Caput III. Siblings and Spouses

by Michael Lambert

September 2023

Caput III. Siblings and Spouses

by Michael Lambert

September 2023

Two short stories that explore human emotion in the Antique world. Brother and Sister is a philosophical discussion between Phaedrus and Socrates. It is the father that resolves the issue. Husband and Wife is the experience of loss and separation for Marcus and Terentia. Eventually Marcus returns to Italy, but still the heart yearns.

Habebat quidam filiam turpissimam, idemque insignem pulchra facie filium, A certain man had a very ugly daughter and also a son, exceptional for his handsome features. The speaker of these words is Phaedrus, the writer of these words is Socrates. The story continues regarding the use of a mirror and the appropriateness of its employment by the son. The daughter does not like this circumstance. The father settles the matter with the phrase, …in ambos caritatem partiens, …in both [son and daughter], dearness is apportioned… Mirrors aside, beauty aside; the matter is a father’s love of his son and daughter.

Inimici sunt multi… the enemies are many… best summarizes the thoughts and feelings of Marcus Tullius Cicero to Terentia, his wife as he endures exile in Thessalonica. Though the marriage was arranged, Cicero’s own words are those of a loving husband to his adored wife during a time of extreme distress. Ego autem hoc miserior sum, quam tu, quae es miserrima… I however, this I am more wretched, to what degree are you [miserable]… Cicero’s letter concludes with the only sentiment permitted (look to the final noun prior to the ellipsis), Ego faciam, quae praecipis. Amicis, quibus voluisti, egi gratias…

Siblings
Brother and Sister

Habebat quidam filiam turpissimam, idemque insignem pulchra facie filium. Hi speculum, in cathedra 1 matris ut positum fuit, pueriliter 2 ludentes forte inspexerunt. Hic se formosum iactat; illa irascitur, nec gloriantis sustinet fratris iocos 3, accipiens (quid enim) cuncta in contumeliam 4. Ergo ad patrem decurrit laesura invicem, magnaque Invidia criminatur filium, vir natus quod rem feminarum tetigerit. Amplexus 5 ille utrumque et carpens oscula dulcemque in ambos 6 caritatem partiens, ‘Cotidie’ inquit ‘speculo vos uti volo, tu formam ne corrumpas nequitiae 7 malis, tu faciem ut istam moribus vincas bonis


Phaedrus: III, VIII

Spouses
Husband and Wife

Accepi tres 1 epistolas, quas ego lacrimis prope delevi. Conficior enim maerore, mea Terentia 2; nec meae me miseriae magis excruciant, quam tuae vestraeque. Ego autem hoc miserior sum, quam tu, que es miserrima, quod ipsa calamitas communis est utriusque nostrum, sed culpa mea propria est. Meum fuit officium, vel vitare periculum, vel diligentia resistere, vel cadere fortiter. Hoc miserius, turpius, indignius nobis nihil fuit. Quare quum dolore conficior, tum etiam pudore. Pudet enim me uxori meae optimae, suavissimis liberis, virtutem et diligentiam non praestitisse. Nam mihi ante oculos dies noctesque versatur squalor vester et maeror et infirmitas valetudinis tuae; spes autem salutis pertenuis 3 ostenditur. Inimici sunt multi, invidi paene omnes. Ejicere 4 nos magnum fuit, excludere facile est. Ego faciam, quae praecipis. Amicis, quibus voluisti, egi gratias…

 

Cicero: Ad Familiares. XIV, 3

Footnotes:
 
Siblings Brother and Sister
  1. cathedra, –ae. 1f noun. An armchair (having cushions and supports)
  2. pueriliter. adv. non-declinable. Childishly, foolishly
  3. iocus, –i. 2m. noun. A joke, jest
  4. contumelia, –ae. 1f noun. An insult, reproach, contumely, abuse
  5. amplexus, –a, –um. participle, perfect passive. Surrounded, encircled
  6. ambo, ambae, ambo. m / f / n. irr adj pl only. Both (of objects occurring in pairs)
  7. nequitia, –ae. 1f noun. Wickedness, worthlessness
 
Spouses Husband and Wife
  1. Marcus Tullius Cicero. Four years earlier, prosecuted Lucius Sergius Catilina, the Catilinarian conspiracy. Catilina died in battle. Many of his supporters, all Roman citizens, contrary to law, were executed without trial. Publius Clodius Pulcher lead a campaign that forced Cicero to flee, May BCE 58
  2. Terentia, 98 BCE – 6 CE. Wife of Marcus Tullius Cicero
  3. pertenuis, pertenue. 3 adj 2-end. Very thin, fine or slender
  4. ejicere alternate spelling eicere. pres act infin. eicio, eicere, eieci, eiectum (3, io-variant). I cast, thrust or drive out
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