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#LatinForTheDay – 28 March #Apocolocyntosis
“dumque nimis citharam fraternaque carmina laudant,
plus solito nevere manus, humanaque fata
laudatum transcendit opus. “ne demite, Parcae”
Phoebus ait “vincat mortalis tempora vitae
ille, mihi similis vultu similisque decore...
“dumque nimis citharam fraternaque carmina laudant,
plus solito nevere manus, humanaque fata
laudatum transcendit opus. “ne demite, Parcae”
Phoebus ait “vincat mortalis tempora vitae
ille, mihi similis vultu similisque decore...
"nec cantu nec voce minor. felicia lassis
saecula praestabit legumque silentia rumpet.
qualis discutiens fugientia Lucifer astra
aut qualis surgit redeuntibus Hesperus astris,
qualis cum primum tenebris Aurora solutis
induxit rubicunda diem, Sol aspicit orbem...
saecula praestabit legumque silentia rumpet.
qualis discutiens fugientia Lucifer astra
aut qualis surgit redeuntibus Hesperus astris,
qualis cum primum tenebris Aurora solutis
induxit rubicunda diem, Sol aspicit orbem...
"lucidus, et primos a carcere concitat axes:
talis Caesar adest, talem iam Roma Neronem
aspiciet. flagrat nitidus fulgore remisso
vultus, et adfuso cervix formosa capillo.”
Seneca, Apocolocyntosis 4.18-32
talis Caesar adest, talem iam Roma Neronem
aspiciet. flagrat nitidus fulgore remisso
vultus, et adfuso cervix formosa capillo.”
Seneca, Apocolocyntosis 4.18-32
‘While they praised to high heaven their brother’s song and lyre,
Their hands had spun more than they should, their handiwork
Exceeded the human span. “Do not unravel it, Fates,” commanded
Apollo, “Let him surpass the limits of a mortal life:...
Their hands had spun more than they should, their handiwork
Exceeded the human span. “Do not unravel it, Fates,” commanded
Apollo, “Let him surpass the limits of a mortal life:...
'He who is my equal in form and beauty, and who is in no way less
Than me in song or voice! He will establish a blessed age for the
Weary and he will burst the dam of silence that has stifled the law.
He is like the Morning Star, at whose rising the other stars scatter;...
Than me in song or voice! He will establish a blessed age for the
Weary and he will burst the dam of silence that has stifled the law.
He is like the Morning Star, at whose rising the other stars scatter;...
'Or like the Evening Star, at whose rising the others return;
Or like the Sun – who gleams as Dawn dissolves the darkness and
Brings in the day – gazing down, shining-faced, upon the earth,
As he speeds his chariot forth from the starting gate....
Or like the Sun – who gleams as Dawn dissolves the darkness and
Brings in the day – gazing down, shining-faced, upon the earth,
As he speeds his chariot forth from the starting gate....
'Now such a Caesar stands ready, now Rome shall gaze at such a
Nero. His shining face beams forth a gentle radiance, as does
His lovely neck with its cascade of flowing hair.”’
Nero. His shining face beams forth a gentle radiance, as does
His lovely neck with its cascade of flowing hair.”’
In this extract from the Apocolocyntosis, we see the extent of the praise lavished on Nero, as the Fates - while being entertained by Apollo - spin out a golden thread for the emperor-in-waiting ("aurea formoso descendunt saecula filo").
The Image at the head of this thread is 'The Fates Gathering in the Stars' by Elihu Vedder, 1887 (Art Institute of Chicago: 1919.1).
Link - artic.edu/artworks/74967…
#LatinForTheDay #Apocolocyntosis 🧵
Link - artic.edu/artworks/74967…
#LatinForTheDay #Apocolocyntosis 🧵
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