The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville • Curated US English Learning Edition

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RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

“The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

The freedman took out his tablets and made a note of the royal commands with a somewhat unsteady hand, while Vitellius, draining his cup to the dregs, smacked his lips, and let his great chin sink on his breast once more.

The other guests conversed freely.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

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/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter X Reading 1/32

The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm. “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection. Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.” The freedman took out his tablets and made a note of the royal commands with a somewhat unsteady hand, while Vitellius, draining his cup to the dregs, smacked his lips, and let his great chin sink on his breast once more. The other guests conversed freely.

The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

Line 2

“The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

Line 3

Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

Line 4

Line 5

The other guests conversed freely.

/ðə ˈʌðər ɡests kənˈvɜːrst ˈfriːli/

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.

draining adjective US /ˈdreɪnɪŋ/

having a debilitating effect

From this reading “The freedman took out his tablets and made a note of the royal commands with a somewhat unsteady hand, while Vitellius, draining his cup to the dregs, smacked his lips, and let his great chin sink on his breast once more.”

dregs noun US /dreɡz/

sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid

freedman noun US /ˈfriːdmən/

a person who has been freed from slavery

liver noun US /ˈlɪvər/

large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity

From this reading ““The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.”

smacked verb US /smækt/

past form of “smack” — deliver a hard blow to

stewed adjective US /stuːd/

cooked in hot water

From this reading ““The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.”

tablets noun US /ˈtæbləts/

plural of “tablet” — a slab of stone or wood suitable for bearing an inscription

unsteady adjective US /ənˈstedi/

subject to change or variation

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.

conversed freely verb + particle counted as “converse freely”

In this reading “The other guests conversed freely.”

once more adverb + adjective

anew

In this reading “The freedman took out his tablets and made a note of the royal commands with a somewhat unsteady hand, while Vitellius, draining his cup to the dregs, smacked his lips, and let his great chin sink on his breast once more.”

unsteady hand adjective + noun

within the week preposition + article + noun counted as “within … week”

In this reading “Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.””

for a moment preposition + article + noun counted as “for … moment”

temporarily

In this reading “RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.”

royal commands adjective + noun counted as “royal command”

other guests adjective + noun counted as “other guest”

In this reading “The other guests conversed freely.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

beccaficoes

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

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

breastnounUS /brest/

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading The freedman took out his tablets and made a note of the royal commands with a somewhat unsteady hand, while Vitellius, draining his cup to the dregs, smacked his lips, and let his great chin sink on his breast once more.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

capon's

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

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

chinnounUS /tʃɪn/

the protruding part of the lower jaw

commandsnounUS /kəˈmændz/

plural of “command” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

conversedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrst/

past form of “converse” — carry on a conversation

From this reading The other guests conversed freely.

cupnounUS /kʌp/

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

Cæsar's

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

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

drainingadjectiveUS /ˈdreɪnɪŋ/

having a debilitating effect

dregsnounUS /dreɡz/

sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid

enthusiasmnounUS /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/

a feeling of excitement

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

eyenounUS /aɪ/

the organ of sight

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

FALERNIAN

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

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

flashedverbUS /flæʃt/

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

freedmannounUS /ˈfriːdmən/

a person who has been freed from slavery

freelyadverbUS /ˈfriːli/

in a free manner

From this reading The other guests conversed freely.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

guestsnounUS /ɡests/

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading The other guests conversed freely.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

imperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/

relating to or associated with an empire

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

lipsnounUS /lɪps/

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

livernounUS /ˈlɪvər/

large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

milknounUS /mɪlk/

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The other guests conversed freely.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

REDnounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

seasonedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːzənd/

aged or processed

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/

fall or descend to a lower place or level

smackedverbUS /smækt/

past form of “smack” — deliver a hard blow to

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

sparknounUS /spɑːrk/

a momentary flash of light

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

stewedadjectiveUS /stuːd/

cooked in hot water

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

sunkenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌŋkən/

having a sunken area

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

tabletsnounUS /ˈtæbləts/

plural of “tablet” — a slab of stone or wood suitable for bearing an inscription

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

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

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

unsteadyadjectiveUS /ənˈstedi/

subject to change or variation

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

Varusnoun

a deformity in which part of a limb is turned inward to an abnormal degree

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

Vitellius

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

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

weeknounUS /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading “The beccaficoes,” said he, “were a thought over‐seasoned, but the capon’s liver stewed in milk was perfection.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading RED FALERNIAN Cæsar’s eye, though dim and sunken, flashed up for a moment with a spark of enthusiasm.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Varus, see that it is served again at the imperial table within the week.”

Chapter 10 of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa by G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville holds 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 10 of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa contain?

Chapter 10 holds 160 sentences of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa by G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 10 of The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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 6879 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #47822 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #47822, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 573 minutes of reading across 1376 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Gladiators. A Tale of Rome and Judæa, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

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Chapter X

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