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What is this dialogue about? The Convivium Religiosum (The Godly Feast) is one of Erasmus’s most celebrated Colloquia, first published in 1522. It presents a philosophical dinner party set in a country garden, where the host Eusebius invites friends to escape the smoky city for simple pleasures and elevated conversation. The dialogue contrasts urban avarice with pastoral tranquility while weaving classical philosophy with Christian wisdom.
Link to Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Key Takeaways: -
The temporal conjunction quum (cum) with the subjunctive -
Ablative of instrument and means -
Deponent verbs in philosophical discourse -
Rhetorical devices: polyptoton and chiasmus -
Invitation formulas and hospitality vocabulary
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This text follows Neo-Latin conventions of the early sixteenth century. Notable orthographic features include quum for classical cum when introducing temporal clauses, the retention of certain medieval spellings, and Erasmus’s preference for learned Greco-Latin compound names for his speakers (Eusebius = “pious,” Timotheus = “honoring God,” Chrysoglottus = “golden-tongued”).
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1.1a Quum when omnia all-things nunc now vernent bloom-SUBJ et and rideant smile-SUBJ in in agris, the-fields [PER]
1.1b Quum (kwoom) when omnia (OM-nee-ah) all-things nunc (noonk) now vernent (VEHR-nent) bloom-SUBJUNCTIVE et (et) and rideant (REE-day-ahnt) smile-SUBJUNCTIVE in (in) in agris (AH-grees) the-fields
1.2a demiror I-wonder-at esse, there-to-be qui those-who fumosis smoky urbibus by-cities delectentur. are-delighted-SUBJ [SOV]
1.2b demiror (day-MEE-ror) I-wonder-at esse (ES-say) there-to-be qui (kwee) those-who fumosis (foo-MOH-sees) smoky urbibus (OOR-bee-boos) by-cities delectentur (day-lek-TEN-toor) are-delighted-SUBJUNCTIVE
2.1a Non not omnes all-people capiuntur are-captivated aspectu by-the-sight florum, of-flowers [SVO]
2.1b Non (nohn) not omnes (OM-nays) all-people capiuntur (kah-pee-OON-toor) are-captivated aspectu (ah-SPEK-too) by-the-sight florum (FLOH-room) of-flowers
2.2a aut or pratorum of-meadows vernantium, blooming aut or fontium of-fountains amniumve. or-of-rivers [GEN-CHAIN]
2.2b aut (owt) or pratorum (prah-TOH-room) of-meadows vernantium (vehr-NAHN-tee-oom) blooming aut (owt) or fontium (FON-tee-oom) of-fountains amniumve (AHM-nee-oom-vay) or-of-rivers
3.1a Aut, or si if capiuntur, they-are-captivated est there-is aliud, something-else quod which magis more iuvet. pleases-SUBJ [COND]
3.1b Aut (owt) or si (see) if capiuntur (kah-pee-OON-toor) they-are-captivated est (est) there-is aliud (AH-lee-ood) something-else quod (kwod) which magis (MAH-gees) more iuvet (YOO-vet) pleases-SUBJUNCTIVE
4.1a Ita thus voluptas pleasure voluptate, by-pleasure veluti just-as clavus a-nail clavo, by-a-nail pellitur. is-driven-out [CHIAS]
4.1b Ita (EE-tah) thus voluptas (voh-LOOP-tahs) pleasure voluptate (voh-loop-TAH-tay) by-pleasure veluti (vay-LOO-tee) just-as clavus (KLAH-voos) a-nail clavo (KLAH-voh) by-a-nail pellitur (PEL-lee-toor) is-driven-out
5.1a Tu you mihi to-me fortasse perhaps foeneratores money-lenders narras, are-describing [SVO]
5.1b Tu (too) you mihi (MEE-hee) to-me fortasse (for-TAHS-say) perhaps foeneratores (fay-neh-rah-TOH-rays) money-lenders narras (NAHR-rahs) are-describing
5.2a aut or his to-these simillimos most-similar negotiatores merchants avaros. greedy [ADJ-POSTPOSED]
5.2b aut (owt) or his (hees) to-these simillimos (see-MEEL-lee-mohs) most-similar negotiatores (nay-GOH-tee-ah-TOH-rays) merchants avaros (ah-VAH-rohs) greedy
