Where did this quote originate from? Who was the 1st to say it and why? Also any other famous quotes and history behind them would be right at home in this thread.
Miles
Hail Ceasar! We who are about to die salute you
Where did this quote originate from? Who was the 1st to say it and why? Also any other famous quotes and history behind them would be right at home in this thread.
Tiro
Primicerius
Re: Hail Ceasar! We who are about to die salute you
Generic Roman # 1
Ordinarius
Re: Hail Ceasar! We who are about to die salute you
From Wikipedia:
Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant (lit. Hail, Caesar, those who are about to die salute you) is traditionally the Latin phrase that the gladiators addressed to the emperor before the beginning of a gladiatorial match. The first literary attestation is in Suetonius, De Vita Caesarum, 5 (Divus Claudius), 21, 6, although the Suetonian original is somewhat different from the traditional form: "Have imperator, morituri te salutant! Meaning "They who are about to die salute you!""[1]
It has been speculated that the origin of the phrase is actually inaccurate, and that the phrase was actually said to Emperor Caligula by convicts sentenced to death in the arena. The convicts said the lines in hopes that it would please the Emperor and tempt him to pardon the condemned. They failed and were forced to fight to the death for Caligula's enjoyment. The survivors were given their freedom.[citation needed]
Today the phrase is used ironically and dramatically when beginning a risky activity of uncertain outcome.
"Der Krieg ist eine bloße Fortsetzung der Politik mit anderen Mitteln.
(War is merely the continuation of politics by other means.)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
