- Source
- Titi Livi ab urbe condita libri editionem priman, Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
- Languages
- 日本語 · English · 简体中文 · 한국어
- CTS URN
- urn:cts:latinLit:phi0914.phi001.humanitext-lat2:40.7.1-40.7.9
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-11
Tensions rise as Demetrius's men beat a spy sent by Perseus. When Demetrius, unaware of the incident, attempts to visit his brother to reconcile, Perseus locks him out, claiming it to be an assassination attempt.
convivium eo die sodalium, qui simul decurrerant, uterque1 habuit, cum vocatus ad cenam ab Demetrio Perseus negasset.
On that day, each of the two held a banquet for the companions who had performed the maneuvers together, though Perseus, when invited to dinner by Demetrius, had declined.
festo die benigna invitatio et hilaritas iuvenalis utrosque in vinum traxit. commemoratio ibi certaminis ludicri et iocosa dicta in adversarios, ita ut ne ipsis quidem ducibus abstineretur, iactabantur.
As it was a holiday, the generous hospitality and youthful cheer drew both sides to wine. There, reminiscences of the mock battle and jesting remarks against their opponents were bandied about, in such a way that not even the leaders themselves were spared.
ad has excipiendas voces speculator ex convivis Persei missus cum incautior obversaretur, exceptus a iuvenibus forte triclinio egressis male mulcatur.
A spy, sent from among Perseus’ guests to catch these utterances, was loitering rather incautiously; caught by some youths who happened to have come out of the dining room, he was severely beaten.
huius rei ignarus Demetrius “quin comisatum”2 inquit “ad fratrem imus et iram eius, si qua ex certamine residet, simplicitate et hilaritate nostra lenimus?” omnes ire se conclamarunt praeter eos, qui speculatoris ab se pulsati praesentem ultionem metuebant. cum eos quoque Demetrius traheret, ferrum veste abdiderunt, quo se tutari, si qua vis fieret, possent.
Demetrius, unaware of this incident, said, “Why do we not go to make merry at my brother’s, and soothe his anger, if any remains from the contest, with our openness and cheerfulness?” All shouted that they would go, except those who feared immediate retaliation from the spy they had beaten. When Demetrius dragged them along as well, they hid swords under their garments, with which they might protect themselves if any violence should occur.
nihil occulti esse in intestina discordia potest. utraque domus speculatorum et proditorum plena erat. praecucurrit index ad Persea, ferro succinctos nuntians cum Demetrio quattuor adulescentes venire.
Nothing can remain hidden in domestic discord. Both households were full of spies and traitors. An informer ran ahead to Perseus, announcing that four young men, girt with swords, were coming with Demetrius.
etsi causa apparebat — nam ab iis pulsatum convivam suum audierat —, infamandae rei causa3 ianuam obserari iubet, et ex parte superiore aedium versisque in viam fenestris comisatores, tamquam ad caedem suam venientes, aditu ianuae arcet.
Although the reason was obvious—for he had heard that his own guest had been beaten by them—in order to make the matter scandalous, he ordered the gate to be barred, and from the upper part of the house and the windows facing the street, he kept the revellers away from access to the gate, as if they were coming for his murder.
Demetrius per vinum, quod excluderetur,4 paulisper vociferatus in convivium redit, totius rei ignarus.
Demetrius, shouting aloud for a while in his wine because he was shut out, returned to his own banquet, completely ignorant of the whole affair.
- 40.7.1uterque
Although it is a singular pronoun agreeing with the singular verb 'habuit', it contextually refers to both Perseus and Demetrius holding their respective banquets individually.
- 40.7.5comisatum
The accusative supine of the verb 'comisor' (to revel, carouse), used with the verb of motion 'imus' to express purpose ('to go to revel').
- 40.7.8infamandae rei causa
The gerundive 'infamandae' agrees with the noun 'rei', used with 'causa' to express purpose. It indicates the intention to make the incident scandalous to defame Demetrius's party.
- 40.7.9quod excluderetur
The subjunctive (imperfect) in the 'quod' clause is used to express the subjective reason for Demetrius's anger ('because he found himself shut out').