Latin Readings
Sallust: The Peoples of Africa (2)
Bellum Iugurthinum 17:3-6

It here becomes obvious that the Romans knew only the north shore of Africa.

In divisione orbis terrae plerique in parte tertia Africam posuere,
In the division of the world, many make Africa one of three parts;

pauci tantum modo Asiam et Europam esse, sed Africam in Europa.
a few recognize only Asia and Europe, and include Africa within Europe.

Ea finis habet ab occidente fretum nostri maris et Oceani,
It is bounded on the west by the strait between our [Mediterranean] sea and the Ocean,

ab ortu solis declivem latitudinem,
and on the rising of the sun [the east] by a broad slope

quem locum Catabathmon incolae appellant.
which the inhabitants of the place call Catabathmos.

Mare saevom, inportuosum,
The sea is rough and without harbors;

ager frugum fertilis, bonus pecori, arbori infecundus,
the soil fertile for grain and favorable to flocks, but unsuited to trees,

caelo terraque penuria aquarum.
but both heaven and earth are ill-provided with water.

Genus hominum salubri corpore, velox, patiens laborum.
The race of men are healthy in body, swift, and patient of toil.

Plerosque senectus dissolvet,
And most die in old age,

nisi qui ferro aut bestiis interiere,
except for those who fall victim to iron [weapons] or to beasts,

nam morbis haud saepe quemquam superat.
for disease scarcely ever overcomes them.

Ad hoc malifici generis pluruma animalia.
Moreover there are many dangerous wild animals.

 

26 Jan 2007 / Contact The Project / Exit to Latin Index Page