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A Struggle for Rome, V. 2
A Struggle for Rome, V. 2

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for A Struggle for Rome, V. 2
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.
Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.
If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.
They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.
But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Struggle for Rome, V. 2

Chapter XV

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.
Line 2
Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.
Line 3
If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.
Line 4
They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.
Line 5
But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.”

Garrison noun US /ˈɡærəsən/

a group stationed to defend a place

From this reading “Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.”

Start noun US /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.”

Thence adverb US /ðens/

from that place or that time

From this reading “But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.”

All words in this reading · 102

Every word is available to listen to. 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 Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

able

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

advantages

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

all

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

almost

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

any

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

Arahad

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

Bologna

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

Bononia

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

bordering

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

Byzantines

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

capital

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

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

castles

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

cause

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

circuitous

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

circumstance

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

conditions

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

considered

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

decisive

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

declared

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

Duke

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

Earl

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

eastwards

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

embraced

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

enemies

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

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

events

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

Florentia

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

forced

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

fortress

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærəsən/

a group stationed to defend a place

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

gone

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

Goths

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

Guntharis

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

hoped

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

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

impregnable

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

inhabitants

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

King

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

leaving

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

lost

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

march

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

marches

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

nearest

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

northwards

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

obliged

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

occurrences

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

preparation

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

pressed

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

prisoner

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

Queen

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

Ravenna

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

reach

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

rebels

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

road

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

Romans

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

route

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

small

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

some

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

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

startnounUS /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

taking

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

thenceadverbUS /ðens/

from that place or that time

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had a capital start, and hoped that their enemies would be stopped for some time before Florentia.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

towns

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

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading During these occurrences among the Romans and Byzantines, decisive events were in preparation on the part of the Goths.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading But they lost almost all the advantages of their start; for the towns and castles bordering the nearest road to Ravenna had declared for Witichis, and this circumstance obliged the rebels to take a circuitous route northwards to Bononia (Bologna), whose inhabitants had embraced their cause, and thence march eastwards to Ravenna.

win

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Duke Guntharis and Earl Arahad, leaving a small garrison behind them, and taking their Queen with them as prisoner, had left Florentia and gone, by forced marches to Ravenna.

Witichis

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

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading If they could reach and win this fortress, which was considered impregnable, before Witichis, who pressed forward after them, they would be able to make any conditions with the King.