《想象的共同体》中提到，新兴的殖民地国家通过建造博物馆塑造领域与人民，将历史文物识别为拥有视觉冲击力的民族符号。书中的一个例子是印尼官方制作的婆罗浮屠宣传画：绘画并没有描绘曾经辉煌的浮雕与佛像，而是 “全部被画成白色，看不到丝毫雕刻品的踪影”。一个简单但不太恰当的例子是古装剧中摆放着锈成绿色的青铜器，用时代错乱的视觉符号提醒观众“我们正在古代”。抛开这些明显的误用，借由文物本身，博物馆设计者就能实现对观众历史-民族观念的塑造，尽管设计者自己也未必意识到了这种政治性的塑造。

直到上次去了大英博物馆之后，我才回想起上述段落，并带这种对历史-民族塑造的自觉，马后炮地回忆一番。

（“看啊，我们继承了旧日罗马的荣光”）

Room 33: 中国部分

中国与南亚展品放在了同一个狭长的房间。进门是一面“九龙壁”，两侧是一排，左侧是南亚，右侧是中国，大体按时间排列。中原与西天各自的沧海桑田风云逐鹿，就付与这切得整整齐齐的几排展览柜了。

（应为建筑上的琉璃脊筒，拆卸后被切割摆放成展厅里的照壁模样。华人导游称为九龙壁，可以自然地转接“皇家才能用的九龙壁无比珍贵，竟也被大英蛮子盗走”的民族荣誉感叙事。）

对比国内博物馆，这个中国展区实在很难令我涌起“大英强盗抢我东西“的情怀。一厅之陈设固然不能和一整座博物馆相比，但印象也不如国内几个博物馆的特色展厅，如甘肃省博的陶器（堆积在展柜，连介绍文都没）或是河北省博的青铜器。我的个人经验是：省博的展厅追求专而精。在设展同一类展品时，需要体现工艺随着历史在进步。大英博物馆里，每个时期的陈设则主要突出的是多样，每个时期内疏落有致，小件器件，只栏片瓦，辅以背景介绍。亲身观看时，大量文字很合我的胃口；但回忆时却少了对器件精美的赞叹。或许是英国人来做中国展厅，总有雾里看花之感，审美意趣终究还是不一致（比如摆大量的唐三彩陶俑）。略选几件有印象的：

（同是有导烟设计的汉代宫灯，但长信宫灯珠玉在前。）

（西域长相的人像。得益于和南亚同在一室，可以看到这与犍陀罗佛像的相似处，或许还能进一步品味出一点希腊风格。）

（设展人对陶瓷的品位大概就到乾隆这么高：颜色要多，花纹要繁复，形象要生动。结果就是这类瓶瓶罐罐与陶俑。）

（依稀记得是《红楼梦》印本，画中人物是宝玉或黛玉，特拍照留念。但现在搜不到了。）

在中国时间线的最后是一些现代艺术作品（国内博物馆的类似位置通常会是当地党史文物）。有两件还不错：一件名为庄周梦蝶，由无数孔雀蓝陶瓷小蝴蝶汇聚成一件宽袍大袖的古代服装样式。另一件是烧制成各种日用品形状的瓷器：如沐浴露瓶，烟灰缸等。

（小蝴蝶质感太塑料了，最好远观不可近看）

总而言之，中国馆用并不多的空间与展品成功使我感觉到疲倦。大英博物馆原本无需凸显中国文物的精美，它用客观的分期和翔实的介绍，手术刀式地切开历史的一角，令游客得以管窥。

说实话观看体验是不如预期的。

但转念一想，这样又使我感到舒心了。

第二次去时是伦敦正是晴天，路上的公园里坐满了人。若是把咖啡换成茶，扑克换成麻将，与成都的街头似乎也无区别。阳光很好，它是属于所有人的。

Watching the Orator at Work

Wheelock: Chapter 23**

Nunc surgit magnus ōrātor, causam dictūrus: omnis locus in subselliīs occupātur; plēnum est tribūnal; iūdicēs omnia illīus verba audīre cupientēs silentium significant. Oculī omnium ad illum vertuntur. Tum multae admīrātiōnēs, multae laudēs. Ōrātor animōs audientium tangit. Ubi cupit eōs metū aut misericordiā movērī, metū aut misericordiā oppressī terrentur aut flent.

