Questions & Answers about Euripus in medio circo iacet.
What does Euripus mean here?
In this sentence, Euripus refers to the central barrier or dividing structure in a Roman circus. In some contexts, the word can also refer to a water-channel. In descriptions of a circus, it is the feature running along the middle.
Also, the capital E does not necessarily mean it is a proper name; it is capitalized here simply because it begins the sentence.
Is Euripus the subject of the sentence?
Yes. Euripus is the subject, because it is the thing that iacet.
It is in the nominative singular, which is the usual case for the subject of a finite verb.
A basic structure of the sentence is:
- Euripus = subject
- iacet = verb
- in medio circo = where it is
What form is iacet?
Iacet is:
- 3rd person singular
- present tense
- active voice
- indicative mood
It comes from iaceō, iacēre, meaning to lie, to be lying, or more generally to be situated.
So iacet means it lies or it is situated.