6.1a Istos those-ones quidem, indeed sed but non not solos, alone o O bone. good-friend [EF]
6.1b Istos (EES-tohs) those-ones quidem (KWEE-dem) indeed sed (sed) but non (nohn) not solos (SOH-lohs) alone o (oh) O bone (BOH-nay) good-friend
7.1a Imo rather cum with his these innumeros countless alios, others [SVO]
7.1b Imo (EE-moh) rather cum (koom) with his (hees) these innumeros (in-NOO-meh-rohs) countless alios (AH-lee-ohs) others
7.2a usque even ad to ipsos the-very sacerdotes priests ac and monachos. monks [EF]
7.2b usque (OOS-kway) even ad (ahd) to ipsos (IP-sohs) the-very sacerdotes (sah-kehr-DOH-tays) priests ac (ahk) and monachos (moh-NAH-kohs) monks
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1. Quum omnia nunc vernent et rideant in agris, demiror esse, qui fumosis urbibus delectentur. [PER] Translation: “When everything now blooms and smiles in the fields, I wonder that there are those who take delight in smoky cities.”
2. Non omnes capiuntur aspectu florum, aut pratorum vernantium, aut fontium amniumve. [SVO] Translation: “Not everyone is captivated by the sight of flowers, or of blooming meadows, or of fountains and rivers.”
3. Aut, si capiuntur, est aliud, quod magis iuvet. [COND] Translation: “Or, if they are captivated, there is something else that pleases them more.”
4. Ita voluptas voluptate, veluti clavus clavo, pellitur. [CHIAS] Translation: “Thus one pleasure is driven out by another pleasure, just as one nail by another nail.”
5. Tu mihi fortasse foeneratores narras, aut his simillimos negotiatores avaros. [SVO] Translation: “You are perhaps describing money-lenders to me, or greedy merchants most similar to these.”
6. Istos quidem, sed non solos, o bone. [EF] Translation: “Those indeed, but not only them, my good friend.”
7. Imo cum his innumeros alios, usque ad ipsos sacerdotes ac monachos. [EF] Translation: “Rather, along with these, countless others, even extending to priests and monks themselves.”
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EUSEBIUS. Quum omnia nunc vernent et rideant in agris, demiror esse, qui fumosis urbibus delectentur.
TIMOTHEUS. Non omnes capiuntur aspectu florum, aut pratorum vernantium, aut fontium amniumve: aut, si capiuntur, est aliud, quod magis iuvet. Ita voluptas voluptate, veluti clavus clavo, pellitur.
EUSEBIUS. Tu mihi fortasse foeneratores narras, aut his simillimos negotiatores avaros.
TIMOTHEUS. Istos quidem, sed non solos, o bone, imo cum his innumeros alios, usque ad ipsos sacerdotes ac monachos.
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These are the grammar rules for this text:
1. QUUM (CUM) WITH THE SUBJUNCTIVE
When quum (the Neo-Latin spelling of classical cum) introduces a temporal or causal clause, it typically takes the subjunctive mood. In Quum omnia nunc vernent et rideant, both vernent and rideant are present subjunctives because they are inside the quum-clause. This construction expresses the circumstances under which the main action occurs.
The main clause verb demiror (”I wonder”) remains in the indicative because it states the speaker’s actual reaction. The subjunctive in the subordinate clause colors the situation as the backdrop or context rather than a bald statement of fact.
2. ABLATIVE OF INSTRUMENT AND MEANS
The ablative case without a preposition expresses the instrument or means by which an action occurs. In this passage we see this pattern repeatedly. Aspectu florum (”by the sight of flowers”) shows what captivates people. The famous proverbial phrase voluptas voluptate...clavus clavo pellitur uses the ablative to show what drives out what.
When you see a noun in the ablative answering “by what?” or “by means of what?” without a preposition, you have found the ablative of instrument.
