Lesson 45: Latin for Soldiers, Sailors and Military Strategists

ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum bear, carry, endure

Introduction

The verb ferō is one of the most important irregular verbs in Latin, meaning "to bear," "to carry," or "to endure." Unlike regular third conjugation verbs, ferō has unique forms that must be memorized. This verb appears frequently in military contexts, where soldiers bear arms, carry equipment, and endure hardships.

FAQ Schema

Q: What does ferō mean in Latin? A: Ferō means "to bear," "to carry," or "to endure." It can refer to physically carrying objects, bearing weapons, bringing news, or enduring conditions. In military contexts, it often describes carrying equipment, bearing arms, or enduring harsh conditions of campaign life.

How This Word Will Be Used

In this lesson, ferō will appear in various military contexts: soldiers carrying weapons and supplies, messengers bearing orders, fleets carrying troops, and warriors enduring battle conditions. You'll encounter all major tenses and forms, including compounds like referre (to bring back), conferre (to bring together), and auferre (to carry away).

Educational Schema

Subject: Latin Language Learning Level: Intermediate Focus: Military Vocabulary and Irregular Verbs Learning Objectives: Master the conjugation and usage of ferō in military contexts Prerequisites: Basic Latin grammar, noun cases, regular verb conjugations

Key Takeaways

• Ferō is an essential irregular verb with unique principal parts

• It appears frequently in military texts describing logistics and endurance

• Common compounds include referre, conferre, auferre, and inferre

• The perfect stem (tul-) and supine stem (lāt-) differ completely from the present stem

• Military usage emphasizes both physical carrying and metaphorical endurance

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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

45.1 Mīlitēs soldiers arma weapons gravia heavy per through montēs mountains ferunt carry

45.2 Dux leader fortis brave dolōrem pain silentiō in silence tulit endured

45.3 Nāvēs ships longae long legiōnem legion trāns across mare sea tulērunt carried

45.4 Auxilium help celeriter quickly ferēmus we will bring sociīs to allies nostrīs our

45.5 Equitēs cavalry nūntiōs messages ad to castra camp retulērunt brought back

45.6 Graviter heavily vulnerātus wounded centuriō centurion scūtum shield ferre to carry nōn not poterat was able

45.7 Hostēs enemies bellum war in into prōvinciam province nostram our inferunt bring

45.8 Signa standards mīlitāria military prīmī first ōrdinēs ranks semper always ferēbant were carrying

45.9 Impedīmenta baggage exercitūs of army servī slaves per through silvās forests lātūrī sunt are about to carry

45.10 Victōriam victory ex from Galliā Gaul lēgātus lieutenant Rōmam to Rome rettulerat had reported

45.11 Ferrum iron et and ignem fire barbarī barbarians in against oppida towns cōnferēbant were bringing

45.12 Frūmentum grain nāvibus by ships mercātōrēs merchants ad to exercitum army auferunt carry away

45.13 Lātae having been carried sunt were litterae letters ā by imperātōre commander ad to senātum senate

45.14 Vulnera wounds multa many veterānī veterans in in corporibus bodies ferēbant were bearing

45.15 Praemia rewards mīlitibus to soldiers fortibus brave cōnsul consul feret will bring

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

45.1 Mīlitēs arma gravia per montēs ferunt. The soldiers carry heavy weapons through the mountains.

45.2 Dux fortis dolōrem silentiō tulit. The brave leader endured the pain in silence.

45.3 Nāvēs longae legiōnem trāns mare tulērunt. The warships carried the legion across the sea.

45.4 Auxilium celeriter ferēmus sociīs nostrīs. We will quickly bring help to our allies.

45.5 Equitēs nūntiōs ad castra retulērunt. The cavalry brought messages back to the camp.

45.6 Graviter vulnerātus centuriō scūtum ferre nōn poterat. The heavily wounded centurion was not able to carry his shield.

45.7 Hostēs bellum in prōvinciam nostram inferunt. The enemies are bringing war into our province.

45.8 Signa mīlitāria prīmī ōrdinēs semper ferēbant. The first ranks were always carrying the military standards.

45.9 Impedīmenta exercitūs servī per silvās lātūrī sunt. The slaves are about to carry the army's baggage through the forests.

45.10 Victōriam ex Galliā lēgātus Rōmam rettulerat. The lieutenant had reported the victory from Gaul to Rome.

45.11 Ferrum et ignem barbarī in oppida cōnferēbant. The barbarians were bringing sword and fire against the towns.

45.12 Frūmentum nāvibus mercātōrēs ad exercitum auferunt. The merchants carry away grain by ships to the army.

45.13 Lātae sunt litterae ā imperātōre ad senātum. Letters were carried from the commander to the senate.

45.14 Vulnera multa veterānī in corporibus ferēbant. The veterans were bearing many wounds on their bodies.

45.15 Praemia mīlitibus fortibus cōnsul feret. The consul will bring rewards to the brave soldiers.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

45.1 Mīlitēs arma gravia per montēs ferunt.

45.2 Dux fortis dolōrem silentiō tulit.

45.3 Nāvēs longae legiōnem trāns mare tulērunt.

45.4 Auxilium celeriter ferēmus sociīs nostrīs.

45.5 Equitēs nūntiōs ad castra retulērunt.

45.6 Graviter vulnerātus centuriō scūtum ferre nōn poterat.

45.7 Hostēs bellum in prōvinciam nostram inferunt.

45.8 Signa mīlitāria prīmī ōrdinēs semper ferēbant.

45.9 Impedīmenta exercitūs servī per silvās lātūrī sunt.

45.10 Victōriam ex Galliā lēgātus Rōmam rettulerat.

45.11 Ferrum et ignem barbarī in oppida cōnferēbant.

45.12 Frūmentum nāvibus mercātōrēs ad exercitum auferunt.

45.13 Lātae sunt litterae ā imperātōre ad senātum.

45.14 Vulnera multa veterānī in corporibus ferēbant.

45.15 Praemia mīlitibus fortibus cōnsul feret.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation)

Grammar Rules for ferō

The verb ferō is highly irregular and must be memorized. Unlike regular third conjugation verbs, it lacks the connecting vowel in many forms.

Principal Parts

• ferō - I carry, I bear (present)

• ferre - to carry, to bear (infinitive)

• tulī - I carried, I bore (perfect)

• lātum - carried, borne (supine/past participle)

Present System Conjugation

Present Indicative Active:

• ferō (I carry)

• fers (you carry)

• fert (he/she/it carries)

• ferimus (we carry)

• fertis (you all carry)

• ferunt (they carry)

Imperfect Indicative Active:

• ferēbam (I was carrying)

• ferēbās (you were carrying)

• ferēbat (he/she/it was carrying)

• ferēbāmus (we were carrying)

• ferēbātis (you all were carrying)

• ferēbant (they were carrying)

Future Indicative Active:

• feram (I will carry)

• ferēs (you will carry)

• feret (he/she/it will carry)

• ferēmus (we will carry)

• ferētis (you all will carry)

• ferent (they will carry)

Perfect System

The perfect system uses the stem tul-:

• tulī (I carried/have carried)

• tulistī (you carried/have carried)

• tulit (he/she/it carried/has carried)

• tulimus (we carried/have carried)

• tulistis (you all carried/have carried)

• tulērunt (they carried/have carried)

Common Mistakes

1. Forgetting the irregular present forms: Students often try to conjugate ferō like a regular verb (ferō, *ferīs, *ferit) instead of the correct fers, fert

2. Confusing perfect and supine stems: The perfect tulī and supine lātum look nothing like the present stem fer-

3. Compound confusion: Each compound (referre, conferre, etc.) maintains the same irregularities

4. Passive forms: The passive uses regular endings but attaches to the irregular stem: fertur (it is carried), not *feritur

