← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
24.1 Mīles the soldier ex out of castrīs the camp venit comes
24.2 Agricola the farmer ex from agrō the field redit returns
24.3 Sacerdōs the priest ex out of templō the temple ambulat walks
24.4 Puer the boy ex from domō the house currit runs
24.5 Nūntius the messenger ex out of urbe the city venit comes
24.6 Nautae the sailors ex from portū the harbor discēdunt depart
24.7 Fēmina the woman ē out of hortō the garden ambulat walks
24.8 Magister the teacher discipulōs students ex from lūdō school dūcit leads
24.9 Aqua water ex from fonte the fountain fluit flows
24.10 Servus the slave cibum food ex out of forō the market portat carries
24.11 Avēs birds ex from arbore the tree volant fly
24.12 Dux the general ex from proeliō battle redit returns
24.13 Puerī the children ex out of silvā the forest veniunt come
24.14 Mercātōrēs the merchants ex from urbe the city discēdunt depart
24.15 Ovēs the sheep ex from agrō the field currunt run
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24.1 Mīles ex castrīs venit. The soldier comes out of the camp.
24.2 Agricola ex agrō redit. The farmer returns from the field.
24.3 Sacerdōs ex templō ambulat. The priest walks out of the temple.
24.4 Puer ex domō currit. The boy runs from the house.
24.5 Nūntius ex urbe venit. The messenger comes out of the city.
24.6 Nautae ex portū discēdunt. The sailors depart from the harbor.
24.7 Fēmina ē hortō ambulat. The woman walks out of the garden.
24.8 Magister discipulōs ex lūdō dūcit. The teacher leads students from school.
24.9 Aqua ex fonte fluit. Water flows from the fountain.
24.10 Servus cibum ex forō portat. The slave carries food out of the market.
24.11 Avēs ex arbore volant. Birds fly from the tree.
24.12 Dux ex proeliō redit. The general returns from battle.
24.13 Puerī ex silvā veniunt. The children come out of the forest.
24.14 Mercātōrēs ex urbe discēdunt. The merchants depart from the city.
24.15 Ovēs ex agrō currunt. The sheep run from the field.
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24.1 Mīles ex castrīs venit.
24.2 Agricola ex agrō redit.
24.3 Sacerdōs ex templō ambulat.
24.4 Puer ex domō currit.
24.5 Nūntius ex urbe venit.
24.6 Nautae ex portū discēdunt.
24.7 Fēmina ē hortō ambulat.
24.8 Magister discipulōs ex lūdō dūcit.
24.9 Aqua ex fonte fluit.
24.10 Servus cibum ex forō portat.
24.11 Avēs ex arbore volant.
24.12 Dux ex proeliō redit.
24.13 Puerī ex silvā veniunt.
24.14 Mercātōrēs ex urbe discēdunt.
24.15 Ovēs ex agrō currunt.
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The preposition "ex" (or "ē" before consonants) is one of the most common Latin prepositions. For English speakers, several key points are important: -
Case Usage: -
Always takes the ablative case -
The noun following "ex" must be in the ablative -
Examples: castra → ex castrīs, urbs → ex urbe -
Forms: -
"ex" is used before vowels and most consonants -
"ē" is an alternative form used mainly before consonants -
Both forms have the same meaning -
Common Uses: -
Physical movement out of or away from something -
Origin or source -
Starting point of action -
Material something is made from -
Word Order: -
Usually appears directly before its object -
Can be separated for emphasis -
Forms a prepositional phrase with its object -
Important for English Speakers: -
Different from English "from" which can take many forms -
More specific than English "out of" -
Cannot be used for time expressions like English "from" -
Always indicates movement or origin
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For English speakers learning Latin, understanding "ex" requires cultural context: -
Roman Spatial Concepts: -
Romans were precise about movement and direction -
Buildings and spaces had clear boundaries -
Movement between spaces was important in daily life -
Social Context: -
Different social classes moved through different spaces -
Some spaces were restricted by gender or status -
Movement patterns reflected social hierarchy -
Historical Perspective: -
Romans were great builders and engineers -
They created distinct spaces with clear boundaries -
Movement between spaces was often ceremonial -
Modern Parallels: -
Similar to English "out of" in physical movement -
Different from English in abstract uses -
Important in understanding Roman spatial organization
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Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
From Caesar's "De Bello Gallico" (Book 1.1):
Ex out of eō this locō place in into fīnēs the territories Helvētiōrum of the Helvetii contendit he hastens
Ex eō locō in fīnēs Helvētiōrum contendit. From this place he hastens into the territories of the Helvetii.
Caesar uses "ex" to show precise military movement. The preposition helps create his characteristic clear, factual style.
