← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
58.1 Puer boy malus bad est is, tamen nevertheless ā by magistrō the teacher laudātur is praised
58.2 Etiam even sī if pluit it rains, tamen nevertheless labōrāre to work dēbēmus we ought
58.3 Hostēs enemies fortēs brave erant, were, tamen nevertheless victī conquered sunt were
58.4 Multī many mīlitēs soldiers vulnerātī wounded sunt, were, tamen nevertheless pugnābant they were fighting
58.5 Sapientēs wise men errāre to err possunt, are able, tamen nevertheless cōnsilia advice eōrum their bona good sunt is
58.6 Senex old man caecus blind est, is, tamen nevertheless laetus happy vīvit lives
58.7 Viam way longam long vidēmus, we see, tamen nevertheless ad to urbem city properāmus we hurry
58.8 Magna great perīcula dangers timēmus, we fear, tamen nevertheless fortiter bravely pugnāmus we fight
58.9 Servus slave aeger sick erat, was, tamen nevertheless opus work perfēcit completed
58.10 Nōbīs for us dēfessīs tired iter journey longum long erat, was, tamen nevertheless nōn not quiēscēbāmus we were resting
58.11 Rēx king potēns powerful erat, was, tamen nevertheless inimīcōs enemies multōs many habēbat had
58.12 Difficile difficult est is opus, work, tamen nevertheless facere to do possumus we are able
58.13 Poēta poet pauper poor erat, was, tamen nevertheless carmina poems magnī great scrībēbat was writing
58.14 Lībertās freedom cāra dear est, is, tamen nevertheless multī many eam it āmittunt lose
58.15 Puella girl parva small est, is, tamen nevertheless multum much labōrat works
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58.1 Puer malus est, tamen ā magistrō laudātur. The boy is bad, nevertheless he is praised by the teacher.
58.2 Etiam sī pluit, tamen labōrāre dēbēmus. Even if it rains, still we must work.
58.3 Hostēs fortēs erant, tamen victī sunt. The enemies were brave, nevertheless they were conquered.
58.4 Multī mīlitēs vulnerātī sunt, tamen pugnābant. Many soldiers were wounded, still they fought.
58.5 Sapientēs errāre possunt, tamen cōnsilia eōrum bona sunt. The wise can err, nevertheless their advice is good.
58.6 Senex caecus est, tamen laetus vīvit. The old man is blind, yet he lives happily.
58.7 Viam longam vidēmus, tamen ad urbem properāmus. We see the long road, still we hurry to the city.
58.8 Magna perīcula timēmus, tamen fortiter pugnāmus. We fear great dangers, nevertheless we fight bravely.
58.9 Servus aeger erat, tamen opus perfēcit. The slave was sick, still he completed the work.
58.10 Nōbīs dēfessīs iter longum erat, tamen nōn quiēscēbāmus. For us who were tired the journey was long, yet we did not rest.
58.11 Rēx potēns erat, tamen inimīcōs multōs habēbat. The king was powerful, nevertheless he had many enemies.
58.12 Difficile est opus, tamen facere possumus. The work is difficult, still we can do it.
58.13 Poēta pauper erat, tamen carmina pulchra scrībēbat. The poet was poor, yet he wrote beautiful poems.
58.14 Lībertās cāra est, tamen multī eam āmittunt. Freedom is precious, nevertheless many lose it.
58.15 Puella parva est, tamen multum labōrat. The girl is small, yet she works much.
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58.1 Puer malus est, tamen ā magistrō laudātur.
