The single most important grammatical feature in Stage 10 is the . You can see it in the final paragraph above: tenueras (you had kept), imitatus erat (he had imitated), non intellexerat (he had not understood).
Now that we have the translation, let's explore the grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context of this passage.
"Hello, Syphax!" says Postumus. "Hello, Postumus!" replies Syphax. "You are an honest merchant. I am looking for a statue."
Puerī laetī ad Alexandrum contendērunt. cambridge latin course book 1 stage 10 statuae translation
Up to this point, the Cambridge Latin Course focuses heavily on singular subjects ( ego - I, tu - you, caecilius - Caecilius). Stage 10 introduces: (we) →right arrow verbs ending in -mus (e.g., habemus = we have) vos (you all / plural) →right arrow verbs ending in -tis (e.g., habetis = you all have)
(We/Us): Used by Quintus' son to represent the collective identity of Pompeians ( "nōs Pompēiānī sumus fortēs" ).
Cambridge Latin Course Book 1 Stage 10: Statuae Translation and Analysis Introduction The single most important grammatical feature in Stage
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Postumus tabernam intrat. Postumus est civis Pompeianus. Syphax est mercator Graecus. Syphax in taberna stat.
Puerī inter sē rixābantur. Quīntus tacēbat. "Hello, Syphax
The Cambridge Latin Course is well-structured to gradually build up students' understanding of Latin grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. By Stage 10, students are expected to have a solid grasp of:
To master the translation, memorize these key words from the checklist:
, "Statuae" is a critical turning point where the grammar starts getting a bit more complex. This specific translation exercise is excellent for reinforcing the difference between the nominative and accusative cases
Milo the athlete was standing in the middle of the courtyard. Milo was huge. Milo statuam tenebat. Milo was holding a statue. "ecce!" dixit Alexander. "Milo statuam tenet." "Look!" said Alexander. "Milo is holding a statue." "Milo est validissimus," respondit Quintus. "Milo is very strong," replied Quintus. "ille athleta statuam facile fert." "That athlete carries the statue easily." subito Syphax ad aream venit. Suddenly Syphax came to the courtyard. Syphax iratus erat. Syphax was angry. Syphax nuntium vituperabat. Syphax was cursing a messenger. "tu es stultissimus!" clamavit Syphax. "You are very foolish!" shouted Syphax. "tu mihi statuam malam tradidisti." "You handed over a bad statue to me." "haec statua habet nasum fractum." "This statue has a broken nose." Alexander, postquam hoc audivit, risit. Alexander, after he heard this, laughed. Alexander Syphaci statuam ostendit. Alexander showed a statue to Syphax. "haec statua non est mala," dixit Alexander. "This statue is not bad," said Alexander. "haec statua est pulchra." "This statue is beautiful." "haec statua quoque nasum fractum habet, sed est antiqua!" "This statue also has a broken nose, but it is ancient!" Syphax, postquam hoc audivit, non erat iratus. Syphax, after he heard this, was not angry. Syphax quoque risit. Syphax also laughed. "statuam antiquam amo," dixit Syphax. "I like the ancient statue," said Syphax. "ego hanc statuam emere volo." "I want to buy this statue." Syphax Alexandro pecuniam dedit. Syphax gave money to Alexander. Alexander Syphaci statuam tradidit. Alexander handed over the statue to Syphax. Core Grammatical Concepts in Stage 10