3. DEPONENT VERBS
Deponent verbs have passive forms but active meanings. Three deponents appear prominently in this passage: demiror (”I wonder at”), delector (”I am delighted” but functioning actively), and later versor (”I occupy myself, dwell”). These verbs can take various constructions depending on their meaning. Demiror here takes an accusative-infinitive construction (esse with an implied subject), while delector takes an ablative of cause (urbibus).
4. RELATIVE CLAUSE OF CHARACTERISTIC
The clause qui fumosis urbibus delectentur uses the subjunctive delectentur rather than the indicative because it describes a type or class of person (”the sort who...”) rather than specific individuals. This is called a relative clause of characteristic. The subjunctive signals that we are speaking generally about a category of people who might exist.
5. POLYPTOTON AND CHIASMUS
Erasmus employs classical rhetorical figures to create memorable phrases. Voluptas voluptate is an example of polyptoton, where the same word appears in different grammatical forms (nominative and ablative). Combined with the parallel clavus clavo, this creates a chiastic (crossing) structure that emphasizes the proverbial wisdom: A-B, A-B becomes NOM-ABL, NOM-ABL.
This proverb (one nail drives out another) was well-known from Cicero and became a Renaissance commonplace.
Word Order Analysis: -
[PER] Periodic Structure: The opening sentence delays the main clause (demiror) until after the temporal clause, building suspense. -
[SVO] Subject-Verb-Object: Basic Neo-Latin word order appears in simple declarative statements. -
[CHIAS] Chiasmus: The parallel voluptas voluptate...clavus clavo creates symmetry. -
[EF] Emphatic Fronting: Istos quidem places the demonstrative first for emphasis.
Common Mistakes: -
Confusing quum (temporal/causal) with quom (archaic “how”) -
Forgetting that deponent verbs are active in meaning despite passive forms -
Missing the ablative of means without a preposition
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agris — ager, agri (m.) field, countryside. Ablative plural. From PIE h₂eǵros “field”; gives English “agriculture,” “agrarian.”
aliud — alius, alia, aliud (adj./pron.) another, other. Nominative neuter singular. Note the irregular genitive alius and dative alii.
amnis — amnis, amnis (m.) river, stream. Genitive plural amnium. Related to Latin aqua “water.”
aspectus — aspectus, -ūs (m.) sight, appearance, view. Ablative singular. From ad- + specio “look at”; gives English “aspect.”
avaros — avarus, -a, -um (adj.) greedy, avaricious. Accusative masculine plural. From aveo “crave”; gives English “avarice.”
bone — bonus, -a, -um (adj.) good. Vocative masculine singular. The phrase o bone = “my good friend” is a common address formula.
capiuntur — capio, capere, cepi, captum (v. 3rd) take, seize, captivate. Present passive indicative 3rd plural. Gives English “capture,” “captivate.”
clavus — clavus, -i (m.) nail, spike. Nominative singular. From PIE kleh₂u- “hook”; gives English “clove” (the spice, from its nail shape).
delector — delector, delectari, delectatus sum (v. 1st dep.) be delighted, take pleasure in. Deponent verb taking ablative. Gives English “delight,” “delectable.”
demiror — demiror, demirari, demiratus sum (v. 1st dep.) wonder at, be amazed at. Takes accusative-infinitive construction.
esse — sum, esse, fui (v. irreg.) to be. Present infinitive. Part of accusative-infinitive construction with demiror.
florum — flos, floris (m.) flower, blossom. Genitive plural. From PIE bhleh₃- “bloom”; gives English “flower,” “flora,” “flourish.”
foeneratores — foenerator, -oris (m.) money-lender, usurer. Accusative plural. From foenus “interest, profit.”
fontium — fons, fontis (m.) fountain, spring, source. Genitive plural. Gives English “font,” “fountain.”
fumosis — fumosus, -a, -um (adj.) smoky, full of smoke. Ablative feminine plural. From fumus “smoke.”
his — hic, haec, hoc (dem. pron.) this, these. Dative/ablative plural. The demonstrative of proximity.
