Bestiaria Latina Blog: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

Round-Up: April 30

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: pridie Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Galli Inter Se Pugnantes, the story of a long-running rivalry between two fighting roosters.
Asinus, Simia et Talpa, the three creatures compare their complaints about life.
Abbas, Monchaus et Ossa, the story of how a monk learns wisdom from the bones in an ossuary.
Leo, Asinus et Lepus, how the lion made good use of both the donkey and the rabbit in his army.
Eruditus et Troffulus, the story of a wise scholar and his annoying neighbor.

I've picked out my favorite one, XXX, to share with you here in the blog - there is much here for us all to learn, whether or not we are contemplating a cloistered life:

Quīdam voluit claustrālem vītam dūcere. Dīxit Abbās: Laudēs haec ossa et benedīcās, dēmōnstrātō acervō ossium mortuōrum. Laudāvit igitur et benedīxit. Quō factō, ait Abbās: Benedīxistī ossibus? Rēspondit: Benedīxī. Quaerēbat Abbās: Quid rēspondērunt? Dīxit Iuvenis: Nihil. Iterum Abbās: Maledīcās et vituperēs. Quī sīc fēcit quantum potuit. Et ait Abbās: Maledīxistī? Et ait Iuvenis: Maledīxī. Et quaesīvit Abbās: Quid rēspondērunt? Et ait Iuvenis: Nihil. Ait Abbās: Frāter, tālem tē oportet esse ut, sī vērus monachus vīs fīerī, ita benedictiōnibus et maledictiōnibus nihil rēspondeās.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Sursum (English: Upwards - a great one-word proverb).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Facilia sapientibus cuncta (English: For the wise, all things are easy)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Est unusquisque faber ipsae suae fortunae (English: Each and every person is the maker of his own luck). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Stultum est queri de adversis, ubi culpa est tua (English: It's stupid to complain about difficulties when the fault is yours).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Camelus desiderans cornua, etiam aures perdidit (English: Hoping for horns, the camel lost its ears, too; from Adagia 3.5.8 - an allusion to the Aesop's fable about the overly ambitious camel).

For an image today, here is an illustration for the story of the lion, the donkey and the rabbit, Leo, Asinus et Lepus:

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Myths & Legends: April 29 - May 5

Apr. 22-28 - Apr. 29 - May 5 - May 6-12

For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Reference Page.

Diana and Endymion. To find out more about Endymion and the moon goddess Diana, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Laodamia. To find out more about the wife of Protesilaus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Echo and Narcissus. To find out more about Echo and her love for Narcissus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Tarpeia. To find out more about the treacherous Roman woman Tarpeia, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Heracles and the Lion. To find out more about the labors of Heracles, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Hypermnestra. To find out more about Hypermnestra, the virtuous daughter of Danaus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Odysseus and the Sirens. To find out more about the Sirens, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Myths and Legends: Diana and Endymion

Diana and Endymion. To find out more about Endymion and the moon goddess Diana, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Diana (Artemis) is the goddess associated with the moon, and Endymion was the moon's lover. The moon asked Zeus to grant Endymion eternal youth so that he could be her lover forever; to accomplish this, Zeus put Endymion into an everlasting sleep so that the moon (or Artemis or Diana) could visit him every night as she traveled overhead in the sky. You may know the opening lines of Keats' famous poem, Endymion:

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 29 - May 5 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: April 29

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Asinus et Vinum, the story of a poor man whose donkey and wine were his daughter's dowry.
Ursus et Uxor Eius, the story of a bear with a bad temper.
Pater Senex et Filius Eius, the story of how a young person learns to treat the old.
Ciconia et Cattus, the story of a cat who tries to trick the stork out of her fish.
Capi, the story of some capons who regretted being plump.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the poor man's dowry, Asinus et Vinum, to share with you here in the blog:

Vir quīdam pauper, cui praeter vīnī dōlium et asinum nihil erat, fīliam ūnicam cuidam spoponderat adolescentī, paulum nesciō quid pollicitus dōtis, quam ex vīnī et asinī pretiō (cōnstituerat enim haec vēnumdare) contrahere posse arbitrābātur. Sed sequentī, quā spōnsālia facta sunt, nocte asinus obiit, et inter moriendum, fractō calcibus dōliō, vīnum effūdit. Fābula indicat, nullam in rēbus cadūcīs spem habendam.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Non ducor, duco (English: I am not led; I lead - a wonderful motto of self-determination).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Dies levat luctum (English: The day alleviates grief - something like our English saying "time heals all wounds").

