Prose Literature: 5.44 Flashcards
erant in legione fortissimi viri, centuriones, qui primis ordinibus appropinqaurent, Titus Pullo et Lucius Vorenus.
There were in that legion (two) very brave men, centurions, who were approaching the first ranks, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus.
Hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant, quinam anteferretur, omnibusque annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant.
These men used to have endless arguments amongst themselves as to who should be promoted, and every year they competed over the highest places with contest.
Ex his Pullo, cum acerrime ad munitiones pugnaretur, “Quid dubitas,” inquit, “ Vorene? aut quem locum tuae probandae virtutis exspectas ? hic dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit.”
Of these, when the fighting was most bitter at the fortifications, Pullo said ‘why do you hesitate Vorenus? Or what opportunity are you looking for for the praise of your courage? This day will be the judge over our quarrels.’
haec cum dixisset, procedit extra munitiones, quaeque pars hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit.
When he had said this, he proceeded outside the fortifications, and rushed into the part of the enemy which seemed most crowded.
Ne Vorenus quidem tum sese vallo continet, sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur.
Nor indeed did Vorenus keep himself in the rampart, but followed closely fearing everyone’s opinion.
tum mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit atque unum ex multitudine procurrentem traicit;
Then, leaving a moderate space behind, Pullo threw his spear at the enemies and impaled one of the crowd who was running forward
quo percusso et exanimato, hunc scutis protegunt, in hostem tela universi coiciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem.
when he was struck and knocked out, they protected him with their shields. They all hurled their weapons at the enemy and did not give the opportunity to retreat.
Transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo defigitur.
Pullo’s shield was pierced and a short spear lodged in his belt.
Avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti dextram moratur manum, impeditumque hostes circumsistunt.
This accident turned away his scabbard and hindered his right hand as he tried to draw his sword, and, unable to move, the enemy surrounded him.
Succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit.
His rival , Vorenus, ran to help him as he struggled.
Ad hunc se confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit: illum veruto arbitrantur occisum.
At once, the whole crowd speedily turned themselves to him; they thought that he (Pullo) had been killed by the spear.
Gladio comminus rem gerit Vorenus atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit; dum cupidius instat, in locum deiectus inferiorem concidit.
Vorenus carried on the battle at close quarters with his sword, and , after killing one, drove the rest back a little; while he pressed on too greedily, he was knocked down and fell into a lower place.
Huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo, atque ambo incolumes compluribus interfectis summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt.
When he was surrounded again, Pullo brought him help, and both, unharmed, after killing several men, returned inside the fortifications with the highest praise.
Sic fortuna in contentione et certamine utrumque versavit, ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset, neque diiudicari posset, uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur.
Thus Fortune dealt with both of them in competition and rivalry, so that each rival brought help and salvation to the other, and it could not be decided, which seemed worthy of promotion over the other in his courage.
