Book 17
13
I have noted, besides, that Quadrigarius in the eighth book of his Annals has used that particle in a very obscure manner. I quote his exact words: Frag. 70, Peter2. He came to Rome; he barely succeeds in having a triumph voted. Quin = why not; see note 4 below. Also in the sixth book of the same writer's Annals are these words: Id. 58. It lacked little but that (quin) they should leave their camp and yield to the enemy. Now I am quite well aware that someone may say off-hand that there is no difficulty in these words; for quin in both passages is used for ut, and the meaning is perfectly plain if you say: He came to Rome; he with difficulty brought it about that a triumph should be voted; This translation, which Gellius rightly rejects, neglects the negative in quin. Both examples from Quadrigarius might be explained as dubitative questions in the paratactic form; e.g. Why should not a triumph be granted him? and also in the other passage, It almost happened that they left their camp and yielded to the enemy. Let those who are so ready find refuge in changing words which they do not understand, but let them do so with more modesty, when the occasion permits.