Step-by-Step Guide to Compounds

1. Identify the prefix: re- (back), con- (together), in- (into), au- (away)

2. Add the prefix to ALL principal parts: referre, rettulī, relātum

3. Note assimilation: con + ferre = conferre, but in perfect: con + tulī = contulī

4. The prefix affects meaning significantly:

   • referre = to bring back, report

   • conferre = to bring together, compare

   • inferre = to bring in, wage (war)

   • auferre = to carry away, remove

Comparison with English

Unlike English, which uses auxiliary verbs ("I am carrying," "I have carried"), Latin expresses these meanings through endings on a single word. The English verb "bear" shows similar irregularity (bear, bore, borne) which helps English speakers understand Latin's irregular verbs.

Grammatical Summary

Conjugation: Irregular (traditionally grouped with 3rd conjugation) Stems: fer- (present), tul- (perfect), lāt- (supine) Voice: Active and Passive Compounds: Maintains irregularity in all compounds Common uses: Physical carrying, bearing weapons, enduring hardships, bringing news

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Part E (Cultural Context)

For Roman soldiers, the concept of "bearing" or "carrying" extended far beyond mere physical transportation. The verb ferō embodied the very essence of military life and Roman virtue.

Military Equipment

A Roman legionary's load, called sarcina, could weigh up to 60 Roman pounds (about 45 modern pounds). Soldiers literally "bore" their entire lives on campaign: weapons, armor, cooking equipment, construction tools, and personal items. The phrase impedīmenta ferre (to carry baggage) became synonymous with the hardships of military life.

Standards and Honor

The military standards (signa) were sacred objects that soldiers "bore" into battle. To signa ferre meant advancing, while signa referre meant retreating. Losing standards brought ultimate disgrace - entire legions were disbanded for this failure.

News and Communication

The compound referre held special significance in military contexts. Scouts and messengers would nūntiōs referre (bring back reports) that could determine the fate of campaigns. The speed and accuracy of "bearing news" often meant the difference between victory and defeat.

Endurance as Virtue

Beyond physical carrying, ferō expressed the Roman ideal of endurance. Soldiers were expected to dolōrem ferre (bear pain) and labōrem ferre (endure hardship) without complaint. This Stoic acceptance of suffering defined Roman military discipline.

Naval Context

In naval operations, ships would mīlitēs ferre (carry soldiers) across seas for campaigns. The Roman navy, though less celebrated than the legions, was crucial for "bearing" troops to distant theaters of war.

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Part F (Literary Citation)

From Caesar's De Bello Gallico, Book I, Chapter 26

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Caesar Caesar necessāriīs necessary rēbus things imperātīs having been ordered ad to cohortandōs encouraging mīlitēs soldiers quam which in into partem part fors chance tulerat had carried dēcucurrit ran down et and ad to legiōnem legion decimam tenth dēvēnit. came. Mīlitēs Soldiers nōn not longiōre longer ōrātiōne speech cohortātus having encouraged quam than utī that suae their prīstinae former virtūtis courage memoriam memory retinērent they should retain neu and not perturbārentur be disturbed animō in spirit hostiumque and enemies' impetum attack fortiter bravely sustinērent they should endure

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

Caesar necessāriīs rēbus imperātīs ad cohortandōs mīlitēs quam in partem fors tulerat dēcucurrit et ad legiōnem decimam dēvēnit. Mīlitēs nōn longiōre ōrātiōne cohortātus quam utī suae prīstinae virtūtis memoriam retinērent neu perturbārentur animō hostiumque impetum fortiter sustinērent.

Caesar, having ordered the necessary things, ran down to encourage the soldiers to whatever area chance had carried him and came to the tenth legion. He encouraged the soldiers with no longer speech than that they should retain the memory of their former courage and not be disturbed in spirit and that they should bravely endure the enemy's attack.

