illustribus: understand viris; dative of possession.

dedecus, -oris n.
disgrace, shame, dishonor; dative of purpose.

inconsultius comparative adverb
rather thoughtlessly, without due consideration.

assumo, -sumere, -sumpsi, -sumptum
take up, assume; marry; read assumpta fuit.

retineo, -tinere, -tinui, -tentum
retain, keep.

patientius comparative adverb
rather/more tolerantly.

foris adverb
abroad; outside of the house.

destruo, -struere, -struxi, -structum
destroy, ruin.

infamia, -ae f.
loss of reputation.

maximus, -a, -um
greatest; most distinguished, most successful.

haberentur: in the passive, be considered; subjunctive in a negative result clause introduced by hoc efficiebat.

efficio, -ficere, -feci, -fectum
cause, bring about; the subject is infamia.

maritus, -i m.
husband; with minores, lesser husbands, i.e. they were unsuccessful as husbands because of the shameful behavior of their ill-chosen wives.

tibi: dative with cedit; note the emphatic placement at the beginning of the sentence.

decus, decoris n.
honor, esteem

cedo, cedere, cessi, cessum
yield; accrue, contribute.

sanctior, -ius comparative adjective
purer; more holy.

antiquior, -ius comparative adjective
old-fashioned; venerable; i.e., in maintaining the traditional Roman morality

nonne adverb
Do not ....? Is not...?; introduces a direct question to which a yes answer is expected.

pontifex, -ficis m.
priest; dative of agent in a passive periphrastic construction. The Pontifex Maximus was the head or chief priest of the college of priests.

deligo, -ligere, -lexi, -lectum
select, choose; deligenda sit is the passive periphrastic construction that denotes necessity in a future less vivid condition (should . . . would) introduced by si.

hanc= Plotina.

eligo, -ligere, -legi, -lectum
select, choose; elegerit is part of a future less vivid condition (should . . . would) introduced by si.

quam adverb of exclamation
How!. See also the following sentence and other instances below: quam bene, quam modica, etc.

gaudium, -i n.
joy, delight; pleasure.

vendico/vindico (1)
claim unfairly, demand as one’s own; punish.

constanter adverb
firmly, immovably; steadily; resolutely; loyally; persistently; consistently.

potentia, -ae f.
power.

revereor, revereri, reveritus/a sum
honor, respect.

idem . . .quod: the same . . . as.

estis: note the person and number of this verb, as well as fuistis, probatis, coepistis; husband and wife are joined in Pliny's praise.

invicem adverb
in turn, alternately; to one another.

fuistis: that is, before Trajan became emperor and Plotina empress. His high position did not change the character or behavior of either in terms of their marriage.

probo (1)
approve; esteem; sanction.

ex aequo: what is right/fair/equitable, equity.

felicitas, -atis f.
luck, good fortune; happiness; subject of addidit.

addo, addere, addidi, additum
add; bring; increase; impart.

uterque, utraque, utrumque
each/either (of two); both (separately).

eadem= Plotina.

modicus, -a, -um
modest, seemly.

cultus, -us m.
attire, way of dressing; appearance; ablative of respect.

parcus, -a, -um
sparing; moderate

comitatus, -us m.
crowd of attendants; escort; ablative of respect.

civilis, -e
polite, unaffected; unassuming.

incessus, -us m.
procession; appearance (out of the house); ablative of respect.

opus, operis n.
work, task; accomplishment; Pliny makes a general statement here about the proper order of the marital relationship.

ita adverb
thus, so; therefore.

imbuo, imbuere, imbui, imbutum
instruct, educate; train; understand uxorem. Consider sufficit below before deciding on the tense of imbuit and instituit.

instituo, instituere, institui, institutum
prepare;set up;make; understand uxorem.

sufficio, sufficere, suffeci, suffectum
be sufficient, suffice.

obsequium, -i n.
compliance, obedience.

an conjunction.
or.

cum + subjunctive
when, at the time, on each occasion; with videat: the subject is Plotina.

quam conjunction
how, than.

comitor, comitari, comitatus/a sum
accompany, attend.

ambitio, -onis f.
flattery; intimidation; favoritism.

incedo, incedere, incessi, incessum
advance; approach; step, walk.

ingredientem: Trajan disdained the use of litters and carriages, preferring to go about on foot like the average citizen.

in quantum adverb
as far as; to the extent possible.

sexus, -us m.
sex; here, female.

imito (1)
follow; imitate; simulate.

decet, decere, decuit, -- impersonal
it is fitting, right, proper; adorn, grace; hoc refers to her lack of ostentation or her obedience to her husband’s example.

etiamsi conjunction + subjunctive
even if, although; with facias.

diversus, -a, -um
opposite, different; neuter plural.

vero adverb
certainly; truly, to be sure; however.

modestia, -ae f.
modesty; simplicity, lack of ostentation.

vercundia, -ae f.
respect, reverence.

sibi: understand est in dative of possession; what does Pliny mean to convey by the word femina?

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