Dē ōrātōre, etiam sī tū nōn adsidēns et attentē audiēns, sed ūnō aspectū et praeteriēns eum aspēxeris, saepe iūdicāre poteris. Vidēbis iūdicem ōscitantem, loquentem cum alterō, nōn numquam etiam errantem, mittentem ad hōrās, verba ab ōrātōre dicta neglegentem. Haec causa caret vērō ōrātōre, quī potest animōs iūdicum movēre ōrātiōne. Sī autem ērēctōs iūdicēs vīderis, quī dē rē docērī vidēbuntur aut suspēnsī tenēbuntur, ut cantū aliquō avēs, cognōscēs signa vērī ōrātōris et labōrem ōrātōrium bene gerentis.

adapted from Cicero, Brutus 200, 290

The Labors of Hercules

Wheelock: Chapter 20

Quis nōmen Herculis nōn audīvit? Dē magnīs factīs illīus nunc pauca dīcam.

Herculem, virum Graecum cuius vīrēs erant extraōdināriae, in servitūtem fortūna dūxerat. Eurystheus eī miserō duodecim gravēs labōrēs dederat. Sed Herculēs metū nōn victus erat; neque novīs animālibus terrērī poterat, neque ab hominibus eius generis quod numquam sceleribus caret. Magnum leōnem sōlīs manibus Herculēs superāvit; celerem cervam, cuius cornua aurea erant, cēpit et ex eō locō in quō eam invēnerat Mycēnās trāxit. Deinde ille missus est ab Eurystheō contrā Cerberum, ācrem canem; etiam hunc āmovēre poterat ab ipsā portā Plūtōnis!

Post haec et alia facta Herculēs labōribus līberātus est. Quod autem praemium eī datum est? Nūllum. Quī erat frūctus labōrum eius? Glōria memoriaque perpetua in versibus poētārum.

[1]: Herculēs, -is: Hercules

[2]: Eurystheus, -eī: Eurystheus, king of Mycenae, cousin of Hercules;

[3]: Mycēnae, -ārum: a city in Greece

[4]: Cerberus, -ī: Cerberus

The Myrmidons (Ant people)

Wheelock: Chapter 17

Aeacus ōlim regēbat Aegīnam^[1], quae nōmen suum cēperat ā nōmine mātris Aeacī, quācum Iuppiter sē in amōre iūnxerat. Iūnō, quae malōs mōrēs Iovis numquam tolerāre potuerat, hoc factum sēnsit et memoriā tenuit. Multōs post annōs omnibus quī in īnsulā Aegīnā vīvēbant mortem mīsit. “Ō Iuppiter pater,” Aeacus vocāvit, “Iūnō meum populum tōtum dēlēvit! Iuvā mē, fīlium tuum, quem amās et quem neglegere nōn dēbēs.” Deus eum audīvit et sine morā coepit formīcās in hominēs mūtāre! Itaque Iuppiter, cui nihil est nimis diffficile, virōs fēmināsque fēcit parvīs ex animālibus. (Vēritātemne dīcō, an nōn?)

Fīlius Aeacī erat Pēleus^[2], cuius fīlius erat ille Achillēs, dux Myrmidonum^[3].

[1]: Aegina, a Greek island, also a woman’s name

[2]: Peleus, who left Aegina to be king of Thessaly

[3]: Myrmidons, which means “ant people”, ruled by Achilles

Translation:

Once upon a time, Aeacus ruled Aegina, of which name took from the name of Aeacus’ mother, with whom Jupiter fell in love. Juno, who could never tolerate Jupiter’s bad habits, felt the truth and kept in memory. After many years, she gave death to all the people lived in Aegina Island. “Father Jupiter,” Aeacus called out, “Juno has destroyed all my people! Help me, your son, who you love and who you shouldn’t neglect.” The god heard him and without delay he started to change ants into humans! Therefore, Jupiter, to whom nothing is difficult, created men and women by little animals. (I tell the truth, or not?)

Aeacus’ son is Peleus, whose son is that Achilles, the leader of Myrmidons.

A wedding invitation

Wheelock: Chapter 18

Salvēte, ō dī deaeque! Noster amīcus Pēleus magna cōnsilia habet; nympham Thetidem in mātrimōnium dūcet. Vōs igitur ā mē, Iove, ad Thessaliam^[1] vocāminī. Exspectāte bonōs lūdōs et dulcēs epulās. Dēbētis autem dē hī perīculīs monērī: I. Quoniam Pēleus nōn est deus, animus eius terrrēbitur sī nimis potentēs vidēbimur; II. Quī audit sine dōnō venire, ā mē castīgābitur. Legite genera dōnōrum quae laudābuntur ab omnibus quī ea vidēbunt.

Tū sōla, ō dea Discordia^[2], nōn vocāris, nam ā nūllō amāris. Sī veniēs, omnis deus in Olympō^[3] īrā movēbitur. Inter amīcōs Discordia nōn dēbet tolerārī.

Poenae dabuntur ab eō deō quī suum officium negleget. Valēte!

