14 RITCHIE’S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION – HERCULES 14– THE MUSIC LESSON

HERCULES 14 – THE MUSIC LESSON

THIS IS A STATUE OF A CENTAUR; IT IS HALF HORSE AND HALF HUMAN.













a)

Herculés á pueró corpus suum díligenter exercébat; mágnam partem diéí in palaestrá cónsúmébat; didicit etiam arcum intendere et téla conicere. Hís exercitátiónibus vírés éius cónfírmátae sunt.
In músicá etiam á Linó centauró érudiébátur (centaurí autem equí erant sed caput hominis habébant); huic tamen artí minus díligenter studébat. Híc Linus Herculem ólim obiúrgábat, quod nón studiósus erat; tum puer írátus citharam subitó rapuit, et omnibus víribus caput magistrí ínfélícis percussit. Ille íctú próstrátus est, et pauló post é vítá excessit, neque quisquam posteá id officium suscipere voluit.

b)

The words below have been selected for special attention.  For the words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

A puero, from a boy, ablative case.
Exercebat, is imperfect tense in Latin as this describes behaviour over a long time, or habitual behaviour.
In palaestra is ablative case after preposition ‘in’ as it means inside, if it were 'into' meaning motion towards the inside rather than in meaning place in which, the accusative case would be used.
Didicit, is perfect tense of disco, discere to learn.
Arcum intendere means to draw a bow from inendo, -ere, -endi, -tentus, to stretch out; stretch, draw, aim.
His exercitationibus, through these exercises, ablative case.
A Lino, is ablative case, by Linus.
Erudiebatur, is passive, ‘he was instructed’.
Huic arti is dative, ‘to this art’.
Obiurgo, -iurgare, -avi, -atus, means to, chide, scold, reproach it is imperfect to show that Linus was constantly scolding Hercules over a period of time.
Omnibus viribus is ablative meaning ‘with all his strength’.
Ictu, ablative, ‘by the blow’.
E vita excessit, he died or litterally, he departed from life, from excedo, -cedere, -cessí, -cessus, go out or forth, depart.
c)
Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Herculés á pueró corpus suum díligenter exercébat;
From a boy Hercules assiduously exercised his body;

mágnam partem diéí in palaestrá cónsúmébat;
a large part of his day was taken up in the gym;

didicit etiam arcum intendere et téla conicere.
As he learned to draw a bow and throw a spear.

Hís exercitátiónibus vírés éius cónfírmátae sunt.
These exercises fortified his strength.

In músicá etiam á Linó centauró érudiébátur
And he was even instructed in music by Linus.

(centaurí autem equí erant sed caput hominis habébant);
(moreover the centaurs were horses but had the head of a man);

huic tamen artí minus díligenter studébat.
To this art however he gave less studious attention.

Híc Linus Herculem ólim obiúrgábat,
This Linus once scolded Hercules,

quod nón studiósus erat;
because he was not studious;

tum puer írátus citharam subitó rapuit,
when the angry boy suddenly snatched the lyre,

et omnibus víribus caput magistrí ínfélícis percussit.
And with all his strengh struck the head of the unfortunate teacher.

Ille íctú próstrátus est, et pauló post é vítá excessit,
He was prostrated by the blow and a short time afterwards he departed this life.

neque quisquam posteá id officium suscipere voluit.
Nor did anyone afterwards want to undertake this duty.

d) The following section is as a) but without the stress marks for you to copy and: i) to see if you can put the stress marks in yourself ; ii) provide your own translation.

Hercules a puero corpus suum diligenter exercebat;
magnam partem diei in palaestra consumebat;
didicit etiam arcum intendere et tela conicere.
His exercitationibus vires eius confirmatae sunt.
In musica etiam a Lino centauro erudiebatur
(centauri autem equi erant sed caput hominis habebant);
huic tamen arti minus diligenter studebat.
Hic Linus Herculem olim obiurgabat,
quod non studiosus erat;
tum puer iratus citharam subito rapuit,
et omnibus viribus caput magistri infelicis percussit.
Ille ictu prostratus est,
et paulo post e vita excessit,
 neque quisquam postea id officium suscipere voluit.

