Round-Up: January 30

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. There are notices also at Twitter - look for Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Stephanus' Comicorum Graecorum sententiae and Ottmar's Ioci ac sales mire festivi.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Heracles and the Bull; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

RHYMING DISTICHS: From the new crop of rhyming distichs, here are two of my favorites: from Group 1, Sit bonus interpres, nil mala verba nocent; / Sit malus interpres, nil bona verba docent.; and from Group 2, Vincere si quaeris Venerem, fugiens superabis; / Instans victus eris - Venerem fugiendo fugabis.

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are De Arte Amandi, Iudice me, rudis est, artem qui tradit amandi; / Naturae scopus est, non opus artis, amor.; and Horologium Vitae, Latus ad occasum, umquam rediturus ad ortum, / Vivo hodie, moriar cras, here natus eram. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Victrix Patientia Duri, Omne malum superat victrix patientia duri / Ut nec ab imposito pondere palma perit.; and Non Uno Sternitur Ictu, Nitere in adversis, non uno sternitur ictu, / Quae longo e dura tempore crevit humo. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Dum Detonet Imber, Nubila si fuerint, sapienter comprime linguam; / Tunc loquere, illuxit si qua serena dies.; and Ad Medelam, Ipse sui est morbi medicus leo: vos quoque reges / Assentatores pellite sponte malos. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

Camerarius illustrates that little epigram with an emblem based on the Aesopic fable of the lion king and the monkey in his court - as you can see, things do not turn out well for the monkey!

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Beati misericordes (English: Blessed are the merciful).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Dominus illuminatio mea (English: The Lord is my shining light).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Ex pravo pullus bonus ovo non venit ullus (English: No good chick ever comes from a bad egg).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Oculus domini in agro fertilissimus est (English: The eye of the master is the best fertilizer for the field).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Amyclas perdidit silentium (English: Silence destroyed Amyclae; from Adagia 1.9.1 - supposedly the people of Amyclae had once been disturbed by false reports of an enemy invasion, so they passed a law forbidding anyone to report an enemy invasion, which meant the town was easily captured when the enemy did arrive).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Ἑῖς ἀνὴρ οὐ πάνθ' ὁρᾷ (English: One man does not see all things).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Vultur Convivium Faciens, the story of the wicked vulture's birthday party (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 361, Canis Venaticus et Vulpes, through Fable 370, Canis et Ovis Conquerens, including Canis Dormiens et Lupus, the story of the dog who was caught off-guard by a wolf.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Eagle and the Crow, the story of a crow who tried to imitate an eagle.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Herinacei et Viperae, the story of the kindly vipers and their houseguests, the hedgehogs. Herinacei, hiemem adventare praesentientes, blande viperas rogaverunt ut in propria illarum caverna adversus vim frigoris locum sibi concederent. Quod cum illae fecissent, herinacei, huc atque illuc se provolventes, spinarum acumine viperas pungebant et vehementi dolore torquebant. Illae, male secum actum videntes, blandis verbis orabant herinaceos ut exirent, quandoquidem tam multis locus esset angustus nimis. Cui herinacei “Exeant,” inquiunt, “qui hic manere non possunt.” Quare viperae, sentientes ibi locum non esse, cesserunt hospitio. (The image here shows a porcupine instead of a hedgehog - which suits the story perfectly!)

Round-Up: January 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 quintum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Andrelinus' Disticha and Klauserwiz's Seria mixta iocis.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Jason and Medea; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Natalis, Ad praesentia nascor, et ad ventura renascor. / Natalis prior est ille, sed hoc potior.; and Novus Homo, Quod superest, de pelle tua depelle vetustum, / De cute peccati decute triste iugum.. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Metuenda Procella, Contrahe vela, licet ludant delphines in alto, / Nam tunc tempestas non procul esse solet.; and Nil Mihi Vobiscum Est, Ite leves procul hinc aliorum in praedia blattae; / Noster adulantes nescit amare decor.. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Durabo, Durabo, et quondam res exspectabo secundas: / Quamvis nunc male sit, non male semper erit.; and Ubi Helena, Ibi Troia, Certe ubi Tyndaris est, ibi Troia; ubi bella puella / Bella movet telis aemula turba est suis.. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Deo gratias (English: Thanks to God).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Scientia sol mentis (English: Knowledge is the sun of the mind)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Dubium sapientiae initium (English: Doubt is the beginning of wisdom). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Nemo timendo ad summum pervenit locum (English: No one ever reached the top by being afraid).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Tacitus pasci si posset corvus, haberet plus dapis (English: If the crow could feed quietly, he's had more to eat; from Adagia 4.1.94).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Festa Bacchi, an account of the holidays in honor of Dionysus.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 351, Canis Aquam Timens, through Fable 360, Canes et Leonis Pellis, including Canis et Asinus, Epistolam Legentes, a great little story about what interests a donkey and what interests a dog.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Dog and The Shadow, the famous story of the greedy dog fooled by his own reflection.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Tigris et Venatores, the story of how the hunters deceived the mother tiger.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Tigris et Venatores, a simplified version of the same story (this one also has a vocabulary list).

