Podcast: Latin from Zero 1 Trajan's Column

Original Inscription SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVSIMP CAESARI DIVI NERVAE F NERVAETRAIANO AVG GERM DACICO PONTIFMAXIMO TRIB POT XVII IMP VI COS VI P PAD DECLARANDVM QVANTAE ALTITVDINISMONS ET LOCVS TANTIS OPERIBVS SIT EGESTVS Complete Translation The Senate and People of Rome dedicate this monument to Emperor Caesar Trajan, son of the divine Nerva, Augustus, conqueror of Germany and Dacia, Chief Priest, holder of tribunician power for the seventeenth time, acclaimed imperator six times, consul six times, father of the country, to show how great the hill and site were that were removed by such great works. Line 1 Latin SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS Translation The Senate and People of Rome Word Analysis Senatus“The Senate.” A noun in the nominative case. It refers to Rome’s governing senate. Populusque“And the People.” This word combines: * populus = people * -que = and The suffix -que is attached directly to the end of a word and means “and.” Romanus“Roman.” An adjective describing both senatus and populus. Summary The phrase Senatus Populusque Romanus, often abbreviated SPQR, was one of the most important official formulas of the Roman state. Line 2 Latin IMP CAESARI DIVI NERVAE F NERVAE Translation To Emperor Caesar, son of the divine Nerva Word Analysis IMP (Imperatori)“To the Emperor.” A dative form indicating the recipient of the dedication. Caesari“To Caesar.” Further identifies the emperor being honored. Divi“Of the divine one.” Refers to a ruler who had been officially deified after death. Nervae“Of Nerva.” F (Filius)“Son.” Summary The inscription honors Trajan as the adopted son of the deified Emperor Nerva. Line 3 Latin TRAIANO AVG GERM DACICO PONTIF Translation To Trajan Augustus, conqueror of Germany and Dacia, chief priest Word Analysis Traiano“To Trajan.” AVG (Augusto)“Augustus,” an imperial title. GERM (Germanico)“Conqueror of Germany.” Dacico“Conqueror of Dacia.” Pontif (Pontifici)“To the priest.” Summary This line lists several of Trajan’s imperial, military, and religious titles. Line 4 Latin MAXIMO TRIB POT XVII IMP VI COS VI P P Translation Chief Priest, holder of tribunician power for the seventeenth time, acclaimed imperator six times, consul six times, father of the country Word Analysis Maximo“Greatest” or “highest.” Completes the title Pontifex Maximus. TRIB POT XVIITribunicia Potestate XVII Holder of tribunician power for the seventeenth time. IMP VIAcclaimed imperator six times. COS VIServed as consul six times. P P (Pater Patriae)“Father of the Country.” Summary This line catalogs Trajan’s religious authority, political offices, and military honors. Line 5 Latin AD DECLARANDVM QVANTAE ALTITVDINIS Translation To show how great the height was Word Analysis Ad“For the purpose of.” Declarandum“Showing” or “making clear.” Quantae“How great.” Altitudinis“Height.” Summary The inscription begins to explain the purpose of the monument. Line 6 Latin MONS ET LOCVS TANTIS OPERIBVS SIT EGESTVS Translation The hill and site were removed by such great works Word Analysis Mons“Hill.” Et“And.” Locus“Place” or “site.” Tantis“So great.” Operibus“Works” or “construction projects.” Sit Egestus“Was removed” or “was excavated.” Summary The final line explains that the column marks the amount of earth removed during the construction of Trajan’s Forum. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit digitalmonastery.substack.com