This exam is designed to challenge you and to assess your understanding of Roman culture and the Latin language. May your understanding shine through.PART I1. (10 points) Translate the following.Please write your translation next to or under the poem.Vivamus mea Lesbia, atque amemus,rumoresque senum seueriorumomnes unius aestimemus assis!soles occidere et redire possunt:nobis cum semel occidit breuis lux,nox est perpetua una dormienda.da mi basia mille, deinde centum,dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,aut ne quis malus inuidere possit,cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.
We see my Lesbia, however love, and value all the rumors of the crotchety old men at less than one cent! The sun rises and is able to rest: now stay until the brief light falls, night is for perpetual sleep. Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then another thousand, then a second hundred, then yet another thousand, then a hundred. Then, when we have made many kisses, combine these, now we rest, for they are not able to do evil, when there are great kisses. 2. (10 points) In a five paragraph academic essay, answer the following question: Some scholars believe that although this poem is addressed to Lesbia, Catullus actually wrote it with the intention of criticizing the publicly espoused mores of the Republican Roman aristocracy. Explain how these scholars get this idea and then argue either in defense of the theory or argue against it. You must cite no less than 2 examples of grammatical or syntactical evidence from the poem to back up your claim.
Catullus was a writer of great passion. He used words to create vivid scenes of love and to destroy his critics. But the one true love in Catullus’s life was Lesbia. She was a promiscuous maiden with a wedding ring and the key to Catullus’s heart. In his collections of work, Catullus wrote numerous poems to the fair Lesbia. But some of these have become questionable among scholars. It is thought by some that his poem Give me a Thousand Kisses is really a shot at the Republican Roman aristocracy. This theory has great credit because Catullus is well known for his scarsam and biting wit.
The reason for scholars doubting the sincerity of the poem lies within the content. In the very beginning of the poem, Catullus criticizes the old men and their words writing, “rumoresque senum seueriorum omnes unius aestimemus assis!” Obviously he does not value their opinion. Also, although Catullus might have been in lust with Lesbia their love is unlikely. So it is not a far stretch that Catullus with his other harsh writings would go after them in a fake love poem.
The poem in question shows many signs of being a jab at the aristocracy. Their affluent lifestyle and constant want for more is parodied in Catullus’ request for more kisses. “da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,” And this continues on for several more lines. He is exaggerating his love for her and want of kisses to prove a point. That those families in power in Rome are just greedy fools.
Catullus had a reason behind the deception in this poem. Many times his works are attacks or lessons, or just him joking around. But Catullus was also capable of social commentary. This poem expresses his dislike of the aristocrats and their method of ruling. He wanted to be known as a person with real merit and not just a foul mouthed poet.
While Catullus has a dark side there is more to him than meets the eye. He could use his poetry and a little slight of hand to express his feeling at the time. He was a man of love, witnessed by his various poems to Lesbia, but that was only part of the man. With all his talents there is no wonder why Catullus’ works have survived to this day. Even with all his love for Lesbia, the poem is a social satire and a mocking of the aristocrats.
3. (10 points) Translate the following.Please write your translation under the text.Catullus I.ICui dono lepidum novum libellumarida modo pumice expolitum?Corneli, tibi: namque tu solebasmeas esse aliquid putare nugasiam tum, cum ausus es unus Italorumomne aevum tribus explicare cartisdoctis, Iuppiter, et laboriosis.quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelliqualecumque; quod, patrona virgoplus uno maneat perenne saeclo.
Who shall I give my new little book to which has just been polished with the pumice stone? Cornelius, you, and you alone who my love goes out to the scholar, with maps of Italy which you study alone, Jupiter, and work. How you have this because the book rests and waits, which, pure protection to one so great as you. 4. (10 points) Some scholars have argued that Ovid's story of Europa and the Bull is a metaphor for the Augustan Era. Do you agree or disagree? Write your response in a 5 paragraph academic essay. Ovid is one of the greatest authors to ever come out of the Roman age. He compiled the most well known Roman myths into a tome called the Metamorphoses. All the myths he included featured change as a major theme. Some deal with physical changes while others are more internal. One which has a host of changes is Europa and the Bull. But this story goes much deeper than its face value. Europa and the Bull is a clever metaphorical tale about the great Augustus.
The story deals with the founding of Europe and Jupiter. He transforms into a bull to seduce the young Europa. But this is not the only change occurring. Ovid lived in the era of Augustus, the greatest period of the Roman empire. His coming ushered in the greatness of Rome. And as Europa founded Europe, he founded the Empire.
There is also the mythological context. Jupiter was the one who brought Europa to the land that would become Europe. And thus he must have brought Augustus to Rome to quell the civil war and rescue the empire. Also this would fit in the Metamorphoses. The coming of Augustus was a great change to the people of Rome. As was his founding of the empire in general. So Ovid was making a statement about the time he lived in.
Although Augustus was the greatest ruler of Rome, he was not Ovid’s biggest fan. He even had him exiled after he published a book on seduction. Yet Ovid loved him Rome altogether. So Europe was founded by Augustus with the aid of Jupiter. He created the greatest ruling power of the western world. All these things hidden in a simple myth about a girl and a Bull. Ovid truly was great.
Many things make a myth. Misunderstanding of the facts, a terrible event, and even good graces. But all the myths in the Metamorphoses are alike for they deal with change. Ovid’s live saw great change within Rome itself. Augustus became emperor and the golden age began. And because of Augustus’ greatness we still see his influence today, even in an old myth.
5. (10 points) Please scan the following and find three literary devices.
