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I’ve realized that among all my posts so far, I haven’t given much of a picture of what my life looks like, of what I’m doing with my time. So this will be the first in a series of posts talking about some of my main activities this year.
Back in May, I started studying Latin using the Lingua Latina series from Focus Publishing. Unlike the kind of language learning taught at St. John’s, and unlike most Latin textbooks, Lingua Latina uses the natural method. The focus is not on understanding the grammar and translating, but on thinking in the language without needing to translate. Thus, the books are written entirely in Latin. Each lesson tells a story, beginning with vocabulary and constructions so simple that anyone can understand them, and building up from there. There is a short grammar review at the end of each lesson, but this is also written in Latin: for example, “femina est singularis, et feminae est pluralis.” I really appreciate this way of language learning. Though it does take more time, and though I may eventually look at another textbook to understand more complex constructions, right now I love being able to read five pages of Latin in a few minutes without a dictionary. I feel like I’m living Latin from the inside, not studying it from the outside.
And then there’s the stories themselves. Such things would never be written today. Marcus, the oldest son, is very naughty and is always getting beat. There’s even a picture of him over his dad’s knee. And the servants get beat too, when they’ve acted badly. It’s all very just, but not at all politically correct. And it’s absolutely hilarious, because you know this is how real people, not textbook characters, behave. So to give you the flavor of these stories, I’m going to shut up and translate one for you.
Characters: Sextus, Marcus, Titus (all schoolboys)
At midday, the students say, “Goodbye, teacher!” and go out of the school.
In the road in front of the school, Sextus asks Marcus, “Where is that servant who usually waits here for you?”
Marcus responds curtly, “He’s away today.”
Titus: “Then you’ll have to carry your things yourself, like Sextus and I carry our things ourselves.”
Marcus: “Why do you two always come to school on your own?”
Titus: “Because we live in the city Tusculum itself, not far from the city, like you. I’m glad because I don’t have to have a servant with me.”
Marcus: “And I’m glad because I don’t have to carry my writing tablet and books.”
Sextus: “You have to today.”
Laughing, Marcus says, “I don’t if you two come with me and carry my things!”
Titus: “What? Do you think we’re your servants?”
Sextus: “I’m not allowed to come with you, for Mother is waiting for me at home.”
Marcus: “So are you afraid of your mother, Sextus?”
Sextus, who loves and fears his mother like a good boy, says nothing to this.
Marcus: “You are certainly good boys, if you always return to your mamas by the right road!”
Titus and Sextus look at each other. A little later, the three boys go out of the city through the gate, but Marcus carries his book and writing tablet himself.
As the boys are walking in the road, Sextus asks Marcus, “Where is that servant that you say is away today?”
Marcus: “I think he is in Rome, for I know he loves a Roman girl. He says his girlfriend is the most beautiful woman.”
Titus: “All men are used to saying that. Doesn’t your father say your mother is the most beautiful woman?”
Marcus: “Father often says that – and he speaks truly. Therefore he lavishes beautiful jewelry and clothes on Mother. My mother is adorned by the brightest gems and pearls.”
Sextus: “My father says my mother is the most beautiful woman even without jewelry.”
Marcus: “Why does your father say that? That’s how he comforts your mother because he doesn’t give her any jewelry.”
Sextus: “A beautiful woman doesn’t need to be adorned with gems and pearls.”
Laughing, Marcus says, “Then your mother needs to be adorned like that!”
At these words, Sextus is angry and shouts, “What? Are you saying my mother is ugly?” and at the same time hits Marcus’s mouth with his fist! Marcus is terrified and tries to defend himself, but Sextus grabs his body and throws him to the ground. Before Marcus can rise again, Sextus, who is a heavier boy, sits on his chest.
Holding his fist before Marcus’s eyes, Sextus says, “Say my mother is a more beautiful woman than yours!”
Marcus: “My mother is a more beautiful woman than yours!”
Sextus is angry and says, “You said it wrong,” and hits the lying boy.
Marcus: “Why do you hit me? I’m saying what you told me to.”
Sextus: “I’m telling you to say that my mother is more beautiful.”
Marcus: “And I’m saying that exactly, my mother is more beautiful.”
Sextus: “Not ‘my,’ but ‘your,’ you should say.”
Marcus: “Your.”
Sextus: “Say this whole sentence: ‘Your mother is more beautiful than mine.'”
Marcus: “Now you’re saying yourself my mother is more beautiful!”
Sextus: “I’m not saying it, I’m telling you to say it.”
Marcus: “Why did you hit me then, when I said it?”
Sextus: “Because you said it wrong. Now say it right!”
Marcus: “Right!”
Sextus: “Do you dare even to laugh at me? That’s enough. Watch this!” Saying this, Sextus hits Marcus’s nose with his fist.
Marcus is terrified and calls Titus: “Titus! Titus! Defend me from this barbarian boy!”
Right away Titus, who sees the blood flow from Marcus’s nose, attacks Sextus from behind. Sextus, even though he is a strong boy, cannot fight two boys at once: now he lies on the hard road under Titus and Marcus, who hit him with their fists again and again. Sextus cannot move, because the two boys sit on his body, one holding his arms, the other his legs.
Then Sextus says, “Look at the sky! There are black clouds. Aren’t you afraid of the storm and the lightning?”
At that moment, the sky is lit up by a great flash of lightening and rain begins to fall. Titus and Marcus, who are afraid of lightening and thunder, get up right away and leave Sextus lying in the road.
Then Sextus gets up. His clothes are dirty, blood flows from his nose, one of his front teeth is missing. He returns to his mother.