Notes to Valerius Maximus, Memorabilia 4.4

ornamentum, -i n.

object used for adornment; jewel; badge of distinction.

esse: infinitive in an indirect statement; subject is liberos.

cum . . . ostenderet: subjunctive verb in a circumstantial clause, describing the general circumstances of a situation rather than a precise time.

Campanus, -a, -um

of Campania , the region of Italy south of Rome and extending to the Bay of Naples; this refers to a female friend who was visiting Cornelia.

apud preposition + accusative

at the house of.

ille, -a, -ud

that one; he, she, it (refers to Cornelia).

hospita, -ae f.

guest; friend (in apposition with matrona).

saeculum, -i n.

period; age (a reference to the way jewelry styles change with the times).

ostendo, -ere, -ostendi, ostentum

show, display; exhibit.

traho, -here, traxi, tractum

draw out; keep occupied (subject is Cornelia).

sermo, -onis m.

speech, conversation (ablative of means).

donec conjunction

until (takes a subjunctive verb when it suggests a purpose as well as time).

redeo, -ire, -ii/-ivi, -itum

come back, return.

haec: neuter plural in agreement with ornamenta even though it refers to her children.