imo — imo (adv.) on the contrary, rather, indeed. Intensifying particle correcting what came before.
innumeros — innumerus, -a, -um (adj.) countless, innumerable. Accusative masculine plural. From in- (negative) + numerus “number.”
ipsos — ipse, ipsa, ipsum (intensive pron.) himself, very, even. Accusative masculine plural. Emphasizes the noun it modifies.
istos — iste, ista, istud (dem. pron.) that (near you), that sort of. Accusative masculine plural. Often carries a slightly contemptuous tone.
iuvet — iuvo, iuvare, iuvi, iutum (v. 1st) help, please, delight. Present subjunctive 3rd singular. Here impersonal: “it pleases.”
magis — magis (adv.) more, rather. Comparative adverb from magnus.
mihi — ego (pers. pron.) I, me. Dative singular “to me.”
monachos — monachus, -i (m.) monk. Accusative plural. Greek loanword from μοναχός “solitary.”
narras — narro, narrare (v. 1st) tell, relate, describe. Present indicative 2nd singular. Gives English “narrate.”
negotiatores — negotiator, -oris (m.) merchant, businessman. Accusative plural. From negotium “business” (neg- + otium “not leisure”).
nunc — nunc (adv.) now, at present. Temporal adverb.
omnes — omnis, -e (adj.) all, every. Nominative masculine plural (substantive: “all people”).
omnia — omnis, -e (adj.) all, every. Nominative neuter plural (substantive: “all things”).
pellitur — pello, pellere, pepuli, pulsum (v. 3rd) drive, push, drive out. Present passive indicative 3rd singular. Gives English “compel,” “expel,” “repel.”
pratorum — pratum, -i (n.) meadow. Genitive plural.
qui — qui, quae, quod (rel. pron.) who, which, that. Nominative masculine plural, introducing a relative clause of characteristic.
quidem — quidem (adv.) indeed, certainly, at least. Emphasizes the preceding word.
quum — cum (conj.) when, since, although. Neo-Latin spelling; takes subjunctive in temporal/causal clauses.
rideant — rideo, ridere, risi, risum (v. 2nd) laugh, smile. Present subjunctive 3rd plural. Here metaphorical: fields “smile” in bloom.
sacerdotes — sacerdos, -otis (m./f.) priest. Accusative plural. From sacer “sacred” + -dos (agent suffix).
sed — sed (conj.) but. Adversative conjunction.
simillimos — similis, -e (adj.) similar, like. Superlative accusative masculine plural. Takes dative (his) for comparison.
solos — solus, -a, -um (adj.) alone, only. Accusative masculine plural.
tu — tu (pers. pron.) you (singular). Nominative.
urbibus — urbs, urbis (f.) city. Ablative plural. The source of English “urban.”
usque — usque (adv.) all the way, continuously, even. Here with ad: “even to, extending to.”
veluti — veluti (adv.) just as, as if. Introduces comparisons.
vernantium — verno, vernare (v. 1st) bloom, flourish, be spring-like. Present participle genitive plural. From ver “spring.”
vernent — verno, vernare (v. 1st) bloom, be spring-like. Present subjunctive 3rd plural.
voluptas — voluptas, -atis (f.) pleasure, delight. Nominative and ablative singular. Gives English “voluptuous.”
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EUSEBIUS. Cum nunc omnia in agris florent, miror esse homines qui urbibus delectantur.
TIMOTHEUS. Non omnes amant flores et prata. Si quis amat, saepe est aliud quod magis iuvat. Sic una voluptas aliam pellit.
EUSEBIUS. Fortasse narras mihi de avaris hominibus.
TIMOTHEUS. De illis quidem, sed de multis aliis quoque — etiam de sacerdotibus et monachis.
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From the 1522 March edition, reproduced from Latin Wikisource based on the 1523 Froben printing:
EUSEBIUS. Quum omnia nunc vernent et rideant in agris, demiror esse, qui fumosis urbibus delectentur.
