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A Struggle for Rome, V. 3
A Struggle for Rome, V. 3

Chapter XXXI

Cover illustration for A Struggle for Rome, V. 3
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.
Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.
Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.
A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.
A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.
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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. 3

Chapter XXXI

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.
Line 2
Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.
Line 3
Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.
Line 4
A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.
Line 5
A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.”

Mantle noun US /ˈmæntəl/

a loose covering like a cloak

From this reading “A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

banner

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

From this reading Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.

black

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

block

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

From this reading A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.

blocks

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

call

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

chamber

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

chasm

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

chosen

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

concealed

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

corpse

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

covered

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

From this reading A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.

curtain

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

dark

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

deep

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

fixed

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

From this reading Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

formed

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

four

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

Goths

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

hall

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

King

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

lava

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/

a loose covering like a cloak

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

most

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

mouth

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

From this reading Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.

narrow

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

nation

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

pass

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

possession

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

purple

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

Ravine

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

rocky

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

royal

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

sacred

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

skin

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

From this reading A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.

small

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

spears

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

stretched

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

Teja

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

Theodoric

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

Theodoric's

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

From this reading Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.

throne

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

From this reading A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.

tiger

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

From this reading A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

treasure

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

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A purple mantle, stretched upon four spears, formed the dark curtain to the rocky chamber which the last King of the Goths had chosen for his royal hall.

Vesuvius

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Theodoric's banner was fixed before the mouth of this chasm.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Above the narrow pass on Vesuvius, which we will call the Ravine of the Goths, a small but deep chasm had been formed by the black blocks of lava.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A block of lava, covered with the skin of the black tiger, formed his last throne.

WithinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Within it King Teja had concealed the most sacred possession of the nation--the corpse of King Theodoric and the royal treasure.