exile exsilium
22.17 The law lex prescribes praescribit either aut death mortem or aut servitude servitutem
22.18 The citizen civis must debet either aut obey parere the laws legibus or aut leave excedere the city urbe
22.19 Either aut the father pater or aut the guardian tutor must sign signare debet the contract tabellas
22.20 The judge iudex will determine constituet either aut guilt culpam or aut innocence innocentiam
22.21 The witness testis must speak dicere debet either aut truth verum or aut nothing nihil
22.22 Either aut restore restitue the property rem or aut pay solve compensation pretium
22.23 The senator senator must vote suffragium ferre debet either aut for pro or aut against contra the law legem
22.24 Either aut accept accipe the judgment iudicium or aut appeal provoca to ad the consul consulem
22.25 The heir heres must debet either aut accept accipere or aut reject repudiare the inheritance hereditatem
22.26 Either aut the plaintiff actor or aut the defendant reus must pay solvere debet the costs impensas
22.27 The magistrate magistratus will decide decernet either aut mercy clementiam or aut punishment poenam
22.28 Either aut fulfill imple the contract pactum or aut face subi penalties poenas
22.29 The debtor debitor must debet either aut pay solvere or aut forfeit cedere property bonis
22.30 Either aut the law lex or aut custom mos will determine definiet the case causam
22.31 Marcus aut studere aut cum amicis ludere decidere debebat. Marcus had to decide either to study or to play with his friends.
22.32 Iulia aut in horto legit aut in cubiculo epistulas scribit. Julia either reads in the garden or writes letters in her room.
22.33 Pater eorum aut Romam aut Athenas iter faciet. Their father will travel either to Rome or to Athens.
22.34 Aut Claudia aut Lucia matrem in culina adiuvabit. Either Claudia or Lucia will help mother in the kitchen.
22.35 Pueri aut natare aut ambulare eligere debent. The children must choose either to swim or to walk.
22.36 Aut canis aut feles cibum consumpsit. Either the dog or the cat has eaten the food.
22.37 Quintus aut librum aut ludum fratri dabit. Quintus will give either a book or a game to his brother.
22.38 Magister nos aut exercere aut quiescere debere dicit. The teacher says we must either practice or rest.
22.39 Aut pluvia aut sol actiones nostras constituet. Either rain or sunshine will determine our activities.
22.40 Mater aut piscem aut carnem ad cenam parabit. Mother will prepare either fish or meat for dinner.
22.41 Servus aquam aut e puteo aut e flumine petere debet. The slave must fetch water either from the well or from the river.
22.42 Aut ventus aut pluvia floribus nocuit. Either the wind or the rain has damaged the flowers.
22.43 Avus aut fabulam aut aenigma narrabit. Grandfather will tell either a story or a riddle.
22.44 Puer aut tunicam rubram aut albam eligere debet. The boy must choose either the red tunic or the white one.
22.45 Aut lucerna aut candela cubiculum illuminabit. Either the lamp or the candle will light the room.
22.31 Marcus aut studere aut cum amicis ludere decidere debebat.
22.32 Iulia aut in horto legit aut in cubiculo epistulas scribit.
22.33 Pater eorum aut Romam aut Athenas iter faciet.
22.34 Aut Claudia aut Lucia matrem in culina adiuvabit.
22.35 Pueri aut natare aut ambulare eligere debent.
22.36 Aut canis aut feles cibum consumpsit.
22.37 Quintus aut librum aut ludum fratri dabit.
22.38 Magister nos aut exercere aut quiescere debere dicit.
22.39 Aut pluvia aut sol actiones nostras constituet.
22.40 Mater aut piscem aut carnem ad cenam parabit.
22.41 Servus aquam aut e puteo aut e flumine petere debet.
22.42 Aut ventus aut pluvia floribus nocuit.
22.43 Avus aut fabulam aut aenigma narrabit.
22.44 Puer aut tunicam rubram aut albam eligere debet.
22.45 Aut lucerna aut candela cubiculum illuminabit.
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Narrative Tense Usage with "aut": -
Present tense for ongoing actions (legit, scribit) -
Future tense for planned actions (narrabit, illuminabit) -
Perfect tense for completed actions (consumpsit, nocuit) -
Imperfect tense for background actions (debebat) -
Complex Constructions: -
Indirect discourse with debere -
Purpose clauses -
Result expressions -
Temporal sequences -
Word Order in Narrative: -
More flexible than legal or formal contexts -
Allows for dramatic emphasis -
Maintains clarity of alternatives -
Natural conversational flow -
Stylistic Features: -
Character-focused alternatives -
Daily life choices -
Family interactions -
Domestic settings -
Personal decisions -
Special Uses in Dialogue: -
Direct speech patterns -
Reported speech -
Questions and responses -
Commands and suggestions
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