58.2 Etiam sī pluit, tamen labōrāre dēbēmus.
58.3 Hostēs fortēs erant, tamen victī sunt.
58.4 Multī mīlitēs vulnerātī sunt, tamen pugnābant.
58.5 Sapientēs errāre possunt, tamen cōnsilia eōrum bona sunt.
58.6 Senex caecus est, tamen laetus vīvit.
58.7 Viam longam vidēmus, tamen ad urbem properāmus.
58.8 Magna perīcula timēmus, tamen fortiter pugnāmus.
58.9 Servus aeger erat, tamen opus perfēcit.
58.10 Nōbīs dēfessīs iter longum erat, tamen nōn quiēscēbāmus.
58.11 Rēx potēns erat, tamen inimīcōs multōs habēbat.
58.12 Difficile est opus, tamen facere possumus.
58.13 Poēta pauper erat, tamen carmina pulchra scrībēbat.
58.14 Lībertās cāra est, tamen multī eam āmittunt.
58.15 Puella parva est, tamen multum labōrat.
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The conjunction "tamen" has several important features for English speakers to understand: -
Position: -
Usually appears second or third in its clause -
Can begin a clause for emphasis -
Often follows concessive clauses (introduced by etiam sī, quamquam, etc.) -
Usage: -
Adversative conjunction showing contrast -
Links two contrasting ideas -
Similar to English "nevertheless," "however," "still," "yet" -
Often pairs with concessive conjunctions -
Common Patterns: -
etiam sī/quamquam... tamen... (even if/although... nevertheless...) -
[statement], tamen... (statement, however...) -
tamen at start of new sentence referring back to previous thought -
Specific Examples from the Lesson: -
With concessive clause: "Etiam sī pluit, tamen labōrāre dēbēmus" -
With contrasting statements: "Puer malus est, tamen ā magistrō laudātur" -
With participles: "Multī mīlitēs vulnerātī sunt, tamen pugnābant"
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Understanding "tamen" requires cultural context about Roman rhetoric and thought: -
Roman Rhetoric: -
Contrast was a key element in Roman oratory -
"Tamen" often marked dramatic turning points in speeches -
Used to build tension and surprise -
Important in legal arguments -
Literary Usage: -
Common in historical narratives to show unexpected outcomes -
Used in poetry to create dramatic tension -
Important in philosophical discussions -
Key element in letter writing -
Social Implications: -
Romans valued perseverance despite obstacles -
"Tamen" often marked admirable persistence -
Used to praise unexpected virtue -
Important in military reports -
Modern Relevance: -
Similar to English "nevertheless" -
Used in academic Latin today -
Important in legal Latin -
Found in scientific terminology
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From Cicero's "Pro Archia" (12):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Quae which things cum when ita thus sint are, tamen nevertheless haec these studia pursuits nōn not impediuntur are hindered senectūte; by old age; contrā on the contrary mēns mind et and ratiō reason et and cōnsilium wisdom in in senibus old men est is
"Quae cum ita sint, tamen haec studia nōn impediuntur senectūte; contrā mēns et ratiō et cōnsilium in senibus est."
Although these things are so, nevertheless these pursuits are not hindered by old age; on the contrary, mind and reason and wisdom are found in old men.
Cicero uses "tamen" here to contrast the common view of old age with its actual benefits. The word placement emphasizes the unexpected positive aspects of aging.
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"Quae cum ita sint" is a common transitional phrase -
"Tamen" introduces the main clause -
Passive voice in "impediuntur" -
Tricolon in "mēns et ratiō et cōnsilium"
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58.16 Hannibal Hannibal Alpēs Alps altās high vidēbat, saw, tamen nevertheless trānsīre to cross parātus ready erat was
58.17 Nix snow alta deep erat was et and ventus wind saevus fierce flābat, was blowing, tamen nevertheless mīlitēs soldiers fortiter bravely prōcēdēbant were advancing
58.18 Multī many elephantī elephants in in itinere journey mortuī dead sunt, were, tamen nevertheless exercitus army montem mountain ascendēbat was climbing
58.19 Viam way per through montēs mountains difficillimam very difficult invēnērunt, they found, tamen nevertheless spem hope nōn not āmīsērunt they lost
58.20 Cibus food paucus little erat was et and mīlitēs soldiers dēfessī tired erant, were, tamen nevertheless dux leader eōs them incitābat was encouraging
58.21 Hostēs enemies in on summīs highest montibus mountains exspectābant, were waiting, tamen nevertheless Hannibal Hannibal nōn not timēbat was fearing
58.22 Tempestātēs storms gravēs heavy exercitum army vexābant, were harassing, tamen nevertheless nēmō no one redīre to return volēbat wanted
58.23 Pācem peace hostēs enemies petīvērunt, sought, tamen nevertheless Hannibal Hannibal bellum war gerere to wage cōnstituit decided
58.24 Multī many putābant thought trānsitum crossing impossibilem impossible esse, to be, tamen nevertheless Hannibal Hannibal perfēcit accomplished
58.25 Elephantī elephants magnī large per through nivem snow ambulāre to walk nōlēbant, were unwilling, tamen nevertheless cōgēbantur were being forced
58.26 Rōmānī Romans nūntium news dē about Hannibalis of Hannibal adventū arrival audīvērunt, heard, tamen nevertheless crēdere to believe nōlēbant they were unwilling
58.27 Mīlitēs soldiers multī many in in montibus mountains perībant, were perishing, tamen nevertheless reliquī remaining ones prōcēdēbant were advancing
58.28 Dux leader ipse himself vulnus wound grave serious accēpit, received, tamen nevertheless exercitum army dūcere to lead pergēbat continued
58.29 Victōriam victory māgnam great Hannibal Hannibal specter hoped for, tamen nevertheless Alpēs Alps prīmum first superandae to be overcome erant were
58.30 Itāliam Italy tandem at last vīdērunt, they saw, tamen nevertheless exercitus army dimidium half āmīserant they had lost
58.16 Hannibal Alpēs altās vidēbat, tamen trānsīre parātus erat. Hannibal saw the high Alps, nevertheless he was ready to cross them.
58.17 Nix alta erat et ventus saevus flābat, tamen mīlitēs fortiter prōcēdēbant. The snow was deep and a fierce wind was blowing, yet the soldiers were advancing bravely.
