GCSE Latin: Unprepared Comprehension and Translation

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions. You are advised to write your translation on alternate lines. Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are based on the first two paragraphs.

The Emperor Nero and the Great Fire of Rome - When, Where and Why it started.

decimo anno principii Neronis accidit Romae incendium quo per sex dies noctesque maior pars urbis vastabatur. ortum est non longe a Circo Maximo in tabernis ubi mercimonium celeriter incensum est; mox propter violentiam vanti pervagabatur; neque erant in illa parte urbis aedificia saxea quae flammas morarentur.

alii suae saluti consulebat, alii parentes liberosque in fugam secum trahebant, alii qui sua relinquere nolebant, domi mortui sunt. fugientium multitudo adeo vias angustissimas complebat ut omnia remedia impediret. huic populo tam misero Nero in suis hortis et in Campo Martio subitaria aedificia construxit, iussitque utensilia ab Ostia impotari et frumentum parvo pretio distribui.

Rumours start about Nero and the actions he takes to divert the suspicion from himself.

sed rumor erat Neronem ex palatio conflagrationem spectavisse, et carmen de Excidio Troiae cantavisse; itaque multi credebant incendium iussu Neronisfactum esse quod novam urbem condere cuperet. ille igitur, ut hunc rumorem extingueret, calpam Christianis imponere constituit; haec enim nova religio Romanis turpissima videbatur. multi igitur, a multibus comprehensi, convicti sunt; quorum alii in amphitheatro crucibus adfixi sunt aut bestiis dati sunt; alii ad hortos publicos ducti sunt ut, tunicis piceis vestiti, noctu incenderentur et lucem ambulantibus darent. tantam crudelitatem Nero ostendit ut etiam Romani eos miserarentur.

vastare = to destroy
mercimonium = merchandise
pervagari = to spread
saxeus = made of stone
angustus = narrow
subitarius = temporary
ortum = arose
morarentur = delay
excidium = destruction
condere = to found
turpis = shameful
crux = a cross
piceus = covered in pitch
vestitus = clothed
cantavisse from cantare = to sing

1. Nero became emperor in 54 A.D. - in what year was the fire? What indication is there that it was serious? [3]
2. Where did it begin? [2]
3. Give three reasons why the fire spread quickly [3]
4. How did different people react to the danger? [5]
5. What hindered attempts to put the fire out? [2]
6. How did Nero assist the homeless? [5]
7. Translate the third paragraph (sed rumor...miserarentur) [40]

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