
SIGNA FORTIUM.
The mark of the brave
Quae te causa movet volucris Saturnia[1] magni,
Ut tumulo insideas ardua Aristomenis[2]?
Hoc moneo quantum inter aves ego robore praesto,
Tantum semideos inter Aristomenes.
Insideant timidae timidorum busta columbae,
Nos aquilae intrepidis signa benigna damus.
Saturnian bird, what cause brings you to stand with uplifted wings on the tomb of mighty Aristomenes? - I tell you this - as I stand out among the birds in power, so does Aristomenes among the sons of gods. Fearful doves may perch on the graves of the fearful. We eagles give signs of favour to the fearless.
1. volucris Saturnia, ‘Saturnian bird’, i.e. the eagle, attendant on Jupiter, son of Saturn.
2. Aristomenes was a Messenian hero of the seventh century BC, of semi-divine origin, who performed incredible exploits while leading his country for many years in resistance to the Spartans. On one occasion an eagle aided his miraculous escape from captivity.
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- heraldic animals [25F(+12)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- predatory birds (with NAME) [25F33(EAGLE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- grave, tomb [42E31] Search | Browse Iconclass
- men of name or fame, heroes, 'homines illustres', 'uomini famosi' [46A1270] Search | Browse Iconclass
- inscription [49L8] Search | Browse Iconclass
- proverbs, sayings, etc. (with TEXT) [86(D. M. ARISTOMENIS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- attributes of Jupiter: eagle [92B18(EAGLE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- (story of) Aristomenes representations to which the NAME of a person from classical history may be attached [98B(ARISTOMENES)3] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- doves, pigeons [34B231] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Strength, Power; 'Fortezza', 'Fortezza d'Animo e di corpo', 'Fortezza del corpo congiunta con la generosit… dell'animo', 'Fortezza & valore del corpo congiunto con la prudenza & virtu del animo', 'Forza'(Ripa) [54A7] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Courage, Bravery, Valiance, Manliness; 'Ardire magnanimo et generoso', 'Gagliardezza', 'Valore', 'Virtù heroica', 'Virtù dell'animo e del corpo' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54A8(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- Fear, Dread; 'Paura', 'Timidità o Timore', 'Timore' (Ripa) [56DD1] Search | Browse Iconclass
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DIVES INDOCTUS.
The stupid rich man
Tranat aquas residens precioso in vellere Phrixus,
Et flavam impavidus per mare scandit ovem.
Ecquid id est? vir sensu hebeti, sed divite gaza,
Coniugis aut servi quem regit arbitrium.[1]
Phrixus traverses the waters astride the precious fleece and fearlessly rides the golden sheep across the sea. - Whatever can this be? - A man dull of sense, but with rich coffers, whom the whim of wife or servant rules.
1. For the story of Phrixus and the Golden Fleece see Ovid, Fastii 3.851ff.
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- arm held downwards [31A2515] Search | Browse Iconclass
- floating (movement in water) (+ variant) [31A2774(+0)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- adult man [31D14] Search | Browse Iconclass
- man (showing himself) undressed, quasi-nude [41D91] Search | Browse Iconclass
- riding on animal other than horse, ass, or mule [46C132:47I2131] Search | Browse Iconclass
- ram [47I2131] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Phrixus and Helle escape on the ram (+ variant) [95A(PHRIXUS)32(+0)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- the ram with the golden fleece ~ attribute of Phrixus [95A(PHRIXUS)81] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- minerals and metals: gold [25D13(GOLD)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- servant [31A56] Search | Browse Iconclass
- marriage, married couple, 'matrimonium' [42D3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- the rich [46A16] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Ignorance; 'Ignoranza', 'Ignoranza di tutte le cose', 'Ignoranza in un ricco senza lettere' (Ripa) [52AA5] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Folly, Foolishness; 'Pazzia', 'Sciocchezza', 'Stoltitia' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [52AA51(+4):46A160] Search | Browse Iconclass
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