13 RITCHIE’S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION – HERCULES 13 – HERCULES AND THE SERPENTS

HERCULES 13 - HERCULES AND THE SERPENTS

a)

Íphiclés, fráter Herculis, mágná vóce exclámávit; sed Herculés ipse, fortissimus puer, haudquáquam territus est. Parvís manibus serpentís statim prehendit, et colla eárum mágná ví compressit. Tálí modó serpentés á pueró interfectae sunt. Alcména autem, máter puerórum, clámórem audíverat,et marítum suum é somnó excitáverat.Ille lúmen accendit et gladium suum rapuit;tum ad puerós properábat, sed ubi ad locum vénit,rem míram vídit, Herculés enim rídébat et serpentís mortuás mónstrábat.

b)

The words below have been selected for special attention.  For words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Herculis – genitive case to express ‘of Hercules’.
Magna voce – ablative case to express ‘in a loud (literally big, great) voice. This is called the 'ablative of manner'. Notice you do not always need to put the preposition ‘in’ as the ablative case on its own is enough.
Ipse – himself, see PERSONAL PRONOUNS in ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR NOTES at the top right under PAGES.
Fortissimus – superlative adjective meaning the most brave, very brave.
Parvis manibus – ablative case here used to express 'with his little hands', notice again that the preposition ‘with’ is not translated as the ablative case expresses ‘with’ on its own without ‘cum’. This is called the 'instrumental ablative'.
Magna vi – ablative case again to express ‘with’ meaning ‘with great force’; this is the ablative of manner again.
A puero – a with puero to express ‘by the boy’. Here, we use the preposition ‘a’ as we are dealing with ‘by + a human being’; as we have seen, with things we can leave the preposition out but not when we are referring to human beings being the agent of an action.
Interfectae sunt – passive form as the snakes were having an action done to them; they were were killed they were not ‘doing’ the action.


c)Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the GIST of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Íphiclés, fráter Herculis, mágná vóce exclámávit;

Iphicles, Hercules’ brother, cried out in a large voice,

sed Herculés ipse, fortissimus puer,

but Hercules himself, a most brave boy,

haudquáquam territus est.

Was not at all frightened.

Parvís manibus serpentís statim prehendit,

With his small hands he immediately seized the snakes

et colla eárum mágná ví compressit.

And with great strength squeezed their necks.

Tálí modó serpentés á pueró interfectae sunt.

In this way the snakes were killed by the boy.

Alcména autem, máter puerórum, clámórem audíverat,

Alcmena however, the mother of the boys, had heard the noise.

et marítum suum é somnó excitáverat.

And had roused her husband from his sleep.

Ille lúmen accendit et gladium suum rapuit;

He lit a light and grasped his sword,

tum ad puerós properábat, sed ubi ad locum vénit,

Then hurried to the boys, but when he came to the place,

rem míram vídit, Herculés enim rídébat

he saw something wonderful. For Hercules was smiling

et serpentís mortuás mónstrábat.

And he was showing him the dead snakes.

 

  d) The following section is for you to copy and compose your own translation.

Iphicles, frater Herculis, magna voce exclamavit;

sed Hercules ipse, fortissimus puer,

haudquaquam territus est.

Parvis manibus serpentis statim prehendit,

et colla earum magna vi compressit.

Tali modo serpentes a puero interfectae sunt.

Alcmena autem, mater puerorum, clamorem audiverat,

et maritum suum e somno excitaverat.

Ille lumen accendit et gladium suum rapuit;

tum ad pueros properabat, sed ubi ad locum venit,

rem miram vidit, Hercules enim ridebat

et serpentis mortuas monstrabat.

12 RITCHIE FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION - HERCULES 12 - THE HATRED OF JUNO

HERCULES 12 – THE HATRED OF JUNO

THIS PICTURE IS OF JUNO AND JUPPITER
Hercules, a Greek hero celebrated for his great strength, was pursued throughout his life by the hatred of Juno. While yet an infant, he strangled some serpents sent by the goddess to destroy him. During his boyhood and youth he performed various marvelous feats of strength, and on reaching manhood succeeded in delivering the Thebans from the oppression of the Minyae. In a fit of madness sent upon him by Juno, he slew his own children; and on consulting the Delphic oracle as to how he should cleanse himself from this crime, he was ordered to submit himself for twelve years to Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, and to perform whatever tasks were appointed him. Hercules obeyed the oracle, and during the twelve years of his servitude accomplished twelve extraordinary feats known as the Labours of Hercules. His death was caused unintentionally by his wife Dejanira. Hercules had shot with his poisoned arrows a centaur named Nessus, who had insulted Dejanira. Nessus, before he died, gave some of his blood to Dejanira, and told her it would act as a charm to secure her husband's love. Some time after, Dejanira wishing to try the charm soaked one of her husband's garments in the blood, not knowing that it was poisoned. Hercules put on the robe, and after suffering terrible torments died, or was carried off by his father Jupiter.

