Lesson 86 Latinum Institute Botanical Latin Reading Course

Latin Lesson: homō hominis m. (human being)

Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

86.1 Homō human being nātūrae of nature studiōsus fond plantās plants observat observes

86.2 Prīmus first homō human being herbās herbs medicinālēs medicinal invēnit discovered

86.3 Hodiē today doctus learned homō human being genus genus novum new nōmināvit named

86.4 Antīquī ancient hominēs human beings vīrēs powers herbārum of herbs cognōvērunt knew

86.5 Sapientēs wise hominēs human beings plantārum of plants varietātēs varieties colunt cultivate

86.6 Nātūrālem natural historiam history hominis of human being studeō I study

86.7 Hominis of human being ingenium intellect nātūram nature explicat explains

86.8 Hominī to human being sōlī alone ratiō reason data given est is

86.9 Botanicus botanist hominem human being docet teaches dē about plantārum of plants ūsū use

86.10 Homine by human being sine without nātūra nature melius better flōrēret would flourish

86.11 Multī many hominēs human beings hortōs gardens cūrant care for

86.12 Hominum of human beings operā by works multae many speciēs species servātae preserved sunt are

86.13 Rem matter herbāriam botanical hominibus to human beings ūtilem useful esse to be scīmus we know

86.14 Systēma system homines human beings doctī learned creāvērunt created

86.15 Hominēs human beings plantārum of plants amīcī friends nātūram nature servant preserve

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

86.1 Homō nātūrae studiōsus plantās observat. A human being fond of nature observes plants.

86.2 Prīmus homō herbās medicinālēs invēnit. The first human being discovered medicinal herbs.

86.3 Hodiē doctus homō genus novum nōmināvit. Today a learned person named a new genus.

86.4 Antīquī hominēs vīrēs herbārum cognōvērunt. Ancient humans knew the powers of herbs.

86.5 Sapientēs hominēs plantārum varietātēs colunt. Wise humans cultivate varieties of plants.

86.6 Nātūrālem historiam hominis studeō. I study the natural history of the human being.

86.7 Hominis ingenium nātūram explicat. The intellect of a human being explains nature.

86.8 Hominī sōlī ratiō data est. Reason is given to the human being alone.

86.9 Botanicus hominem docet dē plantārum ūsū. The botanist teaches the human about the use of plants.

86.10 Homine sine nātūra melius flōrēret. Without the human being, nature would flourish better.

86.11 Multī hominēs hortōs cūrant. Many humans care for gardens.

86.12 Hominum operā multae speciēs servātae sunt. By the works of humans, many species have been preserved.

86.13 Rem herbāriam hominibus ūtilem esse scīmus. We know that botanical science is useful to human beings.

86.14 Systēma homines doctī creāvērunt. Learned humans created the system.

86.15 Hominēs plantārum amīcī nātūram servant. Humans who are friends of plants preserve nature.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

86.1 Homō nātūrae studiōsus plantās observat.

86.2 Prīmus homō herbās medicinālēs invēnit.

86.3 Hodiē doctus homō genus novum nōmināvit.

86.4 Antīquī hominēs vīrēs herbārum cognōvērunt.

86.5 Sapientēs hominēs plantārum varietātēs colunt.

86.6 Nātūrālem historiam hominis studeō.

86.7 Hominis ingenium nātūram explicat.

86.8 Hominī sōlī ratiō data est.

86.9 Botanicus hominem docet dē plantārum ūsū.

86.10 Homine sine nātūra melius flōrēret.

86.11 Multī hominēs hortōs cūrant.

86.12 Hominum operā multae speciēs servātae sunt.

86.13 Rem herbāriam hominibus ūtilem esse scīmus.

86.14 Systēma homines doctī creāvērunt.

86.15 Hominēs plantārum amīcī nātūram servant.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation)

For English speakers learning Botanical Latin, the noun "homō" presents several important grammatical features:

1. Form and Declension:

   • "Homō" is a 3rd declension masculine noun with the stem "homin-"

   • Nominative singular: homō

   • Genitive singular: hominis

   • When declining this noun, the stem "homin-" is used for all forms except the nominative singular

2. Declension Pattern:

   Singular:

   • Nominative: homō

   • Genitive: hominis

   • Dative: hominī

   • Accusative: hominem

   • Ablative: homine

   Plural:

   • Nominative: hominēs

   • Genitive: hominum

   • Dative: hominibus

   • Accusative: hominēs

   • Ablative: hominibus

3. Uses in Botanical Context:

   • Subject (nominative case): "Homō nātūrae studiōsus plantās observat" (A human being fond of nature observes plants)

   • Possession (genitive case): "Hominis ingenium nātūram explicat" (The human's intellect explains nature)

   • Indirect object (dative case): "Hominī sōlī ratiō data est" (Reason is given to the human being alone)

   • Direct object (accusative case): "Botanicus hominem docet" (The botanist teaches the human)

   • Instrument/means (ablative case): "Homine sine nātūra melius flōrēret" (Without the human being, nature would flourish better)

4. Syntax Patterns in Botanical Texts:

   • As the agent performing observations: "Homō plantās observat"

   • As the recipient of knowledge: "Botanicus hominem docet"

   • In prepositional phrases: "Hominum operā" (by the works of humans)

   • In botanical classifications: "Homō sapiens" (the scientific name for modern humans)

5. Word Formation:

   • Related adjective: humānus (human, humane)

   • Related abstract noun: hūmānitās (humanity, humaneness)

   • These derivatives appear in botanical terminology, especially in descriptions of plants related to human usage

6. Common Phrases in Botanical Latin:

   • "ab homine cultus" (cultivated by man)

   • "hominum in usum" (for human use)

   • "homini utilis" (useful to humans)

Understanding these patterns helps English speakers recognize and use "homō" correctly in botanical and taxonomic contexts.

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Part E (Cultural Context)

For English speakers studying botanical Latin, understanding "homō" requires cultural and historical context:

1. Historical Role of Humans in Botany:

   • Early human interaction with plants was primarily utilitarian (medicine, food, shelter)

   • The transition from folk knowledge to systematic classification happened gradually

   • While ancient texts like Theophrastus' "Historia Plantarum" recognized human influence on plants, the formal study of human-plant interactions developed much later

2. Taxonomic Significance:

   • In Linnaeus' system, humans ("Homō sapiens") were classified alongside other organisms

   • This represented a revolutionary conceptual shift, placing humans within nature rather than separate from it

   • The Linnaean classification of "Homō sapiens" (1758) marked the first formal scientific classification of humans

3. Anthropocentric Terminology:

   • Many plant names reflect human uses (e.g., "officinālis" for medicinal use by humans)

   • Species named with terms like "hominis" often indicate a relationship to humans

   • Plant parts described as "human-like" (anthropomorphic terminology) are common in botanical Latin

4. Philosophical Context:

   • The concept of humans as both observers and subjects of natural history is fundamental to botanical study

   • Renaissance botanists emphasized the relationship between "homō" (the human) and nature as reciprocal

   • This influenced botanical terminology, with many terms reflecting human perceptions and uses

5. Modern Relevance:

   • Contemporary ecological terms often refer to human impact (e.g., "anthropogenicus")

   • The botanical concept of "homō" has evolved to include human responsibility for plant conservation

   • Ethnobotany specifically studies the relationship between humans and plants in different cultures

6. Cultural Comparisons:

   • Unlike English, which distinguishes "human," "person," "man," etc., Latin "homō" encompasses all these meanings

   • This broader semantic range affects how "homō" appears in botanical texts

   • Understanding this range helps English speakers better interpret botanical Latin terminology

These cultural dimensions enhance English speakers' grasp of how "homō" functions in botanical Latin beyond mere grammatical rules.

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Part F (Literary Citation)

From Linnaeus' "Systema Naturae" (10th edition, 1758), the first formal description of Homo sapiens:

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Homō, Human being, nōsce know tē yourself ipsum. itself. Tōtum The whole animal animal vegetabilium of vegetables flōrem, flower, Creatōris of the Creator opificium, workmanship, naturae of nature mīrāculum, miracle, in on terrā earth ratiōnis of reason prīncipātum, primacy, dēlicium delight humānī of human generis, race, secundum according to cōgnōsce. know.