Round-Up: January 26

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - highly recommended as a thought-provoking place to hang out online!

HODIE: ante diem septimum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Moker's Decalogus metricus et paraenetica disticha and Barlandus' Iocorum Libri III.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Death of Lucretia; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Contemptus Mundi, Felicem vitam vis vivere? Spernito vitam. / Vivit enim misere, cui sua vita placet; and Herculis Bivium, Sunt qui in quadriviis triviisque insigniter errent: / Herculis in bivio maximus error inest. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Non Quam Crebro Sed Quam Bene, Non tu quam crebro iaculeris, quam bene refert; / Contingat metam missa sagitta suam; and Consequitur Quodcumque Petit, Consequitur quodcumque petit Dictynna sagittis, / Et mens consequitur quod pia cumque petit. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are In Tempore Munit, Non bene firmum animum abripient vanissima rerum; / Quare hunc doctrina constabilito gravi; and Nec Caesus Cedam, Nunquam, caesa licet, linquit canis Inda leonem / Nec, licet accisus, facta decora bonus. (These also have vocabulary lists.) The emblem shows the famous "dog of India" which not only attacks a lion but refuses to let go even when its legs are chopped off - tenacious indeed!

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Sapere aude, incipe (English: Dare to be wise; begin).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Nummus regnat ubique (English: Money reigns everywhere).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Qui bona consuescit, semper cum laude senescit (English: He who has good habits always wins praise as he grows old).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Doctrinam magis quam aurum eligite (Proverbs 8:10). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Semper tibi pendeat hamus: Let this hooke hange alwayes, thou mayest happe to have somewhat; hope still, for in space commeth grace.

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Bacchus et Bacchantes, an account of Bacchus and his followers.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Camelus et Iuppiter, the story of the camel who wanted horns (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Haedus Saltans et Lupus, the story of the kid who managed to escape from the wolf.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Bulls and the Lion, a story about the lion who was able to "divide and conquer."

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 341, Sus et Asinus Morbum Simulans, through Fable 350, Canes Duo et Os, including Canis Parturiens Domicilium Quaerens, a story about how no good deed goes unpunished! Canis gravida, cum partus instare tempus sentiret, impetravit ab altera cane sibi ut paulisper, dum onere catulorum liberaretur, concederet tuguriolo suo. Postea, cum catuli iam valentes facti essent, repetebat habitationem illa suam, quod eius usu satis longo tempore se caruisse diceret; et nisi bona gratia suum obtineret, omnia esse experturam se aiebat, ut recuperaret domicilium suum. Cui haec “Quid minare,” inquit, “quin potius hinc nos eiicis? Ut potiatur tuguriolo, qui viribus praestiterit.”

Round-Up: January 24

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. There are notices also at Twitter - look for Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem nonum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Oudin's Silva distichorum moralium and Dornavius' Amphitheatrum Sapientiae.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Neoptolemus and Priam; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Sermo et Scriptura, Interpres linguae manus est, at muta, loquentis, / Pectoris ut muti nuntia lingua loquens.; and Troynovant. Ad Londinenses, Ex cinere ut Phoenix Phoenicis nascitur alter, / Londinium Troiae prodiit e cinere.. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Tanto Uberius, Tu quoque sic reseces vitiis marcentia multis, / Virtutum ut soboles pullulet uberior.; and Nec Aura, Nec Unda, In nos nempe omnis caeli pelagique rapina est: / Et fatale rapit, quem manet, exitium.. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Quid Si Sic, Quid si sic? forsan cubito sim longior, heuheu. / Non ars Naturae corrigit ingenium.; and Patior Ut Potiar, Ut potiar, patior stimulos pro melle; dolores / Mille, ut mille feram pectore delicias.. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

