Lesson 10 Latin for Lawyers, Judges and Notaries Public
Latin Lesson: Cum (with, when, since, although)
Introduction
This lesson focuses on the word "cum", which can function both as a preposition meaning "with" (taking the ablative case) and as a conjunction meaning "when," "since," or "although" (with the subjunctive mood). In legal contexts, this word is particularly important for establishing temporal and causal relationships in legal documents and arguments.
Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)
10.1 iūdex the judge cum with lēge the law causam the case iūdicat judges
10.2 senātus the senate cum with populō the people rem pūblicam the republic regit rules
10.3 testis the witness cum with iūre iūrandō an oath vēritātem the truth dīcit speaks
10.4 praetor the praetor cum with auctōritāte authority ēdictum the edict dat gives
10.5 advocātus the advocate cum with clientē the client in in forō the forum stat stands
10.6 cōnsul the consul cum with cōnsilium counsel lēgem the law scrībit writes
10.7 accūsātor the prosecutor cum with testibus witnesses crīmen the crime prōbat proves
10.8 cīvis the citizen cum with fīdē faith officia duties complet fulfills
10.9 tribūnus the tribune cum with plēbe the plebeians iūra rights dēfendit defends
10.10 arbiter the arbitrator cum with sapientiā wisdom lītem the dispute solvit resolves
10.11 servus the slave cum with dominō the master testimōnium testimony dat gives
10.12 cēnsor the censor cum with sevēritāte severity mōrēs morals cūstōdit guards
10.13 scrība the scribe cum with dīligentiā diligence āctā the records scrībit writes
10.14 quaestor the quaestor cum with cūrā care pecūniam the money numerat counts
10.15 līctor the lictor cum with fascibus the fasces magistrātum the magistrate comitātur accompanies
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Part B (Complete Sentences)
10.1 Iūdex cum lēge causam iūdicat. The judge decides the case according to the law.
10.2 Senātus cum populō rem pūblicam regit. The senate with the people governs the republic.
10.3 Testis cum iūre iūrandō vēritātem dīcit. The witness speaks the truth under oath.
10.4 Praetor cum auctōritāte ēdictum dat. The praetor issues an edict with authority.
10.5 In forō advocātus cum clientē stat. In the forum the advocate stands with his client.
10.6 Lēgem cōnsul cum cōnsiliō scrībit. The consul writes the law with counsel.
10.7 Crīmen accūsātor cum testibus prōbat. The prosecutor proves the crime with witnesses.
10.8 Cīvis cum fīdē officia complet. The citizen fulfills duties with faithfulness.
10.9 Tribūnus cum plēbe iūra dēfendit. The tribune defends rights with the plebeians.
10.10 Lītem arbiter cum sapientiā solvit. The arbitrator resolves the dispute with wisdom.
10.11 Servus cum dominō testimōnium dat. The slave gives testimony with his master.
10.12 Cēnsor cum sevēritāte mōrēs cūstōdit. The censor guards morals with severity.
10.13 Scrība cum dīligentiā āctā scrībit. The scribe writes the records with diligence.
10.14 Quaestor cum cūrā pecūniam numerat. The quaestor counts the money with care.
10.15 Līctor cum fascibus magistrātum comitātur. The lictor accompanies the magistrate with the fasces.
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Part C (Latin Only)