TIMOTHEUS. Non omnes capiuntur aspectu florum, aut pratorum vernantium, aut fontium amniumve: aut, si capiuntur, est aliud, quod magis iuvet. Ita voluptas voluptate, veluti clavus clavo, pellitur.
EUSEBIUS. Tu mihi fortasse foeneratores narras, aut his simillimos negotiatores avaros.
TIMOTHEUS. Istos quidem, sed non solos, o bone, imo cum his innumeros alios, usque ad ipsos sacerdotes ac monachos, qui fere quaestus gratia malunt in urbibus, iisque frequentissimis, versari, dogma sequuti, non Pythagoricum aut Platonicum, sed caeci cuiusdam mendici, cui dulce erat, premi turbis hominum, quod diceret, illic esse quaestum, ubi esset populus.
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An original Neo-Latin dialogue in the spirit of Erasmus, set in a modern urban context.
1.1a MARCUS. Quum when sol the-sun occidat sets-SUBJ et and crepusculum twilight urbem the-city tingat, colors-SUBJ [PER]
1.1b MARCUS. Quum (kwoom) when sol (sohl) the-sun occidat (OK-kee-daht) sets-SUBJUNCTIVE et (et) and crepusculum (kreh-POOS-koo-loom) twilight urbem (OOR-bem) the-city tingat (TEEN-gaht) colors-SUBJUNCTIVE
1.2a invito I-invite vos you-all ad to cenam dinner in in horto the-garden meo my suspensili. rooftop [SVO]
1.2b invito (in-VEE-toh) I-invite vos (vohs) you-all ad (ahd) to cenam (KAY-nahm) dinner in (in) in horto (HOR-toh) the-garden meo (MAY-oh) my suspensili (soos-pen-SEE-lee) rooftop
2.1a LUCIA. Libenter! gladly Semper always in in tuguriolo your-small-dwelling tuo your viriditas greenness me me delectat. delights [SVO]
2.1b LUCIA. Libenter (lee-BEN-tehr) gladly Semper (SEM-pehr) always in (in) in tuguriolo (too-goo-ree-OH-loh) your-small-dwelling tuo (TOO-oh) your viriditas (vee-ree-DEE-tahs) greenness me (may) me delectat (day-LEK-taht) delights
3.1a PAULUS. Num surely-not melius better esset would-it-be in in caupona a-restaurant cenare? to-dine [INT]
3.1b PAULUS. Num (noom) surely-not melius (MEH-lee-oos) better esset (ES-set) would-it-be in (in) in caupona (kow-POH-nah) a-restaurant cenare (kay-NAH-ray) to-dine
4.1a MARCUS. Minime! Not-at-all Ibi there strepitus noise et and turba crowd animum the-spirit vexant. trouble [SVO]
4.1b MARCUS. Minime (MEE-nee-may) Not-at-all Ibi (EE-bee) there strepitus (STREH-pee-toos) noise et (et) and turba (TOOR-bah) crowd animum (AH-nee-moom) the-spirit vexant (VEK-sahnt) trouble
5.1a Hic here autem however pax peace regnat reigns inter among ollas pots et and herbas. herbs [SVO]
5.1b Hic (heek) here autem (OW-tem) however pax (pahks) peace regnat (REG-naht) reigns inter (IN-tehr) among ollas (OL-lahs) pots et (et) and herbas (HEHR-bahs) herbs
6.1a SOPHIA. Quid what nobis to-us appones? will-you-serve [INT]
6.1b SOPHIA. Quid (kwid) what nobis (NOH-bees) to-us appones (ahp-POH-nays) will-you-serve
7.1a MARCUS. Olerum of-vegetables varietatem, a-variety panem bread recens fresh coctum, baked caseum cheese et and vinum. wine [OBJ-FRONTED]
7.1b MARCUS. Olerum (oh-LEH-room) of-vegetables varietatem (vah-ree-eh-TAH-tem) a-variety panem (PAH-nem) bread recens (REH-kens) fresh coctum (KOK-toom) baked caseum (KAH-say-oom) cheese et (et) and vinum (VEE-noom) wine
8.1a LUCIA. Num surely-not ipse yourself panem the-bread coxisti? did-you-bake [INT]
8.1b LUCIA. Num (noom) surely-not ipse (IP-say) yourself panem (PAH-nem) the-bread coxisti (kok-SEES-tee) did-you-bake