[1]: Thessaly, region of northern Greece

[2]: Discordia, herer personified as a goddess

[3]: Mount Olympus, home of the gods

Translation:

Greetings, gods and goddesses! Our friend Peleus have a big plan: he will marry nymph Thetis. Therefore, you are called by me, Jupiter, to Thessaly. You can expect good games and sweet feasts. However, you should be warned of this danger: 1. Since Peleus is not a god, his soul will be scared if we seem too powerful. 2. He who dare come without gift will be punished by me. Pick out all kinds of gifts which will be praised by all who see them.
Only you, the goddess of discord, you are not called, for you are loved by none. If you come, all the gods in Olympus will be angry. Discord shouldn’t be tolerated among friends.
The god who neglect his duty will be punished. Goodbye!

The judgment of Paris

Wheelock: Chapter 19

Dea Discordia, quae sōla ad nūptiās Pēleī Thetidisque nōn erat vocāta, īrā mōta est. Iēcit igitur in rēgiam deōrum mālum aureum, in quō scrīptae erant hae litterae: “BELLISSIMAE.” Cui mālum darī dēbet? Iūnōnī aut Venerī[1] aut Minervae? Etiam Iuppiter ipse iūdicium facere timet! Itaque ad Paridem, fīlium rēgis Trōiānī, illae deae veniunt.

“Ō care puer,” dīcunt, “quis nostrum tuā sententiā bellissima est? Magnum dōnum tibi parābitur ab eā deā quam ēligēs.” Quem Paris ēliget? Quō dōnō animus eius movēbitur? Iūnō eum rēgem, Minerva ducem facere potest. Venus autem eī Helenam, bellissimam omnium fēminārum, dare potest.

Paris amōre victus est et Venerī mālum aureum dedit. Itaque (sī certa est fāma hōrum factōrum) Helena capta et ad movum locum, Trōiam, ducta est. Quod bellum gerēbātur propter istam fēminam?

Translation:

The goddess of discord, who was not called to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis only, was moved by anger. Therefore, she threw a golden apple to gods’ palace, on which these words were written: “For the most beautiful”. Who should get the apple? Juno, Venus or Minerva? Even Jupiter himself feared to make a judgement! Therefore, those goddesses came to Paris, the prince of Troy.

“Dear boy,” they said, “which of us is the most beautiful in your opinion? Many gifts will be provided to you by the goddess you choose.” Who will Paris choose? What gift will move his mind? Juno can make him a king, Minerva can make him a leader. However, Venus can give him Helen, the most beautiful one among all women.

Paris is beaten by love and he gave the golden apple to Venus. Thus, (if the report of these facts is true) Helen is captured and led to a new place, Troy. Because of that woman what war was carried?

Europa and the Bull

Wheelock: Chapter 14

*Eurōpam^[1], fīliam Agēnoris^[2], Iuppiter, rēx deōrum, vīdit. Victus amōre eius, dīxit, “Sine hāc bellā puellā ego nōn poterō vīvere. Sed quid agam? Haec virgō, sī eam vī superābō, mē nōn amābit, et Iūnō, sī īnsidiās meās inveniet, mē castīgābit. Arte igitur Eurōpam ad mē dūcere dēbeō.”

Iuppiter sibi dedit fōrmam taurī. Cum celeritāte ē suā arce in caelō per nūbēs ad terram cucurrit. Eurōpa cum suīs amīcīs errāverat in loca remōta. Ad hās vēnit ille magnus taurus. Fūgērunt aliae puellae; sōla Eurōpa (nam animālia semper amāverat) remānsit cum taurō. Collum eius suīs bracchiīs Eurōpa tenuit; sine morā trāns mare ille eam trāxit!*

*Eurōpa perīculum sēnsit et exclāmāvit, “Ō!”. Dīxit Iuppiter, “Bella puella, nūllae malae sententiae sunt in meō animō. Nōn taurus, sed deus ego sum. Nōn mors, sed fāma glōriaque tibi venient, nam tuum nōmen magnī poētae cum meō iungent.”

[1]: Europa, a woman name

[2]: Agenor, king of Tyre in Phoenicia

Translation:

Jupiter, the king of gods, has seen Europa, Agenor’s daughter. Conquered by his love, he said, “Without this beautiful girl I cannot live. But what shall I do? If I get that girl by force, she won’t love me, and Juno, if she finds my plan, she will chastise me. Therefore, I should guide Europa to me skillfully.”

Jupiter gave himself the shape of a bull. He ran out of his citadel in the heaven to the land through clouds fast. Europa was wandering in a remote place with her friends. That big bull came to her. Other girls fled; only Europa (for she always loved animals) remained with the bull. Europa hug the bull’s neck with her arms; it took her across the sea immediately!

Europa felt danger and cried out, “Oh!”. Jupiter said, “Beautiful girl, there are no evil thoughts in my mind. I’m not a bull, but a god. Not death but fame and glory will come to you, for your name will join mine by great poets.”

