Indoctus teneram suscepit cauculo pubem,
quam cogat primas discere litterulas.
sed cum discipulos nullo terrore coercet
et ferulis culpas tollere cessat iners,
proiectis pueri tabulis Floralia ludunt.
iam nomen ludi rite magister habet.
(Anth. Lat. 85 S-B)
An untrained teacher took on boys of tender age to get them to learn their elementary letters. But when he does not discipline his pupils with any terror and ineffectually ceases from eliminating their errors by the cane, the boys throw around their writing tablets and celebrate the Floralia. Now he properly has the name of ‘games teacher’. (tr. Nigel M. Kay)
