Lesson 2 Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course

Latin Lesson: sum esse fuī futūrum (to be)

Introduction

This lesson covers the fundamental verb "sum" (to be), one of the most important and frequently used verbs in Latin. This irregular verb is essential for forming basic sentences and many grammatical constructions.

Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

2.1 Puer the boy bonus good est is

2.2 Puella the girl laeta happy est is

2.3 Magistra the teacher sapiens wise est is

2.4 Discipuli the students in scholā in school sunt are

2.5 Ego I sum am fessus tired

2.6 Tu you es are fortis brave

2.7 Caelum the sky hodie today clarum bright est is

2.8 Nos we eramus were parati ready

2.9 Vos you all eritis will be beati happy

2.10 Libri the books in mensā on the table sunt are

2.11 Marcus Marcus erit will be consul consul

2.12 Templum the temple antiquum ancient erat was

2.13 Ego I ero will be miles a soldier

2.14 Villa the villa magna large est is

2.15 Amici friends fideles faithful erunt will be

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part B (Complete Sentences)

2.1 Puer bonus est. The boy is good.

2.2 Puella laeta est. The girl is happy.

2.3 Magistra sapiens est. The teacher is wise.

2.4 Discipuli in scholā sunt. The students are in school.

2.5 Ego sum fessus. I am tired.

2.6 Tu es fortis. You are brave.

2.7 Caelum hodie clarum est. The sky today is bright.

2.8 Nos eramus parati. We were ready.

2.9 Vos eritis beati. You all will be happy.

2.10 Libri in mensā sunt. The books are on the table.

2.11 Marcus erit consul. Marcus will be consul.

2.12 Templum antiquum erat. The temple was ancient.

2.13 Ego ero miles. I will be a soldier.

2.14 Villa magna est. The villa is large.

2.15 Amici fideles erunt. Friends will be faithful.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part C (Latin Text Only)

2.1 Puer bonus est.

2.2 Puella laeta est.

2.3 Magistra sapiens est.

2.4 Discipuli in scholā sunt.

2.5 Ego sum fessus.

2.6 Tu es fortis.

2.7 Caelum hodie clarum est.

2.8 Nos eramus parati.

2.9 Vos eritis beati.

2.10 Libri in mensā sunt.

2.11 Marcus erit consul.

2.12 Templum antiquum erat.

2.13 Ego ero miles.

2.14 Villa magna est.

2.15 Amici fideles erunt.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part D (Grammatical Explanation)

The verb "sum" (to be) is fundamental to Latin grammar and is irregular, meaning it doesn't follow standard conjugation patterns. Here are its key features:

1. Principal Parts:

   • sum (present)

   • esse (infinitive)

   • fuī (perfect)

   • futūrum (future participle)

2. Present Tense Forms:

   • sum (I am)

   • es (you are)

   • est (he/she/it is)

   • sumus (we are)

   • estis (you all are)

   • sunt (they are)

3. Imperfect Tense Forms:

   • eram (I was)

   • eras (you were)

   • erat (he/she/it was)

   • eramus (we were)

   • eratis (you all were)

   • erant (they were)

4. Future Tense Forms:

   • ero (I will be)

   • eris (you will be)

   • erit (he/she/it will be)

   • erimus (we will be)

   • eritis (you all will be)

   • erunt (they will be)

5. Key Uses:

   • Linking subject and predicate adjective (Puer bonus est)

   • Expressing location (in + ablative: in scholā sunt)

   • Indicating possession (with dative)

   • Essential for passive periphrastic constructions

6. Special Notes for English Speakers:

   • Unlike English, Latin often omits forms of "to be" when they can be understood from context

   • Word order is flexible; the verb "sum" often comes at the end of the clause

   • Predicate nouns and adjectives must agree in case with the subject

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part E (Cultural Context)

Understanding "sum" in Roman culture:

1. Philosophical Importance:

   • The concept of "being" was central to Roman philosophy

   • Famous quote "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am) shows lasting influence