Part F-C (Latin Text Only)

Caesar necessāriīs rēbus imperātīs ad cohortandōs mīlitēs quam in partem fors tulerat dēcucurrit et ad legiōnem decimam dēvēnit. Mīlitēs nōn longiōre ōrātiōne cohortātus quam utī suae prīstinae virtūtis memoriam retinērent neu perturbārentur animō hostiumque impetum fortiter sustinērent.

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

This passage demonstrates two important uses of ferō:

1. tulerat (pluperfect of ferō) - "chance had carried" - showing how circumstances "bore" Caesar to a particular part of the battlefield

2. sustinērent (imperfect subjunctive of sustineō, a compound of teneō but semantically related to bearing/enduring) - expressing purpose: "that they should endure"

The military context emphasizes both physical movement (where fortune "carried" the commander) and moral endurance (how soldiers must "bear up under" enemy assault). Caesar's brevity in encouraging troops reflects Roman military efficiency - long speeches weren't needed when reminding soldiers to "bear" themselves with traditional courage.

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Genre Section: Naval Dispatch

Part A (Interleaved Text)

45.16 Classis fleet nostra our trīgintā thirty nāvēs ships longās long ad to Siciliam Sicily fert carries

45.17 Nautae sailors fortēs brave tempestātem storm magnam great trēs three diēs days tulērunt endured

45.18 Onerāriae cargo ships nāvēs ships frūmentum grain et and arma weapons legiōnibus to legions ferēbant were carrying

45.19 Praefectus admiral classī to fleet imperāvit ordered ut that ancorās anchors tollerent they should raise

45.20 Ventus wind secundus favorable nāvēs ships celeriter quickly in to portum harbor tulit carried

45.21 Remigēs rowers labōrem labor gravem heavy diū for long ferre to bear nōn not poterant were able

45.22 Nāvis ship praetōria flagship aquilam eagle aureō golden legiōnis of legion ferēbat was carrying

45.23 Hostium enemies' classem fleet ignis fire Graecus Greek abstulit carried away

45.24 Gubernātōrēs helmsmen perītī skilled nāvēs ships per through scopulōs rocks tūtō safely tulērunt carried

45.25 Mīlitēs soldiers trānsportātī transported arma weapons ē from nāvibus ships in onto lītus shore cōnferunt bring together

45.26 Explōrātōrēs scouts nūntium message dē about hostibus enemies ad to classem fleet rettulērunt brought back

45.27 Nāvēs ships actuāriae swift litterās letters imperātōris of commander ad to senātum senate ferunt carry

45.28 Sociī allies nāvālēs naval auxilium help Rōmānīs to Romans contrā against pīrātās pirates tulērunt brought

45.29 Classiāriī marines tēla missiles in onto hostium enemies' nāvēs ships conférēbant were bringing together

45.30 Victōrēs victors spolia spoils nāvālia naval magnō with great gaudiō joy Rōmam to Rome retulērunt brought back

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

45.16 Classis nostra trīgintā nāvēs longās ad Siciliam fert. Our fleet carries thirty warships to Sicily.

45.17 Nautae fortēs tempestātem magnam trēs diēs tulērunt. The brave sailors endured a great storm for three days.

45.18 Onerāriae nāvēs frūmentum et arma legiōnibus ferēbant. The cargo ships were carrying grain and weapons to the legions.

45.19 Praefectus classī imperāvit ut ancorās tollerent. The admiral ordered the fleet to raise anchors.

45.20 Ventus secundus nāvēs celeriter in portum tulit. A favorable wind quickly carried the ships into harbor.

45.21 Remigēs labōrem gravem diū ferre nōn poterant. The rowers were not able to bear the heavy labor for long.

45.22 Nāvis praetōria aquilam aureō legiōnis ferēbat. The flagship was carrying the golden eagle of the legion.

45.23 Hostium classem ignis Graecus abstulit. Greek fire destroyed the enemy fleet.

45.24 Gubernātōrēs perītī nāvēs per scopulōs tūtō tulērunt. The skilled helmsmen safely carried the ships through the rocks.

