EXAMINER’S REPORT AS LATIN 2009

EXAMINER’S REPORT AS LATIN 2009



There were 27 candidates, only one fewer than in 2008, and still higher by a pleasing margin than the 20 of 2007. The range of marks in the Language paper was 95 to
53.5 (96.5 to 65 in 2008), and the median was 80.5 (86.5 in 2008); in the Literature paper the range was 96.5 to 55.5 (92 to 32 in 2008), and the median was 80.5.

Latin Language 8282/01

Both translations were attempted by 9 candidates (13/28 in 2008); of the 18 who offered one 14 offered Livy. The examiner was surprised; but a slightly higher proportion of candidates did score better than 40/50 for the Livy than for the Virgil. Of the top seven candidates both translations were offered by only one. But the proportion of candidates scoring higher than 40/50 for Section C was only very slightly higher than the proportion scoring higher than 40/50 for Livy.

In the passages for translation there are certainly difficulties (for the candidates) in Virgil that are at least not so common in Livy. For example, economies such as the simple ablative (tellure) or the syllepses crudeles aras traiectaque pectora ferro/ nudauit (where crudeles aras is best translated ‘the cruelty at the altars’ [ab urbe condita], as indeed it was, by two or three candidates), and fugam Dido sociosque parabat (where inflection was often overridden by more familiar forms of expression, and socios was translated as nominative). But word order, significant indeed in
Virgil (impius ante aras, which moreover should not be separated from the rest of the line), needs to be noticed also in Livy: verbis with increpans, not with transfigit, ipse inside the ne clause, ad uulgus, between ingrati and iudicii, dependent on ingrati.
One or two forms were not recognised by everyone, e.g. oblita, eat (Livy), omne (Virgil); the inflection that apparently escaped most of the candidates (all male) was quaecumque Romana, feminine. Translation of verse may be helped by scansion: so in Virgil, line 352, multă.

In the explanation of syntax there were thirteen marks at 16/20 or higher (and one of
20/20); candidates demonstrated a fair competence at this level, and the examiner notes here only one larger point and a couple of small ones. In Sentence ii he had hoped for an explanation of cum… regnabat as ‘determinative’ (vel sim.); when it came to marking he decided to accept ‘purely temporal’ for full marks and even
‘temporal’ for half marks; but he notes that cum is used with the indicative in a number of types of ‘purely temporal’ clause, including cum ‘equivalent’ (‘when you say that you wrong me’), cum ‘frequentative’ (‘whenever’), and cum ‘inversum’, as well as (in this case) cum ‘determinative’. In Sentence iii the passive (gerundive) form is impersonal, because the verb is intransitive; in Sentence iv meminerit governs mei, not dolentis, which describes/takes the case of mei.

For the translation into Latin there were only eight marks at 24/30 or higher; candidates were less successful here than in the explanation of syntax. But there were only three below 20/30. Vocabulary seemed to present few problems, but in Sentence ii laetissima is better than beatissima or felicissima, and in Sentence iii profecti is better than progressi. Pronouns and possessive adjectives did again present problems: the neuter form illud, the dative of ea, ‘someone’, the idiomatic

order tecum, secum, the necessity sometimes to specify (in Sentence viii ‘his’). In Sentence xiii two or three excellent candidates who could probably have offered interesting arguments for taking the sentence to refer to the future did not suffer for the examiner’s decision that he still thinks the condition refers to the present.

Literature 8282/02

In 2008 candidates were clearly more successful with Caesar than with Virgil; in 2009 twenty one candidates were more successful with Livy than with Virgil (or in one or two cases equally successful).

The Latin of the texts was evidently familiar to most candidates. Long hypotactic sentences are out of use, derided and damned, in modern English; successful negotiation of Livy’s sentence in 1,60,1 deserves applause. In Virgil some
candidates punctilious with commas in English took iamdudum away from saucia and gave it to alit and carpitur; that seems improbable (word order and phrasing again). Some translated subito in 697 as an adverb (parallel to ante diem), not the adjective with furore; very improbable. Animo in 3 is perhaps a minor Virgilian uncertainty: with recursat, apparently dative, parallel (in sense) to pectore, perhaps ablative. But uiri in 3 certainly does not mean, in this context, ‘her man’.

