|
Post by Kastorianos on May 20, 2009 14:13:05 GMT -5
Ok, I need this for university. Its a latin text translated into English, but I dont understand this sentence, it sounds somewhat out of context. It somewhat makes no sense. My dictionary doesnt give an answer either. Perhaps its a special english syntax...
Its a passage where operative facts are listed.
And the translation says.
"No one shall be admitted among the decurions and the conscripts in the senate [...] anyone, who takes money or any other reward for bringing in the head of a Roman citizen [...]"
What does this "bringing in the head" mean? Of course you must read and understand it in a historical context...its a law of the Romans...probably Julius Caesar.... could it perhaps mean that anyone who makes sure (in a malicious way) that a roman citizen is sentenced to death? It must be sth like that, please tell me it is. ;D
I have also the latin text but thats quite difficult, even for me who was actually quite good at it in school...
|
|
|
Post by Kastorianos on May 20, 2009 15:07:30 GMT -5
Aide where are the native speakers???
|
|
|
Post by todhrimencuri on May 20, 2009 15:09:48 GMT -5
What does the Latin say? I can make out the context if I see how they translated it.
Maybe a reference to slavery?
|
|
|
Post by Kastorianos on May 20, 2009 15:13:46 GMT -5
the concerning passage is
"[...] queiue ob caput cuius Romanei referundum pecuniam praemium aliudue quid cepit ceperit [...]"
|
|
|
Post by macmako on May 20, 2009 15:23:21 GMT -5
I have a friend from the Western church that knows Latin fluently. I sent out a message for him with the latin sentence. If he is not too busy, he will answer soon.
|
|
|
Post by todhrimencuri on May 20, 2009 15:27:18 GMT -5
"Caput" in Latin can stand for a number of things, and often times in terms of "self"(or in more archaic English, your "person).
Are you sure about the "queiue"? Are you sure you dont mean Quique, same with aliudue, are you sure that is not "aliudque"? Romanei?
Anyway, since its from Caesar, it is probably influenced from the civil war. In the Roman military, a soldier received credit for killing an enemy in combat. The best way to prove this was by presenting the head of the killed person. This is described in Tacitus' Historia, where Galba's head is cut off in order for the soldiers who killed him to prove that they did it.
Obviously here Ceasar doesnt want people to pride in the fact that they killed fellow citizens.
|
|
|
Post by Kastorianos on May 20, 2009 15:39:47 GMT -5
Yes, it is written exactly this way.
Yep, thats pretty good Melty, and it makes sense. Because under Sulla's rule it was not forbidden to kill "proscribided" persons (it was a good mean in order to get rid of political opponents)..its seems that Caesar wanted to put an end to these until then tolerated fraticides.
|
|
|
Post by Kastorianos on May 20, 2009 15:49:08 GMT -5
caput means head here...in context with a murder! Ahhh I think I got it...bounty hunts should be punished with a ban on becoming a senator. So "bring in" can be translated literally...importing...exhibiting...the head of Roman citizens...because under Sulla it was common practice apparently.
Very good, any contradictions? Makes sense doesnt it?
|
|
|
Post by todhrimencuri on May 20, 2009 15:50:50 GMT -5
yea pretty much
|
|
|
Post by Kastorianos on May 20, 2009 15:57:32 GMT -5
Thanks!
|
|