9.1a MARCUS. Ita yes vero! indeed Nam for ut as inquit says poeta, the-poet labor work omnia all-things vincit. conquers [QUOT]
9.1b MARCUS. Ita (EE-tah) yes vero (VAY-roh) indeed Nam (nahm) for ut (oot) as inquit (IN-kwit) says poeta (poh-AY-tah) the-poet labor (LAH-bor) work omnia (OM-nee-ah) all-things vincit (VEEN-kit) conquers
10.1a PAULUS. Iam now intellego! I-understand Ita thus voluptas pleasure labore by-work efficitur, is-produced [CHIAS]
10.1b PAULUS. Iam (yahm) now intellego (in-TEL-leh-goh) I-understand Ita (EE-tah) thus voluptas (voh-LOOP-tahs) pleasure labore (lah-BOH-ray) by-work efficitur (ef-FEE-kee-toor) is-produced
10.2a veluti just-as cena a-dinner famē by-hunger conditur. is-seasoned [CHIAS]
10.2b veluti (vay-LOO-tee) just-as cena (KAY-nah) a-dinner famē (fah-MAY) by-hunger conditur (KON-dee-toor) is-seasoned
11.1a SOPHIA. Sapienter wisely dicis! you-speak Veniat let-come ergo therefore cena the-dinner — — et and convivium conversation inter among amicos! friends [SVO]
11.1b SOPHIA. Sapienter (sah-pee-EN-tehr) wisely dicis (DEE-kees) you-speak Veniat (VEH-nee-aht) let-come ergo (EHR-goh) therefore cena (KAY-nah) the-dinner et (et) and convivium (kon-VEE-vee-oom) conversation inter (IN-tehr) among amicos (ah-MEE-kohs) friends
12.1a MARCUS. Optime! excellent Sed but primum first sibi for-himself quisque each-one umbram a-shadow secum with-him adducat! let-bring [DIST]
12.1b MARCUS. Optime (OP-tee-may) excellent Sed (sed) but primum (PREE-moom) first sibi (SEE-bee) for-himself quisque (KWIS-kway) each-one umbram (OOM-brahm) a-shadow secum (SAY-koom) with-him adducat (ahd-DOO-kaht) let-bring
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1. Quum sol occidat et crepusculum urbem tingat, invito vos ad cenam in horto meo suspensili. “As the sun sets and twilight colors the city, I invite you all to dinner in my rooftop garden.”
2. Libenter! Semper in tuguriolo tuo viriditas me delectat. “Gladly! The greenness in your little dwelling always delights me.”
3. Num melius esset in caupona cenare? “Surely it wouldn’t be better to dine in a restaurant?”
4. Minime! Ibi strepitus et turba animum vexant. “Not at all! There, noise and crowds trouble the spirit.”
5. Hic autem pax regnat inter ollas et herbas. “Here, however, peace reigns among the pots and herbs.”
6. Quid nobis appones? “What will you serve us?”
7. Olerum varietatem, panem recens coctum, caseum et vinum. “A variety of vegetables, freshly baked bread, cheese, and wine.”
8. Num ipse panem coxisti? “Surely you didn’t bake the bread yourself?”
9. Ita vero! Nam ut inquit poeta, labor omnia vincit. “Yes indeed! For as the poet says, work conquers all things.”
10. Iam intellego! Ita voluptas labore efficitur, veluti cena famē conditur. “Now I understand! Thus pleasure is produced by work, just as a dinner is seasoned by hunger.”
11. Sapienter dicis! Veniat ergo cena — et convivium inter amicos! “You speak wisely! Let the dinner come, then — and conversation among friends!”
12. Optime! Sed primum sibi quisque umbram secum adducat! “Excellent! But first let each one bring a guest with him!”
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MARCUS. Quum sol occidat et crepusculum urbem tingat, invito vos ad cenam in horto meo suspensili.