How the Aegean got its name

Wheelock: Chapter 15

Athēnīs^[1] vīvēbant Thēseus^[2] eiusque pater, rēx Aegeus^[3]. Illō tempore cīvēs rēgī īnsulae Crētae^[4] poenās dabant: VII puerōs et eundem numerum puellārum ad eum mittēbant. Haec miserae victimae Mīnōtaurō^[5] suās vītās dabant. Suō patrī Thēseus dīxit, “Hunc malum mōrem tolerāre nōn possum! Ego ipse Mīnōtaurum nōn timeō. Istum inveniam et, sī poterō, meīs vīribus vincam. Dīs meam fortūnam committō. Alba vēla vidēbis, ō mī pater, sī mortem fugiam.” Itaque Thēseus sē cum aliīs victimīs iūnxit et trāns mare ad Crētam nāvigāvit. Ibi suō labōre Mīnōtaurum superāre et arte Ariadnae^[6], suae amīcae, fugere poterat.

Aegeus suum fīlium in scopulō diū exspectāverat; nunc nāvem ipsam suī fīliī vidēre poterat. Sed vēla nigra, nōn alba sunt! Stultus Thēseus suum cōnsilium memoriā nōn tenuerat; vēla nōn mūtāverat. Miser Aegeus sine morā sē iēcit in mare “Aegaeum”.

[1]: Athens, a Greek city

[2]: Theseus, a Greek hero from Athens

[3]: Aegeus, king of Athens, Theseus’ father

[4]: Crete, a large island south of Greek mainland

[5]: Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature in the labyrinth of Minos

[6]: Ariadne, Cretan princess

Translation:

Theseus and his father, king Aegeus, lived in Athens. At that time the citizens (ruled by him) paid the penalty to Crete island: 7 boys and the same number of girls were sent to Crete. These poor victims gave their lives to Minotaur. He said to his father Theseus, “I cannot bear this bad custom! I’m not afraid of that Minotaur. I will find it and, if I could, beat it with my strength. Gods guarantee my fortune. If I escape from death, my father, you will see white sail (on the ship).” Thus Theseus join him with other victims and sailed to Crete across the sea. There he beat Minotaur with his labor and with his friend Ariadne’s skill, fled away.

Aegeus expect his son for a long time on the cliff; now he could see the same ship of his son. But there are black sails, not white! Unwise Theseus hasn’t kept his plan in memory; he didn’t change the sails. Miserable Aegeus jumped into the “Aegean” Sea immediately.

The wrath of Achilles

Wheelock: Chapter 16

Achillēs^[1] nōn sōlum vir fortis potēnsque, sed etiam Thetidis^[2] deae fīlius erat. Ille cum Agamemnone^[3] aliīsque Graecīs Trōiam vēnerat et bellum longum difficileque gesserat. Sed nunc post IX annōs īra ācris eum movēbat; nam fēminam captīvam eī cāram Agamemnōn cēperat. Itaque Achillēs mātrem suam vocāvit: “Iuvā mē!” In marī Thetis eum audīvit et ad eum cucurrit: “Tuās sententiās intellegō, mī dulcis fīlī,” dīxit. “Omnēs Graecī tē magnō in honōre habēre dēbent; sine tē enim Trōiānōs vincere nōn possunt. Cōgitā haec: sī nunc hōc ex bellō fugiēs, tibi erit parva glōria, sed vīta longa; sī autem hōc locō manēbis, magnam glōriam inveniēs, sed tuam vītam āmittēs.”

“Ō beāta māter, bonum animum habē!” dīxit Achillēs. “Omnibus hominibus vīta brevis est. Ego ipse celerem mortem nōn timeō. Sed, quoniam īra mē tenet, bellum nōn geram.” Quam magna est vīs īrae!

[1]: Achilles, best of the Greek warriors

[2]: Thetis, sea-nymph, mother of Achilles

[3]: Agamemnon, leader of the Greek army against Troy

Translation:

Achilles is not only a man with strength and power, but also the goddess Thetis’ son. He came to Troy with Agamemnon and other Greeks and waged an endless and tough war. But now after 9 years fierce anger moved him; for Agamemnon took away the dear woman caught by Achilles. Therefore, Achilles called his mother: “Help me!” Thetis heard him in the sea and rush to him: “I understand your thoughts, my sweet son,” she said. “All the Greeks should treat you in great respect, because without you they cannot conquer Trojans actually. Consider this: if now you leave this war, there will be little glory for you, but you will have long life; if you stay here, you will find great glory, while you will lose your life.”

“My dear mom, take heart!” said Achilles. “All humans’ life is short. I am not afraid of early death. But, since angry takes over me, I will not join the war.” How great the force of anger is!