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"ex" takes ablative "locō" -
"eō" is demonstrative adjective with "locō" -
Movement from one place to another shown by "ex" and "in" -
"contendit" shows swift, purposeful movement
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These sentences all follow the pattern of military personnel/units moving OUT FROM various locations, using the preposition ex (from) + ablative case.
| Verb | Meaning | Notes | |------|---------|-------| | proficīscuntur | set out | deponent | | dēscendunt | descend/climb down | | | ēdūcit | leads out | | | ēvādunt | emerge | | | dūcit | leads | | | redeunt | return | | | recipit | withdraws | with sē | | ēgrediuntur | disembark/go out | deponent | | prōcēdunt | advance | | | ēgreditur | comes out | deponent | | exit/depart | leaves | implied | | dēsiliunt | jump down | | | efferunt | carry out | |
- legiōnēs, equitēs, mīlitēs = troops - dux, imperātor, tribūnus, lēgātus = officers - castra, hibernia, oppida = military bases - aciēs, vallum, portae, turres = fortifications - arma, signifer = weapons/standards
All use ex + ablative for "out from" locations. The variety of motion verbs shows nuanced military movements (emerging, descending, advancing, withdrawing, etc.).
24.16 Legiōnēs ex castrīs proficīscuntur. The legions set out from the camp.
24.17 Equitēs ex collibus dēscendunt. The cavalry descend from the hills.
24.18 Dux mīlitēs ex urbe ēdūcit. The general leads soldiers out of the city.
24.19 Auxilia ex silvīs ēvādunt. Auxiliary troops emerge from the woods.
24.20 Centuriō cohortēs ex portīs dūcit. The centurion leads cohorts from the gates.
24.21 Explōrātōrēs ex montibus redeunt. Scouts return from the mountains.
24.22 Sagittāriī ex turribus dēscendunt. Archers climb down from the towers.
24.23 Imperātor cōpiās ex hibernīs ēdūcit. The commander leads forces out of winter quarters.
24.24 Signifer ex aciē sē recipit. The standard-bearer withdraws from the battle line.
24.25 Veterānī ex nāvibus ēgrediuntur. Veterans disembark from the ships.
24.26 Custōdēs ex statiōnibus prōcēdunt. Guards advance from their posts.
24.27 Tribūnus ex praetōriō ēgreditur. The tribune comes out of headquarters.
24.28 Lēgātus ex oppidō cum exercitū exit. The lieutenant departs from the town with the army.
24.29 Pedes ex vallō dēsiliunt. Infantry jump down from the rampart.
24.30 Mīlitēs arma ex castrīs efferunt. Soldiers carry weapons out of the camp.
24.16 Legiōnēs ex castrīs proficīscuntur.
24.17 Equitēs ex collibus dēscendunt.
24.18 Dux mīlitēs ex urbe ēdūcit.
24.19 Auxilia ex silvīs ēvādunt.
24.20 Centuriō cohortēs ex portīs dūcit.
24.21 Explōrātōrēs ex montibus redeunt.
24.22 Sagittāriī ex turribus dēscendunt.
24.23 Imperātor cōpiās ex hibernīs ēdūcit.
24.24 Signifer ex aciē sē recipit.
24.25 Veterānī ex nāvibus ēgrediuntur.
24.26 Custōdēs ex statiōnibus prōcēdunt.
24.27 Tribūnus ex praetōriō ēgreditur.
24.28 Lēgātus ex oppidō cum exercitū exit.
24.29 Pedes ex vallō dēsiliunt.
24.30 Mīlitēs arma ex castrīs efferunt.
In military writing, "ex" shows precise movement of troops and equipment: -
Verb Combinations: -
With general movement verbs: proficīscī, exīre -
With specific military terms: ēdūcere, ēvādere -
With compound verbs: dēscendere, ēgredī -
Military Vocabulary: -
Unit terms: legiōnēs, cohortēs, auxilia -
Locations: castra, vallum, praetōrium -
Personnel: centuriō, signifer, tribūnus
Word Order Features: -
Ex + ablative often precedes the verb -
Military titles usually start the sentence -
Direct objects follow
Motion Verbs: -
Simple verbs (īre, dūcere) -
Compound verbs with prepositions: -
ē/ex + verb (ēdūcere, ēgredī) -
dē + verb (dēscendere, dēsilīre) -
prō + verb (prōcēdere, proficīscī) -
Ablative Case Usage: -
Position from which (ex castrīs) -
Starting point (ex portīs) -
Origin of movement (ex montibus) -
All nouns after ex must be ablative: -
First declension: portā → ex portā -
Second declension: castra → ex castrīs -
Third declension: urbs → ex urbe -
Common Military Phrases: -
ex aciē sē recipere (withdraw from battle) -
ex castrīs ēdūcere (lead out from camp) -
ex statiōnibus prōcēdere (advance from positions) -
ex praetōriō ēgredī (exit from headquarters) -
Idiomatic Uses in Military Context: -
Movement of units (legiōnēs ex castrīs) -
Tactical withdrawal (ex aciē) -
Strategic deployment (ex hibernīs) -
Combat maneuvers (ex vallō)
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Marcus Marcus māne early ex from cubiculō bedroom ad to bibliothecam library ambulat walks. Cum when ex from fenestra window spectat looks, subitō suddenly nūntium messenger ex from viā street currentem running videt sees. Nūntius messenger epistulam letter ex from saccō bag capit takes et and Marcō to Marcus dat gives.