LUCIA. Libenter! Semper in tuguriolo tuo viriditas me delectat.
PAULUS. Num melius esset in caupona cenare?
MARCUS. Minime! Ibi strepitus et turba animum vexant. Hic autem pax regnat inter ollas et herbas.
SOPHIA. Quid nobis appones?
MARCUS. Olerum varietatem, panem recens coctum, caseum et vinum.
LUCIA. Num ipse panem coxisti?
MARCUS. Ita vero! Nam ut inquit poeta, labor omnia vincit.
PAULUS. Iam intellego! Ita voluptas labore efficitur, veluti cena famē conditur.
SOPHIA. Sapienter dicis! Veniat ergo cena — et convivium inter amicos!
MARCUS. Optime! Sed primum sibi quisque umbram secum adducat!
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adducat — adduco, adducere (v. 3rd) bring, lead to. Present subjunctive 3rd singular (jussive).
animum — animus, -i (m.) spirit, mind, soul. Accusative singular.
appones — appono, apponere (v. 3rd) serve, set before. Future indicative 2nd singular.
caseum — caseus, -i (m.) cheese. Accusative singular.
caupona — caupona, -ae (f.) inn, tavern, restaurant. Ablative singular.
coctum — coquo, coquere, coxi, coctum (v. 3rd) cook, bake. Perfect passive participle.
conditur — condio, condire (v. 4th) season, flavor. Present passive indicative 3rd singular.
coxisti — coquo (v. 3rd) bake. Perfect indicative 2nd singular.
crepusculum — crepusculum, -i (n.) twilight, dusk. Nominative/accusative singular.
efficitur — efficio, efficere (v. 3rd) produce, bring about. Present passive indicative 3rd singular.
famē — fames, -is (f.) hunger. Ablative singular.
hortus suspensilis — hortus, -i (m.) + suspensilis, -e (adj.) rooftop garden, literally “hanging garden.”
labore — labor, -oris (m.) work, effort. Ablative singular.
minime — minime (adv.) not at all, by no means.
nobis — nos (pers. pron.) we, us. Dative plural.
num — num (interrog. particle) surely not? expects negative answer.
occidat — occido, occidere (v. 3rd) set (of sun), fall. Present subjunctive 3rd singular.
olerum — olus, oleris (n.) vegetable. Genitive plural.
ollas — olla, -ae (f.) pot, jar. Accusative plural.
recens — recens, -entis (adj.) fresh, recent. Nominative/accusative singular.
strepitus — strepitus, -ūs (m.) noise, clamor. Nominative singular.
tingat — tingo, tingere (v. 3rd) color, tinge. Present subjunctive 3rd singular.
tuguriolo — tuguriolum, -i (n.) small cottage/dwelling. Ablative singular (diminutive).
turba — turba, -ae (f.) crowd, throng. Nominative singular.
umbram — umbra, -ae (f.) shadow; here “guest” (the person one brings, as in the Erasmian original).
varietatem — varietas, -atis (f.) variety. Accusative singular.
veniat — venio, venire (v. 4th) come. Present subjunctive 3rd singular (jussive).
vincit — vinco, vincere (v. 3rd) conquer, overcome. Present indicative 3rd singular.
viriditas — viriditas, -atis (f.) greenness, verdure. Nominative singular.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating materials for the study of Latin since 2006. Our approach combines the text-based methods of the Renaissance humanists with modern pedagogical insights. By immersing learners in authentic Neo-Latin colloquia, we provide the vocabulary, idiom, and conversational structures that traditional grammar-translation methods often neglect.
Conversational Latin was the key to fluency for Renaissance scholars, and it remains so today. These dialogues were designed to be memorized, performed, and adapted — not merely parsed.
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Source: Erasmus, Desiderius. Colloquia familiaria. Basel: Froben, 1522-1533. Opening of “Convivium Religiosum” based on the 1523 text available via Latin Wikisource and the Dickinson College Commentaries Colloquia Project.
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