1X2                  THE  WRITING  OF  NARRATIVE  LATIN
 

LESSON  XXVI

CLAUSES OF CAUSE AND CONCESSION.   ADVERSATIVE

CLAUSES

140. Causal clauses are introduced in English by because,
since, inasmuch as, seeing that, in view of the fact that, etc. They
are translated into Latin by clauses introduced by cum, quod,
quoniam.

a.  Cum causal is joined with the subjunctive. Cause and
time are often inseparably connected, and the least idea of cause
is sufficient to throw into the subjunctive a clause that might
naturally seem to refer to time alone. Since they could not
defend themselves, they sent envoys to Caesar, cum se defendere
non possent, legatos ad Caesarem mittunt. This may also be
expressed when they could not defend themselves, etc., but the
motive rather than the time of the main clause is the leading
idea.

b.   Quod causal is joined with the indicative, unless the writer
or speaker wishes to indicate that the cause is not stated on
his own belief or claim, but on another's authority, or from
another's point of view; in other words, unless the writer or
speaker wishes to indicate that he is quoting another. In the
latter case it is joined with the subjunctive.

This had happened because they despised the legion, id acciderat
quod legionem despiciebant; he blames them because (as he claims)
he is not assisted by them, eos accusat quod ab iis non sublevetur;
the Haedui carne to complain because (as they said) the Harudes
were ravaging their lands, veniebant Haedui questum quod Hariides
fines eorum popularentur.

I. Quod is frequently strengthened by a preceding propterea,
for this reason, with no apparent change of force.