Expeditions: Rome

Expeditions: Rome

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Latin scripts of stratagem voicing
By nicolasco
This is the complete list of Latin phrases used when a stratagem is chosen.
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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!
8 Comments
Bhuark Jun 4 @ 7:26pm 
This is next level gaming nerd stuff right here. I salute you.
Martin Looterking Feb 20 @ 1:06pm 
Gratias tibi ago, magister 🙌
Al_Zee May 25, 2024 @ 1:00am 
Someone should take what you wrote here and update it into Roman Infantry Tactics wiki page lol
N0T_aCAT Jun 27, 2023 @ 5:09pm 
This is great! I was curious about the exact translations of these commands and assumed I'd just never find out. Thanks for taking the time!

To answer your question about the wagon trains: In the US military we would refer to them as "supply trains" or "field trains". Officers and nerds would call them the "logistical tail".

Again, thanks for taking the time to write this! I studied some Latin way back in high school but not enough to get me through this game.
Vengeance Jan 4, 2023 @ 10:58am 
Studied latin for 8 years and never heard about "verba deponenta"! Great work!!
Black Hammer Nov 10, 2022 @ 8:08am 
Didn't expect to find this in guides, but still good to see! I'm hard of hearing, and used to Church Latin, so I had trouble understanding most of their pronunciation.
N'wah Jun 30, 2022 @ 6:42am 
Instate hostibus! Eos persequimini!
my favorite
LordVollmilch Apr 15, 2022 @ 9:19am 
Now upload every voice audio file to youtube, so I can play these anytime :lunar2019grinningpig: