LATIN
A translation of Juvenal's Satire 3 - Lines 190 - 202
by Edward Gibb, 6.2
Juvenal was a Roman Satirist who lived in Rome around
100AD. His Satires provide us with much information
about life in an overcrowded city that was prone to
fires and building collapse. Whilst much of his work
resonates with many themes of modern cities, this
extract provides an insight into what happened when
one of the many blocks of flats ("insulae") in Rome
caught fire.
Who fears their ruin, or ever has,
In cool Praeneste,
Among the luscious ridges of Volsinii,
Carefree Gabii,
Or the summit of slumbering Tibur?
We sing the praises of a city
Propped up, most of it, by scrawny beams,
With which the landlord lessens the swaying,
And covers the gaping holes with old scraps
And insists that we sleep soundly in crumbling ruins.
I must live where there are no fires, no haunting fears.
Now Ucalegon shouts for water,
Now drags out his meagre things;
Your third floor is already smoking,
Yet you are oblivious,
For, if the panic starts on the bottom step, the highest
Will burn last,
Where tiles protect only
From the rain,
Where pampered pigeons
Pay rent with eggs.
Quis timet aut timuit gelida Praeneste ruinam
aut positis nemorosa inter iuga Volsiniis aut
simplicibus Gabiis aut proni Tiburis arce?
nos urbem colimus tenui tibicine fultam
magna parte sui; nam sic labentibus obstat
vilicus et, veteris rimae cum texit hiatum,
securos pendente iubet dormire ruina.
vivendum est illic, ubi nulla incendia, nulli
nocte metus. iam poscit aquam, iam frivola
transfert
Ucalegon, tabulata tibi iam tertia fumant:
tu nescis; nam si gradibus trepidatur ab imis,
ultimus ardebit quem tegula sola tuetur
a pluvia, molles ubi reddunt ova columbae.
Soon after the return to school in September
came the return leg of the St-Malo exchange,
when six pupils aged 16-17 came to stay at
King's for a week. We were delighted that
they threw themselves with Gallic flair into the full
life of an English boarding school, going to lessons
with their King's exchange partners and participating
in unfamiliar sports. An evening at a local restaurant
was perhaps a more familiar setting to round off their
stay. We look forward to continuing this exchange in
the future.
As Language captains, Simon Chicken and Tara
Benson worked hard as ambassadors for the
department, helping to run various assemblies and
events through the year. The whole school was able
to celebrate the European Day of Languages, with
themed food and decorations in the dining hall. The
Soirée des Langues was a most popular event in the
Michaelmas term, with pupils singing, reciting poetry
and providing musical interludes whilst everyone
sampled food from around the world.
Languages Day in the Lent term was certainly one of
the highlights of the year. Starting with a flash mob
by pupils in Chapel, several staff threw themselves
into the spirit by wearing language-themed hats
and including language links in their lessons, such
as poetry by French authors or the work of famous
scientists. Frau Hermes, ably helped by native
speakers from the Sixth Form, ran a 'Millionaire'-
style German quiz; Twister was played in French and
salsa dancing was taught in the gym. An energetic
and enjoyable day!
Ever ready for a challenge, many pupils entered
online competitions from Language Perfect, with
Ollie Martin and Patrick McSwiggan coming 1st and
2nd respectively in the school. We are certainly going
to aim to compete again. Some pupils even started
learning more unusual languages, with incredibly
strong performances by Third Formers in Samoan!
Languages
Academic
Modern Languages
By Lucy Cruttenden
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