You can see the bear here enduring the pain of the bee stings in order to get the honey:

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Hora fugit (English: The moment is fleeing).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Cito, non temere (English: Quickly, not rashly).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Durum tondere leonem (English: It is hard to shear the lion - that's even worse than belling the cat!).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Durum est contra stimulum calcitrare (English: It is hard to kick against the goad).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Phormionis torus (English: The bed of Phormio; from Adagia 2.9.66 - this is an ironic proverb, as Phormio was a vigorous general who loved the military life and slept on the ground with this men, which is to say, without a bed at all).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Μακραὶ τυράννων χεῖρες (English: Long are the hands of tyrants).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Templa Dianae, the story of the temple of Artemis at Ephesus.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Mures Duo, the famous story of the city mouse and the country mouse (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 331, Sus Parturiens et Lupus, through Fable 340, Verres et Lupus, including Porcellus et Testamentum, the hilarious story of the pig and his inheritance.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Boaster, the famous story of the boastful athlete.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Cerva in Speluncam Fugiens, an "out of the frying pan, into the fire" type of story. 159. Cerva in Speluncam Fugiens. Cerva, venatores fugiens, in speluncam quamdam, ubi leo degebat, pervenit ut in ea nimirum ingressa lateret. Sed illico ab eo comprehensa necique parata, “Ah me infelicem,” exclamavit, “quae fugiens homines, ferae me tradidi!”

Round-Up: January 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.

HODIE: ante diem undecimum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Melander's Iocorum atque seriorum centuriae and Tünger's Facetiae.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Arion; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Non Occides, Non Furaberis, Furtum non facies iuristae scribitur haec lex. / Haec non occides pertinet ad medicum; and Fides, Astra oculus vicina, polum sed opinio cernit. / Sic oculo caelum cerno, fideque Deum. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Non Usitata Vehor, Regulus in aquilae auxilio defertur in auras: / Sic quisquis docti nititur ingenio; and Nihil Decentius, Provida magnanimae si adsit prudentia dextrae, / Dic mihi quae rerum pulchrior esse queat?. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Transeat, Perfer et obdura: tempestas transeat olim, / Fulgebit puro laetior axe dies.; and Mors Vitae Initium, Grana velut putrefacta novas meditantur aristas; / Sic vitae mors est haec quoque principium. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Non sibi (English: Not selfishly).

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Fortuna gloriae carnifex (English: Fortune is the butcher of glory). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Stultum est vicinum velle ulcisci incendio (English: It's a foolish thing to punish your neighbor by setting his house on fire).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Ars multa vulpi, ast una echino maxima (English: The fox has many a trick, but the hedgehog has just one big trick; from Adagia 1.5.18).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Memnon, the story of the death of Memnon in the Trojan War.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Simia et Catuli Eius, the story of what happened when the animals had a baby beauty contest (this one has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 321, Capra et Canis, through Fable 330, Haedus Saltans et Lupus, including Hircus Equitans, a funny story about a goat who had a donkey for his master.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Satyrus et Viator, the story of the Satyr who rescued a traveler who was stuck in the snow.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Jupiter and the Cat, the story of the cat who was turned into a woman... but who still had a craving for mice.

Here is the phrase E pluribus unum in the Seal of the United States:

Round-Up: January 20

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - highly recommended as a thought-provoking place to hang out online!

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Brusoni's Facetiae and The Facetiae or Jocose Tales of Poggio.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Antigone; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Troianus, Troiani eversa sapuerunt denique Troia. / Quis non Troianum se fateatur in hoc?; and Tres Haustus, Prateritam primus, praesentem proximus haustus, / Venturam extinguat tertius iste sitim.. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Ardua Virtutem, Qui laurum et palmam victricem carpere gaudes, / Montis, si nescis, ardua scande prius; and Mole Ruit Sua, Me mea ad interitum moles pertraxit acerbum; / Sic pereat, quisquis robore fidit atrox. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Matura, Matura: mora longa nocet; spes omnis in alis; / Instat qui te vult prendere, papilio.; and Ad Scopum Licet Aegre et Frustra, Volve, scopum donec, licet aegre, attingere possis; / Et frustra, molem volve, revolve tamen. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Apes debemus imitari (English: We should imitate the bees).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Omnia nimia nocent (English: All excesses are harmful).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: O mihi praeteritos referat si Iuppiter annos! (English: Oh, if only Jupiter could bring back to me the years that have gone by).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Qui accipit mutuum, servus est fenerantis (Proverbs 22:7). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Multi te oderint, si te ipsum amas: Many shal hate thee, if thou love thy self. Undoubtedly, nothing is more hurtfull to a man, then self love is, neyther is it possible, but that he must needes displease manie, that pleaseth himselfe, and standeth best in his owne conceite.

