Famous Context Clues
In Vergil's famous opening line, "Arma virumque cano," what is the English translation of the verb cano?
Quid est I sing
VI - V + I
2
Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian, this massive Roman amphitheater hosted battles, executions, and mock sea fights.
Quid est The Colosseum
stilus
pen, stylus for writing
night
nox
In Catullus conflicted poem about heartbreak, "Odi et amo," what is the English translation of the defective verb odi?
Quid est I hate
C - L + VI
56
This Egyptian queen allied with Julius Caesar and later fell in love with Mark Antony before their defeat.
Quis est Cleopatra
telum
missile, dart, spear
law, bill, regulation
lex
In Julius Caesar's defiant declaration at the Rubicon, "Alea iacta est," what is the English translation of the noun alea?
Quid est The Die
CLXVII + I
168
This infamous Emperor allegedly sang and played the lyre while a massive fire destroyed much of Rome in AD 64.
Quis est Nero
vetus
old, aged, advanced in years
crowd, troop, throng, band, mob
caterva
In Cicero's furious opening attack on a conspirator, "Quousque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?", what is the English translation of the future deponent verb abutere?
Quid est will you abuse
CC + MC
1300
This 200-year golden age of relative stability began under the rule of Augustus.
Quid est Pax Romana
murus
wall, city wall
nod; command, authority, divine will
numen
In Aeneas's famous pep talk to his suffering men, "Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit," what is the English translation of the future verb iuvabit?
Quid est it will please
M + CCL - VII + V
1248
This 31 BC naval battle saw Octavian defeat Mark Antony and Cleopatra, effectively ending the Republic.
Quid est Battle of Actium
sinus
bent surface, curve, fold
quiver
pharetra