Restoration of Amynander and Recovery of Athamania — Livy, History of Rome Book 38 (38.1.1–38.1.11), Latin & English

§38.1.1

dum in Asia bellum geritur, ne in Aetolia quidem res quietae fuerant, principio a gente Athamanum orto.

While war was being waged in Asia, affairs had not been quiet even in Aetolia, the beginning having arisen from the Athamanian nation.

§38.1.2

Athamania ea tempestate pulso Amynandro sub praefectis Philippi regio tenebatur praesidio, qui superbo atque immodico imperio desiderium Amynandri fecerant.

Athamania at that time, Amynander having been expelled, was held by a royal garrison under the prefects of Philip, who by their arrogant and unrestrained rule had created a longing for Amynander.

§38.1.3

exulanti tum Amynandro in Aetolia litteris suorum, indicantium statum Athamaniae, spes recuperandi regni facta est.

To Amynander, then living in exile in Aetolia, hope of recovering his kingdom was offered by letters from his supporters, indicating the state of Athamania.

§38.1.4

remissique ab eo nuntiant principibus Argitheam — id enim caput Athamaniae erat —, si popularium animos satis perspectos haberet, impetrato ab Aetolis auxilio in Athamaniam se venturum. non diffidere sibi facile conventurum¹ cum delectis, quod consilium est gentis, et Nicandro praetore.

And those sent back by him announced to the chiefs that he would come to Argithea — for that was the capital of Athamania — if he held the minds of his countrymen sufficiently proved, having obtained help from the Aetolians. He did not doubt that he would easily come to an agreement with the chosen ones, which is the council of the nation, and with Nicander the praetor.

§38.1.5

quos ubi ad omnia paratos esse vidit, certiores suos inde facit, quo die cum exercitu Athamaniam ingressurus esset.

When he saw that they were prepared for all things, he then informed his people on which day he was about to enter Athamania with an army.

§38.1.6

quattuor primo fuerunt coniurati adversus Macedonum praesidium. hi senos sibi adiutores ad rem gerendam adsumpserunt; dein paucitate parum freti, quae celandae rei quam agendae aptior erat, parem priori numerum² adiecerunt.

At first there were four conspirators against the Macedonian garrison. These took six assistants each to carry out the enterprise; then, little trusting in their small number, which was more suited for concealing the matter than for executing it, they added a number equal to the former.

§38.1.7

ita duo et quinquaginta facti quadrifariam se diviserunt; pars una Heracleam, altera Tetraphyliam petit, ubi custodia regiae pecuniae esse solita erat, tertia Theudoriam, quarta Argitheam.

Thus having become fifty-two, they divided themselves into four parts; one part sought Heraclea, another Tetraphylia, where the custody of the royal money was accustomed to be, the third Theudoria, and the fourth Argithea.

§38.1.8

ita inter omnis convenit, ut primo quieti, velut ad privatam rem agendam venissent, in foro obversarentur; die certa multitudinem omnem convocarent ad praesidia Macedonum arcibus expellenda.

Thus it was agreed among all that at first they should remain quiet and appear in the forum as if they had come to transact private business; on a fixed day they should summon the entire multitude to expel the Macedonian garrisons from the citadels.

§38.1.9

ubi ea dies advenit, et Amynander cum mille Aetolis in finibus erat, ex composito quattuor simul locis praesidia Macedonum expulsa, litteraeque in alias urbes passim dimissae, ut vindicarent sese ab impotenti dominatione Philippi et restituerent in patrium ac legitimum regnum.³

When that day arrived, and Amynander was on the borders with a thousand Aetolians, the Macedonian garrisons were expelled simultaneously from four places according to plan, and letters were sent in all directions to other cities, urging them to deliver themselves from the tyrannical rule of Philip and restore [him] to his ancestral and legitimate kingdom.

§38.1.10

undique Macedones expelluntur. Theium oppidum litteris a Xenone praefecto praesidii interceptis et arce ab regiis occupata paucos dies obsidentibus restitit;

From all sides the Macedonians were expelled. The town of Theium, because letters from the garrison commander Xenon had been intercepted and the citadel occupied by the royal soldiers, resisted the besiegers for a few days;

§38.1.11

deinde id quoque traditum Amynandro est, et omnis Athamania in potestate erat praeter Athenaeum castellum, finibus Macedoniae subiectum.

then that too was surrendered to Amynander, and all Athamania was under his power, except the fortress of Athenaeum, which was adjacent to the borders of Macedonia.

Syntax notes3 items

38.1.4non diffidere sibi facile conventurum
An infinitive clause in indirect speech, with the subject of "diffidere" ("se", referring to Amynander) omitted. "sibi facile conventurum [esse]" is an impersonal future infinitive construction with the dative "sibi", meaning "that he would easily come to an agreement (with the chosen ones)." Note that "filcile" in the text is a typographical error for "facile".
38.1.6parem priori numerum
Meaning "a number equal to the former." Initially, there were four conspirators ("quattuor"), each choosing six assistants ("senos", distributive), making 24 assistants (4 x 6). By adding a number equal to this former number ("parem priori numerum" = 24), the total became 52 ("duo et quinquaginta": 4 + 24 + 24).
38.1.9restituerent in patrium ac legitimum regnum
A subordinate clause in the subjunctive (imperfect subjunctive due to sequence of tenses), introduced by "ut" expressing an indirect command. The direct object of "restituerent" (such as "eum" referring to Amynander) is contextually omitted, meaning "they should restore [him] to his ancestral and legitimate kingdom."

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25) · Revision history (1, latest 2026-09-21)

2026-09-21 AI review — source 1

urn:cts:latinLit:phi0914.phi001.humanitext-lat2:38.1.1-38.1.11