← Latin for Soldiers, Sailors and Military Strategists
The conjunction atque (also written as ac before consonants) is a fundamental connecting word in Latin military texts. It means "and in addition," "and also," or simply "and," but carries a stronger sense of addition than the simple et. After comparatives, it can mean "than," and in the phrase simul atque, it means "as soon as."
Atque is a coordinating conjunction that joins words, phrases, or clauses with emphasis on adding something significant or noteworthy. Unlike the neutral et (and), atque suggests that what follows is particularly important or builds upon what precedes. Military commanders used it frequently in dispatches to emphasize additional forces, strategies, or developments.
Question: What does atque mean in Latin? Answer: Atque means "and in addition," "and also," or "and" with emphasis. After comparative adjectives, it means "than." In the phrase "simul atque," it means "as soon as."
In this lesson, you'll encounter atque in various military contexts: joining tactical elements, connecting parallel actions, introducing additional forces, and in time expressions crucial for military operations. The examples progress from simple connections to more complex military scenarios.
Subject: Latin Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Military Latin Vocabulary and Grammar Lesson Type: Reading and Grammar Instruction Learning Objective: Master the use of atque in military contexts
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Atque emphasizes addition more strongly than et -
Before vowels and h, use atque; before consonants, often shortened to ac -
After comparatives, atque means "than" -
Simul atque is a fixed phrase meaning "as soon as" -
Essential in military reports for emphasizing additional forces or developments
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35.1 Legiō legion septima seventh atque and also decima tenth castra camp mūniunt fortify
35.2 Nāvēs ships longae long atque and in addition onerāriae cargo portum harbor intrant enter
35.3 Fortior braver est is centuriō centurion atque than mīles soldier novus new
35.4 Simul at same time atque as hostēs enemies vīdērunt saw signa standards, fūgērunt they fled
35.5 Dux leader virtūtem courage atque and also audāciam boldness laudat praises
35.6 Sagittāriī archers ac and funditōrēs slingers prīmam first aciem battle-line tenent hold
35.7 Māior greater numerus number peditum of infantry atque than equitum of cavalry advēnit arrived
35.8 Caesar Caesar lēgātōs lieutenants atque and also tribūnōs tribunes convocāvit summoned
35.9 Simul at same time atque as sōl sun ortus risen est was, mīlitēs soldiers iter march fēcērunt made
35.10 Scūta shields atque and gladiōs swords mīlitēs soldiers parāvērunt prepared
35.11 Velocius more swiftly current run equitēs cavalrymen atque than peditēs infantrymen gravēs heavy
35.12 Frūmentum grain ac and arma weapons nāvibus by ships portantur are carried
35.13 Simul at same time atque as imperātor commander signum signal dedit gave, oppugnātiō assault coepit began
35.14 Castra camp vāllō with rampart atque and also fossā with ditch mūnīta fortified sunt are
35.15 Rōmānī Romans disciplīnam discipline atque and fortitūdinem bravery omnibus to all ostendunt show
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35.1 Legiō septima atque decima castra mūniunt. The seventh and tenth legions fortify the camp.
35.2 Nāvēs longae atque onerāriae portum intrant. Warships and cargo vessels enter the harbor.
35.3 Fortior est centuriō atque mīles novus. The centurion is braver than the new soldier.
35.4 Simul atque hostēs vīdērunt signa, fūgērunt. As soon as the enemies saw the standards, they fled.
35.5 Dux virtūtem atque audāciam laudat. The commander praises courage and boldness.
35.6 Sagittāriī ac funditōrēs prīmam aciem tenent. Archers and slingers hold the first battle line.
35.7 Māior numerus peditum atque equitum advēnit. A greater number of infantry than cavalry arrived.
35.8 Caesar lēgātōs atque tribūnōs convocāvit. Caesar summoned his lieutenants and tribunes.
35.9 Simul atque sōl ortus est, mīlitēs iter fēcērunt. As soon as the sun rose, the soldiers began their march.
35.10 Scūta atque gladiōs mīlitēs parāvērunt. The soldiers prepared shields and swords.
35.11 Velocius current equitēs atque peditēs gravēs. Cavalrymen run more swiftly than heavy infantry.
35.12 Frūmentum ac arma nāvibus portantur. Grain and weapons are transported by ships.
35.13 Simul atque imperātor signum dedit, oppugnātiō coepit. As soon as the commander gave the signal, the assault began.
35.14 Castra vāllō atque fossā mūnīta sunt. The camp is fortified with rampart and ditch.
35.15 Rōmānī disciplīnam atque fortitūdinem omnibus ostendunt. The Romans display discipline and bravery to all.
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35.1 Legiō septima atque decima castra mūniunt.
35.2 Nāvēs longae atque onerāriae portum intrant.
35.3 Fortior est centuriō atque mīles novus.
35.4 Simul atque hostēs vīdērunt signa, fūgērunt.
35.5 Dux virtūtem atque audāciam laudat.
35.6 Sagittāriī ac funditōrēs prīmam aciem tenent.
35.7 Māior numerus peditum atque equitum advēnit.
35.8 Caesar lēgātōs atque tribūnōs convocāvit.
35.9 Simul atque sōl ortus est, mīlitēs iter fēcērunt.
35.10 Scūta atque gladiōs mīlitēs parāvērunt.
35.11 Velocius current equitēs atque peditēs gravēs.
35.12 Frūmentum ac arma nāvibus portantur.
35.13 Simul atque imperātor signum dedit, oppugnātiō coepit.
35.14 Castra vāllō atque fossā mūnīta sunt.
35.15 Rōmānī disciplīnam atque fortitūdinem omnibus ostendunt.
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Atque is a coordinating conjunction with specific rules and uses: -
Basic Function: Connects words, phrases, or clauses with emphasis -
Stronger than et (simple "and") -
Suggests the second element is particularly significant -
Often translated as "and also," "and moreover," "and in addition" -
Form Variations: -
atque - used before vowels and h -
ac - used before consonants (though atque can appear before consonants too) -
Never use ac before vowels or h -
Special Uses: -
After comparatives = "than" (Example: fortior atque = braver than) -
In simul atque = "as soon as" (fixed temporal phrase) -
Can connect different parts of speech (nouns, verbs, clauses)
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Using ac before vowels: -
WRONG: ac equitēs -
CORRECT: atque equitēs -
Confusing with quam after comparatives: -
Both atque and quam can mean "than" after comparatives -
atque is more emphatic and less common in this use -
Overusing in place of et: -
Reserve atque for emphasis or addition -
Use et for simple, neutral connections -
Misunderstanding simul atque: -
This is a fixed phrase meaning "as soon as" -
Don't try to translate the parts separately
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Identify what you're connecting: -
Two nouns: legiō atque cohors (legion and cohort) -
Two adjectives: fortis atque audāx (brave and bold) -
Two clauses: use atque between them -
Check the following sound: -
Vowel or h → use atque -
Consonant → can use ac or atque -
Determine the meaning: -
Adding emphasis? → "and also/moreover" -
After comparative? → "than" -
With simul? → "as soon as"
Unlike English, which uses "and" universally, Latin distinguishes between: -
et - neutral "and" -
atque/ac - emphatic "and also" -
-que - enclitic "and" (attached to second word) -
nec/neque - "and not"
This allows Latin writers to convey subtle differences in meaning through their choice of conjunction.
atque (conjunction) -
Indeclinable -
Coordinates elements of equal grammatical weight -
Cannot begin a sentence (unlike English "And") -
Forms: atque (before vowels/h), ac (before consonants) -
Special phrase: simul atque (as soon as)
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For Roman military writers, atque served crucial functions in dispatches and tactical descriptions. Its emphatic nature made it perfect for highlighting additional forces, reinforcements, or escalating tactical situations.
Roman commanders used atque to: -
Emphasize reinforcements: When listing additional troops, atque signaled their importance -
Connect tactical elements: Linking defensive structures (vāllum atque fossa) showed their complementary nature -
Build urgency: In battle narratives, atque created momentum and escalation
In naval operations, atque distinguished between vessel types: -
nāvēs longae atque onerāriae emphasized the complete fleet composition -
The conjunction stressed that both warships AND supply vessels were essential
When listing officers (lēgātōs atque tribūnōs), atque indicated the comprehensive nature of the command meeting, not just a gathering of some officers.
