Learning the vocabulary

Take your vocabulary list and revise all words starting with C.

This may take you some time depending on how well you know the list already. Once you feel confident you know them, do the activities below to see if you can recognise the trickiest words in context.

TIP: if you have time, COPY OUT THE LATIN.

Copying is a great way to fix words in your mind.

(Note that more than one correct translation is often possible. If in doubt, please ask in the comments.)

Uses of CUM

There are two different uses of cum.

cum in subordinate clauses with subjunctive meaning when or since:

miles crudelis, cum ad castra festinaret, fessus erat.

Since the cruel soldier was hurrying to the camp, he was tired.

miles crudelis, cum ad castra advenisset, omnes necavit.

When the cruel soldier had arrived to the camp, he killed everyone.

This will help you identify this use:

1. There is a subjunctive.
2. Most of the time it will not be immediately followed by an ablative - unless it is a coincidence.
3. You will notice that there is more than one clause, needing a conjunction.

cum + ablative as a preposition:

miles crudelis cum comitibus ad castra festinabat.

Then cruel soldier was hurrying to the camp with the companions.

dominus cum ancillis in templum cucurrerunt.

The master ran into the temple with the slave-girls.

You can identify this use because it is followed by an ablative.

Now test yourself by deciding whether the following clauses contain cum as a preposition or cum in a cum clause.

Drag them to the right box: