festinaverunt

[A.W.K.Millar]

Can anybody tell me the difference between festinaverunt and
contenderunt? Also what is the difference between necavit and
interfecerunt, wouldn't necaverunt be suitable? I am using the
Cambridge Latin course and the meanings given are perhaps slightly
oversimplified, I would be grateful for any help.

Thanks

Dan

[Mark Hellaby]

> From the context of the usage, festinaverunt does indeed seem to refer to a
> hurrying 'down the street' whereas contenderunt would be hurrying whilst
> getting ready, or performing some act (as opposed to running). Also, your
> explanation of necavit and interfecerunt would make sense as the latter was
> used in the context of ...retiarii gladiatores interfecerunt, suitable indeed.

DAn

[Ernest A. Bennett]

Salve.

These two situations were raised by my Latin study group. I proposed that
"contendere" meant to hasten or hurry in spite of opposition or obstacles in
the way, (another meaning is to struggle or fight) while "festinare" meant
to hasten, accelerate, go faster. Again, I proposed "necare" to mean to
murder or kill with a whiff of illegality or downright bad intentions, while
"interficere" to mean to kill, destroy (if the word is analysed the English
verb "to do in" seems an apposite parallel form).

I now withdraw into my austral bunker and await the missiles/missives of
those better informed.

Regards,

Ernestus