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

"Homō, nōsce tē ipsum. Tōtum animal vegetabilium flōrem, Creatōris opificium, naturae mīrāculum, in terrā ratiōnis prīncipātum, dēlicium humānī generis, secundum cōgnōsce."

"Human, know thyself. Know thoroughly the complete animal, the flower of vegetation, the Creator's workmanship, nature's miracle, holding primacy of reason on earth, the delight of the human race."

Part F-C (Literary Analysis)

Linnaeus' description of humans is significant because:

• It places humans within his taxonomic system while acknowledging their unique status

• The opening phrase "nōsce tē ipsum" refers to the ancient Greek aphorism "know thyself"

• The description balances scientific classification with philosophical reflection

• Linnaeus uses metaphorical language ("flōrem") to connect humans to the plant kingdom

• The passage reflects the 18th-century Enlightenment view of humans as reasoning beings with a special place in nature

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

• "Homō" appears in the nominative case as the subject of the implied sentence

• "nōsce" and "cōgnōsce" are imperative verbs, giving commands to the reader

• "tē ipsum" uses the reflexive pronoun and intensifier in the accusative case

• "vegetabilium" is a genitive plural, showing possession

• "opificium," "mīrāculum," and "prīncipātum" are in apposition to "animal"

• "in terrā" is a prepositional phrase using the ablative case to indicate location

• "humānī generis" is a genitive phrase describing "dēlicium"

• This passage uses the rhetorical device of asyndeton (lack of conjunctions between phrases) to create emphasis

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Genre Section: Botanical Description

Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

86.16 Planta plant quae which ab by homine human being culta cultivated est is mutātiōnēs changes subit undergoes

86.17 Hominēs human beings plantās plants in into varietātēs varieties dīversās diverse sēlēctiōne by selection artificialī artificial dūcunt lead

86.18 Speciēs species quās which hominēs human beings cōnservant conserve saepe often rarae rare sunt are

86.19 Hortus garden hominis of human being industriī industrious semper always flōret flourishes

86.20 Fungi fungi quīdam certain in in corpore body hominum of human beings crēscunt grow

86.21 Hominem human being plantae plants quaedam certain venēnātae poisonous necant kill

86.22 Botanicī botanists docent teach quōmodo how hominēs human beings cum with plantīs plants convīvant may live together

86.23 Illī those hominēs human beings quī who rūrī in the country vīvunt live plantārum of plants nōmina names vulgāria common sciunt know

86.24 Hominum of human beings industriā by industry multae many speciēs species nōvae new inventae discovered sunt are

86.25 Homō human being prūdēns prudent plantās plants toxicās toxic vītat avoids

86.26 Plantae plants medicinālēs medicinal hominibus to human beings aegrotīs sick saepe often prosunt benefit

86.27 Hominem human being dīligenter diligently observantem observing nātūra nature nōn not dēcipit deceives

86.28 Sōlum soil quod which homō human being bene well parat prepares plantīs for plants prōdest is beneficial

86.29 Homine with human being cōnservante conserving biodiversitās biodiversity augētur is increased

86.30 Scientiam knowledge botanicam botanical hominēs human beings per through saecula centuries accumulāvērunt have accumulated

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

86.16 Planta quae ab homine culta est mutātiōnēs subit. A plant which is cultivated by humans undergoes changes.

86.17 Hominēs plantās in varietātēs dīversās sēlēctiōne artificialī dūcunt. Humans lead plants into diverse varieties through artificial selection.

86.18 Speciēs quās hominēs cōnservant saepe rarae sunt. Species which humans conserve are often rare.

86.19 Hortus hominis industriī semper flōret. The garden of an industrious human always flourishes.

86.20 Fungi quīdam in corpore hominum crēscunt. Certain fungi grow in the human body.

86.21 Hominem plantae quaedam venēnātae necant. Certain poisonous plants kill humans.

86.22 Botanicī docent quōmodo hominēs cum plantīs convīvant. Botanists teach how humans may live together with plants.

86.23 Illī hominēs quī rūrī vīvunt plantārum nōmina vulgāria sciunt. Those humans who live in the country know the common names of plants.