Anna’s persuasion of Dido was recalled in some detail by several candidates, and an extra mark was bestowed on detail; but her role in the rest of the book is also significant, especially in the tragic mode of the conclusion. Ardea was to the east of Rome on many maps in the mind, even of candidates who knew it was a port. The examiner admires the textbooks for this course very much; they are a very respectable achievement. But when he considered the answers on the consuls he wondered whether the Livy does not perhaps contain too much information for students to absorb and order in importance in relation to this part of the history; in which, on the other hand, they do seem to enjoy the legends and traditions, for example the additional detail that several reported from Dionysius that Sextus had had himself whipped.

In dealing with the scansion and the rhythm of line 702 most candidates observed the bucolic diairesis after astitit (but not the lighter but effective division after deuolat), ands ‘dactyls’; but they did not all identify the same dactyls, and some scanned cāpūt or astītīt. The examiner recalls that he himself certainly did not hear and speak enough Latin at their level. Readier recognition of verse rhythms would have improved answers on Dido’s emotions, in which few if any candidates noticed the same bucolic diairesis and three accents in the last two feet in line 13, or the contrasting rhythms of lines 13 and 14 (although one or two did make acute comments on the elisions in line 14 and elsewhere).

Enough of what will seem to be complaints. The examiner repeats what he said last year, that the best candidates are as good as the best he has seen at this level over the last twenty years, and that almost all have demonstrated that they have learned much from some very good teaching; he hopes at least some of them will continue with the subject at tertiary level.

LATIN&
&


Paper&8282/01&

Language&



General&Comments&

This year twenty candidates from three Centres took this examination, the majority of whom were from one Centre. The standard was once again remarkably high, with a significant number of candidates consistently achieving a most creditable level of linguistic and literary knowledge and skill.

Both >uestion Papers were demanding but fair and provided an appropriately broad coverage of the language and literature.

A substantial proportion of the candidates ignored the instruction to write translations on alternate lines. This suggests that this practice was not made the norm during practice translations done in preparation for the examination.

The marking of both papers was generally clear and accurate.

Paper&1&;Language<

Candidates choose two sections out of three on this paperB a prose unseen, a verse unseen and a grammar section. Candidates at this session did particularly well on the third, grammar section. Those who attempted the verse translation generally found it more demanding than the prose.

The standard of the best candidates was superbB their grasp of vocabulary, grammar and syntax extended well beyond that normally required or expected at this level.

There were a few common errors noted in Section()B me vivo' (tri(s,(e' in . partem (which often lost its link to 1eiecit)' 3ra1(s, the link between in c(riam and the verb, the link between re3is and apparitor(m.

Paper&2&;Literature<

The grammar alternatives were a good deal more popular than the extended literary questionsF of the latter only the one in the second Girgil question was at all common.

Translations were in most scripts almost word-perfect. Almost all candidates showed a thorough knowledge of the content of the texts, including contextual references. Scansion was mostly well done although analysis of the rhythmical effects was by contrast rarely done well.

Conclusion

Congratulations are once again extended, both to the Examiners who operated another successful assessment, and to the Centres for the excellent preparation of their candidates.

2




SECTION A: Translation of Latin Prose


QUESTION ONE

Translate into English. Write your translation on alternate lines.



A hero kills his sister

In a war between Rome and Alba three Horatii, brothers, fought three Curiatii, also brothers;
the sole survivor, one of the Horatii, returning to Rome, met his sister, who had been engaged to one of the Curiatii.



Princeps Horatius ibat, trigemina spolia prae se gerens; cui soror virgo, quae desponsa uni ex Curiatiis fuerat, obvia ante portam Capenam fuit, cognitoque super umeros fratris paludamento sponsi quod ipsa confecerat, solvit crines et flebiliter nomine spon- sum mortuum appellat. Movet feroci iuveni animum com- ploratio sororis in victoria sua tantoque gaudio publico.
Stricto itaque gladio simul verbis increpans transfigit puellam.

‘Abi hinc cum immaturo amore ad sponsum,’ inquit, ‘oblita fratrum mortuorum vivique, oblita patriae. Sic eat quae- cumque Romana lugebit hostem.’ Atrox visum id facinus patribus plebique, sed recens meritum facto obstabat. Tamen raptus in ius ad regem. Rex ne ipse tam tristis ingratique
ad vulgus iudicii auctor esset, concilio populi advocato

‘Duumviros,’ inquit, ‘qui Horatio perduellionem iudicent, secundum legem facio.’




