A Struggle for Rome, v. 1

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1 is here in full — 73 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Felix Dahn • Curated US English Learning Edition

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In one of the small rooms of the Emperor's palace in Byzantium, a short time after the Feast of the Floralia, a little man of insignificant appearance was pacing to and fro, lost in anxious thought.

The room was quiet and lonely.

Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

A softened light filled the room.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXIII Reading 1/14

A Struggle for Rome, v. 1 Felix Dahn

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1 is here in full — 73 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

In one of the small rooms of the Emperor's palace in Byzantium, a short time after the Feast of the Floralia, a little man of insignificant appearance was pacing to and fro, lost in anxious thought. The room was quiet and lonely. Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade. Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate. A softened light filled the room.

A Struggle for Rome, v. 1

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1 is here in full — 73 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

In one of the small rooms of the Emperor's palace in Byzantium, a short time after the Feast of the Floralia, a little man of insignificant appearance was pacing to and fro, lost in anxious thought.

Line 2

The room was quiet and lonely.

/ðə ruːm wɑːz ˈkwaɪət ənd ˈloʊnli/

Line 3

Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

Line 4

Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

/ˈiːkwəli ˈkɑːstli stʌfs ˈkʌvərd ðə moʊˈzeɪɪk flɔːr soʊ ðæt noʊ nɔɪz əˈkʌmpənid ðə ˈfʊtsteps ʌv ðə ˈsɑːləteri ˈɪnmeɪt/

Line 5

A softened light filled the room.

/ə ˈsɔːfənd laɪt fɪld ðə ruːm/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Byzantium noun US /bəˈzæntiəm/

an ancient city on the Bosporus founded by the Greeks; site of modern Istanbul; in 330 Constantine I rebuilt the city and called it Constantinople and made it his capital

From this reading “In one of the small rooms of the Emperor's palace in Byzantium, a short time after the Feast of the Floralia, a little man of insignificant appearance was pacing to and fro, lost in anxious thought.”

edifice noun US /ˈedəfəs/

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading “Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.”

Emperor's noun US /ˈempərərz/

possessive form of “emperor” — the male ruler of an empire

inmate noun US /ˈɪnmeɪt/

one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading “Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.”

insignificant adjective US /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/

signifying nothing

mosaic noun US /moʊˈzeɪɪk/

art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass

From this reading “Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.”

pacing noun US /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/

(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

stuffs noun US /stʌfs/

plural of “stuff” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading “Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

broad daylight adjective + noun

In this reading “Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.”

heavy curtains adjective + noun counted as “heavy curtain”

In this reading “Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.”

short time adjective + noun

In this reading “In one of the small rooms of the Emperor's palace in Byzantium, a short time after the Feast of the Floralia, a little man of insignificant appearance was pacing to and fro, lost in anxious thought.”

small rooms adjective + noun

looked into verb + particle counted as “look into”

investigate scientifically

In this reading “Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.”

into the court preposition + article + noun counted as “into … court”

In this reading “Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.”

little man adjective + noun

hung with verb + particle counted as “hang with”

In this reading “Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.”

All words in this reading · 65

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In one of the small rooms of the Emperor's palace in Byzantium, a short time after the Feast of the Floralia, a little man of insignificant appearance was pacing to and fro, lost in anxious thought.

accompaniedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌmpənid/

having companions or an escort

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/

eagerly desirous

appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

bay-window

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

ByzantiumnounUS /bəˈzæntiəm/

an ancient city on the Bosporus founded by the Greeks; site of modern Istanbul; in 330 Constantine I rebuilt the city and called it Constantinople and made it his capital

costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

courtnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

daylightnounUS /ˈdeɪlaɪt/

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

Emperor'snounUS /ˈempərərz/

possessive form of “emperor” — the male ruler of an empire

EquallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

FeastnounUS /fiːst/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading A softened light filled the room.

floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

Floralia

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

fro

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

gold-brocade

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

hungverbUS /hʌŋ/

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

inmatenounUS /ˈɪnmeɪt/

one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/

signifying nothing

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A softened light filled the room.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading The room was quiet and lonely.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

mosaicnounUS /moʊˈzeɪɪk/

art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

noisenounUS /nɔɪz/

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/

(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/

a large and stately mansion

quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading The room was quiet and lonely.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The room was quiet and lonely.

roomsnounUS /ruːmz/

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/

toned down

From this reading A softened light filled the room.

solitaryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləteri/

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

stuffsnounUS /stʌfs/

plural of “stuff” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Equally costly stuffs covered the mosaic floor, so that no noise accompanied the footsteps of the solitary inmate.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/

spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Although outside it was broad daylight, the bay-window, which looked into the court of the extensive edifice, was thickly hung with heavy curtains of gold-brocade.

Chapter 23 of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1 by Felix Dahn holds 73 sentences, grouped into 15 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 23 of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1 contain?

Chapter 23 holds 73 sentences of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1, unabridged, divided into 15 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1 by Felix Dahn exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 73 sentences, grouped into 15 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 23 of A Struggle for Rome, v. 1?

Work through the 15 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 15 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Yes. All 6602 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #32271 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #32271, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 550 minutes of reading across 1321 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in A Struggle for Rome, v. 1

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Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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