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Te modicum iacta, quoniam probat exitus acta (English: Keep your boasting within limits, since it is results which commend your deeds).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Vade retro me, Satana (Mark 8:33). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Omnia idem pulvis: Al is one self dust or asshes. From earth wee came, and to earth wee shall. Yea the scripture saith that asshes wee be, and to asshes we shall reverte. Nowe amongest asshes or dust I pray you, what greate difference is ther? How will ye discerne the asshes of a Kinge, or an Emperour, of a Duke, of a great Bishop, from the asshes of a cobler, yea of a begger.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is from Cato's Distichs, with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:

Cum sis incautus nec rem ratione gubernes,
Noli Fortunam, quae non est, dicere caecam.

English: "When you are reckless and carelessly conduct your affairs, don't say that Fortune is blind - for she is not." In other words: don't blame the caprice of Lady Luck for your own carelessness! :-)

For an image today, here is an illustration to go with the story Ciconia et Cattus, showing a medieval stork catching her supper:

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Round-Up: April 28

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email.

HODIE: ante diem quartum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Gallus Vulpinam Pellem Fugiens, the story of a rooster who, having escaped from a fox, now fears even the sight of a fox pelt.
Cervus, Leo et Leaena Mortua, an ingenious little story about how the stag managed to save himself from the lion.
Simia et Vulpes, the story of the monkey begging the fox for the loan of some of the fox's tail.
Aquila et Corvus, the story of a foolish crow who wanted to imitate an eagle.
Abbas et Pulex, a funny little story about a flea escaped from the abbot.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the stag who did not mourn the death of the lion's wife, Cervus, Leo et Leaena Mortua, to share with you here in the blog - notice the ingenious story that the stag tells in order to save its life!

Leo omnēs quādrupedēs ad dēfunctae uxōris exequiās honestandās invītārat. Cunctīs igitur aliīs mortem rēgīnae ineffābilī dolōre prōsequentibus, sōlus cervus, cui illa fīliōs ēripuerat, expers dolōris, nullās lācrimās ēmittēbat. Quod leo percipiēns, accersītum ad sē cervum, ut illum perimeret, interrogat, cūr nōn cum aliīs rēgīnae mortem fleat? Cui ille, fēcissem, inquit, nisi mē hoc facere prohibuisset. Advenientī enim mihi, fēlix eius anima, ad elysiās sēdēs proficiscēns appāruit, dīcēns, eius discessum nōn lūgendum, cum ad amoena virēta fortūnātōrum nemorum, sēdēsque beātās proficiscerētur. Haec leo audiēns laetātus est, cervōque veniam dedit.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Medium certum (English: The middle way is certain - in other words, don't go to extremes!).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ars gratia artis (English: Art for art's sake - that's gratiā in the ablative, art "for the sake" of art).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is In magno magni capiuntur flumine pisces (English: In the big river you can catch big fish).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Contemnuntur qui nec sibi nec alteri prosunt (English: Those who are no help to themselves nor to others are not worth anything).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Ad Graecas calendas (English: On the Greek calends - which is to say NEVER, since the Greeks did not observe the calends; from Adagia 1.5.84).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἐξ ἴσου δίδου πᾶσιν (English: Give equally to all).

