Section 4A(iv) Verres at Syracuse Flashcards
Syrācūsīs lēx est dē sacerdōtiō Iouis
At Syracuse there is a law about the priesthood of Jupiter
(nam id sacerdōtium Syrācūsānī putant amplissimum esse).
(for the Syracusans think this priesthood is the most important).
haec lēx Syrācūsānōs iubet trīs uirōs ex tribus generibus per suffrāgia creāre;
This law orders the Syracusans to choose by votes three men from three tribes;
tunc illōs trīs necesse est sortīrī.
then it is necessary for those three to draw lots.
ita ūnus ex tribus sacerdōs Iouis fit.
Thus one out of the three becomes the priest of Jupiter.
Theomnāstus quīdam, amīcus Verris, istīus imperiō et auctōritāte in tribus illīs renūntiātus est.
A certain Theomnastus, a friend of Verres, was selected among those three by the power and authority of THAT one.
necesse igitur erat illōs trīs sortīrī.
Therefore it was necessary for those three to draw lots.
Syrācūsānī, opīnātī Verrem sortem sollicitāre numquam ausūrum esse, ēuentum laetī exspectābant;
The Syracusans, thinking that Verres would never dare to disturb the drawing of lots, were happily awaiting the outcome.
spērābant enim Verrem rem nōn perfectūrum esse.
For they were hoping that Verres would not achieve the business.
quid fēcit Verrēs?
What did Verres do?
prīmō iste uetuit sortīrī, et iussit Syrācūsānōs extrā sortem Theomnāstum renūntiāre.
First THAT one forbade the drawing of lots, and ordered the Syracusans to select Theomnastus outside the drawing of lots.
Syrācūsānī negābant id fierī posse;
The Syracusans denied that that could happen;
praetereā, fās negābant esse.
besides that, they denied that it was right.
iussit igitur iste Syrācūsānōs sibi lēgem dē sacerdōtiō recitāre.
Therefore THAT one ordered the Syracusans to recite to him the law about the priesthood.
lēgem ita recitārunt:
They recited as follows:
“quot hominēs per suffrāgia renūntiāuimus, tot sortīs in hydriam conicimus.
“However many men we selected by our votes, so many lots do we throw into the jar.
“is sacerdōs fit, cuius nōmen ex hydriā exit.”
“He becomes the priest, whose name comes out of the jar.”
tum Verrēs “quot hominēs renūntiāuistis?”
Then Verres (said) “How many men have you selected?”
Syrācūsānī respondēre “trīs.”
The Syracusans replied “Three.”
Verrēs “oportetne igitur trīs sortīs inicere, ūnam ēdūcere?”
Verres (said) “Is it right therefore to throw in three lots, and pick out one?”
Syrācūsānī “ita oportet.”
The Syracusans (said) “That’s how is should be.”
Verrēs igitur Syrācūsānōs iussit trīs sortīs, omnīs nōmine Theomnāstī īnscrīptās, in hydriam conicere.
Therefore Verres ordered the Syracusans to throw into the jar three lots, all inscribed with the name of Theomnastus.
fīēbat clāmor maximus;
A huge outcry took place;
Syrācūsānī negāuēre fās esse.
the Syracusans denied that it was right.