a)
Herculés, Alcménae fílius, ólim in Graeciá habitábat. Híc omnium hominum validissimus fuisse dícitur. At Iúnó, régína deórum, Alcménam óderat et Herculem adhúc ínfantem necáre voluit. Mísit igitur duás serpentís saevissimás; hae mediá nocte in cubiculum Alcménae vénérunt, ubi Herculés cum frátre suó dormiébat. Nec tamen in cúnís, sed in scútó mágnó cubábant. Serpentés iam appropinquáverant et scútum movébant; itaque puerí é somnó excitátí sunt.

b)

Below are some words which have been chosen for special consideration. For the many other words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Scuto - shield , in scuto means ‘in a shield’, scuto being the ablative of the second declension noun scutum as the ablative is required after the preposition in meaning inside, in = place where.
omnium hominum. - Genitive case plural; this means 'of all men' in the sense of 'of all mankind.'
oderat - This verb is pluperfect and just as odi is perfect in form but present in meaning; the pluperfect here has the force of the imperfect verb, ‘she was hating’, ‘she hated’. Remember that Latin uses imperfect when referring to feelings in the past as it is descriptive of a state rather than recounting an event or action.
media nocte - ablative case, used here to indicate time when, with the idea of 'in the middle of the night,' 'in the dead of night.'
Nec tamen - 'not ... however… but' Latin uses nec and neque to connect the clauses.
movebant - Contrast this tense with appropinquaverant and excitati sunt.

c)
Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.
Herculés, Alcménae fílius,
Hercules, son of Alcmena,
ólim in Graeciá habitábat.
once upon a time lived in Greece.
Híc omnium hominum
He of all men (mankind)
validissimus fuisse dícitur.
is said to have been the bravest.
At Iúnó, régína deórum,
But Juno, queen of the gods,
Alcménam óderat et
hated Alcmena and
Herculem adhúc ínfantem
Hercules from his infancy
necáre voluit.
she wanted to kill.
Mísit igitur duás serpentís saevissimás;
She sent therefore two most savage serpents;
hae mediá nocte
these, in the middle of the night,
in cubiculum Alcménae vénérunt,
came into the bedroom of Alcmena ,
ubi Herculés cum frátre suó dormiébat.
where Hercules with his brother was sleeping.
Nec tamen in cúnís,
However not in a cradle,
sed in scútó mágnó cubábant.
but in a large shield.they were lying.
Serpentés iam appropinquáverant
The serpents had just approached/come close
et scútum movébant;
and were moving the shield;
Itaque puerí é somnó excitátí sunt.
And so the boys were aroused from sleep.

d) The following section is for you to copy and compose your own translation.

Hercules, Alcmenae filius,

olim in Graecia habitabat.

Hic omnium hominum

validissimus fuisse dicitur.

At Iuno, regina deorum,

Alcmenam oderat

et Herculem adhuc infantem necare voluit.

Misit igitur duas serpentis saevissimas;

hae media nocte

in cubiculum Alcmenae venerunt,

ubi Hercules cum fratre suo dormiebat.

Nec tamen in cunis,

sed in scuto magno cubabant.

Serpentes iam appropinquaverant

et scutum movebant;

itaque pueri e somno excitati sunt.