For an image today, here is Francis Barlow's illustration for the story of the eagle and the crow, Aquila et Corvus:

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Myths and Legends: Achilles at Skyros

Achilles at Skyros. To find out more about Achilles in disguise on Skyros, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Before the Trojan War, the young Achilles was sent to hide on the island of Skyros among the daughters of King Lycomedes, dressed as a girl. Odysseus managed to discover Achilles, however, by concealing a spear among some women's clothes and jewelry; when the disguised Achilles grabbed the spear rather than the clothes or jewelry, Odysseus recognized him and took him off to fight in the war. For more, see the story of Achilles' love affair with Deidamia, one of the daughters of Lycomedes.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 22-28 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: April 27

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem quintum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Asinus et Hircus Equitans, the story of a goat who thought he could ride on a donkey.
Mulier et Gallina, the story of a woman who ruined her hen by overfeeding.
Canis et Ovis, the story of the dog who made false charges against the sheep.
Serpens, Vir et Simius Iudex, the fabulous story of a monkey who outsmarted a snake and saved a man.
Pavo Deplumatus, the sad story of the peacock who gave away his feathers.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the snake, the man and the monkey, Serpens, Vir et Simius Iudex, to share with you here in the blog - which can also be found in India as the story of the tiger, the jackal and the brahmin!

Serpēns ingentī oppressus saxō, rogāvit virum illac iter habentem, ut ā sē onus āmōlīrētur, pollicitus ingentem sē illī thesaurum, sī hoc faceret, datūrum. Quod cum vir mītis fēcisset, nōn modo prōmissa nōn solvēbat, sed hominem morte dignum esse dīcēbat. Dum ita contenderent, accīdit, ut sīmius illac trānsīret, quī iūdex et arbiter ēlectus, nōn possum, inquit, inter vōs tantās compōnere lītēs, nisi vīderō prius quō pactō serpēns sub saxō stābat. Cum ergō vir serpentī saxum imposuisset, inquit sīmius, ingrātum animal sub saxō relinquendum cēnseō.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Clariora sequor (English: I follow more splendid things).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Calamitas nulla sola (English: No disaster comes singly)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Longa est vita si plena est (English: Life is long, if it is full). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Mori est felicis, antequam mortem invoces (English: You're lucky if you die before you beg for death).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Primum abigendas apes, deinde ac mel subtrahendum (English: You've got to drive the bees away before you can carry off the honey; from Adagia 4.9.7).

Today's image is an illustration for the fable of the dog who took the sheep to court, Canis et Ovis:

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Round-Up: April 26

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email.

HODIE: ante diem sextum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Graculus et Pavones, the story of the jackdaw who got all dressed up.
Grues et Anseres, the story of the high-flying storks and the less lofty geese.
Mus et Milvus, the hilarious story of a mouse which shows that no good deed goes unpunished.
Cupido et Mors, the story of what happened when Cupid and Death swapped weapons.
Pastor et Mare, the story of a shepherd who learned to mistrust the sea.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the chubby geese, Grues et Anseres, to share with you here in the blog:

Ānserēs et Gruēs in eōdem pascēbantur prātō. Vēnātōribus autem vīsīs, Gruēs propter ālārum longitūdinem et corporum levitātem statim ēvolāvērunt, Ānserēs vērō cum ob inūtile onus humī manēbant, captī fuērunt.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Vires animat virtus (English: Excellence revives our powers - although the English lacks the sound play of the Latin).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Adeunt etiam optima (English: The best things are yet to be).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Si tibi do mannos, numeres ne dentibus annos (English: If I give you some ponies, don't look at their teeth to guess their age - a rhyming Latin version of "don't look a gift horse in the mouth").

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Stultorum infinitus est numerus (Ecc. 1:15). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Quam quisque norit artem, in hac se exerceat: Let every man exercise him selfe, in the facultie that he knoweth. Let the cobler medle with cloutinge his neighbours shoes, and not be a Capitaine in fielde, or meddell with matters concerning a comon welth. Let them iudge of controversies in the christen religion, that be learned in the same, and not every Jacke plowman.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is one of the elegant little epigrams by Owen (4.217), with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:

Sola dolenda reor praesentia damna. Dolemus
Praeterita heu nimium || sero, futura cito.

English: "I think that only present losses should be grieved. We grieve for past losses too much, alas, and we grieve future losses too quickly." I would guess that if you are feeling down, it's definitely better to feel down about the present and not worry about the past or the future!

