autem conjunction
moreover; and; indeed. The speech is addressed to the Emperor Trajan; having praised the virtues of the Empress Plotina (Panegyricus 83), Pliny turns next to celebrate Marciana, Trajan's sister.
ut exclamatory adverb
how; repeated in the next sentence.
memini, -isse, --
remember; the subject is tua soror, followed by an indirect statement.
simplicitas, -atis f.
frankness, sincerity; modified by tua.
veritas, -tatis f.
truthfulness, openness.
candor, -oris m.
integrity, naturalness, splendor.
agnosco, -ere, -novi, -notum
recognize.
ut conjunction
so that, as a result.
si + present subjunctive
if; introduces a should/would condition. After si, nisi, num, ne, quis=aliquis.
confero, -ferre, -tuli, -latum
compare.
dubito (1)
stop to think; wonder; followed by utrum and the subjunctive (sit) in an indirect question.
cogo, -ere, coegi, coactum
compel; infer; the subject is the indefinite pronoun [ali]quis.
efficacior, -ius, comparative adjective of efficax
encouraging, beneficial; followed by a purpose clause (ad + gerundive vivendum).
instituo, -stituere, -stiti, -stitutum
train, rear, educate. Note the passive voice of both verbs; the infinitives are the subject of sit.
feliciter adverb
auspiciously. Pliny considers this philosophical question of nurture and nature in relation to Marciana and Plotina, both of whom were born into elite families.
nascor, nasci, natus/a sum
be born, originate.
pronus, -a, -um
inclined to, disposed to, with ad and the accusative, which is neuter because it modifies nihil.
simultas, -atis f.
dissention, discord.
aemulatio, -onis f.
rivalry, competition, jealousy.
ea: understand aemulatio as the subject of the next two verbs.
porro adverb.
further, besides.
coniunctio, -onis f.
nearness, proximity; ablative of cause/origin.
alo, -ere, alui, altum
nourish; understand aemulatio as the subject.
aequalitas, -atis f.
equality of status; ablative of cause/origin.
exardesco, -ere, -ardui, ---
be inflamed, be aroused; catch fire; understand aemulatio as the subject.
invidia, -ae f.
jealousy; ablative of cause/origin, it is the probable antecedent of cuius.
quo adverb
the more, when followed by a comparative (admirabilius).
quidem adverb
in fact; indeed; for instance.
admirabilior, -ius, comparative adjective of admirabilis, -e
remarkable, extraordinary.
existimo (1)
think, judge; impersonal use of the passive periphrastic construction, denoting necessity.
quod conjunction
that, in that.
mulier, -is f.
woman; translate either as dative of reference or dative of possession with est.
par, paris
equal; ablative case after the preposition in.
certamen, -inis n.
contest; note the consistent asyndeton, which grammatically unites the two women as one.
contentio, -onis f.
struggle; dispute; supply et.
suspicio, -ere, -spexi, -spectum
respect, admire, esteem. The two women are the subject; note how the word order (chiasmus) and asyndeton underscore their complementary and cordial relations.
cedo, -ere, cessi, cessum
yield, give way to.
quumque = cumque conjunction
and since.
uterque, utraque, utrumque pronoun (genitive: utrius, dative: utri)
each of two; either; both. Pliny's separation of the women here acknowledges their different relationship to Trajan.
effusissime, superlative adverb of effusus, -a, -um
most freely, most unrestrainedly.
diligo, -ere, -legi, -lectum
love, cherish.
suus, -a, -um reflexive pronoun
himself, herself; singular because it refers back to utraque. It is in the ablative case after interesse.
interest, -esse, -fuit, ---
there is a difference; it is of importance, it matters; translate with nihil.
uter, utra, utrum pronoun (genitive: utrius, dative: utri)
which of two; the one that; one or the other. Followed by the subjunctive (ames) in an indirect question.
magis, comparative adverb of multum
more.
idem, eadem, idem pronoun
the same; likewise.
propositum, -i n.
purpose, aim; supply est for dative of possession with utrique.
tenor, -oris m.
way of proceeding, course.
sentio, -ire, sensi, sensum
perceive; understand; potential subjunctive expressing possibility or capacity (might, could), followed by indirect statement.
subsequor, -sequi, -secutus/a sum
follow the lead or example; imitor, like subsequor, is deponent. The interlocking word order, asyndeton, and priority of te reveal that for Pliny the source of the imperial family's concordia is Trajan.
studio, -ere, studui, --
devote oneself, strive, concentrate on.
ideo adverb
therefore, that is why.
mos, mores m.
custom, habit; supply with tuos as well.
inde adverb
from that; thence.
moderatio, -onis f.
restraint, temperateness, self-control.
perpetuus, -a, -um
lasting, continual, permanent.
securitas, -atis f.
serenity, calmness, freedom from anxiety.
enim conjunction
in fact; for.
umquam adverb
ever, at any time.
periclitor, -ari, -tatus/a sum
try, run the risk of; note the tense of the verb.
privatus, -a, -um
non-public, individual, subject to a ruler; a convoluted compliment to Marciana and Plotina for always subjecting themselves to Trajan rather than claiming imperial status for themselves (as did earlier empresses).
desino, -ere, -i, --
cease (to be), stop, leave off.
offerro, -ferre, obtuli, oblatum
offer, propose.
cognomen, -nominis n
surname. This title followed the personal name of the empress (e.g. Livia Augusta). It appears here in the plural because it was offered to both women; in the genitive it is equivalent to quotation marks (“Augusta”).
certatim, adverb
quickly, swiftly.
deprecor, -cari, -catus/a sum
refuse, turn down.
ad/ppelatio, -onis f.
title; as above with cognomen the genitive is equivalent to quotation marks (“pater patriae”). This possible reason exemplifies Pliny's description of the women as modeling Trajan's behavior.
plus comparative adverb of multum
more; with quam: a more considerable thing . . . than.
in eo: in this respect (explained by the following si-clause.)
quicumque, quaecunque, quodcunque adjective
whatever; whoever; modifies ratio.
ratio, -onis f.
reason, cause.
modestia, -ae f.
respect for propriety, modesty, self-effacement; a virtue particularly valued by the Romans in women.
suadeo, -ere, suasi, suasum
persuade; the verb uses the direct object of the thing and indirect object of the person.
dignus, -a, -um + ablative
worthy; understand cognomine with hoc.
augustus, -a, -um
venerable, majestic. Pliny awards the simple adjective to Marciana and Plotina for their conduct. Click on SPQR for the coin minted with Marciana's bust, inscribed DIVA AVGVSTA MARCIANA. The Senate first awarded the title in 27 BCE to Octavian; it subsequently became the title of emperors, who frequently requested it for imperial women.
laudabilius comparative adverb of laudabile
praiseworthy.
repono, -ponere, -posui, -positum
place; restore.
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