Laocoön and the Trojan HorseTranslation

This story is the source of the well-known adage “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

Graceī cum Trōiānīs bellum gerebant. Magnum equum The Greeks were waging war with the Trojans. At nigh, they leave behind

ligneum sub portīs urbis Troiae nocte relinquunt. Trōiānī a great wooden horse beneath the gates of the city of Troy. The Trojans

equum ibi inveniunt. “Graecī equum Minervae dēdicant,” find the horse there. “The Greeks dedicate a horse to Minverae,”

dīcunt. “Sī dōnum Graecōrum ad templum deae dūcēmus, they say. “If we lead the gift of the Greeks to the temple of the goddess, pācem habēbimus et vītam bonae fortūnae agēmus.” Sed 5we will have peace and (we will) live (“do”) a life of good fortune.” But

Lāocoön, sacerdōs, magnae virtūtis sapientiaeque, audetLaocoon, a priest of great virtue and wisdom, dares

populum monēre: “Sine ratiōne cōgitātis, ō Trōiānī! Sī to warn the people: “You are thinking without reason, o Trojans! If

cōpiae in equō sunt, magnō in perīculō erimus. Numquam troops are in the horse, we will be in great danger. You never

dēbētis Graecīs crēdere, nam Graecī semper sunt falsī.” ought to trust the Greeks, for Greeks are always deceitful.” Tum equum hastā tundit. Īra Minervae magna est; dea 10Then he struck the horse with a spear. The wrath of Minerva is great;

duōs serpentēs ex marī mittit. Ō miser Lāocoön! Tē tuōsque

Laocoön and the Trojan HorseTranslation

the goddess sends two snakes from the sea. O wretched Laocoon! The bad

duōs fīliōs malī serpentēs strangulant! Trōiānī deam snakes are strangling you and your two sons! The Trojans fear

timent; equum in urbem dūcunt. Ratiō Lāocoöntis the goddess; they lead the horse into the city. The reason of Laocoon

Trōiānōs nihil docet. teaches the Trojans nothing.