45.25 Mīlitēs trānsportātī arma ē nāvibus in lītus cōnferunt. The transported soldiers bring weapons together from the ships onto the shore.

45.26 Explōrātōrēs nūntium dē hostibus ad classem rettulērunt. The scouts brought back a message about the enemies to the fleet.

45.27 Nāvēs actuāriae litterās imperātōris ad senātum ferunt. Swift ships carry the commander's letters to the senate.

45.28 Sociī nāvālēs auxilium Rōmānīs contrā pīrātās tulērunt. The naval allies brought help to the Romans against the pirates.

45.29 Classiāriī tēla in hostium nāvēs conférēbant. The marines were hurling missiles onto the enemy ships.

45.30 Victōrēs spolia nāvālia magnō gaudiō Rōmam retulērunt. The victors brought back the naval spoils to Rome with great joy.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

45.16 Classis nostra trīgintā nāvēs longās ad Siciliam fert.

45.17 Nautae fortēs tempestātem magnam trēs diēs tulērunt.

45.18 Onerāriae nāvēs frūmentum et arma legiōnibus ferēbant.

45.19 Praefectus classī imperāvit ut ancorās tollerent.

45.20 Ventus secundus nāvēs celeriter in portum tulit.

45.21 Remigēs labōrem gravem diū ferre nōn poterant.

45.22 Nāvis praetōria aquilam aureō legiōnis ferēbat.

45.23 Hostium classem ignis Graecus abstulit.

45.24 Gubernātōrēs perītī nāvēs per scopulōs tūtō tulērunt.

45.25 Mīlitēs trānsportātī arma ē nāvibus in lītus cōnferunt.

45.26 Explōrātōrēs nūntium dē hostibus ad classem rettulērunt.

45.27 Nāvēs actuāriae litterās imperātōris ad senātum ferunt.

45.28 Sociī nāvālēs auxilium Rōmānīs contrā pīrātās tulērunt.

45.29 Classiāriī tēla in hostium nāvēs conférēbant.

45.30 Victōrēs spolia nāvālia magnō gaudiō Rōmam retulērunt.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation with Naval Examples)

Special Naval Uses of ferō

In naval contexts, ferō takes on specialized meanings that reflect the unique aspects of sea warfare and transportation:

1. Ships as Subject

When ships "carry," they transport both cargo and personnel:

• Classis fert - the fleet carries (transports)

• Nāvis tulit - the ship carried (transported)

• Onerāriae ferēbant - cargo ships were carrying

2. Natural Forces

Wind and sea often serve as the subject with ferō:

• Ventus tulit - the wind carried

• Mare feret - the sea will carry

• Tempestās abstulit - the storm carried away (destroyed)

3. Compound Verbs in Naval Context

• tollere ancorās - to raise anchors (lit. "lift up")

• auferre classem - to destroy a fleet (lit. "carry away")

• referre nūntium - to bring back a report

• cōnferre arma - to bring weapons together (concentrate forces)

4. Technical Naval Terminology

• nāvēs longae - warships (lit. "long ships")

• nāvēs onerāriae - cargo vessels

• nāvis praetōria - flagship

• nāvēs actuāriae - swift messenger ships

• classiāriī - marines (naval soldiers)

5. Idiomatic Expressions

• ancorās tollere - to set sail (raise anchors)

• ferō auxilium - to bring aid (naval reinforcement)

• spolia ferre - to carry spoils (from naval victory)

Common Mistakes in Naval Contexts

1. Confusing ship types: Each type of vessel has specific functions

2. Subject confusion: Sometimes the wind/sea "carries," not the ship

3. Compound meanings: Naval compounds often have technical meanings

4. Passive usage: Ships are often "carried" by winds: nāvis fertur

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