Bonus: Litterae Latīnae I — SUETONIUS

De Caesaris Augusti consuetudine alea ludendi.

(Suet., Divus Augustus LXXI)

This text is taken from the Roman historian Suetonius who wrote biographies of Roman emperors. This excerpt treats Emperor Augustus' gambling habits. If you find it difficult, that is normal. You can listen to the audio recording of the Latin text, and read the English translation while listening. 





Latin text

“Nōs, mī Tiberī, Quinquatrūs satis iūcundē ēgimus; lūsimus enim per omnīs diēs forumque āleātōrum calfēcimus. Frāter tuus magnīs clāmōribus rem gessit; ad summam tamen perdidit nōn multum, sed ex magnīs dētrīmentīs praeter spem paulātim retractum est. Ego perdidī vīgintī mīlia nummum meō nōmine, sed cum effūsē in lūsū līberālis fuissem, ut soleō plērumque. Nam sī quās manūs remīsī cuique exēgissem aut retinuissem quod cuique dōnāvī, vīcissem vel quīnquāgintā mīlia. Sed hoc mālō; benignitās enim mea mē ad caelestem glōriam efferet.” 


English translation

 “We spent the Quinquatria very merrily, my dear Tiberius, for we played all day long and kept the gaming-board warm. Your brother made a great outcry about his luck, but after all did not come out far behind in the long run; for after losing heavily, he unexpectedly and little by little got back a good deal. For my part, I lost twenty thousand sesterces, but because I was extravagantly generous in my play, as usual. If I had demanded of everyone the stakes which I let go, or had kept all that I gave away, I should have won fully fifty thousand. But I like that better, for my generosity will exalt me to immortal glory.”



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