← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
69.1 Pastor shepherd ovēs sheep per through agrōs fields agit drives
69.2 Servī slaves equōs horses ad to aquam water ēgērunt drove
69.3 Quid what nunc now agis are you doing amīce friend
69.4 Rēx king exercitum army contrā against hostēs enemies ēgit led
69.5 Nihil nothing hodiē today ēgimus we did
69.6 Quō where rem matter agis are you conducting
69.7 Senātōrēs senators dē about pace peace agunt discuss
69.8 Grātiās thanks tibi to you agō I give
69.9 Multī many cīvēs citizens vitam life in in urbe city agunt spend
69.10 Quattuor four annōs years Rōmae in Rome ēgī I spent
69.11 Dux leader mīlitēs soldiers in into hostēs enemies ēgit drove
69.12 Quid what agāmus should we do nunc now amīcī friends
69.13 Nautae sailors nāvem ship per through undās waves agunt drive
69.14 Agricola farmer pecora cattle domum homeward agēbat was driving
69.15 Fēstum festival diem day laetī happy agēbāmus we were spending
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69.1 Pastor ovēs per agrōs agit. The shepherd drives the sheep through the fields.
69.2 Servī equōs ad aquam ēgērunt. The slaves drove the horses to water.
69.3 Quid nunc agis, amīce? What are you doing now, friend?
69.4 Exercitum contrā hostēs rēx ēgit. The king led the army against the enemies.
69.5 Nihil hodiē ēgimus. We did nothing today.
69.6 Quō rem agis? Where are you conducting the matter?
69.7 Dē pāce senātōrēs agunt. The senators are discussing peace.
69.8 Grātiās tibi agō. I give thanks to you.
69.9 Vitam in urbe multī cīvēs agunt. Many citizens spend their life in the city.
69.10 Rōmae quattuor annōs ēgī. I spent four years in Rome.
69.11 In hostēs dux mīlitēs ēgit. The leader drove the soldiers against the enemies.
69.12 Quid nunc agāmus, amīcī? What should we do now, friends?
69.13 Per undās nautae nāvem agunt. The sailors drive the ship through the waves.
69.14 Pecora domum agricola agēbat. The farmer was driving the cattle homeward.
69.15 Fēstum diem laetī agēbāmus. We were spending the festival day happily.
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69.1 Pastor ovēs per agrōs agit.
69.2 Servī equōs ad aquam ēgērunt.
69.3 Quid nunc agis, amīce?
69.4 Exercitum contrā hostēs rēx ēgit.
69.5 Nihil hodiē ēgimus.
69.6 Quō rem agis?
69.7 Dē pāce senātōrēs agunt.
69.8 Grātiās tibi agō.
69.9 Vitam in urbe multī cīvēs agunt.
69.10 Rōmae quattuor annōs ēgī.
69.11 In hostēs dux mīlitēs ēgit.
69.12 Quid nunc agāmus, amīcī?
69.13 Per undās nautae nāvem agunt.
69.14 Pecora domum agricola agēbat.
69.15 Fēstum diem laetī agēbāmus.
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The verb "agō" is one of the most versatile and commonly used verbs in Latin. Here's what English speakers need to know: -
Principal Parts: -
Present: agō -
Infinitive: agere -
Perfect: ēgī -
Supine: āctum -
Conjugation: -
Third conjugation (-ō, -ere pattern) -
Present tense endings: -ō, -is, -it, -imus, -itis, -unt -
Perfect tense uses ēg- stem -
Regular endings in other tenses -
Common Meanings: a) Physical movement: -
"drive" (animals, vehicles) -
"lead" (people, armies)
b) Abstract actions: -
"do, act" -
"conduct, carry out" -
"spend" (time) -
"discuss, treat" -
Special Expressions: -
grātiās agere = "to give thanks" -
vitam agere = "to spend life, live" -
quid agis? = "what are you doing?" -
Syntax Patterns: -
Often takes accusative direct object -
Can use directional prepositions (ad, in + acc.) -
Uses ablative of place/time for context
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For English speakers, understanding "agō" requires cultural context: -
Agricultural Setting: -
Driving animals was central to Roman farming -
Shepherds and farmers used this verb daily -
Connected to Roman agricultural festivals -
Military Usage: -
Common in military commands -
Used for troop movements -
Part of tactical vocabulary -
Legal Language: -
Used in formal proceedings -
Part of legal formulas -
Important in political discourse -
Social Implications: -
Polite greetings (quid agis?) -
Formal thanks (grātiās agere) -
Status indicators in usage
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From Caesar's "De Bello Gallico" (1.12):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Helvētiī the Helvetii impedīmentīs baggage in into ūnum one locum place collātīs having been gathered ad to Allobrogēs the Allobroges sēsē themselves recipiunt withdraw atque and iter journey ab from Rhodanō the Rhone agere to drive/conduct coeperunt they began
Helvētiī impedīmentīs in ūnum locum collātīs ad Allobrogēs sēsē recipiunt atque iter ab Rhodanō agere coeperunt.