For an image today, here is Francis Barlow's illustration for the story of Cupid and Death, Cupido et Mors:

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Myths and Legends: Achilles Receives Weapons from Thetis

Achilles Receives Weapons from Thetis. To find out more about Thetis, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Achilles was the great Greek hero of the Trojan War; his mother was the sea-goddess Thetis. When it came time for Achilles to go to war, his mother arranged for Vulcan, the craftsman of the gods, to make him a suit of armor and a shield. Notice how the shield shines so brightly that Thetis can see her own image reflected there! The painting is one of the frescoes preserved at Pompei. The shield of Achilles was made famous in a description in Homer's Iliad; you can read more about the shield at Wikipedia.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 22-28 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Myths and Legends: Polyxena at the Well

Polyxena at the Well. To find out more about Polyxena and the ambush at the well, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Polyxena was the youngest daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Here you see her drawing water at the well - while Achilles is watching her! You can see Achilles on the other side of the vase:

Achilles had felt a strong sympathy towards this Trojan princess, and he told her of his only vulnerability: his heel. With that knowledge, Prince Paris, Polyxena's brother, was able to ambush Achilles and kill him. You can read about Polyxena's sad fate here: The Sacrifice of Polyxena.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 22-28 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: April 23

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem nonum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Asellus et Equus, the story of the horse who refused to help his fellow creature.
Vulpes at Foramen, the story of how the fox's prayers changed based on her circumstances.
Vipera et Lima, the story of an overly ambitious snake.
Lupus, Vulpes et Asinus Confitentes, the story of the long-suffering and honest donkey.
Cochlea Domigera, the story of how the snail came to carry her house on her back.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the wolf's judgment on the fox and on the donkey, Lupus, Vulpes et Asinus Confitentes, to share with you here in the blog - it's a long one, but very funny. This is what happens when we put scoundrels in a position to judge us all!

Semel Lupus audīvit animālium confessiōnem, et cum multa ex eīs fuissent sibi magna peccāta confessa, tandem Vulpes dīxit, quod multās gallīnās rapuit et comēdit nōn benedīcendō, et sīc dē aliīs. Postrēmo vēnit Asinus, quī confessus est et dīxit: Egō subtraxī ūnam parvam garbam faenī, quod ceciderat cuīdam dē currū, et hoc fēcī propter famem, quam patiēbar. Dīxit Lupus ad Vulpem: Tū nōn peccāstī, quia est tibi innātum et nātūrāle, ut rapiās gallīnās; sed maledictus sit Asinus, quī aliēnum subtraxit! Et sīc mandāvit Asinum percutere et sententiāvit eum fore suspendiō dignum; sed Vulpem dīmīsit illaesam.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Paulatim (English: Little by little - one of my own personal mottoes, as you can see from my approach to work here in this blog, where everything happens bit by bit!).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Eventus stultorum magister (English: The outcome is the teacher of fools - what we might call "the school of hard knocks" in English)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Paulum lucri, quantum damni (English: So little profit, so much loss). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Omnis voluptas, quemcumque arrisit, nocetl (English: Every pleasure, whenever it smiles at someone, is doing them harm).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Canis festinans caecos parit catulos (English: The dog, giving birth in a hurry, has blind puppies - in other words: take your time, don't rush; the saying is from Adagia 2.2.35).

For an image today, here is an illustration for the story of the wicked horse and his companion, the donkey, Asellus et Equus:

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Myths & Legends: April 22-28

Apr. 15-21 - Apr. 22-28 - Apr. 29 - May 5

For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Reference Page.

Ajax and Odysseus Compete. To find out more about this competition for the armor of Achilles, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Polyxena at the Well. To find out more about Polyxena and the ambush at the well, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

The Forge of Vulcan. To find out more about the god Hephaestus (called Vulcan by the Romans), see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Achilles Receives Weapons from Thetis. To find out more about Thetis, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Mercury, Argus and Io. To find out more about Argus Panoptes, "All-Seeing Argus," see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Achilles at Skyros. To find out more about Achilles in disguise on Skyros, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Hera, Zeus, and Io. To find out more about the nymph Io, lover of Zeus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Round-Up: April 22