Livy, ab urbe condita I.26,2-5 (with one omission)




[50 marks]

3





Glossary

princeps, -ipis [adjective] ahead, in the lead

trigeminus, -a, -um triple

spolium, -ii N., spoils, booty

despondeo, -dere, -di, -sum betroth [+ dative: to]

porta Capena [the porta Capena, a gate of Rome]

paludamentum, -i N., (military) cloak sponsus, -i M., fiancé flebiliter [adverb] tearfully
iuveni [dative of possession] comploratio, -onis F., lamentation stringo, -ngere, -nxi, -ctum draw (from a sheath) increpo, -are reproach
transfigo, -ere pierce through, transfix

abeo, -ire, -ii, -itum depart immaturus, -a, -um ill-timed quicumque, quaecumque, quodcumque whoever lugeo, -ere mourn visum = visum est
meritum, -i N., service, good work obsto, -are (counter-)balance [+ dative] raptus = raptus est
ius, iuris N., legal proceedings

ingratus, -a, -um unpopular

auctor, oris M., person responsible [+ genitive: for]

advoco, -are, -avi, -atum summon

duumviri, -um M., pl., board, committee of two men Horatio [dative of person concerned] perduellio, onis F., offence against the state
secundum [prep., + accusative] in accordance with









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SECTION B: Translation of Latin Poetry


QUESTION ONE

Translate into English. Write your translation on alternate lines.

How Dido fled from Tyre

Her brother Pygmalion secretly killed her husband Sychaeus;
the ghost of Sychaeus appeared to her.

ille Sychaeum

impius ante aras atque auri caecus amore

clam ferro incautum superat, securus amorum germanae; factumque diu celavit et aegram multa malus simulans vana spe lusit amantem. ipsa sed in somnis inhumati venit imago coniugis ora modis attollens pallida miris; crudeles aras traiectaque pectora ferro
nudavit, caecumque domus scelus omne retexit. tum celerare fugam patriaque excedere suadet auxiliumque viae veteres tellure recludit thesauros, ignotum argenti pondus et auri.
his commota fugam Dido sociosque parabat. conveniunt quibus aut odium crudele tyranni aut metus acer erat; naves, quae forte paratae, corripiunt onerantque auro.



Virgil, Aeneid I. 348-363




[50 marks]

5





Glossary

impius, -a, -um impious

incautus, -a, -um off guard

securus, -a, -um heedless [+ genitive: of] germana, -ae F., = soror, -oris vanus, -a, -um vain, empty
ludo, -dere, -si, -sum [transitive] deceive amans, -antis M., F., lover inhumatus, -a, -um unburied
ora [plural for singular]

attollo, -ere raise

traicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum pierce

pectora [plural for singular]

nudo, -are, -avi, -atum reveal

retego, -gere, -xi, -ctum expose

celero, -are [transitive] perform quickly

excedere = exire

suadere [+ infinitive] = suadere [+ ut]

recludo, -dere, -si, -sum uncover thesaurus, -i M., treasure pondus, -eris N., a mass, weight
commoveo, -overe, -ovi, -otum = moveo, -ere, movi, motum crudelis, -e [here] fierce
tyrannus, -i M., king [Pygmalion] metus, -us M., = timor, -oris paratae = paratae sunt corripio, -ipere seize
onero, -are load














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SECTION C: Latin Grammar

Answer BOTH Question One and Question Two.


QUESTION ONE

Choose any FIVE of the following sentences. Do NOT attempt more than FIVE sentences. For each sentence, translate the sentence into English and identify and explain the construction or constructions of the underlined word or words.

Example: Caesar milites misit qui castra defenderent.

Caesar sent soldiers to defend the camp.

qui… defenderent = relative clause in subjunctive mood expressing purpose; verb in imperfect tense in secondary sequence after misit.

(i) Tempestate appropinquante nautae timebant ne morirentur. (ii) Cum ille Romae regnabat urbs multo minor erat.
(iii) Me rogavit cui a se parcendum esset.

(iv) Quis vestrum mei dolentis cras meminerit?
(v) Arma paranda curemus priusquam hostes oppugnent. (vi) Amico sapienti haec monenti pareamus.

