Notes to Fronto, Epistula ad Marcum Caesarem 2.2

qui, uae, quod relative pronoun
who, which, that; the antecedent of quae is epistulam.
in/mpudentia, -ae f.
shamelessness, impudence; an ablative of description.
Graece adverb
in Greek.
in/mplico, -ere, -plicui
attach . . . to . . .; it is followed by a direct object (eam, the 3rd personal pronoun in the accusative) and an indirect object in the dative following compound verbs (epistulae scriptae).
prior, prior, prius
first; earlier; the comparative adjective agrees with tu but may be translated as an adverb. Note the anaphora of tu in the line, together with three imperative verbs (lege, corrige, redde) -- the command of a teacher to a pupil.
si quis=si aliquis: after si, nisi, num ne, the pronoun quis, quid = the indefinite pronoun aliquis, aliquid.
barbarismus, -i m.
barbarism, error of speech (from the Greek word). Modified by [ali]quis. Fronto modestly notes that his Greek is not perfect Attic, or perhaps not on a par with Domitia's.
recentior, -ior, -ius
more recent; fresher; the comparative adjective modifies tu.
corrigo, -ere, -rexi, rectum
correct, improve; amend; set right.
nolo, nolle, nolui
be unwilling, wish not; may be followed by an infinitive or, as here, by the subjunctive (contemnat).
enim conjunction
yes, truly, in fact; in a postpositive position: translate before nolo.
opicus, a, -um
ignorant, foolish, stupid; ut is an adverb, offering an example modifying me (Opicum). Plato in his Letters refers to the Opici (perhaps a tribe in Italy) as non-Greek-speakers.
contemno, -ere, -tem(p)si, -temptum
look down upon, value little, disdain, despise; subjunctive after nolo.
s(u)avium, -i n.
kiss; object of the imperative of dare. This is a colloquial form Fronto used infrequently (ad M. Caes. 4.12.6, 7; ad Ant. Imp. 1.2.6; ad Verum Imp. 1.7.1; ad Amicos 1.12.2), in reference to Aurelius’ children.
quo, ablative form = ut
so that, whereby, in order that; introduces a purpose clause in the subjunctive (legat) that contains a comparative form.
libentius comparative adverb
more willingly, cheerfully, gladly; formed from the verb libet, it modifies legat.
hora sexta: it is estimated that the Roman 12-hour day began at sunrise and ended at sunset; thus the sixth hour falls between 11 am and noon, depending on the time of year (see Smith's Dictionary for more information).
redeo, -ire, ii, -itum
return, go back.
paululum adverb
a very little; somewhat; diminutive of paulus, -a, -um.
ineptus, -a, -um
pointless, worthless; modifies the 3rd personal pronoun id. Understand an implied fuit as the main verb.
matercula, -ae f.
dear mother, little mother; a diminutive of mater, it is in the ablative case.
torus, -i m.
couch, bed; muscle; mound; object of the preposition supra.
sedeo, -ere, sedi, sessum
sit; present participle agreeing with matercula.
garrio, -ire, -ivi, -itum
chat, talk.
existimo (1)
think, judge, consider.
modo adverb
(just) now.
autem conjunction
but, moreover, and; in a postpositive position: translate before quid.
Cratia: wife of Fronto. understand existimas modo facere.
passercula, -ae f.
little sparrow; a unique useage.
minusculus, -a, -um
rather small, little; the reference is to the baby daughter of Cratia and Fronto; in accord with the Roman tradition of naming women, she is also called Cratia.
fabulor (1) deponent
speak;converse about; ea is in the accusative neuter plural.
altercor (1) deponent
go back and forth; have a discussion.
uter, -tra, -trum
which of two; interrogative pronoun followed by the subjunctive amaret.
alteruter -tra, -trum
one or the other of two; each of two; direct object of amaret, it is modified by the accusative vestrum (2nd person plural possessive adjective).
magis adverb
more.
discus, -i m.
dish, gong.
crepo, -ere,-ui, -itum
make a sound; jingle.
balneum, -i n.
bath, bath-house; the emperor usually went to the baths between 1-2 pm, accompanied by Aurelius.
transeo, -ire, -ivi, -itum
go across (i.e., go from one room to another).

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