heredes principis I (The heirs of the emperor)

In the Emperors palace two boys are busy in the study of literature. One boy, called Titus, is trying to
tell a story; the other, called Publius, is listening intently. The teacher of the boys is also present,
Marcus Fabius Quintilian. Titus and Publius, the sons of Clemens and the brothers of Polla, recently
were made heirs of the Emperor.

Titus: (telling the story) Then Jupiter, king of Gods, very much offended by a wicked man, decided to
destroy the human race by a great flood.

While Titus is telling his story, the door is opened suddenly. Epaphroditus enters. The boys look at
each other anxiously; Quintilian, who hates Epaphroditus, nevertheless greets him in a friendly way.

Quintilian: We are glad to see you, Epaphro-

Epaphroditus: (interrupting) Hello, boys. Hello you, M. Fabius. I am sent here to announce the
Emperors orders. The Emperor ordered you to hurry quickly to him.

Quintilian: I don’t understand your words, my Epaphroditus. Why are we sent to the Emperor?

Epaphroditus, giving no response, lead the boys and Quintilian through the palace to the Emperors
study. The boys, affected by fear, hesitate outside the study.

Quintilian: (hiding his fear) Why were you being disturbed, boys?

Publius: We were being disturbed for a good reason. Without a doubt, the Emperor will punish or
scold us.

Quintilian: Do not be afraid, Publius. If you behaved sensibly, you will neither be scolded nor
punished.

heredes principis II

Having entered the study, Quintilianus and the boys find Domitian sitting at a table and trying to stab
flies with a stylus. Domitian doesn't look up and doesn't say anything. The boys are growing pale.

Domitian: (at last) Don't be afraid, boys. I'm not going to punish you- unless you displease me. (He
stabs another fly; finally he puts the stylus down and suddenly questions the boys:) How long now
have you been students of Marcus Fabius?

Titus: (hesitating) Tw-Two months, master.

Domitian: Therefore its time for us to find out what you have learned. (Turning suddenly to Publius)
Publius, what were you being taught yesterday?

Publius: Master, we were reading some verses, which the poet Ovid wrote about that famous flood.

Domitian: So, after reading the poetry of Ovid yesterday, what are you doing today?

Publius: Today we are trying to tell the same story in our own words.

Quintilian: When you called for us, master, Titus was telling the story about Jupiter's anger.

Domitian: Obviously a most apt story! I would like to hear it. Titus, continue your story!
Titus: (hesitantly continuing his story)Jupiter decided to send giant rainclouds through the sky. At
once he confined the north wind in the Aeolian cave, and freed the south wind. It flew with soaked
wings; his beard weighed down by clouds, waves flowed from his hair. At the same time as the south
wind flew out, a thick rain-cloud came down from the sky…..

But so great was the anger of Jupiter, that he wasnt satisfied with the rain from the sky. And so he
asked help from his brother Neptune. When he struck the ground with his trident, it trembled
greatly and opened a path for the water to flow through. At once the huge rivers flowed through the
open plains.

Domitian: Youve told enough (of the story), Titus. Now, Publius, continue the story.

Publius: and now there were no boundaries between the sea and the land. The sea was everywhere,
there were no shores. The men were trying to escape. Some climbed the mountains; others sat in
ships and rowed through the fields, which were recently plowed. This man was sailing over crops or
rooftops of submerged houses; that man found fish in the highest trees. Wolves were swimming
among the sheep. Tawny lions were being carried by the waves. Birds, after searching for a long time
for land, on which they could sit down, began to fall into the water.

As Publius is telling this story, Domitian signals him with his hand to stop. He is quiet a long time and
the boys wait anxiously; finally, he speaks.

Domitian: Publius and Titus, you are fortunate; for, as is proper for heirs of the Emperor, you are
being educated by an excellent teacher, who has put in front of you the best examples. Boys, if you
present your cases as eloquently as Ovid wrote his verses, you will often as victors leave from the
lawcourt and you will be praised by everyone.

Titus: (his fear over now) Surely you aren’t forgetting one thing, master? We are your heirs;
therefore, when we have said our cases, we will surely leave the courtroom as winners not often but
always and be praised by everyone?

Quintilian turns red. Domitian, stunned by the boldness of Titus, says nothing. Finally, smiling or
pretending to smile, he sends the boys and their teacher away. And then he picks up his stylus again
and begins trying to stab flies once more.

About the language 1

1. Why are we summoned to the palace? Shall we be interrogated by the emperor?

We were being deserted by all our friends; we were being assisted by one loyal slave
We are overcome, we shall be prevented, we were being led, we shall be wanred, we are
ordered, we were being dragged
2. Yesterday you were being mocked, today you are honoured
You will be saved because you have always been defended by Epaphrodite
You are sent, you are being thought, you were being heard, you are thought, you were being
overcome, you will be destroyed
3. When you were setting out, we were returning
We shall be noticing the temple itself soon
we shall be speaking, you will be speaking, we shall be praying, you will be suspected, we
were being followed, you were being encourages