(vii) Me adiuva quo hoc facilius faciam.

(viii) Non poteram me retinere quin clamarem.





[20 marks]

7




QUESTION TWO

Translate any TEN sentences into Latin (the conventions of Latin word order should be followed):

(i) He built a small house with the stones he found on the island. (ii) When I give her that present she will be very happy.
(iii) Setting out in the morning they came to the town in three hours. (iv) I shall send someone to close all the gates.
(v) Surely you have brought enough money with you? (vi) Let us tell her to do the work herself.
(vii) Although they did not obey me I shall not punish them.

(viii) While I was saying that to my friend his brother suddenly laughed. (ix) I was so sick I could not remember his name.
(x) She hoped he would always remain with her at Carthage. (xi) She was always afraid he would leave her at last.
(xii) She asked him with great anger why he was going away. (xiii) If I had that book now I would read it again.
(xiv) We must not doubt that there were poets before Homer.

NOTE: Homer: Homerus, -i.

(xv) If you study this language you will learn much about an old sewer.

NOTE: sewer: cloaca, -ae










[30 marks]



End of questions

2


SECTION A: Verse Literature


QUESTION ONE



Virgil, Aeneid IV. 1-14

at regina gravi iamdudum saucia cura vulnus alit venis et caeco carpitur igni. multa viri virtus animo multusque recursat gentis honos: haerent infixi pectore vultus
verbaque nec placidam membris dat cura quietem. 5 postera Phoebea lustrabat lampade terras
umentemque Aurora polo dimoverat umbram,

cum sic unanimam adloquitur male sana sororem:

‘Anna soror, quae me suspensam insomnia terrent!

quis novus hic nostris successit sedibus hospes, 10 quem sese ore ferens, quam forti pectore et armis!
credo equidem, nec vana fides, genus esse deorum. degeneres animos timor arguit. heu, quibus ille iactatus fatis! quae bella exhausta canebat!’

3


Answer ALL of the following questions:



1. Translate lines 1 (at) to 8 (sororem). (13 marks)

2. What is the role of Anna in Aeneid IV? (3 marks)

3. EITHER:

Explain how images and other features of lines 1 (at) to (4 marks)
2 (igni) anticipate events and ideas that follow in Aeneid IV.

OR:

Identify and explain fully the grammar of: (4 marks)

igni (2) sedibus (10) pectore (11) genus (12)

4. Identify effects of language, sound, and rhythm (5 marks)
in lines 1 (at) to 14 (canebat) by which Virgil conveys
the nature of Dido’s emotions (do not repeat points
from the first part of Question 3 above).





[Total: 25 marks]







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QUESTION TWO



Virgil, Aeneid IV. 693-705

tum Iuno omnipotens longum miserata dolorem difficilesque obitus Irim demisit Olympo
quae luctantem animam nexosque resolveret artus. 695 nam quia nec fato merita nec morte peribat,
sed misera ante diem subitoque accensa furore, nondum illi flavum Proserpina vertice crinem abstulerat Stygioque caput damnaverat Orco.
ergo Iris croceis per caelum roscida pennis 700 mille trahens varios adverso sole colores
devolat et supra caput astitit. 'hunc ego Diti sacrum iussa fero teque isto corpore solvo': sic ait et dextra crinem secat, omnis et una
dilapsus calor atque in ventos vita recessit. 705

5


Answer ALL of the following questions:

1. Translate lines 693 (tum) to 699 (Orco). (12 marks)

2.
Who was Proserpina, and what is the idea to which
Virgil refers in lines 698 (nondum) to 699 (Orco)?
(2 marks)

3.
What details in lines 700 (ergo) to 701 (colores)
represent Iris as performing one of her functions?
(2 marks)

4.
EITHER:
Discuss the significance of Juno’s intervention here, with special reference to Virgil’s description of her as omnipotens. (4 marks)

OR:
Identify and explain fully the grammar of: (4 marks)

resolveret (695)
illi (698) sole (701) iussa (703)

5. Scan line 702 (devolat… Diti), clearly marking the six feet (5 marks)
of the hexameter and the principal metrical caesura.
Identify ONE metrical feature of the line, and describe
the effect this feature produces.