Marcus Marcus epistulam letter legit reads: "Pater tuus your father ex from Graeciā Greece redit returns!" Laetus happy, ex from bibliothēcā library ad to forum forum currit runs, ubi where Iūliam Julia invenit finds. "Soror sister," clāmat he shouts, "pater noster our father ex from longō long itinere journey domum home venit comes!"
Iūlia Julia ex from tabernā shop statim immediately exit exits. Frāter brother et and soror sister ex from forō forum ad to portum harbor festīnant hurry. Multae many nāvēs ships ex from Graeciā Greece veniunt come. Tandem finally patrem father ex from magnā large nāve ship dēscendentum descending vident they see.
Pater father ex from Graeciā Greece multā many dona gifts portat carries: librōs books ex from Athēnīs Athens, vāsa vases ex from Corinthō Corinth, et and vestēs clothes ex from Spartā Sparta. Māter mother, quae who haec this audit hears, ex from domō house venit comes et and familia family tōta whole laeta happy est is.
Marcus māne ex cubiculō ad bibliothecam ambulat. Marcus walks from his bedroom to the library early in the morning.
Cum ex fenestra spectat, subitō nūntium ex viā currentem videt. When he looks from the window, he suddenly sees a messenger running from the street.
Nūntius epistulam ex saccō capit et Marcō dat. The messenger takes a letter from his bag and gives it to Marcus.
Marcus epistulam legit: "Pater tuus ex Graeciā redit!" Marcus reads the letter: "Your father returns from Greece!"
Laetus, ex bibliothēcā ad forum currit, ubi Iūliam invenit. Happy, he runs from the library to the forum, where he finds Julia.
"Soror," clāmat, "pater noster ex longō itinere domum venit!" "Sister," he shouts, "our father comes home from a long journey!"
Iūlia ex tabernā statim exit. Julia immediately exits from the shop.
Frāter et soror ex forō ad portum festīnant. Brother and sister hurry from the forum to the harbor.
Multae nāvēs ex Graeciā veniunt. Many ships come from Greece.
Tandem patrem ex magnā nāve dēscendentum vident. Finally they see father descending from the large ship.
Pater ex Graeciā multā dona portat: librōs ex Athēnīs, vāsa ex Corinthō, et vestēs ex Spartā. Father carries many gifts from Greece: books from Athens, vases from Corinth, and clothes from Sparta.
Māter, quae haec audit, ex domō venit et familia tōta laeta est. Mother, who hears this, comes from the house and the whole family is happy.
Marcus māne ex cubiculō ad bibliothecam ambulat. Cum ex fenestra spectat, subitō nūntium ex viā currentem videt. Nūntius epistulam ex saccō capit et Marcō dat.
Marcus epistulam legit: "Pater tuus ex Graeciā redit!" Laetus, ex bibliothēcā ad forum currit, ubi Iūliam invenit. "Soror," clāmat, "pater noster ex longō itinere domum venit!"
Iūlia ex tabernā statim exit. Frāter et soror ex forō ad portum festīnant. Multae nāvēs ex Graeciā veniunt. Tandem patrem ex magnā nāve dēscendentum vident.
Pater ex Graeciā multā dona portat: librōs ex Athēnīs, vāsa ex Corinthō, et vestēs ex Spartā. Māter, quae haec audit, ex domō venit et familia tōta laeta est.
