[1064.] (1.) With two or more singular subjects, the verb is often in the plural: as,
([a.]) Without connectives: persons: iīsdem ferē temporibus fuērunt C. Cotta, P. Sulpicius, Q. Varius, Cn. Pompōnius, Br. 182, in about the same times lived Cotta, Sulpicius, Varius, and Pomponius. Things: fidēs Rōmāna, iūstitia imperātōris in forō et cūriā celebrantur, L. 5, 27, 11, the chivalrous principle of Rome and the square dealing of her captain are trumpeted in market place and council hall. (b.) With atque, et, or -que: persons: ex hīs Cotta et Sulpicius facile prīmās tulērunt, Br. 182, of these Cotta and Sulpicius indisputably bore the palm. Things: nox et amor vīnumque nihil moderābile suādent, O. Am. 1, 6, 59, darkness and love and wine to nothing governable tempt. cum senātus populusque Rōmānus pācem comprobāverint, L. 37, 45, 14, when the senate and the people of Rome sanction peace. (c.) With et . . . et: persons: et Q. Maximus et L. Paullus iīs temporibus fuērunt, Fam. 4, 6, 1, both Maximus and Paullus lived in such times. Things: utrōsque et laudis cupiditās et timor īgnōminiae excitābant, 7, 80, 5, both of these eagerness for glory in the first place and secondly fear of disgrace spurred on.
[1065.] The plural is sometimes demanded by the meaning of the verb: as, iūs et iniūria nātūrā dīiūdicantur, Leg. 1, 44, right and wrong are naturally distinguished from each other.
[1066.] (2.) Often, however, with two or more singular subjects, the verb is put in the singular: as,
([a.]) Without connectives: persons: tum Gorgiās, Thrasymachus, Prodicus, Hippiās in magnō honōre fuit, Br. 30, at that time Gorgias, Thrasymachus, Prodicus, and Hippias were in high renown. Things: persuāsit nox, amor, vīnum, adulēscentia, T. Ad. 470, the witchery was night, flirtation, wine, and youth. (b.) With atque, et, or -que: persons: cūr Lȳsiās et Hyperīdēs amātur? Br. 68, why is a Lysias and a Hyperides idolized? Things: Gallōs ā Belgīs Matrona et Sēquana dīvidit, 1, 2, 1, the Matrona and Sequana cut off the Gauls from the Belgians. senātus populusque Rōmānus voluit, L. 21, 40, 3, senate and people of Rome ordained. (c.) With et . . . et: persons: illam ratiōnem et Pompēius et Flaccus secūtus est, Flacc. 32, that rule both Pompey and Flaccus followed. Things: tālis senātōrum et dignitās et multitūdō fuit, Ph. 13, 13, both the position and number of the senators was such.
[1067.] With two or more singular subjects denoting things, and making a compound idea, a singular verb is very common, agreeing either with the subjects taken as a unit, or with the nearest: as,
([a.]) cum tempus necessitāsque postulat, dēcertandum manū est, Off. 1, 81, when the emergency requires, we must fight it out by hand. tanta laetitia ac grātulātiō fuit, L. 10, 26, 4, so great was the demonstration of joy. (b.) Cingetorīgī prīncipātus atque imperium est trāditum, 6, 8, 9, the headship and command was assigned to Cingetorix.
[1068.] (3.) With mixed subjects, singular and plural, the verb may likewise be either plural or singular: as,
([a.]) vīta mors, dīvitiae paupertās omnīs hominēs permovent, Off. 2, 37, life and death, riches and poverty, tell much on everybody. (b.) quantō in perīculō et castra et legiōnēs et imperātor versārētur, 2, 26, 5, in what imminent peril camp and legions and commander were involved. hōc mihī̆ et Peripatēticī et Acadēmīa concēdit, Ac. 2, 113, this point both Peripatetics and Academy grant me.