   • Romans used forms of "sum" to discuss existence and essence

2. Social Status:

   • Romans used "sum" to express social position: "Senator est" (He is a senator)

   • Status indicators were crucial in Roman society

   • Different forms marked temporal vs. permanent states

3. Educational Context:

   • Learning "sum" was the first step in Roman education

   • Students memorized forms through repetition and dialogue

   • Used in basic introduction phrases: "Marcus sum" (I am Marcus)

4. Legal Language:

   • Forms of "sum" were crucial in Roman law

   • Used in formal declarations and contracts

   • Important for establishing status and citizenship

5. Literary Use:

   • Poetry often played with word order of "sum"

   • Omission of "sum" for dramatic effect

   • Different tenses created temporal shifts in narrative

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part F (Literary Citation)

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

From Cicero's "De Officiis" (On Duties):

"Sunt there are enim for qui those who philosophi philosophers sunt are re in deed non not verbis" in words

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

"Sunt enim qui philosophi sunt re non verbis." "For there are those who are philosophers in deed, not in words."

Part F-C (Analysis)

This quote from Cicero's philosophical work demonstrates two uses of "sum" in the same sentence - one existential ("there are") and one linking ("are philosophers"). It showcases how versatile this verb is in Latin philosophical discourse.

Part F-D (Grammar Notes)

• First sunt: existential use

• Second sunt: linking verb with predicate nominative

• re and verbis: ablative case showing manner

• Note the typical word order with sunt in different positions

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Genre Section: Philosophical Dialogue

Part A (Interleaved Text)

2.16 Socrates Socrates sapiens wise est is

2.17 Virtus virtue semper always pulchra beautiful est is

2.18 Veritas truth aeterna eternal erit will be

2.19 Ego I philosophus a philosopher sum am

2.20 Multi many discipuli students in horto in the garden erant were

2.21 Sapientia wisdom magna great divitia wealth est is

2.22 Vita life brevis short est is

2.23 Nos we felices happy erimus will be cum sapientia with wisdom

2.24 Tempus time magister teacher vitae of life est is

2.25 Amor love veritatis of truth in animo in the soul est is

2.26 Mors death omnibus for all communis common est is

2.27 Tu you bonus good magister teacher eris will be

2.28 Philosophia philosophy dux guide vitae of life est is

2.29 Virtutes virtues in animo in the soul sunt are

2.30 Ratio reason lux light vitae of life est is

Part B (Complete Sentences)

2.16 Socrates sapiens est. Socrates is wise.

2.17 Virtus semper pulchra est. Virtue is always beautiful.

2.18 Veritas aeterna erit. Truth will be eternal.

2.19 Ego philosophus sum. I am a philosopher.

2.20 Multi discipuli in horto erant. Many students were in the garden.

2.21 Sapientia magna divitia est. Wisdom is great wealth.

2.22 Vita brevis est. Life is short.

2.23 Nos felices erimus cum sapientia. We will be happy with wisdom.

2.24 Tempus magister vitae est. Time is the teacher of life.

2.25 Amor veritatis in animo est. Love of truth is in the soul.

2.26 Mors omnibus communis est. Death is common to all.

2.27 Tu bonus magister eris. You will be a good teacher.

2.28 Philosophia dux vitae est. Philosophy is the guide of life.

2.29 Virtutes in animo sunt. Virtues are in the soul.

2.30 Ratio lux vitae est. Reason is the light of life.

Part C (Latin Text Only)

2.16 Socrates sapiens est.

2.17 Virtus semper pulchra est.

2.18 Veritas aeterna erit.

2.19 Ego philosophus sum.

2.20 Multi discipuli in horto erant.

2.21 Sapientia magna divitia est.

2.22 Vita brevis est.

2.23 Nos felices erimus cum sapientia.

2.24 Tempus magister vitae est.

2.25 Amor veritatis in animo est.

2.26 Mors omnibus communis est.

2.27 Tu bonus magister eris.

2.28 Philosophia dux vitae est.

2.29 Virtutes in animo sunt.

2.30 Ratio lux vitae est.

Part D (Grammar Notes for Genre Section)