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem decimum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Gallina Auripara, the famous story of the chicken who laid golden eggs.
Testudo et Aquila, the story of a foolish turtle who wanted to fly.
Femina, Maritus et Mors, the story of a woman who volunteered to die in place of her husbad.
Vespa et Aranea, the story of the wasp who was lured into the spider's web.
Lepores et Ranae, the story of the timid rabbits and the even more timid frogs.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the would-be Alcestis, Femina, Maritus et Mors, to share with you here in the blog:

Fēmina, Marītum vidēns morbō ācerrimō gravātum, ut quī iam ferē succumberet, lamentābātur; ait: Mors dūra, barbara! An Coniugem meum mihi ēripere poteris? Dēsiste, ah! Vel sī tibi victimam mactārī dēnique oportet, ēn, victima adest; venī. Excitāta hīs questibus, Mors advenit: at mulier trepida ait: Tē huc advocāvī nōn ut mē tolleret; victimam cape, ēn iacet.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Disce ferenda pati (English: Learn to endure what must be borne).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Pecunia impetrat omnia (English: Money accomplishes all things).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Praesens malo datum quam promissum geminatum (English: I prefer a gift here and now as opposed to a two-fold promise - kind of like "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush").

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Aquae furtivae dulciores sunt, et panis absconditus suavior (Proverbs 9:17). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Viri infortunati procul amici: The friendes of an infortunate person be farre of. Whan Fortune ones beginneth to fayle thee, anone thy friendes are gone.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is from the rhyming sayings collected by Wegeler, with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:

Qui plus expendit, quam rerum summa rependit,
Non admiretur, si paupertate gravetur.

English: "If someone spends more than the sum total of his assets, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he should be weighed down by poverty." There's some medieval advice about not abusing your credit card!

Today's image is an illustration for the fable of the golden eggs, Gallina Auripara:

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Myths and Legends: Apollo and Marsyas

Apollo and Marsyas. To find out more about the contest between Apollo and Marsyas, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Today's image depicts the contest between Apollo, the god of music, and the satyr Marsyas, a famous flute player, who challenged the god to a music contest. King Midas, whom you see here on the right, served as judge. When Marysas lost, Apollo flayed Marsyas, taking the satyr's skin as his prize.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 15-21 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: April 21

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem undecimum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Scarabaeus et Stercus, a story about a dung beetle who ends up - where else? - in the dung.
Olea et Cucurbita, the debate between the olive tree and the pumpkin vine.
Ovis et Cornicula, the story of a crafty, wicked crow.
Avarus et Invidus, the paradoxical story of a greedy man and a jealous one.
Castor, the story of the beaver's calculating self-sacrifice.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the wandering dung-beetle, Scarabaeus et Stercus, to share with you here in the blog:

Scarabaeus semel volāvit per amygdalinās arborēs flōrentēs, per pōmēria, per rosās, per līlia et aliōs flōrēs. Tandem proiēcit sē in sterquilīnium ubī erant stercora equōrum et boum, et invēnit ibi uxōrem suam quae quaesīvit unde venīret. Et ait Scarabaeus: Circuīvī terram, trānsvolāvī eam, vīdī florēs amygdalārum, rosārum, et līlōrum; sed nunquam vīdī ita amoenum locum et dēlectābilem, sīcut est iste, dēmōnstrātō sterquilīniō.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Actum agis (English: You're doing something that's already been done).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is In libris libertas (English: In books, freedom - that's a motto that has guided my life for sure!).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Voluptate homines capiuntur, ut hamo pisces (English: Men are captured by pleasure, as fish by the hook).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Vox sanguinis clamat de terra (English: The voice of the blood cries out from the earth - an allusion to the story of Cain and Abel).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Iapeto antiquior (English: Older than Iapetus - which is very old indeed, as Iapetus was a Titan going back to the first generation mothered by Uranus and Gaia; Prometheus was his son; the saying comes from Adagia 5.2.51).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Σήψει καὶ πέτρην ὁ πολὺς χρόνος (English: A long period of time will wear away even a rock).