Ulysses and the Cyclops

Wheelock: Chapter 11

Post bellum Trōiānum venit Ulixēs^[1] cum XII virīs ad terram Cyclōpum^[2]. In cavern bonum cāseum inveniunt. Dum eum edunt, Cyclōps Polyphēmus^[3] in eandem cavernam magnās ovēs dūcit et Graecōs videt: “Quid vōs facitis in meā cavernā? Poenās dabitis, sī mala cōnsilia in animō habētis.” “Trōiā nāvigāmus,” Ulixēs eī dīcit. “Quid tū nōbīs dabis?” Polyphēmus autem exclāmat: “Stulte! Quid vōs, tū tuīque cārī, mihi dabitis?” Sine morā paucōs virōs capit editque! Tum rogat, “Quid tibi nōmen est?” Ulixēs respondet, “Nēmō.” Dum somnus Polyphēmum superat, Graecī īnsidiās faciunt. Tignum in flammā acuunt et in oculum istīus mittunt. Ō miser Polyphēme! Tibi nōn bene est. Aliī Cyclōpēs veniunt, sed vērum perīculum nōn sentient: “Nēmō mē necat!” Polyphēmus vocat. “Bene!” iī dīcunt. “Valē!” Graecī igitur ex cavern fugere possunt. Caecus Cyclōps haec verba audit: “Valē! Ego nōn Nēmō, sed Ulixēs sum!”

[1]: Ulysses, Greek hero Odysseus

[2]: one-eyed giant

[3]: name of a Cyclops

Translation:

After the Trojan war Ulysses comes to the land of Cyclops with 12 men. In a cave they find good cheese. While they are eating it, Cyclops Polyphemus leads a herd of sheep into the same cave and sees the Greeks: “What are you doing in my cave? You should pay the penalty, if you have a bad plan in mind.” “We sail from Trojan, ” Ulysses says to him. “What will you give to us?” However, Polyphemus shouts: “Fool! What will you, you and your dears give me?” Without delay he catches some people and eat them! Then he asks, “What’s your name?” Ulysses answers, “Nobody.” While Polyphemus is sleeping, Greeks make up a plan. They sharpen a stick on the flame and stab it into his eye. Poor Polyphemus! It doesn’t goes well to you. Some Cyclops comes, but they don’t understand the true danger: “Nobody kills me!” Polyphemus crys out. “Well!” they say. “See you!” therefore Greeks can escape from the cave. The blind Cyclops hears there words: “See you! I am Ulysses, not ‘Nobody’!”

A gift bearing Greeks

Wheelock: Chapter 12

In Asiā erat magna urbs, Trōia. Ibi rēx Priamus^[1] vīxit. Paris, fīlius illīus, Helenam^[2], pulchram fēminam Graecam, cēperat. Propter hoc vitium multī Graecī ad Asiam vēnerant et diū cum Trōiānīs bellum gesserant. Mūrōs autem urbis superāre nōn potuerant. Sed tum Epēus^[3], ūnus ex Graecīs eīs hoc cōnsilium dedit: “Sī magnum equum ligneum faciēmus et Trōiānīs dabimus, eōs vincere poterimus; Graecōs enim in equō condiderimus.”
“Nōs bene docuistī,” Graecī dīxērunt et istās īnsidiās sine morā fēcērunt. Post bellum Aenēās, dux Trōiānus, dīxit, “Cōpiās in equō nōn vīdimus, eum in urbem dūximus. Graecī igitur nōs vincere potuērunt. Dī fortūnam malam praesēnserant et nostrā ex urbe fūgerant.”

[1]: king of Troy

[2]: most beautiful woman in the world, whose husband is Menelaus

[3]: a clever Greek soldier

Translation:

Troy is a big city in Asia (Minor). The king Priam has lived there. Paris, his son, had seized Helen, a beautiful Greek woman. Because of this crime many Greeks have come to Asia and waged a war with Trojans for a long time. However, they couldn’t overcome the walls of city. But then Epeus, one of the Greeks, has given them this plan: “If we make a large wooden horse and give it to Trojans, we will conquer them; (for) in fact we will hide in the horse.”
“You have taught us well,” Greeks said and they have done this plan without delay. After the war, Aeneas, the leader of Trojans, has said: “We haven’t found the troops in the horse, we have led it into the city. Therefore, Greeks could have conquered us. Gods had perceived the bad fortune beforehand and left from our city.”

