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Latin scripts of stratagem voicing

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2024-12-09 10:15:40

Introduction

Salvete, discipuli! (c)

A couple of days ago I had a forum discussion with other fans of Expeditions: Rome about the Latin phrases that are said when we choose a stratagem in battle. Since it's hard to hear the phrases distinctly due to ambient sounds, specific pronunciation, and lack of a trained ear for Latin, I contacted the PitStop Productions company that did the voicing of the game, and with the permission of the Development team they shared the scripts of all phrases present in battles.

*** ALL CREDITS GO TO THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND PITSTOP PRODUCTION ***

What I did is just referring each phrase to the respective stratagem and translating them closer to a 'word by word' manner.

Nota bene:

The word order in Latin is not nearly as strict as in English, and the syntax differs much - words are joined in a combination mostly with the help of endings.

Almost all verbs are in the 2nd person plural imperative form, ending with -te (naturally, because it is an order given to soldiers)

Many Latin words have a wide array of meanings that are sometimes synonymous and sometimes greatly differ, depending on the context

'Improved stratagems' have the same voicing as their level 1 predecessors.

Enjoy!

STRATAGEMS

[Stratagem] = [Voicing] = [Translation]

FORMATION

Extended line = Aciem latius extendite = Extend a wider line

Weak centre = Allicite hostes in infirmatam mediam aciem = Lure the enemies into the weakened centre of the line

Testudo = Testudinem formate! = Form a tortoise!

Wedge = Cuneum formate! = Form a wedge!

Strong right flank = Congregate copias in dextro latere = Gather the forces on the right side

Strengthened flanks = Consistite latus in ripam fluminis = Position widely in (the form of) river banks

Wide maniple channels = Itinera pervia relinquite inter manipulos = Leave accessible routes between maniples

ENGAGEMENT

Charge = Aggredimini! = Attack! (alternatively, Move closer!) (this is a very unusual verb form, also imperative plural, but the verb is so called 'verba deponentia', so it ends with -mini. Just forget I've said this...)

Study enemy positions = Ciringite frontem! = Go around the frontline

Square formation = Agmen formate! = Form a square

Throw pila = Iacite pila! = Throw javelins

Spread out = Frontem extèndite! = Extend the frontline

Cavalry encircle = Equites, circumdate praesidia hostium = Cavalry, encircle the position of the enemy

Form wedge = Acies per cuneos componite = Form a line by means of a wedge

Unleash catapults = Catapultas tendite = Unleash catapults

Loose scorpions = Agite scorpiones = Load/Move/Aim scorpions

Deploy siege towers = Agite turres = Move towers

COMPLICATIONS

Lead by example = Centuriones, in proelia! = Centurions, to battle!

Your own effort = Contendite vestra sponte! = Make effort at your will

Sacrifice maniple = Miles sibi quisque consulat = Each soldier will give advice to himself

Reinforce = Subsidia bellica explicate! = Deploy military aid

Stand firm = State! State! = Stand! Stand!

Maniple swap = Permutate vestra praesidia = Shift your positions

Divide and conquer = Hostium agmina distrahite = Tear/pull the enemy army/crowd apart

Cavalry charge = Equites, aggredimini! = Cavalry, attack!

Hold position = Praesidia tenete! = Hold positions!

Hunker down = Recedite et munite! = Retreat and fortify!

Repel cavalry = Repellite equites! = Repel cavalry!

RESOLUTION

Wagon train = Commeatus promovete = Move forth the wagon train (the rear part of the army with supplies... how do you say it in English?..)

Show mercy = Misereamur = We should cry over them (..or pity them, or something like that. Another braintwisting verb form - 1st person plural present passive subjunctive from 'misereo').

Tend to your wounded = Sauciis operam date = Give care to the wounded

Give chase = Instate hostibus! Eos persequimini! = Chase the enemy! Pursuit them! (again this 'verba deponentia'...)

Celebrate = Sinite milites exsultare = Allow soliders to rejoice (That's what we've been discussing in the forum thread! Not 'finite' but sinite, the verb 'sino'. Actually, that discussion pulled me into creating this guide)

Plunder = Expilate quam maxima = Pillage to the maximum extent

Heroic death = Memoria devotionis tuae retinebitur = The memory of your self-sacrifice/devotion will be held

Scorched earth = Ferro ignique vastate omnia = Destroy everything with iron and fire (-que is a junction, interesting, eh?)

Protect centuriones = Centuriones defendite! = Defend/protect the centurions

Final stand = Ultro petite hostem = Beat the enemies off (a bit difficult to translate here, 'ultro' has many meanings, but 'off' like in the phrase 'off with you' is the most logical here)

Ordered retreat = Receptui signum date - Give a signal of retreating

Fortifications = Ad nostras munitiones recedite = Retreat to our fortifications

***

I have only one phrase and one stratagem left unchecked, but I can't catch it in the battle, and I'm not sure they relate to each other.

Tabernacula valetudinaria collocate = Place hospital tents

Fortification gambit = ???

Conclusion

I hope you'll enjoy the game with a bit more flavour now!

Should you have any additions or corrections, please let me know and I'll adjust the guide accordingly. Also, I would gladly comment upon Latin words or grammar to the extent of my modest knowledge )

Valete!

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2784422512

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