Bohemond's March to Constantinople
[2.5.2] Deinde vēnimus ad quandam urbem quae dīcitur Serra, ubi nostra fīximus tentōria, et sat habuimus mercātum, illīs diēbus conveniēns. Ibi Boamundus concordātus est cum duōbus corpalātīīs, et prō amīcitiā eōrum ac prō iūstitiā terrae iussit reddī omnia animālia quae nostrī dēpraedata tenēbant. Deinde pervēnimus ad Rūsam cīvitātem. Grecōrum autem gēns exībat et veniebat gaudēns in occursum dominī Boamundī, nōbīs dēferēns maximum mercātum, ibique nostrōs tetendimus pāpiliōnēs in quārtā fēriā ante Cēnam Dominī; ibi etiam Boamundus tōtam gentem suam dīmīsit, perrēxitque loquī cum imperātōre Cōnstantīnopolim, dūcēns tamen sēcum paucōs mīlitēs. Tancredus remānsit caput mīlitiae Chrīstī, vidēnsque peregrīnōs cibōs emere, ait intrā sē quod exīret extrā viam, et hunc populum condūceret ubi fēlīciter vīveret. Dēnique intrāvit in vallem quandam plēnam omnibus bonīs quae corporālibus nūtrīmentīs sunt congrua; in quā Pascha Dominī dēvōtissimē celebrāvimus.
notes
(February–April 1097) The journey continues during Lent. Bohemond insists on upright conduct from his men, even ordering the return of stolen animals. But, when Bohemond goes on ahead, Tancred allows his men to plunder the rich countryside. They enjoy an abundant Easter.
Serra: now Serres, in the Greek province of Central Macedonia.
illīs diēbus conveniēns: “suitable for the season,” which was Lent.
Rūsam cīvitatem: not securely identified, but perhaps modern Keşan, in European Turkey. The name seems to mean "Russian."
in quārtā fēriā ante Cēnam Dominī: "the Wednesday before Good Friday," i.e., Holy Wednesday, April 1, 1097.
loquī: infinitive of purpose.
ait intrā sē: "he said within himself”; i.e., he was talking to himself, or thinking.
quod exīret: impf. subj., expressing future time. CL would require acc. + fut. inf.
in vallem quandam: the valley of the Maritza River, at the border of Greece and European Turkey.
Pascha Dominī: Easter Sunday, April 5, 1097.
Pascha: neut. sing. acc.
vocabulary
conveniēns –entis: suitable
dēpraedor (1): to plunder
occursus –ūs, m.: meeting
tendō (3): to stretch out; to pitch (tents, etc. (OLD 3)
pāpiliō –ōnis, m.: (CL) butterfly; (ML) tent
pergō pergere perrēxī perrēctum: to move onward, proceed
ēmō ēmere ēmī ēmptum: to buy
Pascha Paschātis, n.: Passover; Easter.