For an image today, here is Francis Barlow's illustration for the story of Apollo and the two men, one greedy and one envious, Avarus et Invidus:

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Round-Up: April 20

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem duodecimum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Upupa et Luscinia, Odo's little fable about how the nightingale regrets her visit to the hoopoe's nest.
Olla Duae, the story of two mismatched pots.
Camelus et Iuppiter, the story of the camel who thought he would look good with horns.
Bubo et Aquila, the story of the owl who wanted her chicks to serve as the eagle's courtiers.
Fringilla, the unfortunate fate of the finch who escaped from captivity only to meet her doom.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the unfortunate finch, Fringilla, to share with you here in the blog:

Auceps, cum Fringillam cēpisset ac fīlō pedem alligāsset, puerulō hanc dedit dōnō. Sed illa inter hominēs vītam nōn ferēns, ubī lībertātis spes aliqua sē obtulit, fugit et nōtīs nemoribus sē condidit. At īnscia fīlum subsecūtum rāmulīs implicat, et ultrā iam volāre nōn potest, et mortem reperit, dum servitūtem fugit. Damnum leve suffer, nē malum grave incurrās.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Sublimiora petamus (English: Let us seek higher things).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Iustitia virtutum regina (English: Justice is the queen of the virtues)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nemo non formosus filius matri (English: No one fails to be a beautiful son for his mother - a perfect moral for the story of the owl and the eagle, supra). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Male vivunt, qui se semper victuros putant (English: People who think they are going to live forever do a bad job of living).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Caudae pilos equinae paulatim vellere (English: Plucking the hairs of a horse's tail, one by one - which makes the job manageable, as opposed to trying to tear out the tail all at once; from Adagia 1.8.95).

For an image today, here is Francis Barlow's illustration for the story of the two pots carried away by the river, Olla Duae - but you have to look hard to find the pots!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Myths and Legends: Ganymede

The Abduction of Ganymede. To find out more about the gods' cup-bearer Ganymede, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Ganymede was the son of Tros, legendary founder of Troy. He was so handsome that Zeus himself fell in love with him and carried him up into heaven, taking the form of an eagle to do so. Zeus granted Ganymede immortality and made him his cupbearer. Legend has it that Ganymede was herding sheep when Zeus abducted him, and you can see one of the sheepdogs barking in dismay. Meanwhile, Ganymede clutches in his hand the an arrow, presumably the arrow of Cupid that ignited Zeus's indomitable passion for the boy.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 15-21 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: April 19

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Asinus Rubos Comedens, the story of the donkey who is content to eat thistles.
Simia Saltans, the story of a dancing monkey, easily distracted.
Lupus et Haedus, the story of a kid left home alone and the wolf at the door.
Puer et Fortuna, the story of a lucky boy sleeping by a well.
Pavo et Pica, the magpie protests when the peacock is elected king of the birds.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the thistle-eating donkey, Asinus Rubos Comedens, to share with you here in the blog; for an illustration, see below.

Asinō esculenta messōribus in agrō portantī occurrit herīlis Canis, cui dīxit, Tū panibus cibīsque onustus es, quōrum mox egō particeps erō, interim dum per viam incēdis, tū ipse rubōs comedis. Huic Asinus rēspondēbat, Frustula fortasse et offa ad tē pertinēbunt, vērum rubī quōs egō comedō sunt grātiōrēs mihi et magis meum palātum sapiunt, quam omnēs in macellō carnēs aut bellāria in pistōrum officīnis.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Militamus sub spe (English: We fight under hope's banner).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Litteris absentes videmus (English: We see people who are absent through letters).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Pomum compunctum cito corrumpit sibi iunctum (English: A bruised fruit quickly spoils the fruit next to it).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis cotidie (Luke 11:3). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Spes alit exules: Even banished menne have hope once to retourne into there countrye. A proverbe signifieng that there ys yet some hope, or that we shoulde not yet dispayre but loke for a day, for in space cometh grace.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is from Owen's epigrams (1.32), with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:

Ad mortem sic vita fluit, velut ad mare flumen.
Vivere nam res est || dulcis, amara mori.

English: "Death flows towards death as the river flows to the sea, for life is something sweet, and death is bitter." What an ingenious mixing of metaphors, with life as the sweet waters of a river flowing into the bitter salt waters of the sea.

