Breakdown of Quamquam periculum in urbe manet, nos pacem speramus.
in
in
urbs
the city
nos
we
manere
to remain
periculum
the danger
pax
the peace
quamquam
although
sperare
to hope
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Questions & Answers about Quamquam periculum in urbe manet, nos pacem speramus.
What role does quamquam play in this sentence?
Quamquam introduces a subordinate concessive clause: although / even though. Everything up to the comma (Quamquam … manet) is the although-clause, and the main statement comes after the comma (nos pacem speramus).
Does quamquam require the subjunctive?
Usually, quamquam is followed by the indicative, especially in straightforward prose. Here manet is indicative present, which is completely normal. (Latin can sometimes use the subjunctive with concessive ideas in other constructions, but quamquam + indicative is the standard expectation.)
Why is periculum in the nominative, and what is its gender?
Periculum is nominative singular neuter because it is the subject of manet (remains). Neuter nominative and accusative singular forms look the same, but here the verb manet needs a subject, so nominative is the right analysis.
What case is urbe, and why?
Urbe is ablative singular of urbs, urbis (city). With in meaning in/within (location, not motion), Latin uses in + ablative, so in urbe = in the city.
How do I know in urbe means location and not motion into the city?
Because Latin distinguishes:
- in + ablative = location (in the city)
- in + accusative = motion toward/into (into the city)
Here it’s urbe (ablative), so it’s location.
What tense and person is manet, and what does it literally mean?
Manet is 3rd person singular present indicative active from manēre. Literally it means remains / stays. So periculum … manet is the danger remains.
Why is nos included? Isn’t the subject already in speramus?
Yes—speramus already means we hope (1st person plural). Nos is optional and is included for emphasis or contrast, like we (as opposed to others) or as for us, we hope….
Why is pacem in the accusative?
Pacem is accusative singular because it is the direct object of speramus (we hope [for] peace). Latin often uses a direct object where English might use a preposition (hope for).
Does sperare always take an accusative object like this?
Commonly, yes: sperare + accusative can mean to hope for something (a thing). It can also take an infinitive or a clause depending on what is being hoped (e.g., hoping to do something), but here it’s the simple thing hoped for.
Is the word order unusual? Why put the although-clause first?
It’s very natural Latin style. Putting the concessive clause first (Although danger remains in the city, …) sets the background, then the main clause gives the key point (we hope for peace). Latin word order is flexible, and this is a common, clear arrangement.
What does the comma represent in Latin—did Romans actually use it?
The comma is a modern editorial punctuation choice to show the boundary between the subordinate clause and the main clause. Classical Latin manuscripts didn’t use punctuation the same way we do; modern editions add it for readability.