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Uses of 'ex' in this narrative: -
Physical movement (ex cubiculō ambulat) -
Origin/Source (ex Graeciā redit) -
Emergence (ex tabernā exit) -
Separation (ex nāve dēscendere) -
Narrative elements with 'ex': -
Sequential actions (exit ... festīnant) -
Temporal progression (māne ... tandem) -
Multiple perspectives (Marcus ... Iūlia ... pater) -
Varied verb forms with movement: -
Present active (ambulat, currit) -
Present participle (currentem, dēscendentum) -
Compound verbs (exit) -
Word order patterns: -
Ex + ablative before verbs of motion -
Ex phrases positioning for emphasis -
Variation between SOV and SVO order -
Cultural context: -
Roman family relationships -
Travel between Greece and Rome -
Gift-giving customs -
Daily activities in Roman life
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24.16 Legiōnēs the legions ex from castrīs the camp proficīscuntur set out
24.17 Equitēs the cavalry ex from collibus the hills dēscendunt descend
24.18 Dux the general mīlitēs soldiers ex from urbe the city ēdūcit leads out
24.19 Auxilia auxiliary troops ex from silvīs the woods ēvādunt emerge
24.20 Centuriō the centurion cohortēs cohorts ex from portīs the gates dūcit leads
24.21 Explōrātōrēs scouts ex from montibus the mountains redeunt return
24.22 Sagittāriī archers ex from turribus the towers dēscendunt climb down
24.23 Imperātor the commander cōpiās forces ex from hibernīs winter quarters ēdūcit leads out
24.24 Signifer the standard-bearer ex from aciē the battle line sē recipit withdraws
24.25 Veterānī veterans ex from nāvibus the ships ēgrediuntur disembark
24.26 Custōdēs guards ex from statiōnibus their posts prōcēdunt advance
24.27 Tribūnus the tribune ex from praetōriō headquarters ēgreditur comes out
24.28 Lēgātus the lieutenant ex from oppidō the town cum with exercitū army exit departs
24.29 Pedes infantry ex from vallō the rampart dēsiliunt jump down
24.30 Mīlitēs soldiers arma weapons ex from castrīs the camp efferunt carry out
Ambulant ex forō Lūcius et Mārcus, dē potestāte colloquentēs. Lucius and Marcus are walking from the forum, conversing about power.
"Dīc mihi, amīce, quid putas esse potestātem?" "Tell me, friend, what do you think power is?"
"Aspice nunc senātōrēs illōs exeuntēs ex cūriā! En tibi potestātem." "Look now at those senators exiting from the senate house! There you have power."
"Falluntur quī sīc putant. Vidēbis mox istōs cadere ex grātiā, ut tot aliī ante." "Those who think thus are deceived. Soon you will see those men fall from favor, as so many others before."
"Unde venit haec sapientia?" "From where comes this wisdom?"
"Docent nōs historiae. Fluit semper potestās, nec manet diū." "Histories teach us. Power always flows, nor does it remain long."
"At gaudia multa capiunt ex imperiō rēgēs." "But kings take many pleasures from rule."
"Nec minus dolōrum. Fluit cum potestāte cūra." "And no less of pains. Worry flows with power."
"Quaenam ergō vēra potestās vocārī dēbet?" "What then ought to be called true power?"
"Nascitur ex sapientiā vēra potestās, ex virtūte, nōn aurō, nōn armīs." "True power is born from wisdom, from virtue, not gold, not weapons."
"Intellegō aegrē, cum videam omnēs quaerentēs ex potestāte fēlīcitātem." "I understand with difficulty, when I see everyone seeking happiness from power."
"Proptereā ruunt tot ex altō - latet eōs vērae potestātis nātūra." "For this reason so many rush headlong from on high - the nature of true power escapes them."
Ambulant ex forō Lūcius et Mārcus, dē potestāte colloquentēs.
"Dīc mihi, amīce, quid putas esse potestātem?"
"Aspice nunc senātōrēs illōs exeuntēs ex cūriā! En tibi potestātem."
"Falluntur quī sīc putant. Vidēbis mox istōs cadere ex grātiā, ut tot aliī ante."
"Unde venit haec sapientia?"
"Docent nōs historiae. Fluit semper potestās, nec manet diū."
"At gaudia multa capiunt ex imperiō rēgēs."
"Nec minus dolōrum. Fluit cum potestāte cūra."
"Quaenam ergō vēra potestās vocārī dēbet?"
"Nascitur ex sapientiā vēra potestās, ex virtūte, nōn aurō, nōn armīs."
"Intellegō aegrē, cum videam omnēs quaerentēs ex potestāte fēlīcitātem."
"Proptereā ruunt tot ex altō - latet eōs vērae potestātis nātūra."
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Rhetorical Word Order: -
Verb-initial for emphasis ("Falluntur quī sīc putant") -
Chiastic patterns ("Fluit semper potestās, nec manet diū") -
Separation of adjectives from nouns for emphasis ("vēra...potestās") -
Dialogue Features: -
Imperative verbs for immediacy ("Aspice", "Dīc") -
Rhetorical questions -
Gnomic presents for universal truths ("Fluit potestās") -
Interjections ("En tibi") -
Philosophical Style: -
Abstract subjects -
Balanced clauses -
Metaphorical language ("ruunt ex altō") -
Sententiae (wisdom sayings) -
Uses of 'ex': -
Movement ("ex forō") -
Source ("ex sapientiā") -
Separation ("ex grātiā") -
Causation ("ex virtūte")
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