Echo and handsome Narcissus

Wheelock: Chapter 13

Narcissus^[1] erat bellus puer. Multae puellae eum amāvērunt; nūllam ex eīs ille amāvit. Ipse sē sōlum dīlēxit et vītam in silvīs ēgit. Nympha Ēchō^[2] Narcissum diū amāverat, sed suum amōrem eī numquam dīcere potuerat: sōlum verbum ultimum alterīus reddere poterat. Sī Narcissus vocāvit, “Tūne es hīc?”, Ēchō vocāvit, “Hīc!” Sī ille “Ubi es? Venī!” dīxit, illa “Venī!” dīxit. Sed Narcissus ad eam nōn vēnit, et Ēchō igitur nōn diū vīxit. Āmīsit, corpus tōtum; vōcem autem eius etiam nunc audīmus.
Intereā Narcissus suam imāginem in stagnō vīdit et oculōs suōs āmovēre nōn poterat. Magnō amōre suī superābātur. Tempus fūgit; eōdem loco remānsit Narcissus. Amīcī illīus eum invenīre nōn poterant. Ante ipsum stagnum, ubi ille fuerat, nunc erat bellus flōs. Nōmen huius in perpetuum erit Narcissus.
Hominēs nōn dēbent sē nimis amāre.

[1]: a vain youth; the name means a plant narcissus

[2]: a beautiful nymph

Translation:

Narcissus was a pretty boy. Many girls loved him; (but) he loved none of them. Only he himself made him happy and he lived a life in the forest. A nymph Echo had loved him for a long time, but she could never tell her love to him: she could only repeat the last word of others. If Narcissus said: “Are you here?”, Echo said, “here?” If he said “Where are you? Come out!” she said “Come out!” But Narcissus didn’t find her, and Echo didn’t live long. She lost her whole body; however, now we can also hear her voice (that’s echo).
Meanwhile Narcissus saw his image in the pool and couldn’t move away his eyes. He was conquered by the great love (to his image). Time flies; Narcissus stayed in the same place. His friends couldn’t find him. In front of the very pool, where once he was, now there were beautiful flowers. These name will be Narcissus forever.
Human shouldn’t love himself too much.

Laocoön and the Trojan horse

Wheelock:Chapter 8

Graecī cum Trōiānīs bellum gerunt. Magnum equum ligneum sub portīs Urbis Trōiae nocte relinquunt. Trōiānī equum ibi inveniunt. “Graecī equum Minervae dēdicant,” dīcunt. “Sī dōnum Graecōrum ad templum deae dūcēmus, pācem habēbimus et vītam bonae fortūnae agēmus.” Sed Lāocoön^[1], sacerdōs, magnae virtūtis sapientiaeque, audit populum monēre: “Sine ratiōne cōgitātis, ō Trōiānī! Sī cōpiae in equō sunt, magnō in perīculō erimus. Nōn dēbētis Graecīs crēdere, nam Graecī semper sunt falsī.” Tum equum hastā tundit. Īra Minervae magna est; dea duōs serpentēs ex marī mittit. Ō miser Lāocoön! Tē tuōsque duōs fīliōs malī serpentēs strangulant! Trōiānī deam timent; equum in urbem dūcunt. Ratiō Lāocoöntis Trōiānōs nihil docet.

[1]: priest of Neptune at Troy

Translation:##

Greeks wage a war with Trojans. They leave a big wooden horse under the gate of Troy City at night. Trojans find the horse there. “Greeks devote the horse to Minerva,” they say. “If we lead Greeks’ gift to the goddess’ temple, we will have peace and live a life with good fortune.” But Laocoon, a priest, with great virtue and wisdom, dare warn the people: “you think without consideration, Trojans! If there are troops in the horse, we will be in great danger. You shouldn’t believe in Greeks, for Greeks are always deceitful.” Then he hits the horse with a spear. Minerva is very angry; she sends two serpents from the sea. Poor Laocoon! The evil serpents strangle you and your two sons! Trojans fear the goddess; They lead the horse into the city. The consideration of Laocoon teaches Trojans nothing.

Nisus and Euryalus

Wheelock: Chapter 9

Aenēās^[2] Trōiānōs contrā Rutulōs^[3] dūcit. Dum nox est et cōpiae dormiunt, ducēs Trōiānōrum in castrīs cōnsilium habent. Ad hōs Nīsus^[4] Euryalusque^[5], iuvenēs Trōiānī, audent venire. “Ō magnī virī,” dīcit Nīsus, “sī mē cum Euryalō aad castra Rutulōrum mittētis, nōn sōlum multōs hominēs occīdēmus, sed etiam multam paredam ex illīs rapiēmus; somnus enim istōs habet.” “Animōs virtūtemque hōrum iuvenum laudō!” exclamāt Iūlus, fīlius Aenēae illīus. “Valēte!”

