Rubrius istīus comitēs invītat; eōs omnēs Verrēs certiōrēs facit quid opus esset. Mātūrē veniunt, discumbitur. Fit sermō inter eōs, et invītātiō ut Graecō mōre biberētur; hortātur hospes, poscunt maiōribus pōculīs, celebrātur omnium sermōne laetitiāque convīvium. Posteāquam satis calēre rēs Rubriō vīsa est, ‘Quaesō,’ inquit, ‘Philodame, cūr ad nōs fīliam tuam nōn intrō vocārī iubēs?’ Homō, quī et summā gravitāte et iam id aetātis et parēns esset, obstipuit hominis improbī dictō. Īnstāre Rubrius. Tum ille, ut aliquid respondēret, negāvit mōris esse Graecōrum ut in convīviō virōrum accumberent mulierēs. Hic tum alius ex aliā parte, ‘Enim vērō ferendum hoc quidem nōn est; vocētur mulier!’ Et simul servīs suīs Rubrius ut iānuam clauderent et ipsī ad forēs adsisterent imperat.
study aids
Cicero describes the banquet that Philodamus put on in honour of his guest, emphasizing the hybrid nature of the event, in which elements of the Roman convivium (a dinner-party). . . [full essay]
Grammar and Syntax:
- What type of infinitive is Instare?
- Define the case and function of moris.
Style and Theme:
- Discuss Cicero’s use of the passive voice in the passage.
- Where at the banquet is Verres?
- Discuss the clash of cultures (Greece vs. Rome) that Cicero portrays here.