Section 4A(iv) Verres at Syracuse

Question 1

Syrācūsīs lēx est dē sacerdōtiō Iouis

Answer 1

At Syracuse there is a law about the priesthood of Jupiter

Question 2

(nam id sacerdōtium Syrācūsānī putant amplissimum esse).

Answer 2

(for the Syracusans think this priesthood is the most important).

Question 3

haec lēx Syrācūsānōs iubet trīs uirōs ex tribus generibus per suffrāgia creāre;

Answer 3

This law orders the Syracusans to choose by votes three men from three tribes;

Question 4

tunc illōs trīs necesse est sortīrī.

Answer 4

then it is necessary for those three to draw lots.

Question 5

ita ūnus ex tribus sacerdōs Iouis fit.

Answer 5

Thus one out of the three becomes the priest of Jupiter.

Question 6

Theomnāstus quīdam, amīcus Verris, istīus imperiō et auctōritāte in tribus illīs renūntiātus est.

Answer 6

A certain Theomnastus, a friend of Verres, was selected among those three by the power and authority of THAT one.

Question 7

necesse igitur erat illōs trīs sortīrī.

Answer 7

Therefore it was necessary for those three to draw lots.

Question 8

Syrācūsānī, opīnātī Verrem sortem sollicitāre numquam ausūrum esse, ēuentum laetī exspectābant;

Answer 8

The Syracusans, thinking that Verres would never dare to disturb the drawing of lots, were happily awaiting the outcome.

Question 9

spērābant enim Verrem rem nōn perfectūrum esse.

Answer 9

For they were hoping that Verres would not achieve the business.

Question 10

quid fēcit Verrēs?

Answer 10

What did Verres do?

Question 11

prīmō iste uetuit sortīrī, et iussit Syrācūsānōs extrā sortem Theomnāstum renūntiāre.

Answer 11

First THAT one forbade the drawing of lots, and ordered the Syracusans to select Theomnastus outside the drawing of lots.

Question 12

Syrācūsānī negābant id fierī posse;

Answer 12

The Syracusans denied that that could happen;

Question 13

praetereā, fās negābant esse.

Answer 13

besides that, they denied that it was right.

Question 14

iussit igitur iste Syrācūsānōs sibi lēgem dē sacerdōtiō recitāre.

Answer 14

Therefore THAT one ordered the Syracusans to recite to him the law about the priesthood.

Question 15

lēgem ita recitārunt:

Answer 15

They recited as follows:

Question 16

“quot hominēs per suffrāgia renūntiāuimus, tot sortīs in hydriam conicimus.

Answer 16

“However many men we selected by our votes, so many lots do we throw into the jar.

Question 17

“is sacerdōs fit, cuius nōmen ex hydriā exit.”

Answer 17

“He becomes the priest, whose name comes out of the jar.”

Question 18

tum Verrēs “quot hominēs renūntiāuistis?”

Answer 18

Then Verres (said) “How many men have you selected?”

Question 19

Syrācūsānī respondēre “trīs.”

Answer 19

The Syracusans replied “Three.”

Question 20

Verrēs “oportetne igitur trīs sortīs inicere, ūnam ēdūcere?”

Answer 20

Verres (said) “Is it right therefore to throw in three lots, and pick out one?”

Question 21

Syrācūsānī “ita oportet.”

Answer 21

The Syracusans (said) “That’s how is should be.”

Question 22

Verrēs igitur Syrācūsānōs iussit trīs sortīs, omnīs nōmine Theomnāstī īnscrīptās, in hydriam conicere.

Answer 22

Therefore Verres ordered the Syracusans to throw into the jar three lots, all inscribed with the name of Theomnastus.

Question 23

fīēbat clāmor maximus;

Answer 23

A huge outcry took place;

Question 24

Syrācūsānī negāuēre fās esse.

Answer 24

the Syracusans denied that it was right.

Question 25

omnibus id scelestissimum uidēbātur.

Answer 25

This seemed to everyone the most wicked thing.

Question 26

quid plūra dīcam?

Answer 26

Why will I say more?

Question 27

illō modō Verrēs amplissimum illud Iouis sacerdōtium Theomnāstō dedit.

Answer 27

In that way Verres gave that most prestigious priesthood of Jupiter to Theomnastus.