10.1 Iūdex cum lēge causam iūdicat.
10.2 Senātus cum populō rem pūblicam regit.
10.3 Testis cum iūre iūrandō vēritātem dīcit.
10.4 Praetor cum auctōritāte ēdictum dat.
10.5 In forō advocātus cum clientē stat.
10.6 Lēgem cōnsul cum cōnsiliō scrībit.
10.7 Crīmen accūsātor cum testibus prōbat.
10.8 Cīvis cum fīdē officia complet.
10.9 Tribūnus cum plēbe iūra dēfendit.
10.10 Lītem arbiter cum sapientiā solvit.
10.11 Servus cum dominō testimōnium dat.
10.12 Cēnsor cum sevēritāte mōrēs cūstōdit.
10.13 Scrība cum dīligentiā āctā scrībit.
10.14 Quaestor cum cūrā pecūniam numerat.
10.15 Līctor cum fascibus magistrātum comitātur.
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Part D (Grammar Explanation)
For English speakers, understanding "cum" requires grasping several key concepts:
Preposition "cum" (with):
Always takes the ablative case
Indicates accompaniment or means
Cannot be separated from its noun
Examples: cum lēge (with the law), cum testibus (with the witnesses)
The Ablative Case:
Nouns following "cum" must be in the ablative
First declension: -ā (e.g., cum sapientiā)
Second declension: -ō (e.g., cum populō)
Third declension: -e/-ī (e.g., cum iūdice)
Word Order:
"Cum" phrase typically comes before the verb
Can be placed for emphasis
More flexible than English "with" phrases
Legal Usage:
Instrumental: how something is done
Accompaniment: who participates
Manner: in what way
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Part E (Cultural Context)
For English-speaking law students, understanding "cum" in Roman legal contexts is crucial:
Roman Legal Procedure:
Actions often required specific accompaniment
Witnesses needed to act "cum iūre iūrandō" (under oath)
Officials operated "cum auctōritāte" (with authority)
Legal Documentation:
Precise recording of who acted with whom
Specification of manner and means
Important in establishing validity
Modern Legal Parallels:
Similar to "in conjunction with"
Used in modern legal Latin phrases
Important for understanding precedent
Historical Development:
Evolution from physical accompaniment to legal formality
Relationship to modern legal terminology
Influence on civil law systems
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Part F (Literary Citation)
From Cicero's "Pro Cluentio" (69.196):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Vōs you quaesō I beseech iūdicēs judges ut that cum with summā the greatest religiōne conscientiousness et and dīligentiā diligence hōrum of these matters omnium all rationem account habeātis you may have
Part F-B (Complete Translation)
Vōs quaesō, iūdicēs, ut cum summā religiōne et dīligentiā hōrum omnium rationem habeātis.
I beseech you, judges, that you consider all these matters with the utmost conscientiousness and diligence.
Part F-C (Literary Analysis)
Cicero employs "cum" to emphasize the manner in which the judges should consider the evidence. The phrase "cum summā religiōne et dīligentiā" shows the formal, careful nature of legal deliberation.
Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)
"Cum" takes ablative case (religiōne, dīligentiā)
Parallel structure with et joining the terms
Subjunctive habeātis in subordinate clause
Position of "cum" phrase for emphasis
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Genre Section: Legal Proceedings
Part A (Interleaved Text)
10.16 praetor the praetor cum with iūdicibus the judges in in tribūnālī the tribunal causam the case cognōscit investigates
10.17 accūsātor the prosecutor cum with testimōniīs testimonies crīmen the crime manifēstum evident facit makes
10.18 dēfēnsor the defender cum with ēloquentiā eloquence clientem the client innocentem innocent esse to be dēmōnstrat demonstrates
10.19 lēgātī the envoys cum with mandātīs instructions senātūs of the senate in to prōvinciam the province prōficīscuntur depart
10.20 quaestōrēs the quaestors cum with tabellīs records pūblicīs public pecūniam money administrant manage
10.21 magistrātus the magistrate cum with cōnsiliō counsel dēcrētum decree sevērum severe prōmulgat promulgates
10.22 līctor the lictor cum with virgīs rods et and secūrī axe poenam punishment exsequitur executes
10.23 scrība the scribe cum with stilō stylus et and cerā wax tablet testimōnia testimonies nōtat notes
10.24 cēnsor the censor cum with tabulīs registers cīvēs citizens in in classēs classes distribuit distributes
10.25 tribūnus the tribune cum with vetō veto senātūs of the senate cōnsultum decree impedit blocks
10.26 iūdex the judge cum with prūdentiā prudence et and aequitāte fairness sententiam verdict prōnūntiat pronounces
10.27 testēs the witnesses cum with memoriae of memory certitūdine certainty facta the facts nārrant narrate
10.28 praecō the herald cum with vōce voice clārā clear iūdicium judgment prōmulgat proclaims
10.29 vindex the surety cum with pecūniā money dēbitōrem the debtor ē from vinculīs chains līberat frees
10.30 pontificēs the pontiffs cum with librīs books sacrīs sacred iūs law dīvīnum divine interpretantur interpret
Part B (Complete Sentences)
10.16 Praetor cum iūdicibus in tribūnālī causam cognōscit. The praetor investigates the case with the judges in the tribunal.
