LESSON VI

41. Vocabulary
Nouns Verb
aqua, water (aquarium) prob, probre, test, prove,
causa, cause, reason (causal) approve (probation)
mteria, matter, timber
(material) Adjective
nauta, m., sailor (nautical) vra, true (verify)
42. English Word Studies
(a) How does a nautical mile differ from an ordinary mile? What is an aquarium?
Explain this sentence: I cannot question his veracity.
(b) Latin Phrases in English
Magna Charta, the Great Paper, or document, which is the cornerstone of English
liberty.
material medica, material, such as herbs, used in making medicines.
Fortna caeca est, Fortune is blind.
43. Accusative: Direct Object
The direct object is the word which is directly acted upon by the verb. It is put in the
accusative (objective) case.
In Latin, the endings of the accusative in the first declension are:
Singular Plural
-am -s
viam vis
Examples:
1. Anna Clram accsat, Anna blames Clara.
2. Clra Annam accsat, Clary blames Anna.
3. (a) I saw him. (b) He saw me.
Observe in the preceding sentences:
(a) In 1 and 2 a noun in English is not changed to indicated the direct object in the
accusative (objective) case, but difference in case depends solely upon word order and sense.
(b) In 3 (a) and (b) personal pronouns, on the other hand, have different forms for the
accusative.
(c) In Latin the accusative of a noun is distinguished from the nominative by its ending.
44. Rule. The direct object of a verb is in the accusative.
Caution. A noun is not necessarily in the accusative because it is used with or after a
verb. Est and sunt serve as a sign of equality (=) and take the same case after them as before
them:
Italy is a country, Italia est terra
Query. Why is it incorrect to say in English, It is him?
45. Drill. (a) Give the nominative plural and the accusative, singular and plural, of insula,
fortna, material, aqua.
(b) Give the Latin for you (sing.) approve, they are accusing, we do prepare.
(c) Pick out the direct objects in the following sentences:
1. My brother saw many clowns in the circus. 2. Johns father is a rich man. 3. The boy
found a dollar last week. 4. The butcher sold me two pounds of pork.
(d) Translate the words in italics:
1. I see a beautiful island. 2. She is a very nice girl. 3. Do you like the wood? 4. They are
going to pave this street.
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50. GLIMPSES OF ROMAN LIFE
Roman Roads and Travel
While the Romans had no railroads, automobiles, steamships, or airplanes, they had
better facilities for getting about than the modern world had until the introduction of steamships
and steam railroads a hundred years ago. This was due to their wonderful system of roads. Only
in the last few years, as a result of automobile travel, have our roads begun to compare with the
Roman roads. The secret of these roads was that they were built like walls (cf. viam mnre,
215, 6).
The Romans were such excellent road builders because they saw the need of having good
highways in order to maintain communication with the various parts of their extensive empire.
Even in the early days when Rome was conquering Italy, it started its policy of road construction.
The most important road in Italy, the Appian Way, was built by Appius Claudius in 312 B. C. It
led to Capua, the most important city in Southern Italy. Later it was extended across Italy to
Brundisium, the seaport from which travelers sailed to Greece and the Orient. Parts of the
Appian Way and of other Roman roads are in use today.
Horses, mules, carriages or omnibuses, and litters were used by travelers who did not
wish to go on foot. Along all the roads there were milestones to indicate distances. Often there
were benches on which the weary traveler might rest. Watering troughs for horses and fountains
for men were provided. Of course travel was slow. Fifty to sixty miles a day was fast time for
people in a great hurry. Ordinarily, twenty-five to thirty-five miles was a fairly daily average. A
trip that we now make comfortably in a night while asleep in a Pullman car took ten or twelve
days.
If the roads were better than ours, the hotel accommodations were much worse. In fact,
there were only small inns, which were usually dirty and uncomfortable. The wealthier classes
stayed overnight at country villas belonging to themselves or their friends, or in the townhouses
of people they know. It was not uncommon for rich Romans to have half a dozen or more villas
scattered throughout Italy.
Travel by water was avoided as much as possible. Roman ships were small sailing
vessels which were also equipped with oars. Sailing was dangerous, and the boats stayed near
the shore as much as possible.