The Helvetii, having gathered their baggage into one place, withdrew to the territory of the Allobroges and began to make their way from the Rhone.
Caesar uses "agere" here in its sense of "conducting" or "carrying out" a journey. The verb works with "iter" to form a common phrase meaning "to make one's way" or "to march."
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"agere" is complementary infinitive with "coeperunt" -
Ablative absolute in "impedīmentīs collātīs" -
Accusative of motion toward with "ad" -
Reflexive "sēsē" emphasizes subject's action
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These sentences all feature the verb agō, agere (to lead, drive, conduct, do) in various forms and tenses. Here's a summary:
| Form | Meaning | Examples | |------|---------|----------| | ēgit | he/she led | 69.16, 69.24, 69.29, 69.30 | | agēbant | they were conducting | 69.17 | | agēbat | he/she was discussing | 69.18 | | ēgimus | we led | 69.19 | | ēgērunt | they drove/led | 69.20, 69.25, 69.28 | | agāmus | should we move/conduct | 69.21, 69.27 | | agunt | they drive | 69.22 | | agebātur | was being led | 69.23 | | agere | to conduct | 69.26 | | coepit | began (auxiliary verb) | 69.26 |
- Military context: castra (camp), hostēs (enemies), exercitus (army), bellum (war) - Accusative + agō: "to drive/lead [something] [direction]" - De + ablative: discussing/conducting affairs concerning something
Note: These appear to be vocabulary exercises focusing on the conjugation and usage of agō in military contexts.