[Total: 25 marks]







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SECTION B: Prose Literature


QUESTION ONE

Livy, ab urbe condita, I. 54,1-4

1 Inde in consilia publica adhiberi. Ubi cum de aliis rebus adsentire se veteribus Gabinis diceret quibus eae notiores essent, ipse identidem belli auctor esse et in eo sibi praecipuam prudentiam adsumere quod utriusque populi
vires nosset, sciretque invisam profecto superbiam regiam 5 civibus esse quam ferre ne liberi quidem potuissent.


2 Ita cum sensim ad rebellandum primores Gabinorum incitaret, ipse cum promptissimis iuvenum praedatum atque in expeditiones iret et dictis factisque omnibus ad
fallendum instructis vana adcresceret fides, dux ad ultimum 10 belli legitur.


3 Ibi cum, inscia multitudine quid ageretur, proelia parva inter

Romam Gabiosque fierent quibus plerumque Gabina

res superior esset, tum certatim summi infimique Gabinorum

Sex. Tarquinium dono deum sibi missum ducem credere. 15



4 Apud milites vero obeundo pericula ac labores pariter, praedam munifice largiendo tanta caritate esse ut non
pater Tarquinius potentior Romae quam filius Gabiis esset.

7


Answer ALL of the following questions:

1. Translate paragraphs 1 (from ubi, line 1) and 2 (to legitur, line 11). (13 marks)

2.
What opinion of Sextus’ actions at Gabii has Livy expressed already?
(1 mark)

3.
Sextus next asks his father’s advice: how, according to
Livy, does his father convey that advice, and what is it?
(2 marks)

4.
EITHER:
Livy describes especially the methods by which Sextus worked psychologically on the people of Gabii
to win them over: identify FOUR of them. (4 marks)

OR:
Identify and explain fully the form or the grammar, as specified, of: (4 marks)

adhiberi (line 1, grammar) essent (line 3, grammar) praedatum (line 8, grammar) deum (line 15, form)

5. Find one example from the passage of each of the (5 marks)
following constructions. You must quote the Latin word
or words used in the construction, and specify the line number.

result clause partitive genitive ablative of description indirect question
infinitive in indirect speech






[Total: 25 marks]




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QUESTION TWO

Livy, ab urbe condita I. 60,1-5


1 Harum rerum nuntiis in castra perlatis cum re nova trepidus rex pergeret Romam ad comprimendos motus, flexit viam Brutus – senserat enim adventum – ne obvius fieret; eodemque fere tempore, diversis itineribus, Brutus
Ardeam, Tarquinius Romam venerunt. 5



2 Tarquinio clausae portae exsiliumque indictum: liberatorem urbis laeta castra accepere, exactique inde liberi regis.


3 Duo patrem secuti sunt qui exsulatum Caere in Etruscos ierunt. Sex. Tarquinius Gabios tamquam in suum regnum 10 profectus ab ultoribus veterum simultatium, quas sibi ipse caedibus rapinisque concierat, est interfectus.


4 L. Tarquinius Superbus regnavit annos quinque et viginti. Regnatum Romae ab condita urbe ad liberatam annos
ducentos quadraginta quattuor. 15



5 Duo consules inde comitiis centuriatis a praefecto urbis ex commentariis Ser. Tulli creati sunt, L. Iunius Brutus et L. Tarquinius Collatinus.

9


Answer ALL of the following questions:

1. Translate paragraphs 1 to 3 (Harum … interfectus). (12 marks)

2. Where was Ardea, and why, according to Livy, (2 marks)
were the Romans attacking the town?

3. Who was Ser. Tullius, and why is he mentioned by Livy (2 marks)
in connection with the procedures described in paragraph 5?

4. EITHER:

Identify FOUR of the powers and/or privileges of the consuls. (4 marks)

OR:

Identify and explain fully the form or the grammar, (4 marks)
as specified, of:

fieret (line 4, grammar) tempore (line 4, grammar) accepere (line 7, form) annos (line 13, grammar)

5. Find one example from the passage of each of the (5 marks)
following constructions. You must quote the Latin word
or words used in the construction, and specify the line number.

impersonal passive
dative of person concerned (i.e. of advantage or disadvantage)
ablative absolute locative case ablative of cause




[Total: 25 marks]






End of Questions