Prose - AP Latin

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Praebuerat dictis Tritonia talibus aures
carminaque Aonidum iustamque probaverat iram;
tum secum: 'laudare parum est, laudemur et ipsae
numina nec sperni sine poena nostra sinamus.'
Maeoniaeque animum fatis intendit Arachnes, 5
quam sibi lanificae non cedere laudibus artis
audierat. non illa loco nec origine gentis
clara, sed arte fuit: pater huic Colophonius Idmon
Phocaico bibulas tinguebat murice lanas;
occiderat mater, sed et haec de plebe suoque 10
aequa viro fuerat; Lydas tamen illa per urbes
quaesierat studio nomen memorabile, quamvis
orta domo parva parvis habitabat Hypaepis.
huius ut adspicerent opus admirabile, saepe
deseruere sui nymphae vineta Timoli, 15
deseruere suas nymphae Pactolides undas.

What is the best translation for "audierat" (line 7) in the context of this passage?

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Answer

While the word "audierat" literally translates as          had heard,that translation does not make much sense in the context of this sentence. In fact, "audierat"does not take a subject in this sentence and is being used impersonally. Therefore, the translation would be it had heard. The meaning, however, is that rumors are spreading about the subject's praises, so "audierat" is from the context of some other bystander overhearing these things being said. It is said makes the most sense in context.

(Passage adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, VI.1-16)

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