Fabulae Faciles 41

41.1Postquam Ligurēs hōc modō superātī sunt, Herculēs quam celerrimē prōgressus est et post paucōs diēs ad Alpīs pervēnit.

After the Ligurians had been defeated in this way, Hercules went forward as fast as possible and after a few days reached the Alps.

41.2Necesse erat hās trānsīre, ut in Ītaliam bovēs ageret; rēs tamen summae erat difficultātis.

He had to cross these in order to drive the oxen into Italy; but the task was of the greatest difficulty.

41.3Hī enim montēs, quī ulteriōrem ā citeriōre Galliā dīvidunt, nive perennī sunt tēctī; quam ob causam neque frūmentum neque pābulum in hīs regiōnibus invenīrī potest.

For these mountains, which separate Further Gaul from Nearer Gaul, are covered with everlasting snow; for this reason neither grain nor fodder can be found in these regions.

Note. Gaul on the Italian side of the Alps was 'Nearer' (citerior), the far side 'Further' (ulterior).

41.4Herculēs igitur antequam ascendere coepit, magnam cōpiam frūmentī et pābulī comparāvit et hōc commeātū bovēs onerāvit.

So before he began to climb, Hercules got together a large supply of grain and fodder and loaded the oxen with these provisions.

41.5Postquam in hīs rēbus trīs diēs cōnsūmpserat, quartō diē profectus est, et contrā omnium opīniōnem bovēs incolumīs in Ītaliam trādūxit.

After he had spent three days on these preparations, on the fourth day he set out, and contrary to everyone's expectation he brought the oxen safely across into Italy.