58.18 Multī elephantī in itinere mortuī sunt, tamen exercitus montem ascendēbat. Many elephants died during the journey, still the army was climbing the mountain.
58.19 Viam per montēs difficillimam invēnērunt, tamen spem nōn āmīsērunt. They found the path through the mountains very difficult, nevertheless they did not lose hope.
58.20 Cibus paucus erat et mīlitēs dēfessī erant, tamen dux eōs incitābat. Food was scarce and the soldiers were tired, yet their leader was encouraging them.
58.21 Hostēs in summīs montibus exspectābant, tamen Hannibal nōn timēbat. The enemies were waiting on the highest mountains, nevertheless Hannibal was not afraid.
58.22 Tempestātēs gravēs exercitum vexābant, tamen nēmō redīre volēbat. Heavy storms were harassing the army, yet no one wanted to return.
58.23 Pācem hostēs petīvērunt, tamen Hannibal bellum gerere cōnstituit. The enemies sought peace, nevertheless Hannibal decided to wage war.
58.24 Multī putābant trānsitum impossibilem esse, tamen Hannibal perfēcit. Many thought the crossing was impossible, yet Hannibal accomplished it.
58.25 Elephantī magnī per nivem ambulāre nōlēbant, tamen cōgēbantur. The large elephants were unwilling to walk through the snow, nevertheless they were being forced.
58.26 Rōmānī nūntium dē Hannibalis adventū audīvērunt, tamen crēdere nōlēbant. The Romans heard news of Hannibal's arrival, yet they were unwilling to believe it.
58.27 Mīlitēs multī in montibus perībant, tamen reliquī prōcēdēbant. Many soldiers were perishing in the mountains, nevertheless the remaining ones were advancing.
58.28 Dux ipse vulnus grave accēpit, tamen exercitum dūcere pergēbat. The leader himself received a serious wound, yet he continued to lead the army.
58.29 Victōriam māgnam Hannibal specter, tamen Alpēs prīmum superandae erant. Hannibal hoped for a great victory, nevertheless the Alps had to be overcome first.
58.30 Itāliam tandem vīdērunt, tamen exercitus dimidium āmīserant. At last they saw Italy, yet they had lost half the army.
58.16 Hannibal Alpēs altās vidēbat, tamen trānsīre parātus erat.
58.17 Nix alta erat et ventus saevus flābat, tamen mīlitēs fortiter prōcēdēbant.
58.18 Multī elephantī in itinere mortuī sunt, tamen exercitus montem ascendēbat.
58.19 Viam per montēs difficillimam invēnērunt, tamen spem nōn āmīsērunt.
58.20 Cibus paucus erat et mīlitēs dēfessī erant, tamen dux eōs incitābat.
58.21 Hostēs in summīs montibus exspectābant, tamen Hannibal nōn timēbat.
58.22 Tempestātēs gravēs exercitum vexābant, tamen nēmō redīre volēbat.
58.23 Pācem hostēs petīvērunt, tamen Hannibal bellum gerere cōnstituit.
58.24 Multī putābant trānsitum impossibilem esse, tamen Hannibal perfēcit.
58.25 Elephantī magnī per nivem ambulāre nōlēbant, tamen cōgēbantur.
58.26 Rōmānī nūntium dē Hannibalis adventū audīvērunt, tamen crēdere nōlēbant.
58.27 Mīlitēs multī in montibus perībant, tamen reliquī prōcēdēbant.
58.28 Dux ipse vulnus grave accēpit, tamen exercitum dūcere pergēbat.
58.29 Victōriam māgnam Hannibal specter, tamen Alpēs prīmum superandae erant.
58.30 Itāliam tandem vīdērunt, tamen exercitus dimidium āmīserant.
The historical narrative about Hannibal's crossing of the Alps demonstrates several important grammatical features: -
Use of "tamen" in Historical Context: -
Often follows ablative absolutes -
Frequently pairs with imperfect tense for background -
Links contrasting historical events -
Shows unexpected historical outcomes -
Temporal Sequences: -
Imperfect tense for ongoing situations: "vidēbat... parātus erat" -
Perfect tense for completed actions: "mortuī sunt" -
Pluperfect for earlier actions: "āmīserant" -
Historical Constructions: -
Ablative of means: "per nivem" -
Indirect discourse: "putābant trānsitum impossibilem esse" -
Gerundives of necessity: "superandae erant" -
Purpose clauses with infinitives: "trānsīre parātus" -
Word Order Patterns: -
Subject emphasis: "Hannibal Alpēs altās vidēbat" -
Object emphasis: "victōriam māgnam Hannibal specter" -
Verb final for neutral statements: "exercitus montem ascendēbat" -
Military Vocabulary: -
Terms for movement: "prōcēdēbant," "trānsīre" -
Battle terminology: "bellum gerere" -
Command words: "cōgēbantur," "dūcere"
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