01 FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION, PERSEUS 01 - THE ARK - with notes and interlinear translation

PERSEUS 01

PART ONE OF RITCHIE's FABULAE FACILES. PERSEUS 01 -  THE ARK - with notes and interlinear translation

Acrisius, an ancient king of Argos, had been warned by an Oracle that he would be killed by his grandson. When he discovered, therefore, that his daughter Danae had given birth to a son, Acrisius endeavoured to escape his fate by putting both mother and child in a wooden ark and setting them adrift on the sea.
THE PICTURE ABOVE IS OF PERSEUS AND HIS MOTHER DANAE BEING PUT INTO THE ARK BEFORE BEING CAST ADRIFT AT SEA.
They were saved, however, with the help of Jupiter;
and Perseus, the child, grew up at the court of Polydectes,
king of Seriphos, an island in the Aegean Sea. On reaching
manhood, Perseus was sent by Polydectes to fetch the head
of Medusa, one of the Gorgons. This dangerous task he
accomplished with the help of Apollo and Minerva, and on
his way home he rescued Andromeda, daughter of Cepheus,
from a sea-monster. Perseus then married Andromeda,
and lived some time in the country of Cepheus. At length he
returned to Seriphos, and turned Polydectes to stone by
showing him the Gorgon's head; he then went to the court of
Acrisius, who fled in terror at the news of his grandson's
return. The oracle was duly fulfilled, for Acrisius was
accidentally killed by a discus thrown by Perseus.

  1. THE ARK

a).

Haec nárrantur á poétís dé Perseó. Perseus fílius erat Iovis, máximí deórum; avus éius Acrisius appellábátur. Acrisius volébat Perseum nepótem suum necáre; nam propter óráculum puerum timébat. Comprehendit igitur Perseum adhúc infantem, et cum mátre in arcá lígneá inclúsit. Tum arcam ipsam in mare coniécit. Danaé, Perseí máter, mágnopere territa est; tempestás enim mágna mare turbábat. Perseus autem in sinú mátris dormiébat.

b)  some words have been chosen for special consideration and are listed below. For the words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Haec, is a pronoun, neuter plural, ‘these things’, can be translated as ‘this’.
Narrantur, is present tense, third person plural passive = they are told. The present tense is often used for dramatic effect when telling a story’.
A poetis and de Perseo: 'a' and 'de' are followed by the ablative case. Also 'in', as 'in sinu' in the last line and 'cum' as in 'cum matre'.
filius … Iovis: son (nominative case) Iovis (genitive case = of Juppiter); matris in the last line is also in the genitive case ‘of (his)mother’. Latin doesn't put in possessive adjectives (his, her etc)when it is obvious; here it is obvious Perseus is on 'his' mother's lap.
maximi ‘greatest’ is a superlative adjective.
avus eius appellabatur: his grandfather was called (passive).
nepotem suum: his grandson, suum is used here because it is the subject of the verb to kill: he wanted to kill = same subject.
Danae is a name borrowed by Latin from Greek.
Igitur often comes second in the sentence as does enim (see below) and autem in the last line.
turbabat and dormiebat are in the imperfect tense because they describe the state of things existing at a past time and are not reporting a completed action.

c) Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Haec nárrantur á poétís dé Perseó.
These things are told by the poets about Perseus
Perseus fílius erat Iovis, máximí deórum;
Perseus was the son of Juppiter, the greatest of the gods;
avus éius Acrisius appellábátur.
his grandfather was called Acrisus.
Acrisius volébat Perseum nepótem suum necáre;
Acrisius wanted to kill Perseus his grandson;
nam propter óráculum puerum timébat.
for, on account of an oracle, he feared the boy
Comprehendit igitur Perseum adhúc infantem,
He therefore seized Perseus, when still an infant,
et cum mátre in arcá lígneá inclúsit.
and with his mother closed him up in a wooden ark.
Tum arcam ipsam in mare coniécit.
Then that same ark, he hurled into the sea.
Danaé, Perseí máter, mágnopere territa est;
Danae, Perseus’ mother, was very frightened;
tempestás enim mágna mare turbábat.
for a great storm was stirring up the sea.
Perseus autem in sinú mátris dormiébat.
Perseus however, on his mother’s lap, was sleeping.

d) The following section is for you to copy and compose your own translation. 

Haec narrantur a poetis de Perseo.

Perseus filius erat Iovis, maximi deorum;

avus eius Acrisius appellabatur.

Acrisius volebat Perseum nepotem suum necare;

nam propter oraculum puerum timebat.

Comprehendit igitur Perseum adhuc infantem,

et cum matre in arca lignea inclusit.

Tum arcam ipsam in mare coniecit.

Danae, Persei mater, magnopere territa est;

tempestas enim magna mare turbabat.

Perseus autem in sinu matris dormiebat.