10.17 Accūsātor cum testimōniīs crīmen manifēstum facit. The prosecutor makes the crime evident with testimonies.
10.18 Dēfēnsor cum ēloquentiā clientem innocentem esse dēmōnstrat. The defender demonstrates with eloquence that the client is innocent.
10.19 Lēgātī cum mandātīs senātūs in prōvinciam prōficīscuntur. The envoys depart to the province with the senate's instructions.
10.20 Quaestōrēs cum tabellīs pūblicīs pecūniam administrant. The quaestors manage the money with public records.
10.21 Magistrātus cum cōnsiliō dēcrētum sevērum prōmulgat. The magistrate promulgates a severe decree with counsel.
10.22 Līctor cum virgīs et secūrī poenam exsequitur. The lictor executes the punishment with rods and axe.
10.23 Scrība cum stilō et cerā testimōnia nōtat. The scribe notes the testimonies with stylus and wax tablet.
10.24 Cēnsor cum tabulīs cīvēs in classēs distribuit. The censor distributes citizens into classes with registers.
10.25 Tribūnus cum vetō senātūs cōnsultum impedit. The tribune blocks the senate's decree with veto.
10.26 Iūdex cum prūdentiā et aequitāte sententiam prōnūntiat. The judge pronounces the verdict with prudence and fairness.
10.27 Testēs cum memoriae certitūdine facta nārrant. The witnesses narrate the facts with certainty of memory.
10.28 Praecō cum vōce clārā iūdicium prōmulgat. The herald proclaims the judgment with a clear voice.
10.29 Vindex cum pecūniā dēbitōrem ē vinculīs līberat. The surety frees the debtor from chains with money.
10.30 Pontificēs cum librīs sacrīs iūs dīvīnum interpretantur. The pontiffs interpret divine law with sacred books.
Part C (Latin Only)
10.16 Praetor cum iūdicibus in tribūnālī causam cognōscit.
10.17 Accūsātor cum testimōniīs crīmen manifēstum facit.
10.18 Dēfēnsor cum ēloquentiā clientem innocentem esse dēmōnstrat.
10.19 Lēgātī cum mandātīs senātūs in prōvinciam prōficīscuntur.
10.20 Quaestōrēs cum tabellīs pūblicīs pecūniam administrant.
10.21 Magistrātus cum cōnsiliō dēcrētum sevērum prōmulgat.
10.22 Līctor cum virgīs et secūrī poenam exsequitur.
10.23 Scrība cum stilō et cerā testimōnia nōtat.
10.24 Cēnsor cum tabulīs cīvēs in classēs distribuit.
10.25 Tribūnus cum vetō senātūs cōnsultum impedit.
10.26 Iūdex cum prūdentiā et aequitāte sententiam prōnūntiat.
10.27 Testēs cum memoriae certitūdine facta nārrant.
10.28 Praecō cum vōce clārā iūdicium prōmulgat.
10.29 Vindex cum pecūniā dēbitōrem ē vinculīs līberat.
10.30 Pontificēs cum librīs sacrīs iūs dīvīnum interpretantur.
Part D (Grammar Explanation)
In these legal proceedings examples, we see several important grammatical patterns:
Legal Technical Terms:
Legal vocabulary often appears in fixed cases
Technical terms maintain consistent forms
Specific legal phrases have standardized word order
Use of "cum" in Legal Context:
Instrumental use (cum ēloquentiā - with eloquence)
Accompaniment (cum iūdicibus - with the judges)
Means (cum tabellīs - with records)
Manner (cum prūdentiā - with prudence)
Case Usage:
Ablative of means with "cum"
Accusative for direct objects
Genitive for possession (senātūs cōnsultum)
Dative for indirect objects
Verb Forms in Legal Language:
Present tense for ongoing legal actions
Perfect tense for completed legal acts
Passive voice for formal declarations
Deponent verbs in technical meanings
Word Order in Legal Formulae:
More rigid than in literary Latin
Technical terms maintain fixed positions
"Cum" phrases often precede main action
Modified nouns often frame their modifiers
Legal Formula Patterns:
Standard openings (Praetor cum...)
Formal closings (...interpretantur)
Fixed phrases for official acts
Ceremonial language patterns
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