The phrase simul atque was crucial for coordinating military operations. Roman discipline depended on precise timing, and this phrase indicated immediate action upon a signal or event.
Many modern military mottos retain atque: -
It appears in unit mottos emphasizing dual virtues -
Military academies use it in their Latin inscriptions -
The emphatic nature suits military contexts requiring force and clarity
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From Caesar's De Bello Gallico 2.20:
35.15 Rōmānī disciplīnam atque fortitūdinem omnibus ostendunt. The Romans display discipline and bravery to all.
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Caesar simul atque dē eius adventū Nervii certiōrēs factī sunt, nūllam facultātem dandam existimāvērunt, sed tribus cohortibus quae cum Cicerone hiemābant interfectīs atque eius legiōne dēlētā, magnā manū Germānōrum atque Aduatucōrum Trēverōrumque ad eum contendērunt.
As soon as the Nervii were informed about Caesar's arrival, they thought no opportunity should be given, but after killing three cohorts which were wintering with Cicero and destroying his legion, they hastened against him with a great force of Germans and also of the Aduatuci and Treveri.
Caesar employs atque three times in this passage, each serving a different purpose: -
simul atque - Creates immediate temporal connection, emphasizing the Nervii's swift response -
interfectīs atque... dēlētā - Links two devastating military actions, building the severity -
Germānōrum atque Aduatucōrum - Emphasizes the coalition nature of enemy forces
The escalating use of atque mirrors the escalating threat to Roman forces.
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simul atque + perfect indicative (certiōrēs factī sunt) = standard temporal clause construction -
atque connecting parallel ablative absolutes (cohortibus interfectīs atque legiōne dēlētā) -
Triple confederation connected by atque and -que, showing different levels of coordination -
Word order places atque strategically to build tension in the narrative
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Caesar Caesar simul at-same-time atque as dē about eius his adventū arrival Nervii the-Nervii certiōrēs informed factī having-been-made sunt, were, nūllam no facultātem opportunity dandam to-be-given existimāvērunt, they-thought, sed but tribus with-three cohortibus cohorts quae which cum with Cicerone Cicero hiemābant were-wintering interfectīs having-been-killed atque and eius his legiōne legion dēlētā, having-been-destroyed, magnā with-great manū force Germānōrum of-Germans atque and-also Aduatucōrum of-Aduatuci Trēverōrumque and-of-Treveri ad to eum him contendērunt. they-hastened.
35.16 Imperātor senātuī populōque Rōmānō salūtem dīcit. The commander sends greetings to the Senate and People of Rome.
35.17 Simul atque in prōvinciam pervēnī, hostēs nostrōs fīnēs vastāre cognōvī. As soon as I arrived in the province, I learned that enemies were ravaging our borders.
35.18 Statim legiōnēs duās atque auxilia sociōrum contrā hostēs dūxī. I immediately led two legions and allied auxiliary troops against the enemies.
35.19 Prīmō proeliō equitēs nostrī atque sagittāriī hostium aciem perturbāvērunt. In the first battle, our cavalry and archers threw the enemy battle line into confusion.
35.20 Deinde legiōnēs signīs collātīs atque testūdine factā castra hostium oppugnāvērunt. Then the legions, with standards brought together and having formed a tortoise formation, attacked the enemy camp.
35.21 Acrior fuit pugna atque spērāveram, nam barbarī fortiter resistēbant. The battle was fiercer than I had hoped, for the barbarians were resisting bravely.
35.22 Tandem post hōrās quattuor atque dīmidiam hostēs terga vertērunt. Finally, after four and a half hours, the enemies turned their backs.
35.23 Simul atque dux eōrum cecidit, reliquī sē in silvās atque palūdēs recēpērunt. As soon as their leader fell, the rest withdrew into forests and marshes.
35.24 Mīlitēs nostrī vīllās atque agrōs incendērunt, frūmentum atque pecora cēpērunt. Our soldiers burned farmhouses and fields, and captured grain and cattle.