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Phaeton, the sad story of Apollo's son and the fiery chariot.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Corvus et Mercurius, a hilarious story about a hypocritical crow (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 311, Agnus et Lupus, Bibentes, through Fable 320, Capra et Asinus, including Verveces et Lanius, the story of the wethers and the butcher - and why we have to stick together!

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Hercules and the Carter, a story about "God helps them that help themselves."

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Concubinae Duae, the story of the man and his two lovers - one young and one old: 952. Concubinae Duae. Senex, cuius caput respersum iam erat canis, habebat concubinas duas, moribus et aetate dissimiles, nam altera iuvencula et lascivior, altera aetate provecta et severior erat. Ut igitur ad harum alteram forte accesserat, ita crines non similes suis dormienti vellebantur. Carpebat enim iuvencula albos, senior vero nigros. Tandem ille calvo capite omnibus risui fuit.

Round-Up: January 18

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I debated about whether or not to participate in the SOPA/PIPA Blackout today, and decided not to do that because I know some Latin teachers use this blog and I did not want to leave you in the lurch - but for those of you who are not familiar with the SOPA/PIPA legislation and the threat it poses to the open Internet, I would urge you to visit Wikipedia today, during their blackout, to learn more about that. Contact Congress and share your views!


HODIE: ante diem quintum decimum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Leigh's The Comic Latin Grammar and Facetiae Heinrici Bebelii.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Dirce and the sons of Antiope; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are In Chymicum, Rem decoxit iners chymicus, dum decoquit aurum, / Et bona dilapidat omnia pro lapide.; and Primatus Maritalis, Nocturnum imperium muliebre, virile diurnum est. / Regnat enim noctu Cynthia, Solque diu.. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Dum Extendar, Dum extendar, duros ictus tot perfero; nomen / ob clarum cur quis ferre recuset idem?; and Concussus Surgo, Concussus surgo: casus me tollit in altum, / Plaudit ut in mediis mens cruce pressa malis.. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Ergo Movebor?, Nunquam aquila imbelles cornices celsa fatigat, / Nec generosum animum lingua maligna movet.; and Vim Suscitat Ira, Non temere caecam vir fortis fertur ad iram, / Iusta sed indigne laesus in arma ruit.. (These also have vocabulary lists.) That one shows a rhinoceros, slow to anger, finally roused to the point that he throws a bear with this horn:

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Existimationem retine (English: Keep your good reputation).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is In veritate victoria (English: In truth, victory).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Crabrones non sunt irritandi (English: You shouldn't stir up the hornets).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Omnes currunt, sed unus accipit bravium (English: All the racers run, but just one receives the prize).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is In Orci culum incidas (English: May you fall into Orcus's butthole; from Adagia 2.10.68 - as if being in the underworld of Orcus was not bad enough! Erasmus describes it as sermo perniciem et extremum exitium imprecantis, "words spoken by someone cursing another person with ruin and utter disaster" - ha!).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Μωρὸς σιωπᾷν οὐ δύναται (English: A fool is unable to keep quiet).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Apollo et Musae, the story of Apollo and his followers, the Muses.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 301, Oves, Lupus, et Porci , through Fable 310, Agnus, Pastor, et Lanius, including Oves Timidae et Pastor, a funny story about a shepherd who thought he could inspire his sheep to be brave!

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, a wolf whose disguise was good... but not good enough!

