vertebantur

Vertebantur is a Latin verb form. Specifically, it is the third-person plural imperfect passive indicative of the verb "verto," meaning "to turn." Therefore, "vertebantur" translates to "they were being turned" or "they were turned."

This form indicates a continuous or repeated action in the past. The passive voice signifies that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action rather than performing it. For example, in a sentence like "Legiones in colle vertebantur," it would mean "The legions were being turned on the hill," implying they were being repositioned or retreated.

Understanding the nuances of Latin verb conjugations, such as identifying the tense, voice, and person of a form like "vertebantur," is crucial for accurate translation and comprehension of classical Latin texts. It helps scholars and students grasp the precise meaning intended by ancient authors. The imperfect tense in Latin often conveys a sense of ongoing action or a state of being in the past, distinguishing it from the perfect tense which denotes a completed action.