Writing
Shengqi Dong, Grade 10
About the poem
"Caesar Mortuus Est" is a poem that takes place in the city of Rome, Italy, and explores the aftermath of the assassination of Julius Caesar. The poem captures the emotions of the people of Rome and their grief at the loss of their beloved leader. The poem develops the character of Julius Caesar as a great and victorious commander, but also a man who lived ambitiously, creating envy among his fellow citizens. The poem also features the character development of Brutus, who is depicted as Caesar's friend and accomplice in the assassination. The poem explores the tension and dissent between the Senate and the people of Rome, and how this event divided the Republic and led to a civil war. also touches on the theme of geography, as the poem takes place in Rome, the capital city of Italy and the heart of the Roman Empire. The poem describes the events that occurred in the city, such as the assassination of Julius Caesar in the Roman Forum and the subsequent civil war that ensued. The poem also portrays the impact of these events on the people of Rome and Italy, highlighting their grief, fear, and continued struggle for power and control. Thus, the geography of Rome and Italy plays a significant role in shaping the narrative and emotions of the poem.
Caesar Mortuus Est
Perfida caedes! In urbe Roma,
Iulius Caesar cecidit sub ferro;
Multos per annos populus queritur,
Huius mortis causa frequenter dolet.
Caesar fuit fortis et clarus,
Imperator magnus et victorius;
Sed ambitiose vitam agebat,
Invidiam inter cives sibi creabat.
Brutus, amicus et conscius eius,
Adiutor in hoc scelere fuit;
Alii quoque, qui contra Caesarem,
Conspirabantur atque arma tenebant.
Caesar ad curiam venit illa die,
Sed traiectus est telo confestim;
Sanguis effusus est in foro,
Mors eius inanimis et tristis orbi.
Tum bellum civilis coepit,
Senatus et populus dissident;
Octavianus et Antonius,
Cum aliis pugnant in bello ferocis.
Ita res publica divisa est,
Romae et Italiae luctus et metus est;
Caesar magnus, mortuus est,
Et populus Romanus pugnam continuat.
English Translation
Caesar is Dead translated by the author
1. Treacherous murder! In the city of Rome,
2. Julius Caesar fell under the sword;
3. For many years the people lamented,
4. Often grieving for the cause of his death.
5. Caesar was brave and renowned,
6. A great and victorious commander;
7. But he lived ambitiously,
8. Creating envy among his fellow citizens.
9. Brutus, his friend, and accomplice,
10. Assisted in this crime;
11. Others, too, who opposed Caesar,
12. Conspired and held weapons.
13. Caesar came to the Senate on that day,
14. But was immediately pierced by a weapon;
15. Blood was spilled in the forum,
16. His death left the world lifeless and mournful.
17. Thus began a civil war,
18. The Senate and people in dissent;
19. Octavian and Antony,
20. With others, fighting in a ferocious battle.
21. Thus the Republic was divided,
22. With mourning and fear in Rome and Italy;
23. The great Caesar is dead,
24. And the Roman people continue the fight.
Student Name: Hila Savir
Title of Piece: Flammae Aureae
Category: Poetry
Word Count: 77
About the poem:
My poem is about the beautiful yet dangerous love story of two major historical figures, Mark Antony and Cleopatra. I chose to write about their story because of its importance within the geographical places of the Roman Empire. In my writing, I included a line from Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra, which speaks about Antony’s never ending love for Cleopatra. I also tried to include Latin poetic devices within the lines of my poem to create imagery for the reader and to truly accentuate Antony and Cleopatra’s love for each other.
Latin:
Urbs Alexandria tenet multas fabulas.
Celatī sub arenā Nili latent duo amores:
Rector Romae Reginaque Aegypti,
Iuncti morte, semper sua fabula vivit.
Seductio et potentia eorum aurea ossa implent,
Amicitia illicitium incendentem amorem adducit.
Eratne definitus suus amor?
Minime, uti “Aetas arescere eam non potest,
Neque mos putrit suam varietatem infinitam.”
Utrae potentiae et amor fluunt per Mare Mediterraneum,
Sed non diu.
Dente gladii et sica serpentis,
Quō ierunt?
Amor in aeternum fabulis Aegypti et Romae vivit.
English:
The city of Alexandria holds many stories.
Hidden beneath the sandy surface of the Nile two lovers lie:
A ruler of Rome and a Queen of Egypt,
United by death, their story lives forever.
Seduction and power fills their golden bones,
Their alliance leads to forbidden flaming love.
Was their love finite?
No, as “Age cannot wither her,
nor custom stale her infinite variety."
Both powers and love stream along the Mediterranean,
But not for long.
With the tooth of a sword and the dagger of a snake,
Where did they go?
Their love lives forever in stories of Egypt and Rome.
I am in 9th grade level one Latin at Scarsdale High School, New York. I’m passionate about both Latin and Roman history.