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Asinus et Viatores Duo, the story of a donkey who got away (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Iuppiter et Olitoris Asinus, the sad story of a hard-working donkey: Asinus olitoris, aegre sustinens laborem quo herus eum premebat, conqueritur de eo apud Iovem; supplicat alium sibi dari. Exaudit Iuppiter; iubet figulo veneat. Mutatur herus, sed non minuitur labor; immo augescit; semper lutum, tegulae, lateres, imbrices, dorso portandae. Iterum ad Iovem; Iuppiter, oratoris importunitate victus, dat coriarium. Statim expertus eum, omnibus quos unquam habuerat longe crudeliorem, apud se lamentans dicebat, “Heu me miserum, ut omnia mihi in deterius cedunt. Nam in eum incidi dominum, qui vivo non parcit, nec mortuo; ipse enim ubi corpus meum flagris exhauserit, in fine excoriabit.”

Round-Up: January 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.

HODIE: ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Schreger's Studiosus jovialis and Noel's Poggii Florentini Facetiarum.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Tityus; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Dies Solis, Qua prima emicuit lux, nondum sole creato, / Unde fit, ut solis dicta sit illa dies? and ΕΙΝΑΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΧΕΙΝ, “Esse et habere bonum est,” dixit quis nescio Graius. / Addidit Almannus nescio quis, “bibere.” (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Virtus Hinc Maior, Iridis Aspalathus vi suavior, ipsaque virtus / Gratior est superum quam pia cura fovet.; and Tutos Coniunctio Praestat, Nos tamen haec glomerata simul coniunctio servat, / Quos facile sparsos perderet una dies. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Quo Me Vertam Nescio, Nescio quo vertam mentem; vocat ardua Virtus / Huc, illuc Venus et splendida luxuries; and Dum Nutrio Consumor, Consumor miserum, flammas dum nutrio, lignum, / Officium in damno est: nil bene facta iuvant. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Sine timore (English: Without fear).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Virtus fortunae victrix (English: Excellence is the winner over luck)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nummis potior amicus in periculis (English: A friend is preferable to cash in times of trouble). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Mutare quod non possis, ut natum est, feras (English: What you cannot change, you must endure as it happens).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Aquila non captat muscas (English: An eagle doesn't catch flies; from Adagia 3.2.65).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Apollo, Neptunus et Laomedon, the story of the walls of Troy.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ursa et Vulpes, a great little story in which the fox rebukes the she-bear's hypocrisy (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 291, Taurus et Vitulus, through Fable 300, Oves et Lupi, including Ovis et Canis Calumniosus, the story of the dog who convicted the sheep in court on trumped-up charges.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is http://englishaesop.blogspot.com/2011/11/boothby-wolf-and-shepherds-boy.html, the famous story of the boy who cried "Wolf!"

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Grus et Lupus, a story about how foolish it is to try to do a favor for someone with no sense of gratitude. Grus et Lupus. In faucibus lupi os inhaeserat. Mercede igitur conducit gruem, qui illud extrahat. Hoc grus longitudine colli facile effecit. Cum autem mercedem postularet, subridens lupus et dentibus infrendens, “Num tibi,” inquit, “parva merces videtur, quod caput incolume ex lupi faucibus extraxisti?”

Round-Up: January 14

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - highly recommended as a thought-provoking place to hang out online!

HODIE: ante diem undecimum decimum Kalendas Februarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Frischlin's Facetiae selectiores and Bebelius' Facetiae.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Abduction of Helen, which is the middle of these three images in the panel; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.


TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Liberalitatis Laus, Quod datur, aeternum durat sequiturque datorem; / Dantem et captantem, munus utrumque iuvat; and Honoris et Divitiarum Comparatio, Donat opes homini Deus, et sibi poscit honorem. / Ergo divitiis anteferendus honor. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Per Tela, Per Ignes, Nec me praerupti montes, nec fulgura terrent, /
Quo minus in summo vertice conspiciar; and Prospiciente Deo, Si faveat caelum, bene surculus arbore crescet: / Si faveat Numen, tu quoque magnus eris. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Lente Sed Attente, Lente equidem tamen attente gradior; mora nulla est; / Si modo sat bene quo vis, cito sat venies.; and Remigio Ventisque Secundis, Navigo remigio felix ventisque secundis, / Sic bene perficiam, quod bene coepit, iter. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Optima est veritas (English: Truth is best).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Cura facit canos (English: Worry makes grey hairs).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Non omnis pugnat, minitans qui fortia clamat (English: Not every man who makes bold threats is going to fight).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Ecce et naves, cum magnae sint, circumferuntur a modico gubernaculo (James 3:4). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Heroum filii noxae: The children of most renowned and noble personages, be for moste parte destructions to a common welth. Verelye our elders have observed from time to time, that the children of most excellent and wise men have growne much out of kinde from the vertues and prowesse of theyr progenitours.

