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Domina servum iterum iubet consilium sequi et epistulam mittere.

Domina servum iterum iubet consilium sequi et epistulam mittere.
The mistress again orders the servant to follow the plan and send a letter.
FromLesson 10inHardcore Latin
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Questions & Answers about Domina servum iterum iubet consilium sequi et epistulam mittere.

Why is domina in the nominative, and how do I know it’s the subject?
Domina is nominative singular, which is the standard case for the subject of a finite verb. The finite verb here is iubet (she orders), so domina is the person doing the ordering.
Why is servum in the accusative?

With iubere (to order), Latin commonly uses the construction accusative + infinitive: you “order someone (accusative) to do something (infinitive).”
So servum is the person being ordered.

What exactly is the grammar pattern with iubet in this sentence?

It’s: iubet + accusative person + infinitive(s).
Here: iubet servum sequi … et mittere … = “she orders the slave to follow … and to send …”

Why are sequi and mittere in the infinitive instead of an imperative?
Because the sentence is reporting an order in the third person (“the mistress orders…”), not directly giving a command (“follow!” “send!”). Latin typically uses infinitives after iubere to express what the ordered person is to do.
Why does iterum appear where it does, and what does it modify?

Iterum (again) is an adverb. In this word order it most naturally modifies iubet: “she orders again.”
Latin adverbs are flexible in placement; you could also see domina iterum servum iubet… with the same basic meaning.

Sequi looks passive—why does it translate actively?

Sequi is a deponent verb: it has passive-looking forms but an active meaning.
So sequi = “to follow,” not “to be followed.”

Why is consilium in the accusative, and what is its role?
Consilium is accusative singular because it is the direct object of the infinitive sequi: consilium sequi = “to follow a plan/advice.”
Why is epistulam in the accusative?
Epistulam is the direct object of mittere (to send). The verb mittere normally takes a direct object in the accusative: “to send a letter.”
How does et work here—what exactly is being joined?

Et is joining two infinitive phrases that depend on iubet:

  • consilium sequi
  • epistulam mittere
    So it’s effectively “to follow the plan and (to) send the letter.”
Do I need to repeat iubet or servum for the second action?
No. Latin often leaves them implicit once established. Servum is understood as the doer of both infinitives, and iubet governs both sequi and mittere.
Could the word order be different, and would that change the meaning?

Yes, Latin word order is flexible. For example: domina servum iubet epistulam mittere et consilium sequi is still grammatical.
Changes mainly affect emphasis (what sounds more “foregrounded”), not the core relationships, which are signaled by endings and the infinitive construction.

More from this lesson

epistulaaMercator a foro ad villam ambulat.accipereHodie discipula epistulam a matre accipit.tollereostenderePuella matri epistulam ostendit.
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