Nunc veniunt Nīsus Euryalusque in castra Rutulōrum. Occīdunt ūnum, tum multōs aliōs. Euryalus ōrnāmenta ūnīus, galeam alterīus, rapit. Cum hāc praedā fugiunt. Sed Volcēns, dux Rutulōrum, illōs Trōiānōs videt et aliōs Rutulōs vocat. Splendor istīus galeae illōs ad Euryalum dūcit. Nīsus hunc in perīculō videt et audit amīcum servāre. Occīdit Volcentem, sed iste anteā Euryalum occīdit. Tum aliī Nīsum superant; hic super corpus Euryalī cadit.

Hanc fābulam tōtam Vergilius^[6] scrībet et hīs Trōiānīs fāmam perpetuam dabit.

[2]: a Trojan, ancestor of the Romans

[3]: ancient inhabitants of Latium

[4]: a Trojan soldier

[5]: a Trojan soldier

[6]: Publius Vergilius Maro (70-19 B.C.), a famous Latin poet wikipedia

Translation:

Aeneas leads Trojans against Rutulians. One night when the troops are sleeping, the leaders of Trojans are having planning session in the camp. Nisus and Euryalus, (two) Trojan youths, come to the meeting. “Great men,” says Nisus, “if you send me with Euryalus to the camp of Rutulians, not only can we kill many people, but also we can rob them.” “I praise these youths’ spirits and virtue!” exclaims Iulus, son of the Aeneas. “Farewell!”

Now Nisus and Euryalus come to Rutulians’ camp. They kill one man, then more others. Euryalus snatches a fancy clothing and another helmet. They flee with these loots. But Volcens, the leader of Rutulians, see those Trojans and calls out other Rutulians. The shine of that helmet leads them to Euryalus. Nisus sees them in danger and serves himself for his friend. He kills Volcens, but Volcent killed Euryalus earlier. Then some Rutulians defeat Nisus, he fall on the body of Euryalus.

This whole story is written by Vergil and it will give these Trojans eternal fame.

Aurora and Tithonus

Wheelock: Chapter 10

Aurōra^[7] dea Tīthōnum^[8], virum pulchrum, amat. Venit igitur ad Iovem: “Ō rēx deōrum,” dīcit, “audī mē! Meus Tīthōnus nōn est deus; post paucōs annōs ad senectūtem veniet. Sī vītam perpetuam huic dabis, tē semper laudābō.” Stulta Aurōra! Magnum perīculum illīus dōnī nōn vidēs. Immortālitātem Tīthōnō dat Iuppiter, sed ille, dum vīvit, senēscit. Tempus fugit: nunc Aurōra bella, Tithōnus nōn bellus est. Corpus rūgōsum curvumque iam nōn valet; sapientia in animō nōn manet. Quid Aurōra faciet? Poteritne fōrmam Tīthōnō restituere? Cōgitat et cōnsilium capit: “Ō Tīthōne, mī amor! Tē vertam in cicādam; tum garrīre sine culpā poteris. Hāc in cāveā vīvēs, et tē semper amābō.”

[7]: goddess of the dawn

[8]: a Trojan prince

Translation:

The goddess Aurora loves Tithonus, a beautiful man. Therefore she comes to Juppiter: “The king of gods,” she says, “help me! My Tithonus isn’t a god; after a few years he will come to old age. If you give (him) a perpetual life, I will always praise you.” Stupid Aurora! You don’t see the great danger of that gift. Juppiter gives Tithonus immortality, but he gets old while he lives. Time flies: now Aurora is beautiful, but Tithonus isn’t. His wrinkled and bent body is not strong; the wisdom doesn’t remain in his soul. What will Aurora do? Will she be able to restore Tithonus beauty? She thinks over and gets a plan: “Tithonus, my lover! I will turn you into a cricket; then you will be able to babble without fault. You live in this cage, and I will love you forever.”

Cleobis and Biton#

Wheelock: Chapter 7#####

Cleobis Bitōnque erant fīliī Cȳdippēs^[1]. Cȳdippē erat sacerdōs deae Iūnōnis. Vidēre magnam statuam Iūnōnis Cȳdippē dēsīderat. Sed procul est statua, et Cȳdippē nōn ambulāre potest; puerī bovēs nōn habent. Cleobis Bitōnque Cȳdippēn amant; ipsī igitur plaustrum tractāre audent. Labor erat arduus, sed fīliī Cȳdippēs rōbustī erant. Cȳdippē statuam videt; tum Iūnōnī supplicat: “Ō pulchra dea! Cleobis Bitōnque bonōs mōrēs et virtūtem habent. Dā igitur meīs fīliīs optimum praemium.” Propter precēs Cȳdippēs Iūnō puerīs sine morā mortem sine dolōre dat. Cleobis Bitōnque nunc beātī in perpetuā pāce sunt.