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Daphne et Hyacinthus, the sad story of two of Apollo's lovers.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Avarus et Poma Marcescentia, a hilarious story about a miser who denies himself even the smallest pleasures in life (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 281, Bos Philosophus, through Fable 290, Iuvenci Duo, including Boves Somniantes, one of my very favorite fables by Abstemius.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Two Bald Pates, the story of bald men fighting over... a comb, of course!

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Citharoedus Imperitus, the sad story of a musician in love with the song of his own voice. 865. Citharoedus Imperitus. Citharoedus quidam, non satis eruditus, in cubiculo ut solebat canens, sua inibi voce resonante, valde se canorum esse putabat. Quapropter animo elatus, theatro iam se committere voluit. Sed ubi in conspectum prodiit, cum pessime cantasset, eum spectatores lapidibus iactis e scena abegerunt.

Multiplying on your fingers

Just like we do, the Romans counted on their fingers. The Roman numerals I, V and X are NOT letters. They may look like letters... but they are not! They are symbols for fingers of the hand and/or for notches made on sticks (compare our tally system of IIII with the fifth mark being a diagonal through the group, and then starting a new group of five next to it). So, you can think about it this way: I is one finger
II is two fingers
III is three fingers
IIII is four fingers
V can be seen as five fingers (a schematic outline view of "V" made by a hand with all fingers extended; see below - it just looks like the letter V)
X is two sets of five, one above and one below (it just looks like the letter X, but it's really two Vs, one up and one down)
The use of "IV" to indicate 4 came later, and IIII continued to be used as a representation of the number 4 (it makes sense, doesn't it?).

Now learn how to multiple numbers 5 and higher using finger counting! Here is an illustrated guide to the Roman counting game which lets you multiply numbers 5-9 on your fingers. Showing the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4 with your fingers is easy; you just hold up that number of fingers. To be able to do this trick, you also need to know how to show the numbers 6, 7, 8 and 9 with ONE HAND ONLY, being able to show those numbers with either your left or your right hand. Here is how it goes:

LEFT		RIGHT
	To show the number 5, hold no fingers down, palm facing you, so all fingers are extended; here is how the number 5 looks when made with your left hand, and with your right hand:
	To show the number 6, hold one finger down, palm facing you; here is how the number 6 looks when made with your left hand, and with your right hand:
	To show the number 7, hold two fingers down, palm facing you; here is how the number 7 looks when made with your left hand, and with your right hand:
	To show the number 8, hold three fingers down, palm facing you; here is how the number 8 looks when made with your left hand, and with your right hand:
	To show the number 9, hold four fingers down, palm facing you; here is how the number 9 looks when made with your left hand, and with your right hand:

To multiply, do the numbers with both hands, and then COUNT the number of fingers down and multiply those by 10, and then MULTIPLY the number of fingers standing up, and then add the two numbers:

	6 multiplied by 7: 3 fingers down = 30 4 x 3 fingers up = 12 TOTAL 42
	9 multiplied by 9: 8 fingers down = 80 1 x 1 fingers up = 1 TOTAL 81
	7 multiplied by 8: 5 fingers down = 50 3 x 2 fingers up = 6 TOTAL 56
	8 multiplied by 5: 3 fingers down = 30 2 x 5 fingers up = 10 TOTAL 40

Try some more - it works!
I learned this trick in a medieval Latin graduate seminar, and I recall somehow that the source was the venerable Bede. Does anybody know exactly where to find that in Bede? I'd love to know more about how math was done with Roman numbers in general - if anybody has reading suggestions for that, online or in print, please leave a comment here! :-)

Round-Up: January 12

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. There are notices also at Twitter - look for Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: pridie Idus Ianuarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Poggio's Facetiae and Mirabelli's Polyanthea.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Thetis and Achilles; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Minos, Qui pro iustitia poscit sibi munera, Minos / Est similis pisci: quando capit, capitur; and Redemptio et Regeneratio, Nos Satan muliere emit, Christusque redemit. / Christus nos lavit, quos maculavit Adam. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The new emblem is Nocet Assentatio Magnis, Vilis adulator blande mentitus amicum / Se ingerit; admissus, maxima damna dabit.; plus a new emblem from Bornitius, Fata Viam Invenient, Iactatur mundi mediis ecclesia in undis: / Sed tamen in portum ducit agetque Deus. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Spernit Pericula Virtus, Non adversa timet spernitque pericula Virtus; / Illa vel in medio nescit obire mari (that one refers to Arion), and Lente Sed Attente, Lente equidem tamen attente gradior; mora nulla est; / Si modo sat bene quo vis, cito sat venies. (These come with vocabulary, too.) It is a snail who is speaking in that one!

