Page 78 - Grasp English C1 (Workbook)

8 Antıquıty

The ancient Roman language was rich with sayings and figurative language, some of which has stood
the test of time and are now translated into other languages and used daily around the world. Other
phrases have run into disuse, but are no less poignant and meaningful.

One phrase in use today is to draw a line in the sand. This expression stems back to the writings
of the Roman historian, Livy, who wrote about the attempt by the Macedonian ruler, King Antiochus
IV, to invade Egypt, which was then under Roman rule. The Roman Consul, Gaius Popillius Laenas,
demanded that King Antiochus retreat. The King refused, so Laenus drew a line around the King in
the sand and demanded that he not step out of it until he agreed to withdraw his troops. Nowadays,
drawing a line in the sand is an expression used in politics when someone wants to A .

The expression When in Rome, do as the Romans do is in common use today. This phrase originated
in about 390 CE when St. Augustine was advising travelling Christians on what they should do when
they visit other Christian cities. He wrote: When I go to Rome, I fast on Saturday, but here [Milan] I do
not. You should also follow the custom of whatever church you attend if you do not want to give or
receive scandal. In other words, what St Augustine meant was that visitors to a foreign land should
B .

The phrase Seize the Day is another phrase that originated in Ancient Rome, but in fact, many people
know it in its Latin form, Carpe Diem. The phrase was penned by the lyric poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus
in the first century BCE. It advises the reader to C , rather than leave them until later. It is
similar in meaning to the English proverb Don’t put off until tomorrow that which you can do today.
Other idioms from ancient Rome are no longer used now. One of these is Nuces relinquere, which is
translated to “relinquish the nuts”. Roman children whose families couldn’t afford toys often played
with nuts, but eventually, they would grow out of this kind of play. Therefore “to relinquish the nuts”
meant that someone had to D .
Another interesting idiom is Rem acu tetigisti. Translated into English, this means “You have touched
the matter with a needle”, but its meaning is equivalent to the English idiom, You’ve hit the nail on the
head. It refers to a situation when someone has been able to E .

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