For an image today, here is Francis Barlow's illustration for the story of the thistle-eating donkey, Asinus Rubos Comedens:

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Myths and Legends: The Judgment of Paris

The Judgment of Paris. To find out more about the three goddesses vying for the favor of Paris, Prince of Troy, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

For another depiction of the judgment of Paris and notes about the story, see this earlier blog post. This painting is by the French artist Jacques Clément Wagrez (1846 - 1908).

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 15-21 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Round-Up: April 16

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem sextum decimum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Vulpes et Gallinae in Gallinario, the story of how the fox tricked those poor trusting chickens.
Asinus et Aper, the story of the donkey who was friendly with the boar.
Cicadae et Formicae, the story of the hard-working ants and the carefree grasshoppers.
Coclea in Prunis, the story of the roasted snailes.
Canis et Bos, the famous story of the dog in the manger.

I've picked out my favorite one, the story of the bold donkey, to share with you here in the blog; for an illustration, see below:

Asinus occurrēns Aprō cachinnīs illum iocōsē excēpit, percontātus dē mōribus eius et parentibus et līberālī ēducātiōne, inquiēns praetereā sē servulum sibi futūrum et sī quid foret quod illī in mandātīs praeciperet. Cui torvus et īrācundus Aper ait, Abī, īnsulsum animal! Nōlō ōs contāmināre colloquiō tam vēcordis bēluae.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Scienter utor (English: I enjoy things wisely).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Sermo irae medicus (English: Speech is the doctor of anger)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is O quantum est in rebus inane! (English: Oh how much trivial stuff there is in the world!). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Gravissimum est imperium consuetudinis (English: The rule of habit is most tyrannical).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is A fronte praecipitium, a tergo lupi. (English: A cliff ahead, wolves behind - which is like being between a rock and a hard place, but even worse, since wolves are scarier than rocks; from Adagia 3.4.94).

For today's image, here is Francis Barlow's illustration for the story of the donkey and the boar, Asinus et Aper - I like how the donkey has arrayed himself so proudly, to fit his social ambitions:

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Myths & Legends: April 15-21

Apr. 8-14 - Apr. 15-21 - Apr. 22-28

For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Reference Page.

Achilles and Penthesilea. To find out more about Achilles and Penthesilea, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Venus Appears to Aeneas. To find out more about Aeneas and his mother Venus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Cassandra. To find out more about the Trojan princess Cassandra, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

The Abduction of Ganymede. To find out more about the gods' cup-bearer Ganymede, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Hero Holding the Beacon for Leander. To find out more about Hero and her lover Leander, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Apollo and Marsyas. To find out more about the contest between Apollo and Marsyas, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.

Myths and Legends: Achilles and Penthesilea

Achilles and Penthesilea. To find out more about Achilles and Penthesilea, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Penthesilea was a warrior queen of the Amazons, fighting on the side of the Trojans. In his battle with her, the Greek hero Achilles was so distracted by her beauty that he almost lost the contest. In the end, Achilles did kill her. In some accounts he grieved over her body; in other accounts, far more gruesome, he raped her corpse.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of April 15-21 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: April 15

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Asellus Viridis, the story of how people can get used to anything.
Silvanus et Leo, a man and a lion debate who is the stronger.
Viator et Mercurius, how a man sneakily fulfills a vow to Mercury.
Unicornis et Homo, a story about life's sweetness, and its peril.
Canis Mordax, the story of a biting dog and his inflated sense of self-importance.

I've picked out my favorite one, the debate between the man and the lion, Silvanus et Leo, to share with you here in the blog; for an illustration, see below.

Silvānus et Leo ūnā iter conficiēbant et in trānsitū cernēbant monumentum eximium sūprā quod armātus stetit Homo et sub pedibus Leōnem dēbellātum conterēbat. Significatiōnem et sēnsum inquirentī Leōnī rēspondit Silvānus illud monumentum virtūtem et vim Hominis super bēluam triumphantis indicāsse. Cui lepidē Leo, Nē! Sī leōnēs etiam sculptōrēs ēvāsissent, contrārium hoc fore compertum crēdidissēs.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Antequam incipias, consulta (English: Deliberate before you begin).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Opes parit industria (English: Hard work begets wealth - and don't let the word order fool you there; it's O-V-S).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Qui miseros spernit, sibi callem ad tartara sternit (English: He who scorns the wretched is paving his own road to hell - note the late Latin callem, which yields Spanish "calle").