69.16 Imperātor cōpiās ad castra ēgit. The commander led the forces to camp.
69.17 Rēs bellī fortiter mīlitēs agēbant. The soldiers were conducting the affairs of war bravely.
69.18 Dux cum hostibus dē pāce rem agēbat. The leader was discussing the matter of peace with the enemies.
69.19 Cohortēs per silvam cautē ēgimus. We led the cohorts carefully through the forest.
69.20 In nostrōs hostēs subitō equitēs ēgērunt. The enemies suddenly drove their cavalry against our men.
69.21 Quō castra agāmus rogat imperātor. The commander asks where we should move camp.
69.22 Ad urbem mīlitēs captīvōs agunt. The soldiers drive the captives to the city.
69.23 Per angustum iter exercitūs agebātur. The army was being led through a narrow path.
69.24 Cōnsilium dē proeliō imperātor cum ducibus ēgit. The commander discussed the battle plan with the leaders.
69.25 In flūmen equitēs hostēs ēgērunt. The cavalry drove the enemies into the river.
69.26 Rem celeriter agere dux coepit. The leader began to conduct the affair swiftly.
69.27 Dēlīberāmus quōmodo bellum agāmus. We deliberate how we should conduct the war.
69.28 Ex hostium agrīs mīlitēs praedās ēgērunt. The soldiers drove the plunder from the enemies' fields.
69.29 Contrā montēs imperātor exercitum ēgit. The commander led the army against the mountains.
69.30 Victōriam māgnam exercitus noster ēgit. Our army achieved a great victory.
69.16 Imperātor cōpiās ad castra ēgit.
69.17 Rēs bellī fortiter mīlitēs agēbant.
69.18 Dux cum hostibus dē pāce rem agēbat.
69.19 Cohortēs per silvam cautē ēgimus.
69.20 In nostrōs hostēs subitō equitēs ēgērunt.
69.21 Quō castra agāmus rogat imperātor.
69.22 Ad urbem mīlitēs captīvōs agunt.
69.23 Per angustum iter exercitūs agebātur.
69.24 Cōnsilium dē proeliō imperātor cum ducibus ēgit.
69.25 In flūmen equitēs hostēs ēgērunt.
69.26 Rem celeriter agere dux coepit.
69.27 Dēlīberāmus quōmodo bellum agāmus.
69.28 Ex hostium agrīs mīlitēs praedās ēgērunt.
69.29 Contrā montēs imperātor exercitum ēgit.
69.30 Victōriam māgnam exercitus noster ēgit.
The verb "agō" has special significance in military contexts. Here's a detailed analysis of its usage: -
Military Command Forms: -
Imperative: age! (singular), agite! (plural) -
Subjunctive for commands: agāmus (let us...), agant (let them...) -
Common in tactical orders -
Military-Specific Meanings: a) Movement of Troops: -
agere exercitum (to lead an army) -
agere cohortēs (to move cohorts) -
agere captīvōs (to drive prisoners)
b) Military Operations: -
agere bellum (to conduct war) -
agere rem (to conduct an operation) -
agere cōnsilium (to discuss strategy) -
Common Constructions in Military Context: -
With directional prepositions: -
ad + acc. (toward) -
in + acc. (against) -
per + acc. (through) -
With ablative of means or accompaniment: -
cum + abl. (with) -
sine + abl. (without) -
Passive Usage: -
Often used for troop movements -
Impersonal constructions -
Expressing military necessity -
Special Military Phrases: -
castra agere (to move camp) -
praedās agere (to drive booty) -
cōnsilium agere (to hold council)
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69.16 Imperātor commander cōpiās forces ad to castra camp ēgit led
69.17 Mīlitēs soldiers rēs affairs bellī of war fortiter bravely agēbant were conducting
69.18 Dux leader rem matter cum with hostibus enemies dē about pāce peace agēbat was discussing
69.19 Cohortēs cohorts per through silvam forest cautē carefully ēgimus we led
69.20 Hostēs enemies subitō suddenly equitēs cavalry in against nostrōs our men ēgērunt drove
69.21 Quō where castra camp agāmus should we move rogat asks imperātor commander
69.22 Mīlitēs soldiers captīvōs captives ad to urbem city agunt drive
69.23 Exercitūs army per through angustum narrow iter path agebātur was being led
69.24 Imperātor commander cōnsilium plan dē about proeliō battle cum with ducibus leaders ēgit discussed
69.25 Equitēs cavalry hostēs enemies in into flūmen river ēgērunt drove
69.26 Dux leader rem affair celeriter swiftly agere to conduct coepit began
69.27 Quōmodo how bellum war agāmus should we conduct dēlīberāmus we deliberate
69.28 Mīlitēs soldiers praedās plunder ex from hostium of enemies agrīs fields ēgērunt drove
69.29 Imperātor commander exercitum army contrā against montēs mountains ēgit led
69.30 Victōriam victory māgnam great exercitus army noster our ēgit achieved
69.31 Cōnsul rem pūblicam sapienter agit. The consul conducts public affairs wisely.
69.32 Causam in cūriā senātōrēs agunt. The senators argue the case in the senate house.
69.33 Iūdex lēgēs rēctē agere dēbet. The judge ought to conduct the laws correctly.
69.34 Dē cīvium iūribus senātus hodiē ēgit. The senate discussed citizens' rights today.
69.35 Apud iūdicem causa agebātur. The case was being conducted before the judge.
69.36 Tribūnus plēbis lēgem nōbīscum agit. The tribune of the plebs discusses the law with us.
69.37 Iūdicium dē fūrtō praetor ēgit. The praetor conducted a trial about theft.
69.38 Grātiās senātuī magnās populus agunt. The people give great thanks to the senate.
69.39 Dē foedere lēgātī cum rēge ēgērunt. The ambassadors negotiated about a treaty with the king.
69.40 Dē beneficiīs cīvium cōnsulēs agere solent. The consuls are accustomed to discuss the benefits of citizens.
69.41 Causam suam reus ipse agēbat. The defendant himself was pleading his own case.
69.42 Dē novīs vectīgālibus senātus agebat. The senate was discussing new taxes.
69.43 Rem pūblicam pater tuus bene ēgit. Your father conducted public affairs well.
69.44 Cōnsilium cum patribus cōnsulēs agunt. The consuls hold council with the senators.
69.45 In forō lēx nova agebātur. A new law was being debated in the forum.
69.31 Cōnsul rem pūblicam sapienter agit.
69.32 Causam in cūriā senātōrēs agunt.
69.33 Iūdex lēgēs rēctē agere dēbet.
69.34 Dē cīvium iūribus senātus hodiē ēgit.
69.35 Apud iūdicem causa agebātur.
69.36 Tribūnus plēbis lēgem nōbīscum agit.
69.37 Iūdicium dē fūrtō praetor ēgit.
69.38 Grātiās senātuī magnās populus agunt.
69.39 Dē foedere lēgātī cum rēge ēgērunt.
69.40 Dē beneficiīs cīvium cōnsulēs agere solent.
69.41 Causam suam reus ipse agēbat.
69.42 Dē novīs vectīgālibus senātus agebat.
69.43 Rem pūblicam pater tuus bene ēgit.
69.44 Cōnsilium cum patribus cōnsulēs agunt.
69.45 In forō lēx nova agebātur.
The verb "agō" has specialized meanings and constructions in legal and political contexts: -
Legal Technical Terms: a) Causam agere: -
"to plead a case" -
Often with reflexive: causam suam agere -
Can take indirect objects in dative
b) Iūdicium agere: -
"to conduct a trial" -
Usually with dē + ablative for charges -
Often in passive voice -
Political Phrases: a) Rem pūblicam agere: -
"to conduct public affairs" -
Often modified by adverbs -
Can take instrumental ablative
b) Cōnsilium agere: -
"to hold council" -
Usually with cum + ablative -
Sometimes in passive -
Common Constructions: a) With Prepositions: -
dē + ablative (about, concerning) -
in + ablative (place where) -
apud + accusative (before someone)
b) With Adverbs: -
bene/male agere -
rēctē/sapienter agere -
pūblicē/prīvātim agere -
Special Features: -
Heavy use of passive voice -
Technical legal vocabulary -
Formal political phrases -
Abstract meanings predominate -
Common Patterns: a) Discussion Formula: -
dē + ablative + cum + ablative + agere -
Example: dē pāce cum hostibus agere
b) Legal Process: -
accusative of charge + genitive of person + agere -
Example: fūrtī aliquem agere
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