Context-Based Meaning of Words and Phrases in Caesar - AP Latin

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Question

After being warned of an imminent attack by the Gauls, Caesar’s men debate whether to stay in their camp or attempt to join another unit.

1 Lucius Aurunculeius compluresque tribuni militum et primorum ordinum

2 centuriones nihil temere agendum neque ex hibernis iniussu Caesaris

3 discedendum existimabant: quantasvis \[magnas\] copias etiam Germanorum

4 sustineri posse munitis hibernis docebant: rem esse testimonio, quod

5 primum hostium impetum multis ultro vulneribus illatis fortissime

6 sustinuerint: re frumentaria non premi; interea et ex proximis hibernis et a

7 Caesare conventura subsidia: postremo quid esse levius aut turpius, quam

8 auctore hoste de summis rebus capere consilium?

The best translation for the phrase "a Caesare conventura subsidia" in lines 6-7 is                     .

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Answer

Remembering different types of participles is the best way to answer this question. "Conventura" is a future active participle. These participles translate as about to                     . With this knowledge, we can eliminate “was being assembled,” which would require a perfect passive participle, and “was about to be assembled,” which would require a future passive participle. "Caesare" is in the ablative and therefore cannot be the subject as in “Caesar was about to assemble…” The correct answer is “Help from Caesar was about to assemble.”

(Passage adapted from Gallic Wars, 5:28)

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