86.24 Hominum industriā multae speciēs nōvae inventae sunt. Through human industry, many new species have been discovered.

86.25 Homō prūdēns plantās toxicās vītat. A prudent human avoids toxic plants.

86.26 Plantae medicinālēs hominibus aegrotīs saepe prosunt. Medicinal plants often benefit sick humans.

86.27 Hominem dīligenter observantem nātūra nōn dēcipit. Nature does not deceive the human who observes diligently.

86.28 Sōlum quod homō bene parat plantīs prōdest. Soil which a human prepares well benefits plants.

86.29 Homine cōnservante biodiversitās augētur. With a human conserving, biodiversity is increased.

86.30 Scientiam botanicam hominēs per saecula accumulāvērunt. Humans have accumulated botanical knowledge through the centuries.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

86.16 Planta quae ab homine culta est mutātiōnēs subit.

86.17 Hominēs plantās in varietātēs dīversās sēlēctiōne artificialī dūcunt.

86.18 Speciēs quās hominēs cōnservant saepe rarae sunt.

86.19 Hortus hominis industriī semper flōret.

86.20 Fungi quīdam in corpore hominum crēscunt.

86.21 Hominem plantae quaedam venēnātae necant.

86.22 Botanicī docent quōmodo hominēs cum plantīs convīvant.

86.23 Illī hominēs quī rūrī vīvunt plantārum nōmina vulgāria sciunt.

86.24 Hominum industriā multae speciēs nōvae inventae sunt.

86.25 Homō prūdēns plantās toxicās vītat.

86.26 Plantae medicinālēs hominibus aegrotīs saepe prosunt.

86.27 Hominem dīligenter observantem nātūra nōn dēcipit.

86.28 Sōlum quod homō bene parat plantīs prōdest.

86.29 Homine cōnservante biodiversitās augētur.

86.30 Scientiam botanicam hominēs per saecula accumulāvērunt.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation with Botanical Focus)

In botanical descriptions, the word "homō" appears in several specialized grammatical constructions that English speakers should understand:

1. Ablative of Agent:

   • "ab homine culta" (cultivated by a human)

   • Used with passive verbs to indicate who performs the action

   • Common in botanical descriptions to indicate human cultivation

   • Compare: "ab homine culta" vs. "naturaliter crescens" (growing naturally)

2. Genitive Relationships:

   • "Hortus hominis industriī" (garden of an industrious human)

   • Indicates possession or relationship

   • Often used in botanical texts to describe human interaction with plants

   • Note the position: "hominis industriī" places emphasis on the quality of industriousness

3. Ablative of Means:

   • "Hominum industriā" (by/through human industry)

   • Shows how something is accomplished

   • Common in describing botanical discoveries and developments

   • Distinguished from ablative of agent by lack of preposition

4. Ablative Absolute:

   • "Homine cōnservante" (with a human conserving)

   • Creates a subordinate clause expressing circumstance

   • Used in botanical texts to describe conditions affecting plant growth

   • More concise than using "cum" with a subjunctive verb

5. Relative Clauses:

   • "Illī hominēs quī rūrī vīvunt" (those humans who live in the country)

   • Used to provide additional information about humans interacting with plants

   • "quī" agrees with "hominēs" in number and gender

6. Dative of Advantage:

   • "Hominibus aegrotīs" (for/to sick humans)

   • Shows who benefits from medicinal plants

   • Common in pharmaceutical botanical descriptions

   • Often paired with verbs like "prōsum" (to benefit)

7. Accusative as Direct Object:

   • "Hominem nātūra nōn dēcipit" (nature does not deceive the human)

   • Indicates who receives the action of the verb

   • Used in botanical philosophy to describe human-nature relationships

8. Technical Vocabulary Patterns:

   • "Plantae ab hominibus cultae" (plants cultivated by humans)

   • "In usum hominum" (for human use)

   • "Hominum morē crescens" (growing in the manner of humans)

   • These phrases are standard in botanical literature to describe anthropogenic effects

These constructions are particularly important in botanical Latin because they help describe the relationship between humans and plants in scientific literature.

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