Cambridge Latin Course Book 1 Stage 11 Sulla Translation May 2026

Tum Sulla Rōmam cum mīlitibus contendit. urbem occupāvit. hostēs suōs interfēcit. posteā Rōmae imperium longum tenuit.

Mīlitēs erant incertī. “Sed Rōma est urbs sacra,” clāmāvērunt. “in urbem armātī venīre nōn dēbēmus. sine armīs in urbem veniāmus.” cambridge latin course book 1 stage 11 sulla translation

Here is the English translation of the passage from Cambridge Latin Course Book 1, Stage 11 (often titled "Sulla" or "Sulla et mīlitēs" ). Tum Sulla Rōmam cum mīlitibus contendit

This passage is about the Roman general ordering his soldiers to march to Rome. Translation: Sulla Latin: Sulla, quī erat Rōmae, mīlitēs convocāvit. “Mīlitēs,” inquit, “Rōmam eāmus. Urbem occupēmus. Hostēs nostrōs interficiāmus. Nōn timeō. ego sum imperātor magnus. mihi pāretis.” posteā Rōmae imperium longum tenuit

Sulla replied angrily: “Soldiers, if you will not come with your weapons, I will not enter Rome. But I want to kill my enemies. I am a Roman general.”

Then Sulla hurried to Rome with his soldiers. He seized the city. He killed his enemies. Afterwards he held power at Rome for a long time. Context Note This passage refers to the historical event of 88 B.C. , when the Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla marched on Rome with his army — an unprecedented act at the time — to defeat his political rivals (especially Marius). The Cambridge Latin Course simplifies this for beginners but captures the key idea: Sulla’s ambition and willingness to use military force inside the sacred city boundaries.

The soldiers were uncertain. “But Rome is a sacred city,” they shouted. “We ought not to enter the city armed. Let us enter the city without weapons.”