GCSE Latin Literature: Prose - Cicero Notes

Line 1a

'eques' = a Roman knight, part of the wealthy business class; 'Syracusas' = Syracuse, a place in Sicily

Line 1b

very straightforward language to set the scene

Lines 4-6

'non venales' = not for sale, however Canius can still use them, Pythius appears generous

Lines 6-7a

'hominem' = fellow, a disrespectful way to refer to Canius

Lines 6-7b

he invites fishermen to advertise the area

Lines 9-10

the fishermen come the following day

Lines 10-11a

Canius arrives punctually which shows his eagerness to buy the estate, it is not wise to show this much enthusiasm

Lines 10-11b

'cumbarum...multitudo', no verb so the attention is thrown to the rest of the sentence to emphasise the number of fishing boats

Line 11

'multitudo' is at the end of its clause to emphasise the number of fishing boats

Line 12

'p' alliteration - plosive, makes it more vivid and reflects the sounds of fish out of water

Lines 12-14a

short series of questions = the surprise and excitement of Canius

Lines 12-14b

Pythius answers with a question, evasive and vague

Line 15a

'incensus' = inflamed, metaphor + e.p at the start of the sentence, Canius is aflame with the desire to buy

Line 15b

'c' alliteration, emphasises his eagerness to buy

Lines 18-20

four historic presents which make the scene more vivid - 'invitat', 'venit', 'videt', 'quaerit'

Lines 18-19

lengthy chiasmus which draws attention to the sentence - verb, noun + phrase, noun + phrase, verb

Lines 20-21a

repeated negative: 'nullae' 'nulli'

Lines 20-21b

polyptoton: 'piscatorum', 'piscari' - highlights the contrast with the previous day's bustling activity + Canius' realisation that he has been conned

Line 22

'iratissimus', superlative, e.p at the beginning of the sentence to make his anger more vivid