[1]: Cȳdippē, Cȳdippēs, Cȳdippae, Cȳdippēn: Cydippe

Translation:##

Cleobis and Biton were Cydippe’s sons. Cydippe was the priestess of the goddess Juno. Cydippe wants to see the great statue of Juno. But the statue is far away, and Cydippe cannot walk; her boys don’t have ox (to pull the wagon). Cleobis and Biton love Cydippe; therefore, they dare drag the wagon (by themselves). The work is difficult, but Cydippe’s sons were strong. Cydippe sees the statue; then she prays to Juno: ”Oh beautiful goddess! Cleobis and Biton have good morals and virtue. Therefore, give my sons best reward.” Because of Cydippe’s prayer, Juno gives her sons death without pain immediately. Cleobis and Biton now are happy in perpetual peace.

The curse of Atreus#

Wheelock: Chapter 6#####

Fīliī Pelopis^[1] erant Atreus^[2] Thyestēsque^[3]. Thyestēs uxōrem Atreī corrumpit; tum Atreus vitium invenit et tolerāre nōn potest. Īnsidiās igitur contra frātrem cōgitat: “Īra mē movet! Fīliōs parvōs meī frātris necābō secābōque. Tum membra coquam et Thyestae cēnam dabō.” Necat puerōs; Thyestēs suōs fīliōs mortuōs in mēnsā videt. Ō miser Thyestē! Nihil nunc habēs. Sed, ō Atreu, propter tua magna vitia fīliī tuī magnās poenās dabunt. In animīs fīliōrum tuōrum manēbit tua culpa antīqua; erit perpetua. Quid dēbēmus dē tuīs īnsidiīs cōgitāre, ō Atreu? Tuam īram nōn poterās superāre; mala igitur erit semper tua fāma. Tē tuamque vītam paucī bonī, sed multī malī laudābunt.

[1]: a mythical Greek king; the name means “dark eye”wikitionary

[2]: father of famous Agamemnon

[3]: a mythical Greek king

Translation:##

Atreus and Thyestes are Pelops’ sons. Thyestes seduces Atreus’ wife; then Atreus finds the crime and can not bear it. He thinks out a plot against his brother: “I’m angry! I will kill and cut up my brother’s little sons. The I will cook their limbs and serve (them as) a supper to Thyestes.” He kills the boys; Thyestes sees his two dead sons on the table. Oh poor Thyestes! Now he have none (of sons). However, Atreus, because of your great crime your ancient curse will stay in the souls of your sons; it will be perpetual. What do we think about your plot, Atreus? You could not overcome your anger, therefore, your fame will always be bad. People will hardly praise you and your life, but condemn your evil deed.

The adventures of Io

Wheelock: Chapter 5

Iuppiter, rēx deōrum, pulchram Īō^[1] amat; tum īram Iūnōnis metuit. Mūtat igitur fōrmam Īōnis: “Iūnō nōn puellam, sed bovem vidēbit,” Iuppiter cōgitat. Iūnō nōn stulta est: “Habēsne dōnum, mī vir? Dabisne bellam bovem Iūnōnī? Dā, sī mē amās!” Iuppiter igitur Iūnōnī bovem dat. Cum bove remanet magnus custōs, Argus^[2]. Argus cemtum oculōs habet. Mercurius^[3] Argum superat, sed Īō nōndum lībera est: malus asīlus cum bove manet. Īō errat per terrās; multōs populōs videt, sed vēram fōrmam suam nōn habet. Misera puella! Habēbisne semper fōrmam bovis? Nōnne satis est tua poena? Īra Iūnōnis nōn perpetua est: Iuppiter Īōnī vēram fōrmam dat; tum Īō fīlium gignit. Centum oculōs Argī vidēbitis in caudā pāvōnis.

[1]: Īō, Īōnis, Īōnī, Īō: a Greek maiden

[2]: a monster with 100 eyes, servant of Juno(Hera)

[3]: Mercury, the messenger-god

Translation:

Jupiter, the king of gods, loves beautiful Io; while he fears the anger of Juno. Therefore, he changes Io’s shape: “Juno will not see a girl, but a cow,” he thinks. (However,) Juno is not stupid: “Do you have a gift, my husband? Do you want to give me the beautiful cow? Give me, if you love me!” So Jupiter gives the cow to Juno. She keeps the cow with a large watchman, Argus. Argus has 100 eyes. Mercury defeats Argus, but Io is not free yet: a bad gadfly stays with the cow. Io runs through the lands; many people see her, but she doesn’t have her own look. Unfortunate girl! Will you have the cow’s look forever? Isn’t your penalty enough? (Luckily,) The anger of Juno isn’t perpetual: Jupiter turns Io into her true look; then Io gives birth to her son. You can see Argus’ 100 eyes in the tail of peacock.