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Varietas delectat (English: Variety is pleasing).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Post proelium praemium (English: After the war, the reward).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Sic vos non vobis vellera fertis, oves! (English: So, sheep, you bear your fleeces not for yourselves).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus (English: Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus grows cold).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Ubi sunt Theagenis plurimae pecuniae (English: There where all the great wealth of Theagenes is - Theagenes was a poor man who boasted about having lots of money, hidden away somewhere; from Adagia 2.9.6).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Δὶς παῖδες οἱ γέροντες (English: Old men are children a second time).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Aesculapius, the son of Apollo and a god of medicine and healing.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Fortuna et Puer, the story of Fortune defending her own reputation (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 271, Equus et Sus, through Fable 280, Bos et Lupus, including Equi Saltantes, the famous story of the dancing horses of Sybaris.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Vipera et Auceps, a story of the hunter hunted.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Sow and the Wolf, the story of a wolf who wants to be nanny to a sow and her piglets.

Here is that story about the goddess Fortuna: 813. Fortuna et Puer. Dormienti puero super os putei fertur astitisse Fortunam eumque excitasse dicendo, “Exsurge, O iuvenis, et abi hinc ocius. Novi enim genium hominum et tuum, quod si in puteum labereris, non te aut tuam secordiam, sed Fortunam incusabitis.” (source - easy version)

Round-Up: January 10

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 Idus Ianuarias.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Collins' La Fontaine and Other French Fabulists and Pirckheimer's Sententiae morales.

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Heracles and Cerberus; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S DISTICHS & EMBLEMS:

OWEN'S DISTICHS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Fides Cerea, Credebant nummos sine chirographo, sine cera / Sinceri veteres; nunc sine utroque nihil; and Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus, Mercurius non fit de quolibet arbore. Fingit / Mercurium ex ligno quolibet iste faber. (These come with vocabulary lists.)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are Et Profundissima Quaeque, Sublimis volat, ima videt, regina volucrum. / Nonne vides, sit ut haec regis imago boni?; and Non Impune Feres, Contemnit mortem, qui non moriturus inultus; Una etiam est hostis certa ruina sui. (These also have vocabulary lists.)

ROLLENHAGEN'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are In Nocte Consilium, Consilium in tenebris capias et nocte profunda: / Humanis obstat sensibus alma dies; and In Hunc Intuens Pius Esto, Esse pius cupis: hunc saltem adspice, qui fuit olim / Tu quod es, et quod eris mox erit ipse cinis. (These come with vocabulary, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Venit hora (English: The hour is coming).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Amor pretiosior auro (English: Love is more precious than gold)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Discipulus est prioris posterior dies (English: The following day is the student of the previous day). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Cicatrix conscientiae pro vulnere est (English: The scar of conscience is as bad as a wound).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Equi dentes inspicere donati (English: To look a gift horse in the mouth - which is something you should not do, of course; from Adagia 4.5.24).

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Latona, the mother of Diana and Apollo.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Avara et Gallina, the story of a woman who thought "more was better" (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 261, Equus et Hirci Tres, through Fable 270, Equa, Pullus, et Homo, including Equus et Venator, which is one of my very favorite fables of all time: it is the tale of the horse who first agreed to let a man ride him.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Sick Kite, a story about deathbed repentance.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Sutores et Mercurius, a funny little story about Mercury and the shoemakers. 861. Sutores et Mercurius. Iuppiter Mercurio imperavit ut artificibus omnibus mendacii potionem conficeret. Ipse, singulis quae ad id opus erant pistillo contusis atque mensura pro ratione miscendi confecta, universis aequalem potum praebuit. Cum vero, sutore solo relicto, multum adhuc ex potione superesset, Mercurius, mortario arrepto, totum illi bibendum dedit. Atque contigit inde ut artifices omnes mendaces sint, maxime vero omnium sutores.