Eric Liu
Magnus Nilus
Poetry
Word Count 57
About:
This poem briefly describes the Nile river, and its impact on the lives of those who depend on it. The Poem also delves into the history of the Nile, especially how the Romans were always fascinated by it and tried for many years to find the source of the Nile.
Latin Poem
Fluvius magnus, nomine Nilus
Currens per Aegyptum, et multa dona dedit.
Aquam dat agris, vitamque dat,
Nilus cibum multis praebet.
Nilus amnis inundat omni anno,
Inundatio expectātur.
cum Nilus inundationes
Agricultores spei pleni sunt,
Fertilitatem exspectantes
Graeci Nilum amabant,
Flumen fecerunt sacrum
Et laudat eum maxime.
Romani flumen Nilum ascenderunt
Nilus fontem quaerebant
Sed numquam potuerunt invenire.
English Translation
A great river, called the Nile
Travels through Egypt, [and] gave many gifts
It gives water to the fields and gives life
The Nile provides food for many.
The Nile River floods every year,
The Flood is expected
When the Nile Floods
Farmers are full of hope
Expecting Fertility
The Greeks loved the Nile
They made the river sacred
And praises him the most
The Romans ascended the Nile River
They were looking for the source of the Nile
But they could never find it
Student Bio
I am a tenth-grade student who has been studying Latin for two years. I was originally drawn to the language because of its history- Latin is the origin of the five romance languages, and also has a real connection to normal english.
Student Name: Evan Lee
Title of Piece: Ars Vivendi (The Art of Living)
Category: Poetry
Word Count: 68
Student Bio:
I am a sophomore (Grade 10) attending Scarsdale High school. I am taking my second year of Latin and am captivated by Roman culture and history, along with the intricacies of the Latin language.
Title of Work: “Amor Eternum” (Eternal Love)
About the Literary Work: This poem features a monologue given by Faustus, a middle-aged Roman man whose girlfriend had recently left him to pursue a career in Spain. The poem is divided into two sections. The first half focuses on remorse and the concept of “eternal love”. The second half portrays Faustus coping with his emotions, guided by the phrase “Carpe diem”, or to seize the day.
Latin Story:
Sine amore vita est nihil,
Sine spe somnium vanus est,
Sine fide mundus est inane,
Sine amicitia nihil dignum.
Mediterranei maris vigilabo,
te exspectans redire ex Hispania.
Etiam si distantiae nos intercedunt,
unitatem nostram non dirimunt.
Carpe diem, vita brevis,
Momento tempus fugit,
Rideamus, cantemus,
Dum vita manet fugit.
Futurum est in oculis meis,
Etiam in incertis temporibus.
Spe et fide contemno metum,
Ad astra volo, ad aeternum.
English Translation
Without love, life is nothing,
Without hope, dreams are in vain,
Without faith, the world is empty,
Without friendship, nothing is worthy.
I will watch the Mediterranean sea,
And wait for you to return from spain.
Even if distances intervene us,
They do not break our unity.
Seize the day, life is short,
Time flees in a moment,
Let us laugh, let us sing,
While life still passes.
The future is in my eyes,
Even in uncertain times.
With hope and faith, I reject fear,
I soar to the stars, to eternity.
The Fall of Brutus
Description:
This story is a fantastical retelling of the Battle of Dyrrhachium from the perspective of a fictional soldier named Gaijus Julius Brutus.The goal of the story is to inform the audience of real events during this historical civil war. The story covers the events leading up to the battle as well as the battle itself through a comedic and surrealist lens to make the story entertaining.
Biography:
I am Lucas Heidbreder, a 10th grader currently taking Latin 2 at Scarsdale High School. Due to my love for Latin I have actively pursued the study of the language outside of school through conventions and programs from the Paideia Institute, Calder Classics, and individual translations. I can safely say that I have become a happier person because of the people I’ve met and the experiences I have gained due to Latin and I’m super excited about this story.
Latin story:
ōlim erat mīles fortissimus clārissimusque cui nōmen erat Gaius Iūlius Brūtus.
Brūtus, quī erat in legiōne Caesaris cupientis gerere bellum in Pompēium, dēdūcēbātur Brundisium in Italiā ab Galliā.
adventīs omnibus mīlitibus Caesaris vīdērunt Pompēium iam ēnāvigāsse Graeciam.
simul Caesar iussit eōs sequī Pompēium, sed satis nōn erat nāvium exercituī.
saevus īrā Caesar interfēcit magistrem portūs, quī permīsit Pompēium fugere portum Brundisī, et tum Brūtum architectum nāvālem fēcit.
ūndēvīgintī diēs Brūtus et mīlitēs fabricābant nāvēs novās.
cum ūsī essent omnibus clāvīs, tum ūsī sunt mūricibus acūtīs, quī fuerant beātī ā sacerdōtibus Neptunī, et unguibus potius.
cum ūsī essent omnibus fūnibus, tum ūsī sunt capellīs potius.
cum ūsī essent omnī rōbore, tum ūsī sunt pūmicibus potius.
