Syntax 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?

In lines 3-8, Caesar provides a long chain of indirect statements. What verb introduces these indirect statements?

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Answer

We can eliminate posse right away, since it is an infinitive instead of a finite verb. We can also eliminate sustinuerint because it is not a verb of thinking, speaking, or feeling. In addition, it occurs in a clause within the chain of indirect statements. While existimabant does introduce an indirect statement, it also governs the material from lines 1-3. The answer is therefore docebant, which refers to the reasoning of the arguments of the tribunes, centurions, and Aurunculeius in the rest of the passage.

(Passage adapted from Gallic Wars, 5:28)

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