XITu ne quaesieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibifinem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babyloniostemptaris numeros. Vt melius quicquid erit pati!Seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare 5Tyrrhenum, sapias, uina liques et spatio breuispem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit inuidaaetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
We see my Lesbia, however love, and value all the rumors of the crotchety old men at less than one cent! The sun rises and is able to rest: now stay until the brief light falls, night is for perpetual sleep. Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then another thousand, then a second hundred, then yet another thousand, then a hundred. Then, when we have made many kisses, combine these, now we rest, for they are not able to do evil, when there are great kisses. 2. (10 points) In a five paragraph academic essay, answer the following question: Some scholars believe that although this poem is addressed to Lesbia, Catullus actually wrote it with the intention of criticizing the publicly espoused mores of the Republican Roman aristocracy. Explain how these scholars get this idea and then argue either in defense of the theory or argue against it. You must cite no less than 2 examples of grammatical or syntactical evidence from the poem to back up your claim.
Catullus was a writer of great passion. He used words to create vivid scenes of love and to destroy his critics. But the one true love in Catullus’s life was Lesbia. She was a promiscuous maiden with a wedding ring and the key to Catullus’s heart. In his collections of work, Catullus wrote numerous poems to the fair Lesbia. But some of these have become questionable among scholars. It is thought by some that his poem Give me a Thousand Kisses is really a shot at the Republican Roman aristocracy. This theory has great credit because Catullus is well known for his scarsam and biting wit.
The reason for scholars doubting the sincerity of the poem lies within the content. In the very beginning of the poem, Catullus criticizes the old men and their words writing, “rumoresque senum seueriorum omnes unius aestimemus assis!” Obviously he does not value their opinion. Also, although Catullus might have been in lust with Lesbia their love is unlikely. So it is not a far stretch that Catullus with his other harsh writings would go after them in a fake love poem.
The poem in question shows many signs of being a jab at the aristocracy. Their affluent lifestyle and constant want for more is parodied in Catullus’ request for more kisses. “da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,” And this continues on for several more lines. He is exaggerating his love for her and want of kisses to prove a point. That those families in power in Rome are just greedy fools.
Catullus had a reason behind the deception in this poem. Many times his works are attacks or lessons, or just him joking around. But Catullus was also capable of social commentary. This poem expresses his dislike of the aristocrats and their method of ruling. He wanted to be known as a person with real merit and not just a foul mouthed poet.
While Catullus has a dark side there is more to him than meets the eye. He could use his poetry and a little slight of hand to express his feeling at the time. He was a man of love, witnessed by his various poems to Lesbia, but that was only part of the man. With all his talents there is no wonder why Catullus’ works have survived to this day. Even with all his love for Lesbia, the poem is a social satire and a mocking of the aristocrats.
3. (10 points) Translate the following.Please write your translation under the text.Catullus I.ICui dono lepidum novum libellumarida modo pumice expolitum?Corneli, tibi: namque tu solebasmeas esse aliquid putare nugasiam tum, cum ausus es unus Italorumomne aevum tribus explicare cartisdoctis, Iuppiter, et laboriosis.quare habe tibi quidquid hoc libelliqualecumque; quod, patrona virgoplus uno maneat perenne saeclo.
Who shall I give my new little book to which has just been polished with the pumice stone? Cornelius, you, and you alone who my love goes out to the scholar, with maps of Italy which you study alone, Jupiter, and work. How you have this because the book rests and waits, which, pure protection to one so great as you. 4. (10 points) Some scholars have argued that Ovid's story of Europa and the Bull is a metaphor for the Augustan Era. Do you agree or disagree? Write your response in a 5 paragraph academic essay. Ovid is one of the greatest authors to ever come out of the Roman age. He compiled the most well known Roman myths into a tome called the Metamorphoses. All the myths he included featured change as a major theme. Some deal with physical changes while others are more internal. One which has a host of changes is Europa and the Bull. But this story goes much deeper than its face value. Europa and the Bull is a clever metaphorical tale about the great Augustus.
The story deals with the founding of Europe and Jupiter. He transforms into a bull to seduce the young Europa. But this is not the only change occurring. Ovid lived in the era of Augustus, the greatest period of the Roman empire. His coming ushered in the greatness of Rome. And as Europa founded Europe, he founded the Empire.
There is also the mythological context. Jupiter was the one who brought Europa to the land that would become Europe. And thus he must have brought Augustus to Rome to quell the civil war and rescue the empire. Also this would fit in the Metamorphoses. The coming of Augustus was a great change to the people of Rome. As was his founding of the empire in general. So Ovid was making a statement about the time he lived in.
Although Augustus was the greatest ruler of Rome, he was not Ovid’s biggest fan. He even had him exiled after he published a book on seduction. Yet Ovid loved him Rome altogether. So Europe was founded by Augustus with the aid of Jupiter. He created the greatest ruling power of the western world. All these things hidden in a simple myth about a girl and a Bull. Ovid truly was great.
Many things make a myth. Misunderstanding of the facts, a terrible event, and even good graces. But all the myths in the Metamorphoses are alike for they deal with change. Ovid’s live saw great change within Rome itself. Augustus became emperor and the golden age began. And because of Augustus’ greatness we still see his influence today, even in an old myth.
5. (10 points) Please scan the following and find three literary devices.
XITu ne quaesieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibifinem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babyloniostemptaris numeros. Vt melius quicquid erit pati!Seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare 5Tyrrhenum, sapias, uina liques et spatio breuispem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit inuidaaetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
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