1. Forms of "sum" Used:

   • Present: est, sunt, sum

   • Future: erit, erimus, eris

   • Imperfect: erant

2. Grammatical Features:

   • Predicate nominatives: philosophus, magister, dux

   • Abstract subjects: virtus, veritas, sapientia

   • Dative of possession: omnibus

   • Prepositional phrases: in horto, in animo

   • Genitive constructions: magister vitae, amor veritatis

3. Word Order Patterns:

   • Subject + Predicate + est (most common)

   • Subject + est + Prepositional Phrase

   • Emphasis variations showing flexibility

4. Philosophical Vocabulary:

   • Abstract nouns: virtus, veritas, sapientia

   • Philosophical concepts: ratio, animus, vita

   • Ethical terms: bonus, sapiens, felix

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Corderius Style Dialogue: A Conversation About Being

Part A (Interleaved Text)

Magister: Teacher: Salvē, Hello, puer! boy! Quis who es? are you?

Discipulus: Student: Ego I Marcus Marcus sum. am.

Magister: Teacher: Estne Is frāter brother tuus your in scholā in school hodiē? today?

Discipulus: Student: Nōn Not est is in scholā. in school. Aeger Sick est. he is.

Magister: Teacher: Ubi Where sunt are librī books tuī? your?

Discipulus: Student: In mensā On the table meā my sunt. they are.

Magister: Teacher: Erisne Will you be attentus attentive hodiē? today?

Discipulus: Student: Ita, Yes, magister. teacher. Semper Always attentus attentive sum. I am.

Magister: Teacher: Nōn Not semper always attentus attentive es, you are, sed but hodiē today bonus good discipulus student eris! you will be!

Part B (Complete Translations)

Magister: Salvē, puer! Quis es? Teacher: Hello, boy! Who are you?

Discipulus: Ego Marcus sum. Student: I am Marcus.

Magister: Estne frāter tuus in scholā hodiē? Teacher: Is your brother in school today?

Discipulus: Nōn est in scholā. Aeger est. Student: He is not in school. He is sick.

Magister: Ubi sunt librī tuī? Teacher: Where are your books?

Discipulus: In mensā meā sunt. Student: They are on my table.

Magister: Erisne attentus hodiē? Teacher: Will you be attentive today?

Discipulus: Ita, magister. Semper attentus sum. Student: Yes, teacher. I am always attentive.

Magister: Nōn semper attentus es, sed hodiē bonus discipulus eris! Teacher: You are not always attentive, but today you will be a good student!

Part C (Latin Text Only)

Magister: Salvē, puer! Quis es?

Discipulus: Ego Marcus sum.

Magister: Estne frāter tuus in scholā hodiē?

Discipulus: Nōn est in scholā. Aeger est.

Magister: Ubi sunt librī tuī?

Discipulus: In mensā meā sunt.

Magister: Erisne attentus hodiē?

Discipulus: Ita, magister. Semper attentus sum.

Magister: Nōn semper attentus es, sed hodiē bonus discipulus eris!

Part D (Grammar and Style Notes)

1. Question Forms with "sum":

   • Direct questions: Quis es? (Who are you?)

   • -ne questions: Estne? (Is he?)

   • Ubi + sunt (Where are?)

2. Dialogue Features:

   • Clear speaker identification (Magister/Discipulus)

   • Short, natural exchanges

   • Mix of statements and questions

   • Use of common classroom vocabulary

3. Forms of "sum" Used:

   • Present: sum, es, est, sunt

   • Future: eris

   • Negative constructions: nōn est, nōn es

4. Educational Context:

   • Typical school setting

   • Teacher-student relationship

   • Focus on attention and good behavior

   • Common school objects (librī, mēnsa)

5. Cultural Notes for Modern Students:

   • Roman education emphasized direct dialogue

   • Teachers expected formal responses

   • Students addressed teachers respectfully

   • Physical objects (books, tables) were important learning tools

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