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Cor hominis disponet viam suam sed Domini est dirigere gressus eius (Proverbs 16:9). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Sub omni lapide scorpius dormit: Under every stone sleepeth a Scorpion. This Proverbe admonisheth us, that wee speake not rashely and unadvisedlie amonges captiouse and calumnious persons. For what so ever wee touch, it is to be feared that they will bite it. Now certaine it is, that the Scorpions be wonte in diverse countreyes beyond the sea, to lye lurkinge under stones, whiche stones, so sone as a man uniware, take up, forthwith he receyveth a wounde of the Scorpion.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is one of the elegant little epigrams of Owen (4.218), with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:

Gaudia post luctus veniunt, post gaudia luctus.
Semper in ambiguo, || speve metuve, sumus.

English: "Joys come after griefs, and after joys come griefs; we are always in a doubtful state, either hoping, or fearing." I love the sound play of the final hemistich!

For an image today, here is Barlow's illustration of the debate between the man and the lion, Silvanus et Leo - and you will notice that the lion is giving the man a quite visceral proof of his superior strength as well!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Round-Up: April 14

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. Plus, you can find some Latin "pipilationes" at my Proverbia Latina feed.

HODIE: ante diem duodevicesimum Kalendas Maias. You can add a Roman calendar as a widget in your blog or webpage, or display it as a Google Calendar: here's how.

MORE FABLES: Here are today's fables from the Ictibus Felicibus project. These fables ALL have long marks, plus stress marks for easy reading, and the poems have meter marks, too, along with an easy-to-read prose presentation of the story:

Feles et Gallus, a variation on the famous "wolf and lamb" fable, but this time with a cat and a rooster!
Oves et Lupi, the story of the fatal treaty between the wolves and the sheep.
Abies et Dumeta, the story of the fir tree and the humble thorn-bushes.
Simia et Nucleus, the story of the monkey, the nut and its shell.
Hercules et Pulicis Morsus, the story of a man who implores Hercules in a matter of trifling importance.

I've picked out my favorite one, Feles et Gallus, to share with you here in the blog - it's a long one, but that's actually the point: the cat will never run out of excuses for behaving badly!

Cattus cum Gallum cēpisset, crīmināre coepit quod esset animal turbulentum, quī noctū clāmitandō nōn permitteret hominēs quiescere. Gallus sē excūsābat, quod id ageret ad eōrum voluptātem, cum ad opera facienda illōs excitāret. Rursum Cattus ait, Impius es quī nec ā mātre nec ā sorōribus tē abstineās, sed per incontinentiam illīs tē commisceās. Gallus sē dēfendēbat dīxitque quod ex huiusmodī coitū, Gallīnae pariunt ōva. Tunc inquit Cattus, Quamvīs excūsātiōnibus abundēs, egō tamen tē missum facere nōn intendō.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: You can get access to ALL the "proverb of the day scripts" (also available as random proverb scripts) at the SchoolhouseWidgets.com website.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Ardua vinco (English: I overcome difficulties).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Omnium rerum vicissitudo (English: There is change in all things)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae (English: There is no great talent without an admixture of madness). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Heu, quam miserum est discere servire, ubi dominari doctus es (English: Oh, how wretched it is to learn to serve, when you were schooled in rule).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Simia simia est, etiam si aurea gestet insignia (English: A monkey is a monkey, even if it's wearing gold medals; from Adagia 1.7.11 - a proverb that goes very nicely with the fable about the king of the monkeys).

For an image today, here is Francis Barlow's illustration for the story of the savage cat, Feles et Gallus - it makes me wonder what kind of conversation my cat might have had with the skink he caught this morning, just as firmly as the cat has caught the rooster here:

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.