35.25 Captīvōrum numerus māior est atque in superiōre bellō. The number of captives is greater than in the previous war.
35.26 Ducēs hostium atque prīncipēs ad mē lēgātōs dē pāce mīsērunt. The enemy leaders and chieftains sent envoys to me about peace.
35.27 Obsidēs centum atque vīgintī nōbilissimōs adulēscentēs accēpī. I received one hundred and twenty most noble young men as hostages.
35.28 Tribūtum atque stīpendium annuum imposuī, atque praesidia in oppidīs eōrum collocāvī. I imposed tribute and annual payment, and stationed garrisons in their towns.
35.29 Simul atque haec cōnfēcī, ad hīberna legiōnēs redūxī. As soon as I completed these matters, I led the legions back to winter quarters.
35.30 Senātus populusque Rōmānus ob rēs gestās atque victōriās nostrās supplicātiōnēs decrēvit. The Senate and Roman People decreed thanksgivings on account of our achievements and victories.
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35.16 Imperātor senātuī populōque Rōmānō salūtem dīcit.
35.17 Simul atque in prōvinciam pervēnī, hostēs nostrōs fīnēs vastāre cognōvī.
35.18 Statim legiōnēs duās atque auxilia sociōrum contrā hostēs dūxī.
35.19 Prīmō proeliō equitēs nostrī atque sagittāriī hostium aciem perturbāvērunt.
35.20 Deinde legiōnēs signīs collātīs atque testūdine factā castra hostium oppugnāvērunt.
35.21 Acrior fuit pugna atque spērāveram, nam barbarī fortiter resistēbant.
35.22 Tandem post hōrās quattuor atque dīmidiam hostēs terga vertērunt.
35.23 Simul atque dux eōrum cecidit, reliquī sē in silvās atque palūdēs recēpērunt.
35.24 Mīlitēs nostrī vīllās atque agrōs incendērunt, frūmentum atque pecora cēpērunt.
35.25 Captīvōrum numerus māior est atque in superiōre bellō.
35.26 Ducēs hostium atque prīncipēs ad mē lēgātōs dē pāce mīsērunt.
35.27 Obsidēs centum atque vīgintī nōbilissimōs adulēscentēs accēpī.
35.28 Tribūtum atque stīpendium annuum imposuī, atque praesidia in oppidīs eōrum collocāvī.
35.29 Simul atque haec cōnfēcī, ad hīberna legiōnēs redūxī.
35.30 Senātus populusque Rōmānus ob rēs gestās atque victōriās nostrās supplicātiōnēs decrēvit.
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This military dispatch demonstrates sophisticated uses of atque in formal military reporting: -
Opening Formula: -
senātuī populōque Rōmānō - The traditional SPQR formula uses -que, not atque, showing the fixed nature of this phrase -
Temporal Coordination: -
simul atque appears three times (35.17, 35.23, 35.29) to mark critical turning points -
Each use triggers immediate consequences in the narrative -
Tactical Combinations: -
Military units: legiōnēs duās atque auxilia (35.18) -
Tactical elements: signīs collātīs atque testūdine factā (35.20) -
Geographic features: in silvās atque palūdēs (35.23) -
Comparative Usage: -
Acrior fuit pugna atque spērāveram (35.21) - Shows atque meaning "than" after comparative -
māior est atque in superiōre bellō (35.25) - Another comparative construction
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Building Intensity: -
Multiple atque connections in single sentences create cumulative effect -
Example 35.24: Two pairs connected by atque show comprehensive destruction -
Administrative Precision: -
centum atque vīgintī (35.27) - Precise numbers connected formally -
tribūtum atque stīpendium (35.28) - Legal/financial terms paired -
Climactic Placement: -
Final sentence (35.30) uses atque to link achievements and results -
Creates formal closure appropriate to official dispatch
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Action Sequences: Perfect tense dominates, with atque linking completed actions -
Official Tone: atque adds weight and formality vs. simple et -
Comprehensive Reporting: Multiple atque phrases ensure nothing is omitted
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