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EMBLEMA XV.
Nobiles & generosi.
High born and noble
Aurea Caecropias[1] nectebat fibula vestes:
Cui coniuncta tenax dente cicada fuit.
Calceus, Arcadico suberat cui lunula ritu,[2]
Gestatur patribus mullea Romulidis.[3]
Indigenas quod se adsererent haec signa tulerunt,
Antiqua illustres nobilitate viri.
A golden brooch knitted together the robes of Cecrops’ descendants, a brooch which had attached to it a cicada, gripping with a tooth. A shoe called a mullea with a little crescent-shaped ornament below in Arcadian fashion was worn by Romulus’ patrician clans. Because they proclaimed themselves descendants of the earliest inhabitants, men distinguished by ancient noble lineage wore these symbols.
Das XV.
Edel und Wolgeborn.
Die Edlen trugen zu Athen
An irn Kleidern gülden hafften
Daran waren Cicaden gmacht
Damits zsammen hefften zum pracht
An den Schuhen die Gschlechter zRom
Theten tragen ein güldin Mon
Auff Arcadisch monier und weiß
Den sie hielten mit grossem fleiß
Damit zeigen sie an gar fein
Das sie innwohner diß Lands seyn
Link to an image of this page [C8v f11v]Von andern orten nit her komm
Sonder da iren anfang gnomm.
1. Cecropias, ‘of Cecrops’ descendants’, i.e. Athenians claiming descent from Cecrops, the autochthonous first king of Athens. See Emblem 144 ([A67a144]), notes.
2. Arcadico...ritu, ‘in Arcadian fashion’. The Arcadians wore crescent-shaped ornaments because they believed themselves to be the first men on earth and older than the moon. See Ovid, Fastii, 2.290. Evander, who came from Arcadia, was the founder of the primitive settlement on the Palatine hill which preceded Romulus’ Rome. See Vergil, Aeneid, 8.; Plutarch, Quaestiones Romanae, 76.
3. patribus...Romulidis, ‘Romulus’ patrician clans’, i.e. members of the inner circle of noble Roman families claiming descent from the first senators (patres), one hundred in number, appointed by Romulus, founder and first ruler of Rome. These patrician families wore a distinctive black boot with a crescent-shaped ornament. Those members who achieved high political office wore similar red boots, calcei mullei, so called because their colour was like that of a mullet (according to Isidore, Etymologiae (Origines), 19.34.4 and 10).
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- moon as celestial body [24B] Search | Browse Iconclass
- minerals and metals (with NAME) [25D13(GOLD)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- insects (with NAME) [25F711(CICADA)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- extinct, 'historical' peoples (with NAME) (+ costume) [32B2(GREEK)(+3)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- extinct, 'historical' peoples (with NAME) (+ costume) [32B2(ROMAN)(+3)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- shoes, sandals [41D2332] Search | Browse Iconclass
- buckle [41D2644] Search | Browse Iconclass
- brooch, agraffe, clasp [41D2665] Search | Browse Iconclass
- nobility and patriciate; chivalry, knighthood [46A120] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Respectability; 'Precedenza et Preminenza de titoli' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [59B33(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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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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- 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
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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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