Section 8 Livy: Hannibal Crosses the Alps Notes Part 1

Question 1

furtive

Answer 1

secretive / sneaky from: ‘fur’ = a thief

Question 2

praeter parva furta

Answer 2

These are ‘guerilla’ tactics, wearing the enemy down without an open fight. See Vietnam / Northern Ireland. Here the Latin words feature plosive consonants, reflecting the frequent but frustrated attacks of the enemy.

Question 3

hostibus + emptantibus

Answer 3

This is a Present Participle Ablative Absolute.

Question 4

per occasionem

Answer 4

The initiative is not with the enemy, who are waiting for favourable opportunities to attack, not creating them.