ūndēvīgintī diē Caesar vīdit nāvēs esse bonās.
tandem exiērunt ē Brundisō nāvigāvēruntque trāns Mare Adriactum in Dyrrachium.
ante proelium Caeser iussit mīlitēs nōn interficere Mārcum Iūnium Brūtum.
dum Pompēius obtulit Caeserī pactum spērābatque cōnsēnsum, quod tenuit bis mīlitēs quam Caesar.
Caesar negāvit et incēpit proelium.
in aciē Brūtus tenuit vīrēs leōnum centum et contulit capita innumerābilia hostium.
mox occurrit aequālī et pūgnāvērunt sēmihōram.
incēpit pleure ut pūgnābant.
subitō hostis cecidit humī galeaque frācta est.
cum C. Brūtus coepissem apparāre tēlum suum, hostis relevāvit caput suum.
simul C. Brūtus nōvit hostem fuisse Mārcum Brūtum, quem nōn permissus est interficere.
dum admīrāns hunc horrōrem fātī, sagittae coniectae sunt in tergum Gaiī.
cēdēns humī tēlum Gaiī mersit corpus Mārcī.
Gaius moriēns dīxit, “et tū, Brūte?” et duo Brūtī occidērunt flūmenibus lābentis sanguinis relictīs flente sub Iove.
English translation:
Long ago there was a most brave and noble soldier whose name was Gaius Julius Burtus.
Brutus, who was a soldier in the legion of Caesar [who was] desiring to wage war against Pompei, was led to Brundisium in Italy from Gaul.
With all of Caesar's soldiers having arrived, they saw that Pompeii had already sailed off to Greece.
At once Caesar ordered them to follow Pompeii, but there were not enough boats for the army.
Savage with rage Caesar killed the master of the port [harbormaster], who allowed Pompei to flee the harbor of Brundisium, and then he made Brutus a ship architect [shipwright].
For 21 days Brutus and the soldiers were building the new ships.
When they used all the nails, they then used sharp seashells, which had been blessed by the priests of Neptune, and animal claws instead.
When they used all the ropes, they used hair instead.
When they used all the wood, they used pumice instead.
On the 21st day, Caesar saw that the boats were good.
Finally they exited from Brundisium and they sailed across the Adriatic Sea into Dyrrachium.
Before the battle Caesar ordered the soldiers to not kill Marcus Junius Brutus.
Meanwhile, Pompei offered to Caesar a peace treaty, and he was expecting an agreement, because he held twice as many soldiers as Caesar.
Caesar denied and began the battle.
In the battlefield Brutus had the strength of a hundred lions and he collected innumerable heads of the enemy.
Soon he encountered an equal and they fought for half an hour.
As they were fighting, it began to rain.
Suddenly the enemy fell to the ground and his helmet was shattered.
When Gaius Brutus began to ready his spear, the enemy raised his head.
At the same time Gaius Brutus recognized that the enemy was Marcus Brutus, who he was not allowed to kill.
While wondering at this horror of fate, arrows were loosed into the back of Gaius.
Falling to the ground, the spear of Gaius sank into the body of Marcus.
As Gaius was dying he said, “you too, O Brutus?” and the two Bruti died having left behind rivers of flowing blood under the crying sky.
Student Name: Caitlin Higgins
Title of Piece: Amor in Aqua (Love in Water)
Category: Poetry
Word Count: 57
About the Poem:
This piece starts out on a warm, fresh spring night when a couple is starting their journey to Greece via the Adriatic Sea. Yet, there is tragedy, and the g-ds have a different fate for the lovers. This poem seeks to connect the tragedy of life with a comforting theme of love. Love transcends the physical realm. Even when life seems bleak, it is crucial to know that the people one surrounds themself with can be their greatest support and that relationships are not limited to just one’s time on Earth.
Latin:
Hac aestate nocte
Aer est dulcis et novus
Cantantes aves volitabant
Circum amantes parabant iter
Cupiēbant Graeciam
Caelum tenebrosum erat
Subito ventus erat fortis
Neptuni ira aderat
Adriaticum mare naves deglutivit
Spes non potuit natare
Obscurae nubes lacrimabant
Aves tremebant
Tamen Neptuni tempus persistit
Sed altum in Adriatico mari
Amantes se tenuerunt
Quod amor vivet in aeternum
English:
On this summer night
The air smells sweet and fresh
The singing birds fly around the lovers
They were preparing for a journey
They were longing for Greece
The sky was dark
The wind became strong
Neptune’s anger was present
The Adriatic Sea swallowed the ships
Hope could not swim
The clouds weep
The birds shiver
Yet Neptune’s storm continues
Yet deep in the ocean
The lovers held each other
Because love will live eternally
Student Bio:
I am a junior (11th Grade) in Scarsdale High School. This is my second year taking Latin; I am passionate about languages and I truly enjoy learning the Latin language and diving into the culture of the ancient world.